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 is available for private yoga therapy sessions - Call us to reserve your time with her!
970-903-9278
ELISA DOLAN
Yoga is the foundation my life! My path as a yogi began at 18 when I started tapping into meditative states through trail running, which inspired me to explore yoga as preparation for deep meditation. I am passionate about yogic philosophy and have developed dedicated practices in hot yoga, kundalini yoga, and, pranayama which I weave into my teaching. I received my 200hr YTT and Social/Emotional Learning Facilitator (SELF) certification through Breath for Change, a program dedicated to using yoga as a platform for social justice. Yoga is my revolution, my call for a better way to live fully-embodied. My philosophy as a teacher is yoga is for every body in every state of being and healing. I love practicing yoga best outdoors where the healing power of movement, breath, and nature can work together.
Yoga is the foundation my life! My path as a yogi began at 18 when I started tapping into meditative states through trail running, which inspired me to explore yoga as preparation for deep meditation. I am passionate about yogic philosophy and have developed dedicated practices in hot yoga, kundalini yoga, and, pranayama which I weave into my teaching. I received my 200hr YTT and Social/Emotional Learning Facilitator (SELF) certification through Breath for Change, a program dedicated to using yoga as a platform for social justice. Yoga is my revolution, my call for a better way to live fully-embodied. My philosophy as a teacher is yoga is for every body in every state of being and healing. I love practicing yoga best outdoors where the healing power of movement, breath, and nature can work together.
BETSY HERNANDEZ ARENIVAR
Betsy is our energetic and upbeat Zumba instructor here at PMAB!
Betsy was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and got her Zumba instruction certificate in Albuquerque, New Mexico over 15 years ago. She ran her own studio in Taos before moving here to Pagosa Springs.
She uses many different styles of music in her classes, including cumbia, merenge, buchata, reggeton, belly dance, and salsa. She has had a passion for Zumba all her life, and she loves seeing her students having fun and enjoying themselves!
Come join Betsy for a Zumba class and experience the energy and happiness that comes with it - along with burning 300-500 calories per hour!
Betsy is our energetic and upbeat Zumba instructor here at PMAB!
Betsy was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and got her Zumba instruction certificate in Albuquerque, New Mexico over 15 years ago. She ran her own studio in Taos before moving here to Pagosa Springs.
She uses many different styles of music in her classes, including cumbia, merenge, buchata, reggeton, belly dance, and salsa. She has had a passion for Zumba all her life, and she loves seeing her students having fun and enjoying themselves!
Come join Betsy for a Zumba class and experience the energy and happiness that comes with it - along with burning 300-500 calories per hour!
MARIA LOUIZE
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist (CMT since 1990) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (since 2010).
My curiosity about yoga was sparked when I was a child and my Mom was a yoga teacher. The spark ignited into a passion as I took yoga and meditation classes and workshops over many years, integrating the teachings into my heart and life. In 2010 I completed a 200 hour Hatha yoga teacher training, followed by many additional yoga teacher trainings including three Aerial Yoga teacher trainings (Aircat Aerial Arts, Born to Fly, and Yoga Swing), Restorative Yoga (with Judith Hanson Lasater at Mount Madonna Yoga Center), Yin Yoga, Energy Medicine Yoga, and Yoga Movement Screen. I'm very grateful to have taken workshops with Seane Corn (Spirit Speak), Shiva Rae (Yoga Trance Dance), Anodea Judith (Seven Windows To The Soul: Chakra Awakening) and Saul David Raye (Heart Centered Yoga). I enjoyed being a volunteer for Aerial yoga classes at a Wanderlust Yoga Festival. I also studied Qi Gong Healing Touch with Damaris Jarboux, and I have practiced and taught Qi Gong for many years.
Maria is also a massage therapist here at the studio - check out her therapist bio here!
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist (CMT since 1990) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (since 2010).
