Inspiring more

play in life.

The word ‘Ori,’ originates from the Yoruba people in West Africa, and it literally means head, the crown chakra that guides us on our journey, referring to our spiritual intuition and destiny.

The “X” is our SPARK, our POWER, our diverse eXperiences, our inclusivity, our seXy, feminine energy— our X factor.

The X is how our high vibe community IGNITES when we are together. 

  • To know me is to dance with me to your favorite songs and forget about time. That is the ORIx spirit, an activated community inspiring more play in life. With over 20 years of experience in fitness and wellness programming, I have been certified and trained by top industry fitness leaders. I’ve always followed my spiritual intuition, or “Ori,’ which led me to discover that having fun is a vital part of wellness.

    As a first-generation Iranian woman, celebration and movement have been integral parts of my life, where music, dance, and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine were abundant. These cultural influences continue to shape my life as a mother and as the co-creator of the ORIx experience.

    In my career, I've had the privilege of holding leadership positions at San Francisco General Hospital, where I developed initiatives to increase access to quality healthcare. I also opened the hospital's first culturally accessible Community Wellness Center for residents of San Francisco. The Center offered a variety of programs, all designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all ages, cultures, races, and health conditions. Here I learned from patients and staff alike the power of healing through movement and community.

    Together with my equally passionate partner, Laura Kasta, our journey with ORIx began during the pandemic. As mothers of young children, we found ourselves like many, navigating a world that seemed distant from our roots and wellness ethos. Grounded by these shared values and a commitment to personal wellness, we have embarked on a mission to lead a movement that inspires us to create meaningful connections and growth. ORIx is not just a fitness community or a social club. It is a network that provides genuine support and serves as a soundboard for all aspects of life.

    xox Dance like EVERYONE is watching!

  • I am a uniquely creative and determined individual committed to making a positive impact in my community while elevating those around me. My journey is a testament to the power of embracing adversity of experiences and diversity of cultures.

    Having spent more than two decades as a professional dancer for the Ballet Nacional de Caracas, Venezuela, movement through music has been an essential part of my life. Dance has been my artistic and expressive outlet– my healing journey.

    As the Co-founder of ORIx, I have discovered the perfect blend of elements that ignite me. My ‘Ori’ or intuitive guide has steered my essence. Having grown up in South America and uprooted to a foreign country, building a strong community of like-minded individuals who value authentic and meaningful connections has been an immensely satisfying and enriching journey.

    Together with Shermineh, we have realized the gift that exists in the exchange of cultures and the power of collective experiences, elevates wellness. Our mutual enthusiasm and extensive background in movement laid the perfect foundation for the creation of ORIx.

    I reside between Northern California and Paris with my husband and two children. I hold an undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Berkeley and a masters degree in Architecture and Digital Media from the University of Westminster, London, UK.

    xox Good Champagne is my religion!

  • As long as I can remember, I embraced music and movement as my primary form of expression. My childhood was filled with a plethora of theatrical endeavors, screen acting and dance, then on to the University of Oregon School of Music, where I studied vocal performance and played the drums and guitar.

    After transitioning into the business world to start a now successful 20+ year real estate career in residential sales and development in San Francisco, getting married and becoming a mother of two, it felt as if all my unique passions and identities had to live in separate silos, rarely integrated into the whole of my existence.

    From the moment I experienced ORIx, it became clear to me that I found a place and a community where I could show up as my whole self – filled with the joy of music, movement, close friendship, health, motherhood, fun and celebrations of my business achievements. I am proud to be associated with a group of incredible and accomplished women driving the joy of movement, community, and cultural inclusion.

    As a currently performing musician and DJ, and an enthusiast of electronic music and global music culture, I am honored to play a role as music advisor to this incredible powerhouse of visionaries. To roll with me at ORIx is to see me behind the decks or vogue-ing, or with my toes in the grass, singing next to my spirited dancing children.

    “…to know that you loved me for my singing is too much for me. Forgive me if I don’t have all the words. Maybe I can sing it and you’ll understand.” – Ella Fitzgerald

  • Born and raised in Colombia, I am deeply passionate about the healing and transcendental powers of yoga. An avid and devoted practitioner for many years, I furthered my studies in 2019 by receiving the 200-hour YTT at Now Power Yoga, followed by a summer-long intensive course in Bali, Indonesia, under the guidance of Maitreya Prema.

