Meet the Teachers

Learn More About Each Teacher

 

  • Katie teaches yoga for the nervous system, specializing in yin yoga. She has a gentle, trauma informed and mindful approach to teaching, and focuses on physical safety first. Her goal is simple- for you to feel better leaving her class, than when you arrived. Bonus if you learn something about yourself along the way.

    Katie is a forever student, dedicated to her continued education in yoga, asana, philosophy, neuroscience, and so much more. She completed her 200 RYT study 1:1 with Evelyn Steeb @ Body in Balance Yoga, and received her Yin Yoga certificate from Yoga International; studying under Bernie Clark. She has also received certificates in Trauma Informed Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Usui Reiki, and end of life Doula.

    When not on the mat, you can find Katie obsessing over getting 10k steps a day, planning her next trip to the ocean, and eating tacos!

  • Kelly Barrett's classes incorporate challenging and empowering movements, as well as meditative postures and breath work, set to music that flows with the sequence. Kelly (E-RYT-200) completed her teacher training through Yoga District in Washington, D.C. in 2013 after spending years falling in love with the transformative quality of yoga. Over time, she found that her practice helped to support her mental health, provided relief from a busy day job, and helped bring deeper clarity about her values and desires. She now teaches public classes at Sol Center in Tucson and leads meditation, movement and journaling courses online. With a training background in Dharma, power, restorative and yoga nidra, Kelly’s classes are tailored to work with the energy and needs of students. She’s inspired by the community of yoga in Tucson and seeks to offer a space where students can simply find where their practice takes them next.

  • I started my yoga journey in search of more flexibility and balance in my body - what kept me coming back was the transformation of mind and spirit.

    I received my 200hr with mind.ful.on - lululemon's teacher training program in Pacific Grove, Ca in 2017. I recently completed my 500hr here in Tucson with Yoga Pod. I am passionate about sharing this ancient and healing practice of transformation.

    My teaching has allowed me to overcome my crippling fear of public speaking. My personal practice keeps me leaning into what is possible and gratitude for what is.

  • My purpose is helping women reclaim their joy and confidence after a cancer diagnosis. One of the ways in which I do this is through guiding mindfulness and yoga. I am a nationally certified wellbeing and mindfulness coach. In addition, I am a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and the combination of these modalities led me to co-create the Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery online and/or retreat program.

  • Lisa is the founder of the Do-Nothing Meditation meditation school and co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out Of Your Head and Into Your Life. She has a master’s degree in science, has guest blogged for Tinybuddha.com, and her first e-book was downloaded over 12,000 times. Lisa grew up in New Zealand and now lives in the Tucson with her daughter, husband, and dog, Cali.

  • The Infinite Compassion Orchestra is Baja Arizona’s premier kirtan ensemble. With a commitment to Bhakti Yoga and traveling to higher states of consciousness through ancient Sanskrit mantras and music, the Orchestra is an artful blend of East & West. Featuring Kasey Gopal (harmonium and vocals); Ashley Gee (vocals); Hadji Banjovi (arco banjo); Mark Rein’l-Bautista (upright bass); Matt Moon (tabla); and other local devotional musical guests.

  • Morgan is an Integrative Nurse in the Tucson community. Her focus is in health and care as she emphasizes integral approaches. She feels passionate as an energy practitioner, registered nurse, and yoga instructor. Morgan uses integrative approaches toward a whole person care model in practice. Yoga particularly through education is a fundamental pillar of her practice.

    Sound bowl & Reiki offering:

    Immerse yourself in a voyage of sound and energy in the meditation garden. This experience will be a gentle therapeutic practice designed to release tension and calm the nervous system. Follow the journey with a dreamy sound bath facilitated by GG and a grounding meditation, breath work and reiki facilitated by Morgan. Follow along or let yourself drift deep into your experience.

