instructor-bios

Chelsea Militano is a Holistic Wellness Coach specializing in yoga, breathwork, sound healing, ballet barre, and group fitness. With a background in performance and a lifelong love of movement, her classes blend somatic awareness with strength, grace, and nervous system regulation. Chelsea holds a BFA and has years of experience guiding others through intentional, embodied practices. Her approach is both grounding and empowering—supporting clients in feeling more connected, resilient, and aligned in body and mind.

Christina is an NFPT-certified Personal Trainer who teaches weight training, treadmill classes, and leads hikes at Cal-a-Vie. Growing up, she watched her mother compete on stage and dedicate herself to the gym while running her own personal training business for 15 years. Inspired by that example, Christina began her own fitness journey and now helps others achieve their health and wellness goals.

Cristen is a yoga and meditation teacher, fitness professional, and certified life coach with years of experience guiding others toward greater balance and self-awareness. She combines mindful movement, breathwork, and coaching to help clients connect deeply with themselves. Cristen meets each person where they are and helps them create sustainable, meaningful change. Her approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and empowerment. Cristen has trained extensively in somatic practices and mindfulness work, deepening her understanding of the body–mind connection. Cristen’s primary mentor and influence is Byron Katie, whose teachings continue to shape her approach to presence, inquiry, and transformation. Guided by energy awareness, emotional intelligence, and a heart-centered philosophy, Cristen supports others in cultivating clarity, resilience, and inner peace.

Crystal Fernando is a certified Group Fitness Instructor and a personal trainer through NASM. She teaches all different modalities from TRX, Pilates, Barre, Functional Fitness, Aqua, and her all-time favorite Dance! She is a licenses Zumba, LaBlast Fitness, Splash, Line Dancing and Pound Cardio Drumming Instructor. Crystal represented the USA 3 times in the World Championships of Ballroom Dancing in Germany, taking the bronze medal in Latin. Her passion for dance is infectious and she loves teaching it daily here at Cal-a-Vie. Crystal is passionate about getting others excited about health and wellness through all movement.

Jennifer is an NASM certified Personal Trainer. She has completed the Pickleball certification program through The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association and helps coach here at Cal-a-Vie. She has worked in cardiac rehab as an exercise specialist for 15 years and as a group fitness instructor for many years.

Jessica has been in the fitness industry for 30+ years. She started at the University of Utah studying Exercise Sports Science with an emphasis on Nutrition while teaching fitness at her local gym. She was a competitive gymnast through high school and danced with the NBA in college. She has used her training in dance and gymnastics to further her love for movement in group exercise classes and personal training. She is Stott Certified Pilates instructor, Group exercise ACE, TRX Certified, Madd Dog spin certified, 200-hour yoga certified, a clinical nutritionist (NHI), personal trainer certified through NASM, and is SRT (Subconscious Release Therapy) certified. Jessica is passionate about helping people change their mind, body, and soul to better their health. She is now the Fitness Director here at Cal-a-vie Health Spa.

Johnny has over 36 years of experience in personal training, group fitness, and program design. He is ACE Certified in Group Fitness and Personal Training, with extensive certifications in yoga, Pilates, TRX, Kettlebells, Dance and with a degree in sports medicine. His approach focuses on creating personalized, dynamic routines that combine strength, cardio, HIIT, and flexibility to meet each client’s goals. Passionate about motivating and inspiring others, Johnny aims to empower individuals to improve their health, confidence, and overall well-being through safe, engaging, and effective training.

Kathleen has been a Fitness Professional for over 40 years. She is a Certified personal trainer, Certified group fitness instructor, Keiser cycle instructor, Boot camp booty instructor, Certified Peak Pilates instructor, and the owner of 2evolve fitness. Kathleen has worked at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa for 9 years and loves inspiring our guests to move their body and stay motivated all throughout their life!

Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor Kathy, CYT 200, trained at Radha Madhav Dham Ashram in Austin, Texas. With over 20 years experience, Kathy teaches several yoga classes at Cal-a-Vie for all levels including Hatha, Gentle, Sculpt, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Core, Chair and many more. Her additional certifications and training include but are not limited to Yoga for Cancer Recovery, Crystal Bowl Sound Healing, Guided Meditation, Yoga for Trauma/PTSD, Pre-natal and Partner Yoga. With a passion to help and encourage others, she leads donation based yoga for the community and volunteer teaches for outreach programs, with a heartfelt intention that yoga can be accessible for everyone.

Kevin is a yoga and meditation instructor and fitness concierge here at Cal-a-Vie. As a lifelong athlete and former corporate worker, he discovered yoga and meditation as a response to nagging sports injuries, workplace stress, and chronic pain. Now he feels it is his life’s purpose to share these powerful practices and their rich mind-body benefits with others, so that we all may live healthy and fulfilled lives. He teaches a wide range of yoga classes and likes to focus on meditation classes around the mindfulness techniques developed and popularized by Jon Kabat-Zin. He is a certified 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher and has completed 10-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher Training through the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. He is currently pursuing more MBSR designations and 500-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher Training.

Kim has been working at Cal-a-Vie for almost 15 years and has been teaching Group Fitness for over 40. She encourages people to find a fitness activity they love so exercise will never become a chore, while including a variety of fitness modalities to minimize the risk of injury. From Boxing to Aqua, Kim does it all. She is passionate about sharing her love of Pilates and recently completed Apparatus training at Body Arts and Science International.

