ANGELA
Our fearless leader at The Bend, Angie is a yogi of many layers! She has always been interested in the human body and its movements. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Fitness with an emphasis in Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries.
 
Angie's passion for the human body and it's healthy function directed her attention to the field of Natural Health and Bio-Energetics. Through this enthusiasm she became a certified Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and a Certified Natural Health Practitioner (CNHP). Angie is also a Certified NES Wellness Practitioner, as well as a BARS Energy Healer, and Reiki practitioner.

Angie received her initial yoga training in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at Art of Yoga. She completed her 255 hour Samatva Yoga Teacher Certification under Karen Pryor. Angie has since studied with many studios and gained a variety of specialized certificates. Angie has been teaching yoga for 12+ years and is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) and a Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with the Yoga Alliance.

Certifications & Trainings:
Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
Certified Natural Health Practitioner (CNHP)
500 E-RYT
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
Yoga Nidra Instructor
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider
NES Wellness Practitioner
BARS Energy Healer
Reiki Practitioner
iRest Level 1 Practitioner
In progress: currently in training for Yoga Therapy certification

DIANA
Diana found yoga in 2010 while looking for a way to release stress and center her mind. "From my very first yoga class, I was hooked! Yoga has been a constant in my life ever since."
Diana, at the urging of her yoga mentors, began teaching in 2015. She is a student of all types of yoga and enjoys teaching a variety of classes. She especially enjoys watching students progress through their yoga journey.
 
Now as a 500-hr RYT & 200-hr E-RYT with Yoga Alliance, Diana teaches with a strong emphasis on finding strength and ease in every posture. She wants students to feel connected to their own bodies and practice. And most importantly, to feel STRONG and CONFIDENT! One of the biggest lessons yoga teaches us is to release our expectations and allow ourselves to just BE. 
 
"Whether you are a novice or veteran yogi, we will create a great foundation for your practice. Yoga is a practice for life. I am still a student and always will be. I’d love for you to come practice with me!"

Certifications and Trainings:
200 E-RYT
500 RYT
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
Yoga Nidra Instructor
HIIT & Tabata
Yoga Shred
Senior Fitness
Walk With Ease

BECCA
Becca started on a path to a healthier lifestyle in 2011. She had developed lots of unhealthy habits including not moving, eating poorly and staying indoors and isolated. But it was really in October of 2018, after the passing of her Nanny, that Becca made a pact with herself to start moving her body through yoga and to begin meditating daily. 

Quiet, seated meditation was not her jam! But through the physical practice of asana, she has found that she works through a lot of things in her head. During her practice, she is able to focus inward, let go of unwanted thoughts and feelings, as well as learn to laugh things off! And Becca loves to laugh with everyone! 

Becca did 6 months of yoga at home before she felt prepared to enter a yoga studio. When she walked into The Bend for that first class, she immediately felt at home. After just 3 classes, she signed up for The Bend’s yoga teacher training program! She knew immediately that she had found her tribe, found her love, found her calling. Through her practice, healthy eating, and lots of hard work, Becca has lost 130 lbs over the last 9 years. 

“I love showing that ANY BODY is capable of movement and how important it is to build the mind body connection. Beginners yoga and chair yoga are my favorite styles to teach. I want to show people how to modify and build strength starting from wherever YOU are! If I can do it - so can you!”
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Certifications and Trainings:
​200 RYT

BRANDI
Brandi first sought out yoga as a way to cope with the daily stressors of life and calm her busy mind. "After my first class, I couldn't believe how great I felt. I knew this was something I wanted to invest in throughout my lifetime." Intrigued by how her mind and body felt more at peace the more she practiced, she couldn't wait to learn more. When she saw The Bend Academy would be starting a 200-hr yoga training program, she knew right away that she wanted to be a part of it. Brandi feels passionately about giving back and helping others find their own peace through a yoga practice. "Yoga is truly for everyone. It doesn't matter what age, size, or demographic you might be. Know that there's a place for you on your mat and in my class. All it requires of you is that you come to practice with an open heart and an open mind."

Certifications and Trainings:
200 RYT
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
Yoga Nidra Yoga Instructor

CASSIDY
In 2014, Cassidy began her daily practice with YouTube videos. After falling in love with how the practice made her feel, she knew she wanted to dive deeper. Cassidy read an article about yoga teacher training in a local magazine, called and signed up immediately! She received her 200 hour yoga teacher training and certification through Yoga Home of Therapeutics in OKC in 2016.
 
Yoga supports Cassidy physically and mentally. She loves how the practice allows her to disconnect from the busy outside world and to redirect her attention inward. Cassidy finds so much joy in sharing the practice and watching how it help others as well. She believes in being forever a student and always continuing to learn. ​

Certifications and Trainings:
​200 RYT

DANA
Dana came to yoga in February of 2019 looking for relief from stress and anxiety. Needless to say, she found it! She loved how yoga made her body feel, but was amazed at how it helped give her mind a rest too! Through the practice, Dana could really feel healing beginning within her.

