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ABOUT
ABOUT ME
I have been teaching yoga since becoming a certified teacher in 2017 where my love for yoga became more than a passion. It became a desire for continued knowledge and how to best share it to benefit each individual I am lucky enough to teach. That knowledge has allowed me to experience the magic of yoga and all of the positive effects on the mind, body and soul.
My approach to teaching comes from a space of appreciation, compassion and FUN. I strive to structure my teachings so when you step off your mat you feel peace of mind, strength in body and empowered to your very soul.
Offering the Gorge's only infrared hot studio and a separate cool studio, we want to help you embark on a journey to obtain your personal wellness goals.
CERTIFICATIONS
⦿ Yoga Sculpt Certification
⦿ Hot 26 & 2 Certification
⦿ Mater Level I & II Barre Certification
⦿ 200 RYT Yoga Certification
⦿ Cardio Yoga Certification
Whitney Hooker
Whitney completed her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher vinyasa teacher training in Greenville, SC at North Main Yoga in 2008. Her training focused on restorative breath practice incorporating the Qi Gong breathing techniques of teacher Max Strong. Whitney has enjoyed teaching yoga as a healing modality to the general public and clinical populations. She believes in making yoga accessible, approachable and fun for all persons and this philosophy inspired her career choice as an Occupational Therapist. When she’s off the mat Whitney adores pushing her limits in the gym, giggling with her girlfriends, music, singing, reading, plant-based cooking, making colorful bad art and exploring the beautiful PNW on foot or two wheels with her dog Sophie and partner, Jay.
Bill Kupchin
Bill was raised on a small farm in Troy, Pennsylvania. He finished High School in St Petersburg Florida and went to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He retired from military service and has been working in Aviation Safety commercially ever since. He also has a personal training studio TempleTrainingTech.com and enjoys hiking, camping and being outdoors as much as possible.
Bill first experienced yoga through seeking relief from back and hip pain due to arthritis. 22 years of military service had taken its toll on both body and mind. After moving to the Columbia River Gorge from Alaska, he found relief in restorative yoga. Feeling brave one day, he entered his first Bikram yoga class and never looked back. Wanting to share what he discovered, he pursued his 200 hour CYT and has a passion for making yoga accessible for all populations. Bill enjoys practicing outdoors and weaving philosophy into his practice. He is a 200 hr CYT, Certified Personal Trainer, Strength Coach and Master Health and Wellness Instructor. He has taught online with Tribe, nOMad and in person at Pure Yoga The Dalles, Yoga for First Respomnders, Hood River Elks Lodge and Google. #templetrainingtech, templetrainingtech.com, nomadalwaysatom.com, tribeyogamilitary.org
Lexi Stickel
Lexi stumbled upon yoga over 15 years ago as a way to destress as a busy grad student and fell in love with the practice. As a teacher, she aims to infuse joy, connection, and breath into every class she leads. She believes everyone can experience the benefits of yoga and each of her classes link body & mind with breath & movement. Lexi strives to ensure that every student feels empowered and comfortable in her classes with options that work for their unique and beautiful bodies. Lexi completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training with Jaya Yoga School in Hood River where she refined her approach to yoga. She is currently working on her 500 hour, and is certified in Restorative Yoga.
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> She was born and raised in Oregon, and has lived throughout the Willamette Valley. Now she is a proud community member of the Columbia River Gorge. You'll probably bump into Lexi on one of the numerous trails, lakes, or breweries in the Gorge. She loves to explore all the beauty of the PNW with her partner and pup.
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> You can connect with her on Facebook & Instagram as Wild Bloom Yoga — inspired by her love of yoga & the beauty of the Gorge.
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Chelsea Howe
Chelsea, a Pittsburgh native, fell in love with yoga in 2019 at the Wanderlust Yoga Festival in Snowshoe, WV.
Growing up she was a competitive dancer who went on to dance at a collegiate level and then professionally for the Seattle Super Sonics and the Detroit Piston’s dance teams.
Making beautiful shapes with the body has been her passion and focus her entire life.
