MEET OUR STAFF
KAREN DECKEROWNER |
Karen Decker is a native of Boulder, Colorado, a town where a culture of fitness has been the norm for decades. Health and Wellness was imbued as a natural part of her lifestyle from an early age, in large part propelled by growing up in small-town Boulder during the era of The President's Council on Physical Fitness, a concept embraced by the local school district. Physical fitness was as much a part of every child's elementary school curriculum as math and science. Just ask her class members who occasionally have to participate (tolerate) in the fitness routine she did thrice weekly as a child (really)!
While In Boulder, Karen loved running the foothills of the Rockies and enjoying one of the many 10k's offered for runners, including numerous BOLDERBoulder event finishes at Folsom Fieldhouse of her alma mater, the University of Colorado. She happened upon becoming an intramural soccer coach when there was a shortage, so she coached her two daughter's teams for several seasons as an intramural soccer coach. A high point was leading her beloved 'Field Mice' through tow undefeated seasons in competitive Boulder, Colorado. |
Fifty years later (after raising three kids who themselves excel in any number of sports, including triathalons, skiing, swimming, track x/c and soccer and have passed this legacy of a healthy body/healthy mind on to their own children), Karen left the cool mountains of Colorado for the warm shores of Virginia Beach, then to the shores of Lake Travis in Lakeway where she studied the discipline of Krav Maga, until eventually making her way home to the paradise island of Port Aransas. In short, Karen firmly believes a LIFETIME OF FITNESS IS A VITAL LIFE-STYLE CHOICE TO BE SHARED AND PASSED ON AS A LEGACY TO OTHERS.
A former HIIT fitness instructor and intramural track coach (USAA certified) for the City of Port Aransas, Hurricane Harvey as we all learned, changed everything, including budget funding for the planned recreation center and funding for fitness instructors. But thanks to the benevolence of two long term Port Aransas residents, the Jon & Joyce Christensen Center for Health & Wellness, which houses Karen Decker Fitness, was built in the winter of 2017 giving Port Aransas residents and visitors a spacious environment to meet a variety of their fitness goals through the utilization of Fitness & Yoga classes, Weight Lifting & Cardio Equipment rooms (complete with a private Rehabilitation area) and an upstairs floor replete with Martial Arts Mats, Boxing Studio, Spin Cycling, Plyo Box and UV Bed.
If you are a certified instructor with a HEART for others and believe you have something to offer our community, Karen is always open to listening to your suggestions. All instructors at Karen Decker Fitness must maintain current certifications in their disciplines ensuring that clients receive safe, careful instruction tailored to their specific needs. Karen's current certification include: Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning, Indoor Cycling & Self-Defense.
A former HIIT fitness instructor and intramural track coach (USAA certified) for the City of Port Aransas, Hurricane Harvey as we all learned, changed everything, including budget funding for the planned recreation center and funding for fitness instructors. But thanks to the benevolence of two long term Port Aransas residents, the Jon & Joyce Christensen Center for Health & Wellness, which houses Karen Decker Fitness, was built in the winter of 2017 giving Port Aransas residents and visitors a spacious environment to meet a variety of their fitness goals through the utilization of Fitness & Yoga classes, Weight Lifting & Cardio Equipment rooms (complete with a private Rehabilitation area) and an upstairs floor replete with Martial Arts Mats, Boxing Studio, Spin Cycling, Plyo Box and UV Bed.
If you are a certified instructor with a HEART for others and believe you have something to offer our community, Karen is always open to listening to your suggestions. All instructors at Karen Decker Fitness must maintain current certifications in their disciplines ensuring that clients receive safe, careful instruction tailored to their specific needs. Karen's current certification include: Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning, Indoor Cycling & Self-Defense.
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STEPHANIE EWINGyoga instructorStephanie is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and a lifelong health and wellness enthusiast. Trained in traditional, Himalayan yoga practices, including meditation, body postures, mental focus and concentration, chanting, etc. She honors the history and teachings of Himalayan masters - passed on for thousands of years. Stephanie is also an avid runner, logging thousands of miles over the years.
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karen mayabbspin coachKaren is a Group Fitness Instructor who specializes in Cycle, Floor Pilates and strength training. She has been in the health and wellness industry for over 21 years She has been teaching at serval location around San Antonio ( Randolph AFB, Spectrum club, Golds’s gym and Lifetime Fitness. Her certification is with AFAA Athletic and Fitness Association of America, Johnny G Spinning and Lifetime Fitness Academy. She brings a lot of her expertise from her job as a Certified Rolfer of Structural Integration, Cranial Sacral Therapist (CST) and Visceral Manipulation Therapist, She combined these technique as a holistic approach to body worker to to bring overall
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wellness in body. Rolfing is a technique that involves the manipulation of the fascia and soft tissue to create better alignment and balance in the body. Injuries, bad posture and mechanics or pain can cause the body to move dysfunctionally. CST and VM is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance.
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TRACY JAMESONboxing coachI have been coming to Port Aransas since the early 60’s to visit family that lived on the island. I knew that one day I would move to Port A and open a small Restaurant near the ocean. After hurricane Harvey hit I knew I should make that move to help my family so I move to Port A two days after the hurricane and 3 months later opened Coach’s Island Grill.
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Highly recruited out of High School from Division 1 Colleges for Baseball but passion was Football and chose a division 2 college in order to be a two sport athlete. Graduated from Panhandle State University.
