Fitness Instructors

Our Fitness Team

Our fitness staff is the heart of our community. More than just instructors, they are mentors, motivators, and role models who are dedicated to helping people of all ages and abilities move, grow, and feel confident in a supportive environment.

Each member of our team brings their own experience, passion, and teaching style, creating a wide range of classes and programs that meet the needs of our community. From beginners taking their first steps into fitness to experienced members working toward new goals, our instructors are here to encourage progress at every level.

Beyond the gym or studio, our staff is committed to building connections, promoting healthy habits, and creating a positive space where everyone feels welcome. They believe fitness is not just about physical strength, but also about mental well-being, teamwork, and showing up for one another.

Get to know our instructors below and learn more about the people who make our fitness community strong.

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Meet Our Instructors

 

Crystal Cardenas

Crystal is passionate about building community through movement, music, and positive energy. She has been leading group fitness classes since 2009, beginning with Zumba Fitness and expanding into high-energy formats such as R.I.P.P.E.D, Insanity, and Strong Nation™. Crystal is licensed in multiple Zumba specialties, including Zumba Gold®, Sentao®, Toning, Zumba Kids, and Zumba Circuit, and was previously AFAA certified.

Crystal's classes focus on variety, empowerment, and fun, helping participants feel strong, confident, and energized—no dance experience required. Just show up, move to the beat, and let the rhythm do the rest.

 

 

Ali Hansel 

Ali Hansel is a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness enthusiast. She is a former elementary teacher who brings her passion for education into every session, helping keep fitness fun, engaging, and approachable for her participants and clients. Ali is dedicated to helping clients find joy in movement and understand that fitness is for everyone. Her main goal is to help clients build gym confidence and develop a lifelong, positive relationship with exercise. As a mom of three young children, Ali believes exercise is essential to showing up as her best self—both in and out of the gym.  

 

Melissa Hassaoui 

Melissa Hassaoui is a personal trainer and fitness instructor who graduated from the Canberra Institute of Technology in Australia. She has a lifelong passion for movement and athletics, having grown up participating in a variety of sports including basketball, marathon running, and karate. After becoming a mom, Melissa discovered a renewed interest in fitness, finding that exercise helped her regain strength, boost confidence, and stay motivated through the demands of everyday life. Melissa enjoys helping clients build strength, improve endurance, and develop sustainable fitness routines that fit their lifestyles. She believes fitness should be empowering, approachable, and adaptable, and she is dedicated to supporting individuals at all stages of their fitness journey.

 

 

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith is passionate about teaching and dancing Zumba! She has been teaching Zumba since winter of 2010. The sense of community is one of the main reasons she loves teaching Zumba. Zumba with friends is more fun! Zumba is for everyone and everyBODY and she enjoys sharing this passion with others. Natalie has taught Zumba at many local fitnesses facilities as well as in the surrounding areas. Natalie taught Zumba at The Family YMCA from Winter 2011 to Fall 2020 and she is beyond grateful for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the YMCA community/family once again! 

 

Raj Vaidya

Raj Vaidya has been a part of the fitness industry for over 35 years. He is an ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and group fitness instructor. Raj has taught step aerobics and other fitness classes at the Y since 1992 and begins his personal training career in 2024 following his retirement from Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is passionate about enhancing the overall fitness and well-being of the community through an integrated approach that combines awareness, knowledge, and a strong foundation in exercise science and technology.