    My classes are a Hatha-rooted, beat-driven experience of release, play, and meditation in movement, that support my students to become fully present while discovering the divine within, their Ori. Yoga and movement have played a significant role in my own journey of personal growth and transformation, leading me to create a nurturing and sacred space for other women to connect with their highest selves.

    I have long been passionate about bringing people together in a collective way that encourages them to drop in and let go. My teachings support my students in discovering their own inner power and unlocking their full potential and this is what inspires my own journey.

  • Movement is my medicine. I engage in some type of movement daily as a tool to keep both my mind and body healthy. I took my first ORIx class online in 2020 during the pandemic. I immediately connected with the essence of ORIx, which to me is the celebration of life through movement.

    The vibrant beats and flowing sequences of ORIx provide a physical workout but also ignite a sense of joy, strength and liberation within me. Whether it's through upbeat workouts, or organized events, ORIx provides a space to explore our bodies capabilities, embrace our unique styles, and celebrate progress.

    I live in San Diego with my two children so I connected with the ORIx community online and still felt so supported during our workout check ins. As I have been teaching Yoga since 2008 and a combination of Pilates/Barre since 2020 I co-led online classes with Shermineh and got to share my flow with the community.

    Again, another touchstone of the ORIx essence, a peer to peer model of sharing each other's ventures, ideas, support, and network.

    I have a masters in applied clinical nutrition and work with individuals who want to live healthier lives. I love sharing my passion for health and wellness with the community and plan to do so through ORIx and beyond.

  • I found ORIx during the pandemic. ORIx’s unique mix of playful movement and genuine community was exactly what I needed for myself and family.

    After years (decades!) of being heads down with graduate school (PhD in gerontology), work (as a managing partner of a venture firm) and motherhood (of two young boys during a pandemic), my life was woefully short on fun, play, movement and authentic female friendships!

    As a gerontologist, I know the lifelong benefits of movement and social connections, so I am thrilled to help spread the life-changing magic of ORIx.

    “It’s sheer good fortune to miss somebody long before they are gone.” - Toni Morrison

  • Permanent resident of “outside the box” is my address! From listening to opera at a black-tie gala to dancing as a free spirit in a gritty club, this range is what I'm all about and ORIx has allowed me to be unapologetic about it.

    Connecting with the ORIx community has given me the confidence to embrace all the multi-faceted parts of me and form deep connections with people who live their most intentional and genuine life with grace and fanfare! We all need hype people in our lives and this community symbolizes the power of bringing people together with joy, music, and movement. We should be playing throughout our lives!

    My professional life is no different in terms of not adhering to the typical path. Currently, I work as an Investment Banker in San Francisco having a background in financial services and asset management, along with expertise in capital raising. I also have a decade of serial entrepreneurial experience in early-stage startups and a degree in engineering. I love being around people who are breaking doors and holding them open for others! ORIx embodies that spirit. Now that's life changing.

  • Life for me is all about connection, authenticity, and joy. There is nothing that brings me more joy than forming meaningful and authentic connections with those around me…especially when we can dance while doing it! So it was no reason that fate led me to a fitness class led by the amazing Shermineh. An immediate connection formed - our shared love for movement, joy in life, and our unwavering commitment to authenticity forged a lifelong friendship.

    These principles also guide my professional life. For 15 years, I partnered in a medical communications company, leading the operations department. Authentic leadership was my cornerstone, fostering engagement, motivation, and loyalty within my team. Together, we built an incredible company, recently acquired, with my entire team on board for the next chapter.

    By day, I now serve as the Chief Commercial Operations Officer for a life sciences company. But when the sun sets, you'll find me having impromptu dance parties with my husband, two kids, and neighbors, rocking out to ORIx workout videos and playlists created as our lifeline during the pandemic.

    ORIx inspires more play in life. Our goal? To share this magic with the world.

    xox Life is short and it is here to be lived!

  • I'm a passionate advocate for diverse communities, especially those empowering women and my Armenian heritage. As a first-generation Canadian American-Armenian with a deep connection to my grandparents, survivors of the Armenian genocide, my culture has always guided my journey.

    My childhood memories include the joy of music and dance during gatherings in the cold Canadian weather. I vividly recall sneaking a peek at a belly dancer at one of our home parties, witnessing our guests let go of their inhibitions and embrace the moment. This started the foundation of my love for dance and movement.

