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 | Samara VanDerLinden, Group Fitness DirectorSamara rejoined the AR-FC staff in May 2009. She has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and loves to be able to share her love for this great path of life with others. She was blessed to be born into a family of yogis. Her father and mother both teach yoga and taught her to live with the yogic teachings from birth. She has traveled the world learning the yogic traditions in "Siddha Yoga Ashrams" and lived in one of them for a year to fully immerse herself in the teachings of yoga. She is certified through "Yogafit" as well as "Instituto de Salud Integral" of Sonora, Mexico. In her class you will find that you are challenged both physically and mentally to your highest potential.
She first heard about Zumba in January 2010. She could not believe that the parties she grew up with had become a fitness class. Growing up in a Latin environment with everyone dancing at every occasion-children and grandparents all at their own rhythm and pace, enjoying the music, movements, and happiness that dancing brings-she began to teach Zumba right away. Zumba is one of her joys because it brings back memories of her childhood and it creates a party on a weekly basis! It includes samba, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bali, arabic, hip hop, and so many other fun rhythms. What better way to burn calories? I hope you can join in the dancing party and learn to let go of inhibitions and just enjoy what dancing brings into our life!
Samara’s priority for the past 13 years has been motherhood. There is nothing more important to her than being and enjoying every moment with her three beautiful children. Having her youngest son ready for kindergarten, she felt that it was a perfect time to take an opportunity to take all of the skills that she has learned to make her home life flow gracefully and bring it into the Aerobic department. Samara has been in the fitness world since she was very young and has always made an effort to keep her body in shape through all different types of group fitness classes. She is honored to work with one of the most talented and amazing group of instructors in the Sacramento Area and is looking forward to keeping the Aerobic department full of exciting, fun, challenging, and effective classes.
“Strive for progress, not perfection. Clear your mind of can’t … Just do it”
|  | Dan RuizDan is the Fitness Manager and Group Training Director of 1Lifestyle Personal Training.
Since 2005, Dan has been changing people’s lives in both Body and Mind. Dan currently holds 4 Personal Training and Nutrition Certifications. He is certified as a Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Performance Exercise Specialist, and a Nutrition Fitness Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine(NASM). He has completed Sierra College’s Nutrition and Fitness Trainer Certification, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the same institution. He is an expert in behavior modification and postural correction. He always is looking for new areas to excel in and to educate him with, and thus has made Professional Training and Management his full time career.
Since early childhood, Dan has been actively involved with both fitness and sports on a wide variety of levels. He was brought up in a very active and competitive environment. Having over 2 decades of sports involvement, he has developed a keen sense for fitness techniques, discipline, and nutrition. He has a constant desire to help others achieve their goals, both inside the gym and in everyday life. He thoroughly enjoys helping anyone who has weight loss, toning, muscle building, posture improvement, behavior modification and/or sports-specific training goals.
Dan also teaches Death by Dan, a high-intensity interval cycle class combined with interval strength training that involves functional, multi-muscular, body weight exercises. This class definitely lives up to its name.
Dan currently lives in Auburn with his loving wife and two step-children.
Quotes to keep in mind and to live by:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” -Albert Einstein
"It isn't sufficient just to want; you've got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle
"A path with no obstacles doesn't lead anywhere." -Unknown
"If you do not change what you're doing today, your tomorrow will be no different than yesterday." -Unknown
|   | Nicole MarshallNicole Marshall, her husband, and their 3 children recently moved to Auburn after living in Foresthill for 19 years.
Nicole has been a group fitness instructor for 20 years. Teaching a variety of classes, including:
• Step
• Body Sculpt,
• Kickboxing,
• Body Blast (similar to R.I.P.P.E.D.),
• Pilates
• Yoga
She is also a Personal Fitness Trainer and was voted "Best of the Best" in 2011!
In 2009, she heard of a new style of class called Zumba. In need of something new and exciting to teach, she attended a Zumba fitness instructor training. "I fell in love with it right away", says Nicole. “The music, the moves and the energy were amazing. To this day Zumba is one of favorite classes to teach. I never get tired of my students smiling back at me.”
Last year, Nicole added Zumba Toning to her certifications. Zumba Toning adds a whole new dimension to Zumba. "The toning sticks are so much fun and they really sculpt the arms", Nicole adds. She hopes to bring this new class to ARFC in the near future!
