Our Teachers

Bloomington Yoga Collective is a team of teachers with decades worth of experience who pride themselves on offering thoughtful, safe, and authentic classes. BYC teachers work diligently to create accessible and approachable classes that offer the opportunity for you to address what you most need on any given day. Our teachers live within the community and are invested in enriching Bloomington. Read more about our instructors by visiting their individual bios.

 

Bodie (she/her)

I've been a mental health therapist since 2009, specializing in treating complex trauma. Around the same time in 2009 I started doing yoga as a student and haven't stopped since. I became a yoga teacher in 2015 and am currently a RYT 500. I completed my 200 hour training at Evansville Power Yoga that year and then in 2021, I completed the 300 hour Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga training at the Justice Resource Institute. I am a Level I/II Reiki practitioner and recently completed my Reiki Master training and a separate restorative yoga training.

I am deeply passionate about healing. Healing myself, helping others to heal, healing the mind, healing the body...all types of healing! It's my life's work.

Colleen S (she/they)

Yoga has been an integral tool in my healing for twenty years and I’m delighted to share it with others. I’m interested in facilitating self-knowledge opportunities with students and I take a practical and curious approach, welcoming questions and prioritizing direct experience.

Cinnamon P (she/her)

In Yoga I found a seat at the table. A place where we all have a voice and where one can become aware of everything (including the forgotten breath) in consciousness; and then have the power to choose - acceptance or change?

In my mind, the practice is greatly benefited by teaching with intention. The intention decides which breath work, what postures, what kind of play list will be offered… and it all comes together as a vibration, message or pattern. The practice will vary greatly from time to time, because our intentions shift. For this I pull from the tools and trainings that I have had. After finishing my 200-hour Teacher Training, I began my 300-hour Teacher Training; restorative, core activation, guided meditation, flow, Hatha, and Gathashta (joint mobilization).

Through the years I have been inspired to bring down the intensity… so now my offerings are an invitation to go inward and have an adventure, find something new, and celebrate offerings of healing inside you.

Elisabeth A

I've been a yoga teacher for more than 20 years, bringing experience as a personal trainer and a Masters in Public Health focused on sustaining motivation for wellness habits. My priority as a teacher is to help students feel joy and ease in their bodies. My classes bring a balance of yang and yin, first building heat and strength through vinyasa and standing poses, then relaxing into deeper stretches and a luxurious savasana. I love to welcome first timers, and to offer consistent focus on postural fundamentals so that students can see their progress over time. I also teach journaling classes that further facilitate a focus on self-knowledge and self-love

Emily B (she/her)

My dad was a self-taught philosopher of Spirituality practices and introduced me to yoga when I was a kid. He taught me Sun A as a “good way to start the day” and deep breathing exercises to calm my anxiety before math tests. It wasn’t until 2010, after several years of playing Roller Derby had wreaked havoc on my body and during a very chaotic time in my life, that I really began to practice yoga. I will forever call Vibe Yoga my home and completed my 100 hour Hot Fusion training in 2012 and my 200 hour RYT Training in 2014 under Laura Patterson and Erin Thomas. I love a good challenging Vinyasa practice but my heart is in teaching the slower and more reflective practices of Yin and Restorative yoga. I’ve been a Social Worker for over twenty years working in the area of HIV prevention and working with folx living with HIV who have substance use concerns. Through my work I have become a staunch Harm Reductionist and believe all movements towards positive change, no matter how small, deserve to be recognized and honored. Yoga continues to be the best practice of harm reduction I have found for myself. When my human tendencies towards unhealthy habits, thoughts and negative behavior patterns start to get the best of me I know that even a few minutes on my mat, in meditation or studying yoga philosophy will help center me. I have additional training in Trauma Informed yoga and a hope to create an environment where yoga is accessible, inclusive and equitable. My home includes my wife (Piper) my dog (Smokey Toaster) and two cats (Poe and Butterscotch). In my free time I enjoy biking the trails of Bloomington, learning astrology, collecting crystals, spending time with my wife and friends and watching mindless sci-fi and fantasy T.V.

Erin T (she/her)

During my journey of teaching yoga over the past decade, I've had the honor of teaching weekly classes in the Bloomington community, have led teacher trainings and continuing education workshops for yoga teachers, and offered intentional workshops to help students go beyond the asanas.

My intention as a teacher is to encourage students to approach this practice with dedication, compassion, and a sense of humor. I sincerely believe that every body is a yoga body and strive to create an environment where students can show up exactly as they are. It is an immense honor to be a part of the BYC community and to once again share this practice with the Bloomington community.

