Dayna Callaway
Describe your fitness background.
Growing up I was encouraged to try a lot of different things. I danced and played soccer. I loved to dance but was really more of a soccer player. I loved the team training and working out hard.
When I first started my marketing career, fitness fell off the table. It wasn’t until my after my first pregnancy and subsequent weight gain (I was over 200 pounds) that I found my way back to fitness. I fell in love with group fitness classes. The group environment reminded me of my team training. I even found a soccer team and played throughout my thirties.
After I left my marketing job to focus on raising my blended family of 6 kids, I took my first group fitness certification at the YMCA to keep my brain active. As the kids got more independent, I started teaching and certified in yoga, health coaching, reiki, Pilates, barre and personal training.
When I found barre (on instagram), I knew I’d stumbled upon a calling, and I just had to share this mode of exercise with as many women as possible.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
When I took my first certification, I had no intention of teaching. It was more about giving my mind something to do. But then something clicked, and I wanted to teach as much as possible and pretty much ran myself ragged teaching at different facilities in York Region. It wasn’t until the pandemic shut us down that I really got clear on why I do what I do. It’s all about creating and fostering connection and community. That’s the glue that keeps people coming back to Groove Barre. Oh yes, and a great workout.
What do you love about barre?
Barre opened my eyes to how to train your whole body in all the planes of motion – front to back, side to side, and the rotation. I loved getting a whole body high intensity workout with ZERO impact. Finally I’d found a workout that made me feel good in my body.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
I’ve worked hard to create a safe space at Groove Barre where everyone feels confident to choose the options that work them and no pressure to be perfect. Part of this is embodying this myself. Sometimes I put down my weights. Sometimes I go left when I cue right. We coach progress over perfection and if all else fails, I am a very enthusiastic counter!
What is your favourite barre move?
My favourite is first to second position plié with feet in parallel – aka squat narrow to squat wide. This is a great move to layer on more and more options to challenge the muscles and to get the heart rate up!
What barre move do you love to hate?
Back extension work. My backbend is pretty weak, so as a teacher, it’s tempting to hide my weakness. I’m working on this!
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Electronic dance music all the way. Occasionally some throwbacks, weird ones, but mostly hits!
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
I absolutely love to work shoulders. As we all carry the least amount of body fat in this area, it’s relatively easier to get muscles here to “show.” The best tool I have to challenge your shoulders is the long thera band.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
I am a secret dancer. Leave me alone in a room with music, and eventually you’ll find me dancing!
Brandie Daicoff
Abhi Vivek
Describe your fitness background.
In University I was a gym-goer. After graduating I had been on and off with my fitness for a few years until I discovered Groove Barre. I fell in love and it has helped me stay consistently active.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
Being able to create a happy, safe, and comfortable space for people to work on themselves, and being able to share something I love!
What is your favourite thing about barre?
I love how these workouts involve movements that get into all the little muscles you didn’t realize you could engage. I love feeling the ‘barre burn’ and pushing myself mentally to see how much of it I can take. Is that weird? Oh well, I love it!
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
When I attend workouts I love being in my own head, focusing on the music and me vs me. I want my class to have the space to do that as well. My teaching style is on the softer side, basic cues, and gentle encouragement. Don’t worry, the workout itself will be anything but soft!
What is your favourite barre move?
I love anything in Arabesque! Pulses, rainbow lifts, lunge to arabesque…the list goes on!
What barre move do you love to hate?
Planks! I still do them but just know I am not enjoying them.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Hip-hop, Pop, Rap, R&B, Afrobeats, Top 40
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
Bands, blocks and heavier weights!
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
Secret dancer!
Lorena Perry
Describe your fitness background.
I always loved to move. As a kid, I was always dancing. I wasn’t in formal dance lessons, but I was always dancing. It wasn’t until university that I started with a more formal fitness routine. I started doing and then teaching aerobics.