My curiosity about yoga was sparked when I was a child and my Mom was a yoga teacher. The spark ignited into a passion as I took yoga and meditation classes and workshops over many years, integrating the teachings into my heart and life. In 2010 I completed a 200 hour Hatha yoga teacher training, followed by many additional yoga teacher trainings including three Aerial Yoga teacher trainings (Aircat Aerial Arts, Born to Fly, and Yoga Swing), Restorative Yoga (with Judith Hanson Lasater at Mount Madonna Yoga Center), Yin Yoga, Energy Medicine Yoga, and Yoga Movement Screen. I'm very grateful to have taken workshops with Seane Corn (Spirit Speak), Shiva Rae (Yoga Trance Dance), Anodea Judith (Seven Windows To The Soul: Chakra Awakening) and Saul David Raye (Heart Centered Yoga). I enjoyed being a volunteer for Aerial yoga classes at a Wanderlust Yoga Festival. I also studied Qi Gong Healing Touch with Damaris Jarboux, and I have practiced and taught Qi Gong for many years.
Maria is also a massage therapist here at the studio - check out her therapist bio here!
ANDREA PELTIER
I started practicing yoga 15 years ago after 2 mountain bike accidents. It helped so much that I continued practicing yoga and meditation, and I went on to get my 200hr YTT certificate from The Center for Natural Living in Costa Rica. Six years ago I was introduced to Iyengar yoga, and right away I felt like I was home. The alignment and modifications one can use in Iyengar yoga made a huge difference in my practice, my body, and my mind. I started connecting more to my body and was able to meet it exactly where it was at.
I was led to take teacher training with Leslie Bradley & Craig Kurtz in 2019. I have also studied with Lisa Beckwith Wolf. In the Fall of 2020 I took the Autumn Sanghe with Abhijata Iyengar (B.K.S. Iyengar's granddaughter from India) called "Strength in Asana and Community," and this workshop reaffirmed for me that my path of study of yoga is Iyengar.
I love teaching this style of yoga, and am looking forward to practicing with all who come to class in Pagosa Springs!
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.
William is available for private yoga therapy sessions - Call us to reserve your time with him!
970-903-9278
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.
THERESA SIMMONS
Theresa has been in the healing arts field for over a decade. She has certifications in Massage Therapy, Esthetics, and Forest Therapy Guiding, and then it was in May of 2021 that she completed her 200hr Yoga Teaching Certification from Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. Although Theresa’s learning style was based upon Iyengar Yoga methods she has other studies and traditions that she combines with her teachings and practices to help facilitate and guide others to help them in their own healing journey. Theresa believes in the power of yoga and that by developing your mental and physical potentials, and by nourishing yourself with simple natural food one can begin to control the stress and tension of everyday living.
Theresa has been in the healing arts field for over a decade. She has certifications in Massage Therapy, Esthetics, and Forest Therapy Guiding, and then it was in May of 2021 that she completed her 200hr Yoga Teaching Certification from Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. Although Theresa’s learning style was based upon Iyengar Yoga methods she has other studies and traditions that she combines with her teachings and practices to help facilitate and guide others to help them in their own healing journey. Theresa believes in the power of yoga and that by developing your mental and physical potentials, and by nourishing yourself with simple natural food one can begin to control the stress and tension of everyday living.
ADRIENNE "DRIE" YOUNG
Burlesque Performer, aerialist, costume/fashion designer, and certified yoga instructor! I find a lot of passion in self love & care. I wanted to create a fitness class for everyone in a refreshing fun art form! I have been doing aerial for over a decade. I originally
trained at Cirque School in LA as I wanted to incorporate aerial arts into my burlesque performances. I have been performing under my stage
name, Sass A Frass. I instantly fell in love with all aerial arts as another form of creative self expression and physical meditative workout using only your body weight, my favorite type of fitness! I have practiced yoga since I was a young girl and finally got my
certificate as an instructor back in 2015 to be able to share my passion with others! To this day I continue to perform and practice aerial and yoga and figure out new ways of creatively incorporating them into all of my creative self expressions. As a designer and someone who just loves to dance, play and have fun I wanted to create this class as a dance party! Incorporating aerial yoga and circus conditioning into a fun one hour ‘Friday Night Fever’ Disco Dance Party. We will be working out to Disco House Music in costume! Costumes and stretchy clothes are suggested but not required!
Let’s just have fun, dance, and play!
Drie is available for private aerial yoga sessions - Call us to reserve your time with her!
970-903-9278