Meet the Instructors
Rachel
Thai Chi Chill
Meet Rachel. Rachel is still alive and (mostly) well because of body awareness arts. She has faced chronic illness in the form of long Covid, and mental health struggles which required personal transformation. Her winding explorations include meditation, massage and bodywork therapy, structural integration, tai chi, martial arts, circling, and interpersonal movement practices. She also just loves to close the curtains and dance in her living room with pure abandon! Her day job as a peer mentor in the mental health system has given her increasing depths of compassion and understanding, which she tries to bring to the classroom setting.
“I’m really happy to return to Dragonfly and be in this beautiful space! I want to give people an experience of peace and joy through simple movement and body awareness, passing on the gifts I’ve been given. This stuff has changed me and my life so much. I love to see the light go on for others.”
Emily – Owner – Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist, Group Fitness, Polga
Zumba; Hip Hop Fit; Serious Circuits, Abs on Fire, Fast Fit
After 8 years of foster care and in home daycare, Emily Balow discovered her love for fitness in her spare time. Stumbling upon Dragonfly was unplanned but not regretted and the best career decision she has ever made. Emily is fun and motivating. Join one of her low pressure, anything goes classes, you won’t regret it.
Zumba is a Latin based, shake your booty aerobic workout, that everyone must try ! This is the most fun you will ever have getting in shape no matter what your level of dance is. Shake your way to better health, more energy and a smaller dress size.
Circuits is a higher intensity class that you can ease into. You will be introduced to weights, cardio, plyometrics and calisthenics. Don’t be intimidated! You’ll love the results
Hip Hop Fit is Emily’s creation of today’s hits with choreographed toning songs. Less dancing, more toning!
Abs on Fire is 30 minutes of high intensity core work.
- Certified ISSA Fitness Trainer
- Specialist in Fitness Nutrition (ISSA)
- Certified Zumba Instructor Basic 1 and 2
- Certified Insanity Instructor
- Certified AMPD Instructor
- Certified Zumba Strong Instructor
- Certified Boot Camp Instructor
- Rhythmic Fitness Instructor
- Metabolic Specialist
https://www.facebook.com/DragonflyDanceandWellness
Katy – FastFit Trainer, Lifting
Lifting; Fast Fit Trainer
Katy is a star Fast Fit students who has lost 100lbs and learned it a ton on her journey. She is always the first to grab heavier weights and can help you reach your goals.
Justin – Master Trainer
“I grew up in Vermont, and I’ve been in Wisconsin for the past two years. I’ve been in the Army for the last 20 years, and I’ve lived in 12 states and 3 countries. I’ve been designing and implementing needs based strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation programs for the past 12 years. I have two daughters. In my spare time I enjoy kayaking, hiking, biking, reading, learning, eating, and hunting.”
He will also sub in for Fast Fit as needed.
*Master Fitness Trainer- US Army
*Certified Personal Trainer-NASM&ISSA
*Certified Nutrition Coach – NASM &ISSA
*Strength and Conditioning Coach- ISSA
*Certified Power Lifting -ISSA*Exercise Recovery Specialist-ISSA
*Continuing education through NSCA as Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F)
Laura Kloss
Kettlebell Classes | Yoga
About Laura:
*200 hr YTT 2018
*26&2 teacher training 2023
*5 hour kettlebell flow workshop 2018
Meet Laura, a seasoned kettlebell and yoga instructor who’s been mastering the art of kettlebell workouts since 2010. With a passion for the outdoors and a penchant for soaking up the sun by the water, she brings a refreshing energy to every class. Her favorite kettlebell exercises, single-leg deadlifts, and get-ups, are guaranteed to challenge and transform your fitness journey. When not swinging kettlebells, you can find them on walks or hikes, cherishing moments with family and friends.
Neva – Fast Fit, ISSA Certified
Neva was one of the first FastFitters and is now teaching others how to be strong. She teaches Circuits as well as trains in addition to showing off her country moves with Angela.
Ashley – Pole Workshops
I am super stoked about being the new Pole Play Instructor at Dragonfly on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. This is going to be so much fun! Let me tell you a bit about myself!
My age is 34 and I have 3 human daughters, 2 fur sons, and 1 fur daughter. I have also been
with my husband; Trent Barnhardt for 8 years.
I am a chronic pain warrior! I was diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid Arthritis) when I was 17 years old. It’s a daily battle but I prevail and live to fight another day!
Professionally, I have been a Pet Stylist for the last 6 years. Although I loved my job, it wasn’t
my dream so I went back to school in 2019.
My professional title is “Women’s Sexuality Empowerment Coach.” I graduated from Sex Coach University May of 2020 with a Clinical Certiication in Human Sexology and Coaching. My calling in this world is to help women empower their lives and their souls through discovering their true sexuality and power (potential for more class ideas?).
I have also spent some of my professional life as a dancer. So, the pole and I are old buddies.
I am looking forward to empowering each other in fitness and dance and having fun with you!
