Kris Layman is an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher, owner and creative coordinator of Prema Studio,  and Certified Licensed Massage Therapist (since 1997).  Her teaching is influenced with Yogarupa, Rod Stryker, of Para Yoga, Indu Arora, Chanti Tacoronte-Perez, and Tanya Boigenzahn of Devanadi.  Para Yoga "draws from ancient and profound insights into the whole person, and uses asana (posture), breath and meditation to benefit much more than just your body. It is a powerful, practical, and highly refined approach that empowers practitioners to thrive in every area of the their life, no matter their previous level of experience."  

Prema Yoga Studio is along the Cannon River in Northfield, MN.  Kris also teaches yoga phy-ed classes at Carleton College and creating retreats and wellness expo opportunities.  

Kris has been a registered yoga teacher since 2001 and is a graduate of Devanadi’s 500 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher training.  She continues to take classes in Para Yoga and has attended Rod Stryker's Yoga Nidra training as well as Indu Arora's Yoga Nidra level 1.  She has had the opportunity to take trainings with  Seane Corn, Rodney Yee, Gary Kraftsow, and many other wonderful instructors on her path of yoga self exploration.   

Kris has taught yoga at a variety of locations for seminars and workshops.   Including workshops at Carleton and St. Olaf college, Northfield Public Library, and Allina Clinic.  For 8 years she taught and helped create curriculum for a yoga teacher training program and massage therapy school.  She currently continues to offer retreats and wellness expo collaborations.    

Kris received her massage therapy certification in 1997 at Cottonwood School of Massage. She also taught massage at Full Circle School of Massage in Colorado. She assisted Dawn Lewis for massage continuing ed. classes with SMRT.  And has received training in Thai Yoga Bodywork – which enables her to combine both yoga and massage.

Because of her extensive training background, Kris is able to take that knowledge to personalize a student’s practice to suit their specific needs.

Kris also enjoys spending time with her son; embracing the ‘silliness’, reading, hiking, camping, travel, and is very grateful for the teachers along her path.

Yoga and Ayurveda Instructor: 

Cassie Schwamb

AWC Level 1, RYT-200

I've been enjoying the gifts of vitality, self-awareness, and healing that Yoga and Ayurveda bring for the past fifteen years. I hold certifications as a Level 1 Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant, RYT-200, Prenatal Yoga Instructor, Yoga Bonding Instructor, and Birth Doula, and have been teaching for the past seven years. I'm excited to expand my offerings to include the sister science of Ayurveda, which allows us to tailor our lifestyle, diet, and yoga practice to best suit our unique selves. I offer Ayurveda Wellness consultations, private yoga lessons, birth doula support, and group yoga classes here in Northfield, MN. You can reach her at cass.schwamb@gmail.com

Somatics

Learn how to regain flexibility and get rid of stiffness and pain by Addressing the Root of the Problem YOUR BRAIN

These exercises are gentle and safe and can be explored on the floor or in a chair.

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Hanna Somatic is a type of neuromuscular education, that relieves chronic muscle tension, restores natural posture and prevents recurring injuries.

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In a Somatic class we teach you through gentle and simple movements, how to relax the muscles that contribute to discomfort and pain.. While moving slowly and with awareness your primary focus of attention is on the internal sensations of the movements for feedback, reeducating your brain to relax muscles that are tight. 

A daily practice helps to gain greater flexibility and freedom to move with ease and enjoy life.

Erin Eltonga is a passionate healing practitioner. Erin enjoys helping people feel love and trust in being where they are at in life through clearing stagnation. Erin is a CranioSacral Practitioner trained through Upledger Institute (2010). A registered yoga teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance. She completed her 200 hour training with Bodhi Tree International in Rishikesh, India (2011), and is certified in prenatal yoga (2016).

Erin’s specialty is in sound therapy. She shares the enchanting vibrations of a 36” Gong, Singing bowls, rain stick, and ocean drum in a relaxed healing environment. Her intention is to hold sacred space for people to open and connect to their divine beautiful self while creating peace and harmony within, allowing that inner light to manifest and shine through organically. Let your love shine ~ Om Shanti!

