Meet The Crew
Manya Wandersee
Everything Instructor, Owner
AA Degree Fitness-Nutrition-Health, Certificate Fitness-Nutrition-Health, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES, AFPA-CNC, 200 HR YTT, Buti Yoga, Certified Spinning Instructor, Pilates Certified
My education journey in the health field began in 2012 where I spent my first year of college earning my Certificate in Fitness/Nutrition/Health. That first year fueled the fire within me so I decided to stay for another 2 years to earn my AA degree in Fitness/Nutrition/Health. Since then, I have spent every ounce of my free time studying all there is to know about exercise, nutrition, and health. For the last 6 years, I worked full time in the medical exercise field and part time teaching exercise classes, personal training, and nutrition consulting.
I have a passion for all things nature. My free time is spent hiking in the mountains, fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes, and playing sports.
When it comes to my classes, I LOVE to mix things up. Yoga has helped me through some life trauma, and weight training calms my anxiety. If you've been to my classes before, you know I can be quirky at times (exercise is serious enough!). You can also be assured that you will leave with more knowledge on health then when you first walked through the doors.
Maya Edgerly
Yoga Instructor
200HR YTT
My yoga journey began in high school, when I took a class at Kodiak Community College in place of a traditional gym course. Like many, I initially stepped onto the mat expecting just a physical workout, and quickly discovered that yoga offered much more. Since that first class, I’ve maintained a practice that has supported me through every season of life.
I moved to Bellingham, Washington in 2009 to study Outdoor Recreation Management and Environmental Education, and it was there that I found a teacher whose approach to yoga deeply resonated with me. In 2013, I returned to Bellingham to complete my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and later pursued a Kids Yoga Teacher Training in Laguna Beach, California. That training has been a joyful resource in my work as a Kindergarten teacher!
Whether I’m in the role of student or teacher, yoga continues to offer me a space to cultivate a clear mind, a strong body, and an open heart. The practice has been a grounding force in my life for nearly two decades. I’m especially drawn to Hatha yoga, where the focus on alignment and philosophy brings a richness and depth to both teaching and practice.
When I’m not teaching, you can find me playing in my garden, or being a human jungle gym for my two sons.
Anya Sokolova
Spin & Strength Instructor
I recently relocated to Kodiak from Hawaii. Although I am new to fitness instructing, fitness has been a big part of my life for over twenty years. I graduated as a student-athlete in 2014 with a Neuroscience Degree, playing both women’s soccer and lacrosse. During that time, I developed a passion for weightlifting, which led to the creation of the Anya Sokolova '14 Power Player of the Year Award by my coaches. Fitness, for me, has always been about challenging or recentering myself and discovering the benefits of an active lifestyle for both body and mind. I think we all have experienced hardships in life where fitness has guided us through.
After college, I explored various fitness routines, but it was blending weightlifting with HIIT that truly transformed my workouts. My journey then led me to a 'not your average' Spin class at an unassuming gym on the West Coast. It pushed me both physically and mentally. Spin, plyometric cardio, and strength-building are now at the core of my fitness approach, and I love sharing that energy with others. Music is the last piece of the puzzle. With over a decade of experience in music event production and DJ/producer software, I infuse my classes with beats that help you get in the zone. You might not hear many radio hits, but you will feel the rhythm drive your workouts. When I'm not crafting new playlists or mixing songs, I'm hanging out with my husband and our son, or off island working as a traveling Medical Tech. I hope to see you in class where we will challenge our previous selves together!
Rita Slowinski
Boot Camp, HIIT & Spin Instructor
Certified Spinning Instructor
I moved to Kodiak in 2019. Before Kodiak I lived in Baltimore, which is where I was born and raised. In Baltimore, I taught occasionally at a Pure Barre studio. I have always found joy and massive mental health benefits from exercise. It began early on when my mom and I would run the NCR trail to get ice-cream.
I enjoy moving my body in any way that feels good, such as weightlifting, running, yoga, cycle, HIIT classes, hiking, etc. Group fitness is one of my favorite ways to move because of the community aspect as well as the accountability. When I moved to Kodiak 3 years ago, I began teaching group fitness classes. Those include Barre, strength training, TRX, stretch/core, and Tabata. I am currently certified to teach Spin and almost finished with my certification in Les Mills Body Pump (one of my favorite weightlifting classes!).
In my spare time, I am typically outside with my dog as well as others’ dogs walking, trail running, paddle boarding, camping, kayaking, hiking, etc. I work full-time for the school district teaching preschool special education. I am looking forward to learning and growing with the Sunrise crew!
Chelsea Rice
Yoga Instructor
Ashtanga Certified
My experience with yoga started over 20 years ago when I began practicing in Ketchikan, Alaska. Some friends’ mothers had gone to India together to live and learn yoga. They brought Hatha and Ashtanga style yoga to my little town, and as a pretty wild teenager, it became a wonderful tool both to calm my mind and challenge my body.
I continued practicing on and off through my teens and 20s (mostly Vinyasa) but a little of everything from Restorative to Yin to Bikram (26+2). In 2016, I attended a 200hr Ashtanga teacher training course in Southern Nicaragua. I taught free classes on the ships I worked on, coached friends and family, and occasionally subbed classes in Portland, Oregon.
I've been back in Alaska for almost four years now. My fiancée works as a contractor with the Navy. Regularly practicing Yoga has always helped me in some way; whether it is to rehab a snowboarding injury, gently get back in to shape, or to center my mind during a difficult phase in life. There always seems to be a style of yoga that fits what I need. I hope to provide that resource for others.
Currently, I spend most of my time caring for my 3-year-old son, hiking with him in a carrier, and fishing whenever I can. In the winter you'll usually find me up on Pyramid battling the ice, insisting that any day on skis or a snowboard in the mountains is a good one. I've done several ultra marathons and love trail running, though that's something I'm still working my way back to after pregnancy. I am passionate about outdoor sports of all kinds and have quite a bit of experience balancing aches and pains from them through yoga!
Aliza Spooner
Pilates, Strength, & Yoga Instructor
In-house Pilates Certified, 200HR YTT
I hold a Bachelor’s of Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where I was a 4-year college athlete. For 2 years, I used to teach spin classes for fellow cadets as part of the Academy’s spin club.
I fell in love with the concepts behind yoga and Pilates at a young age, and to me, being able to spark inspiration in others and create a joy for moving and nourishing your body is such a privilege. It brings me so much joy and passion to be able to have people come together to challenge themselves and grow, and that’s why I love to teach.
High intensity and stamina based workouts are my favorite style to teach! I was a runner in college, so I enjoy teaching and leading in mentally challenging areas of fitness.
I am an Active Duty Coast Guard Officer, so most of my free time is spent at Sunrise. When not there, I like to be outside, read, and spend time with my fiancé. Sunrise is 100% my escape and happy place! The community and the level of passion you feel from the instructors is something special. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to share my passion with you all. Thanks Manya and the Sunrise ladies for the opportunity!