Karen Hagen - Cardio
Karen has been a Group fitness instructor for 7 years. Finally making the transition from corporate career woman to fitness career woman!
Karen is equipped with the motivational skills necessary to engage clients and help them achieve results. She also has the technical skills to ensure the safety of clients and to modify and individualize movements. Credentials include certified Group instructor, Portable Equipment trained, TRX specialist, Bender Ball specialist, Older Adult certified and Fitness programming specialist. Along with First Aid and CPR certification .
"My philosophy of 80/20 is my lifestyle and what I teach to. 80% of the time I eat healthy and 20% of the time I enjoy some luxuries! Included in that is of course keeping your body moving with cardio and strength training. My success is to see my clients succeed in leading a healthy and happy life."
Karen is equipped with the motivational skills necessary to engage clients and help them achieve results. She also has the technical skills to ensure the safety of clients and to modify and individualize movements. Credentials include certified Group instructor, Portable Equipment trained, TRX specialist, Bender Ball specialist, Older Adult certified and Fitness programming specialist. Along with First Aid and CPR certification .
"My philosophy of 80/20 is my lifestyle and what I teach to. 80% of the time I eat healthy and 20% of the time I enjoy some luxuries! Included in that is of course keeping your body moving with cardio and strength training. My success is to see my clients succeed in leading a healthy and happy life."
Val Hampton-Mumford - Cardio
Val turned her lifetime passion for sports into a career in the fitness industry in 1988. Starting at a private multi sport facility as a trainer and fitness instructor, then later worked as a Fitness Coordinator with the City of Calgary at various facilities until 1997. Val has taught almost every style of class over the years and currently favours teaching any strength and conditioning based class. While she continues to enjoy participating in sports, Val has added coaching basketball to her resume in the last 10 years. Currently coaching at the Club, School and Community levels and completing her NCCP level 2 in basketball. When not instructing fitness or coaching, Val can be found biking, running or hiking with her family or friends.
Akiko Lee - Zumba
Akiko (Zin-Zumba Instructor Network) since 2017 and ACE certified Group fitness instructor since 2020. She teaches Zumba and Zumba Toning.
Akiko originally started her fitness journey in BC, moved to Calgary in 2022. Mother of 2 girls, she also works for an Online contact lens company as customer service agent.
Akiko is a passionate instructor who loves to help people build confidence through dance fitness. The biggest smile on participants' faces when their favorite songs come on is one of her most favorite moments during the class. With music and dance, Zumba brings people together. Once you step into a class, you are already in Akiko’s Zumba family!
Akiko originally started her fitness journey in BC, moved to Calgary in 2022. Mother of 2 girls, she also works for an Online contact lens company as customer service agent.
Akiko is a passionate instructor who loves to help people build confidence through dance fitness. The biggest smile on participants' faces when their favorite songs come on is one of her most favorite moments during the class. With music and dance, Zumba brings people together. Once you step into a class, you are already in Akiko’s Zumba family!
Susan Dumont - Yoga
Susan Dumont, Certified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist & Chair Yoga Teacher
500RYT, Yoga Studio College of Canada (est. 1996)
Susan has regularly practiced yoga since 2004 and has been teaching yoga continually since 2013.
Susan’s yoga teacher training and teaching experience includes: Therapeutic Yoga (Gold Therapy program), Restorative Yoga, Iyengar style yoga, Chair Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Pain Care, Yoga for Scoliosis, Yoga for Arthritis, Yoga for (Addiction) Recovery, Yoga for Anxiety, Anger & Depression taught by Judith Hanson Lasater, Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Yoga 50+. Susan continues her yoga teaching knowledge through ongoing workshops and her own yoga practice. Susan’s yoga students provide her with essential feedback and ongoing joy.
500RYT, Yoga Studio College of Canada (est. 1996)
Susan has regularly practiced yoga since 2004 and has been teaching yoga continually since 2013.
Susan’s yoga teacher training and teaching experience includes: Therapeutic Yoga (Gold Therapy program), Restorative Yoga, Iyengar style yoga, Chair Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Pain Care, Yoga for Scoliosis, Yoga for Arthritis, Yoga for (Addiction) Recovery, Yoga for Anxiety, Anger & Depression taught by Judith Hanson Lasater, Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Yoga 50+. Susan continues her yoga teaching knowledge through ongoing workshops and her own yoga practice. Susan’s yoga students provide her with essential feedback and ongoing joy.
Veronica Thai - Yoga
Veronica Thai is a yoga teacher dedicated to helping you open up the doors to more joy and serenity in your life. Her strong commitment comes from witnessing the benefits of yoga first hand. She attended her first yoga class with an open mind and over the course of a decade, discovered the depth and layers of healing that this practice nurtures. Her 200 hour RYT Yoga Alliance certified training sealed the deal and yoga is now a permanent part of her life. No matter if you attend one of her fiery yoga flows or nourishing restorative classes, you will find that she comes in with gentleness, ready to support you in what you need that day.
April Borne - Yoga
April has been a Registered yoga teacher in the community and The Yoga Studio North since 2013. She has a history in the fitness industry since the early 90’s as a personal trainer and fitness classes. She has a back ground in karate and current interests include paddle boarding, cycling, golf (April just bought new clubs wish her luck) and of course her continued upgrading and practice in Yoga.
Her extended Yoga training has been primarily the teachings of Iyengar Yoga, Trauma informed Yoga for PTSD and restorative yoga, Yoga for back care, Yoga meditation, Inclusive Yoga and annual 1-2week intensive trainings with Senior Iyengar teachers.
April has recently retired as a 25 year Primary Care Paramedic and continues part time employment with Alberta Health Services EMS in an administrative role.
She looks forward to meeting the Yogis at The Uplands!
Her extended Yoga training has been primarily the teachings of Iyengar Yoga, Trauma informed Yoga for PTSD and restorative yoga, Yoga for back care, Yoga meditation, Inclusive Yoga and annual 1-2week intensive trainings with Senior Iyengar teachers.
April has recently retired as a 25 year Primary Care Paramedic and continues part time employment with Alberta Health Services EMS in an administrative role.
She looks forward to meeting the Yogis at The Uplands!
Dawn Erickson - Coordinator
Dawn has been a fitness instructor since 1992, beginning with Ski Conditioning and Hi/Lo Aerobics, but she soon discovered Cycling/Spin which has been a great passion for her, and she instructed the Friday noon Cycle Class at Eau Claire YMCA for 23 years until they permanently closed the branch. Dawn is also interested in Mind-Body training (Pilates & Fusion specifically), Seniors fitness, and anything Core related! With a passion for helping people see positive changes in their fitness levels and overall outlook, Dawn enjoys meeting new participants and assisting them with their fitness goals. In her spare time, Dawn loves to travel with her honey and their adventuresome kitties in their RV.