  • Katie is a Tucson native who first experienced the practice of yoga in high school. Her love of Asana has deepened over the decades and aided in her healing and personal transformation. Her passions for teaching first seeded many years ago, and after starting a family, she was able to finally achieve her goals to become certified. Katie currently teaches at Resiliency Wellness Center, Four Walls Movement and Music and at the YMCA. For over a year she has been facilitating an outdoor yoga practice at Himmel Park called “Peace in the Park”. This park practice is an all levels, all bodies, donation based no minimum class that strives to honor all humans in their practice, while playing in creative flows and creating long lasting connections. Katie emphasizes alignment, humor, love and fun in her classes. Come join her for an all-levels Hatha Flow.

  • I am a student, teacher, yogi and nature lover. I started practicing yoga just after joining the US Navy. At that time, I was having trouble finding an outlet to relieve stress and yoga kept me feeling calm, creative and present. I was instantly captured by the physicality and movement of the practice, and the ability to be challenged internally. I began practicing more often as the years went by in several studios around San Diego, following my favorite instructors; in 2018 I took the leap and completed my RYT 200 with Julie Varnin at Yoga Breeze Bali.

    Since then, I have been teaching and expanding directions in the yoga community! I’ve broadened my teaching styles to include Hatha, Vinyasa, Gentle, Yin and Reiki. I teach yoga because I believe that this practice gives us the tools and techniques to cultivate clarity and awareness. It enables us to live a more efficient life by helping us plant wellness into our day to day.

    I believe that with the practice of movement, we instill awareness and begin to understand more of who we are and what we need to live a fuller vibrant life. Yoga is a life long practice, that is ever evolving and its consistency is what guides us into that inward place.

    Yoga is not just a practice on our mats, but a practice that we carry into our lives. The more we practice it, the more we will become, and speak our truth. You begin to live in self-study, surrender to what is, and find contentment with what is around us.

  • I’m Jeanetta, owner and instructor at Iron Crane Yoga. When I was pregnant with my son, I couldn’t do my normal workouts or routines. I went from doing Ironman races to nothing at all, which was super discouraging. It was like my body was changing before my eyes, and I didn’t have any grace for myself. I felt like I needed to ‘do more’ but I physically couldn’t. Even after getting the all-clear from my doctor at 6-weeks postpartum, something still didn’t feel right.

    Then, in 2016, I committed to a journey toward health that honored the essence of womanhood, and it started with a yoga practice. It was on my mat that I found grace for my body, mindfulness, and rebuilt my strength in a way that felt good. I felt confident again, not only in motherhood but also in myself, and I knew I wanted to help other women feel that, too.

    That’s why I started Iron Crane Yoga – to teach women about their incredible bodies and encourage them to move in a way that honors where they are — whether that’s working with their cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or just pursuing overall health. Through 60-minute yoga and strength training classes, we help women connect with themselves and move their bodies with confidence. With each session, we’ll challenge our students to test their limits and grow stronger with every movement.

    Our programs are not about how fast you can run, how much you can lift, how quickly you fit in your pre-pregnancy jeans, how early you hit menopause, or if you’ve even stepped foot in a gym or a yoga class. I am about changing the way that you think about your health and learning how to befriend your body. I want you to know that health, joy, and living your one wild and precious life is possible without starving yourself, abusing your body, and hating life.

  • Michelle Angel, also known as Gong Gypsy, has been deeply immersed on the path of Sacred Music for over 40 years. Her journey began when the magic of the flute called out to her. Shortly thereafter, she started leading Kirtan. She developed a passion for the Gong, which evokes ancient primordial sounds that opens the doorway to the heart. She also plays Crystal Bowls, Himalayan Bowls, Halo Hand Pan Drum, Native American Flutes and Harmonium. She creates magnificent sacred space as her spirit is so deeply entwined with each of her mystical instruments. The sounds she beckons through her art transports listeners through time and space; a journey that transcends words.

