At the heart of Azul is our fun and friendly team of wellbeing professionals. From all over the world we came together on the tranquil island of Fuerteventura with the simple desire to make people feel good (and to feel good while doing it)!
Azul in the press:
Jamie Isaac - Head Pilates Instructor
Originally from the Isle of Wight, England, Jamie enjoys many aspects of the fitness and exercise profession, but his passion is Pilates (closely followed by surfing!) As a former international trampolinist, flexibility and core stability conditioning programs were staples in his training regime. After his competitive career, Jamie continued his involvement in trampolining by using his knowledge and experience to coach others in their quest for success. Jamie continued his study of core conditioning in university, following the natural progression on to the Pilates method. Impressed by the effectiveness of the method, he went on to complete courses and workshops in the UK, Spain and the USA. Jamie practises and teaches Pilates as more than just a set of physical exercises. By incorporating body and mind he finds the classic Pilates method benefits all aspects of life – especially his other passion, surfing, which benefits massively from the improved focus, body awareness and core conditioning that Pilates brings. Jamie enjoys passing on his knowledge of Pilates, helping others to relax and progress, and teaching in specialist areas such as injury rehabilitation, specialist referral and coaching other sports professionals and enthusiasts. Jamie’s enthusiasm and down to earth, friendly manner help students get the most possible from each and every class – and have fun while they’re doing it! |
Jo Dombernowsky - Nutrition Advisor, Pilates Instructor
Jo makes the evening meals at the villa and inspires us all with her ability to make really healthy food taste really good. Having studied nutrition for many years, Jo knows the power of food to improve health, energy and wellbeing and prepares her meals to do exactly that. She loves to pass on her knowledge and passion for food throughout the retreat and in her workshops and nutrition weeks. Originally from Denmark, Jo is quickly becoming the Canary Island’s go to expert on all things nutrition and you may catch her being interviewed on the radio. She has successfully campaigned to improve nutritional education within schools and is in the process of making a cookbook featuring many of the delicious recipes she cooks at the villa. Jo is also an advanced practitioner and inspiring instructor of Stott Pilates. Her classes focus strongly on understanding correct form, body awareness and body synergy, giving students the understanding and skill to progress in their Pilates safely and quickly. Jo’s passion for fitness and overall wellbeing shine through in all that she does, and we are delighted to have her as part of the team. |
Emma Malarkey - Hatha & Power Yoga instructor
Emma originally came to us from Scotland for a six-month period. She was such a popular instructor that we asked her to stay and happily she agreed, having been won over by island life and the friendly Azul team! Emma has practised and studied yoga extensively in India, experiencing various styles and schools including traditional hatha, tantra, Mysore ashtanga, sivananda, iyengar, hatha vinyasa, and more modern forms such as yin yoga and bikram. Gaining inspiration from her varied experience, Emma has developed her own personal style for teaching. She enjoys leading a dynamic hatha class, with a strong vinyasa influence, rounding off the class by holding postures to create intensity and deep stretching in the body. Emma’s experience and smiley, enthusiastic nature make her classes challenging, varied and lots of fun. |
Sally Goldfinger - Hatha Yoga & Meditation instructor
By popular demand, Sally is back to teach at Azul. Originally from Denmark, Sally teaches pure hatha yoga around the world, having spent the last seven years based in India. Sally is a highly experienced teacher and yoga therapist and works with various yoga and ayurvedic institutes in India and worldwide. For Sally, yoga and ayurveda are truly a way of life and sharing her knowledge in the field is something she is deeply passionate about. Sally’s unique teaching style focuses on stress relief, inner balance, and cleansing of the physical body leading to the purification of the mind. As a dedicated teacher of hatha yoga, her classes emphasise breathing, body awareness and using developmental sequences to take students into the yoga postures. Sally’s holistic approach is deepened by her experience and training in ayurveda and therapeutic massage and bodywork. Sally’s ayurvedic consultations and therapeutic massages are extremely popular – not least because of her wonderfully present and caring nature, making her a pleasure to be around. For more information on Sally please see www.ionyoga.com and www.bodystretchtherapy.com |
Annie Rosar - Vinyasa Flow Yoga Instructor
