Vinita Khatavkar

About Vinita

Meet Vinita Born and raised in Pune, India, Vinita has been sharing her love of mindful movement for over 30 years. Her journey began at just 15, practicing yoga alongside her mother at the world-renowned B.K.S. Iyengar Institute. By 18, she was teaching aerobics classes inspired by Jane Fonda and Jazzercise—but her heart kept leading her back to yoga. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training in 1993 under Guruji’s tutelage and has been teaching ever since. Vinita later expanded her movement expertise by earning her Pilates Mat certification in 2003, followed by Reformer Level 1 & 2 training in 2004 after moving to Minneapolis. She brings a unique blend of Eastern and Western modalities to her teaching, combining yoga, Pilates, and mindful movement to help clients move with strength, grace, and awareness. Vinita specializes in Iyengar Yoga, Aerial (Hammock) Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Sculpt, Yoga Ball, Yin Yoga, Yogalates, Pilates Mat, Reformer, and EXO Chair. She especially loves teaching Gentle and Restorative Yoga, helping students tune into their bodies, release deep fascia, and reduce pain. At Club Pilates, she carries this same philosophy into her Center + Balance classes—creating space for both challenge and restoration. Her teaching philosophy is simple yet powerful: she wants every student to leave class feeling strong, balanced, and energized—empowered by what their body can do. Vinita thrives on the curiosity and openness of Club Pilates members and loves watching their joy as they master new movements and discover deeper body awareness. One of her most memorable teaching experiences was leading a couples restorative yoga class for visually impaired participants and their partners. Witnessing their perseverance, teamwork, and love was, as she describes, “a humbling lesson in acceptance and the power of human connection.” When she’s not teaching, Vinita enjoys long walks, reading biographies, and learning about the experiences that shape people’s lives. Her personal motto is: “Keep an open mind to always keep learning and stay humble. By learning from each other, we grow.” And if you’re lucky enough to be invited to her kitchen—Vinita’s chicken and lamb curry is famous among friends and family (she just needs two days’ notice, and yes—it’s worth the wait!).

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