CHARLENE ABDULLAH
- B.S. in Biology
- Certified Tai Chi Instructor
- CPR/AED Certified
Charlene is a lifetime resident of Elgin and has been interested in health and wellness since completing a special report on nutrition while in grade school. This led her to study the life sciences throughout her schooling, resulting in a B.S. Degree in Biology. She is an avid reader of health related information and supports a holistic approach to wellness. Charlene has participated in fitness activities at the Centre since 2005 and was encouraged to seek certification to become a Tai Chi Instructor when the former teacher moved away and a replacement could not be found.
Charlene has studied Tai Chi for the last four years, learning concurrently under three instructors having over 20 years of Tai Chi and other Martial Arts experience each. She was certified by Tai Chi Healthways of San Diego, CA under the direction of Master Jesse Tsao, PhD.. Master Tsao is the 12th Generation in a direct line of Tai Chi Masters tracing back to Chen Wangting, the founder of the Tai Chi Martial Art Form in the late 1600′s.
Charlene is committed to carrying on the long held traditions of this ancient art and helping serve the health needs of her community.
CARRIE BALDWIN
- B.S. in Sociology from I.S.U.
- Group Fitness Certification in Feb, 2011
- Schwinn Certification April, 2011
“I used to weigh around 300 pounds and was motivated by my fitness instructors to keep my goals small and attainable. They made me feel accepted in classes and asked where I was when I would skip – making me accountable for my actions. I hope to “pay it forward” and do all this and more for someone else. That is why I entered this field of work.”
KATHY BRUNO
- Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- Certified Personal Trainer
- CPR. / AED Certified
- Kettlebell Certified Instructor
- Specialties: Kettlebell, High Intensity Interval Training, Fit Camp
Specialties: Kettlebell, High Intensity Interval Training, Fit Camp
My name is Kathy Bruno and I am a certified group fitness instructor, kettlebell instructor and personal trainer. I’ve been teaching and training at the Centre for over 14 years. I specialize in HIIT, kettlebells, strength training and functional fitness, with specialized training in TRX and Senior fitness.
I believe working out is a lifelong commitment not a part-time hobby. Fitness should be fun and functional and I’m committed to help you be the best version of yourself.
DAWN JONES
- (Habla Espanol)
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Chinese Bodywork
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- Certified Nutrition and Wellness
- Consultant
- C.P.R. / A.E.D. Certified
Dawn covers almost every spectrum of fitness: a massage therapist and a personal trainer, as well as group fitness instructor. She recently started working with Judson University’s soccer teams, taking them through spinning/cycling as an alternative to their usual training regiments. It’s paid off in better stamina and physiology/kinesiology education!
DANAE MOLITOR
- Certified ACE Personal Trainer
- AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- 2000-Hour Yoga Teach Training through the Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center (HYMC)
- Barre Certified through the American Barre Technique (ABT)
Danae Molitor has been in the fitness industry since 1994 and enjoys working one on one with clients as well as teaching group fitness classes such as Senior Fit, Chair Yoga/Yoga, Pilates, Hydrotherapy and Kickboxing. She specializes in senior/active aging classes and working with special populations and knows the importance of taking care of our health no matter what age, fitness level or limitations one may have.
RENEE HOFMAN
Renee is a 200 hour certified yoga instructor registered with the Yoga Alliance. She has been practicing yoga for 19 years and teaching yoga for 15 years. She has studied and practiced a variety of Hatha Yoga styles including, Vinyasa, Hot Yoga, and Restorative/Yin yoga, and continues to blend this eclectic mix of styles into her own personal practice and teachings.
Knowing that yoga is an ancient practice that is more than just stretching and strengthening the body, her teachings integrate mindfulness, meditation, and pranayama (breath awareness) into the practice. Students are encouraged to listen to their body, adapt the postures to their unique body, play with their limits without exceeding them, and have compassionate self-observation. Renee describes her journey as, “Throughout my life journey I was continually searching and depending on the external world to create wealth, happiness and peace….since my practice has evolved I have discovered that by searching inward true happiness is right there, inside. Nothing in my life has ever given me the internal peace, joy, happiness and grace that yoga and self awareness has.”
“It is my complete joy and pleasure to be able to teach yoga. I love seeing the positive effects yoga has on my students. I like my yoga classes to be an experience, rather than exercise. The environment is open-minded and free from judgment and ego of any kind…. we simply embrace who we are.