Meet the Instructors Jeffrey Urbano Certifications: Les Mills BODYCOMBAT, Les Mills BODYPUMP, Les Mills CORE How long have you been teaching: Since January 2019 How long have you been teaching at Drexel University: Since January 2019 What is your favorite thing about teaching: Connecting with members and even just being a small part of their individual fitness journeys. Fun fact about you: I love ranch dressing on (almost) everything! Major/job: Drexel University: Marketing & Communications; Project Manager What made you get into group fitness: Past instructors at Drexel recommended I go for it, and so I did, and I haven't looked back! I'm so glad I did! Advice for Participants: It's okay to take a lower impact option when necessary, but rise to a challenge where you see fit! Hannah McCausland Certifications: Schwinn Indoor Cycling, Les Mills BODYCOMBAT, Les Mills BODYPUMP, ACE Group Fitness, EXOS Health Fitness Specialist, EXOS Performance Specialist How long have you been teaching: Since 2016 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: Since 2016 What is your favorite thing about teaching: When I am teaching I am completely in the moment! Fun fact about you: I am a graduate student at Drexel Major/Job: Psychology What made you get into Group Fitness: I quickly learned I always felt better after exercising and I wanted to help other people experience the same thing. Advice for Participants: Try all different kinds of group exercise classes! There are so many different ways to exercise. When you find your favorite way, that's what will keep you coming back and maybe even inspire you to become an instructor for that type of class one day! Sara Sahaida Certifications: Les Mills BODYCOMBAT, Les Mills BODYPUMP How long have you been teaching: since June 2020 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: since June 2020 What is your favorite thing about teaching: Coaching participants to unleash their energy- the strong connection through fitness is what keeps participants coming back. Nothing makes me happier than to see participants smiling and having fun while exercising, challenging themselves, and getting stronger and more confident! Fun fact about you: I love cooking! It's one of my favorite things to do in my free time. Now cleaning up is a different story... Major/Job: Associate Director, Marketing Strategy with Drexel University What made you get into Group Fitness: My biggest inspiration- my twin sister Angela, also a Drexel Rec Instructor. I would attend her classes regularly and soon started to envision myself up front coaching a class. Her energy and motivation finally helped me gain the confidence I needed to go through BODYCOMBAT training. Advice for Participants: Be patient with yourself. Group exercise classes are an amazing opportunity to feel a sense of community with others who all share a common interest- fitness! but in group classes you will have people at all different skill and fitness levels. If you attend a class a feel like a fish out of water, try a couple more times. You'll soon gain the technique, skills, and confidence to master the classes you take. And most importantly, just have fun! Angela Sahaida Certifications: Les Mills BODYCOMBAT and Les Mills BODYPUMP How long have you been teaching: since 2017 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: since 2017 What is your favorite thing about teaching: Inspiring others to live a healthier lifestyle, and have fun while doing so! Fun fact about you: I trained as a belly dancer while in college, and performed at various venues in PA. Major/Job: I work in the Undergraduate Admissions Office as my full time job, then teach at various gyms in the city. What made you get into Group Fitness: I was a participant for a long time, until I was recommended to go through BODYPUMP training. Never looked back! I love the community I've built! Advice for Participants: Don't be afraid to try new things. Especially with group fitness. Some classes may seem intimidating when watching from afar, but TRY it out! So many of my regular participants were hesitant at first, and now never miss a class! You can accomplish a lot more than you think! Cora Hochstetler Certifications: 200 hr RYT yoga How long have you been teaching: almost 2.5 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: almost 2 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: connecting with all my students Fun fact about you: I'm apart of Drexel's women's swimming and diving team Major/Job: Graphic Design and Art History double major What made you get into Group Fitness: I have been practicing yoga for about 6 years now, I love to share yoga with others and all the benefits of it! Advice for Participants: Stay consistent with your practice and show your body the love and care that it deserves Theresa Jordan Certifications: 200 hr yoga (ashtanga, vinyasa, yin yoga) How long have you been teaching: about 3 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: since winter 2022 What is your favorite thing about teaching: seeing participants enjoy the class Fun fact about you: I'm from Vienna, Austria and I used to play college volleyball Major/Job: MS Urban Strategy What made you get into Group Fitness: I Really enjoy teaching Melanie Auerbach Certifications: BODYCOMBAT How long have you been teaching: almost 3 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: since winter term of 2021- 2 years now :) What is your favorite thing about teaching: being able to help people feel the way BODYCOMBAT makes me feel- empowered, fun, and family with the other participants Fun fact about you: I trained in classical Russian ballet my whole life up until my group ex certification Major/Job: Administrative Coordinator, Department of Pathology and Labratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine What made you get into Group Fitness: I love exercising but needed a change from dance. I am not one to step out of my comfort zone but I Was at a point in my life where I needed to try something new so I started with Zumba since it was most like dancing. I was actually scared of BODYCOMABT and said "I'm never trying this".. lets just say I'm glad that I did! Advice for Participants: Never worry about messing up in class. It is part of the experience and helps you grow. Most importantly, just have fun! Leave any stressors you may have outside the group ex studio for the one hour you will be at the gym and put all your focus on you and YOUR workout. Karen Sams Certifications: Yoga, Les Mills BODYPUMP How long have you been teaching: almost 9 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: almost 9 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: client relationships Fun fact about you: I love french fries and shoulder work What made you get into Group Fitness: I firmly believe that we are all housed in the greater vehicle that we will ever own and I love what our bodies can do. Advice for Participants: Find pleasure in what your body can do. Caraleigh Stifler Certifications: Yoga How long have you been teaching: almost 4 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: almost 4 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: I enjoy helping people get out of their head and into their body and have a chance to release tension from their work/school day Fun fact about you: I majored in dance at Drexel and graduated in 2019 Major/Job: Dance/Movement therapist and counselor What made you get into Group Fitness: I was interested in mind-body practices and wanted to engage in a practice that benefited my mental and physical health Advice for Participants: You do not have to be flexible to practice yoga. All yoga poses can be adjusted for all levels of experience so do not be afraid to ask the instructor about modifications to the poses. Morgan Gerace Certifications: 400YTT Yoga How long have you been teaching: almost 3.5 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: almost 3.5 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: Being able to offer a space for students to discover both strength and inner calm simultaneously. Fun fact about you: I'm on the SOAR cycling race team! Major/Job: Testing Operations at a Biotech What made you get into Group Fitness: the desire to spread healing modalities Advice for Participants: Let go of comparison- to others, past selves, future goals, and explore what your body needs in the moment Johanna Burns Certifications: AFAA primary cert, Barre, Turbo Kick, Tabata Bootcamp, Les Mills Grit, Les Mills BODYCOMBAT, kickboxing How long have you been teaching: 23 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: 21 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: The participants and their energy. Fun fact about you: I got D's in gym class ;) Major/Job: Master in Social Work What made you get into Group Fitness: My love of dance and wanting something to continue my love of movement. Advice for Participants: If your mind says keep going, your body will follow that path. Hieu Jeromy Certifications: Zumba Basic 1, STRONG Nation, AFAA Group Fitness Cert, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Pro Skill How long have you been teaching: 3 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: 3 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: meeting the participants, connecting with them, and being able to channel all the fun energy to the participants in every class Fun fact about you: I share the same birthday as Taylor Swift. I'm a big swiftie so it was meant to be. Major/Job: Drexel Bachelor of Sciences in Health Science (graduated) Drexel Master of Science Pharmacology and Physiology (currently) What made you get into Group Fitness: Back in freshman year I took my first Zumba class and was like "Wow this is a fun way to exercise". I used to come to the gym and run on the treadmill or do weights but that was so boring and unmotivating because I had no one to keep me in check. So, I want to take the "work" out of workout and make fitness more fun and enjoyable. Fitness has changed my life because it changed my