INSTRUCTORS

I'd like to welcome you to our new studio, and I'd love for you to come practice and fully enjoy your experience at azItala! I first practiced yoga in 2010, and it transformed my life. I started yoga on a whim — a coupon actually — by the urging of a good friend, and, before the coupon ran out, I was hooked. For me, yoga was a way to find peace in a busy work week, work through sports injuries I was gaining in my harder impact sports, and a way for me to control my weight with a work out that felt good in and out of my body. I WAS IN LOVE WITH THAT FEELING.... So in love that I decided to join that same friend in teacher training, and I became certified in 2012. Throughout my certification process, I began building the dream of a studio. I opened a home studio for friends and family and taught from there, spreading as much yoga passion as I could, with hopes to open a studio to the public. With so much support from family and friends, I have now realized that studio and I feel so blessed. Azitala teaches to all body types, to all levels and in styles appropriate to each. I myself love to teach anyone willing to try, simply for the love of that whole body feeling. I want everyone to feel welcome and to feel they can grow in our studio, physically and mentally. I would like each practitioner to truly feel YOGA — that union between mind and body. My hope for you, is that you too will FALL IN LOVE WITH THAT FEELING! Namaste E-RYT200, E-RYT 500, Module in Kundalini, Module in Yin/Restorative, Pranayama, Grief and Trauma yoga, Ayurveda nutrition Certificate and Reiki Master. 

 

My yoga practice began in 2012 while living in Fargo. At that time I was pretty stressed & very disconnected to myself, I was finally ready to embrace some healthier habits. I decided to check out a class & walked in feeling a bit anxious & worried however after I felt a shift in my energy. I felt empowered, strong, & connected to myself. I made a promise to myself that I would be consistent with this practice. My journey led to me take Azitala's 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2016 to share this beautiful practice with others. I began teaching at Azitala in Nov. 2016. In 2023 I furthered my education by taking Azitala's 300-hour teacher training. As a teacher my aim is to spark self-inquiry, equip you with knowledge & tools that can help you live a more easeful life & motivate you to consistently show up for yourself. One of my favorite quotes is by Thich Nhat Hanh: "It is possible to live 24 hours a day in a state of love. Every movement, every glance, every thought, and every word can be infused with love." I think it's important that we aim to move with more love & that we are gentle & kind with not only ourselves but one another.

 

I came to Azitala in March of 2017 to get some physical relief from some old injuries. I bought the week pass and went everyday but one. I was hooked! However, I wasn’t hooked because of the physical benefits I was experiencing; but rather, from the spiritual benefits. Yoga was providing me with daily tangible tools to find peace, calm and God for my body, mind and soul. For these reason, I began Azitala’s Teacher Training Program in the fall of 2017. After reading the introduction to “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S Iyengar, I knew I had made the right decision. “The name of the Lord is like the sun, dispelling all darkness. The moon is full when it faces the sun. The individual soul experiences fullness when it faces the Lord.” B.K.S Iyengar, expounding upon the 5th Niyama, Isvarapranidhana. This is why I am so grateful that I have found yoga and proud that I am a yoga instructor for Azitala Yoga. I hope to help others shine in the face of their Lord, whoever He may be to them. 

 

My history with yoga began over 15 years ago. I loved the post-yoga high, but it wasn’t until observing my friend teaching yoga in a homeless shelter on Skid Row that I began to understand the deeper connection that is possible. That experience inspired me to pursue teaching and I completed the RYT 200 program here at Azitala in 2018, then the 300 hr program in 2019. I have since trained in Thai Yoga Bodywork and Reiki. Nothing brings me greater joy than loving and serving others and yoga is one of my favorite outlets for doing just that. I believe yoga is for EVERYONE and we can find healing and connection in places we didn’t know existed; mind, body, spirit. In Patanjali’s words, “…with a peaceful mind you can go out into the world and serve well.” Come to the mat and seek your peace. Namaste.

