KARIN KRONSTAL
KEISER + SCHWINN CERTIFIED FOR SPIN, GROUP FITNESS + BARRE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIED
FIRST CLASS TAUGHT: July 2021
Music: I always provide a range for target speed, but I often time the drills to the music (speeding up during the chorus, for example, or adding resistance every time a lyric is repeated.)
Genre: Lots of pop and old-school hip-hop. I love a good theme class too (who doesn't love Dolly Parton??)
Fave Spin Songs: So many! Honestly my favourite part of teaching is the playlists. I'm a huge Lizzo fan so she makes regular appearances (as well as having her own theme class).
Philosophy: My goal is to provide a safe, fun workout that also has opportunities to push yourself a little further than you would on your own. We work harder together.
Mantras: "Come get what you came for." People come to class for different reasons...stress relief, a serious sweat, or just to relax and forget about everything else for an hour! Time is diamonds, and you chose to be here - so we want to make sure you get what you need out of it.
Favourite Spin Drill: I like to alternate between interval/speed work and climbing - my favourite drill has both back to back (moving straight from a sprint into a standing climb with added resistance).
ABOUT KARIN:
A lifelong cardio enthusiast, Karin became a certified group fitness and spinning instructor in 2005. Quickly, she became an evangelist for the benefits of indoor cycling for everyone from the serious cyclist to the complete novice.
Karin has taught bootcamp, dance and cycling fitness classes in Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax, and is pleased to be part of the awesome team at Zen Revolution.
She loves bringing her positive and energetic teaching style to the studio, and yelling things like, "That's not sweat on your brow, it's the fountain of youth!"
Karin and her partner have a new addition to the family, a baby girl who recently turned one year old.
TAYLOR OSWALD
SCHWINN INDOOR CYCLING INSTRUCTOR + NCCP COACH
INSTRUCTOR START DATE: JUNE 2022
To the Beat of the Music or RPM-based?: To the beat for sure - which is hard enough to count, let alone figuring out the exact BPM to match your RPM. Sometimes, though, I go off-piste and ride as my heart guides us...which is to say, off beat...
Spin Genre: Most classes we go on a Pop Journey- songs from the 70's to a few modern gems. I do love a few sneaky country songs interspersed in a ride.
Favourite Spin Songs: Proud Mary - Tina Turner, Wake Me Up - Avicii, Bills - Lunchmoney Lewis and The Distance - Cake.
Spin Style or Philosophy: Leave it all on the bike - all of your angst and energy. Come as you are, and push your own limits - swear in your head... and keep going. We're pushing together.
Spin Mantras: Time to dig deep and feel the burn. Don't let yourself off the hook - push your comfort zone.
Favourite spin drill: Who doesn't love a climb that makes you grunt with exertion?? All about that endurance climb, followed by another endurance climb and perhaps just one more cheeky climb.
ABOUT TAYLOR:
After sweating through 100's of hours on the spin bike, Taylor decided to undertake instructor training in 2014 - it was time to bring her own flair to the grunting and grinding of a good class.
Taylor wanted to extol the mental and physical benefits of spin to a wide and diverse audience. Having played sports her whole life and coached Special Olympics most of her adult life, Spin instructor seemed like an excellent addition to her repertoire.
Taylor brings a lot of fun and quick wit to her classes, she brings good enthusiasm (and a few country songs) to the studio.
As a new mom to baby Beau, Taylor has kindly agreed to come back for a class - you can catch her in the saddle on the regular on Wednesdays nights at 5:30 pm!
ALICIA MEEK
GROUP FITNESS + BARRE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIED
FIRST CLASS TAUGHT: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
Meet Alicia, your dynamic and high-energy fitness instructor! With a passion for dance fitness, yoga, and high-intensity cardio workouts, Alicia brings a burst of enthusiasm to every class. Get ready for a fitness experience that combines great music and fun to keep you motivated and energized.
