Our Staff
The Balance Point staff is an incredible, motivated group!
Liz Ryen, Manager
Liz graduated from Central Washington University with a BS in Exercise Science and a minor in French. During her college career, she worked in a plyometrics training program while competing in track and field for the University. As a certified ASCM and AFAA Personal Trainer, she specializes in sport specific athletic training, special populations, core stability, and weight loss management. An avid climber, cyclist, hiker, and snowboarder, Liz loves outdoor activities and the ability to share those interests with others. Her goal is to continue promoting health education that offers improvement in overall quality of life to both herself and to the community.
Luke Astell, Spin Instructor
Luke Astell is one of our Spinning instructors and has been an avid cyclist for over 20 years. He has 18 years experience as a Physical Therapist and is a partner at Mt Stuart PT. He is an expert bike fitter is certified by The Fit Institute Slow Twitch in triathlon bike position. His hobbies include Ironman triathlon, trail running, climbing, hiking with family and playing with his daughter.
Rhona Baron started dancing at age 5 with her mom, a former ballerina with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Since then she has studied Jazz, Eastern European Folk, Ballroom, and Swing dancing. In addition, Rhona has an extensive background in performing arts, primarily as a singer/musician and radio personality. As a teacher she has 20 years of experience as a private voice coach, science educator and college instructor. Rhona brings her background of dance, music and education to every Zumba class. She searches out the hottest Latin dance music, choreographs Latin routines featuring steps like salsa and merengue, and leads her classes in an easy to follow manner. A survivor of serious illness, Rhona is committed to making exercise a fun, creative part of your healthful lifestyle. Rhona is certified in both Zumba! and Zumba Gold (for the active senior or people just starting an exercise program). Try one of Rhona’s Zumba classes at Balance Point Fitness and find out why people are ditching the “work out” and joining the party! Contact her at rhona@rhonabaron.com
ACE certified Group Fitness Professional for 20 years, Certified Personal Fitness trainer for 10 years. Interested and passionate about helping others discover exercise, its benefits, and adding it to their lives while maintaining balance. Adventure racing, Triathlon, distance trail running, nordic/alpine skiing, biking (both on and off road), and anything fun and adventurous outdoors surrounded by friends are included in my interests. Married 13 years, 4 kids ages 16,12,9, and 5. Moved to Leavenworth 8 years ago from Edmonds to raise family in what we have discovered is an even better community than we first thought.
After attending St. Olaf College and receiving BAs in Psychology and Sports Science, Brett was drawn first to the Rocky Mountains and then to the Cascades. A Minnesota boy who loves to have skis on his feet in winter and/or summer, Brett found balance by moving to Leavenworth in 1992. Completing a Masters in School Psychology at Central Washington University led to seven years of commuting before the School Psychologist position opened up in Leavenworth in 2001. Brett and his wife Nancy Bywater try to laugh, play, and enjoy the great outdoors with their two children (Finn and Stella) as much as possible.
Occasionally they are able to sneak out without them as well. Early morning spin classes are a good way to help the coffee taste even better. Come try one!
Joy, Zumba Instructor
Joy discovered her love of dancing at the age of four. As she grew, she studied Jazz, Hip Hop, Swing Dance, and Latin Dance. Joy believes in living a fully alive, healthy lifestyle. She graduated in Outdoor Recreation and was a mountaineering guide for Outward Bound Kenya and also for Young Life. Besides mountaineering, Joy is a world traveler and deeply values the beauty of different cultures. She is enthusiastic about Zumba because it combines dance, celebration, and world rhythms.
Nadege, Yoga and Bellydance Instructor
Originally from France, Nadege discovered yoga on a trip to the U.S. in 2002. After exploring Iyengar, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Hatha yoga practices, she gained certification as a 200-hours-yoga-teacher through the Institute of Progressive Therapies. She developed her skills as a teacher back in France, in Monaco, Nice, Antibes, and Cap d'Ail in the French Riveria.
Nadege is passionate about Middle-Eastern culture and music, and is both a bellydancer and bellydance teacher. Her training includes 11 years of study, with masters from Nice and Paris, France, as well as San Diego. She has danced professionally for 6 years, in "Les Princesses de l'Orient" in Nice, and in San Diego with "The Oriental Jewels", including soloist work. She began developing choreography and teaching in 2004. Additionally, her athletic background includes ballet, modern-jazz dance, and rhythmic gymnastics.
Now settled in Leavenworth, Nadege enjoys teaching yoga at Balance Point, and working towards her 500-hours-yoga teacher training.
Eric, Spin Instructor
Eric comes from an extensive background in mountaineering, mountain biking, and skiing. He has learned the value of indoor cycling classes, and how fitness gains made via spinning translate to greater abilities on the road and trail. Come try one of his classes for a motivational experience pushing the pedals and yourself!
Ginger, yoga instructor
Ginger is a registered Yoga Instructor, and completed her first training in 1999. Since then, she has studied in the Iyengar (alignment focus) style with Rodney Yee, Kofi Busia, Judith Lasater, and Adil Palkhivala. She has also studied Vinyasana (connecting poses in a flow) style with Tracy and Ganga White of White Lotus Yoga Center, Sara Mata of Yoga Works, and Gary Kraftsow of the viniyoga tradition. Ginger uses music from pop and classical to new age to support different choreographed poses in a rhythmic style called Ocean Yoga.
Yoga combines weight-bearing with flexibility work for muscular benefits. It can increase lung capacity, and provides aerobic benefits for your heart. Most importantly, the deep relaxation and centered calmness can be carried into daily life!
Amy, Front Desk Receptionist
Amy loves to see people come in and work hard to reach their fitness goals each day. She feels that surrounding yourself with healthy, happy people is one of life's greatest pleasures and is grateful to be a part of the team here at Balance Point. Growing up in different parts of the U.S. and overseas, she re-discovered her love of Eastern Washington five years ago and settled down. Currently taking classes at Wenatchee Valley College towards the Nursing program, she loves learning everything she can about nutrition and exercise and well. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, music, reading and mostly spending time with her family and dog.