Teaching yoga since 2012, I bring a blend of expertise, humor, and approachability to every class. Expect a casual yet challenging experience, sprinkled with lame jokes (you’ll hear them more than once), creative fun with props, and those hip-dip burners you secretly love to hate. Off the mat, I’m fueled by coffee, addicted to too much TV, and passionate about helping people feel better—physically and emotionally. Whether it’s guiding you through a mindful movement or lending an empathetic ear, my goal is to create a space where you can move, breathe and be present. I’m a 500-hour RYT and certified in Pilates mat work, so I bring a strong foundation of alignment and body awareness to my teaching. In addition to yoga, I offer Thai Yoga Bodywork sessions at Azitala Healing Center—a unique way to deepen relaxation and connection in your wellness journey. All early birds and fun people are welcome to join me Mondays at 5:30 AM to explore how movement and mindfulness can transform your day.

 

I started my yoga practice more than 10 years ago. The feeling after my first practice was comparable to that following a full body massage. It was relaxing and grounding, a feeling I wanted to maintain. Never being a big fan of a gym workout, I liked that it provided stretching, strength and a cardio workout in an enjoyable way. I feel yoga can benefit everyone, to whatever degree they practice. My interest to keep yoga in my life, led me to yoga teacher training here at Azitala in 2020. That journey was amazing, not only for the understanding of the full expression of the poses, but learning about the integration of mind and spirit in a yogi lifestyle. I look forward to sharing and practicing with each of you! 

 

I grew up the only girl an athletic family, I loved it, thrived on it and grew athletically, academically and professionally. In 2012 I took up yoga to offset a hard training regime of triathlon, focusing only on the physical piece and was easily distracted and truthfully, not present. I went to my first yoga class in 2013, I thought I wasn't going to make it through class. I realized I wasn't struggling physically, I was struggling to stay present, I was struggling to connect my breath to movement, to be in that moment. I continued pursuing yoga classes, locally, nationally and internationally, there was something in the community, the energy I could sense in the room, and yet the entire peace and oneness I felt right between the 4 corners of my mat. In 2021 I found Azitala and realized how aligned I was with the studio, the teachers and my fellow yogis. I felt called to take teacher training, no certainty of why, but certain it was a path I was meant to be on. I am so excited to lead and encourage others to explore a similar mind-body-spirit connection. "We are all more alike than we are different". These are words I try to live by, and the environment I hope to create in my classes. Can't wait to share the space with you!

 

With over a decade of my personal yoga practice, my journey took a transformative turn when I began to learn the history and traditions of yoga when I stepped into Azitala in 2022. Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen my understanding, I completed my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in 2024. For me, yoga is a practice of patience, forgiveness, and acceptance, embracing the version of yourself that steps onto the mat each day. It is a sacred ritual and journey, helping to dissolve blockages and achieve harmony by connecting the mind, body, and spirit through breath, movement, and meditation. My teaching intention is to guide others towards a deeper awareness, appreciation, and peace in their own journeys. I look forward to meeting you on the mat and inspiring you to enhance your connection between mind, body, and spirit.

 

I am beyond excited to be a part of the Azitala family! I completed the 200hr training in 2024 and will continue to learn under the 300hr training at the beginning of 2025! With this knowledge my hope is to create a space of grounding, mind body connection, and compassion for ourself and others. “We repeat what we don’t repair” became my mantra for years after discovering yoga in 2016. I was stuck in my comfort zone and completely detached from my surroundings. With the practice of yoga, realizations of self pushed my path into transformation and trusting the process in the ebb and flow of life. Yoga has deepened my trust in discovering my true nature and to seek authenticity in my thoughts, words, and actions. I can’t wait to continue to find and unfold all the ways yoga has changed my life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually!