This month Nicole is also getting trained in Group Cycle. You might see her subbing a few classes cycle here and there and eventually teaching her own class! Nicole teaches Zumba on Mondays at 5:00pm and Saturdays at 8:00am. Come join the party.... | 
| Judy Benney Judy has been employed for over four years at AR&FC as a Yoga instructor. She has over eleven years experience in the practice of Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Yin Yoga. Judy is certified through the Mt. Madonna Center Ashtanga Yoga Institute after completion of over two hundred hours of Yoga training. |  | Donna Mattson Donna has lived in Auburn since she was 6 years old. She is a sports enthusiast and played basketball and soccer from a young age.
She attended Placer High School and Sierra College and was a member of the Placer High Girls State Champion basketball team in 1990. Donna has played softball, soccer and volleyball with the local recreation department and enjoys a good competitive game.
Donna has been teaching dance aerobics for over 15 years at ARC&F. She is certified by Aerobic Pipeline International. When not teaching her 3 classes Donna works at the local CVS as a Pharmacy Technician.
“I enjoy being with everyone who attends my classes and the classes that I attend. I love working out and enjoy the friendships that have come about from working at ARC&F.” |  | Bonnie Zanin Bonnie brings over twenty years of experience to AR&FC. During her nineteen years at the club, Bonnie brings high energy and enthusiasm to her classes. Currently, she teaches Knock-Out-Rock-Out, Cycle Weights & Abs, Group Cycle, Cycle & Weights Interval, Abs & Back, & Step. She is currently training for her Black Belt in TaeKwondo. Certifications are held with ACE and World Aerobic Kickboxing Association International. In her spare time, Bonnie enjoys cycling as well as running. |  | Wendy Knapp Wendy has been teaching water aerobics at AR&FC for over 5 years. She holds certifications from AEA and Aerobics Pipeline International. Currently, Wendy is obtaining an additional certification on Aquatic Fitness through Exercise Science Alliance. Wendy has been an elementary teacher for over twenty years with the Placer Hills Union School District. | 
| Jeri Green
Jeri Green has been employed at ARF-C since 2009. She teaches Reformer Pilates classes and Mat Pilates classes as well. Her passion has always been swimming and tennis. She played on a 3.5 USTA tennis team and placed 2nd in the 1997 Regionals in Carmel. Jerri_Green.jpg
“Tennis and my love for fitness led to my career as a Certified Reformer Pilates and Mat Pilates Instructor.” This certification was a 300-hour program through Balanced Body University.
Pilates is a gentle, mind-body workout that focuses on core development. Also, it is used to gain long lean muscles, improve flexibility and posture, balance, and overall sports performance. This ultimately results in allowing your body to move gracefully and efficiently throughout life.
“My biggest blessing in teaching Pilates is the difference that I make in people’s lives as an instructor and as a friend. It’s great to be a part of their accomplishments and joy. Witnessing a client’s ability to make lifestyle changes is a true celebration!”
Jeri is a Graduate from Western Michigan University with a BS Degree in Communications and a double minor in Marketing and General Business. She has worked as a Project Coordinator, writing programs for engineers’ installation of BBX switches, and afterward trained other clients on the system’s operation.
Jeri is a wonderful instructor with great experience. Find out for yourself and try her mat Pilates classes.
“To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.”
Abraham Lincoln | 
| Trish Schreiber Trish has worked in the group fitness department at ARFC for almost twenty years. She holds certifications from ACE and AEA. Trish currently teaches Low-Impact Aerobics and Water Aerobics. Her classes are easy to follow, safe and fun. Trish strives to know all her students. She wants to make every participant in her classes feel welcome and successful. Trish knows that MUSIC makes exercising fun, whether in the pool or up in the aerobics room.
Trish and her husband Jim live in Meadow Vista. They have been married for 35 years and have three grown children. Trish's interests outside the club include gardening and reading. Every year she enters a scarecrow in the Auburn Community Fall festival. One year her entry, "Mr Acorn", won first place! | | 
| Paula Williamson
My mission is well-being. My vision is to enhance quality of life through lifestyle transformation. I like to play a roll in assisting people to achieve their goals and transform their lives. Goals of daily vitality or feats of the weekend warrior can be achieved.
