Jenny has been working at the NAC since December 2013.
Perry started the Northampton Athletic Club in 1982 with his wife, Judy. He enjoys being able to work and live within the Northampton community. Perry is also the head coach of the Girls Basketball Team at Northampton High School. He has coached basketball for over 30 years and lead several Massachusetts State Championship teams. When he is not at the Club or coaching, Perry enjoys running, traveling with his family and volunteering as a board member of the Northampton High School Booster Club.
Judy grew up in Ontario, Canada and moved to Massachusetts when she married Perry Messer and started the Northampton Athletic Club together. She was an International Water Ski competitor for twenty years and became a two-time World Champion. She now enjoys challenging herself with running and cycling. She and Perry love traveling and spending time with their three wonderful children. Judy is also a board member of the Northampton Athletic Booster Club for Northampton High School and volunteers at many community events.
Jamie began working at NAC in 2006 as part of the childcare staff. In 2015 she became a certified Spin Instructor and enjoys teaching at the Club. Aside from teaching spin Jamie works full-time as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Jamie received her Bachelors in Biology from University of Massachusetts in Amherst and then went on to receive a degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
While Jamie is not working at NAC, she enjoys living a very active lifestyle including running and biking around the Valley.
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts ’12
A.S. Dental Hygiene, University of New Haven ’15
In 1990, while a student at UMass, Andrea began teaching aerobics. Four years later, in 1994, after completing Rosalie Peri’s Fitness Instructor Training program, she became an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and began teaching classes at Northampton Athletic Club.
About Me:
Throughout my life I have been an athlete, whether it was Little League Baseball or Running Cross Country and Track from 8th grade to as a college athlete at USM. Throughout my years of running, I have had several different coaches. Some have been the best I could ever ask for and some I feel never really knew me or worked with me. This experience, coupled with my utter fascination with the machine that is our bodies, led me to become an Exercise Science major at the University of Southern Maine. In college, I learned so much, not only about exercise and physiology, but also about myself.
As a track coach at Amherst College and personal trainer, I want to help people not only improve their fitness, but their overall wellbeing. I will do everything I can to not only help you reach your goals, but to prevent any future barriers to those goals, such as injuries. My plans will meet you where you are in your fitness and build you up to the best you can be.
When you train with me, you not only get my knowledge, but you also get my love of exercise. I live to help people feel the rush of pushing through a tough workout and feeling their confidence grow with it. I look forward to tough challenges and have come to love the pain of a good workout. I hope to spread that excitement to everyone I work with.
Other Interests:
Hiking, Rock Climbing/Bouldering, Outdoor Activities
Qualifications:
B.S. Exercise Science
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
NSPA Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
USTFCCCA Track and Field Technical Certification
Amherst College Jumps and Multis Coach
Heather is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer with over 20 years experience in the exercise industry. She graduated from UMASS Amherst in 1996 with a BFA in Dance, moved to NYC and attended the Alvin Ailey Summer Dance intensive. Heather then became more involved in teaching fitness classes and personal training in order to make a living. After a brief move out to Boston, teaching and training out there, she found her roots back here in the Pioneer Valley. She has been at NAC since 2000.
Heather’s passion is fitness and moving the body. She enjoys working with people, making them feel good about themselves and helping them to realize that exercise can be fun! Her goal for each of her classes is to put a smile on every participants face, and to have them leave wanting more.
Heather enjoys being outside. She loves cycling–especially hills! Highlights from this past year include: the Berkshire/Highlands Pentathalon, the Great Hyannis Half Marathon, and the Mount Washington Auto Road Hillclimb– where she won her age group! Heather believes in setting goals for herself to keep her motivated and to give her something to work toward.
When Heather is not teaching or training, she keeps busy with her 4 children, Luke, Ava, Cody and Joey. She bakes every Sunday night, enjoys her dark chocolate just about every day, and can often be found at the Woodstar or Bueno y Sano.
