Kara Lavoie -

Growing up in Lake Tahoe, I am an outdoorsy girl. I love skiing, snowboarding, white water rafting, camping, hiking - really...anything outdoors. I have been married to my husband for 12 years and we have 2 beautiful children. But that's not all that lives in my house. We are a family that loves pets...11 lizards, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a few fish. In my rare spare time, I love participating in Spartan events. If I were to choose two exercises that I absolutely love...cycling and holding planks!

Eli Cuevas Jr.

Born and raised in Sacramento. I have been working at Del Norte since 2017. I love being part of the community. I am currently a student at Sac State University studying Computer Science and will be graduating in 2024. In my spare time I enjoy lifting weights, playing sports and the occasional hike. I love anything that gets my body moving. I also really enjoy spending time with friends and family. 

Antonia Cueto -

I love spending time with my husband and two girls under 2yrs! Never a dull moment. Traveling, hiking, biking and walking outside are my favorite activities. I grew up in Sacramento, am an Oregon Duck and taught English in Spain for a couple years!

Nina Bonfield

Born and raised in Sacramento, I have been an active participant of Del Norte since 2000.  I am a lover of outdoor activities - especially running on trails with great friends.   When I am not at Del Norte, I am a personal trainer with private clients and also a Cancer Exercise Specialist with  a non-profit (Triumph Cancer Foundation) working with cancer survivors to help get their strength back. My husband and I have 2 awesome kids that live in Southern California.

Eden Morlet

Born in San Diego, I quickly left California to go chasing adventure in Alaska with my husband Nick. After living there for 10 years, and having 3 boys we decided to come home to California. We landed in Sacramento at Arcade Church which is where I learned about Del Norte Club. I have my dream job as a professional adventure guide. I get to live, work and play through my passion of adventure sports. Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking are a few of my favorites. I started doing yoga after struggling through a reoccurring injury. I love the way that yoga builds both strength and flexibility so I can keep doing what I was made to do.

Anthea Damore

When I am not teaching exercise classes, you can usually find me on the trail running with friends or sitting on my couch with a good book! I have raised my 3 kids in this area(spent many years at Del Norte!) and am now an empty nester. I love to travel with my amazing husband, be in the lovely outdoors, read great books, playing pickleball and I am known for my jigsaw puzzling. I also work as a Cancer Exercise Specialists and find it very rewarding to help cancer survivors get their body moving after treatment. I have been in the fitness industry over 35 years and have loved every minute of it!

Christine Latino

Born and raised in Sacramento, I have been a member of Del Norte since I was little and was a member of the swim team. I am a high school PE, Yoga teacher and Activities Director. I love all things outdoors-hiking, paddle boarding and camping. I have been practicing Yoga for about 20 years, I began with Bikram Hot Yoga and now love Hot, Power Vinyasa Yoga. I am a wife and mother to 2 beautiful children and I love to spend my summers off traveling and being with my family in nature. 

Nancy Sweeney -

Life is good! There is so much to see, learn and discover in this amazing world! I long to explore as much as I possibly can! I love traveling with my husband, family and friends. Spending time with my beautiful children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews is a precious gift. Camping in the mountains is heaven on earth to me. Yoga keeps me grounded, flexible, healthy and strong and Pickleball makes me laugh!

Maureen Craig -

I have lived and worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Sacramento for more than 20 years. Each day I work with patients who are facing a significant loss of their health. When my own health was threatened, I found healing in the pillars of lifestyle medicine, eating a whole-food plant-based dietary pattern, sleep, destressing, social connection, and exercise and now share this with patients and members at Del Norte! I finished my Doctorate in Nursing Practice this year with an emphasis in healthcare professional wellness and also started teaching Yoga for UC Davis Integrative Medicine. For joy I practice yoga, weight lifting, skiing, hiking, and cooking plant-based recipes. I always enjoy everything more with friends! Please connect anytime to ask me questions, share your journey to wellness, or a workout together!

Deanne Mikulin -

You’ll find me in my happy place when I'm on the water in my kayak. It is my absolute favorite activity and one that brings me the most peace. There is nothing like being surrounded by nature and just being able to BE! I love hiking, biking and gardening - - anything that allows me to be outside.

I’ve been married for 20 years and have two teenagers (oh my) that keep us pretty busy with their sports schedules. We have two Labrador retrievers (Remi & Daisy) that are full of energy and keep us on our toes and out on lots of walks.

