Villa Sport, 24 Hour Fitness
I’ve always had a passion for teaching and dancing. While in college I would take aerobics classes and had a teacher that was fun and motivating. I knew I wanted to what she did, but knew my parents would kill me if I came home from college telling them I was going to teach fitness classes. So, I got my degree in education and social work because I loved to teach and help others and set out to do just that. Since I had the entire summer before my teaching job would start I started thinking I can teach fitness part-time. I loved to dance and make up choreography so I found an aerobics instructor training course at the local community college and took the class and got my AFAA certification shortly afterwards. Over the years, my fitness journey has taken me through many different formats and I enjoy teaching them all. Once I had my daughter I went from teaching school during the day to putting that on hold and teaching fitness instead. I still get to do what I love and raise my daughter too.
One of my favorite formats to teach is Yoga; if you would’ve asked me a few years back I would have refused to even take a class. I had this notion that yoga was boring and too slow for me. I met an amazing instructor that changed my perception. Since she taught the class in Vinyasa flow I realized I found a style that would spark my personal yoga journey. This instructor decided to take a job at another club, so I was asked to take over her classes. Since taking over the classes I find I am teaching more and more mind/body classes than ever before and it feels amazing. I cannot believe I almost passed yoga by because it was something out of my comfort zone. I am being trained through YogaFit and love it. I have met some amazing instructors over the years and hope that I can inspire others the way I have been inspired. Being a teacher in any field can create/spark a desire to do something different or new. So hurray to all teachers.
While teaching any class format, I like challenging the mind as well as the body, so I try to create choreography that fits the challenge. I believe that if the mind isn’t getting a workout with the body then we are short changing ourselves in the “total body” experience that it needs. Being healthy and fit isn’t just about the body it needs to include the mind and the life-style choices we make.
My philosophy with regards to teaching yoga is that is gives the body and mind a break from our daily stressors (phones, TV., pressures, etc.) and allows us those few minutes in the beginning (connecting with the breath)and end(?av?sana) to really connect with our bodies and “let go” of all the other “stuff”.
Education:
Master’s Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Schools
Bachelor of Science (double majored) in Family Consumer Science Education and Family Social Services with a minor in English
Certifications:
AFFA- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
Yoga Fit- Level 1, 2, 3, 4, Pre/Post Natal, Seniors Trainings
American Red Cross Lay Responder Instructor for CPR/AED Adult, Child, & Infant and First Aid
Texas and Illinois Teaching Certificate
LMSW-License for practicing Social Work
