Itinerary Friday: 12-1pm Leave Corpus Christi by van (optional) 4-5pm Arrive at “Moonstruck Manor”, our Retreat home 6pm…
My passion for fitness developed after 20 years of dance training and performing. As a young child my parents enrolled me in Karate and Gymnastics. When I got to high school I auditioned for the dance team and made it. I began studying Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap and Hiphop at a dance studio. My first job was a receptionist at Gayton Dance World in Denver, CO. When I turned 18, I started auditioning to become a professional cheerleader for sports teams. I danced all through college, sharing my passion with the world. From working at Coyote Ugly to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, you couldn’t stop me from living my dream as a performer.
I eventually left my hometown and ventured to Viva Las Vegas. It was here that I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Dance Production and Management. I furthered my training in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance as well as Light, Costume and Scenic Design. I started my own company called Sadie Hawkins Dance offering various styles of dance including Mommy-and- Me fitness, Zumba Dance & Zumbini; music & movement for children.
The Pilates Technique was introduced to me by a ballet instructor. I earned my 2nd Generation Lineage training in Pilates and became Reiki II Certified. It was at this point in my career that I was eager to better understand the anatomy of the body. Not only is pilates good for dancers but it is good for any/all fitness levels. I have experience in teaching Prenatal Pilates as well as Mat and Reformer Pilates; small and large equipment.
Laura is a Yin Yoga instructor at Water Dog Floating Yoga. She is actively completing her 200-hour teaching certification through Bhakti Yogshala. Laura has been a Water Dog Mermaid since 2019 and has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. Laura grew up in the Northeast and has always loved being in and around the ocean – swimming, fishing, sailing, and even teaching windsurfing lessons on Cape Cod. Prior to living in Corpus, Laura also lived in Montana and Idaho where she loved spending time playing in the woods, mountains, lakes and rivers, especially snowboarding and fly fishing. In Corpus, Laura loves going fishing with her husband, Eric, and paddle boarding with her SUP pup, Flip.
You will find Laura attending Sunrise Ashtanga-based classes, Moon ceremonies, Beer yoga classes, and on the paddle boards as much as possible, or swimming next to her paddle board. Sometimes you will even see her dog Flip on the paddleboard with her. She is a Marine Biologist by training, and an active member of the WD book club!
Ruff!
Habibi is a Sheltand Sheepdog. He is Water Dog’s Official Mascot.
He enjoys playing fetch, short walks around the neighborhood, chasing cats and “Doga”. His favorite yoga pose is Downward Facing Dog.
Habibi doesn’t like to swim, but he is a natural SUP Pup! He makes an occasional appearance at Water Dog and for Paddle Conditioning on Sundays!
Ruff!
Pearl is a Sheltand Sheepdog. She was born just before Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
She enjoys playing tug-a-war, walks around the neighborhood, chasing cats and “Doga”. Her favorite yoga pose is Puppy Pose.
Pearl doesn’t like to swim, but she likes to play around the water, especially with the water hose! She makes an occasional appearance at Water Dog Floating Yoga.
David is an athlete, paddleboard enthusiast and SUP Surfer. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and he attended the University or Puerto Rico, majoring in Psychology. He’s always been an athlete, playing basketball, volleyball and running track. He earned the “Athlete of the Year” award in high school. He was a sprinter and ran Track & Field in college on a partial scholarship. After college he took up rock climbing.
In 2007 he got married and moved to San Antonio, TX and in In 2012 moved to Corpus Christi, TX. His passion for cars led him to attain his Automotive Mechanic Certificate through Austin Community College and he also got his ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications. Throughout the years David’s wife’s love for travel has taken them abroad to places like Rome, Berlin, Madrid, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Guatemala.
In 2016 David discovered the sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding and he’s been hooked ever since! He can often be found paddling the canals of Padre Island or SUP surfing and finding his own peak. His love and respect for the ocean has grow immensely since he’s spent so much time on the water and he isnow a member of the Surfrider Foundation and he regularly attends and participates in beach clean up efforts.
I started dancing when I was four years old, studying many forms of dance and competing in the US and Europe. Growing up as an Army brat, I have lived and traveled all over the world, and made Texas my home in 1994. I realized very early on how important health and fitness are, and knew I wanted to pursue a career helping people incorporate exercise into their everyday lives. I graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a BS in Kinesiology in 1999, and have worked in fitness ever since! I’ve been an ACE certified personal trainer at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club for twenty-two years, and am also an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist and a certified Barre Above instructor. I was also an Elite instructor with Piloxing for four years.