It was during this time that I also trained for my first trialthalon, and I was the first woman in my university to compete. I developed a love and appreciation for training, and for what my body was capable of doing!
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
I loved dancing and music, and teaching aerobics was exactly the right combination of FUN, and I loved to motivate others to move their bodies!
What do you love about barre?
I love the mix. Barre isn’t just one thing. I think I would get bored it it was just one thing, like running or swimming. But with barre you get the combinaton of dancing, Pilates, the work at the barre, doing the planks, having the props… Doing all of these things keeps it very excitng because it’s always changing – it’s never the same so we’re always challenging the body.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
I share my energy, passion, and my smile. I love to encouage clients to work at their highest capability.
What is your favourite barre move?
Fire hydrant with the ball! This is a great move for building strength in the glutes, and flexibility in the hips, and adding the ball increases the spiciness!
What barre move do you love to hate?
Planks. When I first started at Groove Barre, this is the move that challenged me most. I would be shaking, and questioning the purpose and point of this exercise, hating it the whole time. Now I’m so much stronger, and I love encouraging clients to stick with this move, and see themselves get stronger too!
What kind of music will we find in your class?
A little bit of everything! Pop, Spanish, even rock sometimes. And I take requests!
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
The Pilates circle. We can do so much with this one, simple prop!
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
Dancer! Not a professional, but in my heart, I am a dancer.
Sherry Hugh
Describe your fitness background.
I have been a volunteer group fitness leader for close to 8 years, and I teach fitness classes with the City of Markham focused on Muscle conditioning, Barre, HIIT and boot camps.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
In university I joined my first gym and was inspired to teach because of an awesome step teacher. I knew that I would teach when the time was right which was about 8 years ago. I started teaching Barre and loved it, followed by muscle conditioning and boot camps. I also love yoga and Pilates and have recently begun training on a reformer.
What do you love about barre?
I love the focus on small and large muscle groups and find that it’s a new challenge every time. I also love moving to the music.
How do you motivate clients?
I lead with a smile, encouragement and sometimes corny jokes! #sorrynotsorry
Is there anything else you want to share?
Really love the community vibe at Groove barre and how every brings their A game every time! Look forward to being a part of the community.
Andrea Adams
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
I have had a passion for fitness and dancing from a very young age. Growing up, ballet was a big part of my life. In high school I moved away from home and attended the Quinte Ballet School of Canada to better my training. After high school I went to George Brown Collage then Canadas National Ballet School for their Teacher Training Program.
I primarily teach dance, but I am always looking for ways to stay strong outside of the dance studio. While I was at the National Ballet I was fortunate enough to teach some of the pool conditioning classes for the professional students and I fell in love. From there I wanted to broaden my knowledge in the fitness world and took my certifications for Barre, Prenatal Barre and Pilates. Pilates and Barre classes are fun to take while also strengthening the body.
What do you love about Pilates?
I love the control and burn! Pilates is such an amazing way to get a great workout while not having high impact.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
The hardest step for any client is the first step, showing up! Once my clients are in my class they are met with encouragement and a positive energy that makes pushing through a workout easier and fun.
What is your favourite Pilates move?
I love core work!
What Pilates move do you love to hate?
Planks, especially side planks. Its a love hate relationship with my wrists.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
A wide range! I love exploring new music and updating my playlists weekly.
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
I love to use the Pilates squishy ball. It’s so versatile and great for all abilities and ages!
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
I am very much a dancer!
Shannon Wong
Describe your fitness background.
From a young age, I trained as a competitive gymnast, dancer, and as a ballerina. But when I went off to university, I lived a sedentary lifestyle. My mom forced me to go to a barre class at a YMCA. After I took my first barre class, I really enjoyed it and by happenstance I stumbled upon a barre studio in London, Ontario and started teaching there while I was doing my Masters. I taught there from 2017-2020 and kept teaching online during the first year of the pandemic. I recently moved to Markham and wanted to get myself plugged into another barre studio.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
I’ve choreographed my friend’s first dances at their weddings, and I find that dance is more useful as an adult than many would expect. Plus, it’s a way to socialize on the dance floor! So naturally, I love sharing that experience with others which has attracted me to teaching barre fitness which I see as an extension of dance.
