Group X Instructor Bios
Alex Engelhardt (she/her)
Hi, I’m Alex! I teach yoga and water group x classes and I am a liberal science major and Spanish minor.
What have you tried at Campus Rec? Something new I tried last quarter was intramural dodgeball, it was so fun to compete even if we lost every game.
What movements bring you joy? As a yoga teacher I love small yoga practices in the morning, which helps my body feel less stiff during the day. I also love to dance! My favorite song to dance to right now is Energy by Beyonce.
Alex Foutch (he/him)
Hi, I’m Alex! I teach dance fitness, strength, and cardio classes and I majored in communication studies.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Campus Rec? My favorite part of teaching at Campus Rec is that I get to provide a small getaway when people come to my class to have fun and move their bodies.
Favorite class to teach: My favorite class to teach is Cardio Dance because I have a love for dance, but I love teaching all my classes!
What movements bring you joy? When not teaching, I love dancing and nature walks!
Favorite workout song: My favorite songs change constantly, so follow me on Spotify if you want some new music!
Alex Shonk
Hi my name is Alex! I teach dance fitness classes. I just completed my Master of Public Health in Epidemiology with the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
What is your favorite part of teaching classes at the Rec Center?
I really enjoy the energy from class participants and spending time with people who also love to dance!
When you're not teaching classes, what type of movement brings you the most joy?
Hiking, bike rides, neighborhood walks
What is one of your favorite songs to workout to right now?
"Sacrilege" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Amy Gray (she/her)
What have you learned about fitness, health, or wellbeing while teaching at Campus Rec? That the rec center is a wonderful place to play. I take my 9 year old daughter and her friends. We love to run around and try out new things each time. There were so many exercises to wonder about and games to learn. The equipment rental and badminton set, basketball courts and pool have been regular pieces of our fitness life for the past year but the Group X room has its own possibilities when it comes to family time.
What is one of your favorite songs to workout right now? I've been listening to a lot of my old favorite 90s hits, and some JJ Cale.
Anna Kawasaki (she/her)
What is your favorite class to teach? Why? My favorite class to teach is Barre because it shows how even small movements can create an effective workout.
When you're not teaching classes, what type of movement brings you the most joy? When I'm not teaching classes, I enjoy chasing my cat around my house (he enjoys it, too) .
Beau Johnson (he/him)
Hi my name is Beau! I teach strength and cardio and am majoring in Sonic Arts and Music Production.
When you're not teaching classes, what type of movement brings you the most joy? I like to run a lot
What is your favorite part of teaching classes at the Rec Center? Meeting all the cool people and forming new friendships. Its great to become and help form a community that I can be proud of and involve myself in!
What is one of your favorite songs to workout to right now? One of my favorite genres of music to listen to is Dance / EDM.
Emily Zito (they/she)
Hi, I’m Emily! I teach a hip hop dance class and I am an English major.
Favorite part of teaching? My favorite part of teaching a hip hop dance at the rec center is meeting new people and using dance to build community.
What have you learned while working at Campus Rec? While teaching at Campus Rec, I have learned that there should be a constant effort to make a gym experience safe and inclusive.
What movements bring you joy? Even when I'm not teaching Group X classes, I like to dance. So, I go to other dance studios in portland. My current favorite song is paradise by LL COOL J, Amerie.
Erin Bransford (she/her)
Hi, I’m Erin! I teach strength and cardio classes and received my B.S. in Biology and Exercise & Sports Studies and an M.A. in Kinesiology.
Favorite class to teach: I absolutely LOVE teaching Cycle because any and every type of music can be used (putting together playlists is so much fun!) and the class can be taught to be enjoyed by all levels with ease. Regardless of how fast or heavy you are riding, everyone is pedaling together!
What movements bring you joy? I love being active outdoors. Running, walking my dog, hiking, camping, and stand-up paddleboarding bring me the most joy when not teaching classes.
Favorite workout song: One of my favorite songs to workout to is Physical by Dua Lipa.
Julie Jansen (she/her)
Hi, I’m Julie! I teach mind/body classes and majored in visual art teaching.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Campus Rec? My favorite part of teaching with the Rec Center is that it allows me to bring a bit of peace and wellbeing to PSU students, faculty, and staff.