After all these years, I’m still so passionate about helping people meet their fitness goals in new and creative ways, which is one of the many reasons I love Water Dog! I’ve been taking SUP classes at Water Dog since the day it opened, and I’m beyond excited and blessed to join the Water Dog family! I’ve been married to my husband Jarod for twenty years, and we have two amazing teenage sons, Cameron and Kelen.
Growing up in Alaska, I became interested in yoga at a young age and started taking classes with my mom. I soon realized my passion for movement and through the years I have been involved with sports and fitness ranging from track and field in middle school, to volleyball in high school, weight training in college, to now being a fitness coach with Beachbody.
I attended Oregon State University Ecampus where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Environmental Science degree, with a minor in business and entrepreneurship. I then virtually attended Concordia University Texas where I obtained my Master’s of Business Administration degree. I chose to do both degrees online to allow myself the freedom to live in Australia, Hawai’i, Seattle, Los Angeles, and now Corpus Christi. Traveling is another passion of mine.
I started coaching four years ago because I realized how good being active and fit made me feel, and I wanted to help others reach that level of happiness and self love. I believe that fitness should be enjoyable in order to make it apart of every day life, and I am so excited to join the Water Dog team to teach these very fun, yet very challenging classes on the water!
My interest in fitness began in my childhood, practicing martial arts and playing multiple sports. I’ve always enjoyed helping others, and love seeing the progress that individuals make through my guidance. I studied Exercise Science at Lindenwood University-Belleville I currently keep myself active by competing in Mixed Martial Arts, and running Obstacle Fun Runs with clients. I plan on expanding my knowledge and obtaining a few more certifications to educate my future and current clients so that they will be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
My Training Philosophy: Working out Is about being a better you. Doing more than you were able to do yesterday, last week, last year.
Specializations: Weight Loss; Nutritional Education; Strength & Conditioning; Endurance Training; Fun Exercise Programs for Children; Teen Balance and Movement Training; Sports Specific
Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer; ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist; ACE Youth Fitness Specialist; HOPE CPR/ AED/ First Aid
As a young Texan, Heather McVay always had a love of dance, music and helping others. Heather attended Texas Christian University and Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science as well as a minor in Chemistry. Heather is currently an Executive Clinical Specialist with LivaNova/Neuromodulation providing devices for epilepsy and allowing Heather the opportunity to improve peoples’ quality of life through her work.
Growing up, Heather competed in gymnastics, ballet, Texas state swim team, and UCA cheerleader competitions, representing USA in London in 1992 and serving on staff in 1998. With her ballet background and natural love of performing, Heather became hooked on Pilates in 2004, and this past year completed her 500 hour Comprehensive Pilates Training through Body Arts and Science International. She has also been a Master Trainer for all three programs of PILOXING for the past 4 years. Heather lives on Padre island with her husband, Brett, and their English Bulldog, Francis. Having grown up in the Coastal Bend, Heather understands Stacie’s vision of introducing Pilates on the surf, and could not be more excited to join the Water Dog team taking their Pilates Instruction afloat.
Stacie is the owner and founder of Water Dog Floating Yoga. She received her certification in SUP Yoga from Austin, Texas as well as her RYT 200 from Black Swan Yoga in Austin, TX. She was a school teacher for twelve years, most recently teaching at Flour Bluff ISD. She has lived and taught all over the world including; Key West, Japan and Abu Dhabi. For her, staying active is an important part of life and its much more enjoyable outdoors. Stacie started competitive running at a young age and earned a scholarship to run Cross-Country and Track at Penn State University. She coached at Key West High School and later became a fitness and yoga instructor, teaching all over and locally at Gold’s Gym, Corpus Christi Athletic Club, Bayside Pilates and The Yoga Studio of Corpus Christi. Other group fitness certifications Stacie has include Yoga Kids, Mat Pilates, Piloxing and Les Mills Body Attack. In 2019 she became certified as a Personal Trainer. Stacie’s love for dogs, especially her Sheltie pups, inspired the name “WATER DOG”.
Josh is the co-owner of Water Dog Floating Yoga. He also teaches Paddle Conditioning classes along with Paddle lessons and workshops. He has lived in Corpus Christi for most of his adult life. Seventeen years ago he started a successful IT business in the city: Richline Technical Services. Josh is a long time, active sailor. He has crewed on racing sailboats on the East, West and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. He is an active member of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club. Josh also has extensive knowledge of boats and water safety as well as knowledge about the local waters, wind and weather conditions in the Corpus Christi Marina and Bay Area.
