Instructors
Kate Faulkner
Co-founder, Physical Therapist, Mat & Ball Instructor
Kate combines manual therapies and therapeutic exercises to support her patients’ rehabilitative process. She draws from her foundation in movement arts and medical sciences to inform her physical therapy practice.
Kate holds a masters degree in physical therapy from American International College, studied Biomechanics in the graduate Exercise Science Department at the University of Massachusetts and is a certified massage therapist. She continued studying Biomechanics with Gary Gray and Dave Tiberio. Additionally, she has trained in functional fitness, myofascial release, joint mobilization, craniosacral therapy and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) among other techniques. These complementary modalities and years of diverse experience allow Kate to work with her patients in a whole system approach.
Kate is a second generation Pilates instructor and has been teaching since 1987. She also holds a BA in Dance from Rutgers University.
Co-founder, Physical Therapist, Mat & Ball Instructor
Kate combines manual therapies and therapeutic exercises to support her patients’ rehabilitative process. She draws from her foundation in movement arts and medical sciences to inform her physical therapy practice.
Kate holds a masters degree in physical therapy from American International College, studied Biomechanics in the graduate Exercise Science Department at the University of Massachusetts and is a certified massage therapist. She continued studying Biomechanics with Gary Gray and Dave Tiberio. Additionally, she has trained in functional fitness, myofascial release, joint mobilization, craniosacral therapy and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) among other techniques. These complementary modalities and years of diverse experience allow Kate to work with her patients in a whole system approach.
Kate is a second generation Pilates instructor and has been teaching since 1987. She also holds a BA in Dance from Rutgers University.
Aimee Salmon
Afrobeats Dance Fitness, Strong Nation HIIT and Functional Strength Training Instructor
Aimee Salmon was born and raised the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is the visionary founder of Positively Africana, LLC, a thriving business that promotes cultural awareness and physical and mental well-being. Aimee's unwavering passion for entrepreneurship, retail sales, health and wellness, and community-building has led her to curate a diverse range of wellness, educational, and cultural programs that enrich lives and foster supportive relationships.
Aimee's journey began at Mount Holyoke College, where where she earned her degree in Psychology and Education with a minor in Entrepreneurship, Organizations & Society. Being a student-entrepreneur simultaneously allowed her to gain valuable experiences beyond the classroom setting.
Now at Positively Africana, Aimee's ultimate goal is to empower people to lead fulfilling lives through personal transformation. Witnessing the success of her customers always fills her with immense joy and gratitude.
With her sights set on the future, Aimee plans to further her education by pursuing an MBA in Program Management and expanding her business. In addition, she aims to make Positively Africana a household name in the wellness and beauty industry and revolutionize how people think about exercise, beauty, and fashion. Join Aimee on this incredible journey toward a healthier and happier lifestyle!
For more about Aimee, visit Positively Africana here.
Afrobeats Dance Fitness, Strong Nation HIIT and Functional Strength Training Instructor
Aimee Salmon was born and raised the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is the visionary founder of Positively Africana, LLC, a thriving business that promotes cultural awareness and physical and mental well-being. Aimee's unwavering passion for entrepreneurship, retail sales, health and wellness, and community-building has led her to curate a diverse range of wellness, educational, and cultural programs that enrich lives and foster supportive relationships.
Aimee's journey began at Mount Holyoke College, where where she earned her degree in Psychology and Education with a minor in Entrepreneurship, Organizations & Society. Being a student-entrepreneur simultaneously allowed her to gain valuable experiences beyond the classroom setting.
Now at Positively Africana, Aimee's ultimate goal is to empower people to lead fulfilling lives through personal transformation. Witnessing the success of her customers always fills her with immense joy and gratitude.
With her sights set on the future, Aimee plans to further her education by pursuing an MBA in Program Management and expanding her business. In addition, she aims to make Positively Africana a household name in the wellness and beauty industry and revolutionize how people think about exercise, beauty, and fashion. Join Aimee on this incredible journey toward a healthier and happier lifestyle!
For more about Aimee, visit Positively Africana here.
Monitor Bicicleta
Adult and Roda Capoeira Instructor
Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in the United States, Monitor Bicicleta is the founder, and along with his partner, Formada Trança, is a head teacher of Capoeira Gunga do Vale in Northampton, Massachusetts. Since 2015, he has dedicated himself to sharing capoeira—a passion he first discovered in 2004.
As both a capoeira instructor and a Somatic Psychotherapist, Monitor Bicicleta brings a unique perspective to his teaching, emphasizing the body-mind connection, creativity, and community. His classes blend foundational training in music and movement with playfulness and expression, creating a space where students of all backgrounds can grow and thrive.
Through Capoeira Gunga do Vale, Monitor Bicicleta, his team of instructors and all the students, are developing not only skilled capoeiristas but also a vibrant, inclusive community that celebrates culture, connection, and the transformative power of capoeira.