ALENNA LANGHORST
200-HOUR YTT, PILATES CERTIFIED, 300-HOUR YOGA THERAPY CERTIFIED, 300-HR PAIN SCIENCE AND PAIN CARE
FIRST CLASS TAUGHT: September 19, 2023
ABOUT ALENNA:
Alenna is a Stretch Specialist with over 1000 hours of training in a variety of related and interconnected disciplines, who has been helping people move their bodies to feel better for the past 12 years.
Through two decades of yoga practice, she became a certified yoga instructor and focused on delivering practices with a therapeutic component. Now, with over 1000 hours of training in stretch modalities including: Hatha Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga + Yoga Therapy, Pain Science + Pain Care, Physical Mind Pilates, Yin Yoga, Self-myofascial Release, Active Isolated Stretching and Fascial Stretching Therapy, Alenna looks forward to using her knowledge to assist and inform her participants in their healing and strengthening practices.
Alenna has taught in a variety of settings including: Yoga Studios, Hospice, Corporate businesses, individually via Physiotherapy practices, as well as one-on-one consultations and sessions through Wellness Clinics. She is currently teaching Yoga and Pilates, and offers Fascial Stretch Therapy on an individual basis.
As a lifetime athlete, she has played elite soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball and swam competitively, then went on to become a ski instructor and snowboarder. She competed in triathlons winning several medals for her age category, and overall top female athlete.
Injuries limited movement and accidents and arthritis became a challenge for Alenna to continue her active lifestyle with ease. As she has continued to find solutions for her own body, she has naturally fallen into a career of movement. She looks forward to supporting you as you find solutions to your connective tissue’s issues through hands-on application and stretch and/or strengthening sessions.
MELISSA BIRNIE
500-HR YTT CERTIFIED, MAT PILATES CERTIFIED, BARRE CERTIFIED
FIRST CLASS TAUGHT: September 12, 2023
ABOUT MELISSA:
Melissa is a dedicated Yoga and Pilates practitioner with a passion for helping others discover the transformative power of movement.
Melissa brings a diverse range of disciplines to her teaching, holding multiple certifications including a 500-hour yoga training, mat Pilates, as well as Barre certification. Her training has taken her across the globe, immersing herself in both eastern and western cultures to deepen her understanding of these practices.
Her classes often combine aspects of multiple modalities with a focus on cultivating mindfulness, strength, and flexibility through a harmonious blend of breath, movement, and meditation. She creates a safe space for students to explore their potential and find inner peace through movement.
Beyond the studio, Melissa carries her love for yoga and movement into all aspects of life. She believes in the power of these practices to extend beyond the mat, inspiring a mindful and balanced lifestyle.
She is dedicated to helping others find joy, strength, and self-discovery through their own practise.
SARAH LANE
SCHWINN INDOOR CYCLING CERTIFIED + BARRE CERTIFIED + 200-HR YOGA TEACHER + STUDIO OPERATOR, FOUNDING INSTRUCTOR
To the Beat of the Music or RPM-based?: Mine is definitely to the beat of the music (some is just really high energy music done with different speeds)
Spin Genre: I play a lot of EDM and pop that is beat-heavy - but also love high energy indie and rock that inspires some good movement
Favourite Spin Songs: Anything beat-heavy and energizing - including Eminem - running at 85 RPM or maybe some fun sprint drills to Mumford and Son's I WILL WAIT, but lots from many genres starting in the 80s (very little disco and country in my repertoire!)
Spin Philosophy: I do get bored being in the saddle too long, so we are up out of our seats moving to a variety of drills to distract you from the work. We are all here to move our bodies - meet your body where you are at - and do what you can - slowly you will see your spin capacity increase, which builds confidence. Challenge yourself, and you will surprise yourself. No challenge, no progress. Push your personal envelope just a little each class and you will see change - guaranteed! But YOU have to do the work (add tension) and put in the time (consistency). It is really all up to you!
