Our Instructors

Life presents everything you need at the precise timing, and it is up to you to pay attention and follow. Through a series of lifechanging events I learned at a young age that how you nourish and care for your body is vital to a long-balanced life.  This understanding grew into a passion for wellness which connected me Ayurveda almost two decades ago. Then yoga presented itself and it was like coming home to a place I had always known. Yoga has helped me to heal deep wounds and to be “ok” to express all of who I am, the sensitive and the fire within.  Through yoga, all the creative energy and ideas that spills into me, spills out into the world. It is an expression of my soul and purpose in this lifetime.

In 2014, the opportunity to pursue a 200-hour yoga certification landed in my path.  After completion, I went on to complete a Restorative “REST” certification, 500 hours in the Classical 8 Limb Path of Ashtanga Yoga, 15 Hours in Mindful Yoga Therapy, 200 hours in Kundalini Yoga, certifications in the 5 Elements of Qigong and in Qigong Infused Yoga.  In addition, have training in Asana Adjustments with Thai Massage, Yoga for Children, Yoga for Athletes, Yin Yoga, Yoga for stress, Anxiety and Burnout and Teaching Transformational Yoga.  I hold certifications in Ayurveda medicine and currently studying for a 500-hour certification in Mastering Ayurvedic Nutrition and Digestion.  I am a level 2 Reiki with sound practitioner  and a level 2 Thai Yoga bodywork Massage practitioner.  I offer individual Healing Sessions combining all that I have learned to assist clients with self-healing.  I love to collaborate and share yoga with the community and have taught in various gyms, the public schools, colleges, parks, businesses, sports teams, breweries, and wineries. I believe the journey is a forever learning process for both a teacher and a student. I encourage every student to allow the mind body connection to form organically, be curious about the process and to become a student of their own internal teacher.  Classes emphasize a judgement free space allowing students to focus on their current abilities while exploring the edges of possibilities.  Classes are real with a blend fun and serious to help students to feel relaxed and open to the growth process.  The work is hard, but with a systematic approach, a delicate nudge and support, transformation emerges. 

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzu

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My passion for health and fitness started a few years back. As a single mom and working full time I slowly began to lose myself and forgot how important it is to take care of myself. I came across Buti Yoga and immediately connected with the practice and what it stood for. Within 6 months I felt completely transformed, and for the first time in my life felt truly confident in my own skin. The practice lit a fire within me, I never knew I had. Soon after, I went and became certified to teach so I could begin lighting the fire in other women. I have since continued my path and received my 200hr yoga teaching certification to teach vinyasa and hot yoga. My goal in life is to continue my journey, and teach woman to truly love themselves, feel confident, and give them an outlet during their day to join me on the mat, sweat with intention, and leave it all out on the mat

I began my yoga journey in 2000 with an Iyengar yoga practice at a local gym.  At first, every pose seemed impossible. I didn’t understand the connection between breath (prana) and pose (asana); and my mind did everything but settle. The personal challenge proved to be both addictive and calming. Slowly my practice evolved; my breath began to guide my poses and my mindset. Since that time, I have practiced a variety of styles to include Sivananda, Baptiste, YogaFit, Embody, Kripalu, Yin, and Ashtanga. I am certified through Yoga Alliance as both a teacher (2010) and a teacher trainer (2013). I completed Mindful Yoga Therapy training and a course called Asana Lab (2021). I am currently enrolled in Yoga Physics (2023). I enjoy teaching a variety of classes such as restorative, yin, flow (both warm and hot), and yoga nidra. Yoga changes individuals from the inside out, and this belief guides me to continually share the principles and practices with others – your mat, your breath, your yoga. After all, it’s called a yoga practice…not yoga perfect!

I began my yoga journey in 2013. Little did I know that my life was about to change forever! From that day forward, I have had a regular yoga practice, which unconsciously and consciously shapes my experience in the world and deepens my sense of self. It was the physical aspect of yoga that led me to the practice, but it was the emotional and spiritual awakening that truly enveloped me. I was able to let go of my stress and discover a meditative state of consciousness on my mat. That was a so freeing for me. In 2016, I earned my E-RYT 200-hour certification, and in 2021 I got my RYT 500 hour certification. In addition to my yoga certifications, I am a Usui Reiki Master and have a Mindfulness certification. As a yoga teacher, I encourage my students to explore their practice through breath, movement, and intention. With a strong focus on alignment, I support students as they step into themselves physically; while, simultaneously inspiring students to take the time to notice and connect with their true essence. Emotional awareness and transformation occurs when we quiet the mind and tune in.

