Meet Cardio Hip Hop Instructor: Malei

Malei is a Dance Fitness instructor here at The Movement Apothecary! Beginning October 17th, her Cardio Hip Hop class will be every Saturday at 12pm. It is currently every Thursday at 7:30pm until then. Learn more about Malei below!

Q&A:

Q: When did you first start teaching Dance Fitness?

A: I’ve been teaching WERQ dance fitness since January of 2023, and I’ve been teaching it at The Movement Apothecary here in Fort Collins since April of 2026. (Here we call it Cardio Hip Hop)

Q: What got you into Dance Fitness?

A: I took this class taught by a different instructor during my first week of my freshman year of undergrad. Coming from out of state with no established connections, it was amazing to find such a wonderful community of people and opportunity to express myself through dance as early as I did. Having this class every week gave me something to look forward to when college was feeling overwhelming. When my instructor announced she was moving cities, I knew I had to fill the gap she was leaving and provide the same community for future students.

Q: What can students expect in your classes at The Movement Apothecary?

A: Students can expect a high energy environment, fast paced moves, workouts disguised as dance routines, and some booty popping. Picture the video game “Just Dance” but live, in-person, and where everyone gets a Perfect with every move.

Q: What are your favorite ways to stay healthy?

A: I really enjoy group fitness as a whole during my day to day routine, but when I have spare time in the summer months I try and summit a few Colorado 14ers each year so that one day I will have summited all 58.

Q: What are your favorite hobbies or ways to spend your free time?

A: I’m a big reader, mostly fantasy and sci-fi but also a bit of romance thrown in there as well. I also enjoy drawing and painting, though I’m not particularly good at either. In the summer I try and hike as often as I can, but in the winter I’m more of a hermit.

Q: Coffee or tea drinker?

A: Coffee for sure (or Red Bull if that’s a secret third option)!

Q: Any extra fun facts you’d like to share with your students?

A: I am also an instructor at the CSU Recreation Center, and I love that I get to work with college students. However, there’s something much more freeing about working with non students that allows me to be my most authentic self. I hope others will come take my class so that they can feel this way as well!

Join Malei for Cardio Hip Hop every Thursday at 7:30 pm, until her new class time of Saturdays at 12pm starting October 17th at The Movement Apothecary in Fort Collins, Colorado. We hope to see you around the studio soon!

Blog by Hannah Rust and Malei Tipton