GUNNAR BERGKAMP
Gunnar began practicing breath focused yoga in Alaska where he was born. As a young adult he discovered the Art of Living Foundation, and later went on to practice the Integral Yoga teachings of Sri Aurobindo. Gunnar received his 200hr Yoga Alliance certification from Yoga Durango, but has learned from an array of different traditions in his quest for spiritual realization. Currently Gunnar enjoys sharing an experiential approach to cultivating energy and awareness, while practicing yoga and meditation.
Gunnar began practicing breath focused yoga in Alaska where he was born. As a young adult he discovered the Art of Living Foundation, and later went on to practice the Integral Yoga teachings of Sri Aurobindo. Gunnar received his 200hr Yoga Alliance certification from Yoga Durango, but has learned from an array of different traditions in his quest for spiritual realization. Currently Gunnar enjoys sharing an experiential approach to cultivating energy and awareness, while practicing yoga and meditation.
AJ CONNORS
AJ's yoga journey began in 2008 as an alternative healing practice with physical therapy after suffering multiple fractures in a car accident. Within a few years, AJ started teaching yoga in Chicago Public Schools, which quickly grew her inspiration to pursue a yogic lifestyle. Her passion for exploring a multitude of modalities has offered a platform of experiences and knowledge to share with students and clients. AJ has studied several styles of yoga while traveling to India to receive her RYT200 and feels most aligned with Hatha traditions. She has additional certifications in Reiki, Holistic Nutrition, and Ayurvedic practices, and is currently enrolled at Kripalu to become a 1000hr Yoga Therapist.
AJ believes wholeheartedly in guiding clients to uncover their specific health improvements to transform their lives to emerge with clarity and confidence. Her inspiration in teaching is rooted in supporting students to create their practice, style of movement, and connection to their body. AJ is also certified in Trauma-Informed & Resilience-Based Yoga from the National Association of Social Workers & Yoga Alliance. With her desire to learn, grow, and share more knowledge, AJ intends to maintain her forever student mentality.
AJ's yoga journey began in 2008 as an alternative healing practice with physical therapy after suffering multiple fractures in a car accident. Within a few years, AJ started teaching yoga in Chicago Public Schools, which quickly grew her inspiration to pursue a yogic lifestyle. Her passion for exploring a multitude of modalities has offered a platform of experiences and knowledge to share with students and clients. AJ has studied several styles of yoga while traveling to India to receive her RYT200 and feels most aligned with Hatha traditions. She has additional certifications in Reiki, Holistic Nutrition, and Ayurvedic practices, and is currently enrolled at Kripalu to become a 1000hr Yoga Therapist.
AJ believes wholeheartedly in guiding clients to uncover their specific health improvements to transform their lives to emerge with clarity and confidence. Her inspiration in teaching is rooted in supporting students to create their practice, style of movement, and connection to their body. AJ is also certified in Trauma-Informed & Resilience-Based Yoga from the National Association of Social Workers & Yoga Alliance. With her desire to learn, grow, and share more knowledge, AJ intends to maintain her forever student mentality.
AMY DEMICHELE
Amy became intrigued with yoga when she realized how sacred and safe the space is while on her mat. What really made her fall in love was the sense of self acceptance and peace that started to translate outside of the practice into her everyday life. After running cross country and track in college, she traded in her running shoes for a yoga mat, and has had a steady practice since 2013. To Amy, yoga is a moving form of meditation, integrating the body, mind and breath as one. She is beyond grateful and honored to share this gift with you as we move through our yoga journey together. Amy completed her 200 hour teacher training at Hot Yoga of East Nashville in Nashville, TN. She is open to all questions, and looks forward to moving and breathing with you! Follow along on Instagram at @love.amy.blog
Amy became intrigued with yoga when she realized how sacred and safe the space is while on her mat. What really made her fall in love was the sense of self acceptance and peace that started to translate outside of the practice into her everyday life. After running cross country and track in college, she traded in her running shoes for a yoga mat, and has had a steady practice since 2013. To Amy, yoga is a moving form of meditation, integrating the body, mind and breath as one. She is beyond grateful and honored to share this gift with you as we move through our yoga journey together. Amy completed her 200 hour teacher training at Hot Yoga of East Nashville in Nashville, TN. She is open to all questions, and looks forward to moving and breathing with you! Follow along on Instagram at @love.amy.blog
REBECCA EVANS
Becca discovered yoga in 2006 after signing up for a membership at a local YMCA. She had recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and struggled with long-standing weight issues and depression. She was hopeful that swimming at the Y would help to alleviate some of the widespread body pain that she had dealt with for so long.
While the pool and the elliptical machine were certainly helpful, it was yoga class that sparked something deep inside of her. Not only did her body feel better after class, her mood improved, as well.
Over the next eight years, through several moves and while raising five teenagers, Becca's practice continued. While it wasn't always consistent, she would find herself returning to yoga, again and again.
In 2014, she signed up for a membership at a yoga studio in Charlestown, WV. She hobbled in to her first class wearing a knee brace and feeling completely out of shape. Not knowing what else to do, she simply showed up, class after class, day after day, tear after tear... doing only what she could. Slowly, but surely, she noticed changes in her body. She began to move in ways she hadn't been able to before and it felt amazing! But, more importantly, was the shift that was taking place inside. Through the beautiful practice, Becca began to heal in places she didn't even know were broken.
Becca became a yoga teacher because she believes in the power of yoga to change lives. She hopes to inspire and encourage her students through a compassionate and gentle practice. She likes to quote the great yin yoga teacher, Bernie Clark, who said, "We don't use the body to get into the pose. We use the pose to get into the body."
Becca sees herself as a mentor and guide, believing that for each of us, our greatest teacher resides within.
