Hi 👋🏼, I’m Rachel—founder of Vibella, and your biggest fan when it comes to joy, movement, and connection.

I created Vibella to help seniors feel more alive through music, dance, and shared stories—because every person deserves to be seen and celebrated. 🎉

My Story

Hi, I’m Rachel—the heart behind Vibella.

I am Bay Area native and I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a Filipino household filled with music, movement, and celebration, dance was always a part of me. I was a cheerleader, a performer, the one who lit up when the music came on. But like many people, I grew up, life got busy, and somewhere along the way, I stopped dancing for myself.

That all changed in 2009, when I rediscovered my love for dance through dance fitness. In 2011, I became a certified Zumba Instructor, fell back in love with movement, and started sharing that joy with others. After teaching high-energy classes for years, I found myself wanting to pursue dance fitness full-time—but the pace wasn’t sustainable. That’s when my amazing fiancé, Mike, suggested I try teaching chair dance fitness for seniors. At first, I wasn’t sure it would be the right fit. I worried it might not feel as engaging or fulfilling.

But from the moment the music started and I saw those beautiful faces light up, I knew: This was where I was meant to be. 🥹

Since then, I've dedicated myself to bringing joy, connection, and movement into senior living spaces. Vibella was born from the belief that every person—at every age—deserves to feel alive, seen, and celebrated. It’s more than just dance fitness. It’s laughter, storytelling, music, and moments that matter.

I created Vibella to be a bright spot in someone’s day. A place to groove, to remember, to be silly, to connect, and to simply feel good.

And I’m just getting started. 😉💖

My Mission & Heart Behind Vibella

❤️ My heart has always been with our seniors.

They remind me of the people I love most—my own family. I was raised to deeply value and care for our elders, and that sense of respect and love has never left me. To me, they’re not just residents—they’re cherished souls who deserve to feel honored, seen, and celebrated every single day.

What makes this work so fulfilling is knowing that, even if just for a moment, I helped brighten someone’s day. I helped them move, feel stronger, and smile a little bigger. And what truly lights me up is witnessing their confidence grow with each and every class.

I’ve had seniors who could barely move or were unsure if they could even participate. Some find it physically or mentally challenging at first—but they come back. And each time, they move a little more, smile a little brighter, and begin to believe in themselves again. Those moments are the magic.✨ That’s when I know this is more than just fitness—it’s healing. 🫶🏼

It breaks my heart to know that some seniors feel isolated, rarely visited by loved ones. That loneliness can be so heavy. But in our time together, we laugh, connect, and create joy. We move our bodies, lift our spirits, and share something real.

That’s what Vibella is all about. A space where every senior feels stronger, more alive, and deeply valued—one beautiful class at a time. 🥰

Some Fun Facts:

  • Favorite dance style: Disco 🪩🕺🏻
  • My go-to pump-up song: "Pretty Women" By Roy Orbison 👒💄
  • Fun fact: I always end class with a big smile and high fives (yes, even in chair form!) ✋🏽😁

Credentials & Experience

  • Certified NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
  • Over 12 years teaching group fitness
  • 4+ years working with Senior Living Communities
  • Background in Creative Direction and Marketing
  • BFA Interior Design & Minor in Business Marketing | San Jose State University

💌 Note From Me to You

If you’ve read this far, thank you. 🫶🏼


Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my journey. Vibella is more than a program—it’s a reflection of the love, culture, and joy I hope to bring into every community I serve.

If you're someone who believes in the power of movement, music, and connection, I would be honored to share that experience with you and your residents. Let's bring some joy to their day—together.

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Ready to see the magic in motion?

 

I'd love to bring the Vibella experience to your community.

Try a FREE 45-minute Move & Groove class and experience the difference joy and music can make.

 

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