Johnna Paulsen has been a student and lover of dance since she was a child, studying ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African, Latin, and ballroom dancing. She has been dancing for almost 40 years, performed here in the Valley and in New York City with a local company, and choreographed for local theater productions.
She graduated from Smith College with a BA in Dance in 2005 and shortly thereafter, pursued her Personal Trainer Certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. She later became licensed to teach dance fitness through Zumba, and senior fitness through Zumba Gold and Silver Sneakers. As a dance instructor, Johnna taught dance locally in the school and studio settings before devoting her career to fitness in 2009.
Her passion for dance, movement, and fitness brought her to Northampton and Hampshire Athletic Clubs in 2012, offering personal training and teaching dance-inspired group fitness classes. Johnna draws upon her dance background and knowledge of kinesiology to bring a special focus to proper form and a well-rounded strength workout. “I get the joy of passing on my love of movement and the positive benefits of exercise to others. I love my job!”
Johnna currently offers one-on-one personal training, as well as small group personal training for two to four individuals with similar fitness goals. She works with all ages, but one of her special areas of experience is in working with older adults.
Education/Certifications:
Other Interests:
Contact Johnna:
Rosalie is an RN, Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor with 20 + years of experience. She is a Registered 200 hour Yoga teacher, Certified in Personal Training by NSCA, Certified in Pilates Matwork, P90X and PiYo. Rosalie has worked at NAC for 22 years and has helped develop our extensive group fitness programming.
Rosalie is also adjunct faculty at Smith College and teaches both credit and non-credit courses for Exercise and Sport Studies and Athletic Departments at Smith College.
Registered Nurse
Joannie’s career has primarily consisted of work with Critical Care nursing, including ICU, CCU, and Emergency Room.
She presently works in the Special Procedure Unit of Valley Medical, Amherst MA.
Personal Trainer
Joannie has been personal training at NAC since 1997 including developing personalized workout programs, cardio conditioning guidelines, dietary assistance and stretching/flexibility guidance.
“I love working with all age groups. My medical background blends well with training clients that have health related issues as well as post physical therapy patients. Helping people stay healthy is much easier than caring for them in a clinical setting when they become ill or begin to suffer health issues. Exercise can improve these issues if not alleviate them given the right devotion, accountability and motivation.”
Keegan has been around physical fitness his entire life (literally, his mother taught pre-natal exercise classes prior to, during, and after she carried him to term and continues to teach Senior fitness to this day) and comes from two very active and athletic families (his grandfather on his father’s side was a semi professional football and baseball player and his grandmother on his mother’s side is a multiple time Gold medalist in the sport of Badminton in the Senior Olympic Games) where physical activity and fitness were highly prioritized and encouraged.
When it came time to choose a career path, the science of fitness and helping others to experience the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle was the obvious choice. Keegan completed his Associates degree in Exercise Science in 2005 and also earned his Certification in Personal Training and Exercise Counseling at Holyoke Community College.
While at HCC Keegan also was introduced to Shihan (Master) Walt Lysak Jr. and Shihan Charlie Lysak, who would become his Martial Arts instructors and surrogate big brothers. Keegan had always been interested in practical Martial Arts, but had previously been unsatisfied with the other Martial Arts that he had been exposed to. Finally he had found a Martial Art firmly planted in reality. 10 years after beginning to train with Walt and Charlie Keegan earned his Black Belt in Lysak’s Sento Method/LSM. Since then he has also earned a Black Belt in Ninjutsu (under Grandmaster James “Sabum” Rosenbach), iCAT Martial Arts (under Grandmasters Walt Lysak Jr. and Richard Ryan), and Superfoot Systems Black Belt (under the great Bill “Superfoot” Wallace). Keegan now runs a LSM/iCAT branch school out of the Strides building behind NAC and continues to train regularly with Shihan Walt in LSM and iCAT. He has also recently become a Kore BJJ affiliate under Professor Luigi Mondelli of American Top Team Connecticut (BJJ coach to UFC lightheavyweight Glover Texiera).
