Inspiring Actions LLC - River Falls

Yoga Instructor
 
Who doesn’t want to check out some trees in Downward Facing Dog?! That pretty much sums up what we all want our yoga-in-the-park teacher to hold as an unofficial motto, now doesn’t it? That’s our Alexa! An enthusiast for all things outdoors in our beautiful St. Croix Valley, Alexa often weaves that love into her class music and themes, whether they are outdoor or indoor at Inspiring Actions. Outside of the studio and away from her hotel business, Alexa uses the time she spends kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, reading and walking the dog to regularly practice her personal mindfulness and breath work, whi...

Yoga Instructor
 
Ali describes her discovery of yoga as a breath of fresh air…though since her background is rich in Hot Yoga, that “fresh air” is relative! Ali’s path to becoming a teacher has lead her through Bikram, Vinyasa, and Restorative Yoga as well as meditation practices, including a training with Rama Jyoti Vernon. A perfect reason to take a class with Ali is that she embodies what we are: a yoga and wellness center. Ali’s professional and educational life centers on whole body health, so in addition to teaching yoga, Ali has a master’s degree in Holistic Health Studies as well as certifications in seve...

Yoga Instructor
 
Angela began her yoga path in 2008, and since then she says, “I haven’t found a style yet that I haven’t enjoyed!” Originally drawn to Vinyasa styles, Angela has morphed into the go-to woman for all things restorative at Inspiring Actions. Not every studio can say that their lead restorative teacher has trained with Judith Hanson Lasater, the foremost expert in Restorative Yoga in the United States, but we can! It is this love for – and experience in – many styles of yoga that makes Angela feel that essential part of that process is the exploration of the here and now because the yoga our...

Yoga Instructor
 
Autumn started her yoga practice at a young age, and from there it took off to include Vinyasa, Hatha, and prenatal trainings, with a passion for Kundalini woven throughout. At Inspiring Actions, she teaches the popular Flow & Restore format, but with Autumn, you’ll always get a little something extra! Autumn has a flair for those so-called “extras” in the yoga world that can make a class truly unique: essential oils, reiki, guided visualizations and sound healing! As everyone knows, experiencing a class with singing bowls is dangerously addictive! (Note: Autumn assures us that the singing bowls also drown out ...

Yoga Instructor
 
In coming to Inspiring Actions, Carlen has made a dramatic shift in her personal library: trading cookbooks for yoga books! Carlen has a B.F.A. and an Associates in Culinary arts, and though she divides her time between commercial kitchens and yoga studios, she has scaled back her work as a pastry chef and cooking teacher in order to answer that all-too-familiar call of the World of All Things Yoga. From the chakra system to the power of setting intentions, from the spiritual aspects of the practice to the mythology and symbolism of the asanas, Carlen has found a way to continually learn and grow….a

Yoga Instructor
 
The teenage years are an impressionable time, so it’s fitting that Carly, the woman who took her first yoga class with her mom at 15 years old, is now a yoga teacher. There’s something about those first classes that just stuck for her. Her own practice runs the gamut from Restorative to Heated Power, so expect to see Carly leading a variety of classes at Inspiring Actions. But no matter the class, her goal is always the same: for students to leave class feeling better than when they started. Other than a great yoga class, what makes Carly’s day feel better than when it started? Being outside! This Forest Science ma...

Yoga Instructor
 
Dana first started practicing yoga when Inspiring Actions opened in 2008, and she shortly realized that yoga had significantly increased her flexibility and decreased her pain after back surgery. She was hooked! From then on, Dana sought to learn more and became part of the inaugural class of Inspiring Actions Teacher Training, spurring her interest in vinyasa flow and other heated practices. Since then, Dana has also completed Inspiring Actions’ Yin Yoga training and also trained with John Friend, the founder of Anusara yoga. Dana is also the girl to go to if you simply need someone to brag to about ...

Yoga Instructor
 
Coming from a long line of teachers, Erin began practicing yoga in 2004 as a way to find balance to her day job teaching high school French and AP Art History in Lakeville, MN. Having grown up in River Falls, she came back to the area to teach yoga at Inspiring Actions in 2009. Erin’s classes are infused with a strong alignment focus and a holistic view, speaking not just to the physical but to the energetic body as well. With a “yoga mutt” background that includes Iyengar, Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin and Anusara, Erin’s primary practice is Power Vinyasa, and she has attended trainings wit...

Yoga Instructor
 
In her first yoga class ever, Jackie made a startling (albeit, common) discovery: for 51 years she had be breathing wrong! Yikes! While it quickly gave her tools to reduce stress, Jackie is an avid equestrian and was amazed at what yoga contributed to her riding skills as well as just about any other skill needed to shine throughout the day. If you attend one of Jackie’s classes, you will notice her skill in applying what you do on the mat during your yoga practice to what might be included in your life off the mat. Simply because she has used her yoga skills off the mat in productive ways and is cont...