Becca discovered yoga in 2006 after signing up for a membership at a local YMCA. She had recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and struggled with long-standing weight issues and depression. She was hopeful that swimming at the Y would help to alleviate some of the widespread body pain that she had dealt with for so long.
While the pool and the elliptical machine were certainly helpful, it was yoga class that sparked something deep inside of her. Not only did her body feel better after class, her mood improved, as well.
Over the next eight years, through several moves and while raising five teenagers, Becca's practice continued. While it wasn't always consistent, she would find herself returning to yoga, again and again.
In 2014, she signed up for a membership at a yoga studio in Charlestown, WV. She hobbled in to her first class wearing a knee brace and feeling completely out of shape. Not knowing what else to do, she simply showed up, class after class, day after day, tear after tear... doing only what she could. Slowly, but surely, she noticed changes in her body. She began to move in ways she hadn't been able to before and it felt amazing! But, more importantly, was the shift that was taking place inside. Through the beautiful practice, Becca began to heal in places she didn't even know were broken.
Becca became a yoga teacher because she believes in the power of yoga to change lives. She hopes to inspire and encourage her students through a compassionate and gentle practice. She likes to quote the great yin yoga teacher, Bernie Clark, who said, "We don't use the body to get into the pose. We use the pose to get into the body."
Becca sees herself as a mentor and guide, believing that for each of us, our greatest teacher resides within.
KYLE RICKERT
Kyle started her love for yoga in 2003 and after moving from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles in 2004, she immersed herself in her practice with teachers like Shiva Rae, Micheline Berry and Hala Khouri. Drawing from a love for music and the energy it can bring into vinyasa flow, the yoga culture in Venice Beach inspired her personally and helped counterbalance the intensity of life in the city. She left LA to travel around the world, deepening her practice through adventure, music, and culture. Kyle landed in Pagosa Springs, CO in 2009 seeking to grow routes in a community that is based in a love for the outdoors. She was certified at Shambhava School of Yoga in Nederland, CO and has been teaching at multiple spaces in our community ever since. Her personal practice has shown her how important it is to balance outdoor adventure with yoga. The ability to be in tune to your body and feel what is needed to recover from injuries and ailments is paramount to come back to, especially as you age. Guiding students through their practice and seeing the energy it cultivates, has brought joy into her life that is unmatched.
Kyle started her love for yoga in 2003 and after moving from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles in 2004, she immersed herself in her practice with teachers like Shiva Rae, Micheline Berry and Hala Khouri. Drawing from a love for music and the energy it can bring into vinyasa flow, the yoga culture in Venice Beach inspired her personally and helped counterbalance the intensity of life in the city. She left LA to travel around the world, deepening her practice through adventure, music, and culture. Kyle landed in Pagosa Springs, CO in 2009 seeking to grow routes in a community that is based in a love for the outdoors. She was certified at Shambhava School of Yoga in Nederland, CO and has been teaching at multiple spaces in our community ever since. Her personal practice has shown her how important it is to balance outdoor adventure with yoga. The ability to be in tune to your body and feel what is needed to recover from injuries and ailments is paramount to come back to, especially as you age. Guiding students through their practice and seeing the energy it cultivates, has brought joy into her life that is unmatched.
WILLIAM SECHRIST
In 2009, after experiencing the benefits of yoga, William became committed to living the yoga lifestyle, and in 2014, he began the journey of being a yoga instructor. William's dedication to sharing this practice is focused on creating a healthy relationship with our body, mind, and spirit.
William is passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness to anyone that is looking for more out of life. Yoga has many applications and many abilities. Whether the client is looking to improve strength and flexibility, or dealing with addiction, trauma, high-stress environments, or depression, William has witnessed first hand the new light that yoga and meditation can bring into a person. He has over 800 hours of training, with more to go as he becomes a certified yoga therapist at the 1,000-hour + level.
In 2009, after experiencing the benefits of yoga, William became committed to living the yoga lifestyle, and in 2014, he began the journey of being a yoga instructor. William's dedication to sharing this practice is focused on creating a healthy relationship with our body, mind, and spirit.
William is passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness to anyone that is looking for more out of life. Yoga has many applications and many abilities. Whether the client is looking to improve strength and flexibility, or dealing with addiction, trauma, high-stress environments, or depression, William has witnessed first hand the new light that yoga and meditation can bring into a person. He has over 800 hours of training, with more to go as he becomes a certified yoga therapist at the 1,000-hour + level.
NICOLE SHAFFER
Dance has always been a part of my life, taking ballet through high school and attending a few hip hop and breakdancing classes after college. Trying to fill that "dance void", I looked to dance fitness classes at local gyms, but nothing really fit until I found U-Jam Fitness®. The choreo is easy to follow, and leaves room for the students to add their own style. After taking classes for a few months, I decided to become an instructor and have been teaching ever since.
"Peace, love, unity and acceptance" is one of the commonly used phrases that really resonates with me. U-Jam Fitness® has helped me through some truly tough life experiences and I hope I can provide the same for my students. It is a welcoming place for people who want to come together and share a love of dance, fitness and community.
Dance has always been a part of my life, taking ballet through high school and attending a few hip hop and breakdancing classes after college. Trying to fill that "dance void", I looked to dance fitness classes at local gyms, but nothing really fit until I found U-Jam Fitness®. The choreo is easy to follow, and leaves room for the students to add their own style. After taking classes for a few months, I decided to become an instructor and have been teaching ever since.
"Peace, love, unity and acceptance" is one of the commonly used phrases that really resonates with me. U-Jam Fitness® has helped me through some truly tough life experiences and I hope I can provide the same for my students. It is a welcoming place for people who want to come together and share a love of dance, fitness and community.