Sports & Fitness | Fitness | Instructor Bio's




	PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Sophia has been a fitness instructor for over twenty years. She initially received her training and certification from Bally’s Fitness. Since then she has taught at various places including 24 Hour Fitness Center, Downtown YMCA, Chevron Oil & Gas, Anadarko Corporation, El Paso Energy, Coca Cola Corporation, & St. Thomas University. Sophia has been teaching at UHD for over 10 years. She is one of the first fitness instructors at UHD when the university first began to offer fitness classes to the students. At that time the department didn’t have the Student Life Center, so classes were taught in the basement of the academic building. Since then Sophia continues to look forward to coming back each semester. She has come to meet so many students and faculty members over the years that have become good friends. She feels privileged when students continue to attend her classes after becoming alumni.
FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT UH-DOWNTOWN CARDIO AND TONING: This class consists of a combination step and floor aerobics and then ½ hour of strength training. It should be considered high/low impact since after a few weeks into the semester Sophia will incorporate jumping jacks and a little jogging into the routine.



	Certification(s): AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, Zumba®; CPR, AED, & Basic First Aid Teaching experience: Katina has been teaching since 1992. She has taught many styles over the years including step aerobics, dance, kickboxing, cycling, weight lifting, yoga, Pilates, boot camp, aqua, Zumba®, and interval training. UHD classes – Kickboxing; Yoga Inspiration to teach in the fitness industry: Katina feels that the fitness industry challenges her and empowers her to teach others health and fitness, to encourage, and to create fitness that is fun! What you might not know about Katina: When she goes home, Katina likes to sit in quietness. She loves to go out by herself and meet new people.



	PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Kayce has a B.S. and M.S. in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. She is certified by the state of Texas as an All-Level Physical Education and Secondary Dance Teacher and spent many years in the public school system. She is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, Pilates instructor, Certified Zumba instructor, and has been teaching fitness classes at UHD since 2007. She has traveled the U.S. with a performance company from Atlanta and has transferred the energy she expressed on stage into the classroom. Kayce also brings her vast experience and training in the areas of modern dance, ballet, Pilates, and total body fitness into all her classes. FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT UH-DOWNTOWN PILATES: Pilates is a body conditioning routine that seeks to build
flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. In addition, Pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's "core" or "powerhouse" (torso). People who do Pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health. ZUMBA: Ditch the routine and join the party! Zumba has evolved from a Latin inspired aerobic dance class into a way of life for millions. We have brought the party to UHD…Come enjoy!



	Certification(s): Zumba® & CPR, AED, & Basic First Aid Teaching experience: This is Olga’s first year teaching Zumba®. She has been a dedicated student in the Zumba® classes at UHD and during the summer she gained teaching experience by subbing on campus and assisting another instructor off campus. Inspiration to teach in the fitness industry: Years ago, Olga was not interested in fitness or working out. Once she started working for the UHD Sports and Fitness department she became intrigued. Olga wants to help other people accomplish their fitness goals, while making it fun and enjoyable.
What you might not know about Olga: Olga is in the Powerlifting Club and she is a national champion and also holds quite a few records. She loves to dance. Olga is a student at UHD majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.



	PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Dr. Tyra Montgomery is a professor on campus in the Chemistry Department. She has taught classes in the Sports & Fitness Department for many years. She continues to broaden her fitness education beyond her vast experience as a Step Aerobics. Most recently she participated in an AFAA Pilates workshop that will allow her to incorporate more core training in her classes. FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT UH-DOWNTOWN STEP AEROBICS: This class is offered twice a week and includes a several combinations using the step equipment. In addition, Tyra incorporates exercises with light weights to combine the cardio benefits of step with the necessary resistance training needed for a successful workout program.



	PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Rhonda has over 14 years experience leading group exercise classes and providing personal training. She has a M.Ed. in Physical Education from the University of Houston with research experience in childhood obesity. Rhonda has worked at the University of Houston-Downtown for over 15 years and serves as the Assistant Director for Sports & Fitness at UHD and is responsible for coordinating all of the fitness programs offered in Sports & Fitness along with supervising and hiring the personal training staff. FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT UH-DOWNTOWN BUTTS & GUTS: Rhonda leads a 30 minute workout with an emphasis on the butts and guts area. Because many other areas like the arms, shoulders and back can be addressed at the same time, this class
becomes a wonderful overall body workout. Take this class twice a week and you can check off your weight training for the week.



	PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND Sweft has been dancing since August 2003, training in Modern and jazz movements. The styles of dance he specializes in are hip-hop, jazz, modern, reggae, salsa, meringue, Indian, African, Polynesian, and some Japanese. He danced with the Houston Comets for two seasons (2005 and 2006) and did some choreography for the organization during that time. Sweft currently teaches classes at the Jewish Community Center and has been instructing there for 3 years. He also holds classes at a dance studio in the Memorial area called Memorial Dance and has been there since it's opening in August, 2008. In addition to teaching, Sweft has choreographed for music videos and theatrical productions. His biggest accomplishment is his dance company, Sweft Feet Dance, which was born in 2006. Sweft Feet Dance focuses on diversity in movements and the students! The vision
of Sweft Feet Dance is to share its artistic energies with the world ! SPECIALTY CLASSES TAUGHT AT UH-DOWNTOWN HIP-HOP FUSION: The class start off with a nice warm up and stretch, the Sweft incorporates hip-hop inspired dance progressions across the floor, and then he goes into some “good ole dance routines ” that blend hip-hop with Sweft’s style.