mood, helped me get in shape, and made me become more confident in who I am. Advice for Participants: Exercise with a mindset that you want to exercise not that you have to. Make every exercise fun to you and tell yourself that you want to come back tomorrow or next week. Also take it one step at a time and do not rush the process. Be nice to your body and you will see a great result. And, do not compare yourself to a model or anyone else because you are phenomenal! Nicole Koedyker Certifications: Spinning, Les Mills BODYPUMP, Les Mills GRIT How long have you been teaching: 11 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: 11 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: Helping people learn about their own strength! Fun fact about you: I plan vacations around where I can eat the most vegan food. Major/Job: Project Manager for a sustainable business consulting firm What made you get into Group Fitness: the camaraderie of a group of people getting stronger together Advice for Participants: There's no wrong way to exercise- find ways to move your body that make you feel joy! Natacha Houdegbe Certifications: Yoga How long have you been teaching: 5 years How long have you been teaching at Drexel: 3 years What is your favorite thing about teaching: Interacting with participants and creating playlists Fun fact about you: I am an avid reader- I love a good novel What made you get into Group Fitness: I wanted to share yoga and what I love about it Advice for Participants: Take things at your own pace and listen to your body! Frank Zhao Certifications: BODYCOMBAT, BODYPUMP How long have you been teaching: since 2018 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: since 2018 What is your favorite thing about teaching: working out together with participants and motivating each other Fun fact about you: I'm a mug collector, fan of Universal Studios, like to travel for skiing Major/Job: Data Scientist What made you get into Group Fitness: Inspired and motivated by a friend who was also a Les Mills Instructor in Drexel Rec. Advice for Participants: Relax, take good care of yourselves, try your best, and have fun! Penina Krischer Certifications: BODYPUMP How long have you been teaching: started shadowing November 2022 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: November 2022 What is your favorite thing about teaching: I love sharing passion for Pump with new participants and connecting with regulars. Fun Fact about you: I love cooking! Major/Job: Chemistry What made you get into Group Fitness: When I first went to the gym as a freshman, I was really scared, but I took Hannah and Angela's Pump classes and they were so welcoming and supportive of newbies, I knew I had to keep going and eventually that led to my certification. Advice for Participants: Do you! You don't need to run as fast or lift as much as anyone else in the gym. Just being there, doing you, and putting in the effort you have is more than enough! Brigid O'Neill Certifications: 450 Hr Pilates Certification How long have you been teaching: January 2023 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: February 2023 What is your favorite thing about teaching: I always want to bring joy and laughter into class to help brighten your day! Fun Fact about you: One night, my roommate saw me do pilates in my sleep. Major/Job: Dance Major with a Minor in Somatic Practices What made you get into Group Fitness: I really enjoy being in a community with people who want to challenge themselves and move their bodies in fun and creative ways to build strength in the body and center the mind. Advice for Participants: Please feel free to ask questions, and don't forget to breathe! Sydnie Levasseur Certifications: ISSA Personal Training Cert. , Zumba Basic 1, ZIN CIRCL Mobility How long have you been teaching: Since January 2023 How long have you been teaching at Drexel: Since January 2023 What is your favorite thing about teaching: I enjoy when participants leave with one thing learned whether it's a corrected form on an exercise, a new dance move, a mental note, or a catchy song choice! 😉 Having participants feel engaged, energized, and empowered when leaving a session with me is my ultimate goal! Fun fact(s) about you: I love staying active on my free time and exploring new places. Perfection is when I could just explore by biking through new scenery for hours. Major/Job: Currently finishing Drexel Bachelor of Sciences in Architectural Engineering with a Minor in Construction Management What made you get into Group Fitness: I have always been active growing up in high school participating in Track & field and my school's Dance Team. I discovered my love for fitness and Zumba more so in the beginning of my college experience and decided to pursue teaching more recently. Advice for Participants: Coming in with an adventurous spirit, an open mind, and a gracious heart will allow you to get the most out of the work you put in! Overall, I am hoping you have fun!! (:
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