  • Genevieve Guadalupe (GG) is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, holding an RYT-500 certification. She taught classical ballet and fitness classes since her early 20s, and yoga became her daily companion in 2010. She now specializes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin and Restorative yoga. Her Restorative and Yin classes are known for creating stillness and deep relaxation. Her other classes are known for their fluidity and challenging yet playful nature. Her training and experience in Sound Healing, Nidra, and Thai Yoga massage allow her to offer a unique and holistic experience to her students. GG's mission in to guide students toward greater self awareness, inner peace, and mindfulness. GG is fluent in English, Spanish , and French and her classes and workshops are offered globally. She is passionate about bringing her knowledge to underserved populations.

  • Desirai Svetcov is a trauma sensitive RYT200/ RYS300 with special training in mobility, anatomy, and pain management. She seeks to facilitate growth, connection, health, and authentic human interaction through her yoga and coaching offerings. She utilizes ancient wisdom, modern science, and her personal experiences to create intuitive and intentional classes for the mind and body. Her drive originates from living through physical and mental trauma, burnout, and studying history and culture. She has overcome an abundance of life’s obstacles and wants to help others do the same. For her, yoga has been a constant way of living to support her relationships, her work, and her health.

  • I was first drawn to yoga in 2018 as part of my background as a dancer and a desire to keep strength and flexibility in my life. It was my love for mindful movement and deep self exploration, however, that motivated me to commit to a consistent practice and become a teacher. As a teacher, my goal is for my students to walk away from class feeling supported, safe, and challenged. I believe we all hold the wisdom we need, and that yoga is a beautiful way to tap into that inner wisdom. I love having the privilege of helping my students learn to trust themselves and their intuition!

  • Amy started practicing yoga her freshmen year of college, over 20 years ago. The benefits she gained from her own regular yoga practice inspired her to share the gift of yoga with others. In 2008, she completed her 200-hour YTT in Tulum, Mexico, then went on to obtain an additional 300-hour YTT. Amy has her ERYT 500 and YACEP designations through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga for over 15 years. She teaches all styles of yoga, but her passion is Vinyasa, Hot and Kids Yoga. As a former elementary and secondary physical education teacher, Amy is passionate about sharing the gift of yoga with youth. She has developed curriculum for kids yoga teacher trainings and summer camps that focus on mindful movement, yoga stories, partner yoga, mindfulness activities and yoga art.

    Amy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Wellness and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. With her educational background, Amy creates thoughtful sequences that challenge both the mind and body, while leaving you feeling nourished, balanced and inspired. When Amy is not teaching yoga she enjoys spending time with her twins, Raya and Luca, her husband Tony and their dog Miles.

  • I’m Amelia. I have loved moving my body and some form of exercise for as long as I can remember. I love the physical and mental challenges you acquire while holding tough yoga poses, the playfulness of flows, the mobility that carries over into my strength training, and the feeling of lying down getting ready for Savasana

    I practiced yoga off and on for the next couple of years until the right offer came along. It happened to be YTT with Iron Crane that started in January 2023. I found the most amazing growth, development in practice and connection. I taught my first post-YTT class the Friday after YTT graduation, when I said all in I wasn't kidding. Now I teach a weekly vinyasa class (come see me!) and I've found even more love for yoga and the people at Iron Crane.

  • Michael’s work as a Rolfing Structural Integration Practioner and Craniosa ral Therapist.

    His life and work has always been informed by his process of self-discovery and commitment to spirituality. He continues to practice and learn from many of the world’s wisdom traditions, such as: Buddhism, Adviata Vedanta (non-duality), Sufism, Christian mysticism and dream work . He is a Spiritual Director and a meditation teacher and recently completed a 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification program with Sounds True, Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.

    Pre-pandemic Michael was a yoga (500 hour Kripalu teachers certification)and Egoscue Postural Fitness instructor. He is also a visual artist, a chi-kung practitioner and a lover of the Sonoran desert.

