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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.

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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.comnomadalwaysatom.comtribeyogamilitary.org

Nicole Hartman

Sometimes we stumble onto unexpected passions and joys, which is what happened to me in early 2022. Going into 2022, I was trying to become a children's librarian, books and stories being an absolute love of mine, and to get my foot in the door, I offered to teach a children's yoga class once a week at the library. And as cheesy as it is, that's when I found my calling. When teaching children's yoga, you are as much a student as a teacher. There's never a dull moment! My favorite thing to do is craft stories that children get swept up in, becoming so engaged they don't want to leave. Watching them take home and practice moments of mindfulness, which we learn (undercover) in class, is extremely rewarding. I am certified through Cosmic Kids Yoga and currently working on my 200hr yoga certification and becoming a certified nutritionist.

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Beth Slowik began practicing yoga in 2005 to manage chronic low back pain. Five years later Spirit gifted Beth with a part-time position at the largest yoga retreat in North America, The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. While working at Kripalu, Beth participated in research led by The Kripalu Institute For Extraordinary Living which has been collaborating in yoga research with institutions worldwide, including Harvard Medical School for over a decade. During their time working and studying at Kripalu, Beth trained with leading chakra educator Anodea Judith, as well as nationally recognized yoga teachers like Coby Kozlowski and Jennifer Reis. Beth received their 200 HR yoga teacher certification from The Kripalu School of Yoga in 2015. Post yoga teacher training Beth acquired a level I Usui Reiki practitioner certification and an 80 hour Divine Sleep © Yoga Nidra teacher certification. Beth began teaching yoga professionally in 2020 with EOS Fitness in southern California. Most recently you might have taken a classes with Beth at Big Buddha Yoga, The Dalles Athletic Club, or Waters Edge Fitness Center. All of the yoga modalities taught by Beth are deeply rooted in the 8 limbed yogic sciences which find their roots in the ancient Hindu religion. As an asana (posture) teacher Beth places great emphasis on postural alignment and self observation. Together these two forms of awareness can keep bodies safe and support embodied awareness on and off the mat.  As a yoga nidra (yogic sleep) guide, Beth uses a five stage approach to guided relaxation that deeply relaxes all layers of the body resulting in pain reduction, better sleep, and creative insights. When Beth isn't working, you'll find them advocating for the LGBTQIA2S+ community in The Gorge, crafting, or spending time outdoors with their husband Joe, dogger Scrappy-doo, and baby on the way. You can learn more about Beth and all the holistic wellness services they provide at www.bethslowik.com

 

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.

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