My yoga journey has had a lot of twists and turns, starts and stops but always there, waiting for me to come back time and time again. I naturally gravitate towards the yang side of life--bright, hard, fast, driven, challenging—think power yoga, vinyasa, running, and weight lifting. Over time, I was completely out of balance and injured (I am and will continue to be a work in progress). I still love the strength and beauty of a sweaty vinyasa but have gained a profound appreciation for slowing down and finding stillness like in a meditative yin practice. I am grateful to teach these two styles of yoga as a way of promoting balance and well-being for both body and mind. I like to laugh and have fun but also tune in and hold space for silence and reflection. We need both. I was a former personal trainer and fitness instructor before I completed my 200-hour RYT certification, yin certification, and various classes and seminars throughout the years. We are on this journey together. Our paths may look different and unique but we are all one.

I have always been passionate about health and fitness.   I was originally drawn to the physical practice of yoga as an added workout.  I quickly embraced the physical benefits of each yoga pose but as I began practicing regularly, I soon discovered a powerful and heartfelt practice that develops strength from within.  I became deeply inspired by the intensity of the practice and began exploring the layers beyond the physical aspects of the poses.   As I continued to explore and deepen my own self-discovery, I found greater self-awareness, empowerment, and peace both on and off the mat.    Yoga, for me, is a lifestyle not just a practice.  I received my 200-hour RYT certification through Karma Yoga. I also competed my Reiki Master training through Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. I will always be a student and continue to explore, grow and change. My hope is to encourage students to find their edge with strength and ease and provide them with the tools to honor and embrace their own unique journey.  Because of my personal journey on life’s unexpected path, I have become even more passionate about sharing the gifts of this transformative practice with others.

In 2012, I walked into my 1st yoga class. About 15/20 minutes into the class, I walked out. I was lifting heavy at the time and yoga was so challenging for me. From 2012 to 2017 I dipped my toes into yoga from time to time. I fully leaned into yoga in 2017.

Growing up I never felt like I belonged anywhere; I always felt like an oddball. Walking into the yoga community, I felt like I finally belonged and I was free to be myself to the fullest. Yoga brought me back to myself. Yoga has been such a healing process for my body, mind, and soul. I discovered all kinds of trauma can get stored in the body as aches and pains. Through the physical practice of yoga, the stuck energy in my body was able to be released. In turn, it gave me space to allow my brain and soul time to process what is going on in my life.

Yoga quickly became something I NEEDED to do daily versus something I just "wanted" to do. Practicing yoga daily on my mat allowed me to take on the challenge of bringing yoga into my life off of the mat. Through the spiritual practice of yoga, I feel a belonging to the universe. It gives me the feeling of being supported, accepted and safe.

This road to deepening my personal practice has given me the ability to lean more into my intuition, leading me to the completion of my RYT 200-hour through SWEAT's Self-Discovery YTT. Throughout the training I knew I needed to share this practice with anyone and everyone. I am also trained in Qigong Infused Yoga, 30-hour backbend focus, 15-hour shoulder mobility training, 8-week course on “the art of being here now” teachings by Ram Dass and many hours of workshops ranging from arm balances, meditation, hip mobility, roll and flow (MCT-myofascial compression techniques), astrology, and more.

In my classes you can expect space to feel and heal, accept where you are that day, and an opportunity to set your attention on where you are going, not where you have been.

Off my mat I am an accounting supervisor, dog mom and forever student of things that pull my attention. I love to try anything at least once and always leave my mind open to learn more.

I look forward to seeing you on your yoga mat! 

Join Denise for a Sacred Sound Journey and Guided Meditation!

Come relax in our healing space while the sacred sound frequencies of Tibetan and crystal bowls, rhythm of the drum, rattle, and gong wash over and through you clearing stuck energy. 

Give yourself the gift of relaxation and inner peace through the transformative power of sound. Connect with your body and spirit, quieting the mind, and immerse yourself in some luscious healing sounds that relax, uplift and rejuvenate.

Denise is an Energy Medicine Practitioner, Sound Healer, Guided Mediation Facilitator and Reiki Master Teacher.
Please wear warm, comfortable clothing and bring a blanket and/or pillow and yoga mat. Bolsters will also be provided.