Favorite class to teach: I love teaching Mindful Movement & Meditation because it allows me to build a sense of community with other people. Together we get to practice movement, meditation, and mindfulness.
What movements bring you joy? When I’m not teaching, I love being in nature and laughing with loved ones.
Favorite workout song: My favorite song to move to is Staralfur by Sigur Ros.
Kristian Mogster (he/him)
Hi my name is Kristian and I teach Self Defence and I graduated with a degree in Music and Sonic Arts.
What is your favorite part of teaching classes at the Rec Center?
My favorite part about teaching classes at the rec center is connecting with other students and encouraging them to get to know themselves better through yoga.
What is something new you have tried at Campus Rec?
The Swimming Pool
When you're not teaching classes, what type of movement brings you the most joy?
My Cat Tomoe
Lindsay Tallon (she/they)
Hi, I’m Lindsay! I teach mind/body classes and I studied politics in school. My favorite part of teaching yoga is the expansion of pleasant, comforting qualities such as peace, hope, contentment, and acceptance that comes from practicing yoga and mindful movement with others.
Favorite class to teach: Yoga is my favorite class to teach because I get to share my immense love of yoga with others.
What have you learned while working at Campus Rec? It’s been a number of years since I was a student, so I appreciate reconnecting with a university population, and hopefully enhancing access to health and wellbeing for students and others who are part of the university community.
What is something new that you want to try at Campus Rec? I haven’t yet had the opportunity to take part in Campus Rec activities since I’m a brand new Campus Rec instructor as of December 2021, but I look forward to exploring the offerings.
What movements bring you joy? Walking, bike commuting, and (spontaneous/ecstatic) dancing.
Favorite workout song? Lady Gaga - Born This Way!
Lizzy Tremaine (she/they)
Hi, I’m Lizzy! I teach dance fitness and majored in applied developmental psychology.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Campus Rec? I love the sense of community and connection that Group X classes offer! I love how joyful movement, like Zumba, can bring people together.
Favorite class to teach: My favorite to teach is Zumba! It's an opportunity to celebrate the way our bodies can move with fantastic rhythms and music!
What movements bring you joy? When not teaching classes, I love impromptu freestyle dancing, often with my dog Cheeto.
Megan McGarry (she/her)
Hi, I’m Megan! I teach cardio, strength, and mind/body classes and I major in International and Global Studies. In addition to English, I speak a little Japanese.
Favorite class to teach? Stretch and Flexibility is fun to teach because we get to foam roll, one of my favorite recovery activities.
What have you learned while working at Campus Rec? Exercise and movement can bring you joy. There are so many ways to bring joy to our bodies and minds through movement.
What movements bring you joy? I love trail running and dancing!
Favorite workout song? Whip It by DEVO
Olivia Cohen (she/her)
Hi, I’m Olivia! I teach mind/body classes and majored in Political Science.
What is your favorite part of teaching classes at the Rec Center? I got into yoga through my campus rec connecting with the PSU community.
Favorite class to teach: My favorite class to teach is yoga as it helps people find a greater sense of balance.
What movements bring you joy? I’m a fan of any movement that helps me feel good, from swimming to climbing to long walks.
Rosie McMillan (she/her)
What is one of your favorite songs to workout right now? Anything by Tennis, their music is very cute and makes me happy.
What is something new you have tried at Campus Rec? (new class, piece of equipment, club, activity, event, etc.) I’ve gotten more into strength training at the Rec center by taking classes and learning about weight lifting exercises, it definitely makes me feel more confident. :)
Suzane Van Amburgh (she/her)
Hi, I’m Suzane! I teach mind/body classes and I studied semiotics of visual communication. I started teaching GroupX classes online in January 2021. Now that classes are held indoors, I enjoy meeting students, faculty, and staff in my classes and continually adapting my teaching approach to the participants.
Favorite class to teach: Aikido and Iaido. I love them both and they complement each other. Both are non-competitive Japanese martial arts based on the principles of the Japanese sword. Practice serves as a nice transition and "reset" from the work day to the evening.
What have you learned while working at Campus Rec? I've learned that the staff are super dedicated and focused on making the Campus Rec experience as inclusive and positive as possible for all members.
What movements bring you joy? Rolling, and getting thrown in Aikido. As for iaido, the diagonal cut.
Favorite workout song: We don't use music in aikido and iaido classes. We follow the rhythm of our breath.