Keegan continues to strive for excellence in not only his own training, but also his work as a trainer and coach to his students. He is constantly researching, experimenting with and implementing new and better training methods to attempt to stay on the cutting edge and maximize his and his clients’/students’ results.
Alena completed her RYT 500 training in 2017 and is currently enrolled in the 1000 hour teacher training program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She sees yoga as a practice with incredible depth and diversity. As a teacher, Alena’s aim is to empower her students with the techniques and practices of yoga that allow them to cultivate their own unique approaches to health and wellness.
Alena comes from a long line of athletes and teachers. Her great-grandmother coached gymnastics at the Olympic level and both her grandmother and father were competitive skiers in Czechoslovakia and Italy, respectively.
In 2013, after nearly 15 years in international education and travel, Alena settled on yoga as her professional path, completing her 200 hour teacher training at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in West Stockbridge. Alena has led public & private classes, workshops and retreats in Jordan, Mexico, Egypt and the United States.
Prior to the pandemic, Alena was a practice teach mentor and regular faculty assistant for 200 hour yoga teacher trainings at Kripalu.
Alena is happy to be back in western Mass, where she was raised, and to offer both public and private yoga instruction to NAC members.
For a full list of Alena’s experience, visit: https://www.
Areas of Expertise
Hatha, Vinyasa, Power, Yin and Restorative Yoga,
Posture Clinics,
Sequencing Postures for Flexibility & Strength
Trauma-informed instruction
Breathwork Clinics & Guided Practice
Meditation Clinics & Guided Practice
Yoga Nidra,
Relaxation Techniques,
Yoga Lifestyle Mentoring
Education/Certifications
Pending, 1000 hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
300 hour Sacred Activation Yoga Teacher Training
200 hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
MA, Uppsala University, Sweden
BA, Yale University, CT, USA
For a full list of Alena’s training and education, please visit: https://www.
Testimonials
Thanks Alena for yesterday’s great session! The breathwork was so relaxing, and I felt chilled for the rest of the evening. I’ll definitely use the breathing techniques you taught us. Thanks.
Paul Fean, Workshop Participant, 2018
I was fortunate enough to attend a drop in yoga class with Alena last month … and I won’t forget it. The class was well paced, helped me stretch tight muscles from surfing and work on some different areas of strength too … I left feeling fantastic. I’d go again in a heartbeat.
Luc Bibeau, Yoga Student, 2018
Highly Recommend Yoga with Alena …
Paraiso Yoga classes are the real deal … and {one of] their instructor[s], Alena- is exceptional. My daughter and I took her Vinyasa class and her Yoga Nidra class. We liked her style so much- her soothing voice- her specific instruction- her authentic understanding that each person’s abilities are different and she differentiates her instruction to suit each individual. We enjoyed her style so much we then did several private classes with her … I can still hear her say: Right now- there is nowhere you need to be… I will take that with me into this New Year.
Catherine Head, Yoga Student, 2017
For more testimonials, please visit: https://www.
Other Interests
Alena lives in Northampton with her son, Gabriel.
She enjoys travel, cooking (and eating!), music, dance, anything outdoors and in or on water and fun times with friends and family.
She is a student of womb yoga and kundalini tantra.
Alena is also a shamanic practitioner and has a private practice where she assists clients to dive deep into themselves for answers and change.
Contact Alena:
T: 413-588-4168
IG: alenabartoli
Contact Info.: 413-588-7294 ~ [email protected]
Education: Salve Regina University, B.A. in Psychology; Double Minor in Spanish and Dance
Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Interests/Hobbies: Positive Psychology, Mindset Training, Vernacular Jazz Dance and Cardio Dance, doing anything outdoors, taking my dog on adventures, kayaking the Deerfield River, finding and pushing past my physical limits.