Gong Meditation

Gong Meditations are a blissful experience of sound therapy that give you a natural boost of joy. It’s an opportunity to receive gentle healing through sound vibrations. You lie down on a yoga mat and get cozy in a blanket (you may use the studio’s or bring your own comforts from home). Then you feel the vibrations and experience a transformational relaxation. Some instruments are played at the front of the room and others are hovered over your body so you can feel the power up close. The cells in your body and your brain waves slow down so your body can rebalance itself and create new healthy pathways and connections, the sounds stimulate releases of neurotransmitters and hormones. This holistic experience heals all aspects of self: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Sound therapy can help reduce: stress, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, dementia. The vibrations can improve breathing, mood, memory, sleep, and strengthen the immune system. Music is medicine!    

Jody holds a White Belt and Blue Belt in Nia.

Jody as had the opportunity to train with the creator of Nia, Debbie Rosas. 

A Certified Pilates Instructor with the Physicalmind Institute.

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Jody has many years of teaching experience with the classical Pilates method. She will help guide you through modification if needed. Jody creates the space for you to listen to the wisdom within and move through class with that awareness.

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-Art of teaching

- pre/post pregnancy movement

- aging population movement 

- Writing from the body movement classes 

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A mother of 3, a wife and a free spirit libra from Lakeville! 

Gracia Gimse Mckinley

Swami Vidyananda

Gracia finds great joy in supporting seekers in the process of awakening. She acts as a mirror to reflect the pure goodness and beauty that exists at the core of your being.

Your every day life is your spiritual life. Rituals and sadhana (spiritual practice) are tools to help you attune to your highest and best self which is one with the Divine. Gracia teaches meditation, Kriya Yoga and Somatic Yoga Therapy techniques to help people live authentic, happy and meaningful lives connected to sacred consciousness.

Gracia feels honored to teach in a variety of venues including yoga studios, conferences (see Minneapolis Yoga Conference and Sedona Yoga Festival), and corporations such as Microsoft and Amazon. Gracia is the author of the ‘Ask the Swami’ column in  MN Yoga + Life Magazine.

As an ordained householder swami (minister) through the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago Gracia performs significant life transformation rituals such as weddings, funerals, and baby blessings.

Degrees and Certifications:
BA and MFA
Kriya Yoga Seminary + Ordination
Certified Death Midwife
Certified Hanna Somatic Educator
Certified Somatic Yoga Teacher
Certified Adaptive Yoga Teacher
Certified SoulCollage® Facilitator
Certified Vastu Shastra Practitioner (Yogic Space Design)
E-RYT 500 and YACEP Registration with Yoga Alliance

Feel free to contact Gracia if you have any questions.

507-301-8939 voice or text
Email gracia@myspiritcommunity.org

Visit My Spirit Community's web page for more information.   www.myspiritcommunity.org

Monday night Beginners Yoga is on the calendar with Steph Carlson from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 
Steph is bringing her fun, flow, chill vibe to Prema on Mondays. Drop-in!

A well rounded class, that strengthens, stretches and energizes the body, while quieting the mind. 
Open to all levels. 

Along with her teaching yoga, also has an AAS in Exercise and Sport Science is a self-proclaimed  townie, yogi, exercise enthusiast, and pizza lover.  

Visiting Instructor:

Chanti Tacoronte-Perez, MA, ERYT500, Certified 4 Desires Trainer & Level 1 ParaYoga® Teacher, AYS

http://www.yantrawisdom.com

Chanti’s passion is to inspire students to rediscover their creative self through personal inquiry, effortlessness, ritual, sangha and sadhana. She has been studying and teaching yoga in the Sri Viddya linage since 2005; initiated by her teacher Yogarupa Rod Stryker.  Chanti completed her Masters degree at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Humanities with an emphasis on Depth Psychology. Chanti believes that creativity is one of the most essential tools in guiding students towards living a joyous and purposeful life. She is masterful at weaving the teachings of the tradition with creative tools in order to deeply explore and internalize the essence of what is being expressed. 

Chanti is the creator of the Yantra Wisdom Divination Deck, which aims at shifting perspective, engaging intuition and receiving clarity and author of Likhita Japa: Sacred Writing as Spiritual Practice. Chanti leads Yantra panting immersions, restorative trainings, mentorship programs and is co-teaching in numerous teacher trainings across the country. Chanti has designed online courses with Where is My Guru and was the writer for The Four Desires virtual book club on Elephant Journal.

