Shannon began her yoga journey during the hot Summer months of 2003 in Hood River, OR. Her love for Bikram Yoga accelerated her undeniable calling to become an instructor with the help of Patricia Martin-Bunch (whom Shannon will feel forever indebted to)! It is truly amazing what can happen when one person believes in you and has faith in your abilities. She completed her 500hr Bikram Yoga Teacher Training at The Bikram Yoga College of India, Los Angeles Headquarters a year later to eventually begin her process of pursuing her wild dream of bringing yoga to her most cherished community of The Dalles.
Shannon went on to open The Dalles' first and only yoga studio, Pure Yoga, in 2008, and the Hood River studio in 2015. Now the only hot yoga studios in The Gorge. While she enjoyed teaching solely the Bikram method for over 5 years, her life took a dramatic shift in 2009 opening her up to a deepened awareness far beyond just the scope of Bikram Yoga. This led Shannon to complete Teacher Trainings in Vinyasa, Yin, Buti, Paddle board Yoga and most recently a 200hr Yoga and Social Justice Teacher Training/Trauma Informed Brain Sensitive Yoga Teacher Training both with Sarahjoy Marsh.
The practice of yoga continually shows Shannon that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE on and off the yoga mat. More than anything she relishes in the opportunity to share this with you, providing the space for you to open up to, feel and know that possibilities are endless, where ever you are on your path! When she's not in the studio you will find her with her VERY special family Gabe and Louie.
AMIE DIGENNARO
Amie's interest in yoga began in 2006 while investigating methods to control severe back pain. Although she didn't instantly love hot yoga, Amie did love the pain relief that a consistent hot yoga practice awarded her. The physical benefits of yoga were obvious to Amie but what unfolded was a deeper practice of self observation and connectivity.
In the summer of 2010, Amie completed a 200 hour teacher training at CorePower Yoga in Portland, OR, and has been teaching classes at Pure Yoga ever since. Completely inspired by the varied yoga backgrounds of her teachers, Amie expanded her own practice beyond Bikram and hot yoga and loves combining different styles of yoga. She enjoys creating a dynamic flow of energy with music, breath, light, and support. "I feel so fortunate. The yoga community in The Dalles is nothing short of inspiring. We encourage each other through challenges and breakthroughs and we celebrate our growth together."
When the weather is nice you'll likely find Amie paddleboarding on The Columbia River. Amie completed a SUP yoga training in June 2014, and is certified as a SUP instructor through the World Paddle Association. Amie spends the summer months guiding stand-up paddleboard excursions and teaching paddleboard yoga classes in The Dalles.
Amie's favorite yoga partner is her daughter, a fearless, flexible 9 year old that rarely says, "I can't"...and is a constant reminder of how the mind and body transform and transcend.
VICTORIA WILLIAMS
A lawyer-turned-yoga teacher, Victoria began practicing yoga to find relief from the stresses of her former career, and her practice developed from a cherished outlet to a passionate calling. Victoria completed teacher training with Eoin Finn Yoga + Blissology in British Columbia. Her classes balance focus and flow, combining detailed alignment instruction with a thoughtful, fluid practice designed to awaken the power of the breath and the inner stillness of the mind. As a nature lover, Victoria is grateful to live in the Gorge and draws daily inspiration for her practice and teaching from its beauty.
SARAH SMEBY
Sarah has been practicing yoga for the better part of 20 years. As a self-described “dabbler” until her mid-20s, she loved yoga for the physical benefits. It wasn’t until she developed a consistent practice about 10 years ago that she started to understand the positive impact yoga can have on all aspects of life.
Sarah loves to incorporate a strong asana practice as a support system for an active lifestyle. As an avid snowboarder, mountain biker, and marathon runner, yoga is an integral part in keeping her body healthy and feeling good
As a new mom, she uses pranayama and meditation to stay centered and present for her family. Sarah’s classes focus on alignment based asana, as well as incorporating breath, meditation, and yogic philosophy.
She has trained with John Ogilvie at the Byron Yoga Centre in Byron Bay, and is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.
TEXANNA BOSSOFF
Texanna started practicing yoga in 2010 after her doctor told her she had to stop running or face hip and knee surgery. It took a long time to find the style of yoga that suited her, but once she found Power and Vinyasa, she was hooked! She loves pushing her students to safely find their own personal edge. She finished her 200 hour teacher training with Rebecca Pitzer at Discover Within Yoga in 2016. Texanna is really looking forward to helping Gorge yogis find their inner strength, balance and flexibility!