    To learn more about what he does visit rolfingtucson.com

  • Amber Willett is an intuitive, trauma informed RYT500. She offers guidance through the body and mind while connecting you back to the breath. Finding comfort in the body and breath is something Amber has a deep love for and wants to share with the world. Through her own struggles on her journey Amber has discovered beauty in the mundane, magic in the breath and freedom in the movement. Join her on her journey, creating community, growing in tandem with one another. Amber offers virtual reiki healing, private trauma informed yoga and guided meditation. Her passion is to spread universal love and light, to guide those she encounters to a place inside where their worries seem to fade and to share divine guidance she receives to those who are ready to download the messages with her.

  • I’ve been practicing with a teacher several forms of Qi Gong for the past decade, but I started Qi Gong and yoga early in my life when I was twenty years old. Although there are some similarities to yogic principles, these forms are different from yoga in that relaxation occurs from a standing position. The two forms I practice now are Yilin Jing, which translates to “tendon-changing methods." It is based in Shaolin. The second form is Hun Yuan, where “Hun” means mixed and “Yuan” means circle. Hun Yuan refers to the movement of the universe, or the Tao, which is the force behind all phenomena. It was developed by Feng Zhi Qiang, the founder of the Hun Yuan system and one of China’s foremost martial arts masters. He is able to demonstrate the internal power of Tai Chi to a high level, both in self-defense and in healing.

  • Casey has been teaching Yoga for all ages and abilities for over ten years. Since 2012 Casey has completed 2 Traditional Yoga Teacher Trainings in South India at The School of Santhi (200hr and 500hr) and 2 other trainings here in Tucson including Yin Yoga with Debbie Daly and a 200hr yoghour at Yoga Oasis with Darren Rhodes and Brigette Finley. She is passionate about self compassion, community healing and personal power. Casey fell in love with Yoga in a high school aerobics class and has loved chanting Shiva mantras since childhood. Playing harmonium for 10 years and ukulele for just over year, Casey finds singing and chanting incredibly therapeutic, especially in a group. Casey is deeply passionate about Yoga philosophy and how we can better our lives and communities by applying these teachings both on and off the mat.

  • In the late 80's, I traveled to the SW to study the healing arts in Santa Fe after a ten year career in social work, in N Michigan. Falling in love with the mountains, mesas, and wide open spaces, allowed my spirit to soar and led me in a new direction for my own healing and new career as a massage therapist. I had been practicing yoga and studied to become a teacher a few years later from a variety of teachers for a 200 hr. certification. Moving to the Abiquiu area on the Chama River NM in the mid 90's, put Ghost Ranch on my radar, whereby I helped start the massage and wellness program there in 1997, eventually adding yoga classes for all ages & guiding hikes. I have also worked on National Geographic ships teaching yoga & doing massage for 7 years while traveling the world!

    Now I am happily semi-retired in beautiful Tucson Az, still teaching some yoga classes in my neighborhood in Oro Valley. My chosen career and lucky genes have enabled me to maintain good health, age gracefully and share my knowledge with others!

  • Patricia is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance E-RYT (Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher.) She

    became a certified Integral Yoga teacher in 1975 studying with Swami Satchidananda and

    continued her studies of Eastern Philosophy for nearly 50 years experiencing two (2) spiritual

    journeys to India with her family. She has actively participated in community service since she was

    18 years old. In 2000, Patricia opened The Jyoti House, A Healing Arts Center in Conroe, Texas,

    where a variety of practitioners, counselors and healers offered services and regularly held free

    seminars and workshops open to the public until 9/11 stilled the nation’s spending, forcing her to

    close The Jyoti House in November 2001. .She has been exploring natural living since 1974. All of

    her children were born in the beautiful spiritual environment of her home. Her decisions to not

    immunize her children or choose conventional doctors were based on living in accordance with

    God’s plan. Her decision to eat a Vegetarian diet for 17 years was to allow the body to maintain a

    high energy level in order to serve the God within all. She has chosen natural healing to honor the

    body as a Temple of God. Her background as a Yoga Therapist allows her to help you create a

    healing place within yourself with visualization and relaxation so that you may tap into that

    unlimited energy source and enjoy life to the fullest.