Spirit of the Lake Yoga & Wellness Center

When Matthew found Spirit of the Lake in 2012, he knew he had discovered his yogic home. Simple breath awareness while moving through yoga poses brought undeniable benefits to his life. Matthew completed his yoga teacher training at Spirit of the Lake and now he immerses himself in ancient wisdom texts, academic research, and all things yoga. Matthew's yoga classes provide a welcoming and safe space to practice the physical postures of yoga in order to cultivate peacefulness, clarity, strength, flexibility, and the countless other benefits of yoga. Learn more at matthewtift.com.

Sonia has been teaching movement since 1990, starting out as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer.  She discovered the Gyrotonic (R) Method in 2005 while getting her Pilates certification.  She loved the fluid, undulating, gentle movement system, somewhat similar to yoga.  She became a teacher in 2008 and teaches both classes and privates.

Anna moved to Bend in 2016 from Minnesota. She brings with her years of experience teaching various yoga styles. A long time Ashtanga practitioner and dancer, she finally decided to become a certified yoga teacher at The Yoga Center of Minneapolis. She also completed Ashtanga teacher training with David Swenson. 

As a dancer, Anna loves to bring the beauty of movement into her yoga classes, finding that perfect balance between strength and flexibility. 

Growing up in Latvia, Anna traveled the world extensively before moving to the US. When she is not practicing yoga, you can find her hiking with her dog, mountain biking, or watching her three kids play soccer. 

Anna loves to help students grow in their individual practices, helping them get stronger and more confident in their bodies with each class.

Professional

Nicole Lovald is a Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Yoga Instructor and Reiki Master. She has a master’s degree in Counseling from Capella University and is currently enrolled in a post-graduate certificate program in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has training from The Center of Mind-Body Medicine and Veterans Yoga Project and is certified to officiate weddings and other spiritual ceremonies through the Universal Life Church.

Personal

Nicole has spent over 15 years working in higher education, social services, non-profit, and for-profit settings. Her love of yoga began many years ago when her husband was deployed and she was looking for a self-care practice to ease her worried mind and untangle the stress induced knots in her body. Yoga led her to a variety of other healing modalities and integrative medicine. Nicole is now passionate about sharing what she has learned about healing her mind and body with others.

Nicole is the author of a spiritual memoir, Om Sweet Om: A Corporate Junkies Search for Enlightenment.

Philosophy

It is Nicole’s mission to help others learn how to better manage stress and tune into their bodies healing abilities. A life full of joy, ease, and wellbeing is her ultimate hope for everyone she has the opportunity to work with.

Crystal Ann Hanson is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher(E-RYT500), Certified Ayurveda Yoga Specialist (AYS), Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach (CFNC), Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), Sacred Activist Leader and holds a BS in Psychology. She uses an integrative approach utilizing all of these modalities when conducting private client consultations, workshops and teaching classes. Crystal enrolled in her first 200 Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in 2009 through the Himalayan Institute. After feeling the many emotional, spiritual and physical benefits that Yoga and Meditation brought to her daily life, she had a strong desire to continue to learn and share with others.

Crystal has now completed a second 230YTT, 540YTT, Ayurveda Yoga Specialist Certification and Chair Yoga Certification. She is grateful to have had in-depth study-training opportunities with Indu Arora, Sarah Powers, Lauren Walker, Rod Stryker, Eric Franklin and many others from the Himalayan Institute and Kripalu for Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, Mudra, Energy Medicine Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Yoga Philosophy, Fascial Anatomy and Meditation. Her professional and personal studies are ongoing, always a student of Life.

Crystal teaches from her heart as she invites students to pause, connect, look inside and feel what is happening in the present moment, to observe the effects a practice reveals. Her classes are rooted in traditional Hatha & Tantra Yoga sharing from the lineage of Swami Rami (founder of the Himalayan Institute) and teachings of Indu Arora (International Ayurveda and Yoga). Crystal’s classes include Mantra (chanting), Mudras, Pranayama (breath; prana practices) and teachings from the Vedas (ancient books of “wisdom”). Crystal holds sacred that which Indu Arora has taught, “Yoga is a work IN, not a workout”. Crystal is honored to teach and share from all of her training, modalities and life experiences respecting an integrative approach. Crystal Ann Hanson believes that we are ALL teachers and we are ALL students.

With a background in Occupational Therapy, Amy came to Spirit of the Lake in search of life balance between a demanding career and starting a family. She has experience of owning a business of her own, and enjoys the “behind the scenes” work that comes with the in's and out's of owning and growing a business. In her spare time, Amy enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband, dogs, and twin babies.

Judy is a 500 hour E-RYT, teaching Yin, Adaptive, Nidra and Aqua Yoga in the local community for over seven years. She has studied with several outstanding teachers including Paul Grilley, Judith Lasater, Indu Aurora, Sarah Powers, Gary Kraftsow, and Ken Nelson. Judy says, “My earliest yoga experience started back in the 70's in my college days - and became my centering and calming practice. After moving on to other activities, I returned to an active practice over the course of the last decade.” 

Amber Huttner, E-RYT 500, was certified as an Anusara yoga teacher in 2001. Teaching for almost 20 years, her classes are fun, informative, and always emphasize learning new ways to progress and succeed on the mat. Amber brings an abundance of technical expertise along with her humor, compassion, and heart-felt instruction to her classes. Her students benefit from her enthusiasm for life and dedication to help them learn, heal, and grow on every level.

Jackie began practicing yoga in 2005 and instantly recognized the benefits yoga has to offer as a means of self-care. Initially drawn to yoga for fitness, she quickly fell in love with the peace of mind, clarity of thoughts and overall feeling of well-being. As a 200 RYT, Jackie strives to create a safe, non-competitive space for her students to explore and challenge their boundaries. She is honored to teach yoga helping to bring balance, awareness, health, and happiness into the lives of others.

Tiffany is a certified Iyengar teacher at the Introductory II level. Tiffany is a devoted student of Momi Jhung and Suzanne Fitzpatrick and continues to dedicate much of her time to developing her practice. She enjoys attending trainings and workshops with Senior instructors in order to deepen her understanding of the Iyengar method. She teaches with care, enthusiasm, and a true desire to help others to develop their awareness and find their joy through the practice of yoga.

Niki guides well-rounded classes that are light-hearted but meditative. They flow in a thoughtful manner and are designed to create balance, a feeling of calm energy and mindful presence. In her classes you will learn proper alignment of poses while you build strength, self-awareness, flexibility, focus, and the ability to relax. An experienced teacher with advanced training, Niki is registered with the yoga alliance as an E-RYT 500, and YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider).

Rosie began practicing Yoga in 2005 as means of self care while working as a massage therapist. She noticed that practicing yoga helped her gain strength in her body and her mind. She fell in love with the profound lessons yoga has to offer and is inspired by assimilating them into her classes.  She completed the RYT-200 at Spirit of the Lake.  She loves to create classes that encourage self love and mindful movement. She enjoys teaching creative, active flows as well as deeply relaxing yin classes.

Inspired by her own personal yoga practice, Melissa is committed to helping others cultivate confidence & realize their own beauty & strength. Melissa offers mindfulness-based classes that promote awareness of body, mind & spirit, while creating intelligent & playful sequencing, empowering you to feel peaceful & at ease in your body as you step off your mat. Melissa is honored to hold a space for you as you progress on your personal yoga journey. Melissa is grateful that she has experienced the powerful benefits of yoga & is passionate about sharing that love & joy with others.