One of my earliest memories is one of being in dance class trying to ‘get it right’ along with all the other little girls there. Over the years I trained in ballet, jazz, creative/modern dance, ballroom as well as touching on other styles. I loved it all! I now realize that what I loved most about those years was simply moving to the music in different ways and the sense of playing that was associated with it…such Joy! With this seemingly superficial and fun based approach at heart hand in hand with a deeply inspired intention for well being at every level, that is the spirit with which I teach all my classes.

I have been instructing dance, leading group fitness classes, facilitating workshops and helping clients meet their personal training goals since leg warmers were in style! Since then I have acquired my ‘mat Pilates’ certification as this was a perfect companion to dance. The body awareness that both these disciplines bring are so valuable. Through the years I’ve enjoyed witnessing clients/participants develop a deeper appreciation and a more intimate connection with their own bodies while achieving their goals…learning not to impose ‘things’/regimens on themselves but rather work in sync with their bodies.

I always knew on some level that variety and the opportunity to try new things was my way to well being, balance and an enjoyable fit lifestyle that would last. I was inspired to co-create Quantum Fitness Studio, offering a wide variety of classes for our bodies and soul, empowering individuals to choose their own version of balance and well being and to be inspired to try new approaches to fitness in a welcoming, non-competitive environment. Life is supposed to be fun and to stimulate our senses! I get inspired by so much; my sweetheart, art, my friends, my dogs, being still, words, music and silence… after all, silence is an important part of the music as well.

‘in’joy,

Joanne

Carey is a BCRPA certified Group Fitness Instructor (since 1990) and has completed Mat Pilates training. Carey is a well rounded instructor who prides herself on delivering a varied, well constructed class to all levels of fitness. She has a great passion for fitness and of assisting others in reaching their fitness goals and connecting body, mind and spirit. Carey takes interest in keeping up to date on the latest in fitness by attending various annual Fitness Conferences.

Gwen has been a Fitness Instructor for 28 years now! A BCRPA Fitness Supervisor, she specializes in group fitness, weight training and aqua fit. She is also a Pilates Mat Instructor and a Spinning Instructor.

People that inspire Gwen most are her husband Willie, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. The one thing they all have in common is that they always believe they can achieve what they set out to do. And one of her favorite quotes is from Joseph Pilates, "Physical fitness is the first requisite to happiness". Joseph Pilates believed in order to achieve happiness you must first gain mastery of your body.

Michelle's life, work and play are strongly influenced by "The Body's Way"; the path of least resistance, the path of pleasure and joy. A Nia Brown Belt and a PKP Specialized Kinesiologist, her evolution in wholeness was sparked by fibromyalgia at age 22. Deep within, she knew that perfect health was a possibility, and existed at some level. Passionately pursuing wellness through studies and integration at the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels, every experience now brings her more fully alive, and conscious in her dance through life. It is her joy to share this journey of self discovery.

“I tried every type of fitness from group fitness classes to running, swimming and biking and I always found an excuse to quit. Fitness kick boxing is challenging, motivating and always fun. I started 7 years ago and haven’t quit yet!!”
Kerry has many years of experience teaching and coaching students at all ages and levels of many different activities. She has a blue belt in mixed martial arts, a degree in biology, 3 siblings and a big white truck. Kerry loves the beach, the sun and lots of fresh air. Reading and napping are favorite indoor activities.
Kerry loves to teach because watching people “get it” is incredibly rewarding. Her approach to life and fitness is the same and simple…find something you love to do and do it!

I discovered Nia about 3 years ago and I love what it has done for me and my body! At 50, I have never felt better, nor have I ever been more toned, flexible, and fit. Even the joint stiffness that sometimes plagued me rarely bothers me anymore. Before Nia, exercise was more of a chore for me than a pleasure, and though I tried various kinds, it didn’t take long for me to get bored with them. After Nia, for the first time ever, I looked forward to my exercise classes and hated missing any! Nia was a good workout, never boring, and best of all it was FUN. Not being a ‘fitness fanatic’, I surprised even myself by doing the training and becoming certified to teach in Aug/07, and am excited to finally have a chance to introduce it to anyone willing to try it and see what it can do for them!

Jake’s love of street dance began in the early 80’s after a local b-boy troupe came to his Jr. high school to perform scenes from the movies Breakin’ and Beat Street (the term “B-boy” or “B-girl” refers to a person dancing on the break of the beat); however, many years would pass before he would actively begin studying the dance form, passionately dedicating himself to mastering its various forms and movements while taking an academic approach to its origins. In 1998, Jake’s brainchild – a street dance group known as the Lokdown Crew – saw light and was, for many years, considered one of Atlantic Canada’s premiere groups of street dancers.

Jennifer took her teacher training at the Shioki Yoga Studio with Dale Mclean. She has been teaching around the Okanagan Valley and up at Apex for the last 4 years. Jen is a person who loves to change and grow and she finds the Oki-do style suits her personality and lifestyle because of its variety and challenging poses that develop strength and flexibility in a fun and laid back atmosphere. Besides teaching yoga, Jen also helps coach the Kisu Swim club, teaches private swim lessons and has a massage therapy business. Jennifer's favorite quotes are: "learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow"; and "Variety is the spice of life!".

After swimming competitively for years, Shawna knew that fitness would be a part of her life in one form or another. Teaching group fitness classes started out as a hobby during her first maternity leave as an elementary school teacher. The seed was planted.
Shawna started teaching group fitness as a way to stay in shape and like most people who enjoy fitness, she was looking for more ways to increase her strength and improve her fitness and that is where Pilates came in. It started out with a mat pilates class and slowly evolved onto the equipment.  From the first mat certification course she knew she was hooked and the benefits were showing.  The courses continued and her full certification was complete.  

Now Shawna is teaching and learning more and more each day adding a realm of knowledge to her repertoire through Stretch and Flexibility to Rehabilative courses.  Shawna looks forward to working with you on your personal fitness goals!

I began practicing yoga in 2001 and I received my certification in 2007 through Re:Flexions yoga School under the brilliant and patient guidance of Teresa Maurer, in the style of Vinyasa (flow yoga).  I am RYT-200 certified through Yoga Alliance.  My teaching style is that of acceptance,  creating mind-body-breath awareness and having fun.  When not on the mat you can find me in the library at school studying hard to obtain a diploma in Human Kinetics at Okanagan College.  One word to describe me, energetic.  2 Words to live by, just breathe.  3 words to share, light & love.

Kassandra began her yoga practice in 1996 with Iyengar yoga and has since studied Okido, Kundalini, Flow, Ashtanga, Kriya and Yin yoga. She is a certified Shioki Yoga therapist and has been teaching yoga since 2002. Her teachings are a fusion of the various styles and systems of yoga she has studied. Her classes combine dynamic exercises for joint health and immunity with static poses for strength and flexibility. In addition to yoga, Kassandra spends a lot of time in meditation and has been fortunate enough to participate in three separate long term meditation retreats. She was recently initiated as Swami Kripananda in the Bhairava lineage of Rishikesh. Teaching is Kassandra's joy and she is thrilled to be a part of the Quantum Fitness team.