Meet Our Fitness & Wellness Experts
Virna Lichter, Founder
Virna Lichter is originally from Brazil and came to the U.S. to study at University of California, Berkeley. She has been working in the fitness industry since 1997 when she graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. She is a certified ACE Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition and Weight Management Specialist. She has experience as a fitness director in the corporate fitness industry; and has worked in several major corporations such as Verizon, TECO and AEG Transamerica developing wellness and fitness programs for employees.
Virna has 30 years of martial arts training in several modalities such as traditional Japanese Karate, Muay Thai, Judo, Mixed Martial arts and is a black belt in Tae-Kwon-do. Virna has always been involved in fitness but it was through a personal training client that she was first introduced to yoga in 2009. She found that yoga and meditation brought balance to her body and mind and dove deep into the practices. After seeing the inner transformation that it was brought into herself, she wanted to share that knowledge with her clients. She started studying the practices under the guidance of masters and teachers such as Tara Stiles, Sadhguru and Deepak Chopra. Virna is also certified in Strala Yoga and Chopra’s Primordial Sound Meditation Teacher.
Energia is the fruit of Virna’s passion to help her clients achieve results and live fuller and happier lives.
You can send Virna a message at virnalichter@energiawellnessstudio.com
Lin Sarla Howe, E-RYT500 Yoga Instructor
Lin is a certified and registered yoga instructor that has been teaching yoga since 1996. She has practiced yoga for over 40 years and her classes are primarily for people who would like to gain flexibility and create a healthy and stress-free life. Lin’s class is best for beginner/intermediate level and may be practiced by most students. Yoga practices include pranayama (breathing), asanas (yoga postures), and a reward of yoga nidra (deep relaxation). Lin has produced her own yoga DVD, and her passion for the discipline shines through in her instruction and personality.
Verena Venable, Yoga Instructor
Verena is a Florida native originally from Clearwater, Florida. She has always had a love for the outdoors and nature. She began practicing yoga while practicing 5 years of physical Therapy Technician work at an Outpatient sports and Rehab Clinic. She immediately fell in love with not only the physical practice of yoga, but also the philosophy aspect. She decided to pursue the study of Hatha yoga. She finished her 200 hour certificate and is currently working on her 500 hour training. Her goal in teaching is to guide others to find their inner peace and happiness through the practice of yoga. She believes that yoga has the ability to transform all aspects of a persons life including mind, body, and spirit. Her classes focus on expanding the breath, core strength, and balancing muscle tone and flexibility through creative sequencing.
Holly Woodfill, Personal Trainer
Holly’s love for health and fitness is why she has joined the Energia Team! As a wife and mother of four (grandmother of one), she knows how important it is to take care of yourself.
She has always enjoyed being able to workout and run with others, which is how she knew personal training was truly her passion. Being a personal trainer has given her the perfect avenue to share that passion and help others to grow in a healthier lifestyle.
She has enjoyed working with the many challenges that come from all ages and fitness levels and looks forward to working with you.
Hala Alowais, Yoga Instructor
Natalia Rodriguez, Yoga Instructor
Jen Wendell, Yoga Instructor & Personal Trainer
Jen started teaching classes in 2002 because of her love for group fitness. She began teaching group fitness classes but that led her to pilates which led her to yoga. She believes that cross training is very important, which is what drew her towards Energia!
Her certifications include: 200 YTT, Pre-natal Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, Reiki level I and II attuned, AFAA Group Fitness, RIPPED, Spinning. She is new to the Tampa area, from Northern Kentucky. and is excited to be a part of the Energia family. She can’t wait to bring her love of yoga, fitness and great music to her classes after all you’re only one workout away from a better mood!
Rikki Donovan, Yoga Instructor
Rikki is a Wife, and Mother of 2 who knows firsthand how important it is to take care of yourself; mind, body, and spirit. This Yogi started practicing Yoga in 2009, and as a former cheerleader she went into her first Yoga class primarily focused on the poses, and the workout itself, not knowing any better. However, after her first Savasana, she was hooked for life. Rikki is a former Special Educational Paraprofessional, turned Yoga Instructor that loves the effect Yoga has on the body and mind, leaving one feeling relaxed, focused, and centered. Rikki wants to spread that feeling of tranquility to others as a Yoga Practitioner. Rikki has her 200-hour RYT Certification and is working on her 500-hour RYT, focusing on Hatha Yoga. Practicing Yoga has taught Rikki mind over matter, the art of self-expression, and how to truly love her body. She wants to share that with others who take her Yoga Class. Rikki’s intention is inner peace, she wants to make a difference in the lives of others while spreading joy, peace, and tranquility.
