Ayn Devera, MS, MSW, ASW

I am a Movement Educator, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Personal Development Coach specializing in a variety of somatic methods that improve breath and posture. Over the past 18 years, I have developed a keen eye for movement imbalances, particularly spinal deviations, including scoliosis. I teach lifestyle habits for vitality and longevity, and help people cultivate abundant health by tapping into their inner wisdom. By helping my clients reestablish their intuitive form and posture, daily movement patterns- sitting, standing, walking, and exercising are improved. I received my M.S. in Human Nutrition (magna cum laude) from the University of Bridgeport and am a movement educator grounded in physical therapy, Pilates, the science of fascia, and Ashtanga yoga principles. My Pilates training techniques incorporate the essential components of Contrology, the method developed by Joseph Pilates and fine-tuned by Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher, and Rael Isacowitz (among others), now simply termed "Pilates." I truly fell in love with Pilates when I combined it with myofascial release (MFR), which I began practicing in 2007. Early myofascial and movement influences in my life include John F. Barnes, Tom Meyers, Gil Hedley, Yamuna Zake, and Katy Bowman.
I found my true yoga asana practice in my first non-gym experience at Camarillo Yoga Center (now Camarillo-Somis Yoga & Mindfulness), and was tremendously affected by Audrey Walzer (2009), who inspired my pursuit of yoga physiology and anatomy. In addition, I have gained invaluable insight from the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and Mukunda Stiles into physical alignment for pain relief. I am most indebted for the shift in my practice toward the deeper exploration of the internal landscape to Yogi Kira Sloane, director/owner of Lulu Bandha (once located in magical Ojai, California. Kira now produces Yoga Anytime online). From her, I received edification in asana sequencing, yogic science, philosophy, and compassionate introspection (2013, 2016).
I became a personal fitness trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2007 and was selected to teach Pilates exercise for Bally Total Fitness, training with elite Polestar instructors, to acquire an understanding of these new movement skills. I pursued further body movement education from Simone Schmidt, former ballerina, celebrity fitness trainer, and owner of Roxbury Pilates Spa/ Beverly Hills where she helped sculpt stars into tip-top Pilates shape, including Madonna (those arms!). Her style of teaching was influenced by Stott Pilates and chiropractic medicine.
In 2008, I became a trainer for the U.S. Navy at the Port Hueneme and Point Mugu bases to affect the cost of injuries within the Naval branch by teaching stretching, alignment, and appropriate muscle activation to support form and movement, thereby reducing/preventing injury. After my work at the Naval Bases of Ventura County, I sought to deepen my understanding of functional movement and fascia. I assisted the doctors at Kang Physical Therapy Clinic in Ventura, California and worked with pre- and post-operative joint surgery patients, especially supervised by Dr. Josh Turner (Ventura Orthopedics). Dr. Kang now spearheads the physical therapy department at George Fox University in Oregon. Before he left his practice in 2013 to teach, he encouraged me to open my own studio. Having observed thousands of bodies in motion, I have cultivated a keen eye for identifying injury risk and offering appropriate prevention options to improve sedentary and active lifestyles.
I continue to develop knowledge and expertise through seminars, research, workshops, and self-practice, emphasizing the areas of biomechanics and injury rehabilitation. I have practiced Qi Gong with third generation Eastern medical doctor, Joseph K. Kim (Encino Acupuncture and Herbs Center, 2000, 2019), and taken Qi cultivation courses, including Self-Healing Qi Gong at Yosan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles (2007).
In 2015, I received continuing education in scoliosis care from international Pilates expert, Marie-José Blom, and in 2016 became a licensed Yoga Tune Up® Teacher under the instruction of Trina Altman and Gwen Yeager (a system developed by Jill Miller). This body of work was fatefully introduced to me by somatic expert, Lisa West, PT of LisaWest Wellness (Ventura, CA) in 2011. I completed training in somatic therapies, including neuro-structural bodywork and Thai massage, at the Kali Institute located in Ventura, and am licensed as a massage therapist, also since 2016. My movement classes and sessions incorporate myofascial release, core awareness, and mindfulness. Through innovative fascial release techniques and my specific cueing language for optimal, pain-free movement, I have helped thousands of people in Ventura continue to enjoy the activities they love and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to share my insight doing what I truly love- exploring our somatic layers for unconstrained, graceful movement.
I ran my first two half marathons in 2018 and 2019 to encourage my understanding of the running body and used the Jeff Galloway training method. In May 2023, I earned a Master of Social Work (with distinction) with an emphasis on urban community wellness. This lineage includes Dr. James Decker, Dr. Susan Love, and Dr. José Paez who instilled in me advocacy for systemic change and family welfare. As a long-time resident of Oxnard and Ventura (45 years), I look forward to serving and empowering you to be the authority on your own health and wellness. Joseph Pilates once stated, “Change happens through movement, and movement heals.”
I recently attained certification as a Tune Up Fitness™ Instructor (2024), with training in all three of Jill Miller’s methods: Yoga Tune Up™, The Roll Model Method™, and Body by Breath™ (the latter two certifications instructed by Jill Miller). As a licensed esthetician (2005), my other interests are consciously crafting skincare products. When I’m not researching or managing ISW, I’m claying around on the pottery wheel or lounging with my Shih Tzu, Roxy Balboa. Please note that I am not a physician and do not offer diagnoses. I work closely with you and any medical providers you authorize to communicate with me to create a health and wellness program that caters to your unique needs.