Group X Instructor Bios

Name: Caitlin K
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Vinyasa Yoga and Power Vinyasa Yoga
My favorite class to teach is:  Yoga!!
Because:  There is so much to be learned from the body and the breath.
My favorite song on my playlist changes all the time! Just so you know I do not typically use music in my yoga classes because I value the challenge of embracing the quiet
I love teaching Group X because: I get to interact with members of the PSU community that I might not have the chance to otherwise. Group movement is a beautiful thing!

Name: Chelsea Donaldson
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Power Vinyasa Yoga
My favorite class to teach is: Power Vinyasa
Because: Its great to see students push their limits
My favorite song on my playlist is: Dance, Dance, Dance by Lykke Li
Because: I just wanna dance!
I love teaching Group X because:  My students are amazing!

Name: Courtney Toney
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Water X
My favorite class to teach is:  Water X
Because: Focus more on cardio in deep water and strength in shallow water.
My favorite song on my playlist is: Since you’ve been gone by Kelly Clarkson
Because: The chorus really pumps me up with a sense of independence and strength.  It is also great for intervals.
I love teaching Group X because:   Connecting with participants and working toward a goal.

Name: Elise Ochs
Classes I teach Winter 2013: EFIT & Zumba
My favorite class to teach is: EFIT of course!
Because: it’s a dance fitness class that I choreographed to my FAVE music. . . EDM aka Electronic Dance Music.
My favorite song on my playlist is: We Own the Night by Tiesto & Wolfgang Gartner
Because: Tiesto really inspired me to start making my own dances when I first started listening to EDM.
I love teaching Group X because: I used to make my own choreography with friends for fun when I was younger and it’s incredible that I’m able to do just that in a fitness environment

Name: Ellie Rose Waterhouse
Classes I teach Winter 2013: I teach cycle, pilates, & turbokick.
My fave class to teach is: TKB because its so high energy and is a full body workout.
My fave song on my playlist is: Ginuwine- Pony for climbing hills in spin.
I love teaching group x because: It's fun, sweaty, and inspiring.

Name: Erin Bransford
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Power Hour Cycle/Krank, Abs & Arms, and R.I.P.P.E.D.
My favorite class to teach is: R.I.P.P.E.D.
Because:  It is a new class type for me that provides such an amazing workout and so much variety.  The time flies by.
My favorite song on my playlist is: Impossible to choose!  But for Cycle I use a Riverdance song called “Reel Around the Sun” which is the most motivating song in the world for me.
Because:  I just can’t slow down when that song is playing.  No matter how tired I am, the fast beat pushes me to keep going.  I always think of the crazy tap dancing they do in Riverdance and if they can tap that fast then I can certainly pedal or run fast too!
I love teaching Group X because: It is rewarding to see people new to Group X try out your class, feel successful, and come back.  It is also great to have your regulars who you can establish a relationship with and push to the next level.  Group X makes workout sessions fun and effective and the classes hold you accountable.  There really are no negatives!

Name: Haakon Weinstein
Classes I teach Winter 2013: R.I.P.P.E.D.
My favorite class to teach is: R.I.P.P.E.D.
Because:  It encompasses several different types of exercises for maximum benefit.  The challenging nature of the class lets me push my participants beyond their limits.
My favorite song on my playlist is:  Eyez by Kaskade
Because:  It was the first some I heard them play at Coachella
I love teaching Group X because:  I am able to make a real impact on people’s health and wellness.  It’s also great to meet people from different programs that I otherwise wouldn’t interact with.

Name: Jen Armbruster
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Women’s-Only
My favorite class to teach is: Cardio & Agility
Because: I love agility work as a cross training for sport or just overall conditioning.  I love working with different pieces of gear on a regular basis such as the hurdles, agility ladder, steps and much more.
My favorite song on my playlist is: I am #1 by Nelly
Because: After working out hard and giving it everything you have no matter what that is, you feel and are #1.
I love teaching Group X because: I enjoy working out with a group of people in a fun, energetic atmosphere.  I love the group x setting as there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Being active with a group of folks and forming new relationships is exciting.

Name: Josh Barber
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Zumba and Zumba Basics
My favorite class to teach is: ZumbaBecause: I love helping people get into shape and have fun doing it! Fitness can and should be fun!
My favorite song on my playlist is: Titanium by David Guetta ft Sia
Because: It’s a slow song with a simple routine, where we get to catch our breath, but I feel that this song can be more of an emotional experience. I first did a routine to this song at my instructor training, I was going through some stuff and it helped me feel strong, like Titanium. Like I could take on the world.
I love teaching Group X because: It gives me an outlet for my ridiculous amounts of energy, and I get to share it with my fellow students. A Group X class is amazing because not only are we all together dancing and having fun, we are also working towards a collective goal of being healthy. We can all contribute to a fun energy as well as support each other on our road to being fit and healthy!

