Group X Instructor Bio’s & Pictures
*Pictures listed below bio’s
Jeff Cope
I am currently a Junior at SFSU studying Environmental Sustainability and Social
Justice. I have been doing yoga for 4 years and graduated from the San Francisco
Yoga Tree Teacher Training Program in the Summer of 2011. I deeply enjoy the
practice of meditation and closely follows the teachings of Guatama Buddha, Laozi,
B.K.S. Iyengar, Martin Luther King, Jr., Van Jones, and many other great spiritual
teachers. My flow classes work to bring conscious awareness to the rhythm of our
breath and movement.
Currently teaches: Meditative Flow
PICTURE COMING SOON
Erika Eugenio
I graduated from SFSU in 2009 with degrees in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Human
Movement Sciences and Holistic Health. I expanded my degree by becoming a Certified
Personal Trainer through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). I hold
CPR/AED certifications through the American Red Cross; I sub part-time for San
Francisco Unified School District as a Teacher, Master Teacher, and Site Manager. My
passion is to teach and educate. I enjoy sharing knowledge with those willing to lend
their precious time to learn.
I love what I do and it can be seen in how I teach, how passionate I am about not only
my health and fitness but also those I serve. My dedication in helping each individual
reach their goals under their own terms is exemplified by the challenges they face
mentally, physically, and emotionally by utilizing the tools and education I provide for
them. I am in my 5th semester of teaching at my Alma Mater and plan to stay for many
semesters to come.
Cheers to Our Health!!!
Currently teaches: Gut’s & Butt’s, Cardio Kickboxing
Alex G
Hello! For the past 7 years, I have been in the Army as an Infantryman and instructed
Platoon Fitness for up to 40 soldiers. I have taught Group X for 2 years at 24 hour
Fitness and have trained for 19 years as a competitive cyclist. What sets my Bootcamp
class apart from others is that I have actually been to Bootcamp! With my background, I
put an emphasis on team work and group camaraderie.
“Do something that makes you feel good, even if it hurts.”~Alex R.
Currently teaches: Extreme Bootcamp, Circuit Training
Ashley Hunt
I am currently a Sophomore at SFSU studying Kinesiology. My life goal is to work for an
athletic team as the physical therapist, but would also love to work in a children’s
hospital. I hope to meet and help as many people as I can, and make an impact in other
people’s lives.
Currently teaches: Turbo Kick
*PICTURE ON OLD CRD BIO PAGE
Sadaf Malik
I am a senior at SFSU studying Biology with a concentration in Physiology. I have been
a Bollywood Dancer for over 6 years and have been a choreographer for over 3 years. I
started the Dhamaka Dance Organization (DDO) at San Francisco State as a way to
spread Indian Film Dance and am now offering classes to show that anyone can do
Bollywood! I hope to expose Bollywood Dance as not only a great form of art and
expression, but as a way that can give you a great work-out as well.
Currently teaches: Bollywood Dance
PICTURE COMING SOON
Alex Mattingly
I am an Exercise Physiologist specializing in Muscle Physiology. I am a Weight Lifter of
13 years and train Body-Building, Power Lifting, Olympic Lifting and Sports Specific
Training.
Currently teaches: XL Strength Training
*PICTURE ON OLD CRD BIO PAGE
Meredith Olson
I am a Graduate Student in the M.A. TESOL Program at SF State. I completed a
YogaWorks 200-hour Teacher Training in February, 2011, and I love sharing yoga with
Students, Staff and Faculty on campus. My classes combine fluid movement with
breath, and are inspired by a blend of different styles and traditions. Everyone, including
beginners, advanced yogis, or anyone who just wants to stretch, breathe and sweat, is
welcome to come to them!
