Our Instructors
CONNIE BRUCE – is a full STOTT PILATES certified instructor, which means she has trained to teach on all of STOTT PILATES equipment and also completed the Injury and Special Population training. She has been teaching Pilates approximately 30 – 35 hours per week since 2007 in her home studio and local clubs. Connie loves teaching Pilates classes and also has a passion for using the Pilates exercises as a rehabilitation tool. If you want an amazing Pilates workout or are in need of some help rehabilitating from an injury, register for one of Connie’s classes or contact her at uptownpilatesmn@gmail.com to schedule a Private session.
TORRI MURPHY - is a STOTT PILATES certified instructor who has been teaching Pilates in her home studio and local clubs since 2014. Torri loves the power of the exercises to transform the body into a flexible, mobile, healthy person who can go about daily tasks and enjoy them pain-free. Torri loves using creative imagery to help people understand a movement and feel how the body is supposed to move. If you want a fun, challenging Pilates workout, register for one of Torri’s classes. Torri is also available for Private sessions as her schedule allows.
CHRISTA GORDON-WORRELL -Christa started yoga in 2002 as the logical choice after years of classical ballet (old knees), but quickly fell in love with the whole mind-body-spirit connection. In the summer of 2018, she decided to expand her practice and completed 200-hour Prana Vinyasa Teacher training through Yoga Tribe with Heather Ritenour in Rochester, MN. She’s been teaching ever since. In 2021, she added Yin Yoga certification to her repertoire because she feels it’s the harmonious counterpart to more vigorous forms of vinyasa yoga. She loves the sense of peace yoga imparts and delights in sharing that experience with her students. Off the yoga mat, Christa enjoys veterinary medicine, writing, and hunting morels in the spring.
SUNNY CHEE - As a former school teacher, Sunny obtained her vinyasa-style yoga instructor certification from Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center, Mayo Clinic, in 2018 and has been teaching yoga at local clubs ever since. She believes in exploring one’s full potential on mats or chairs, yet not allowing our ego to take over our mind. She is a huge fan of listening to one’s body, taking out elements of comparisons, judgements, and competitions. Transferring one’s mind, body and spirit, and sensations learned from the mats or chairs to the world of reality is also her goal. She loves to encourage awareness of breaths with body alignments and movements. Yoga enthusiasts of all levels (beginners and experienced) are welcome.
Jessica Olson - Jessica began practicing yoga while trying to balance working full time, completing graduate school and being a mom/wife. She loves building strength through her practice and soon found there was more to yoga. Jessica attended a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Muddy Waters Yoga Studio and loved that she could practice even while being over 40 weeks pregnant. Jessica believes that yoga is for everyone and that it meets you where you are at any given time. Jessica loves theming classes and how each student can personally resonate with a theme in their own way. She also enjoys the connections that are built during yoga as well as the beautiful energy that can be felt. Jessica lives in Rochester with her husband Ryan, two sons, and two dogs.
Emma Smith
Emma has been practicing yoga for 8 years and completed her 200 hour Prana Vinyasa training through Yoga Tribe in 2020. Her fitness background includes 9 years of weightlifting experience and she has recently taken up cycling. Additionally, Emma holds a Bachelor's degree of Science in Nursing and has been working in Rochester as a Registered Nurse for 5 years. She is thrilled to combine her love of healing as a nurse with the sustainable movement and mindfulness of yoga. Her classes provide a safe space to explore, deepen your relationship with yourself, and embrace joy? Some of Emma's other passions include tending to her houseplants and cats, making music with her partner, connecting with nature, and experimenting with plant-based recipes. She is currently working towards board certification in Healthy and Wellness Nurse Coaching.