Fitness with Sonia
Meet Your Instructor
Sonia Gottfried, Your SHiNE + Soul Guide
Welcome! I’m Sonia, and dance fitness is my happy place. I’ve been moving, grooving, and teaching for years — but I didn’t always know it was a “thing.” My journey to SHiNE is part inspiration, part discovery, part joy.
My Story
I’ve lived in the Ann Arbor / Saline area since 1999, and I’m so grateful for this community I get to move and grow with.
Dance and music have always been part of my life — in my 30s I discovered the world of structured dance fitness, and I haven’t looked back.
I carry a dual life: by day, I work as a Marketing Director for an enterprise software company (based in Chicago), which gives me the flexibility to balance my passion and my family.
I’m a wife, a mother of three active boys, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Those roles ground me, stretch me, and inspire me every day.
Before this, I spent over a decade working as a newspaper journalist. Telling stories, connecting with people, and listening — that foundation echoes into how I teach, lead, and relate.
Credentials & Recognition
Certified SHiNE Instructor — many years of training, continuing education, choreography classes, and community building
Shining Star Award, January 2024 — I was honored among a global network of over 1,000 SHiNE instructors to receive this recognition
Over 7 years devoted to SHiNE specifically, with experience building community across multiple class sites
What You’ll Find in My Classes
A welcoming, judgement-free zone — no matter your age, style, or dance experience, you’re welcome
Original choreography + purposeful intervals — I mix rhythm, cardio, and muscle engagement so each class feels dynamic
A positive, UPLIFTING atmosphere — this is more than a workout; it’s a space to breathe, laugh, connect, and feel alive
An instructor who cares — I aim for connection, encouragement, and growth, not perfection
Why I Do This
Because I believe in movement as medicine — for the body, the heart, the mind, the soul. Because fun creates longevity. Because I’ve felt how music, motion, and community can lift you higher than you think.
I can’t wait to move with you.
— Sonia
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This is an uplifting and supportive community.
Fitness with Sonia
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