Annie discovered yoga through the hatha style but has become a talented teacher and practitioner of ashtanga vinyasa flow. Annie integrates a dynamic series aimed at the development of strength (especially lower back and abs) with focus throughout the practice. Having studied ashtanga yoga she utilises the powerful flow of the surya namaskara (sun salutation) A and B from the ashtanga series. Her main attention is to continuous flow with proper breath, aiming to develop a self-dependant unity of movements and breath under the guidance of the teacher. Annie is a well-respected power vinyasa flow teacher within the professional surfing and windsurfing communities and she is the featured yoga expert in a book about power yoga for surfing. |
Adele Scott - Pilates Instructor, Sports Massage & Beauty Therapist
Originally from the UK, Adele has lived in Fuerteventura for eight years. Passionate about surfing, Pilates and sports therapy, she loves what she does and it shows. Her background in sports massage takes her training as a Pilates instructor to the next level. An expert on the human body, she works with people on injury rehabilitation, providing specific advice and targeted exercises focusing on bringing the body back into correct alignment. Her sports massages are extremely popular and she has been known to resolve persistent physical problems in just a couple of sessions. Her relaxed attitude makes her extremely approachable and easy to talk to, and her interest in sports, nutrition and making people feel better make her a perfect fit for the Azul team. |
Karissa Lopez Isaac - All around team player
Karissa came to Fuerteventura from New Mexico, USA. Tempted over by great surf (… and husband Jamie!) Karissa loves the water and is a former America East record holder in the 200 Butterfly. A geneticist by training, Karissa is a strong believer in a holistic approach to wellbeing and the benefits of Pilates and yoga. She put her passion for holistic health into setting up Azul along with Jamie, and works to make sure that all guests get the most out of their Azul holiday. As well as keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, Karissa’s friendly nature means she loves to meet and chat with the varied people who come through the Azul door. |
Lisa Dixon – General Manager
Lisa has lived in Fuerteventura for 18 years so her native England is just a distant memory! Originally working as a travel rep on the island, Lisa’s background in tourism and administration makes her the perfect glue to bring everything together. Based at the villa, she likes to have a chat and a laugh with guests and is always happy to help. A true team player, her sense of humour and down to earth attitude make her the perfect person for helping guests to enjoy their stay. |
Paula Colver - Spa Manager
Paula comes from the UK but has lived in Fuerteventura for many years. She has a genuine passion for what she does and it comes through in each of her treatments. Paula is based in the beautiful Serenity Spa at the bungalows and is in demand as a beautician and masseuse on the island. She is renowned for her Balinese massages - it’s probably the best massage you will ever have (and certainly the best Balinese massage outside of Bali)! Paula’s friendly and fun personality makes relaxing and enjoying your treatment easy. |
Vicky Rosales-Cuello Palmieri – Hatha Yoga Instructor and Excursions
Vicky comes from Venezuela and has a passion for everything yoga. She brings even more sunshine to the island with her positive outlook and helpful attitude.
Along with her husband Sonny, she leads excellent excursions around the island, using her knowledge and enthusiasm for the island so that our guests can appreciate the beauty Fuerteventura has to offer. |
Idaira Sosa - Brunches and Massage Therapist
Idaira is a talented masseuse, offering massages at our studio location. Her relaxing, therapeutic massages are a great way to wind down after a class, and her friendly, professional manner will instantly put you at ease. Idaira also makes the lovely brunches at our villa location, where it is often difficult to leave the table there’s so much tasty food! Born in Gran Canaria and raised in Fuerteventura, Idaira is very kind and patient if you want to try out your Spanish on her! |
Sonny – Excursions, gardener and all around Fix It Man
Sonny designed and created the beautiful eco-friendly gardens at Villa Azul and we thank his green fingers for the fruit and vegetables growing here! You will see him around the villa, where we call him the MVP, keeping everything big and small running. He also leads excursions with wife Vicky, where they show you a truly different and beautiful side of the island, off the beaten path. Living up to his name, his sunny demeanor keeps our guests smiling all the time – especially at his BBQ night with fresh fish caught by the man himself! |
Nikki Bekker Dale – Studio AssistantComing to Fuerteventura from Brighton, where she ran her own cafe, Nikki brings plenty of laughter and sunshine to the Azul team. Originally from Holland, Nikki is based at our new studio and shop in Corralejo, where she is always helpful, smiling and happy to help. |
The onsite studio has a great energy, and the sunrise classes on the beach were very special. I loved that a sense of humour was always present rather than it being a stuffy strict regime.
Gill H., London
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