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Our Teachers are The Heart of NDYC

Meet the 2022 Conference Presenters

September 15 & 16, 2023 at Bismarck State College

Angie Swiec Kambeitz

Angie Swiec Kambeitz

Bismarck, ND

Angie Kambeitz is an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher, who has taken numerous trips to study with R. Sharath Jois at KPJAYI in Mysore, India. She has practiced yoga since 1998, studied with many teachers of different traditions of Hatha Yoga, and has been teaching since 2003. In 2007 she shifted her focus primarily to Ashtanga, which emphasizes connecting movement to the breath. She is also a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training teacher, focusing on advanced postures, yogic philosophy and Sanskrit. As a massage therapist, the healing quality of yoga is a primary focus, and yoga is used as a tool for optimal health. Angie is also an artist and filmmaker and has produced three films about yoga: ‘Mysore Magic’ , ‘Ashtanga Yoga with Basia Lipska’ and ‘‘Prenatal Flow with Basia Lipska’. Angie lives in Bismarck, ND with her husband and two kids, who keep her very busy and focused on practicing the “seventh series”.

Angie is teaching Kirtan Workshop on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

Alex Johnson

Alex Johnson

Williston, ND

Alex McCann Johnson is an intuitive, energy, and spiritual healer who has felt drawn to spirit since a young age. He is a naturally gifted intuitive who has committed his life to being a healer of the heart, mind, body, and soul.

Alex is teaching Find Your Power Animal on Sunday at 3:30 PM.

Allison Grippe

Allison Grippe

Fargo, ND

Allison Grippe has been practicing yoga and incorporating ayurvedic philosophy into her life since 2018. She is the owner of Fargo’s newest yoga studio, YUJ Yoga, holds a 500RYT and recently became a trauma-certified yoga instructor through My Vinyasa Practice. She continues to teach a variety of styles incorporating movement, alignment principles, humor, compassion, breath, and present moment to moment awareness. Allison’s caring and delightful demeanor is well suited to lead students at any level, including beginners. She enjoys sharing rituals and daily practices surrounding self-care with her community and doing her best to make yoga accessible for each and every person. She looks forward to meeting you at this year’s yoga conference.

Allison is teaching Radiant Self-Love Through Ayurveda on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Andrea Paradis

Andrea Paradis

Moorhead, MN

Andrea Krejci Paradis is a devoted student of yoga and is honored to be able to share the teachings with others. She began practicing yoga in 2007 and was quickly asked to share what she knew about the practice with her fellow (stressed out) theater classmates in college. Her formal 200 hour training was in 2009 through the Yandara Yoga Institute and she completed her 300 hour training in 2015 through Devanadi. Andrea believes yoga can help anyone find peace and is accessible to all. During her group classes and private sessions, she not only utilizes yoga asana but shares teachings from the Vedas and Ayurveda to show how this practice is meant to be taken off the mat and lived in every day life. She also enjoys helping people discover healing through deep rest, using the practice of yoga nidra.

Andrea is teaching How to Meditate on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Brenna Rollie

Brenna Rollie

Fosston, MN

After spending a decade working in college athletics I created Aham Love Yoga to help highly driven and motivated woman implement and maintain self-care strategies so they can continually show up for their work healthy, vibrant, and aligned. Over the years, this vision has evolved to include Yoga Alliance Continuing Education hours and weekend retreats.

Now, I help teachers, healers, and deep feelers discover how to trust their intuition and lean into their emotional experience so they can lead with clarity, compassion, and insight. Sometimes this looks like radical self-care and BE-ing, other times it requires bold DO-ing. The integration of both provides us the energy we need to create a more equitable and just world for all.

I bring my years of higher education experience, formal education, and travels around the world to my work with others. Together we rise!

Brenna is teaching Moon Magic – Creating Lunar Abundance on Sunday at 4:00 PM.

Caitlin Schaefer

Caitlin Schaefer

Powell, WY

Caitlin is a certified yoga teacher (RYT500) and sound healer.

