WERQ with Allie and Katie – Kick It Out Dance Studio

WERQ

Saturday

8:30 am to 9:30am

Allie Affandy

Allie Affandy is a certified WERQ Dance Fitness Instructor (2020) and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (2021). She has her master’s degree in occupational therapy and has worked in a variety of pediatric settings in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Lansing.

She was a high level gymnast for 19 years and was a Division 1 NCAA athlete at the University of Maryland. After having her daughter in 2019, Allie hit pause on her OT career to spend more time with her little one and to explore other passions, including dance fitness, yoga, and interior decorating. Allie currently teaches hot yoga at Salt Yoga and also provides private yoga sessions for individuals with special needs. She has a passion for helping people of all abilities and fitness levels find freedom with movement as therapy.

Outside of work, Allie enjoys spending time with her family, snugging with her handsome rescue pit bull (Gru), going to concerts, cooking, and traveling. She is excited to build a community of WERQaholics and yogis at Kick It Out!

JOIN US!

and

put in the WERQ!

Katie Jaskolski

I’ve lived in Lansing my whole life. I went to MSU and majored in elementary education and then received my Masters in Montessori curriculum from St. Catherine University in Minneapolis, MN. I taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at Wexford Montessori in Lansing for 14 years. I resigned a few years ago to stay home and raise my daughters.

I have three chronic illnesses. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, and Gastroparesis. I only share this because every day I’m able to move (and especially dance) is a blessing that I no longer take for granted. After being sick and in a wheelchair for over a year, I had to rehab my way back to being able to stand and walk again. Exercise and physical therapy are not a luxury for me; they are a necessity to keep me out of my wheelchair. Dance cardio is one of my favorite ways to do this, and every class I finish feels like an accomplishment. I love the outlet dance provides. I always have.

Growing up, I was a high level gymnast for 14 years. This is where my love for dance was born. Allie and I taught dance at gymnastics camps before we became WERQ certified. We grew up making up dances in our basement. When we found ourselves in a WERQ class in Illinois, we both looked at each other and knew we were hooked.

When I’m not WERQing, I’m chasing after my two daughters, Lucia (3) and Francesca (1). I’ve been married to my husband, Brad, for 15 years and I’m the president and co-founder of a nonprofit called Life as a Zebra Foundation which raises awareness and funds for research for invisible illnesses.

I feel honored to get to WERQ with you all!!!