The affiliates of Refinery offer diverse perspectives, philosophies, and walks of life. We are united by a standard of excellence, a passion for purposeful work, and building a community through real connection.
The People
Navin Chawla, CSCS & Owner
Navin has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 18 years. A former Equinox Tier X(IV) trainer, Navin moved to the Hudson Valley with his family in 2017. At the time, fitness in the area was limited in choice and in scope. He could train neither himself nor his clients with the tools available, nor with function in mind. Thus, Refinery was born.
A Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach, Navin has helped people achieve goals ranging from general fitness to sports performance. Client profiles include:
Weight Management
Strength & Conditioning
Mobility
Strength Training for Seniors
Injury Prevention & Recovery
Post Physical Therapy Transition
Sport Specific Preparation
Pre-Post Natal
Kettlebell Instruction
Functional Movement
Navin loves working with all tools and with all client types, and has a particular fondness for kettlebells. He lives with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs in Rhinebeck, and trains for tennis in his spare time.
Allison Chawla, MA, LCSW PLC
Allison Chawla is a licensed psychotherapist, certified life and career coach, and alternative healer who bridges the gap between science and spirituality to help individuals find balance, clarity, and empowerment. Drawing from over two decades of clinical and coaching experience, she blends evidence-based therapies like CBT and mindfulness with Buddhist psychology, Reiki energy healing, and intuitive practices.
Allison holds a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University and certifications in life coaching from The Life Purpose Institute, applied neuroscience for treating anxiety, and energy healing modalities such as Reiki and Meridian Tapping. She has also studied at Harvard Divinity School, where she completed the Making Change program exploring human flourishing and meaningful living.
In addition to her private practice based in Rhinebeck, NY, Allison is a teacher with the Buddha Maha Metta Foundation in Thailand and a recognized voice in the mental health and wellness field. Her insights have been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, CNN, Healthline, Shondaland, Real Simple, ABC Radio, Huffington Post, and Mother.ly, among others. She is also a guest lecturer, speaker, and host of the popular wellness radio show “Talk to Allison” on RadioFreeRhinecliff.org.
Passionate about integrating the body, mind, and spirit, Allison helps clients navigate life transitions, anxiety, trauma, and personal growth through a holistic lens. She is known for her compassionate presence, deep intuition, and ability to bring ancient wisdom into modern therapeutic settings.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, CLICK HERE.
Tony Ponte, Personal Trainer
After almost a decade of living and personal training in New York City, Tony settled in Rhinebeck and is excited to be part of Refinery Fitness. His coaching journey started at the luxury fitness club Equinox, where he fell in love with empowering clients and joining them on their journey toward optimal health. On his way to becoming a top producing trainer there, he realized his love for fitness is not birthed out of the way it can change our physique, but rather how it allows us to access more of what life has to offer.
Tony has worked with a wide range of clients of all ages, including:
Skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and weekend warriors looking to increase their cardiovascular capabilities, strength, and durability
Weight management clients who are in the process of building new relationships with the gym and exercise
Senior clients looking to improve bone density while increasing strength and stability
Clients working to rehab an injury or manage pain; working in tandem with physical therapists to implement programs to keep people moving
When he's not coaching clients, you can find Tony diving into home improvement projects with his wife or training for league and pickup soccer. To contact Tony, CLICK HERE.
Christi Makely, Hip Hop Dance Instructor
Christi's love of dance started early — her first performance was in her childhood living room in Michigan, dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller on vinyl. She trained in jazz and ballet before falling in love with hip hop after moving from the Midwest to California. For Christi, dance has always been more than movement — it's community, therapy, friendship, and joy. She believes a single dance class a week has the power to change your life.
Christi trained at L.A.'s top studios, including Millennium Dance Complex, Edge Performing Arts Center, Debbie Reynolds Studio, Movement Lifestyle, and TMilly. She has performed at concerts, competitions, festivals, nightclubs, large venues including the L.A. Convention Center and the Rose Bowl Stadium, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball Hollywood, appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show and Glee's "One Night Only" show, taught classes and workshops including GROOV3, and performed with hip hop crews Groovaholix, PCE Modern, and Hollywood/Vine.
Christi now lives in Rhinebeck in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two daughters, where she brings her L.A. training and welcoming energy to every class.
Christ teaches Hip Hop Dance at Refinery starting Thursdays at 7 PM. To view the schedule and book your spot, click here.
Ben Brown, LMT - HND + TMPL
Ben is a New York State Licensed massage therapist, sound practitioner, and visual artist with over twenty years of experience in the field. A former GYROTONIC instructor and massage educator for Bliss Spa, LLC, Ben now practices both in New York City and in Upstate New York.
HND + TMPL speaks to the core value of utilizing hands, heart, and mind to honor the temple that is your body. Bodywork is about listening, supporting, and appreciating the body as it is. It's the ability to create more space, freedom, comfort, and, in turn, more joy.
Ben seeks the intersection of mediums that provide a haven from social-emotional isolation and supports our adaptive capabilities to self-soothe and heal. His work comes from the impulse to create more space in the nervous system and body through vibrational frequencies that connect us to our ancestral wisdom and being.
To schedule an appointment with Ben, CLICK HERE.