Eryn B (she/her)

My intention as a yoga teacher is to provide students with an open and approachable practice. I hope to challenge them in a way that feels relevant to their daily lives and has the potential to broaden their perspective or flip their viewpoint. With a background in movement and kinesiology, I teach from a kinesthetic perspective and promote proper alignment to facilitate easier flow of energy and breath. Through pranayama and physical asana, I intend to give students the opportunity to explore the power of their foundation and the ability to expand beyond their perceived limitations. I found yoga in my days as a dancer and began practicing as a way to explore movement in a way that wasn’t performative. It was an opportunity for me to turn my perspective inward and become the observer of my own being. I prescribe to the belief that the way we do anything is the way we do everything. Time spent in practice allows me the inward vision to see how I may be choosing to show up in moments small and large.

Harmony J (she/her)

I started practicing yoga in 2001 as a reward to myself for finishing my undergraduate degree (a classic example of “let me finish this project, and then I’ll take better care of myself”); luckily, it stuck. My personal practice has ebbed and flowed through ashtanga, vinyasa, yin, kundalini, and restorative, and while my certification is in vinyasa yoga (Vibe, 2011), my classes incorporate elements of these, and other, styles. I strive to create an open, accessible space where practitioners are empowered to find what they need, whether it’s a place to challenge themselves, one where they can relax and recharge, one where they can find their breath, or some blend of the above.

Jen G (she/her)

Jen specializes in hatha, restorative, yin, and trauma sensitive yoga, as well as mindful meditation. She completed her yoga teacher certification at an ashram where she had the privilege to work and teach. Jen is particularly drawn to the yin/yang aspects of yoga: knowing when to push yourself and, equally important, knowing when to rest. She incorporates both these styles of yoga into her classes, as well as mindfulness practices, offering students the opportunity to cultivate a higher awareness of the body/mind/spirit.

Jesi Joy (she/her)

Jesi Joy is a lover of the natural world and universe. A devotional heart, Jesi approaches her practice from the center of it all: Love. Her offerings are soulful, transformative, intuitive and embodying. She sees her practice as a path to liberation and knows her life’s purpose is to be a conduit for Sprit. Jesi is a 500-hour RYT, with training from Nourishing Heart Yoga. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, offering sessions from her healing home. Most importantly, Jesi is a mother to her young son, the light of her life. In her free time she loves being in water, gardening, herbalism, reading astrology birth charts and tarot, and holding space for ritual and ceremony. A practice with Jesi Joy emboldens deep loving connection to Spirit, Self, and others. 

Kris F (he/him)

I was introduced to yoga by taking a class in college to fulfill physical education requirements for graduation.  The class was Hatha Yoga and focused primarily on alignment in the various Asana postures with a sprinkling of breathwork through Pranayama.  It was through the introduction to the process of becoming aware of the breath that I realized the effects the breath has on the body, the mind, and the nervous system.  After the first few classes, I started to notice the calming effects through this sense of peace that would linger inside me well after the class had ended.

Though my yoga journey may have begun many years ago, it has certainly ebbed and flowed in and out of my life until I reached a point in my early 40’s when I answered the calling to establish a regular practice.  I yearned for movement.  And so, I began…again.   After I established a routine of practicing nearly daily for a few years, the opportunity for a 200-hour Teacher Training was being offered at Vibe Yoga Studio. So, I signed up, and began my journey into teaching.  I then continued my journey as a student by following that up with their 500-hour Teacher Training, which I completed in 2019. 

I believe that people come to practice yoga for their own personal reasons. Some come for the physical exercise that practicing yoga provides through the movement between postures, and others seek more the peaceful and calming effects that yoga has on the mind and the nervous system through the focus on the breath.  In my classes I strive to provide you with a Vinyasa Flow that establishes a rhythm of breath and movement and in turn integrates the body and the mind. It’s through this integration that I can find inner peace, and I hope to share that feeling through practicing together.

Hope to see you around the Studio! 

LaRose N (she/her)