Dana enrolled in the 200 hr yoga teacher training at The Bend because she wanted to deepen her knowledge and understanding of yoga. Her goal was to be able to share this beautiful gift with other women who may be struggling like she was. Dana's drive is to help women who maybe need permission to set down the enormous load they carry everyday and spend some time taking care of themselves.

In her personal practice, she loves exploring different types of yoga, including Hatha, restorative, vinyasa, aerial, kundalini and Bhakti. She loves the differences of each practice and exploring that special something that each style has to offer.

Dana loves teaching gentle and restorative yoga because she enjoys providing a caring, safe space for people to learn to love themselves during an hour of relief from the constant load they carry. "I can hold space for them, and return to them some of the love and nurturing that they constantly give others. Everyone deserves that!"
Dana's journey with yoga is far from over! In the future, she hopes to learn to play the harmonium and teach Bhakti yoga. She would also love to teach restorative aerial yoga. Dana is excited to begin her 300 hour teacher training later this year!

Certifications & Trainings:
200 RYT
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HOLLI
On her journey to health and wellness, Holli took a beginner yoga class about 8 years ago just to try something new. She never expected that it was her first step onto her life passion's path. Now, Holli is adamant about teaching a totally inclusive yoga practice that allows each person to honor who they are in that moment. Holli is a life long student, she is always learning and expanding her knowledge of the practice. Her specialty is Gentle and Restorative yoga. Holli is currently training under Judith Hanson Lasater, recognized as one of the leading yoga instructors in our country. Expanding her knowledge of the mind/body connection through a deeper study of the power of restorative yoga, Holli truly works with integrating this mind/body connection into her teachings. "Let go of what was. Let go of what will be. And come into what is."

Certifications and Trainings:
​500 RYT
200 RYT
The Bend - Teaching to the Beginner
Yoga Nidra Certified Instructor
Trauma Informed Instructor
Prenatal Yoga Instructor

KAYLA
Kayla began yoga after the birth of her two children in the hopes of 'getting back into shape'. She was looking for something more than just exercising at the gym. And she found it! Quickly, Kayla realized that yoga was so much more than a workout. She began to feel the balance and peace that it brought to her entire life. Kayla had suffered from migraines since her early 20's and since beginning yoga, she has had no migraines! 
 
Kayla jumped into learning as much as she could about the practice of yoga. Attending every type of yoga class she could find including hatha, power vinyasa, Bikram, and Kundalini just to name a few! She loves being in a difficult pose, pouring everything into it and finding a sense of pratyahara (withdrawing of the senses) and dharana (intense focus). 
 
After experiencing such a shift in her own life with the practice of yoga, she felt led to enter The Bend's 200 hour yoga teacher training program. As Kayla says "I truly believe I was put on this Earth to help people, to put others first, to help assist in bringing balance and healing to lives."
 
Kayla loves hiking, sports, anything outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite style of yoga is powerful vinyasa flow full of strength and focus. Her favorite pose is Natarajasana (Dancer Pose). "I am a giant puzzle full of different pieces, free of judgement and ego. If you can't find your shine, bring your mat and allow me to help guide you to it!"

Certifications & Trainings:
​200 RYT 

LINDSEY
Lindsey started down her yoga path in search of relief from pelvic pain. To find a new and better way to relax and strengthen her pelvic floor - to find a balance in her body. She did find balance. And she found a new love. A love for yoga. 

Lindsey soon realized that yoga was bringing balance into every aspect of her life. A sweaty power flow is her favorite type of class. She has found that she can go to class stressed out with a million unanswered questions in her head and by the end of class her stress has evaporated and she’s found answers! “I'm able to burn off stress and sort through life subconsciously, strengthening my mind and all while strengthening my body too. Win win!”

Music and yoga are her two loves - and she loves bringing them together! Don’t be surprised to find a rock playlist to go with your power flow in her class! She loves a class that's intense but not too serious. Bringing fun and upbeat music into balance with the postures, having fun, and people encouraging each other is what Lindsey is all about!
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When Lindsey’s not jamming and flowing? She is a caretaker at heart. Nurse, mother, animal lover, plant enthusiast, and yogi! “If it’s a living thing - this mother hen needs to care for it!

Certifications & Trainings:
200 RYT

TISH
Tish started her yoga journey in 2014 when she began to experience mobility issues. She was WAY too young for that nonsense and turned to yoga to see if it could provide her improved movement. She found so much more than that! Not only did her issues disappear, she also fell in love with the yogic philosophy. She went beyond asana and delved deeply into meditation and pranayama as tools for her life. "The kindness to oneself that comes with meditation and pranayama practice continues to shape who I am becoming."
 
Tish did not originally think that teaching would be in her future. She began her 200 hour training to simply expand her knowledge of yoga and yogic philosophy to help her on her personal journey. However, as she says, "when you are full of the knowledge and the passion, it is nearly impossible to not share or gift this beautiful practice."
 
Tish's specialty and love is teaching Kids Yoga. The children allow her to have a creative outlet. They challenge her to learn everything she can for them. To help them grow and experience the practice and themselves. "I love that I can give them a safe place to express themselves."

Certifications & Trainings:
​200 RYT