Kris Kluis is our Tennis pro and one of our Pickleball Coach’s here at Cal-a-Vie. Kris attended a four-year Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan and has been coaching Tennis here at Cal-a-vie since 1996. He has been married for 20 years and has a son at Fallbrook High School in San Diego. He now competes on the Senior Pro Singles Pickleball Tour and just recently won his first PPA Gold medal at the Mesa Cup in Mesa, Arizona.

Kristie Cottonaro has a passion for fitness and has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years, teaching a variety of cardiovascular and strength classes. Kristie has an M.S. in Exercise Physiology and an M.S. in Nutritional Sciences. She is certified to teach group exercise classes through AFAA and holds specialty certifications for Indoor Cycling from Schwinn, Keiser, Spinning, and Precision Cycling. Her specialties include spinning, rowing, TRX, BodyWorks, and Healthy Joints Matters. Kristie also leads private sessions and Power Plate sessions, emphasizing functional exercises and good form.

Kyle Matthews is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, RYT 500 Yoga Instructor, and Mat Pilates 1 Instructor with a B.S. in Kinesiology and extensive clinical experience
in corrective exercise and injury prevention. A former collegiate wrestler, California Greco-Roman State Champion, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, he brings real-world athletic insight to every class. His own injuries sparked a deep passion for helping others move well, recover fully, and build lasting strength. At Cal-a-Vie, Kyle teaches corrective exercise, soft-tissue mobility, strength, and boxing classes—infused with the energy and discipline of his martial arts background. His approach blends science-backed training with mindful movement for long-term resilience. Clients appreciate his calm focus, deep knowledge, and commitment to real results.

At the age of 5 years old, Michele discovered that moving her body to music made her feel good and it's been a part of her life ever since. Her love of dance is what led her to teach Group Exercise 40+ years ago. She auditioned for Jane Fonda's "The Workout" studio in Encino, CA. in the early 80's. She made it and moved to LA from the Bay Area. She loves bringing her love of movement and 'dance breaks' to many special events. As a well-rounded fitness professional for 40+ yrs. Michele's certifications and specialties are: ACE Personal Trainer, Group Exercise and Zumba instructor, Designs Dance formats, Choreographed for High School Musicals, Strength training and FUNctional Fitness instructor, CPR and First Aid certified, leads team building events, warm-ups for 5k/10k Fundraisers, virtual fitness coach, fitness model for KUSI Good Morning San Diego and Sacramento's FOX40 Fitness professional.

Nadia Mondragon was a former medical doctor in Mexico and a certified Healthy Lifestyle Coach. She is passionate about focused physical conditioning and mindful movement. She is currently working toward becoming a Master Trainer, continuing to expand her expertise in the fitness and wellness space. Over the years, she has earned certifications in Corrective Exercise, Weight Loss, and Nutrition—allowing her to combine her medical background with a deep passion for fitness. At Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, she serves as a concierge, personal trainer, and fitness instructor. She loves to lead energizing classes like TRX, Brazilian Booty, HIIT, Core Galore and meditation, helping guests to get stronger, feel more confident, and move with purpose.

Tammy is a dedicated wellness professional, certified in both 500-hour yoga and life coaching. Her journey into yoga began as a way to alleviate lower back pain, but it soon transformed into a profound understanding of its therapeutic benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Tammy believes that yoga is a powerful tool for empowerment, harnessing the transformative power of breathwork and movement. With her life coaching certification, she guides clients in gaining clarity about their personal values and priorities. Tammy’s holistic approach combines the physical and mental aspects of wellness, helping individuals enhance their lives and achieve their goals. Through her unique blend of yoga and coaching, she inspires others to embrace their true potential and live with intention.

Theresa has been practicing yoga over 20+ years and has been a certified yoga teacher for over 11+ years. Theresa was originally drawn to the physical part of the practice, but soon learned the benefits of the spiritual side of the practice. With a great sense of joy, humor and full commitment to teaching yoga, Theresa offers a practice that is safe, nurturing and inspirational — whether you are a true beginner or a seasoned practitioner. When Theresa is not teaching or practicing yoga, you can find her trail running, hiking, biking or on an outdoor adventure enjoying nature. Theresa is passionate about making the world a better place through yoga and kindness.

Victoria is a Certified Fitness Professional. She has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years. Victoria’s passion includes STOTT Pilates Reformer- helping you with strength training and mobility and posture; group Fitness Classes of all formats-helping you with your body awareness and making you love to work out again; 200-hour Yoga training- helping you restore and connect with your body; meditation classes- connecting with your inner self and improving your mental health, finding joy in your everyday life.

Zoey is a certified yoga instructor with over 200 hours of training in Vinyasa and Bikram yoga, as well as a certified sound healer and professional Watsu practitioner. She leads dynamic, thoughtfully sequenced Vinyasa flows that cultivate strength, self awareness, and resilience. Integrating sound healing and Watsu a gentle aquatic therapy that supports deep emotional and physical release. Zoey offers a holistic approach that nurtures body, mind, and spirit. Her classes empower students of all levels to deepen their practice, embrace personal growth, and reconnect with their inner selves both on and off the mat.