Currently teaches: Candlelight Yoga
PICTURE COMING SOON
Hannah Renick
I am a Junior at SFSU majoring in US History and minoring in English. I fell in love with
dance at the age of 6 when I took my first ballet class. Since then, I have expanded my
disciplines to include tap, jazz, and lyrical. Five years ago, I became a Dance Instructor
and enjoy every minute of it. I love teaching dance because I get to see the participants
gain strength and flexibility, but more importantly, confidence in themselves!
Currently teaches: Dance
Adair Sapinski
My introduction to PiYo began as a student in a class lead 7 years ago in Chicago. My
intention was to find a class that was fun and challenging while at the same time build
strength and flexibility. I quickly fell in love with the blend of Pilates and Yoga.
I pursued PiYo certification and started teaching my own classes one year after my first
class as a participant. I relocated to San Francisco 3 years ago to follow my passion for
Yoga. I continued my education at Yoga Tree under Darren Main, my teacher and
mentor. I am lucky to do what I love and I am honored to share my expertise.
As a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and PiYo Instructor, I teach in San Francisco,
Daly City, and Walnut Creek.
Currently teaches: PiYo
PICTURE COMING SOON
Jenny Sears
I am the Fitness Manager for the Campus Recreation Department and a Senior at
SFSU. I am a Health Education major and Holistic Health minor. I am also a YogaFit
200-hour RYT with the Yoga Alliance and PiYo Certified. What brought me to Yoga was
my love for the healing art of movement and authentic, creative expression. I believe in
fitting the pose to the body, not the body to the pose with an emphasis in safety and
alignment. I also love to incorporate postures and breath work to assist in opening up
the chakra, or energy channels in the body. I also volunteer for the Purusha Seva
Project which brings yoga, life skills and the expressive arts to underserved and at-risk
populations. I am currently serving at the SF County Jail and Women’s Re-entry Center.
I believe that yoga is for every body and should be accessible for everyone.
“Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.”~Anonymous
Currently teaches: Yoga Fusion
Arnel Valle
I’ve always hated how my outsides didn’t match my insides. Years ago, I had the
courage to join a gym and finally they matched! My rule is to enjoy the work I put into
keeping fit and always have fun. Curves and muscles are fine, but smiles are always so
much better!
Currently teaches: WTF: Work the Foam, Turbo Kick
Danae Robinett
I am so grateful to be teaching Yoga to others locally, in Phoenix and internationally in
Italy, Ecuador and Bali. I draw inspiration from many sources to create Yoga classes,
which offer elements of Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, Partner and Restorative styles; please
come prepared to sweat, smile and shine. I foster a nurturing environment whereby
students realize their true potential in the art of trying and taking risk. What we learn on
our mats automatically translates into the other areas of our lives resulting in
transformational effects. I radiate a playful spirit while still honoring the sacredness of
Yoga...laughter is essential and for some of the seemingly harder poses, I often suggest
how requisite it is to smile during the pose. The act of smiling brings down everyone’s
guard, releases any competitive thoughts with oneself or others in the space and allows
for JOY to flow easily! I encourage students to find their authentic self in Yoga and
beyond - to always lead with the heart realizing there is no judgment in Yoga!
Currently teaches: (Yoga Substitute Instructor)
*PICTURE ON OLD CRD BIO PAGE
Mindy Service
My background in yoga stemmed from my dance experiences throughout my life; my
dance instructor in high school incorporated yoga postures into our daily routine. I
began to align with the connection of the breath to movement, and in college I became
involved with a yoga club, The Circle. I began practicing with Peter Sterios and
discovered my calling in Hatha Yoga, participating his 2011 Teacher Training and
Advanced Studies Program in San Luis Obispo, CA. I find that a nurturing sequence
with the addition of some heat building postures will give my students a feel-good daily
practice. My class opens with exercises to prepare major joints for practice; following up
with a dynamic sequence of asana which builds heat, strengthens muscles and the
digestive and metabolic functions of the body; and the closing exercises calm the
nervous system to prepare for relaxation and meditation. In my practice, surrender and
connection to the present moment is invited.
Currently teaches: (Yoga Substitute Instructor)