Administration
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Danielle Lewis Wellness Center Director 831.459.2236 Danielle holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Rutgers University, and a master's degree in Health and Human Performance from Oregon State University. She is also a certified Health and Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Danielle has worked in the industry for thirteen years, ten of which have been with the wellness program at UCSC. In her free time, you may be able to find her scoping out the produce at the local farmer's markets, hanging out at the neighborhood playground, or running on west cliff with her 1-year-old son, Logan. |
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Jim Meyer Wellness Center Supervisor 831.459.3051 Jim is a native of Santa Cruz, where he graduated from Santa Cruz High. He received a bachelor's degree in Student Ministry from Azuza Pacific University and a master's degree in Sport Management from San Jose State University. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA, a Certified Sports Performance Coach with USA Weightlifting, and has 10 years of experience working in the collegiate and private fitness fields. Jim is also heavily involved in the sport of track and field, holding a Level-2 coaching certification with USA Track & Field, and having coached on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels for the past 15 years. He spends most of his free time trail running in UCSC's upper campus, Pogonip Park, and Wilder Ranch, as well as playing with his 4-year-old son, Luke. |
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Colleen Thompson Employee Wellness Coordinator 831.502.7375 Colleen graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science in Nutrition, Fitness and Health and a master of science in Movement and Sports Science. She is also a certified Health and Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Colleen has worked in employee wellness for 7 years, first as a nutrition and exercise specialist at Purdue University and then the employee Wellness Coordinator of a school district. In her free time she enjoys hiking, swimming, water skiing, snow skiing, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Picture coming soon!
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Cesar Gonzalez WorkStrong Coordinator 831.459.3351 Cesar bio coming soon! |
Personal Fitness Trainers & Wellness Instructors
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Abbey Asher
Yoga Instructor Abbey is a formally trained ballet and jazz dancer who performed professionally in Santa Barbara. She began studying Iyengar yoga in 1995 and completed teacher training in 2004. Abbey has been a student of Maya Lev and Kofi Busia for many years and is currently teaching yoga at Yoga Center Santa Cruz in addition to her classes on campus. In January of 2008, Abbey studied for one month at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India. Class taught: Iyengar Yoga |
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Don Bard
Yoga Instructor Don has been practicing Yoga since 1985. He started in the Ashtanga style, a fairly vigorous practice in which poses are connected with conscious breathing. When Don moved to Santa Cruz in 1987, he started practicing TriYoga, a style that has a series of levels that emphasize very creative flowing sequences. TriYoga practice also includes yogic breathing practices, use of various hand mudras, and studying yoga philosophy. He became certified to teach TriYoga in 1995, and now teaches a style that includes TriYoga flows, Iyengar and Anusara alignment principles, and an approach largely influenced by the teachings of Erich Schiffmann. Don's classes emphasize going slow, staying within your own range of comfort, and being as relaxed as possible. The key is to enjoy what you are doing as you are doing it. Class taught: Yoga Flow |
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Kimball Barton
Personal Fitness Trainer, Wellness Instructor Kimball Barton is a Personal Trainer certified though the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has been a trainer in the Santa Cruz area for over 18 years. She works really well with a wide variety of individuals and really enjoys creating dynamic and fun workouts for her clients. Her specialties include core conditioning, functional training, general strength and cardiovascular training, and adding FUN to your workout. In her free time, Kimball enjoys playing poker, gardening, hanging with her dogs, hiking, and painting. Class taught: Total Body Boot Camp, Un/Natural Hiking, Combination Fitness, and TRX |
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Maryasha Katz
Zumba Instructor Maryasha comes to Zumba with a huge passion for teaching and dancing. As a dancer and choreographer, she brings with her a background incorporating elements of Salsa, Flamenco, Tango, African, Jazz, and Bachata. Maryasha is the co-founder of Dulce Fuego Productions and co-director of Candela Dance Troupe. Class taught: Zumba |
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Marshall Aditya Keneipp
Meditation Instructor Aditya has a deep and long standing interest in wisdom traditions and the practical application of spiritual methods for self realization. He has studied yoga and other spiritual disciplines for over 40 years, and was first introduced to meditation and yoga in 1969. He has had a daily practice since. He has been a student of the teaching of Baba Hari Dass for 12 years, and has studied with Kamelesh Hooven, Dr. Saraswati Buhrman and other senior teachers at Mount Madonna Center (MMC). He completed a 265 hour yoga teacher training program in 2003 at the Prana Yoga and Ayurveda Mandala in Denver, Colorado and a 500 hour advanced yoga teacher training program in 2011 at MMC. His daily practice includes yoga, breathing exercises and meditation. Classes taught: Introduction to Meditation |
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James Lewis Personal Fitness Trainer James is a retired Navy service member and former Command Fitness Leader for Navy sailors. After retirement, he became a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer though the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and American College of Sports Medicine while completing his bachelor's in Kinesiology from CSU Monterey Bay. James specializes in exercise routines designed to improve overall fitness and health, including strength, muscular endurance and cardiorepiratory conditioning. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, playing sports, spending time with family and friends and freelance writing. |
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Carlos Salas
Personal Fitness Trainer, Wellness Instructor Carlos Salas is a Personal Trainer certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He also has certifications in Speed and Agility Conditioning, Stretch Therapy, Functional Training, Pilates, and Spin Cycling. Carlos has over 12 years training experience and specializes in post-rehabilitation, general strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, Pilates and boxing training. He enjoys working with people to enable them to have control over their body and to make a positive change in their lives! When Carlos isn't personal training or teaching classes he enjoys bike riding, running and boxing. Class taught: Express Workout |
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Path Star
Yoga Instructor Path has been teaching yoga since 1995. She gently guides students through a compassionate process of using yoga postures and conscious breathing techniques to access the body's wisdom, to build strength and flexibility, and to enter states of relaxation and meditation. Class taught: Yoga Flow |
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Aura Wilson Yoga Instructor Aura has been a student of yoga, dance and various philosophies of well-being for ten years and now teaches to share what she loves, and to continue to learn. Aura's formal training was locally at the Mount Madonna Ashtanga Yoga Center. She is inspired by the connections between emotional and mental, spiritual and physical well-being. The practice of yoga is a beautiful way to "just be" with our body, breath and to still the mind, allowing a sense of peace and clarity to settle in. In class, Aura brings a sense of playfulness and curiosity to more fully en-joy poses and movements that encourage openness, strength, flexibility and relaxation. Classes taught: Yoga with Aura, Sunset Yoga |
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Rachel Van Dessel
Pilates Instructor Rachel began ballet training when she was 6 years old and has continued to dance, perform, and later teach throughout her life. Presently, she performs with Tandy Beal and Co. and is on the dance faculty at Cabrillo College. Rachel really enjoys the many benefits and longevity that pilates has brought to her dance career. Classes taught: Pilates |