Her life’s work and sustained discipline comes from the dedication she gives to self-mastery and the creative process. The work of The Four Desires coupled with the experiential teachings of depth psychology inspire her to share with the world the wisdom that awakens a great, purposeful, creativity-engaged life. 

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Visiting Instructor:

Kristina, E-RYT 500 and Certified Vedic Chant Teacher, teaches yoga and chant within the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar, a respected lineage of yoga that honors the needs and capacities of each individual and is based upon traditional yoga philosophies. Kristina has a rich background in wellness related disciplines, including work in physical therapy, massage therapy and personal wellness training. She has taught yoga since 2000 and, in the last 10 years, has worked to deepen & broaden her knowledge and understanding of yoga, yoga therapy and Vedic chant through numerous trainings and workshops. She has attended courses of study with respected teachers within the Krishnamacharya/Desikachar lineage, including Sonia Nelson, Menaka Desikachar, Kausthub Desikachar, Gary Kraftsow, Mirka Kraftsow and Leslie Kaminoff. Kristina has received extensive training in the therapeutic application of yoga, which allows her to work one-on-one with individuals in the realm of health and healing for a wide variety of issues (see private sessions). Most recently, Kristina undertook a yoga therapy internship at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandarim,www.kym.org, a world renowned institution in the field of yoga therapy, yoga studies and research located in Chennai, India.

Kristina also underwent rigorous training to become a Certified Vedic Chant Teacher under the guidance of her teacher, Sonia Nelson, at the Vedic Chant Center, www.vedicchantcenter.org, in Santa Fe, N.M. This 2 year training culminated in a recent 2 week chanting intensive with Menaka Desikachar at the Sannidhi of Krishnamacharya Yoga, www.sky-yoga.net in Chennai, India. Kristina offers classes, workshops, individual sessions and Skype sessions in Vedic Chant and it’s application in yoga (see Vedic chant). Her method of teaching yoga and chant is an evolving and dynamic process, rather than a fixed ‘style‘ or dogma. This core principle allows her to meet people where they are and guide them in a journey that supports their changing needs and goals in personal growth, healing and transformation.

Visiting Instructor:

Tanya Boigenzahn

E-RYT 500, RTT, CHTP, AYS, Yoga Therapist & Reiki Master tboigenzahn@devanadiyoga.com www.devanadiyoga.com | www.thaiyogabodywork.com

Tanya is honored to share her life in the pursuit of dharma, health and wellness for all beings. She is the founder of Devanadi School of Yoga and Wellness as well as Thai Yoga Bodywork, LLC, empowering people with authentic and time-tested tools and teachings to help reach their highest potential. With 25+ years on the mat, she is a multi-certified yoga teacher studying mainly with Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and Indu Arora and is a ParaYoga® Level 2 Teacher, Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, Thai Yoga Bodywork Therapist, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and Reiki Master. Tanya is also an Adjunct Faculty Teacher with the Himalayan Institute and featured teacher on www.YogaInternational.com.

As a long-time wellness educator, Tanya uses this experience to help deepen students’ knowledge of the traditional practices of healing and wholeness. Annually, she offers intensives and retreats to Thailand, India, Costa Rica and other areas in the world with rich healing traditions to go deeper and study with masters. With travel as a passion, you will often find her chanting with Buddhist monks, cooking a curry with her son, or discovering a long lost healing technique when abroad.

Visiting Instructor:

Indu Arora, Ayurveda and Yoga Therapist based out of USA. Her teachings are

deeply rooted in her philosophy:

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Nothing has the greatest power to heal, but Self.  

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Author of Mudra: The Sacred Secret and Yoga

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https://www.yogsadhna.com

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"I am Indu Arora, student for a lifetime. I would like to share with you the Yogic and Ayurvedic wisdom which brings simplicity to our complex lives. I am here to share with you that the answer to every query and conflict lies within us. Living in harmony with our inner nature and the Nature as such is the key to health. Health is not an objective but a holistic approach where body and mind are integrated with the inner self. I have been sharing simple, effective, practical, grounded ways of living life through Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meditation and Ayurveda for 14 years and I am going to do that for the rest of my life."