Paula is a wellness professional with nearly 3 decades of experience transforming lives to greater health, fitness and well-being. A multifaceted personal trainer, Paula incorporates techniques from her experience in fitness, pilates and massage therapy to personally tailor her instruction for the needs of her clients. Paula’s business incorporates personal training and teaching fitness classes with her well-being massage therapy practice. Paula continues her professional development in order to consistently provide the most up-to-date techniques, theories and practices.
Paula’s professional history began as a fitness instructor through a certification at Cal State Hayward. She later became a highly regarded and popular Group Fitness Instructor at Club Sport in Pleasanton, Ca. For ten years she instructed a wide variety of group classes. Paula then expanded her skills to include personal training, pilates and massage therapy, in turn growing her business. Paula’s clientele enjoy her inspiration and ability to listen to their needs and goals.
After re-locating to the Sierra Foothills, Paula dreamed of participating in outdoor events. She has accomplished events such as the Donner Summit International Triathlon, the California International Marathon and Big Sur Marathon, hikes up Mt. Whitney and Half Dome.
Paula encourages all to live the dream of transformation and dream big - you can do it! | | 
| Lesley Hackett
Lesley got her start at ARFC in July of 2011 working in the customer service department at the front desk. It wasn't long before she decided to take her passion for exercise and group fitness to the next level and start not only teaching group aerobics, but training others as well. In February 2012, she became accredited to teach R.I.P.P.E.D and in June of that same year, she was certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Moreover, she is currently enrolled in school to finish her bachelor’s in Kinesiology to pursue her career goals as a physical education teacher.
"I have a huge passion for exercise and nutrition. You'll probably see me at the gym working out 6 days a week. I've taken almost every group fitness class that is offered and enjoy each one of them. You can have fun and get a sweat on at the same time!"
For those of you who don't know about R.I.P.P.E.D, it stands for Resistance, Interval, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, and Diet. It's not your typical workout routine! You do everything from weights to cardio kickboxing to sports drills and more all in an hour with little rest time...meaning maximal calorie burn! |
| | |  | Mary Ann PutnamMary Ann Putnam is one of the creative forces behind our very successful morning water aerobics classes.
Since taking on this job in 2004, Mary Ann has increased the number of attendees by stressing the benefits to folks looking to enhance their existing exercise programs or as an alternative to land aerobics. Mary Ann is a native Californian, born in San Jose and raised in Santa Maria and Santa Clara. She was the middle of three children who all learned to ride horses and swim almost before they had mastered walking. Many of her favorite swimming memories was her family swimming around the pier at Santa Cruz. After losing her Mother and Father when she was fourteen, Mary Ann and her brother and sister were moved to Santa Clara to be close to their uncle. It was during their High School years that the siblings learn to and mastered surfing. After starting work at Wells Fargo, Mary Ann met and Married Gene Putnam. They had two sons, Stephen and Richard,. It was Gene who introduced her to Water Skiing, which was a passion in the Putnam Family for many many years. She kind of fell into this job, her husband had had a stroke and Mary Ann took an early retirement from Wells Fargo after 40 years to take care of him. She was able to leave him for an hour to take a water aerobics class, which proved to be mentally and physically beneficial. As Gene got a little better Mary Ann was asked to teach the class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sadly, Gene Passed away in 2006, however Mary Ann continues to bring her zest for fitness and fun to these classes, some days it’s hard to keep up with her. |  | Amy FinkleAmy joined the AR-FC staff in June 2007 after completeing her AFAA group fitness certification. She has been dancing most of her life with styles that include latin, ballroom, west african, jazz and hip-hop. Travelling abroad for 5 years exposed her to many different types of dance as well. "With dancing, not only are we having fun while we condition our bodies, but we are also working our mental coordination", says Amy. "Variation is key to sticking with it and fun fuels the motivation within us. We always leave class with big smiles on our faces!" She is also an avid cardio kickboxer and taught the Tae Kwon Do class for the kids of 'Sports and Splash' over the summer of 2007 at AR-FC. Running is a passion and hobby for her and she has competed in multiple races including 2 half marathons. A triathalon in August 2008 is one her personal fitness accomplishments. She also enjoys staying fit by chasing around her young and energetic daughter! | | |
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