Hi, I'm Leo!
Born in Italy and raised under the California sun, I speak Italian and English fluently and a little bit of Spanish and French—though mostly just enough to order my food!
What Type of Yoga Do I Teach?
At The EMPWR, I teach dynamic, breath-based Hatha flow yoga and am excited to add Vinyasa to the mix soon. With nearly 25 years of yoga practice under my belt and two years of teaching, I’m here to share the joy and benefits of yoga with you.
What Can You Expect from My Classes?
Expect to laugh and breathe deeply in my classes. Yoga without humor is no fun! We kick things off with sun salutations to sync our breath and movement, then dive into dynamic sequences that build heat and strength. Each class is a new adventure—one week we might focus on core strength, and the next on twists or hip flexion. It’s all about keeping things fresh and fun!
What Do I Love About Teaching Yoga?
I love the immediate impact a good yoga session has on a person’s day and the cumulative effects on their life. Yoga is for everyone, no matter your body size, shape, age, or experience level. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is encouraged to bring their genuine self!
Personal Achievements and Milestones
Other than completing my yoga training in beautiful Bali, I think the first time I was able to do a dancers Asana without falling over was a big achievement for me! It felt amazing and I was really proud of being able to get into and out of the Asana on my own and without the use of props—quite the feat with an artificial disk in my back! It was a culmination of all the things I learned falling over from dancer’s pose that made it possible.
Starting my teaching journey at 50 was another proud moment. I never thought I would be teaching yoga at my age but there is no stopping me now!
Hobbies and Interests Outside of Yoga
When I’m not on the mat, you’ll find me swimming, biking, or hanging out with my pup. I am also passionate about animal welfare and used to rehabilitate abandoned dogs as a volunteer in California. Now I just take care of the one I have, Bubba, a red American Staffordshire terrier. If you spot us around town, don’t be shy—say hi!
Fun Fact
I have mild facial blindness, so I might call you guapo/a or buddy. And before diving into yoga, I was a piano performance major and can play several instruments.
What I Enjoy About The EMPWR Community
The amazing space and the wonderful teachers are what I love most about The EMPWR. Building a yoga community is really important and it is what is missing in Sitges.
Favorite Yoga Quote
“
Yoga is not about touching your toes, but what you learn on the way down.
”
- Jigar Gor