Tara – Yoga, Polga, & Fast Fit Sub
About Tara
Bad Intentions Yoga founder Tara Graff has been a lover of health, fitness, and loud rock & roll since her time as a mediocre member of the Proctor Rails cross country running team. In the (many) years since, she has been a serious-ish runner, occasional triathlete, bottom-of-the-pack physique competitor, and embracer of many other physical challenges. A financial services marketing and business development executive by day, Tara has also moonlighted as an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and recently completed RYT200 (yoga teacher) training. A native of Duluth, Tara is mom to a precocious nine-year-old, Nate; a lover of reading, writing, and her parents’ favorite musicians (Fleetwood Mac, yes please); and never, ever turns down a spicy Bloody Mary.
Rage-Inspired Yoga
Get bendy with your bad self! Harp sounds, sun salutations and lots of downward dogs are certainly therapeutic, but sometimes, we might crave a different path toward inner peace. This form of yoga will incorporate lots of the strength-building and flexibility-challenging poses you’re used to, with a playlist you’ll know and love (singing along encouraged!), an energetic vibe, some unusual mantras, and mayyyyyybe even an adult beverage, if you’re so inclined. After a few sessions of Fast Fit, your body will thank you for the stretch. And after a tough week of whatever we all deal with by Thursday, your mind will love the raw, unfiltered release.
Ashley – Pole Workshops
I am super stoked about being the new Pole Play Instructor at Dragonfly on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. This is going to be so much fun! Let me tell you a bit about myself!
My age is 34 and I have 3 human daughters, 2 fur sons, and 1 fur daughter. I have also been with my husband; Trent Barnhardt for 8 years.
I am a chronic pain warrior! I was diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid Arthritis) when I was 17 years old. It’s a daily battle but I prevail and live to fight another day!
Professionally, I have been a Pet Stylist for the last 6 years. Although I loved my job, it wasn’t
my dream so I went back to school in 2019.
My professional title is “Women’s Sexuality Empowerment Coach.” I graduated from Sex Coach University May of 2020 with a Clinical Certiication in Human Sexology and Coaching. My calling in this world is to help women empower their lives and their souls through discovering their true sexuality and power (potential for more class ideas?).
I have also spent some of my professional life as a dancer. So, the pole and I are old buddies.
I am looking forward to empowering each other in fitness and dance and having fun with you!
Crista – Zumba
Greetings fellow dancers. My name is Crista. I have been a Zumba instructor since 2013. I got into Zumba after I saw an Infomercial on tv and I thought it looked so fun. I saved up enough money to purchase the kit and began the workouts at home to try and loose the weight. I gained a bunch of weight after having my daughter. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and was put on medication. Unfortunately the side effect was that I gained too much weight.
I really liked Zumba because it was fun to do. In 2013 my dad passed away. One of my co workers told me that she was attending a Zumba class after work and asked me to come along. I had no idea that there were classes and so I went. I felt so free and was able to let out all my frustrations and sadness through dance and I lost all that weight. My instructor mentioned that I should become a Zumba instructor and so the story is told. I went and took my training and became an instructor. I’m so glad that I did because it’s helped me through so much that had happened in my life.
My favorite thing about Zumba is that it’s a community of people who came together to express our love through the universal language of dance. It’s like a whole culture of its own.
I have a wonderful, beautiful daughter, three dogs, and two guinea pigs. I live in Eau Claire, WI. I am a certified Medical Assistant and my daytime job is that I work as a health aid for the school district.
I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to dance with you all here at dragonfly. I can’t wait to shake what our mamas gave us and smile with each and everyone of you. Let’s let our hair down and enjoy each other, let’s have a good time. Peace, love, Zumba.
Angela – Fast Fit
Angela too was one of the first Fast Fitters who joined at the same time as Neva. She has been training with Fast Fit for the last six years, but has been training in other capacities for the last 17 years, at different facilities. However she has stayed with Fast Fit because of the “Misfit Family” she has gained over the years. She is originally from West Virginia, and loves to bring out her inner Hillbilly 
Line Dancing with Neva. She will see you at the gym!
Jen – Zumba
I’ve been a licensed Zumba Instructor since June of 2016. I have loved Zumba for much longer but when encouraged to become a teacher and take the lead I hesitated; I’m was the kid that sat in the back of the class and hoped no-one called my name. Public speaking was terrifying as was leading a group. After 6 months of putting myself out there in front of a class, I was hooked on teaching. Now you can catch me leading the party at Dragonfly Sundays at 4 pm. I’m known for being “nice” but don’t worry, the other description is “sassy” and I promise you an energetic class full of FUN.
Stacey – FastFit Sub
“I have been a group fitness instructor for over 25 years and I love it! I have taught a variety of classes but my true passion has always been strength training involving weights and resistance.”
Stacey teaches strength and conditioning classes. She will also be a sub for our Fast Fit program!
Troy LaBair – Lifting
Lifting
Troy came to Fast Fit as a client and rediscovered his affinity for heavy lifting after loosing 25lbs. He has a goal-oriented approach, so come to his classes ready to make gains.
He also doesn’t care about music so make sure to pick your favorite, otherwise you may get stuck listening to a presidential biography.