Introducing the Leisure for Life Team!

Michelle Kraeling graduated from the Malaspina - University College in 1988 with a diploma in Recreation Administration. She continued her education at the University of Oregon by successfully completing the requirements of Bachelor of Science majoring in Leisure Studies and Services in 1989 followed by Masters of Science majoring in Planning, Public Policy and Management in 1991.

Her cumulative experience in the field of recreation is over 15 years, and since 2001, focusing on the “Aging Population.” This experience includes working for one year at an assisted living facility located in downtown Edmonton, 4 years plus with Lions 55+ Villages Castledowns, Railtown & Riverside, and more recently Devonshire Village and Citadel Village, both Christenson Development Independent Seniors communities.

She has successfully completed her Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA) certification for Older Adult fitness, YMCA Certification in Strength & Resistance Training, CPR certified, current class 4 drivers’ license and an active member of Alberta Therapeutic Recreation (ATRA).

Michelle lives with her husband Brian, a retired RCMP member with 29 years service, in St. Albert since their move from Nanaimo, BC in 1999.

Juanita Marois completed a BA Recreation Administration at the University of Alberta in 1995 where she focussed on community recreation, leisure, and tourism. She continued her education by pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies which she finished in 1999. For this degree Juanita undertook a research project in northern Thailand where she studied interactions between various groups involved in tourism provision.

Juanita has several years experience working with older adults as a tour director. She worked with Princess Tours for five years directing tours in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Alaska. She also guided casino tours to Regina with Mr. Canada’s Touring Network.

Juanita also has experiences with program planning and instructing. She worked as a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta in the Recreation and Leisure Degree program. She taught classes in “Program Planning Marketing and Implementation,” “Volunteers and Voluntary Management,” as well as an “Introduction to Tourism.”

Along with her husband Jamie, Juanita operates a small cabin operation near Athabasca Alberta. Juanita and Jamie also enjoy their condo living in St. Albert. Most importantly, Juanita has a contagious love of life that she enjoys sharing with everyone.

Vanessa has joined our team to promote wellness to the residents of Devonshire Village. Vanessa instructs T'ai Chi every Friday at 11am specifically designed for the needs of the residents of Devonshire Residents.

Tai chi is a multi-faceted movement art that has many benefits:

Her background is extensive and includes Creative Movement/Modern, Ballet, Spanish, Ballroom, Tap, Drama, Alexander Technique, Singing/ Voice Studies and T'ai Chi. She has studied in major centres as: Montreal, Toronto, London England, Los Angeles, New York.

Recent teaching credits include: Grant MacEwan Community College, Concordia College, University of Alberta credit and non-credit courses, Citadel Theatre School, Artstrek, Dramaworks, Triangles and of course her own school "Jazz Moves".

Colleen's background includes working at the YMCA with the 50+ program, Sit and Be Fit and Active Age Cardio/Strength/Stretch programs here in the Edmonton area. She is AFLCA certified in Older Adult Specialty.

She is currently enrolled in the AFLCA Resistance Training Leader Program with AFLCA and the "Personal Training Independent Study Program" at NAIT.

Her future ambitions include Certified Fitness Consultant (CFC), Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) with completion for both in the summer 2007, Certifications in Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Personal Fitness Trainer (CSEPPFT) and finally AFLCA Every Active Adults Specialty Module.

Colleen is extremely ambitious and truly enjoys working with the Older Adult Population. "Such an appreciative group and every class is so rewarding. It is such fun I have a hard time calling it work", she acknowledges. Colleen lives in South Edmonton with her husband and is looking forward to starting a family in the near future. WELCOME COLLEEN!

Pamela Cushing is certified licensed therapist who is registered with the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta (MTAA). Pamela formed Integreat Therapeutic Massage over 20 years ago. She is trained in various modalities of therapeutic massage, shiatsu, acupressure, relaxation techniques, reflexology and cranial sacral therapy.

Pamela graduated from the University of Alberta with an Arts degree, specializing in gerontology. Pamela is an instructor at Grant MacEwan College in the Massage Therapy Program and contracts her services in the Edmonton area.

Kathryn is our newest addition to Leisure for Life; she is currently studying at the University of Alberta and will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. Kathryn has been working as an Activity Coordinator for senior’s lodges in Red Deer for the past three summers and hopes to gain some new experiences this winter working with Leisure for Life. Kathryn and her husband David were married this August.

Marcy has been a part of the Leisure for Life team since September 2004. Certified in Older Adult Fitness (AFLCA) and Strength and Resistance Training (YMCA), she enjoyed teaching exercise classes. In the Spring of 2005, Marcy and her husband travelled to Europe for two months, returning with news that Marcy was expecting.

Presently Marcy is updating the Leisure for Life website and event calendars while she cares for her daughter at home. She is extremely happy to still be part of the team.

Marcy also completed her degree in Business Management in December 2004 and has future plans to continue serving the older adult population.

Marcy and her husband live in Edmonton with their daughter, Wren