Specializations: High Intensity Interval Training, Calisthenics, Hypertrophy/Body Sculpting, Senior Fitness (60+), Functional Fitness, Plyometrics, Core/Stability Training
Fitness Philosophy: Connecting the Mind and Body during training is vial for success. My goal as your trainer, is to help you achieve personal competency in your ability to improve your physical health. I don’t just want to motivate you, I want to callous your mind, build your discipline and mental toughness, so that y9ou can create and foster long-term success for yourself.
Beth is a native of Northampton. She graduated from Northampton High school in 1976 and UMASS Amherst in 1981. She works for her family business in Hatfield.
“I have been working at NAC since dinosaurs walked the earth. I have also been employed as a Mom since 2001. I have two daughters who assure me I’m due for a raise soon! I love to walk and hike and mow my lawn, but being a group fitness instructor at NAC is one of the most fun, gratifying jobs I know!”
Ivy first started her yoga journey in New York in 1993 while at SUNY Geneseo for her BA in theater and English. She discovered it was a great way to reduce anxiety and connect with others in a new way and sought out more classes, teachers, and books on yoga. After receiving her MA in Adolescent Education, she made a move to San Francisco in 2008. There she became certified in Hatha Yoga through Integral Yoga Institute and began teaching classes at the beautiful Victorian mansion in the Mission District. Soon after, she expanded her knowledge by becoming certified in Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga. In 2013, she spent a year living and working at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as part of their volunteer program. There she had the opportunity to work with some of the most knowledgeable and influential teachers in the fields of yoga, meditation and self-empowerment. Inspired by their example, she started Write Your Yoga, workshops for writers of all levels that incorporate yoga and meditation to improve creative flow and quiet the inner critic. She led workshops and retreats in the California Bay Area while also teaching regular Vinyasa and Hatha Flow classes at various studios. In 2018, she became certified in Kundalini Yoga as well. Ivy moved to Western Massachusetts in February with her partner and their two cats and teaches high school English and creative writing in Chicopee. She is thrilled to be part of the NAC community and to be able to share her joyful approach to this ancient, powerful practice with others.
Jennifer Polins is a bodyworker, movement educator, artistic director, choreographer and performance artist Her work is in the service of cultivating qualities of appreciative joy, compassion and well being. Jen is certified in Pilates, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis, Yoga, and Massage and studied Body Mind Centering for over 10 years. She danced professionally in America and Europe, starting with the Joffrey Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet and then the Zurich Operahouse Ballet companies before migrating to a professional career in contemporary performance art. Jen founded and directed Movement Resource, a Pilates, Gyrotonic and Body work studio in downtown Northampton for 7 years and then founded The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought ( SCDT) in 2013 after completing her MFA through Hollins/ADF.
Caroline Moore is a mind-body class instructor from Connecticut who recently graduated from UMass and is currently working on her 600 hour Classical Pilates Certification. She is passionate about creating meaningful movement experiences and helping people align their mind, body & spirit.
CONTACT INFO: 774.437.9310 – [email protected]
EDUCATION: UMass Amherst – B.A. in Psychology
CERTIFICATIONS: NASM Certified Personal Trainer
INTERESTS: Strength training, yoga, hiking, any water related activity,
mindset changing books, long walks, wildlife watching
SPECIALIZATIONS: Hypertrophy/body sculpting, core/stabilization training,
bodyweight training, training with special modifications
FITNESS PHILOSOPHY: “Everything gets easier when you stop expecting it to be easy”
-Tim Grover. Working out may never become easy, but each session
builds your strength, both physically and mentally. With every
challenge you face, you’re not just pushing through; you’re growing
stronger and more resilient. Embrace the struggle, knowing that it’s
through effort and determination that you unlock your true potential.
Jenny has been working at the NAC since December 2013.
A lifelong resident of Northampton, Josh has been working at the NAC since August of 2008.
Caleb is a long time gym member that started working in January of 2014.