    I’m the co-founder and current president of the Armenian International Women's Association SF Chapter and the founder and CEO of Leap Strategy, Risk, and Advisory Services LLC, a consulting firm that collaborates with banks and fintechs on risk and compliance matters. I'm an angel and real estate investor and am finally pursuing an Executive MBA at UC Berkeley.

    My path crossed with Shermineh's at Cornerstone Cafe in 1994 during our time at UC Irvine, but we didn't become friends until 25 years later when the universe brought us back together. Shermineh was a force of positivity, and she remains a luminous presence, reminding us all to embrace our inner light. ORiX is a community that empowers us to connect with our inner selves and shine brightly.

    "Leap, and the net will appear," is a guiding principle that has served me throughout my life.

  • Nothing is by chance, and aligning myself with ORIx was no exception. This group of women are THE MOVEMENT I desire to surround myself with. The last few years have been a pivotal time, prompting deep introspection.

    It compelled me to examine what wasn't working and to make courageous decisions and bold steps towards creating a more fulfilling life... letting go of old patterns, beliefs, and relationships that no longer served me while making room for new possibilities.

    I am an empath, a lover, a kind person, a wife, a pet Mom, a creator, a coach, a listener, a connector. I thrive on challenging myself to find healthy ways to grow and push my limits. I'm also okay relishing in those quiet moments when I can just simply BE.

    As an award-winning real estate strategist and entrepreneur, I masterfully create marketing, event, communications, and sales campaigns, as well as, execute stunning furniture designs on luxury residential properties throughout the West Coast.

    I am passionate about life and it matters to me how I show up each day: for myself, for my loved ones, for my career. ORIx provides the collaboration, fun-factor and inspiration I desire to continuously strive for greatness.

    “The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.” ~ Ayn Rand

  • When I am not working as a long-time tech startup executive, I crave both community and movement and -- for the first time -- I've found both in ORIx. As a working mother of two in the Bay Area, I used to have to choose between either connecting with community and friends or movement, but with ORIx I get both!

    Though ORIx goes beyond a workout or a gathering of friends: it is an experience that aims to serve the whole woman, regardless of her stage of life or profession. From meeting new friends to taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors or other venues and experiences in the Bay Area, ORIx has been a creative outlet for me and a source of joy and connection with my community.

    As the Chief Administrative and Legal Officer at web3 and crypto payments unicorn MoonPay, Inc, I have served as an executive at a number of other startups including Uber, Lime, Blockchain.com, and my own venture-backed company in the mobility space. I also engage on various boards and initiatives that create an impact in my community -- particularly for women -- and love to help grow women-led ventures like ORIx.

  • I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered ORIx through my close friends. They were so excited about the community, and after taking my first class, I completely understood why. Physical fitness has always been important to me, but ORIx is different. It's a music-driven experience that not only challenges me physically but also empowers me and boosts my endorphins. It's fun and invigorating.

    Being part of ORIx means being part of an accepting and uplifting community. It doesn't matter where you come from or what stage of life you're in, ORIx welcomes everyone with open arms.

    As the Co-Founder of Playground, a sexual wellness brand, I share ORIx's passion for creating exceptional experiences centered around women's intimate needs. I strive to make every woman feel confident, beautiful, and empowered to improve her wellness.

    With 20 years of experience in growing and operating consumer businesses, I bring my expertise to help ORIx fine-tune and expand its business model. My goal is to bring the amazing ORIx experience to more people and places worldwide, using my passion for creating exceptional customer experiences.

  • With a passion for uplifting communities and experiences that promote well-being and connections, I find inspiration in creating meaningful connections and supporting businesses to evolve and thrive.

    As the co-founder and CMO of Tushbaby, a successful consumer goods company featured on Shark Tank and Good Morning America, I have garnered over 20 years of experience in launching and growing businesses. My dedication and creativity have earned me 4 Cannes Lions awards, and I am proud to be a member of the Female Founder Collective, founded by fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff. Currently, I serve as the Head of Strategy for Tower 28 and provide advisory services to other remarkable ventures. Sharing my expertise as a guest lecturer at Stanford and SFSU allows me to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

    When not immersed in building brands, I channel my energy into making connections and uniting with like-minded, empowered women. I am passionate about activating the ORIx spark across our movement and social gatherings. Dancing and laughter hold a special place in my heart, as I believe they contribute to our overall well-being. While bustling cities energize me, I also seek solace and rejuvenation under the calming shade of a palm tree.