I love being active but I love eating amazing food even more! I try and hit the farmers market every week as eating as local as possible is really important to me. (Ok…. You’ll find me at the local wineries on occasion too because that pretty much fruit, right!!)

Jamie Jungk -

I love fitness, exercise, moving my body and motivating others. All my life, I have been very active, always on the go since I can remember…my poor parents dealt with a crazier version of me as a child.

Nearing the end of college, I decided to become a teacher. As I began credential school, I met my husband, Jeff. We’ve been married for 18 years, we have 2 children and enough dogs to share, but I’m always asking for more :)

In my free time, I love shopping and vacationing in Tahoe and Monterey.

My favorite fun fact is that I can hold a handstand for 43 seconds and walk on my hands the length of the tennis court and back. Some days are better than others, but I’ll take it!

See you around!

Annie Klee -

I’ve lived in California most of my life. I’m the mother of two children, one is recently married and the other is a teenager! We all love traveling so, every chance we get we pack our bags and go! I also love hiking and the occasional triathlon. I recently took my love of running and started coaching a high school and middle school cross country team! I’ve worked at Del Norte Club for seven years and love being part of the community!

Gloriann Carlisle -

After growing up in Atlanta and graduating from the University of Georgia I moved to California to begin my career as a landscape architect. Carmichael is now my home where I have 14 fruit trees that I sometimes successfully defend from squirrels. I started teaching yoga at Del Norte 12 years ago while my kids, Allison and Blake, were on swim team. In addition to yoga I enjoy Pickleball, Tennis, and golf. South Florida is my winter escape where I can stay warm and go boating. Trumping all those hobbies, my favorite is vintage dancing – especially Lindy Hop and Balboa.

Darlene Ryan -

I am retired after working 44 years in the insurance industry in the claims department. Del Norte is now my fun job. I am a widow of 14 years and have a dog named Tesa who is a chihuahua and min-pin mix. She is 9 years old, still acts like a puppy and thinks she runs the house. I am a demonstrator with Stampin-Up with my biggest hobby being card making and other paper crafts. I love to cruise and try to do at least one cruise a year. I also play bocce ball as member of the Dante Club ladies auxiliary. Lastly, I love to go wine tasting and currently belong to two wineries in the Clarksburg area.

Holly Sowa -

My husband and I have two amazing boys, making me the only female in a house filled with lots of love, fun, and noise. We enjoy camping, kayaking, and hiking, and when we’re not being outdoorsy, we love to play games, listen to music, and choose a family movie. I’ve been called an animal whisperer because everywhere I go, I am seeking out all the animals and have to pet and talk to them. We have a beautiful German Shepherd, two cats, and a fish, but if I had it my way we’d have a farm filled with every animal. I love to practice photography and enjoy baking and cooking.

Tim Skillman -

I love playing baseball in the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL). I play 3rd base for the Sacramento Seals and we play in the MSBL World Series in October in Phoenix. If I am not at Del Norte trying to stay fit for baseball, I am probably out playing the game.

Laura Sax -

I grew up in Bend, Oregon, then moved to California for college and have lived here ever since! In my previous life I was a corporate attorney, but now I’m having much more fun wrangling our three teenagers and two dogs! I love playing tennis and pickleball, skiing, hiking, travelling, gardening, and reading.

Jennifer Molina -

Being active is a core part of who I am! I am a long distance runner (I’ve run the Boston Marathon and qualified for NYC!)! I grew up in Sacramento but am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to travel to 6 continents for my job and my love for adventures. I’ve trekked mountain gorillas in Rwanda, scuba dived in Australia, bungee jumped in New Zealand, and zip lined canopies in Costa Rica. Next up? Kilimanjaro! I have two college aged sons whom I adore and who have traveled most places with me! I’m a recent cancer survivor which makes me love life even more.

Dave Faz -

I love to spend my free time outdoors! Weather its a day hike, a farmers market or a day on the bike churning some miles.

I have two boys both very active in high school my oldest playing high level hockey. With a yellow lab and three legged cat at home it keeps me busy.