Yoga Instructor
 
If you’re sending your child to a Yoga Kids Camp or a Girls Yoga Workshop, who better to plan and lead activities for your child than Jennifer, who has been teaching elementary-age students since 2000? With a Master’s degree in Education, Jennifer Mankowski is a leader in shaping the offerings for kids at Inspiring Actions. Her primary focus is in building kids and adolescent body confidence and self-esteem through yoga, and if you’ve seen the pictures of her yoga camps, it’s clear the kids have an awesome time doing it! Jennifer’s interests don’t stop there, however. She...

Barre and Yoga Instructor
 
Since my first dance class at the age of 3, I have loved the art of movement. It has always been my way to “let go” and express myself even when my conscious brain has no idea what I am truly feeling or thinking. Dance remained a part of my life through college, and when entering graduate school in 1998 I found my first hot yoga class. This unexpected gift filled the void I had felt leaving dance and opened another avenue for creative movement and connection to my better self. Yoga principles have helped me in many life-experiences: the meditative practice has guided my mind to calm in periods of stress; and, t...

Yoga Instructor
 
It’s not uncommon to have our life defined by the role we play to others (parent, child, spouse, coworker, friend, neighbor) and consequently arrive at a point where we think, “Wait a minute. Who the heck am I?” Although asking that question can be daunting, it can also be the beginning of an exciting and worthwhile process. Kathy Metcalf can attest to this! A wife and mother of four, Kathy found yoga and meditation at a point when her kids were (mostly!) self-sufficient, and it changed her outlook and approach to her world. Kathy describes her life as speeding on the straightaways, braking hard on the corners, and...

Yoga Instructor
 
Who better to teach a Gentle Yoga class than a woman with degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education? Patience, understanding and gentleness come with the territory! Enter: Katie Fredrickson! Katie came to Inspiring Actions in 2016, and although she started teaching Gentle Yoga, don’t be surprised to see her teaching many other classes—especially Vinyasa, which is one of her favorites. Studying with Brooke Boon, author of Hatha Yoga Illustrated, and the use of essential oils are two important benchmarks of Katie’s training. Katie incorporates the oils into her practice, and if you have questions about the ...

Yoga Instructor
 
One of the things we hear at Inspiring Actions all the time is that our students love the variety of yoga classes we offer, taught by instructors with vastly diverse backgrounds. Kelsey fits into this niche perfectly with her expertise in “all things baby” yoga! As a mom to two girls and a boy, Kelsey blends motherhood and extensive pre/post-natal yoga training to bring an assortment of classes for soon-to-be and new moms. These classes can vary with the seasons, but expect to see Kelsey leading any of the following: Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, Mommy/Daddy & Baby Yoga and Crawlers Yoga. Women who attend prenatal c...

Yoga Instructor
 
Much like a good yoga class, Lee Ann’s dedication for fitness stretches far and wide! With a BA in Occupational Therapy already in hand, certifications in K-12 Physical Education, ski instruction, yoga and Ayurveda became the perfect combination to compliment a diverse personal practice and a varied schedule of classes as an instructor. Although most of those Lee Ann sought out, she likes to say that yoga was different—it found HER. Add workshops with Lauren Toolin and Matthew Sanford into the mix, and you can be even more sure that you’re dealing with an instructor whose interest in learning about the body, how it...

Yoga Instructor
 
As a former secondary teacher, making the transition to teaching yoga was natural and a provided a way for her to continue her study of yoga as a means to promote health and wellness. Lisa Marie’s studies have expanded to view yoga as a part of the wider world of bodywork, allowing her to integrate extensive training in energy healing, reiki, and Thai yoga bodywork into her yoga instruction and one-on-one work with clients. The addition of Lisa Marie to the Inspiring Actions team furthers one of our greatest strengths—our variety—so follow our lead and let Lisa Marie be your “go to&r...

Yoga Instructor
 
When you read Lucy’s name—Lucy Pirner, MS, LPC, E-RYT—it’s clear that this is a woman who knows quite a bit. What her name doesn't tell you, however, is what Lucy knows best: how to make you leave a yoga class or Yoga Therapy session feeling so darn good. Lucy has extensive training in the both Western and Eastern modalities of treating mental health, including training with yoga teachers Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Tanya Boigenzahn, Christopher-Ken Baxter, Kausthub Desikachar, Amy Weintraub and Russil Paul. She has practiced counseling for over two decades and has taught yoga since 2001, utilizing LifeForce Yoga&r...

Yoga Instructor
 
In 2008, Inspiring Actions opened its doors in Hudson, and Marilyn was among the first to walk through those doors as a new yoga student. Anyone who has ever been in a class with Marilyn will tell you that Inspiring Actions hasn’t been the same since! Marilyn is a model example of what it means to have fun with yoga—to explore, to challenge, to grow, to question, and to laugh. She is serious about yoga, but not about herself, and it’s that combination that creates a whimsical and light-hearted feel to Marilyn’s practice as a teacher and student. She knows that yoga doesn’t have...

