Marsha D. Banks-Harold, owner and instructor, is a native Alexandrian and graduate of T.C. Williams High School. Marsha holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from VA TECH. Marsha has been employed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the last 15 years. She has served as a Supervisory Patent Examiner in the Communications area since 2001. Marsha’s passion is motivating others to reach their career, family spiritual and fitness goals. At any time you will see Marsha offering encouraging words to others.
In 2004 Marsha decided to make a life style change and lost over 80 pounds by changing her diet and exercising. As a result of losing the 80 pounds Marsha felt extremely awesome. As a result, she immediately started helping others to experience the joy that she had found. Over the years, Marsha has motivated numerous clients to exceed their goals.
In February of 2008, Marsha retreated to Williamsburg, VA searching for what she now knows as inner peace. Even though Marsha had reached great success in her personal and professional life she felt that something very important was missing. Marsha discovered that it was very important for her to have peace in all aspects of her life: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual (PIES).
Marsha’s discovery concerning peace led her to register for the Foundational Training Program offered at Body Balance Yoga Studio in Williamsburg, VA in September of 2008. The full course provided study in yoga philosophy, history, literature, postures, breathing, anatomy, lifestyle, and in-depth training in teaching techniques and methodology. The course offered examination of two primary lineages of yoga, in the traditions of Bishnu Ghosh (1903-1970) of Clacutta and Tirumala Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) of Mysore and Chennai. The two styles of Hatha yoga are the most popular forms in the United States, and although they differ in points of alignment they present the same ultimate goal of purification of the body and focus of the mind in order to return the practitioner to their truest, innermost self and therefore connect with the universal self.
In February of 2009 Marsha completed the inaugural 200-hour yoga teacher training course. The transformation that occurred for Marsha during the training deepened her quest to help others to obtain physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual (PIES) peace.
PIES Fitness was birthed out of the discovery and transformation that occurred over the 5 years in which Marsha has been on her fitness journey. Marsha teaches internationally in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on an annual basis for members of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Alexandria, VA. She regularly teaches in Alexandria, VA and Washington D.C at various locations.
Dearest to her heart is her family: her husband Jeff of 17 years and her children: Gabe (age 11); Isaiah (age 9); Kemonta (age 5) and Seth Michael (age 5). Marsha’s family is very special because they represent one of the most wonderful parts of yoga-giving. Over 19 months ago Jeff and Marsha became the guardians of Isaiah and Kemonta while Gabe and Seth Michael welcomed in two new playmates. During the 19 months the family continues to reap the benefits of learning to give unconditionally and loving others from the inner most part of their being.
Marsha looks forward to sharing yoga with others so that everyone can obtain the awesome level of peace in all aspects (physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual) of life. Enjoy your PIES Fitness in Peace.

Last Updated: April 7, 2012