Life is full of surprises. For most of her life, Ori was too intimidated to try group fitness classes. Now, she runs the show! Several years ago, an old boyfriend convinced her to try indoor cycling and soon she was hooked, thinking “oh wow, I could coach this!”
Ori was crushed when she didn’t get the first gig she auditioned for. Fast forward six years and now she’s coaching cycling, is certified in TRX and general group fitness, and has taught at five different studios around DC.
“I think everyone’s relationship with fitness and movement is so personal,” she says. “Knowing that I was intimidated for so long, I really wanted to try to make it a welcome, inclusive and safe space for ANY body, no matter their race, body type, ability, or fitness level. I know so many people who have dealt with health issues and injuries (myself included!) and movement is such a powerful way to celebrate what our bodies CAN do, despite those hurdles. I love being able to help people do that.”
At MINT, Ori’s classes are challenging, diverse, and accessible. She’s always mixing it up. It might be entirely bodyweight one week and entirely tabata the next. She balances standard movements with funky, compound ones and makes sure to hit all muscle groups while providing plenty of options. Find Ori on the schedule on Thursdays teaching virtual Power Playground at 6pm.
Ori continues to consistently learn and train to be the best possible fitness instructor she can be. When traveling, she takes classes in other cities. In DC, she enjoys working up a sweat in classes taught by fellow MINT coaches Braegan, Lindsay, Colleen, and Myke.
During the pandemic, she is missing leading rhythm rides, but has loved coaching Power Playground from her living room. Ori enjoys seeing people make the workouts their own, so don’t be afraid to grab a different weight or change up your form. “Being able to watch people discover the power of their own body is a pretty cool job,” she says.
Outside of fitness, Ori has a passion for volunteering, progressive politics, nail art, DC public pools, and lots and lots of Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee.
She is so excited to get back on the bike with the MINT cycling crew someday!