Instructors

Brenda is a Cycle instructor who brings pure energy and good vibes to the podium, rooted in the belief that showing up for yourself is the most powerful step toward any achievement. Brenda values genuine human connection and understands that "100%" looks different every day. As an ACE-Group Fitness Instructor and yoga enthusiast currently pursuing her 200-hour YTT, Brenda blends her love for movement into rhythm-based rides that challenge the body and center the mind. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned rider, expect a dynamic mix of cadence-driven hills, sprints, and jumps, all supported by inclusive modifications to ensure every rider finds their power. Brenda enjoys bringing the community together to celebrate when we simply decide to show up for ourselves and each other.

Elena is a senior at Santa Clara from San Diego, CA. She is certified through ACE in Barre Intensity, a method that combines Pilates, dance, and functional fitness training. With a lifelong passion for dance and her experience on the SCU Dance Team, she enjoys bringing her dance background into fitness. Elena took her first barre class at Malley during her freshman year and was immediately drawn to the group atmosphere and the way it blended dance technique into low-impact, high-intensity exercises. These classes weren’t just a workout but a way to clear the mind and leave feeling energized.

She strives to create a welcoming class environment where people of all fitness levels and backgrounds can come to feel encouraged, challenged, and motivated.

Giovanna is a senior studying Bioengineering from Connecticut. She grew up training in ballet for 15 years and later transitioned her passion for movement into yoga when she came to Santa Clara. She has also taught ballet, modern, and acrobatics to children ages 2-12, which sparked her love for teaching. Giovanna completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and strives to create classes that build strength, flexibility, and mindfulness both on and off the mat.

Isabella is a yoga instructor a Counseling Psychology graduate student at the School of Education and Counseling Psychology. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through YogaX, developed by Stanford Psychiatry. As a first-generation and biracial graduate student, Isabella brings a strong commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and culturally responsive wellness practices. She approaches yoga through a holistic lens that views the practice not only as physical movement, but also as a pathway for supporting mental health, emotional resilience, and intentional living. Her teaching focuses on mindful movement, breathwork, and body awareness as tools for stress reduction and emotional balance. She aims to create spaces where individuals feel welcome, empowered, and supported in slowing down, listening to their bodies, and reconnecting with themselves without pressure or comparison.

Jerrica's martial arts journey began at teenage years in Tae Kwon Do, then by Choi Kwan Do in her thirties. Her passion for martial arts was reignited during pandemic, restarting her training in various cardio martial arts workouts in the Bay Area. She became a certified instructor in 2022 and has been a YMCA combat instructor a year after. She wants to give back to the community, help members to learn basic martial arts technique, to utilize full body movements to improve energy, power & agility. She welcomes all ages in her class, coaching individual to learn their body capability, improve their cardiovascular health by unleashing their inner warrior to maximize exercise enjoyment.

Maggie is a senior cycling instructor from downtown Chicago. She is an Economics major at the Leavey School of Business. Having grown up involved in musical theater and various athletic activities, Maggie has found a passion for cycling classes, as they combine music, movement, and motivation to elevate a workout that is both fun and beneficial. As a certified Spinning Instructor, Maggie hopes to use her classes as a tool to bring the SCU community together, offering a variety of classes adhered to the interests of attendees. She looks forward to an exciting new season and to seeing you on the bike!

Mx. Monique Moon is a YTT500 alum of the Ignite Institute for Yogic Leadership and Social Change and a first-generation college graduate of LMU. They have been practicing yoga since 2009 and teach in the Shankaracharya tradition, drawing from a deep personal commitment to both study and spiritual practice. Their yoga lineage flows through the teachings of Susanna Barkataki and has been further shaped by their mentor in training, Linda Lopes. Monique’s approach to yoga is rooted in cultural awareness, ancestral wisdom, and social change. In addition to yoga, their spiritual practices come from a divine inheritance of their Indigenous Colombian heritage and South American kinfolk. Their grandparents immigrated to the United States (California and New York) from Colombia, Guatemala, and Italy in the 1940s and 1960s, shaping the path they walk today as a grandchild of immigrants.

Nadia is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and an experienced 500-hour registered yoga teacher (e-RYT 500). She enjoys combining her knowledge of strength training with yoga to design programs that help students transform their energy levels, boost their confidence and strength, and live happier, healthier lives. Her main goals with her yoga practice and strength routine are to increase her vertical leap and swing power to defeat her opponents in volleyball, to feel like a ninja when she practices handstands and other arm balances, and to feel balanced and at peace with herself and the world around her. 

Sheyda is a dedicated and passionate yoga instructor with over 6 years of experience. She completed her RYT 200-hour training in Mysore, India, in 2019 and specializes in Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Sheyda’s classes emphasize body awareness, muscle control, and mind-body alignment, focusing on strength, flexibility, and balance. Her inclusive teaching style incorporates props and modifications, making yoga accessible to all levels. Sheyda is committed to creating a supportive environment where students can explore their practice, strengthen their bodies, and discover inner peace. 

Sophia is a Neuroscience major and a NETA-certified Group Fitness Instructor who loves staying active and is a sports-junkie. In college, she expanded her interest in fitness through weight training and calisthenics, which helped her develop a strong appreciation for movement and functional strength training. Sophia enjoys creating engaging classes that focus on fundamental exercises, proper technique, and a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome. She believes fitness should be accessible and encouraging for all levels, whether you are new to strength training or looking to challenge yourself. She is excited to help others build confidence, grow their passion to move, and get stronger together.