Name: Julie Hammond
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Gentle Yoga
My favorite class to teach is: YogaBecause: I practiced my first sun salutation in 1992 and continue to be amazed by the power of yoga on the body and mind. My teaching and practice are inspired by the rhythms of nature, breath, and conscious movement in the body. My classes mix playful sequencing with longer holds and careful alignment. I am inspired by the journeys of my students and work to make yoga accessible for all.
My favorite song on my playlist is: While I love music (from 20th century classical to 1970s Aerosmith, Bruno Mars to Cat Power, and more along the way), I love the full silence of practicing yoga without music.
Because: We hear so much amplified noise outside ourselves, it is nice to hear what's happening in the spaces between.
I love teaching Group X because: I love the mixture of people in the room: students, faculty, staff, community members; there is a great leveling when folks walk through the door. I feel everyone humbled by the experience of letting go of outside responsibilities (work, school, family) and entering into an hour of personal practice. I love the change in air from the top of class (fast! stress!) to the end of class (slow, easy, relaxed). When students tell me that yoga has changed their day, week, or year for the better, that is the best.
Other: Julie completed her teacher training at Amrita (Portland, OR) and continues to study asana, philosophy, therapeutics, and pranayama with teachers in Oregon and around the US. In addition to her enthusiasm for yoga, Julie can be found on-stage as a performer with Hand2Mouth Theatre.

Name:  Konane Mookini
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Nia
My favorite class to teach is:  Nia
Because:  I enjoy the physical and mental challenge these formats offer. 
My favorite song on my playlist is:  As my playlist is eclectic and I have many favorites from a wide range of centuries and genres, I can’t pick any one as a “favorite”, rather I have many favorites.
I love teaching Group X because:  I enjoy helping people who have chosen to make healthier lifestyle choices, and I like helping them as they move to succeed. In addition, I enjoy working with this fitness staff, who are a group of people dedicated to the art and sport of fitness.

Name: Lisa Lynch
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Level One Yoga
My favorite class to teach is: Level One Yoga
Because: My focus is on proper alignment for injury prevention. I enjoy teaching the beginner student as well as providing modifications for the student that wants an additional challenge!
My favorite song on my playlist is: I don't have a favorite song, but I do like Reiki music for Yoga.
Because: It creates a relaxing atmosphere in addition to healing sound vibrations. Music has a very powerful effect on us. It can make us feel energized or relaxed. I like to use music that enhances my classes.
I love teaching Group X because:  I enjoy seeing the light turn on in a student's eyes when they have that "ah-ha!" moment. To me it is a blessing to have the opportunity to share something with others that will enhance their health and quality of their lives.

Name: Mary Ann
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Abs, Pilates, Step and Sculpt
My favorite class to teach is:  Step aerobics, I love to dance!!
My favorite song on my playlist is: Ru Paul
Because:  She is such a diva!
I love teaching Group X because:  I love to be in a room full of people doing the same thing and working toward similar goals.  I find fitness to be very grounding and confidence building.  I like to share these things with other people.

Name: Sabine Lefkowitz
Classes I teach Winter 2013: Cardio-kickboxing , Sneakercamp, and Bootcamp
My favorite class to teach is: Cardio-kickboxing
Because:  It gives me a lot of energy and makes me sweat.
My favorite song on my playlist is:  Confidence by Kim
Because:  It is in another language and it is calming and inspiring.
I love teaching Group X because:  It is fun to exercise with other people and I feel more confident after I teach an exercise class.

Name: Sarah Goodhew
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Cycle/Krank
My favorite class to teach is: Cycle
Because:  I love bicycles
My favorite song on my playlist is:  “Cinema” by Skrillex
Because:  it fits perfectly with a great workout combining endurance and a hill – it always inspires me to push my hardest.
I love teaching Group X because: Group X always keeps me in great shape and on top of my music options.  When I teach with a positive energy I know that my participants are truly inspired to exercise with me.  Knowing that my instructions are always fresh for all of my class members.  I love knowing that new members can feel welcome and returning members are always challenged.

Name:  Victoria Geissler
Classes I teach Winter 2013:  Zumba
My favorite class to teach is: Zumba!
Because:  Zumba is AMAZING!  I LOVE teaching Zumba because I get to dance, move and shake my body to the music and it’s a great way to exercise.  I enjoy motivating people, playing great music that is upbeat and fun to dance to.  Every class feels like a party, but it’s even better.  You are sweating and burning tonnes of calories while you are having a blast!  You don’t even have to know how to dance you just move your body and follow my lead.
My favorite song on my playlist is:  This is a difficult question.   Most of the songs on my playlist are my favorite ones.  I always try to put together a great playlist that is amazing to dance to and motivates you to work your hardest.  I would say that my three favorite songs are “where have you been” by Rihanna, “We run the night” by Havana Brown, and “Outta your mind” by Crunk Rock.
Because:  I love these songs because the choreography is fun, it’s a great workout, you get to shimmy and shake your booty and everyone brings a great unique attitude to the songs.
I love teaching Group X because:  I enjoy motivating and pumping people up in a fun and energetic and non-judgmental atmosphere.  Along with teaching a fun and explosive workout.  Come join the party!