Artistic Director/Choreographer

Throughout her artistic career, Ms. Astorga has undertaken various dance disciplines including classical ballet, tap, modern dance, Folklore Mexicano and Flamenco. She began her training at the early age of 7yrs old at the world renowned school of Amalia Hernandez (Ballet Folklorico de Mexico), for 5 consecutive summers . She was one of the founding members of Ballet Folklorico de Pacifico (currently under the direction of her sister (Adriana Astorga-Gainey). In 2005, she moved to Houston, Texas and formed "Sabor Mexico Theatrical Dance Co. ",(Folklorico Mexicano). In Houston, she presented her work at the most respected theaters, including Hobby Center (Zilka Hall), Verizon Wireless Theater and Houston's Museums.

As a flamenco dancer she has appeared professionally at the famous El Cid Flamenco Tablao in Los Angeles. Patricia performed at the Grand Opening of the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. She has studied extensively in Spain with Flamenco masters such as , Juana Amaya, Alicia Marquez, Ursula Lopez and Roberto Amaral and ¨Angelita” in Los Angeles. In August 2006, she formed her own Flamenco dance company, “La Escencia Flamenca.” Collaborating with local musicians from Texas and California. As a result of her ongoing efforts, she developed a wonderful collaborative relationship with the Mexican Consulate in Houston, Mexican Tourism Board, Consulado de Espana, The Museum of Fine Arts, MECA and numerous other Hispanic organizations. On December 8, 2007, Mayor Bill White of Houston, Patricia was given a formal proclamation .

Patricia currently resides in sunny San Diego, CA. with her Husband Dan as of 2009. She has continued to teach both Folklore Mexicano and Flamenco. Within one year her two dance companies in San Diego (Sabor Mexico Theatrical Dance Co. of SD & La Esencia Flamenca Dance Company of SD) combined has grown to 30 dancers and musicians. Recently, Danzarts - Sabor Mexico was chosen out of 320 applicants to work with the San Diego Symphony by Bill Conti (composer of the theme song "Rocky") production "Your Song, Your Story". Had the privilege of Performing at Symphony Hall, Joan Kroc Theater, Embarcadero accompanied by San Diego Symphony and Mariachi Garibaldi. As a profession, Patricia is a Registered Nurse for over 25 years and has worked in Health Care Administration (Quality Management, Case Management ) for the past 15 years.

For more information visit: DanzArts.org

Choreographer, instructor, performer, born and raised in Brazil, Renata has been involved in dance, movement and performance since her early teens. She has studied Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Brazilian Folkloric and Traditional forms. Renata immigrated to the U.S. in 2001 and has been a professional dance instructor and performer for over 15 years in the United States and Abroad.

Most recently, Renata was the lead instructor and choreographer for the Lions of Batucada in Portland, Oregon; taught five consecutive residencies at Sambasia in Beijing, China (in partnership with the Brazilian Embassy), Dream Community Parade Taipei, Taiwan Featuring 400 members of the Brazilian Dance and Music Section. Conducted 6 months residencies working with public schools, professional dancers and musicians - including three months of intensive programs with Aboriginal Taiwanese Kids and Adults in various parts of the country and Samba Dance instructor at the prestigious California Brazil Camp.  She has performed at a number of renowned venues throughout the West Coast including the Rose Garden, Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall.

At present she maintains a busy schedule of weekly classes, residencies, and performances, featuring all age groups, gender and levels of experience. Comprehensive and energetic instruction in Rio style samba, samba-reggae, samba-funk, and Afro-Brazilian dance. Renata has sponsored numerous dance and music workshops, seminar, and shows with Masters Brazilians artists in San Diego, to provide a path for the community learn from the roots of Brazilian Culture.

Alina St Julien was born in Harkov, Ukraine. Spend the majority of her childhood in Belarus. That's where she took her first class at the age of 4, with famous 70 year old choreographer Tamara Natarova, and at the age of 6 was admitted to the Brest State School of Dance & Choreography. There she studied a variety of dance styles, including ballet, folk and modern dance, as well as history of art and dance.

At the age of 18, Alina joined professional contemporary & hip hop troop "Black Lotes", where she spent her next 2 years learning their repertory and performing. Life in Belarus wasn't easy. Dictatorship, repression, lack of women rights was the reality Alina was living in, and dance was the only thing that allowed for expression without boundaries no matter what reality was. Dance carried her through.

At the age of 21, she moved across the ocean to United States of America, the country of freedom, the country, where she heard "everything is possible, where your dreams come true". Eyes lit with hope, open heart.. not everything was so easy here. Cultural differences, being alone in a completely new country, with wounds of the past still bleeding, and new cuts and burns appearing. Dance carried her once more. Alina started practicing yoga as well. She practiced it for 8 years, and in 2016 she started her training to become a certified yoga instructor. In 2017, she completed her Reiki training.