My other career finds me on the volleyball court if its indoor or sand. I love working with young athletes with the sport of volleyball

Alina Gushtyuk -

Hi, my name is Alina Gushtyuk. I’m 35 years old, married to my high school sweetheart, and together we’re raising four amazing kids—three adventurous boys and one pink-loving princess.  I was born in Ukraine and moved to the U.S. with my parents when I was ten. I became a citizen at eighteen and have done my best to pass on the native language to my kids—just enough so they can chat with their grandparents and understand when they’re being “lovingly” scolded.  I first got into fitness to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and natural birth, but it’s grown into something I genuinely enjoy and make time for. Body Pump is my favorite, but I love jumping into whatever class fits into our busy schedule. Fitness is my escape, my mood-lifter, and my excuse to wear leggings daily.  Baking is my favorite, especially when it comes to sourdough. I love working with dough—there’s just something so satisfying about it. My kids' favorites are my cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and chocolate chip cookies. Cakes, on the other hand, are still a work in progress. One of my goals is to finally bake myself a birthday cake that’s fluffy, fully frosted, and doesn’t resemble a brick.

Ramona Conklin

Outside of teaching yoga, Ramona enjoys spending time with her large family and two dogs, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and wine tasting.

Irene Bersola

As a Filipino- American, my identity has always revolved around the notion of being surrounded by family.  While my immediate family consists of my husband (whom I’ve been married to for 27 years), our two children (ages 21 and 25), and our 13-year-dog, my experience as a longtime yoga instructor, a swimmer, and a university professor has taught me that my “family” can also develop from other contexts. I’ve been blessed with forming close relationships with people from all walks of life and taking part in their journey to become the best versions of themselves. And I’m in constant awe when I reflect on how I’m living my dharma. 

Becka Stephensen

Becka Stephensen grew up in Idaho where she loved downhill skiing and ballroom dancing. She attended BYU in Provo, Utah, and earned her BS in Audiology Speech-Language Pathology. While at college she met her husband and moved to his hometown, Sacramento. She loves it here! Winter in California is amazing and she doesn't miss the snow at all! Becka loves playing the piano, volunteering at her four kids' endless school activities, eating almost any kind of food (except root beer floats, those are gross!), and sneaking away on dates with her husband. In her (imaginary) spare time, she loves reading books, drinking hot chocolate, and working on her family history. Ask her about genealogy sometime; she'd love to help you get started!

Erin Curtis

Growing up in El Dorado County gave me a passion for California’s amazing outdoors and wild places. After several years working to protect public lands and animals in Colorado, Idaho, Alaska and California, my husband and I are happy to have settled back down in Northern California with our two extremely active boys and a couple of silly rescue dogs. I love sharing my joy of movement to music, and encourage everyone to find a form of exercise they look forward to doing, in fact, one they can’t WAIT to do! Following an injury, I am excited to be teaching again at Del Norte and sharing what I’ve learned about staying active, vital and strong no matter your fitness level or age. Come find me Saturday mornings. You won’t regret it!

Ulla Kopanska

I was born in Poland - but have lived in many other countries…Egypt, Italy and Germany.  I’ve been working there as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and yoga teacher.  I met my husband in Berlin and my life has been changed ever since.  We moved to California about 6 years ago.  In 2021, my daughter Nico Luna was born.  Now, I am a mother and I am enjoying this new role of parenting.  Music, dance and going on walks are my medicine!  I usually get up in the early morning, before sunrise, to enjoy quiet time and start to move my body.  Coffee Lover!  Come see me on Monday’s at 8am for BodyBlast.

John Allen

My family and I love our community. For the past 27 years I have been fortunate enough to call Sacramento home. With my beautiful wife we built a family, friendships, and community ties. We have two great kids, a cat and a chicken. My teaching philosophy is based on the principles of gentle fitness: listening to your body, focus on form, and competing only against yourself. I enjoy Spin classes, Pickleball, and getting to know people. Let me know if you ever want to play a game. 

Mark Delacruz

Been a Fitness Instructor since 1994. First format was very popular in the 90’s—“Funk’n’Step” which was marketed as a Step class with funk dance moves(haha!). I evolved into regular step and as my fitness profession journey expanded, I added yoga, cycle, strength training, active aging, boot camp, hip-hop and aqua which is format I mostly teach.

I’m also an HR professional and have been in that field since the late 80’s. I’ve taken an HR “career break” and have expanded my fitness profession teaching at multiple clubs in the area.

I’m lifeguard certified as well as HR certified (which will come in handy if/when I return to the profession). In the meantime, enjoying teaching and being part of members fitness journey.

Outside of teaching, I also sing with the Sacramento Gay Mens Chorus, have sung the national anthem for the Sacramento Kings a few times (and do weddings and funerals too!)