Instructor Spotlights

Christine Balinski– Yoga Instructor

Your yoga and fitness classes have been a Monterey staple for many years! How and when did you start instructing at the Centre?

I had been an instructor in Ontario for many years. After moving back to Victoria in 1989, a friend asked me to substitute a yoga class with Recreation Oak Bay for a few weeks, which I was happy to do. After that I was asked to teach at Monterey and the rest is history!

Wow, that is an impressive amount of time! What is it about this community that keeps you coming back year after year and do you partake in any of the classes at Monterey Recreation Centre?

The people keep me coming back! Both the staff, whom have always been supportive, and the participants. Even though I’ve instructed at other facilities in Victoria, Monterey has always been extra special. It’s a friendly and cheerful place and a pleasure to be a part of. I love the Dance Express class. It is such good fun. Great for my brain and my mental health. Many friendships are made at Monterey!

Neil McKinlay – Meditation Instructor

Can you give us a little background on how you began instructing meditation classes?

I had been meditating - studying and doing both daily practice and retreats - for almost twenty years when, in the mid-2000s, my work situation changed dramatically. It was my wife who one evening said, “You’re trained to meditate, so why don’t you teach?” I reached out to Monterey Centre later that week and have been here ever since.

I think we can all agree that the last couple of years have been challenging. How do you think Meditation can help people through these times?

Meditation has a lot to offer in these challenging times. On the one hand, the practice allows us to connect with a sense of stillness and insight that is built into us as human beings. On the other hand, meditation slowly develops our capacity to be present with uncertainty. While none of this removes the difficulties many of us are facing, it does resource us in some very helpful ways.

Alexis Moores – Group Fitness and Dance Express Instructor

Alexis, I think everyone at Monterey can say that we love your playlists, what do you do to keep them fresh and exciting?

Forget your exercising and enjoy the music!! Each week I go through my playlists and edit them. I take out songs I have used for a while and put in songs that I think participants will know and remember from their past and that will trigger great memories. I like to try and put in some newer songs that I like so when participants are with their families and a song comes on, they will know it and their younger family members will think they are hip!! I like hearing participants sing along or tell me I played their favourite song. I take requests!

You’ve been instructing at Monterey for many years, what is it about this community that drives you to continue to deliver your exceptional programming?

Grateful and appreciative participants and Monterey staff. The community that Monterey builds is what drives me. I love walking into the room and seeing everyone talking to each other or having coffee together after class. I think that community and connection is so important. When I walk into Monterey I get a great feeling. I know there are going to be familiar faces and somebody who wants to know how I am. Also... getting paid to exercise is great motivation!!

Bryony Wynne-Jones – Art Instructor

Out of curiosity, what are some of the trademarks of a class taught by Bryony?

I believe that my classes need to be light and fun as it’s important to be able to laugh at a mistake! All my classes have a focus on nature which I truly believe allows us to appreciate it. There is a lot of choice, if something speaks to you, I implore you to work with it! Lastly, my classes have an inclusive and respectful manner and I value that those in the class want to be there dearly.

If you had to pick one or two artists who inspire you, who would they be and why?

Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, I love, love, love his drawing, contour and line work! Anne Ophelia Dowden: She is a botanical painter. I first saw her work when I was in my early 30s and was blown away by how gorgeous it was. Very beautiful and silky. She has inspired me to this day!