What do you love about barre?
I love the focus on small and large muscle groups and find that it’s a new challenge every time. I also love moving to the music.
How do you motivate clients?
I motivate my clients by showing them that we’re all sweating, feeling the burn, and each of us find parts of the class difficult. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses in fitness, but the great part is that with each class, we can expect to get stronger together. Lastly, movement is such an amazing blessing we get to take part in, and I want to motivate my clients by expressing how lucky we are to be able to move. It shouldn’t be a chore, instead, we should find joy in getting to move our bodies.
What is your favourite barre move?
I LOVE ‘rond de jambe’. When done properly, it can be a full body exercise. It requires such focus to properly activate all those tiny muscles in your leg, glutes, core, etc. and you can keep your upper body working by bringing your arms to a steady second position.
What barre move do you love to hate?
I find that my feet aren’t as strong as they used to be. Especially having a bunion, I find that going up on relevé for an extended period of time can stress my bunion and cause pain.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
I try to find music that has 120 beats per minute and that tends to be pop or music of that nature, but my favourite music is early 2000s R&B throwbacks.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
A tiny dancer (cue Elton John)!
Tracy Tigert
Describe your fitness background.
Growing up my parents enrolled me in a variety of sports. My favourites were soccer, gymnastics, and cheerleading but I mostly loved and trained as a figure skater from a young age into my late teens. When I stopped skating I joined a local women’s fitness club and immediately fell in love with aerobic style group fitness classes. It seemed like a logical transition for me to be able to continue to move to music and maintain my activity level. I quickly became certified as an instructor teaching low impact, high impact, and step classes in Markham and while I was away University.
I graduated with a BPhEd with a focus in Sports Injury Management. That lead me to pursue a career as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) for 15 yrs. After leaving my profession to focus on my family, I also found more time for fitness again. I became certified as a Personal Trainer solely for my own knowledge which also lead me to participate in more boot camp style workouts.
A few years ago I found curling, a fun and very social sport that is surprisingly a great workout! Only recently was I introduced to Groove Barre by a couple of friends. Right away I was hooked, not only to the style and variety of challenging workouts but the friendly, fun, inclusive community that Groove Barre embodies.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
I never thought I would return to teaching fitness classes after 20+ years. It was a bit scary yet exciting all at the same time to be up there leading a class again. The supportive atmosphere, energy and vibe of Groove Barre definitely played a role in my decision and I’m excited to be able share my passion for fitness and knowledge with others.
What is your favourite thing about barre?
I love the variety of exercises and combination sequences in Barre and Pilates and I love to push through the “burn” I feel in my muscles as I work them! I also love the results you get from light weights and high reps and I love the fact that it isn’t too much strain on my body so I can workout everyday.
How do you motivate clients?
First of all, fitting fitness into our busy lives is sometimes a huge task in itself so I applaud everyone who puts in the time to show up and participate in a class. I try to encourage clients to attend as many classes as they can when possible. This only builds up your strength and endurance to be able to perform the exercises with proper form to help you get the most out of the workouts and reap the benefits.
I would also love to encourage my clients to push through for those 1 or 2 more reps when they feel like they have to stop. I promise it will get easier.
What barre move do you love to hate?
First position plie to second position plie, back to first position plie with feet turned out but I’m working on it not feeling so awkward for me.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Anything with a good beat keeps me motivated to move and it has to be something I can count to!
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
Weights and the ball! So much versatility and strength building benefits.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
I am definitely a home alone, grooving to a good beat kind of dancer.
Michele Brindle
Describe your fitness background.