I was introduced to Sun Salutations as a little girl via my Aunt Teri, but I really had no knowledge, appreciation, or motivation to consistently practice until lockdown. When I found yoga I was going through the biggest weight-loss journey of my life, while also trying to finish my senior year at IU. I had also begun to “eat healthy,” and overall had never felt, or looked better (in my opinion) ever in my life. I started noticing my health shift in other ways and I was in such a hustle mentality that I only slept around 5 hours a night. It was the realization of all of this that made me realize I needed to slow down. Really slow down. I then found a yogi couple on YouTube that seemed very promising: Breathe and Flo. It was through them that I began to practice asana, pranayama, meditation, and started to see the effects it was having on my mental health. I started to feel in control of my anxiety and depression, and just overall felt more at ease with the ways in which I wanted to navigate and live my life regardless of what those around me thought. I had been exploring becoming a personal trainer but instead decided to save that for later and seek out a Yoga Teacher Training. Through that, I found Vibe Yoga School and Studio, completed my 200 hour and began teaching almost right away. It has been an adventure, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I vow to continue to practice, study, and teach alongside my yoga community for as long as I am able. I am a student that is passionate about the entirety of the yoga practice including: philosophy, breathwork, asana, and meditation. I focus on bringing thisinformation to my students, allowing them to practice and helping them adapt the practice tobest suit their needs, and goals. Outside of yoga, I am a vocalist and performer, an all natural wine-nerd, and a lover of all things regarding nature and the human connection to it. I’m also an up-and coming self-taught herbalist, holistic health conversationalist, and tea aficionado. In my spare time you can catch me reading, listening to podcasts, walking the dog, spending time with my loved ones, and saving the lives of insects and other animals that happen to venture into unwanted spaces. Feel free to reach me outside of the studio via Instagram @yogawithlarose.

Liz C (she/her)

I am a student of yoga for nearly twenty years and took my 200 hour teacher training in 2019. My lineage is the Krishnamacharya line mainly through the teachings of T.K.V. Desikachar. I share meditation as illuminated by the Himalayan Masters and Śrī Vidyā as instructed by my teacher Tracee Stanley. I also have formal Sanskrit education through the Dhar India Studies Program at Indiana University. I have deep respect and curiosity for all styles of practice. I strive to cultivate understanding of the eight limbs of yoga in all realms of my life. 

I have an athletic background mainly in endurance sports. I was an elite amateur cyclist for eight years before switching to distance running. I also practice martial arts. All this might lead one to believe that to me Asana is the most important aspect of yoga but that is not the case. To me, the true sweetness of yoga practice lies in its philosophy. Therein we learn how we can lead a good life by right action and discover our true nature, which is already perfect.

Folks usually come to the yoga mat for a physical practice. Therefore, my goal as a yoga teacher is to foster space and time where people can honor spirit through embodiment. While yoga Asana places focus on the individual’s experience of their own body, I also encourage understanding of embodiment through relationality. I do this by offering Thai Yoga Massage and sharing my knowledge of herbalism to interested parties.

Liz S (she/her)

As a contemporary dance artist, Professor and Director of Contemporary Dance at Indiana University, and director of Elizabeth Shea Dance, my self-developed system, SomaLab® along with my experience at the 200 eRYT level of yoga training, offers an approach toward affecting change in movement patterns in students through somatic practice. My teaching is focused on guiding students to discover the link of breath to movement, and the connection of body to environment through yogic postures and vinyasa flow. My classes often utilize imagery that facilities the flow of energy into, out of, and through the body.

Nancy L (she/her)

The practices of Yoga have played an essential part in bringing greater ease, skill and freedom to my life. Yoga brings me reliably back to the body, allowing for an active calm energy that serves well in all my endeavors and relations. With a heartfelt wish to share the opportunity that is within reach for all, my practice took on the aspect of teaching about 20 years ago. I am indebted to many great yogis with whom I have trained.

My aim in each class is to offer every student the experience of an energized body and restful alert mind. Enlivening the senses through breath, movement and asana, practitioners of every age and level can find a beneficial sense of presence and wholeness that includes and goes beyond fitness.

Morgan T (she/her)

After practicing yoga for over a decade, I completed my 200 hour teacher training in 2022 with Nourishing Heart Yoga School. I am forever grateful for the way yoga weaves together our physical, mental and spiritual health, creating a rich tapestry that brings us closer to our wholeness. As a yoga practitioner, I strive to create a safe, stable, and nurturing space for my students to explore the depths of their own being. My favorite thing about teaching yoga is connecting with students and sharing yoga philosophy. I love talking to people about how we can utilize yoga on and off the mat to create a better world. When I'm not practicing yoga, you can find me frolicking in the woods or throwing down in the kitchen.

Ruthie C (she/her)

I became a student of yoga in 2003 and started teaching in 2013 (E-RYT500), although I hasten to add that I am a perennial student. My practice informs and enhances my life both on and off the mat. It is a privilege to guide students in an ongoing discovery of yoga’s timeless beauty. My classes are spicy and sweet. Expect powerful balance and flow sequences, followed by deep holds and satisfying stretches, topped off with a smattering of wisdom!

Sam E (she/her)

I discovered the practice of yoga in 2003 and was immediately impacted by the mental and physical effects.  I began my trainings in 2008 and hold a 500 e-RYT, but it is ongoing studies with Rolf Gates, Anand Mehrotra, and Off the Mat that have been the most personally transformative.  Over the years, I have come to understand the profound importance of grounding in one’s physical body and the connection it has to our mental well-being.  As we examine our limiting beliefs and challenge our conditioned patterns through movement and self-inquiry, the realization of our own inner strength and power leads us to move from a deeper sense of self. 