Adult and Roda Capoeira Instructor
Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in the United States, Monitor Bicicleta is the founder, and along with his partner, Formada Trança, is a head teacher of Capoeira Gunga do Vale in Northampton, Massachusetts. Since 2015, he has dedicated himself to sharing capoeira—a passion he first discovered in 2004.
As both a capoeira instructor and a Somatic Psychotherapist, Monitor Bicicleta brings a unique perspective to his teaching, emphasizing the body-mind connection, creativity, and community. His classes blend foundational training in music and movement with playfulness and expression, creating a space where students of all backgrounds can grow and thrive.
Through Capoeira Gunga do Vale, Monitor Bicicleta, his team of instructors and all the students, are developing not only skilled capoeiristas but also a vibrant, inclusive community that celebrates culture, connection, and the transformative power of capoeira.
Formada Trança
Kids and Young Kids Capoeira Instructor
Formada Trança teaches kids capoeira classes and loves to challenge her students through games of trust and connection and encourage empowerment and joy in everybody. With her partner, Monitor Bicicleta, she co- visions, organizes, and instructs for Capoeira Gunga do Vale.
First meeting capoeira in 2013 as a student at Reed College, Trança trained with Mestre Pedro Cruz and Capoeira São Salvador in Portland, Oregon. She became enamored not only with the grace and force of the movements, but also with the integrity and respect capoeiristas practice in all areas of their lives. In 2024, she organized a capoeira workshop and cultural exchange with Contramestra Bibinha and Professor Guerreiro from Capoeira Origem in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
In addition to capoeira, Trança is a massage therapist and bodyworker, and sees clients at Studio Helix. Trança teaches with knowledge of anatomy and an attunement to the nervous system’s role in learning, taking risks, and feeling a sense of belonging.
Kids and Young Kids Capoeira Instructor
Formada Trança teaches kids capoeira classes and loves to challenge her students through games of trust and connection and encourage empowerment and joy in everybody. With her partner, Monitor Bicicleta, she co- visions, organizes, and instructs for Capoeira Gunga do Vale.
First meeting capoeira in 2013 as a student at Reed College, Trança trained with Mestre Pedro Cruz and Capoeira São Salvador in Portland, Oregon. She became enamored not only with the grace and force of the movements, but also with the integrity and respect capoeiristas practice in all areas of their lives. In 2024, she organized a capoeira workshop and cultural exchange with Contramestra Bibinha and Professor Guerreiro from Capoeira Origem in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
In addition to capoeira, Trança is a massage therapist and bodyworker, and sees clients at Studio Helix. Trança teaches with knowledge of anatomy and an attunement to the nervous system’s role in learning, taking risks, and feeling a sense of belonging.
Instructor Ligeirinho
Adult Conditioning Capoeira Instructor
Ligeirinho was born in Albania and raised in the United States. He fell in love with capoeira and it is hard for him to not bring it up in conversation. He teaches the adult capoeira conditioning classes, along with providing assistance and co-teaching with other instructors. Ligeirinho is a special education teacher by trade and loves to bring his passion of teaching to class each and every day. He also uses capoeira as a form of movement to help students with disabilities to process and remain engaged in the classroom. He tries to bring in his experience of teaching all learners at various levels to learn, take risks, make mistakes, and grow through differentiation and modification of capoeira to reach each student at their level. Ligeirinho enjoys pushing his students and fellow capoeiristas to achieve their goals and grow. Ligeirinho has said that capoeira is not something that he wants to do, rather he needs to do it to feed his soul.
Adult Conditioning Capoeira Instructor
Ligeirinho was born in Albania and raised in the United States. He fell in love with capoeira and it is hard for him to not bring it up in conversation. He teaches the adult capoeira conditioning classes, along with providing assistance and co-teaching with other instructors. Ligeirinho is a special education teacher by trade and loves to bring his passion of teaching to class each and every day. He also uses capoeira as a form of movement to help students with disabilities to process and remain engaged in the classroom. He tries to bring in his experience of teaching all learners at various levels to learn, take risks, make mistakes, and grow through differentiation and modification of capoeira to reach each student at their level. Ligeirinho enjoys pushing his students and fellow capoeiristas to achieve their goals and grow. Ligeirinho has said that capoeira is not something that he wants to do, rather he needs to do it to feed his soul.
Jocelyn Barner
Physical Therapist, Pilates Instructor
Jocelyn holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and has over 15 years’ experience as a Pilates instructor and Physical Therapist working with patients. She specializes in Pilates-based Physical Therapy, Pelvic Health, Manual Therapy and Dry Needling.
Jocelyn’s Physical Therapy and Pilates practice incorporates her love of movement and promotes transformative change and improvement in her clients. She is passionate about helping clients gain strength and confidence in their bodies through movement and utilizes Physical Therapy to teach people how to care for themselves and find longevity in the activities they love.
Jocelyn lives in Newfane, VT with her husband and puppy, Bennett, a rambunctious Golden Doodle.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, yoga, Pilates, ballet, and aerial arts. She is also an avid traveler and loves spending time with friends and family.
Thornes Marketplace 150 Main Street Northampton MA 01060 I [email protected] I phone: 413-584-9942