Caitlin’s love for movement began as a child while enrolled in a ballet school. She went on to dance with a professional ballet company for one season season. Following that opportunity, she shifted her focus away from a career in ballet. Searching for ways to stay active, she walked into her first yoga class in the early 2000’s- attending an Ashtanga class in the basement of a newly opened fitness center. Over time, her own yoga practice has changed, moving away from viewing the practice as merely a physical outlet, and bringing the focus more into her breath and the stillness and peace that yoga brings. Caitlin has continued her learning with advanced level trainings focused on anatomy and physiology, chronic pain, women’s wellness, and meditation. Caitlin primarily teaches asana (the postures of yoga) classes. She teaches vinyasa/flow, prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga, restorative yoga, and mindful awareness meditation. It is her hope that those she meets not only benefit physically from yoga, but also may find joy and peace through the yoga practice.

Caitlin is teaching Creating Balance on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Danielle Turk-Bly

Danielle Turk-Bly

Burlington, ND

Danielle is a 500 RYT marathon running mom of three boys. She believes in yoga for everybody. Her passion is to teach a yoga that is inclusive in nature. Danielle currently loves teaching yoga to youth through Minot Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports as well as teaching athletes how to be more mindful to live an injury free life in their sport.

Danielle is teaching Primary & Secondary Foods for Health on Saturday at 10:00 AM.

David Triptow

David Triptow

Fargo, ND

I am a yoga teacher, movement artist, and musician. As my practice grew, I discovered how to take what I was learning on my mat and apply it to my everyday life. I deepened my sadhana (personal practice), finding wisdom and joy through yogic philosophy, asana, meditation and pranayama (breathwork).

As a teacher, I strive to create a nurturing and inviting space for people to have an experience, to learn more about themselves through various yogic traditions and movement modalities, so they, too, can take what they’ve learned and apply it to their life holistically. It’s a gift to take time learning the in’s and out’s of what makes you YOU. Because the more learn about ourselves, the more intentional we can be with how we contribute to our communities and the greater good.

David is teaching The Body as a House: Materials, Metaphor and Magic inspired by Katonah Yoga on Sunday at 8:00AM.

Elicia Faul

Elicia Faul

Bismarck, ND

Elicia Faul Lac is an acupuncturist, songwriter/ musician and mom. She is owner/ operator of Loose Leaves Acupuncture and offers instruction on meditation and Qi gong. Healing work can be found on www.schedulciity.com and music at https://eliciafaul.bandcamp.com/.

Elicia is teaching 5 Element Qi Gong on Sunday at 1:30 PM.

Heather Dressler

Heather Dressler

Dickinson, ND

Heather’s approach to fitness is simple. Her advice to her clients is to keep it simple and learn to love to move. She believes in training in a manner that teaches her clients to utilize their own bodies and to be creative in any space they have. Heather feels that you can enjoy everything in moderation and reminds people to don’t forget to enjoy life.

Heather is a graduate from North Dakota State University and she holds a Masters Degree in Prosthetics, and has a background in Kinesiology, Biology, Physiology, and Physical Therapy. She grew up training in classical ballet, and has always been in tune with the body and movement. Heather is Certified in Precision Nutrition Exercise Nutrition and E-RYT® 500, YACEP®. She is married to her husband Nicholas, and they have 2 boys, Kannon and Holden. 

Heather is teaching To Stretch or Strengthen (that is the question) for less back pain on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

Janel Schiele

Janel Schiele

Minot, ND

I am a nurse adding a complimentary approach to individuals for their self-help in their healthcare. I have completed 500-hours training with the YogaFit corporation, completing the specialty of trauma sensitive. I have also completed 20-hours Yoga wall, Iyengar yoga focused and level 1 Yin Yoga, 20-hours. 

Janel Schiele is teaching Bandhas on and off the mat Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Jenn Honn

Jenn Honn

Mandan, ND

Jenn is a Health Educator and a certified Ayurvedic Digestion and Nutrition coach. She is also a certified Barre instructor, Reiki certified and Kundalini Reiki Master. She takes Health and Wellness seriously and understands feeling good starts on the inside and works its way to the outside showcasing in your energy and personality. Jenn started her health journey about 12 years ago and at a young age she knew her purpose in life was to help others heal. She prides herself in assisting people to discover natural options to treat disease and teaching how to manifest your intentions toward a healthier you.

Her business Connected Wellness allows her to assist her clients to be a healthier version of themselves through fitness, nutrition and energy healing. When Jenn is not in the front of the room or one on one educating on all types of wellness, she can be found at the front of the room leading a fitness class or on the mat right next to you!