I’ve always had some form of physical fitness since when I was a kid. I came from a family with 6 kids and we were always on the run. Several of us kids took Judo classes together and learned a little Japanese, a respect for the body, our environment and our teachers. We did our workouts and sparring on hard tatami mats.
I didn’t participate in team sports until I was a young adult and then I played slo-pitch, volleyball, doubles tennis etc.
After having my second child at 39 I started running. The gym style of yoga became something else I loved to do to wind down after running. I felt like I came full circle in my life and ended up, once again on a mat, feeling like that is where I was meant to be.
Eventually I took Yoga Teacher Training because of the love of the postures and the thought that it would deepen my practice. I think of yoga as a gift we give to ourselves and what I found was that I loved to share it with others.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
Fitness is just something that we all need to do to stay healthy and live our best life as we age. I like the idea of teaching any age, body type and willing participant, the benefits of a solid yoga practice. I have a genuine love of learning and I feel I am a student as much as a teacher in any class I teach.
What do you love about yoga?
What I love about yoga is the mind and body connection. The feeling of Zen. Meditation in Motion. Barre and Pilates are challenging for me and I love the fact that I have to stay focused, present and in the moment. My mind doesn’t wander when in a challenging class.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
Honestly, I love to add humour to my classes. I motivate clients by giving them options no matter their ability. My teaching style is gentle and kind.
What is your favourite yoga pose?
My favourite yoga pose, hands down, is a child’s pose. I love this resting posture and feel so grounded. It is my go to pose in airports and grocery stores (lol).
What yoga pose do you love to hate?
Chaturanga Dandasana. A yoga push up. I do them, they make you strong but my form suffers if I do too many.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
I mostly prefer instrumental guitar or piano for my classes but I am a rocker at heart. I love all types of music quite honestly.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
Oh, I love to dance, but have never taken lessons. Who doesn’t secretly love a good beat to get a groove on?
Tiffany Wong
Describe your fitness background.
Growing up I was encouraged to try a lot of different things. I danced and played soccer. I loved to dance but was really more of a soccer player. I loved the team training and working out hard.
When I first started my marketing career, fitness fell off the table. It wasn’t until my after my first pregnancy and subsequent weight gain (I was over 200 pounds) that I found my way back to fitness. I fell in love with group fitness classes. The group environment reminded me of my team training. I even found a soccer team and played throughout my thirties.
After I left my marketing job to focus on raising my blended family of 6 kids, I took my first group fitness certification at the YMCA to keep my brain active. As the kids got more independent, I started teaching and certified in yoga, health coaching, reiki, Pilates, barre and personal training.
When I found barre (on instagram), I knew I’d stumbled upon a calling, and I just had to share this mode of exercise with as many women as possible.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
When I took my first certification, I had no intention of teaching. It was more about giving my mind something to do. But then something clicked, and I wanted to teach as much as possible and pretty much ran myself ragged teaching at different facilities in York Region. It wasn’t until the pandemic shut us down that I really got clear on why I do what I do. It’s all about creating and fostering connection and community. That’s the glue that keeps people coming back to Groove Barre. Oh yes, and a great workout.
What do you love about barre?
Barre opened my eyes to how to train your whole body in all the planes of motion – front to back, side to side, and the rotation. I loved getting a whole body high intensity workout with ZERO impact. Finally I’d found a workout that made me feel good in my body.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
I’ve worked hard to create a safe space at Groove Barre where everyone feels confident to choose the options that work them and no pressure to be perfect. Part of this is embodying this myself. Sometimes I put down my weights. Sometimes I go left when I cue right. We coach progress over perfection and if all else fails, I am a very enthusiastic counter!
What is your favourite barre move?
My favourite is first to second position plié with feet in parallel – aka squat narrow to squat wide. This is a great move to layer on more and more options to challenge the muscles and to get the heart rate up!
What barre move do you love to hate?
Back extension work. My backbend is pretty weak, so as a teacher, it’s tempting to hide my weakness. I’m working on this!
