SMITHFIELD YMCA
Fitness Staff
Anita Bevans-Yoga Teacher C-IAYT 1000
Title/Job & Company: Yoga Teacher C-IAYT 1000
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: the atmosphere of welcoming and connection
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 7 years
Favorite YMCA Experience: empowering people to make changes to find a sense of well-being
Other work experience: I worked for many years in a Corp setting managing the day to day running of manufacturing plant and now have shifted into teaching Yoga within Communities, Corporations and Universities.
Family: Currently I have a husband of many years, two sons and a dog belonging to our youngest temporarily residing at our house which I have nicknamed “Not my Dog” with love of course.
Education: I Hold advanced 500-hour certification in Yoga Therapy from Integrative Yoga Therapy and have additionally completed Yoga Therapy Certification (1000 hour) C-IAYT 1000. I am also a certified in iRest, Yoga Nidra, Yoga of the Heart for Cardiac and Cancer, and studied with Warriors at Ease and Positional Release Therapy and many others.Currently teaches Yoga and Mindfulness/Meditation in group and private settings. Gives workshops and co teaches others to be Yoga Teachers at the 200-hour level.
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me: I enjoy being creative, I design and make jewelry. I like to immerse myself in colors, shapes and texture to create something that brings a smile to your day when wearing it 😊
Terri Gordan-Yoga Instructor and Courtesy Desk
Title/Job & Company: Yoga Instructor and Courtesy Desk
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: Sense of Community. Brings people of many different backgrounds together.
I work at the Smithfield YMCA because: it is a Great place to work! Nice to work in a place that promotes health and well-being
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 4.5 years
Other work experience: Financial Aid Officer
Education: BS Providence College, certified yoga instructor, certified weight loss specialist
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me:I love to practice yoga on my Paddleboard on Atlantic ocean shorelines, lakes and ponds.
Nancy Crowell- Essentrics Instructor
Title/Job & Company: Essentrics Instructor, Smithfield YMCA
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: The members are absolutely wonderful!
I work at the Smithfield YMCA because: I love teaching Essentrics at the Smithfield Y. The members inspire me and I feel so welcome here.
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 4 years
Favorite YMCA exeperience/memory: Teaching outside under the pavilion when the breeze is slightly cool and the sky is a perfect blue.
Other work experience: 36 years as a PE teacher in Woonsocket and in North Smithfield schools
Family:My husband Harold, 5 adult children and 9 grandchildren
Education: I have a Master’s degree in Health Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and a certification in Adaptive Physical Education and a minor in Dance from Rhode Island College. I am a Level 3 Essentrics Instructor
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me: I love gardening and bicycling and taking care of my grandkids. I love a day to go site seeing and spend time exploring Rhode Island and Massachusetts shore line with my husband.
Torie Follett- Personal Trainer, Water Aerobics Instructor, Program Director
Title/Job & Company: Program Director- Smithfield YMCA
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: the way friendships and bonds have formed through a community driven approach that is brought on by our wonderful members. I have witnessed first-hand the way our members come together to support one another inside and outside of the physical YMCA building.
I work at the Smithfield YMCA because: my love for life and desire to bring joy to others lives wouldn’t be as exuberant if it weren’t for the Smithfield YMCA. I have found a true happiness in both my personal life and professional career working at the YMCA. I couldn’t think of a better way to give back then to do so within my own community.
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 9 years
Favorite YMCA Memory:The creation of our Fluid Fitness Calendar. It started with an idea that firefighters shouldn’t be the only ones creating cute calendars. We hired a photographer, had a photoshoot with approximately 30 members in our bathing suits, had a calendar preview party while watching Calendar Girls and sold over 200 Calendars. Donating any funds made back to the YMCA.
Other work experience: Owner/Operator of a self-storage facility, Executive Assistant for Vintage and Classic Car business. Computer analysist for Medical Software Company.
Family: I have a son named Travis and a daughter named Alyssa.
Education: ACE Certified Personal trainer, AquaFit Instructor, Associates degree in Software Engineering
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me: I used to play roller derby, after competing as a professional bodybuilder.
Pamela Collins- Essentrics Instructor
Title/Job & Company: Essentrics Instructor, Smithfield YMCA
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: I love the staff and members. Everyone is pleasant and enthusiastic, creating a great work environment.
