Group Fitness Classes

Denise is an experienced Pilates practitioner and certified holistic health coach who specializes in helping clients build strength, gain mobility, and improve stability. Having discovered Pilates while reclaiming her body after twins, she holds certifications in mat and Reformer Pilates and is trained in tower and Cadillac, as well. Denise helps her clients connect mind, body, and spirit, and is passionate about helping to create customized roadmaps for a lifetime of healthy habits.

Paul and Rosalie are highly experienced martial arts instructors and two of the few who are authorized by the Wudangdao Cultural Institute to teach Tai Chi and Qigong in the United States. Rosalie holds the rank of Jiaolian (Professional Trainer/Coach) and Paul holds the rank of Shifu (Master/Teacher). They have been studying and practicing martial arts since the ’70s, studying Korean swordsmanship, open hand fighting, and Japanese classical weapons. They have devoted themselves to Chinese martial arts for decades and are currently students of Master Zhong Xuechao, a 15th generation Wudang Sanfeng Kungfu Master from Wudang Mountain.

Jill is a certified fitness professional who specializes in forever fit fitness instruction. She is dedicated to guiding participants to love their bodies and work every muscle, while creating a positive, uplifting, and playful atmosphere in each class. Her unique style and eclectic personality adds a touch of spice to every workout, making her classes engaging and enjoyable for everyone.

Caroline discovered yoga in 2006 through prenatal and postnatal yoga classes. She is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and holds multiple certifications, including art of meditation, yin yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and prenatal yoga. Caroline brings a unique perspective to her classes: she is fluent in four languages, a trained classical pianist, and a ballet dancer.

Lauren is a certified yoga instructor with a focus on alignment and breath. She holds additional certifications in mini yogis®, the premier yoga program for children, and Yoga For Golfers®, which helps athletes improve range of motion, distance, power, focus, and confidence. Her classes are designed to be flowing, fun, and holistic. In her free time, Lauren enjoys practicing yoga and Pilates, walking her airedale terrier George, and playing tennis.

Wendy is group fitness instructor with decades of experience in the industry. She specializes in HIIT, cycle, muscle sculpting, and core training, and designs her classes to be cohesive, functional, safe, and enjoyable for all participants.

Petra is a seasoned fitness professional with decades of experience and a plethora of certifications. As a group fitness instructor, she is a master of many class formats, teaching classes like body sculpt, HIIT, barre, yoga, cycle, and more. Her expertise, dedication, and rigor make her one of the most sought-after instructors in the area.

Andria is a seasoned group fitness pro with a wealth of experience, having been a certified instructor since 1987. Not only does she specialize in teaching cardio hi-lo aerobics, kickboxing, muscle conditioning, and senior fitness, she is also licensed to teach all Zumba®️ formats.

Maria is a highly experienced and skilled nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience in managing diabetes prior to her arrival at the JCC in 2022. A certified Pilates instructor with a deep understanding of physical health, Maria specializes in core strengthening and body alignment, and has completed specialized training in working with injuries and special populations. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for Pilates and overall wellness with her clients.

Having brought TurboKick® and Punk Rope classes to the JCC, Kristen is a dynamic group fitness instructor who is known for her high-energy, challenge-packed classes. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm create an infectious atmosphere, leaving members feeling exhilarated and accomplished — Kristen is a force to be reckoned with!

Luca is a Certified Personal Trainer who earned his NASM certification in May 2024. He has been weightlifting since 2018, discovering a love for the gym in college after playing football in high school. He graduated from Lasell College in 2022 with a Sport Management degree and a minor in coaching. Luca is eager to work with any type of client to help them achieve their personal fitness goals and to help them get stronger! Outside of work he loves to play golf and watch football with friends.