Entered the Golden Glove tournament in El Paso in 1979. Fell in love with the sport and had 6 fights and record was 5-1. Lost in the final of the Golden Glove Tournament.
Started a youth program in El Paso that included Football, Baseball and Cheerleading. Program ran for 28 years. Had 19 city championships in football and 3 national championships and 28 city championships in Cheerleading. Saw many kids grow and play division 1 and 2 college ball.
Entered the Golden Glove tournament in El Paso in 1979. Fell in love with the sport and had 6 fights and record was 5-1. Lost in the final of the Golden Glove Tournament.
Started a youth program in El Paso that included Football, Baseball and Cheerleading. Program ran for 28 years. Had 19 city championships in football and 3 national championships and 28 city championships in Cheerleading. Saw many kids grow and play division 1 and 2 college ball.
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kyndera keithleyYOGA INSTRUCTORKyndera Keithley is a born and raised Houstonian gone Port A local. She has always had a passion for health and fitness, and began her journey in personal training in 2010. This path evolved into bodybuilding where she began competing for the NPC and INBF. After her own struggle with pain from years of heavy lifting, she turned to the recovery side of the wellness industry. She pursued her 200 hour yoga certification through Lifetime Fitness and later earned her PNF stretch therapy certification through The Stretch Factor now Ryan Terry Inc. After experiencing the incredible benefits of stretch therapy, she sought to
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expand her healing modalities. She has now undergone training for reiki energy work, myofascial stretch therapy as well as ELDOA level one, created by world renowned French osteopath Guy Voyer. She is a firm believer that every person is capable of healing their own mind and body with the proper awareness and guidance. She continues to devote herself to helping others improve their quality of movement and life.
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amy poolePERSONAL TRAINERAmy is a Certified Personal Trainer. After spending much of her career in an office chair, she became passionate about health and fitness. Amy enjoys the fitness classes at Karen Decker Fitness and has agreed to be a substitute when Karen needs a well-earned day off. It is her goal to keep the smiles and the training going. Amy is also passionate about running or walking the beach, especially as the sun is coming up. If you see her, make sure you say hello!
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ray chambersMARTIAL ARTS / YOGA INSTRUCTORBorn and raised in Ireland, then drifted across the Atlantic to find a second home in Texas. Ray is a martial arts expert, an ultra runner, rock climber, and a yogi. He is a trained first responder and volunteers with the Irish Mountain Rescue service and the Red Cross. Ray spent 33 years learning and teaching both the Chinese and Filipino Martial Arts. He travelled for many years in China and the Philiphines to train under Master`s and Grandmaster`s of the Arts in extremely remote areas, high up in the Asian Mountains. He then returned to Ireland to promote the Filipino Martial Arts in his home country and competed in Central Europe with a strong team of
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7. The team consisted of 5 men and 2 women and they brought home 2 Gold and 3 Silver Medals. Qualifications: Trained and graded under the Chinese Wushu Association, final grade 6th Duan Wu (6th Degree Black Belt). Trained and graded under the Filipino Martial Arts Olympic Committee, final grade 3rd Tip Black (3rd Degree Black Belt). Yoga Teacher, 200hr Yoga Teacher Training completed, trained in the traditional Himalayan traditions. Sport and Nuromuscular Theraphy Degree, Personal Trainer and a Strength and Condition coach. Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) award and Mountaineering award. Coaching/Teaching Services Offered by appointment: Tai Chi, Chi Gung and the Filipino Martial Arts Yoga Strength and Conditioning Long Distance Running (race prep, nutrition, etc.)
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BETH CLIFFORDYOGA INSTRUCTOR
A lifelong fitness and health enthusiast, Beth has been practicing hatha yoga regularly since 2010. Because of the incredible benefits she has received over the years throug, she enjoys sharing this discipline. Beth earned a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate. She is currently completing a one year course to become certified in chair yoga .
Beth has been teaching yoga regularly for three plus years. Sharing yoga with others is very rewarding to Beth because she enjoys watching the progress of students as they strengthen their body and balance, increase flexibility, improve circulation, reduce stress, and alleviate pain. At Karen Decker Fitness, Beth is offering chair yoga classes, excellent for older adults, beginners, and anyone wanting a gentler practice and also Vinyasa Flow, multi-level classes (beginner to intermediate levels with a few advanced |
postures). The Vinyasa practice focuses on flowing rhythmic movement that is connected to the breath. Sun salutations, breath work, and basic poses that move from simple-to-complex will help cultivate a mind body connection.
A lifelong fitness and health enthusiast, Beth has been practicing hatha yoga regularly since 2010. Because of the incredible benefits she has received over the years throug, she enjoys sharing this discipline. Beth earned a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate. She is currently completing a one year course to become certified in chair yoga .
Beth has been teaching yoga regularly for three plus years. Sharing yoga with others is very rewarding to Beth because she enjoys watching the progress.
A lifelong fitness and health enthusiast, Beth has been practicing hatha yoga regularly since 2010. Because of the incredible benefits she has received over the years throug, she enjoys sharing this discipline. Beth earned a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate. She is currently completing a one year course to become certified in chair yoga .
Beth has been teaching yoga regularly for three plus years. Sharing yoga with others is very rewarding to Beth because she enjoys watching the progress.