 

In August 2023, I endured a sudden and stressful life shift that provoked a profound self-realization, sending me into a place of curiosity. Curious about how to gain a calm mind in the midst of chaos. I was given a 2-week unlimited trial at Azitala in Elk River and used it well, morning and night! I had finally found a sense of quiet. My mind and body stilled, it was remarkable. (Thank you, Momma, for the gift of experience.) A random weekend techniques class with Tanya sparked my interest in yoga teacher training. By June 2024, the books cracked open, and I began practicing under the guidance of Azitala’s 200-hour program. There, I learned that yoga goes much, much deeper. I found the ability to separate the physical body from the individual soul—it was life-changing! I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach alongside the mentors and fellow yogis who have shown me so much. So join me- let’s laugh, learn, and let go together. My classes will hold a safe space for all, welcoming new people and bright ideas. I can't wait to meet you! Chose walking with those guided by love 200HR RYT/Starting 300HR YTT January, 2025 @Azitala

 

My love for yoga began in 2002 when I was 19. I stumbled across a book that offered a month of guided yoga, and it completely changed my life. As an aimless teenager, yoga gave me a sense of grounding and control that I had never experienced before. Over the years, my practice was on and off, but it wasn't until 2015 that I took the leap and completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training. I was two years into my work as a massage therapist, and yoga felt like the perfect addition to my healing toolkit. It's allowed me to care for myself more deeply, but also to support my clients with tools they can use outside the massage room. Yoga brings me peace. It gently guides me back to myself whenever I feel ungrounded or lost. I've taught a handful of classes over the years, that came to a pause after the birth of my son and around the time of COVID. After a few years away, I'm ready to return. My heart has always been in sharing yoga in a way that reflects just how magical and transformative this practice truly is. I'm currently completing my 300-hour training with Tanya and am so excited to bring all I've learned into my teaching.

 

I discovered yoga at a health club in 2006, during a time when I was experiencing transitions and challenges in my life. I found that each hour I spent in a yoga practice served to calm and center me, and that the peace, renewal, and hope I experienced in my practice were qualities I could carry with me throughout my day. I practice (and teach) yoga as a three-part journey – body, mind, and spirit. As the body is strengthened and aligned physically, the mind becomes centered and the spirit is refreshed. I am especially pleased when students share with me the changes they notice in themselves -better breathing, greater strength, posture, more positive emotional outlook - and how they are taking their yoga practice with them off the mat. I’m excited to be joining the Azltala team and look forward to meeting many of you soon.

 

A few years ago I decided to take control of my health, both physical and mental ... we've all been there, I was uncomfortable in my own body and needed to feel healthy again, with that journey I found my way back to yoga (in a parking lot during the pandemic). Quickly finding that yoga was life altering and the benefits endless, I've been drawn to continue deepening my practice and expanding my knowledge of not only the physical practice of yoga but also the history, emotional and mental limbs of yoga. Yoga is accepting of everyone and all body types, my hope is that you leave class feeling refreshed, possibly a little challenged but mostly, accepted and confident with who you are.Certifications: 500hr RYT. Yin Yoga. Restorative. Restorative for Breast Cancer Survivors. Reiki I and II. Crystal Healing.

 

My yoga journey began after attending my first yoga class in the fall of 2016. The clarity, peace, and connection to my body after that first class was a feeling I will never forget! After moving all over the state of Minnesota, I finally found a yoga home at Azitala in 2018, where I have been taking classes and growing my practice ever since. As the years have gone by and my practice has deepened, the endless benefits of yoga have grown with me. I have navigated the adventures and challenges of motherhood and life changes over the years, but yoga has always been the grounding force that brings me back to feeling like "me" and has truly changed my life. As a child and young adult, I was very involved in martial arts as both a student and an instructor, and my passion for yoga bloomed similarly and I knew I eventually wanted to teach. After sharing yoga with my family and friends and seeing what an impact a yoga practice had on their lives as well, I attended the teacher training program at Azitala and graduated in March of 2023. I truly believe that yoga can be beneficial for anyone, in any body, and in all walks of life! I look forward to guiding students through their own yoga journeys and am honored to have the opportunity to do so.