KELANI is an exhilarating holistic Polynesian 'movement'. Take off your shoes & feel the rhythm of your souls...  Ioana (founder/ president of KELANI)
Biography – 2013
Ioana - wife and mother of three daughters who she repeatedly refers to as her inspiration- is the founder and president of KELANI® international. She created and began developing KELANI® in 2007. The word KELANI® is a derivative of her older girls' names: Keona, which means God’s gracious gift in Hawaiian and Leilani, which means heavenly flower in Hawaiian. In April of 2008 she opened her own boutique holistic fitness studio in downtown Windsor called Studio Kelani, Pilates and Polynesian Movements. She owned and operated her studio until July of 2013 after which she decided to close her physical doors to focus full time on developing and spreading the wings of her KELANI brand.
Ioana differs from many other professionals who have spent their lives active, in that she grew up with extremely unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. She often jokes when she does her talks and presentations that she actually does not like to ‘workout’, she just likes to dance. She urges everyone, especially the young, to find something they love and not to be discouraged if there are certain disciplines they don’t thrive in. As a child she wishes she was exposed to the disciplines the youth of today is exposed to. Through a combination of inspiration, education, holistic nutrition, joyful movement and mind-body-spirit connection and the support of her loved ones, Ioana is now on a mission to help spread the joy she has found and embraced in holistic wellness.

Ioana is a direct descendant of the troupe members of ‘The Royal Polynesian Revue’ - a world famous Polynesian group. In 2007 she decided to follow in their footsteps while adding a contemporary flare to traditional Polynesian dancing- hence the birth of KELANI®. In December of 2010 she proudly released her first KELANI ®DVD which was filmed on an island.
So what exactly is KELANI®? KELANI is an exhilarating holistic Polynesian inspired experience. In the true spirit of Polynesia, Ioana wanted to create something which was uplifting and simple. KELANI is not only a class, it is a way of thinking and living. In a blog Ioana writes called “The Life of a KELANI® girl’ Ioana documents her ‘KELANI philosophy’ as it applies to her and her family’s journeys.
In a class setting, KELANI® consists of intoxicating tribal beats, evocative hip shaking and lyrical grounded movements with an island twist which will sweep your body, mind and spirit away leaving you drenched and your soul renewed. Participants of KELANI® can expect to experience joy in this freedom of movement, dancing for the sake of dancing and kicking off their shoes to feel the rhythm of their souls!  
As well as being a holistic nutritionist, Pilates instructor, personal trainer and of course KELANI® instructor, Ioana has performed and been involved in several shows within Ontario many of which have been for charity. Ioana's love for the arts lies primarily in music and any form of musical expression including dancing and singing. The KELANI® philosophy is “health and happiness from the inside out” which Ioana lives and breathes and tries to pass on to everyone she meets.