I work at the Smithfield YMCA because: I enjoy teaching a stretch class.
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 4 years
Other work experience: Prior to retirement, worked as a reimbursement specialist, and patient Insurance liaison.
Family: Married to my husband Ken, two adult children Jennifer and KC, daughter in law Michelle, and two grandchildren Elijah and Miles, all live out of state.
Education: Certified Essentrics Instructor, and continuing on the comprehensive certification track.
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me: I was always interested in childhood development, especially in the Montessori educational method, and shared the joy of learning with my children and all the neighborhood kids. One of my hobbies was Toll Painting. The Greenville Nursery School had 26 wooden bunnies that needed something done with them. I was asked if I would paint them. I took on the project and created a teaching plan, that would assist the children in learning the alphabet, as well as, other learning skills,
Diane Pezza- Yoga Instructor
Title/Job & Company: Fitness Instructor, Smithfield YMCA
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA:What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA is that it is always evident that it adheres to the mission statement of putting Christian principles into practice that build healthy spirit mind and body for all. My children (now all in their mid -late thirties) always loved the YMCA. They would always ask “Can we go to the Y?”
I work at the Smithfield YMCA because: I have always worked in the healthcare industry and enjoy helping others attain and maintain good health. The atmosphere is never intimidating and always friendly.
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA on and off for over 30 years
Favorite YMCA Memory: Learning to swim laps and being able to swim 60 laps in 59:59!
Other work experience: Registered Licensed Dietitian (RD LDN) Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Retired from Rhode Island Hospital after 40 years working in health care industry.
Family: Married to Michael Pezza (1976) 3 children Anthony Michael and Gina
Education:BS degree Food and Nutrition University of Rhode Island
Jean Prior-Water Aerobics Instructor
Title/Job & Company: Water Aerobics Instructor- Smithfield YMCA
What I love most about the Smithfield YMCA: I Love getting fit, meeting new people, making new friends AND becoming a family.
I volunteer at the Smithfield YMCA because: I enjoy being an instructor. I can’t beleive I found my Niche!
I’ve been involved with the Smithfield YMCA for 10 years
Favorite YMCA Memory:I love when people come up to me and tell me they enjoyed my class and how much better they afterwards.
Other work experience: CVS
Family: My Husband Dave, Two Daughters and one son (All teachers) and five grandchildren.
Something that may surprise you about me/interesting fact about me: I never liked speaking in front of people and now I instructing an entire calss and love it!
Kim Ravenelle
Kim Ravenelle has been teaching fitness classes at the Smithfield Y for about 18 years. She started as a member at the Y taking group fitness classes when her children were young and enjoyed the classes so much that she decided to get certified and become an instructor. She has taught cardio kickboxing, pilates, interval training and body sculpt in the past and is currently teaching HIIT Tabata and Total Body Strength.
Health and Wellness has always been an integral part of Kim’s daily life. Recently she became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. This was always a dream of hers as she loves to share her passion for fitness with others. She designs personalized fitness programs to meet the needs of her individual clients. You’ll also find her training members on the Strive machines in our fitness center.
Kim is a firm believer that cross training is the best way to meet your fitness goals. She ensures a balance of cardio, strength and stretch in her workouts. Come and check out one of Kim’s classes or schedule a one-on-one training session with her. Regular exercise not only improves your physical health, it also improves your mind, mood and attitude. With motivation and discipline fitness can be your passion too!
Toni Jenkins
Toni began her journey as a group fitness instructor back in 1993 right here at the Smithfield YMCA. She has 27 years of experience teaching group fitness classes at the YMCA. Over the years she has taught and been certified in many different types of fitness classes including, aerobics, step aerobics, pilates, circuit training, boot camp, and cardio kickboxing. She has been certified in personal training and is also certified to train members on the Strive circuit and on the Queenax multi functional trainer. She served as the Health and Wellness Coordinator here at the Smithfield YMCA in orevious years. Toni is also certified as a Diabetes Prevention Program instructor and as a Chronic Disease Self Managment Program instructor and has taught both classes here at the YMCA over the past few years. She has a passion for sharing her fitness and nutritional knowledge with others and motivating others to live a healthy lifestyle.