Today Alina is passionate about combining dance and yoga, and openly experimenting with both to bring you the experience of letting go off the conventional "boxed-in" method of moving your body to help you find beauty in allowing yourself to move freely. Alina teaches a variety of yoga and dance classes for adults and kids, as well as inspires the audience through her shows. Dance to her is a way to express yourself, break free from old patterns and heal yourself.  You can reach Alina with any questions or to schedule a personal session by emailing alinasmovinglab@gmail.com.

Healing By Laura Elizabeth

I have had extensive training that has integrated eastern and western healing modalities and methodologies to help me recognize and identify function and dysfunction of – or within – the body. It has given me the tools needed to understand the human body and create specific holistic programs for students or groups based on a deep understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and the more subtle aspects of emotional and spiritual healing.

I have been trained and certified in a variety of styles and yogic lineages which provide me with a diverse array of techniques and perspectives to approach specific student concerns as well as a firm grasp of the traditions and practice of yoga and healing.

Having experienced, firsthand, the healing power of yoga, my goal is to connect with my students and understand their struggles, needs, and goals, and celebrate their successes – so that I can use yoga therapeutically to serve, support, and assist them on their journey into health.

My hope is that every class gives students an opportunity to experience and connect with themselves and become consciously aware of the mind/body connection, and provide a supportive, safe, and intimate environment to learn, grow, and elevate themselves and each other.

Styles I Teach
Private│Group│Studio
Ashtanga Yoga
Chakra Yoga & Meditation
Gentle Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Power Yoga
Restorative Yoga
Tantra Yoga
Vinyasa Flow
Yin Yoga

Therapeutic Yoga
Private│Group-Specific Intimate Environments
Yoga As Medicine
Autoimmune Disorders & Diseases
Chronic Conditions
Injury/Surgery Rehabilitation
Pain Relief
Yoga for Mood Management
Abuse/Battered Psyche
Addiction
ADHD
Anxiety
Chronic Fatigue
Depression
Insomnia
OCD
PTS/PTSD
Stress Management
Holistic Healing Services
Private│Small Groups
Aromatherapy
Ayuervedic Solutions
Energy Work
Healing for Healers – Self-Care Practices for Medical/Health/Wellness Professionals
Integrated Bodywork
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Meditation Styles & Techniques
Pranayama Practices
Reiki III Master (USUI Certified)
Sound & Vibrational Healing

Originally from New York, professional dancer, singer and artist, Brianne Taylor is also a certified Yoga Teacher!  A very talented young woman that we are very happy to have on board at La Vie Dance & Culture.

Weekly beginner tango classes are currently on hold until JULY 2017!

TANGO PRACTICA IS EVERY SUNDAY EVENING (EXCEPT THE LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH) 8:30PM - 11:30PM

Our focus is social tango dance, enabling people to enjoy the variety of milongas (social tango dance events) that the city of San Diego has to offer. Everyone is welcome to discover the beauty of the tango embrace!

About the instructors:

Radi has been dancing for over 20 years. He started break dancing when he was a teenager, and later discovered a passion for flamenco. But since falling in love with tango, it has become his path in life. It has taken him around the world, including multiple trips to Buenos Aires. He performed and taught tango in Albuquerque, New Mexico for about three years before moving to California in 2014 to start his PhD in Critical Dance Studies at the University of California, Riverside. In the summer before moving to California, he met his partner Oldriska at a milonga in Prague, Czech Republic, and they have been dancing together since. They got married last June. For the past two years, they have been teaching tango to undergraduate students at UCR. Now moving to San Diego, Oldriska and Radi are both looking forward to spreading their love for tango in their new home environment. Radi is also a well-respected DJ in the Southern California tango community.

Tango found Oldriska five years ago when she incidentally appeared at a milonga. Just watching people improvise to the music in a close embrace fascinated her. She fell in love with tango that same evening when she was invited for a dance. To her surprise, she could do it without knowing any steps, just by feeling the lead! Oldriska has since become a part of the tango scenes in Europe, the US and Argentina. She met her life and dance partner Radi in 2014 dancing in her hometown of Prague, Czech Republic. They have been practicing and traveling for tango since, and teaching together for the past two years. They had an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of this dance last year when they spent three months in Buenos Aires dancing and studying with the world’s best tango teachers. Oldriska and Radi love spreading tango and their emphasis in teaching is on the joy of the dance and the connection and communication of the couple in the embrace.

With over 15 years experience in the Art and Antiques industry, Rebecca introduces the La Vie Fine Arts Program.

Presenting monthly Art Exhibitions of local and international artists, featuring period pieces, oil on canvas or board, pastels, watercolors and more, as well as limited edition lithographs and prints.

Offering local artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work.

For more information please call 619.560.6281.