Instructors ~ Women's Fitness and Self-Defense

Minorsan's Women's Fitness and Self-Defense Instructors

All of my Instructors are inspired by the energy created and the looks on the faces, of our members during classes. They focus on Women’s Fitness and Empowerment.

Motivation is truly an inside job. Some of my motivation comes from the inspiration I get from my members, and from taking my Instructors’ classes. People come in thru my doors every day and leave sweaty, smiling and happy. That’s why I do what I do. They feel wonderful, and it gives me a feeling of accomplishment. We create connection and community, and that helps everyone feel appreciated and respected.

A Priority for my Women's Fitness and Self-Defense instructors

Getting exactly what they need is a priority for me (and for my Instructors). Members leave class feeling happy and confident, whether it’s the FighterFit classes, Youth Self-Defense Workshops, or the various Fitness classes.

They feel an inner power that can only come from self-confidence, which truly comes from cultivating courage. This makes it easier to feel strong enough to make the right decisions, to make changes, and to make choices that work for them.

Since empowerment builds confidence, my Instructors know that they need to inspire all members with their own energy. My Insturcors know how to run their classes to get people moving and excited, thereby creating happiness within.

I’m proud of Women’s Fitness and Self-Defense Instructor Team. They know how to bring it, every class, every time.

Whether Members come to morning classes or evening classes, they get a huge stress release from the day. They are more able to get a good night’s rest with a stress-less body, feeling so great about who they are in this world.

My members motivate me to continue to do what I do. They inspire me with the changes they make in their minds and their bodies, and my Instructors help them get there…every single day.

~ Clara E Minor

Would you Like More Info?

Contact us with any questions or special requests about our services.

What Clients Say

Connie Kreemer Yoga Instructor is a local yoga teacher of many decades now, and she continues to find it totally rewarding in every aspect. She loves teaching Yoga because students learn to integrate mind, body, and spirit.

Students’ bodies become stronger, better aligned, more flexible, and their balance is improved, thereby giving them a sense of accomplishment. The breathing techniques energize not just the lungs, but also every cell in the body. When the mind is focused in the present, life ends up feeling better in every aspect.

Her classes are a fantastic experience for members because of her love in helping students learn. The integration of mind, body, and breath, while improving asanas (postures) is critical to unifying and connecting these aspects in each person. Life can be so stressful so it’s a joy to help students learn techniques to reduce stress and feel better. Helping students simultaneously makes Connie Kreemer feel better too! “Connie Kreemer Yoga Instructor is a long-time yoga instructor in the Santa Cruz area. I appreciate her knowledge, her love of yoga, her willingness to make the workout doable for all participants, her warm energy, and her enthusiasm for every class.

She truly wants to help others enjoy the benefits of yoga. I really like that Connie still loves to teach after all these years. As a long-time Santa Cruz resident, I’m fortunate that she has chosen to teach Yoga at MINORSAN. She brings such a professionalism to her classes. I love her whole family!”

“Hey, I’m Kira Durant Fitness Instructor in Santa Cruz. My inspiration, as a Fitness Instructor at MINORSAN, comes from seeing people push themselves, physically and mentally, thereby getting to be a part of that moment when they realize that ‘yes I can (do it)’—when they thought they couldn’t. I love those moments because they inspire me to do more.

Ms Durant’s been here since 2007. First, she started as a member, and within one year decided to get certified to be a KickAeroBix Instructor. Her next certification was BodyPump Instructor.

The particular skills Kira owns, are based on her ability to coach people to do more, do better, and get strong results. Motivation skills are at a 10.

She now has two kids of her own and still teaches classes, while maintaining things at home and working a full-time job. Working out and teaching is that important to her. Kira inspires me!

I am new to group fitness, becoming a certified BodyPump® instructor in 2013. After being inspired by the instructors at MINORSAN, I felt driven to become a more powerful motivator in making our community stronger and healthier.

My background is in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Seattle, and I use those skills each day to help families make healthy food choices. A good part of my experience is in Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition and in working with food allergies.

When I’m not doing KickAerobix™, BodyPump®, or Tabata®, I can usually be found playing in the woods or at the beach with my two kids.”

Robin came to us as a member first, and then became an instructor for BodyPump. What I really like about Robin is that she is a natural as a fitness instructor. She took to the BodyPump training like a duck to water! Her enthusiasm and a clarity in her teaching is refreshing. Exciting to have her as a Tabata Bootcamp Instructor too!

“In earlier years, I struggled for a very long time. I wanted to find something that I not only enjoyed doing for fitness, but also motivated me enough to continually show up. When I discovered MINORSAN and KickAerobix™ roughly 8 years ago, I knew I’d finally found it!

When Clara asked (in 2011), if anyone was interested in becoming a KickAerobix™ instructor, I knew I had to go for it. I’m so motivated by the feeling KickAerobix™ gives me. I want to share it with as many others as possible, so they can benefit too. Teaching gives me the ability to inspire others to reach their goals. Members can also genuinely enjoy their method of exercise as much as I do!

When members come in and push themselves, then tell me after class, how they feel (so empowered, more fit, and healthier), I fall more in love with teaching! Know that my goal is to help you reach yours, to push you out of your comfort zone, but also to keep it fun. If you leave with a smile and covered in sweat, I’ve done my job!”

Melissa Finsthwait Fitness Instructor Santa Cruz is a die-hard KickAeroBix™ lover! I Iove that she is so dedicated to making her classes multi-level, thereby doable for new and returning participants. Everyone loves how Melissa has grown into her teaching skills, and I do too! She gets people to move just a bit more than they thought they could, and her focus is totally on all her participants. Melissa’s not afraid to take chances and try something new in class.

Claire Wallace, Fitness Kickboxing Instructor, came to us with a kickboxing background—no wonder her fave class to teach is KickAeroBix!

Claire’s high energy exudes her enjoyment of Fitness kickboxing. Claire also teaches HIIT-Kick at MINORSAN.

Her strength is that she always encourages our members to push just a little bit more, while still enjoying their Fitness Kickboxing and HIIT-Kick.

In her ‘other life’ she’s also a teacher. That experience crosses over to her fitness kickboxing classes. She connects with members and works hard to get a smile on their faces. She’s definitely an asset for Minorsan as a member of our Fitness Instructor Team.

“Hi everyone! My name is Tori, and I’m working as a Body Pump instructor at Minorsan! My experience is in various martial arts, therefore it’s helped me to transition to the fitness workouts at Minorsan. Originally, I started at Minorsan for the self defense classes. Then I went on to expand to each of the other cardio-centered classes—and I thoroughly enjoy each one.

The atmosphere and vibes of all the people, and the workout classes, make it a joy to teach. Being a FitnessI Instructor in Santa Cruz at a place that cultivates such a positive workout environment is so special. I’m so happy to be a part of this lovely community.”

Tori came to my Studio originally to study in my FighterFit program. Without notice or any prompting on my part, one day I got stuck in such heavy traffic (moved 3 miles in two hours—which normally took 4 minutes). Completely missing class became my first option. I texted her and told her to let the others know. If they still wanted to workout, then she could grab someone’s phone, who had a playlist of any kind on it, and do the bags workout with the iPhone! When I finally got there, Tori had used her own phone (no mic and no speakers), as she had an old playlist on hers, and HAD TAUGHT CLASS! This was with no training whatsoever. She just did the best she could.

Being completely and thoroughly impressed that someone would move right thru any anxiety and ‘not-knowing’ and just do the best she could, impressed me.Soon thereafter I hit her up to start teaching for me. (And everyone in class was super-happy!).”