Yoga Instructor
 
Military police officer turned yoga instructor? We’ve got your yin and yang all in one person! You would think that a former Army girl would kick your butt in the yoga studio, but Nealee’s classes have a quiet intensity to them that is remarkably relaxing and restorative. Practicing since 2009 and completing her 200-hour certification with TeriLeigh, LLC in 2011, Nealee found her voice and her niche in vinyasa yoga early on. She went on to get her prenatal yoga certification from Blooma in 2011 as well. Her classes reflect a unique blend of steadiness and gentleness, firmness and softness – a practice to fit all.

SomaYoga Instructor
 
Renee has been a beloved yoga teacher in the St. Croix Valley since 2004. In 2013, after years of teaching yoga, Renee suffered a painful back injury. Her search for pain relief took her through various channels of western medicine but nothing seemed to help. Then she found a Yoga Therapist practicing SomaYoga Therapy. It was there that Renee found not only relief from pain but also more freedom in her body than she had experienced in a long time. In 2015 Renee received her 500 Hour Teacher Training Certification in SomaYoga Therapy. Since then, she has been passionate about helping people in chronic pain. Renee draws from a wid...

Yoga Instructor
 
If Teresa can handle a 36-year career teaching middle schoolers and live to tell about it with a huge smile still on her face, chances are good that she can help you deal with those pesky issues in your body that bring you to yoga class! Teresa has a practical approach to teaching, using one simple goal for her students: to find today’s practice beneficial so that they want to return to the mat the next day. It’s that “let’s go back tomorrow” attitude that led Teresa to complete Inspiring Actions’ 200-hr training in 2014 after she started with yoga videos on her own, then...

Yoga Instructor
 
Teri is a woman with enthusiasm for all things fitness! A former high school business teacher, Teri minored in dance while at Illinois State University and, by 2001, she had experimented with many exercise programs and found herself routinely drawn more strongly to yoga. When yoga is the practice you make time for every day, you know you’re on to something good! That led to her enroll in Inspiring Actions’ first 200-hour teacher training program in 2010, train with John Friend in 2011 and complete the Yin yoga training at Inspiring Actions in 2012. Teri’s life-long love of strength training now shows through in her...

Yoga Instructor
 
What do you get when you mix hard-core western science education with traditional wisdom in eastern modalities? You get our Tonya! Tonya holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s in Life Science, and to compliment that she has completed in-depth study of Feng Shui, Qi Gong, Reiki, and Peruvian Medicine Wheel. So what does that mean to you? That means Tonya can speak your language. No matter your approach to yoga, Tonya can expand your education in this ancient practice by explaining the concepts in a clear way that works for you and your understanding. Also a science and environmental educator to kids and adult...

Yoga Instructor
 
When she first started practicing yoga in 1990, Tori approached it in typical American fashion: as a competitive sport! The woman you saw sneaking out during savasana? That was our Tori! Over time she learned that yoga doesn’t have to be about working and doing; rather, it can be about simply BEING. This realization was the catalyst for significant growth, and it defines Tori’s expertise as an instructor. Through her own experience finding the fun in the imperfect, Tori teaches students the value of approaching practice with a focus on wellness over perfection. Fittingly, Tori teaches Flow & Restore classes at Inspir...

Owner, Founder, Yoga Instructor
 

Tracey Mortensen opened Inspiring Actions in 2008 with a passion to spread health and wellness throughout the St. Croix Valley and with a background in finance and economics. Her own yoga practice began in 1999 and later became increasingly consistent during a stressful time in her life. Turning to yoga completely changed her life and ultimately led her to become an instructor, a path...

Yoga Instructor
 
Tracy has been exploring movement in its many forms since she began studying dance in her teens. Her passion for the art of movement guided her to embark on a career as a dancer and then, later, as a choreographer. After experiencing an injury, Tracy sought a way to heal her body while also staying in shape, and stumbled onto yoga. Since she began her yoga practice, over time, Tracy found that yoga not only supported her physically, but it also changed the way she thinks, acts, feels, and interacts with the world. Now, she practices for the clarity and peace that yoga engenders in her life, both on and off the mat. Tracy completed h...

Yoga Instructor
 
Most people are introduced to yoga first, and then meditation by way of yoga, but Tyson experienced the opposite, giving her a special perspective on teaching Moving Into Meditation classes at Inspiring Actions. Tyson’s work in nursing, specifically working with women with eating disorders and negative body image, makes her uniquely qualified to help students learn one of the major lessons of yoga: how to become in tune with our own bodies and respond to them when they send signals. When Tyson combines meditation with her primary practices of hatha and restorative yoga and then adds in her nursing background, it&rsquo...

• 235-hour RYT certification, Devanadi Yoga, Minneapolis, MN
• Certified Eat Breathe Thrive Facilitator