KATIE MIDDEL
Katie grew up practicing gymnastics, yoga, and dance. She was inspired by her brother and mother, who are also yoga instructors, to delve deeper into her yoga practice. Katie decided she wanted to teach yoga when she was a Sophomore in college, while she was also studying journalism and business at Colorado State University.
She received her 200 hour Power Yoga certificate in May 2017 at CorePower Yoga in Fort Collins. Katie wants to spread her love for yoga and promote a healthy lifestyle to the younger community. She believes that a healthy mind and body is the recipe for a happy life, no matter your age.
When she is not practicing yoga, you may find Katie kiteboarding, hiking in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, or reading a good romance novel. Katie plans on continuing her yoga education later on in life, and hopes she changes the way people look at their lives; on and off the mat.
Taylor Kendal Smith
Taylor was introduced to yoga by her mother at an early age and she has been practicing yoga on and off since she was young. Her practice waxed and waned in frequency but despite enjoying the different types of yoga she tried and studied, none of them felt like the perfect fit.
In 2015, Taylor relocated to Pendleton, OR after graduating college. It was there that she was introduced to the practice of Buti Yoga. She fell in love with the experience and community that the practice embodies. The competition, comparison, and judgment so common among women was replaced with unconditional love and support.
Buti Yoga allowed her to work through past trauma, shed the stress of the day, be present in the moment, and move creatively. Taylor was hooked and began practicing Buti regularly. She decided to take her practice to the next level and by February of 2017, she had completed her 200 RYT through Buti Yoga. She is certified in Vinyasa, Buti & Hot Buti yoga.
Taylor relocated to The Dalles to work on the Blue Zones Project. She has a passion for health and well-being and hopes to empower individuals to take a more active role in their health.
In her classes Taylor creates a fun & upbeat environment with her love of hip-hop and ability to laugh at herself. Through Buti Yoga she is able to explore her dynamic personality with cardio-heavy classes one day and a slower flow style on others. She holds a safe and supportive space where folks of all levels and abilities can sweat together as they strive to become the healthiest and happiest version of themselves.
Casey Smith
Casey began her yoga practice in 2009 in Manhattan Beach, CA. She grew up in Houston, TX, and spent most of her life as a dancer.
After graduating from Cornell University with an engineering degree, she moved to California for work and gave up dancing. Looking for a new activity to replace dance, she began taking Bikram yoga classes. After a few years of being an avid Bikram practitioner, Casey began exploring other types of yoga. She immediately developed a passion for Vinyasa because of the powerful mind-body connection it cultivates and has been following this passion ever since.
Casey completed an RYT 200 certification from the Mukti Yoga School in 2017. A few months later, she quit her job as an aerospace engineer and moved to Hood River. She is so happy to be residing in Hood River and intends to share her love of yoga with the community.
Casey teaches mainly Vinyasa flow classes, focusing on alignment, breath + body connection, and dynamic sequencing.
Kimberley Hoppus
Kimberly discovered Bikram Yoga in Portland, OR in 2001 while working in the wildlife research profession. Subsequently, she completed the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in 2002.
Kimberly has taught in many Western States and she is elated to be able to share her passion for Yoga with the Gorge community. She is an avid reader, enjoys traveling, hiking, watercolor painting and practicing Hot Bikram yoga with her seven year old daughter, Heidi.
Practiced correctly, trying the right way, Bikram Yoga can heal any ailment, cures injuries, and provides optimal health.
This ancient, thorough, disciplined practice continually reaffirms Kimberly’s faith in Bishnu Ghosh’s well-known Hatha Yoga adage, “It’s never too late, it’s never too bad, you’re never too old, you’re never too sick to start from scratch once again, to be born once again.”
Jen Obst
Jen started practicing yoga in her late teens in Minneapolis, MN. She lived near an Iyengar Yoga studio and decided to check it out. She fell in love with the practice and how relaxed yet energized it made her feel.
Jen has continued to practice in as many different studios as she can and in 2011, she went to a 200 hour teacher training at Corepower Yoga in Portland, OR.
Her yoga classes are energizing and fun with focus on breath, alignment and creating space in the body. When she's not helping others with yoga or massage, you might find her in the woods running, biking or at the pool swimming.
Jessica Agreda
Jessica moved to Hood River with her family last spring after a brief stint in PDX. Although she grew up in Georgia, she has trained all over the US. She moved to the PNW (as soon as possible) to fuel her passion for yoga, mountains, and exploring.
Jessica began teaching five years ago and enjoys the diversity of yoga. She is trained to teach Bikram, vinyasa flow and Ashtanga yoga. In Jessica's classes, she will teach you how to refine your own practice through a unique style of physical origami. As big fan of hands on adjustments, she hopes to show you how a well-adjusted person becomes a well-adjusted person. Pun intended.
