A History of SHIFT

Dana Perri got her start in dance, theater and choreography very early in life when she attended a performing arts school. She then went on to major in dance at UC Irvine.  Her career as a performer and choreographer has been extensive. She has also added fitness entrepreneur to her resume.

In 1999, while working in the performance industry for Cirque Du Soleil and multiple choreography projects for artists like Christina Aguilera, Drew Hill and Barry Manilow, Dana got her certification as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer.  At the time, she wasn’t ready to make the transition into fitness but had a passion for working with people to help them challenge themselves physically and mentally. And though, working in dance and choreography professionally is challenging and rewarding work, she felt she wanted to make a more personal connection with people and use the skills she had gained as a gymnast, aerialist and dancer to inspire and motivate them.

Earlier in her career, Dana had made the transition from performer to choreographer because she wanted to excel at both disciplines. While working her last major choreography job at The Wynn in Las Vegas she decided to make a commitment to a new adventure, starting her own fitness studio.

In 2012, she created SHIFT and began teaching classes in a martial arts studio in North Hollywood. She immediately recognized the benefit of working out on a spring floor. It provided not just shock absorption to prevent injuries, but also helped strengthen the feet and calves to help with balance and stabilization. In 2015, she took the leap and opened her own studio currently in Sherman Oaks. She created her own version of the spring floor and expanded and developed her fitness methodology. SHIFT by Dana Perri, is now the only one of it’s kind fitness studio and offers a revolutionary way to teach group fitness.

As an expert, Dana speaks to audiences worldwide on the topics of fitness and health. She is a Master Ambassador for Fabletics, Lorna Jane and Lululemon, and is part of the Campowerment Expert Team. She has been featured on CBS, KTLA, EXTRA, as well as in SHAPE Magazine,  LA Times and SELF Magazine. In addition to her time at SHIFT she continues to work as a celebrity fitness trainer and choreographer for major international productions.