Josh has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer in the greater Boston area for the last 23 years. He came to fitness from a love of martial arts and boxing in his youth, so fitness was a natural fit. He grew up in Wellesley along the Boston marathon route, so when it came to try to run his first (and only) marathon there was no other one that he wanted to do more. Josh ran for team in training to benefit the Lymphoma Leukemia Foundation. Josh also boxed for charity with Haymakers for Hop in 2014, and this is still a high point in his fitness career. He enjoys working with all levels of fitness. In a variety of modalities. KettleBells, free weights. TRX and boxing. Meeting a client’s individual needs is his passion. Josh is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine NASM. Josh still enjoys movies (a film school graduate.) And taking care of his two sons.

Meet Jen, an ACE and TRX certified personal trainer and experienced marathon runner with nine Boston Marathons under her belt. She believes in a holistic approach to fitness, using weight training, cross-training, and healthy eating to help clients reach their goals. Her positive attitude and step-by-step approach make her workouts enjoyable, whether in the gym or in her bootcamp classes. Jen is from Newton and lives in Needham with her two daughters.

Meet Stacey, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor with 8 years of group training experience under her belt. She believes that fitness goals can be achieved with the correct mindset and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She has made fitness a part of her everyday routine and enjoys running outside and HIIT training. Her firm belief is that working out is not a “one size fits all” approach and will help you reach your fitness goals by tailoring your fitness journey. Stacey lives in Needham with her two daughters.

Yael is a highly skilled and well-rounded fitness professional with certifications in STOTT Pilates, Zumba®, and belly dancing. She also holds a master’s in dance anthropology from Tel Aviv University. As a Pilates trainer, Yael specializes in working with clients with spinal injuries as well as training for prenatal or postpartum care. Yael’s classes are non-competitive — she promotes safe and gentle exercises to achieve tone, balance, posture awareness, and strength. In addition to her passion for fitness, she enjoys cooking, knitting, reading, and theater.

Meet Jessie, a NASM certified personal trainer and PN1 certified nutrition coach. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals by focusing on incremental changes and consistency. In her free time, she enjoys strength training, skiing, waterskiing, and cooking. Jessie grew up in Newton and lives in Needham with her husband and two children.

Nicole is experienced in providing exercise for individuals over the age of 50. She is certified in group exercise, cycle, cycle for Parkinson’s, and Tabata Bootcamp™. Her expertise in injury prevention and recovery makes her an ideal instructor for those looking to improve their overall fitness and well-being while reducing the risk of injury.

Andrée is a seasoned and highly skilled yoga and Pilates instructor with multiple decades of experience in various yoga disciplines, including Iyengar Yoga, ashtanga, and vipassana meditation. Her passion for yoga therapy and the anatomy of movement has become a central focus of her teaching, enabling her to create safe, effective, and personalized practices for everyone. Her ability to integrate the principles of yoga therapy with anatomy allows her to provide a holistic approach to wellness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Andrée will help you to deepen your practice and improve your overall well-being.

Elise believes in “feeling strong from the inside out!” Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Dean College, Elise has worked in the Professional dance and fitness world for over 24 years. Holding certifications in Stott Pilates, ACE, AFFA and BOSU training to name a few, Pilates has always been her first love for her own personal workouts as well as training her clients. She also has expertise in a wide range of formats, including dance, muscle conditioning, barre, and more. You will see her strong dance background within her Pilates and Group Fitness training. Additionally, Elise brings a unique perspective to her classes as a former backup dancer for Pitbull!

Erika provides a holistic approach to yoga, having been trained in vinyasa flow, yin yoga, meditation, restorative yoga, and balanced athlete, Her outgoing personality and collaborative spirit help participants improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Erika enjoys teaching yoga to individuals of all levels and abilities.

Elena is a Pilates instructor, certified in Powers mat Pilates in 2014, but she is far from finished — Elena is currently pursuing an advanced and comprehensive certification through Power Pilates, further solidifying her skill set as an instructor. Her teaching style is characterized by a unique blend of challenge and patience, enabling her to cater to students of all levels and abilities.