Jack Kaady
Jack started practicing yoga in 2007 as a way to decompress from a stressful job in high tech and stay in shape between taking various outdoor gorge sessions. He began his practice in Hood River in a Bikram yoga class. From there he soon made his way to a Vinyasa class.
That style resonated with him and a few years later he found “yoga mecca” through Journey into Power (JIP), a style developed by Baron Baptiste and sometimes taught in a 90-95 degree studio. This practice takes its inspiration from the Ashtanga, Bikram and Iyengar styles of yoga.
Jack has been studying to improve his practice and knowledge of yoga ever since by taking various courses from the Baptiste Institute and Baptiste Affiliated studios.
He recently completed his 200 hour teacher training in Bend. Before that he took Level 1 and Personal Revolution from Baron Baptiste in Sedona and Tulum. In Tulum, he didn’t practice hot yoga, he practiced yoga, and it was hot!
Most of all in this journey, Jack realizes the importance of yoga not only as a physical practice (asana) but what it offers through meditation and inquiry. His class will offer his students a vigorous practice, but allow for modifications and suggested alignment to make this practice accessible to everyone who is willing to go on this satisfying and invigorating journey. He looks forward to seeing you in class soon!
Angela Hanson
Angela began practicing yoga in 2003 after her daughter was born. In a new town and not knowing anyone in her community, her home practice was her rock.
She befriended a local studio owner, but because Angela was lacking self-awareness, self- confidence and fearlessness, she kept her practice at home.
One day that friend who owned a local studio, convinced her to try the free local class. Back corner, she attended and her life was changed.
Finding community, support and love inside a studio, Angela found self-awareness, self- confidence and endless fearlessness.
She found she wanted to offer that experience to others. Share. Cultivate.
So from home, to back row student, to teacher. Her journey grows as any and every yoga practice does.
She is now beyond grateful to the friend and teacher, and the entire community that is the Pure Yoga studio, that helped her learn that she was more, could be everything and offer her experiences to share with others for their own growth.
Benjamin Valpey
Benjamin has lived in The Gorge for over 20 years. His interest in yoga began at the young age of 13. Since then he has explored an array of different avenues in life, realizing the importance of embracing ones own life in optimal wellbeing. It is his utmost intention to tailor each class to the individuals needs, providing strategies to health and wellbeing for all ages and abilities.
Benjamin received his 200 hr yoga certification on a journey to Bali.
His facilitation method is based on the principles of T. Krishnamacharya’s teaching method. Benjamin’s class includes a full spectrum of breathing, asana (postures), relaxation, pranayama (breathing exercises which move, activate and increase Prana (vital energy) to create a full hearted practice.
Ginny Thomson
Ginny is a heart centered Yogini from Hood River, OR. She has shared and practiced yoga all around the Gorge now for over 10 years.
Ginny was trained and certified to teach yoga at the Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Academy in 2011. She teaches a variety of classical hatha, vinyasa and kundalini yoga. This incorporates breath work with body movement creating an incredible sense of being present with what is here now. " Yoga has become a way of healing and rejuvenating that I can count on. When I was a teenager I suffered with the inability to relax and just be myself.
When I found yoga or yoga found me it changed my life for the better. It was like a light switch came on. Suddenly I felt relaxed and could finally hear what my body was trying to tell me. This opened up doors and path ways of healing, and a healthy happiness I so long desired." She loves to share the practice of yoga with all of the beautiful, diverse students she feels so blessed to come into contact with.
Ginny creates an environment in which every moment feels new and fresh and you are free to open and heal as you need. She begins each class creating the energy of tranquility, moving into grounding, warming, strengthening, flying, and relaxing back into tranquility!
You will leave her class feeling refreshed,recharged,revitalized and loved! "See you in the ever present, Now, Namaste."
Chelsea Abbott
Chelsea starting yoga 5 years ago when she became pregnant with her first son and was looking for some relief from sciatic pain. Her midwife suggested yoga and she followed. She instantly saw the benefits it had on her physical comfort, letting go of unwanted anxiety and depression, and connecting with her higher self. It is also ideal for her traveling lifestyle, something to stay focused on wherever she is and all she needs is herself.
She did some training in her home state Utah and then finished her 200 hour yoga teacher training in Vinyasa through Pure Yoga. She trained while she was pregnant and became very in tune with practicing through pregnancy and postpartum. She believes very much that our bodies and spirits talk to us and tell us what we need in the moment if we just move and listen.
She lives with her husband and two boys between the U.S. and Beirut, Lebanon and where ever else they stop along the way.
The gorge being one of her favorite spots.
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