Jessi Perna-Elias

Jessi is a fitness professional, community unifier, and social justice advocate. Growing up in the Philly suburbs, Jessi has been dancing since the age of 3 and trained in various dance styles at a dance studio. She went on to compete on a Division 1 dance team at Manhattan College, and is a former professional dancer. Jessi currently teaches dance cardio and barre classes in the Greater Philly area. Movement has proven to be a powerful means of self-expression and liberation for her, and she finds it rewarding when students discover joy, self-acceptance, and increased confidence through movement.

 

Jessi’s mission is to create inclusive movement spaces that embody acceptance, belonging, and dignity for all. When she’s not teaching, she is probably still dancing (a lot), community building, or exploring new coffee shops.

  • DESCRIBE YOUR TEACHING STYLE: Inclusive, accepting, encouraging

  • MUSIC/SONGS ON ROTATION IN YOUR CLASS: High-energy beats to jam out and zone in! 90s and 2000s throwbacks have been on my rotation lately

     

  • FAVORITE BARRE MOVE: Leg pulse

  • FAVORITE PHILLY RESTAURANT: Fiorella

  • TWO THINGS STILL LEFT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: Writing a book and performing on Broadway

  • IF YOU HAD ONE EXTRA HOUR OF FREE TIME A DAY, HOW WOULD YOU USE IT: Get outside for a longer walk

  • FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA HERE: @jessi_serye