Spin Mantras: Know your limit and spin within it! Close your eyes, breathe and find your flow - dig deep - YOU'VE GOT THIS! I like to encourage mindfulness, a calm confidence and powerful execution in class and love to encourage with 'strong legs, strong minds'!
Favourite spin drill: I love a good seated climb, standing climb, standing sprint three move combo, repeated two or three times!
ABOUT SARAH:
Sarah is a CanfitPro Group Fitness Instructor Specialist, certified Schwinn Indoor Cycling instructor, certified BARREabove instructor and a certified 200-HR Yoga instructor working on her 500-HR Yoga Teacher Training through the Red Door Yoga Studio, in Nanaimo, BC.
Sarah has always been active and had just completed her first marathon before moving to Taiwan in 2001, where she discovered SPINNING classes at the first World Gym in Taichung. She fell in love with this great, high-energy, cardio-pumping, low-impact workout immediately. She was lucky to find a community of like-minded spinthusiasts who used SPINNING to train for their epic Sunday road biking journeys throughout Taiwan's countryside.
Born in Port Alberni and growing up in Victoria, Sarah carries Vancouver Island culture in her heart. Having travelled extensively and having had the experience of living abroad, in Australia twice, Taiwan for three years and Thailand for a year, she is globally conscious.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Sarah ran a conference planning business for a decade, planning and executing conferences across Canada and obtained her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2017. Spin helped her overcome the pressures of one of the top five most stressful jobs (as identified by Forbes in 2017). Realizing the pressures, and unwanted stress of this profession while raising a family, Sarah felt it was important to re-evaluate professions. Opportunities moved her in to health, wanting to chase spin, the tool that had helped her maintain a healthy mind set during a decade of high-pressure work. Being a fitness instructor has ensured exercise is party of her daily life! She wanted to help others get exercised and feeling good doing their daily activities.
During the pandemic, yoga presented itself to Sarah and Sarah pursued yoga, earning her 200-hr training and is now working on her 500-hr teacher level. She is a lifetime learner and has enjoyed learning about the structures of poses, the different kids of yoga and the Ayurvedic philosophy and teachings. She has found solace in the physical, mental and spiritual benefits to doing asanas (held poses) and meditation, as a great antidote to the hustle of maintaining a busy schedule and a nice compliment to the intensity of spin and barre.
In her time away from the studio, she enjoys spending time at their cabin at Spider Lake, growing food, playing records and games, and dancing and singing with her family and dog, Jazzy.
Follow what you love to love what you do. Let's roll!
CINDY KRUGER: SUBSTITUTING AS NEEDED
SCHWINN INDOOR CYCLING CERTIFIED + BCRPA GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
INSTRUCTOR START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2022
To the Beat of the Music or RPM-based?:
I teach to the beat of the music for sure. It’s all about the music for me. I do use RPE a lot as it can be a challenge in getting the RPM and tension levels to match. My goal is to have everyone working at their own fitness level, feeling good about themselves and wanting to come back for more.
Spin Genre:
This is a big one for me. For anyone who comes to my classes knows that every playlist is put together to make the perfect super fun, hard working, entertaining workout! Smiling, laughing, singing, clapping, and even dancing is a must!
Favorite Spin Songs:
All my songs are my favorite or I wouldn’t use them. I do love the 80’s & 90’s though, along with a little Techno and we got it made.
Spin Style or Philosophy:
It’s all about having fun that way you don’t realize how much work it is. I do my best to remind everyone to work at their own fitness level, modify if they need to and have FUN. We are team and are working together, so push when you can and drain your tank at the end!
Spin Mantras:
Drain your tank and yes, pedal till you puke! Lol well, almost. Smile baby smile! or how about “to the top!”
Favorite spin drill:
Whew, they are all my favorites. Depends on how I am feeling for the day but who doesn’t love a good hill climb with a race to the top! Or got to love those jumps!