Chelsea received her RYT 200 at The Om Lounge Yoga Studio in Pittsburgh, PA in June 2020 where she studied the strong and fluid style of Vinyasa Krama. Which resonated deeply with Chelsea’s dance roots.
She went on to receive a certification through the Shiva Shakti School of Yoga in Pranayama and Meditation in December 2021.
In March 2023 Chelsea completed 50hrs of training in Rocket Yoga through Sol 19 Yoga in Longmont, CO. And is looking forward to more Rocket trainings in the future!
She is also the founder of Confidently Lost Yogi LLC. Chelsea was well known for her unique and eclectic yoga events and retreats in the Pittsburgh area!
She has been an ambassador for Namaste as F*ck since 2020. With NAF she has taught at international yoga retreats and represented the company at Camp Yoga events!
In Chelsea’s classes you can expect to tap into your playful side! Silky movements blend into moments of strength, all leading to the opportunity to challenge the body with advanced asana. With modifications every body will feel safe, strong and hella proud of themselves at the end of the hour!!
Freedom Ciavarello
Freedom Ciavarello is your biggest fan. She is so happy that you’re here and cannot wait to share a Meditation moment with you. She teaches a modern, approachable style of mindfulness-based meditation that utilizes visualization, breath, affirmations and self inquiry to help practitioners of all levels know the depth of their true potential. She works as a holistic lifestyle coach specializing in mindfulness and is a modern day alchemist, owning and operating a small batch skin care company in Beautiful, The Dalles. You can find more information about her work and products through her website (linking moonbeamdaydream.com) or by following her on Instagram (linking Instagram.com/moonbeam_daydream). Until soon!
Janell Wyatt
Janell Wyatt, LPT, RYT
Retired Physical Therapist, 200 and 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher
I started going to yoga classes when I turned 50 and fell in love with the practice. Yoga
restored health to my body, peace to my mind, and restoration to my soul. I always say that I
continue to do yoga so I can BREATHE.
I worked as a physical therapist at MCMC and in pediatrics in the schools for 30 years, and
when I retired I went to my first yoga teacher training in Arizona at Yahweh Yoga where I
completed my 200 hour certification. My teachers there were a mother/daughter team and the
mom was 75 years old and could still do forearm planks, strong warrior poses, and I decided I
wanted to continue to be strong and flexible into my 70s and 80s too. She also did a wonderful
Restorative yoga class every evening after a long day of yoga classes and studying.
My husband and I led Yoga Retreats to Costa Rica for 3 years, and then I decided to go back
to Arizona for my 500 hour training at Yahweh Yoga and I continued to teach slow vinyasa style
yoga classes in The Dalles and Maupin. When COVID hit, everything shut down, and I learned
to teach and take classes over Zoom. I love learning new things and have been studying
Restorative Yoga and want to bring this practice to Empower Yoga in the near future.
Otherwise, I plan to be fully retired and enjoy taking yoga classes and going to yoga retreats,
and enjoying spending time with my family.
Mary Wagstaff
Mary Wagstaff is dedicated to helping individuals discover a deep sense of safety and home within themselves. She believes that our bodies hold untold stories and infinite wisdom, and she views yoga as a powerful path to explore the human experience through a divine lens. With over 20 years of experience as a yoga practitioner and student, Mary has found yoga to be the catalyst for her profound growth and healing. She often says, "It just keeps getting better."Mary encourages her students to approach their yoga practice not as another task to check off the to-do list, but as an opportunity to invite ritual into their day—a reminder that life is a ceremony to be savored. She is honored to be part of the EmpowerYoga Community and looks forward to flowing with students both on and off the mat.Beyond teaching yoga, Mary is a holistic alcohol coach for women, guiding them to embrace a new expression of their sensuality—unaltered and fully alive. She also facilitates women’s circles and serves as an ecstatic dance DJ, with the intention of deepening connections to the divine feminine through sacred sisterhood and honoring the cyclical nature of humanity.Mary and her family recently purchased Skyline Farms in The Dalles, OR, where they are committed to regenerative flower farming, hosting community gatherings, and leading mindful workshops. Mary is dedicated to being of service in every way she can.