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Electronic dance music all the way. Occasionally some throwbacks, weird ones, but mostly hits!
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
I absolutely love to work shoulders. As we all carry the least amount of body fat in this area, it’s relatively easier to get muscles here to “show.” The best tool I have to challenge your shoulders is the long thera band.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
I am a secret dancer. Leave me alone in a room with music, and eventually you’ll find me dancing!
Kristika Neelavannan
Describe your fitness background.
I grew up playing a lot of sports and stayed active for most of my life. I began to feel a bit lost in my mid 20s, as I wasn’t able to find the right workout for me. Now I’ve found the right place, Groove Barre.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
Groove Barre made working out feel fun. This was the first space that I felt in tune with my body. I was listening to my body and in return, it was responding to the workouts. I want to help others feel this way about their fitness journey as well!
What do you love about barre?
I love the mind to body connection! The moves in barre allow you to really engage every muscle in your body. Its a challenge you never thought would be challenging until you do the moves. 2 pound weights will never feel the same!
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
I motivate my students with music that will help them get through the workout! The burn is fun when you have something to focus your attention on – like singing along to a song you know! My cues are subtle and I focus more on showing you proper form. I provide words of encouragement here and there to get you through the end of a specific series… mainly abs because I’m also encouraging myself! Haha.
What is your favourite barre move?
Arabesque side leg series (lifts, crunch, extensions)
What barre move do you love to hate?
Abs… the struggle is real. But doing it with an entire class makes you want to push through that pain and discomfort.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Hip-hop, Pop, Rap, R&B, Afrobeats, Top 40.
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
Heavy weights & bands.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
Secret dancer!
AnneMarie
Jackie Man
Describe your fitness background.
Started with hot yoga, group fitness classes, and a bit of hip-hop dance. Discovered Groove Barre and fell in love with barre, rebounding, and pilates.
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
Sharing the love of exercising and energy.
What do you love about Pilates?
I love how it can be a full-body workout. Working on muscles you never knew existed and the focus on breathing and form.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
I like to bring fun energy to the class and challenge clients to the next level.
What is your favourite Pilates move?
Hard to choose. Right now, I love the clamshell side series.
What Pilates move do you love to hate?
Side leg lifts with a pilates ring (when both legs lift)!
What kind of music will we find in your class?
Pop and hip hop. Maybe a bit of k-pop 🙂
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
Weights and the short band.
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
Secret dancer!
Laura Hartman
What attracted you to teaching fitness?
I have had a passion for fitness and dancing from a very young age. Growing up, ballet was a big part of my life. In high school I moved away from home and attended the Quinte Ballet School of Canada to better my training. After high school I went to George Brown Collage then Canadas National Ballet School for their Teacher Training Program.
I primarily teach dance, but I am always looking for ways to stay strong outside of the dance studio. While I was at the National Ballet I was fortunate enough to teach some of the pool conditioning classes for the professional students and I fell in love. From there I wanted to broaden my knowledge in the fitness world and took my certifications for Barre, Prenatal Barre and Pilates. Pilates and Barre classes are fun to take while also strengthening the body.
What do you love about Pilates?
I love the control and burn! Pilates is such an amazing way to get a great workout while not having high impact.
How do you motivate clients? Describe your teaching style.
The hardest step for any client is the first step, showing up! Once my clients are in my class they are met with encouragement and a positive energy that makes pushing through a workout easier and fun.
What is your favourite barre move?
I love core work!
What Pilates move do you love to hate?
Planks, especially side planks. Its a love hate relationship with my wrists.
What kind of music will we find in your class?
A wide range! I love exploring new music and updating my playlists weekly.
What is your favourite prop to use in class?
I love to use the Pilates squishy ball. It’s so versatile and great for all abilities and ages!
Are you a dancer, non-dancer, or a secret dancer?
I am very much a dancer.
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