Meet the Fitness Instructors!

Andrea is a 500-hour Certified Hatha Vinayasa yoga teacher who has also studied Yin and Restorative Yoga.  Andrea encourages physical challenge at an appropriate level, creating a space where students learn to honor themselves and recognize their innate wisdom.

Helen is described by friends as compassionate, energetic and fun. A Dalhousie University alumna, Helen is a certified exercise physiologist, yoga teacher, fitness instructor and personal trainer. When not teaching at Dalplex, she likes to run, cycle, do yoga and have fun with friends. Helen enjoys the opportunity to provide participants of all ages and fitness levels a space to be active and to build an active lifestyle. 

Currently, you can find Helen teaching yoga at Dalplex. 

A fitness enthusiast since the 90s, Dana has been an instructor of various group fitness classes over the years. She continues to enjoy getting up in front a group and motivating people to move their bodies in a healthy and fun way.

A Dalhousie employee in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Katherine loves teaching group fitness class in her spare time! Her moto is ‘make it happen’ and enjoys hiking and biking in her free time. She believes that group fitness classes are a great opportunity to connect with others who love the adrenaline high. Katherine holds certifications in group fitness, resistance training and spin. 

A Dalhousie alumnus, Matthew finds teaching yoga at Dalplex fun and relaxing. Committed to movement and play, Matthew has led fitness classes and coached a variety of sports from gymnastics, soccer, hiking, cycling, snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. After teaching yoga at Dalplex for the last five years, he is still evolving his yoga practice and teaching style. During the day Matthew works as an Engineer for the Halifax Regional Municipality. In his free time he enjoys surfing with friends and of course, working out at Dalplex!

Ping is very passionate about Tai Chi. She has been practicing in both China and Canada for many years. She studied with experienced Tai Chi practitioners in both countries for her PhD at Dalhousie University. She loves sharing her knowledge of Tai Chi and has been teaching Tai Chi classes at Dalplex for six years.

Abra has completed a 500-hour Hatha Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with TAYS. Her classes are strongly alignment-based, emphasizing breath, and maximizing potential in a safe and open environment. She was the program director and facilitator of 200- & 500-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings. Abra enjoys hosting public workshops or corporate events from introductory yoga & meditation to advanced education. Over the years, Abra has dedicated herself to growth and learning with a BFA in Contemporary Dance, a Child and Youth Care Degree and most recently, Degree in Business Administration, Accounting concentration.

Determined, passionate and focused, Marie loves teaching fitness classes. She finds that teaching classes is the most important thing she can do for her mental and physical health. Marie loves the energy and motivation that comes from working with people aspiring to be healthy and finds it rewarding to help them master a skill. She has a long history with Dalhousie first as a student, a lifeguard then president of the Dalhousie Alumni Association and a Dalplex member. Marie hold certifications in group fitness, resistance training and indoor cycling.  

When Jennifer is not teaching fitness classes, she is taking them to stay fit! Jennifer believes that fitness classes provide an opportunity to develop functional fitness for all things in life. She loves teaching classes because they create an environment for continuous self-improvement and learning and the ability to connect with participants. Self-described as lazy, humorous and creative, this Dalhousie alumna holds a Nova Scotia Fitness Association group fitness and resistance training certificate. 

Tina is originally from Newfoundland and has been teaching for 10 years. She focuses on bringing health and joy to others through dance, cardio, strength, and stretch. She is licensed to teach Zumba, ZToning, Sentao, Zumba Step, Aqua ZUmba, Zumba Gold, Strong Nation, and Kids & CIRCL Mobility.