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MEET THE TEAM.
Amanda Osterberger
Owner / Soul & Style Mentor
Amanda is the owner of Amarah! She grew up in Camp Hill, PA and moved to the Pittsburgh area for college at California University of PA. She received her undergrad and graduate degrees in Criminal Justice and worked for many years in the field. When she had her son, Cooper, she decided it was time for a change of pace. She has always been creative and imaginative and certainly has an eye for fashion, which led her to begin her career as a fashion consultant. Amanda wanted to empower other women, just as she had been empowered by inclusive, fashionable, flattering, and affordable clothing, and for the last 7 years she has been spreading the joy that it brings. Amarah was conceived when realizing that there was a need for inclusive fitness and fashion in the area. She wanted to create a space where everyone felt welcome regardless of age, race or fitness ability. Combining her love for fashion, lifestyle, and fitness, Amarah was born. Amanda has lived in the Brookline neighborhood since 2012 with her husband, Joe, their son, Cooper and their daughter, Saylor! Their family is grateful to be able to provide a service that is very in-need here in the Brookline neighborhood.
Melanie Ondek
Certified Instructor
Mel teaches SOULfusion and SOULstrength at Amarah. She is an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor and Certified SOUL instructor who has been teaching since 2016. As someone who often left group fitness classes feeling ‘not good enough,’ when she became an instructor, she decided that it would be her priority to ensure that each and every student, regardless of age or athletic ability, would leave class feeling stronger and more confident than when they entered. Outside of her time at the studio, she works in city government and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. She’s a Pittsburgh native, decade-long vegetarian, and currently lives in Brookline with her partner Jeff, and their menagerie of animals including 5 chickens, 2 cats, 1 dog, and 3 fish.
jason born
Licensed Massage Therapist
Jason began his career as a massage therapist at the Pittsburgh School Of Massage Therapy, learning from many of the best in the business.
He graduated with a comprehensive knowledge of many varying forms of massage including; Swedish, Sports, Myofascial and Neuromuscular. Jasons focus with each client is to make a positive change. Each session is customized to your needs and may incorporate numerous types of massage therapy. He is very passionate about helping his clients to achieve their goals. Jason believes massage therapy is an important part of wellness. Whether you are stressed, in pain or want to improve your athletic performance, he highly recommends adding massage therapy to your wellness program. He looks forward to hearing from you!
heather rynearson
Certified Instructor
Heather is the Pound Pro Instructor at Amarah. She is certified in Pound and Generation Pound and has been teaching since 2018. Heather is not only passionate about Pound’s workout format but also the community that it creates and what it stands for. Pound was created as a place where you can be as brave, bold, and loud as you want to be. Releasing your inner rockstar is the act of becoming the best and most authentic version of you. Outside of her time at the studio, she teaches preschoolers. Heather grew up in Wisconsin and currently lives in Baldwin with her husband Bryan, and two daughters, Rowyn and Ember.
sierra constantine
Certified Instructor
Sierra leads Buti Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga Flow classes at Amarah. A dancer since the age of 3, Sierra studied various styles of dance with a foundation in ballet. She has been moving in some way, shape, or form her entire life until she and her husband decided to start their family. After the birth of their third child, she knew she needed to get moving again. It took a little while to become disciplined and keep a steady routine, but once Sierra was introduced to Buti Yoga she was hooked and became a certified instructor since December 2017. In June 2019, Sierra continued her movement journey by attending the Buti Sculpt+Bands Certification. Sierra is a certified yoga teacher, receiving her RYT-200 in 2020. She resides in Brookline with her husband Ed, their three children Lilianna, Valentina, and Leonardo, and their Daschund-Chihuahua mix, Jack.
Renee salicce
Certified Instructor
Renee teaches Vinyasa Yoga Flow at Amarah. Renee was born and raised in Brookline and is a lover of all things yoga and meditation. When Renee is not busy being a mom to her daughter Olivia, you can find her on the mat practicing, working on her next fun sequence, or wrapped in a blanket reading yoga books. Renee found yoga a little later in life (rather, yoga found her). She dropped in to a yoga class at Amarah in support of a new business in her community, but found so much more -- what started as a place to practice, became more like a home. As yoga grew in her soul, she knew her next step was finding the time to go through yoga teacher training. In May 2019, she received her 200-YTT certification. Renee is always excited to bring her energy and fun new sequences to share with her students.
Amy Blankenship
Reiki Master, RMT, CYT
Amy is a traditional Usui and Holy Fire III Reiki Master, and certified Yoga For All teacher, originally from Huntington, WV. She received her Bachelor’s degree and 2 Masters degrees from Marshall University in Huntington, then moved to Pittsburgh in 2014 to take advantage of the many wonderful opportunities it has to offer. Amy has been drawn to all things spiritual for as long as she can remember, and is so excited to help others find more peace, happiness, and fulfillment in their life journey. Amy is in training for Kundalini Reiki and also specializes in Yin Yoga, Qigong, Yoga Nidra and Meditation. Amy is also a dog mom to 5 small-breed pups, helps run a local dog rescue, is a cancer survivor and autoimmune disease warrior, and is currently learning to accept and love herself in her own body while challenging diet-culture.
Cathryn calhoun aka C.C.
Certified Instructor
C.C. teaches Zumba at Amarah. She loves Zumba and shaking her booty while teaching others to do the same. C.C.’s passion for Zumba started in 2016. She began her health journey and wanted to add a fun cardio class to her routine. She tried Zumba and fell in love. In 2017, she decided to become an instructor to share this positive fitness experience with others. Zumba helped C.C. lose 100 lbs. Her goal is to make her students aware that fitness has no size and that fitness is for everyone and to do what makes you happy. C.C. teaches Zumba throughout Pittsburgh and participates in many fitness events. Aside from Zumba, C.C. works in Arts Management at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. She has a BA in Psychology and MA in Organizational Leadership. C.C. is an active board member with the Alumni Association at Point Park University and volunteers with numerous organizations. She also mentors both youth and college-aged women.
Megan Donnarumma
Certified Instructor
Megan Donnarumma started her fitness journey by becoming a certified Pound instructor 5 years ago. Her love of music and dance also led her to become a 305 Fitness certified instructor 3 years ago. Most recently, she has completed her certification and is now a personal trainer. She's a new SweatNET ambassador which gives her the opportunity to showcase all that Pittsburgh health and wellness has to offer.
Louann swogger
Certified Instructor
LouAnn leads Renew + Restore at Amarah. LouAnn began her yoga teaching journey in 2011. She completed her 200-hour teacher training through South Hills Power Yoga and has influences in Yin and Restorative. She has taken a variety of trainings and workshops with Judith Lasater, Tara Brach, Biff Mithoefer and Prema Maya. LouAnn is a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation. She seeks to uplift humanity through her art, meditation and practice/instruction of yoga. It is her intention to honor the ancient wisdom of yoga in her classes by focusing on breath and presence.
Melissa knorr
MPH, MSW, LSW
Melissa is a Brookline resident, Pittsburgh native, pet lover, and Zinnia enthusiast. During her time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia and Belize, she supported the formation of women’s groups and was inspired by the power of community and connection. She holds masters degrees in public health and social work, and teaches an undergraduate course on global health at Duquesne University. Melissa has created more space for joy and gratitude in her life through self-compassionate practices, and is committed to sharing this learning with others. She is a licensed social worker and wellbeing coach with BetterUP Care, and a co-founder and leadership coach at Skillful Leadership. Above all else, she loves reminding people how amazing they are. Melissa leads Amarah's wellbeing workshops and is an administrative assistant.