Fitness Guru Kendra Hyson Helps Us Shape Up for Summer

Kendra is a first generation District of Columbian who has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, pompon, cheerleading, production, African (Ghanaian), Native American (Cherokee), Turkish style belly dance and is always learning new genres on a consistent basis to enhance her passion for dance and abilities to relay it to others. Kendra’s dance journey began at age 3 at training venues such as Marlow Heights Community Center, Linda Natoli’s School of Dance, Elizabeth Seton High School Dance Club (president), West Virginia University Mountain Jazz Dance Company, WVU Ballet Ensemble and WVU African Dance Troupe. She found challenging dance DVDs to continue her training during the downtime. 

Kendra crossed into the fitness world in 2003 as one of the first certified Zumba instructors in the world.  Lured by the Latin dance rhythms she never learned during her technical training, she instructed it for 7 years.  Kendra created Carrithyms! Extreme Dance Program in 2008. For two years she taught it as a specialty program deciding to abandon Zumba in August 2010. Carrithyms! is known for burning lots of calories and sculpting muscle but also it is known for the guarantee to gain at least one half of your 10,000 daily recommended steps per day as you learn Caribbean and world cultural dance at 75 – 90% of your maximum heart rate.  Carrithyms! is backed by the National Aerobics and Fitness Trainers Association (NAFTA) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).  Kendra has certified instructors with 15 to date.

Additionally, Kendra holds certifications from AFAA in Indoor Cycling, Primary Group Exercise, Yoga, Aqua Fitness and Personal Training.  Kendra’s personal fitness interests along with dance include running, outdoor cycling, heavy weightlifting, speed/agility and plyometric training.