 There are a million reasons people enjoy or are challenged by the practices of yoga, but I believe, ultimately, we all seek the same thing – to be comfortable within our own skin, to quiet negativity and self-sabotaging behaviors, and to live into our own power, strength, and gifts.  My classes are strongly influenced by vinyasa, kriyas, and functional movement and are intended to be a catalyst for the honest exploration of how we relate to the world. I invite you to rest or challenge yourself when needed, understanding that living into your full potential is a journey, rather than a race – but a sense of humor is highly recommended.

Sarah P (she/her)

I (Skip) began practicing yoga in 2012 with a home practice. Yoga has helped me keep my stress and anxiety in check. Overtime I have seen the benefits of the practice, physically, mentally and emotionally. My passion for yoga grew and I embarked in yoga teacher training to dive further into study.

In 2022 I completed my 500hr training with Jason Crandell who was named "one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga" by Yoga Journal. I was drawn to Jason's detail oriented, subtle body engagements, anatomy specific, and empowering approach. His methods of combining lengthening and strengthening techniques trickle into all of my practices. Health, wellness and longevity is at the forefront of all my practices.

I had a wrist injury from trying to ride a road bike through gravel (don’t recommend) and underwent two surgeries. Yoga has given me the tools to rebuild strength and increase mobility mindfully with patience and awareness. Through my own experience, I bring an understanding that every body is different and yoga can be adapted to fit an individuals specific needs.

I enjoy the creativity of Vinyasa flow and all the possibilities for personal expression. I hope to cultivate a continual awareness of mind and body with each breath as it guides you throughout your own practice so you can live mindfully on and off the mat.

Steph N (she/her)

I completed my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training from Vibe Yoga Studio in Bloomington, Indiana in 2014 and began teaching regularly. I then completed Hot Fusion, Restorative Yoga, and Yin Yoga training in 2017, 2018, and 2019 respectively. I am completing a 500hr Yoga Teacher Training from Nourishing Heart Yoga in Bloomington Indiana in 2023.

As the trajectory of my training may show, my own practice has become slower and more introspective. That shift comes through in the yoga that I teach. My class style is a
blend of movement with breath to heat up the body transitioning to slower movement to build strength, to be completed with a relaxing Savasana pose to hold space for the space you just created.

As I have progressed through the 500hr Yoga Teacher Training with Nourishing Heart Yoga I have been excited to deepen my understanding of yoga philosophy and weave it more into my classes and personal practice. My classes are open to all bodies and experience levels and I utilize inclusive language to meet practitioners where they are.

Syd B (they/them)

I use yoga to heal, align, become aware of & connect with myself. Yoga has helped me overcome many challenges in my life, taught me to trust my instincts and body. After practicing for many years, I completed my 200 RYT in 2022. Growing from student to teacher has given me even more appreciation and love for the practice. As a new teacher, I look forward to learning - let’s take a journey together for our bodies!

Tyler F (she/her)

It is an honor to be a part of this collective of talented teachers, many of whom have been influential in my own practice.

I want to help students find connection to their inner sources of strength. I believe that journey starts with being kind to ourselves. It’s tempting to think that we can achieve more by grinding through a class, but I don’t think that’s a sustainable path. My intention is to hold a space where students can feel safe slowing down enough to see that the path to strength lies in moving curiosity and intention

I have been a mover my entire life, joyfully competing in a variety of team sports led by many wonderful coaches. They inspired me to become a coach and I’ve spent over three decades coaching (and playing) my favorite sports; soccer, ultimate frisbee and later, roller derby. Naturally, as my yoga practice deepened, I felt the desire to “coach” that too. Being a part of someone’s journey to strength and confidence is an incredibly rewarding job.

My goal through the various formats I teach (vinyasa, boot camps, SUP) is to meet every student where they are and make sure they feel welcome at the table.

Wyatt M (he/him)

Yoga has been my foundation and solace.

I was introduced to yoga through my mothers longtime practice, but it wasn’t until I participated in a meditation retreat that my interested in the mind-body connection ignited.

I became a yoga teacher in 2018 from Vibe Yoga here in Bloomington, and completed my 500 hours of training from Rolf Gates. I’m grateful to constantly be learning and inspired from the wonderful bodies I meet in class.

My intention as a teacher is to establish a practical, balanced, & joyful yoga connection off and on our mats.

I hope to challenge you where you need it. Find mobility in the mundane. And if nothing else, just bring it back to our breath. I’m so excited to be apart of the BYC community and look forward to seeing you in class!