ABOUT CINDY:
Anyone who knows Cindy will tell you she is full of energy, motivation, and loves to be active. She and her husband have lived in Nanaimo since 2004 and they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. The Kruger family love the adventure the Island has to offer. They have two awesome kids who are now young adults. It was a priority to Cindy in raising their kids to pass on her passion of living an active lifestyle. A few of their favorite family outings consist of motorbike riding, hiking, boating, and rock climbing.
There were a few goals Cindy wanted to achieve before her 40th birthday (lol yes, this was a long time ago), one was to run a full marathon and the second was to complete her Fitness Instructor Certification. As the motivated person she is, she achieved both of these goals. As she continues to discover her love for fitness in running, cycling and of course teaching fitness (spin being her absolute favorite) she is known for persuading her friends in joining her to train for some crazy event that may consist of road biking or running!
Cindy’s goal now is to stay as healthy and active as she can, therefore to be the best example she can be for her family, friends and YOU! She looks forward to each day she can inspire and be inspired by others as they work together in achieving and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle and most importantly have fun while doing it!
JEAN MEDLEY: SUBSTITUTING AS NEEDED
SPIN INSTRUCTOR + CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
INSTRUCTOR START DATE: October 2021
To the Beat of the Music or RPM-based?: More often to the beat. But! I’ll give you an RPM range suggestion of where I’d like you to be!
Spin Genre: Definitely a lot of EDM! I love a good remix!! I also like to make themes like Madonna, or 90’s MMVDP or pop-y alternative.
Favourite Spin Songs: At the Moment:
Physical Dua Lipa - Claptone Remix.
Thriller Bobby Rock- Original Mix. Marry the Night Lady Gaga.
Spin Philosophy: We’re all here for different reasons so let’s have fun, work hard, sweat it out, come as you are, and get lost in the music!
Spin Mantras: Well I’ve been known to say these three little words a few times during class: “Make it harder!”
Favourite Spin Drill: I LOVE power sprints and a heavy seated climb with standing sprint intervals. Boom!
ABOUT JEAN:
Jean started off her fitness journey swimming and running. Having never picked up a weight until her mid 20s, she instantly fell in love with weight training and living a healthy, active lifestyle. She became a BCRPA certified personal trainer in 2013 wanting to share her passion and knowledge for fitness as a healthy lifestyle.
After a year of personal training, the call to adventure came. Having not stepped on a bicycle in years and not letting her vision disability get in her way, she decided to challenged herself by biking over 10 000 kilometers (unassisted) through Mexico for two years. She realized through her own experience that we, as humans, have way more access to physical and mental strength than we believe we do.
Upon returning to Canada and moving to Powell River she obtained her group fitness and indoor cycling certificates through BCRPA.
Now calling Nanaimo home she is thrilled to be a part of the Zen Revolution team and to share her love for physical activity, music and sense of community with the Zen community!
GUEST TEACHER: JULIE HORWOOD
YOGA THERAPIST + YOGA NIDRA GUIDE
Julie is inspired to support others to find more balance, joy and peace through her teachings. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over 30 years as a registered nurse, and 12 years as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. Over the past 6 years, exploring mindfulness through stillness and gentle movement has led Julie to develop a Restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra practice.
Yoga Nidra is an amazingly restful, healing practice. A guided meditation exploring layers of the body (Koshas) leads to a state similar to deep sleep. A 30-minute practice is said to be equivalent to 3 hours of deep sleep. Yoga Nidra can improve the quality of sleep, providing a much needed tool for many of us. Restorative Yoga is the perfect avenue for developing a mindfulness practice and preparing the body for yoga Nidra through breath, body and thought awareness. Yoga Nidra following a Restorative practice is like the icing on a cake, offering a truly deep rest before heading back into the daily routine.
We would like to welcome Julie to our community, and thank her for sharing her knowledge with our community. Julie runs her own yoga studio - Six Persimmons - if you don't catch her for a Yoga Nidra at ZEN, her doors are open to our community, there, too!