Mirna is a passionate Zumba®️ instructor who combines her love for dance and fitness with her background as an educator, creating fun and engaging classes for kids. Her Zumba Kids and Kids Jr. classes focus on key childhood development elements such as leadership, respect, teamwork, confidence, self-esteem, memory, creativity, coordination, and cultural awareness. Each class is designed to be a fun and interactive party-like experience that encourages kids to be active, while also developing important skills.

After a successful career in high-tech, John followed his passion and became a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor. Passionate about teaching HIIT classes, he also provides dryland training for the swim team at the JCC and coaches high school basketball. John spends his free time lifting weights, practicing yoga, and playing basketball. Outside the gym, he enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking.

Robby is a certified group fitness and Pilates instructor. With a special focus on fitness longevity, she brings her extensive knowledge and experience to our Parkinson’s community, where she leads total body conditioning classes. Robby has a compassionate approach to fitness and is dedicated to helping empower participants’ fitness and wellness journeys.

Rhea has devoted over four decades to leading group fitness classes. She is known for her high energy enthusiasm and ability to motivate participants. When she’s not leading classes, you can catch her cycling outdoors or training for her next big fitness challenge, like the Boston Marathon.

Meet Jimmy, an ACSM and NSCA certified strength & conditioning specialist and exercise physiologist. Jimmy boasts a bachelor’s in kinesiology, and has experience working with clients of all ages. He focuses on designing safe and effective training programs to help you achieve your fitness goals, and has expertise in strength, wellness, injury prevention, and recovery.

Jay is a certified Spinning® instructor and avid cyclist who has been participating in the Pan Mass Challenge since 2009, where he has raised thousands of dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He is known for his unique approach to teaching, incorporating a diverse range of music videos — spanning from musical shows to rock & roll — to motivate and inspire his participants. His classes are fun, dynamic, and engaging — often including a special video appearance from the Schoolhouse Rock! series.

Carla is a skilled Zumba® instructor who is also licensed to teach Zumba Gold and Zumba Kids classes. Her classes are designed to be fun, energetic, and stress-free, leaving participants feeling inspired and accomplished.

Deidre is a fitness enthusiast who has always been passionate about health and wellness. She is an ACE certified personal trainer with certifications in cycling and barre as well. Deidre is also a seasoned runner, currently training for her 30th marathon, showcasing her dedication to physical fitness. Her passion for fitness is not just limited to her profession, but also an integral part of her lifestyle.

Jane is a highly experienced and accomplished yoga teacher since 2012. She has extensive training in various advanced yoga programs, including seasonal yoga and yoga for healing & wellness. Jane believes that the practice of yoga offers a powerful tool to achieve inner harmony and enhance the quality of daily life.

Lynne is an accomplished psychotherapist with decades of experience, as well as a Pilates instructor since 2000. Her classes are a unique blend of traditional Pilates techniques and other movements, infused with a healthy dose of humor and laughter. Lynne’s approach to Pilates is not only about physical fitness, but also about promoting mental well-being, and creating a fun and enjoyable experience.

Nick’s love for strength training started while playing high school football. He continued weightlifting after high school and in college, went through a 100-pound weight loss journey. After spending 6 years as a fitness photographer working for fitness professionals, he was inspired to become one himself. Nick became a Certified Personal Trainer in 2022. Nick enjoys working with clients who want to get stronger, athletes, and people who just want to live a better life. When not in the gym, Nick enjoys golfing and watching sports.

Margaret’s love for yoga began many years before she received her certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in 2008. Her Kripalu-based practice focuses on helping participants of all levels and abilities experience the full spectrum of poses while challenging themselves mentally and physically. She encourages her students to push themselves to their own “edge,” the point at which they are challenged, but still able to find balance and ease. In addition to teaching, she continues to assist numerous programs at Kripalu, and has received training in various yoga formats such as yoga nidra, yin yoga, yoga for depression, and meditation.

Tisha brings her love of dance, music, and fitness to her classes at the JCC. Teaching since 2012, Tisha’s classes are known for their high energy, great music, and emphasis on fun! She is committed to creating an engaging class environment where people know they will leave feeling great.