Marja Wilson, MS, eRYT 500

Through developing the lifestyle skills of fitness and wellness through yoga, Marja’s goals are to inspire health and clarity of mind for everyone.

Including trips to India for studies in Yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, her teaching and personal practice follows the lessons of many teachers of the Krishnamacharya lineage. The amalgamations of Pattabhi Jois, BNS Iyengar, BKS Iynegar, and Shiva Rea are to name a few. She also follows the philosophical influences of Patanjali, the Dalai Lama and Swami Rama. Marja is a fan of  Deepak Chopra, David Frawely, and Stephen Cope.

She is an avid gardener and was a musician for twenty years before transitioning into health and wellness. You can find her music a.k.a. Marge Calhoun on Spotify, iTunes, and on CDBaby.com. Performance circa 1996.

Marja has been a health promotion advocate in the private, corporate, and public sectors. Providing yoga, meditation, fitness, and nutrition classes in Washington D.C., she served  venues such as the National Geographic Headquarters, Time/Life Headquarters, The District’s Federal and government agencies including the White House staff. For many years, Marja was an adjunct professor at the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. She taught courses in health science at Northern Virginia Community College and her work at the Fairfax County Government and Arlington County’s Offender Aid and Restoration programs in Northern Virginia involved wellness education as well. Partnering with organic markets and area food banks were part of her efforts in promoting community nutrition for disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Marja has since moved to Colorado with her husband and thoroughly enjoys life in the Rocky Mountains. You’ll find her skiing, hiking, biking and running as well as volunteering at Fairview Horse Rescue  and Summit Advocates. She is happy to be part of the Summit County yoga community at Thrive Yoga Summit. (See Below)

While living the other half of the time in Australia, Marja volunteers at Hoofs2010 Brumby Rescue in Berrigan, Victoria. She is a Member of the Austin Healey Club of Victoria and the  Mountain Cattleman’s Association of Victoria.

Other memberships: Mid-Atlantic Yoga Association, Himalayan Institute Teachers Association, Washington DC Yoga Teachers, Virginia Cooperative Extension, George Mason Alumni, Yarrawonga Golf Club, and Summit County Senior Center.

Marja is training her 20th full marathon: August 2025 Reykjavik, Iceland.

 


Current Class Schedule:

Thrive Yoga Summit Frisco, Colorado.

Check web site for updates

Courses Taught:

George Mason University,

  • PHED 129 Introductory Yoga
  • PHED 130 Intermediate Yoga
  • NCLC 495 Mind/Body Theory & Practice

Northern Va. Community College,

  • HLT 110 Personal & Community Health
  • PED 109 Yoga All Levels
  • PED 109 Yoga Intermediate
  • PED 107 Nutrition & Exercise
  • PED 116 Fitness & Wellness

Lord Fairfax Community College,

  • PED 109 Yoga
  • HLT 116 Personal Wellness
  • HLT 206 Health Science

Creds: Degrees, Certs. & Courses

  • Certificate: Volunteer Advocate for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Summit County, Colorado.
  • Certificate: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Colorado Mountain College
  •  Yin training workshop for yoga teachers with Keri Quinn, Denver, Colorado.
  • Degree: MS Exercise, Fitness & Health Promotion. George Mason University
  • Degree: BS Health Science, George Mason University
  • Certificate: Post Baccalaureate Nutrition, George Mason University
  • Master Gardener: Virginia Cooperative Extension, (Intern) VA Tech
  • Course: Exercise Physiology, Marymount University
  • Course: Weight Training and Conditioning, George Mason University
  • Course: Adult Health and Development, Northern Va. Community College
  • eRYT 500 upgrade. Yoga Alliance.  Yoga Alliance
  • Para Yoga Immersion w/Rod Stryker
  • Ashtanga Immersion w/David Keil
  • Fluid Power Certification: (Vinyasa) with Shiva Rae, Kripalu Yoga. Stockbridge, Mass
  • Advanced Yoga Teacher Training: 500 Level (RYT500) Himalayan Inst., Allahabad, India
  • Personal Trainer Certification: International Sports Medicine Assoc. (ISMA)
  • Evolved Pilates Mat Science, Bally Total Fitness
  • Prenatal Health and Group Exercise (American Fitness & Aerobics Assoc. (AFAA)
  • Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Certified. (Exp. 4/2025)
  • RYT 200 (300 hr. Program at Sun & Moon Yoga Studio)
  • Pilates with Resist-A-Ball Certification, Resist-A-Ball, Inc.
  • Mat Science Level I and II, AFAA
  • Group Exercise Certification, AFAA
  • Bally Powerflex Certification (weight training)
  • Bally Total Fitness, B-Fit University Certification High/Lo & Step Aerobics
  • Yogafit Instructor Training Level II, Yogafit, Inc.
  • Yogafit Instructor Training Level I Yogafit, Inc.