Group Fitness Instructors
Interested In Becoming an Instructor?
Ai Kuwayama
Ai is originally from Japan and she graduated with a Masters in Kinesiology in Integrative Wellness from Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor, AEA certified aqua instructor and 500 Registered Yoga Teacher. In addition to teaching group fitness classes, Ai is the Fitness & Wellness Supervisor for Aztec Recreation. She has been teaching Group Exercise classes for 14 years and is very passionate about both teaching and taking Group Exercise classes. Ai believes in the powerful ability of group exercises to improve and promote individuals’ physical and mental well-being.
Alexis Guzman
Alexis is currently working towards her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at SDSU. She started practicing Yoga consistently in 2022 as an undergrad taking various formats of Yoga as a way to diversify her movement and make it more fun. Practicing yoga has not only helped her become more in tune with her body, it has also helped her relieve stress as a busy student. Alexis completed her 200hr YTT and 50hr Advanced Training through CorePower. As an instructor, her mission is to allow everyone to feel comfortable in their own unique bodies by offering layers and options for support throughout their yoga practice. Alexis aims to provide a safe and positive space for those of all levels, while adding spice to her classes by incorporating balancing poses, using props, and full-body movements to help build muscle strength and mental resilience.
Andrea Ruvalcaba
Andrea is currently a 4th year undergraduate student at SDSU studying Computer Science. After practicing yoga for a couple of years, Andrea grew a passion for the practice of yoga, and it became more than just an exercise. She completed her 200RYT certificate through CorePower Yoga. Andrea’s Sankalpa, or teaching mission, is to hold space with good energy, love, and compassion. Through her classes, she strives to help individuals discover the joy of self-discovery and movement through yoga while holding a safe space for exploration.
Lisa Lamont
Lisa is a Stott Pilates certified Pilates instructor and a Mad Dogg Athletics Certified Spinning® instructor. She has worked in the fitness industry for over twenty years.
Lucy Gonzalez
Lucy was born and raised in San Diego, and graduated SDSU in 2015 with a B.A. in Communication. She later went to PLNU and obtained her M.S. in Kinesiology in 2019. She is a certified personal trainer and has her 200hr yoga certification. She has experience teaching a variety of formats with a focus on strength and cardio and yoga. She has also experienced working with college athletes both in Cross Country and soccer. Lucy has been part of the fitness industry for 7 years. Her biggest passion is to help change people's lives through fitness and help them achieve their goals. She enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, running, and loves working out. She tries to make her classes fun and enjoyable for students by bringing enthusiasm, knowledge, energy, laughs and much more to her classes. As a fitness professional she promises you will not only get a great workout, but you will also learn about fitness while having some fun!
Megan Hollyfield
Megan began practicing yoga in 2012 as a form of physical therapy. Yet the more she practiced the physical postures; the more yoga became a refuge to work on her mental strength. Apparent that the mind-body connection is invaluable, she dove into a teacher training to deepen her own practice. Now a certified 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, she hopes to share the benefits of focus, determination, and positivity to all her students.
After realizing she enjoyed teaching power, sculpt, and hot yoga classes, she started to branch out to teach other formats at the SDSU Aztec Recreation Center. Megan now teaches many additional formats such as Total Strength, Barre Blast, and Cardio Dance. Whenever you step into one of her classes whether to relax with yoga or workout, you will find a positive atmosphere and a class geared to challenging both the mind and the body.
Naomi Welsh
Naomi has a BA in Kinesiology and Physical Education with a Health Fitness concentration. Ever since her youth Naomi has loved being active. She got her start as a child in gymnastics, attending all her mom’s classes and coaching sessions and eventually went on to participate in competitions. Naomi also played Division 1 soccer on scholarship in college and competed as a semi-pro for two seasons. Later in life, Naomi became a professional ballroom dancer competing in all genres; dance has always been Naomi’s #1 passion. She has certifications from Core Rhythms and Zumba fitness along with a Gold Level Teacher Certification from Arthur Murray. She also has certifications for Maddog Athletics Spinning, Stages Beats Cycle, PiYo, and is currently studying for her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Naomi believes movement is an essential part of being holistically healthy and likes to fuse elements of dance with Yoga, barre, and Pilates in her classes. As an advocate for movement, Naomi says “finding what motivates and inspires you to bring the highest benefit is key to maintaining an active lifestyle you can enjoy!”
Natalie Quinn
Natalie is an SDSU alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, pre-Physical Therapy. She has been an instructor here at the ARC since 2020, teaching a variety of classes like Barre Blast, Cycle Core, Yoga Sculpt, and much more! Natalie has a true love and passion for health and well-being. That is why she is continuing her education at Point Loma Nazarene University with a master's in Kinesiology, Integrative Wellness. She believes in the harmony of well-being across physical, emotional, and mental health. Physical exercise and nutrition should come from a place of self-love and respect rather than a punishment towards yourself and your body. Feel free to join Natalie in a group fitness class to celebrate what your body can do and achieve!
Nikki Winters
Nikki has been dancing since she can remember and trained mostly in ballet. After she turned 18 she danced with various professional ballet companies. It wasn’t until she joined up with a company called Physical Rhythm Project that was ballet/hip-hop fusion that she found her love for street dancing. Sponsored by NIKE, she then taught hip-hop classes in Portland, Oregon and discovered her love for group fitness. She since has been teaching various fitness classes on both the West and East Coast, with various certifications since 1992 and has been teaching at Aztec Recreation since 2001. She currently is a Commercial Real Estate Broker, a wife to an amazing husband, and a mom to two awesome boys.
Rachel Brouzes
Rachel Brouzes is a seasoned Yoga teacher with over 7 years of teaching experience and nearly 20 years as a practitioner. She holds over 600 hours of teaching education, specializing in Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin Yoga. Additionally, Rachel is a reiki initiated practitioner and soundhealer who integrates holistic approaches into her teaching. Rachel’s classes are characterized by precise cueing and verbal adjustments and include meticulously crafted body-part specific flows with yogic philosophy teachings seamlessly woven in. Rachel wants to ensure her students feel both supported and empowered in their practice. Beyond yoga, Rachel has expertise in nutrition and resistance training enabling her to offer a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
Ti Cason-Davis
Ti was born and raised in San Diego, California. He grew up being active in the arts via his participation in San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, and his attendance at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Ti attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where he studied Dance at the Private Arts University and has continued his education via various classes and workshops related to anatomy and bodywork. He has been a certified Yoga instructor since 2009. Before graduating from Point Park University, he taught the Adult Yoga classes on campus and has also taught Yoga at a variety of studios on both the east and west coast. Ti has been a Yoga Instructor at Southwestern College since 2013 and is excited to be part of the Aztec Recreation team as an ENS Yoga and Group Fitness Instructor.