Jenn Hon and Keri Vammer have joined forces to teach Lymphatic Flow: Finding Freedom & Fluidity on Sunday at 8:00 AM.

Jenn Shanahan

Jenn Shanahan

Williston, ND

Jenn was destined to teach movement classes since her elementary school days when she would put together dance and fitness routines for her friends and present them at school events.   Fast forward 30 years later and Jenn continues to share this passion. This passion led to degrees in Kinesiology and education, 20+ years teaching health and physical education and community fitness/yoga and stand up paddleboarding classes. She is originally from Barrie, Ontario but since moving to Williston North Dakota in 2014 she has built a strong team of fitness professionals and programs through the Williston Parks and Recreation district. 

Jenn started her yoga practice in 2005 purely to improve her flexibility from running long distances and working out. She improved her flexibility, but the greatest impact was finding her breath and how it helped her to connect to the present moment and herself.  She realized that yoga was more about a balance of life and that it could bring deeper a connection to herself and others. In 2016 Jenn completed her yoga teacher training and teaches vinyasa style classes inspired by the connection of breath, movement, and music.  

 Jenn is also a certified Facilitator and presenter of The GROOVE Method® since 2010. She fell in love with The GROOVE™ because it set her SOUL ON FIRE! She found a place where she was completely herself without worry what other people thought. “It was the missing piece that helped me see and love who I am. That is why I love teaching Yoga and Groove. I want to inspire others to find ways to feel good in their bodies, to connect with themselves and others and to use it as a tool to heal, strengthen, and for pure joy.” 

Jenn is teaching Chakra Groove on Saturday at 10:30 AM.

JoLynn Lentz

JoLynn Lentz

Fargo, ND

Hi! I’m JoLynn, and I’m a lover of many things. I enjoy learning and practicing self-discovery through my quest for knowledge. I started my spiritual journey through crystals and it has lead me to finding a path to my truest and best self. My goal now is to help others do the same, providing a safe space for them to delve into their interests with no judgment or expectations. 

JoLynn is teaching Incorporating Crystals Into Your Classes and Your Life on Sunday at 3:30 PM.

Jules Wilson

Jules Wilson

Mandan, ND

Jules Wilson Redefining fitness via mini trampoline. Exercise should be a celebration of what you “can” do, not what you think you “can’t”. I found bounce, aka rebounding, from a favorite Influencer on Tik Tok. What was meant to be a humorous spin on weight loss & exercise, instantly drew my attention. After years of testing, doctor visits and elimination what I didn’t have, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2019. Prior to my diagnosis I was fairly active, but daily symptoms of this invisible disease seemed to conquer me. I did some research with Dr. Google about mini trampolines. The benefits list was extensive. My first trampoline arrived and was my “stage” for the backyard “concerts” I was hosting every evening, for myself and our dogs. Jumping on this tiny piece of equipment changed my life. My physical health has dramatically improved. I call it my mental therapy because when I am on that “stage” nothing else matters. My goal in 2021 was to become a life coach. I just didn’t know my desk would be a trampoline. I have found my passion & purpose and have turned it into a community where we promote self-love, confidence, camaraderie, positivity, and body movement & wellness. Find class schedule at doyoubounce.com

Jules is teaching Do You Bounce Medley on Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Kari Donner

Kari Donner

Williston, ND

My name is Kari Donner, I am a 200 hour Yoga instructor and owner of Good Vibes LLC, I am a full time Real Estate agent and teach yoga a few times per week. I started sound healing in 2019 and continue to have monthly sound baths. I am a distributor of Crystal Tones crystal singing bowls and own a small crystal shop. I love helping people, teaching yoga and most of all sharing the beautiful sound of the singing bowls and the powerful energy of the Gong.

Kari is leading the Sound Bath Meditation on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Karla Hensrud-Wagner

Karla Hensrud-Wagner

Moorhead, MN

Karla Hensrud-Wagner is a Registered 500 Hour Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, which acknowledges the completion of a yoga teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS). She also is Reiki Master, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, does Thai Yoga Bodywork, and has an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Physiologist Certification and because of all the years of teaching she opened her own certification Fitness company called FreeStyle Fitness Academy (FSFA).

She  has been in the fitness industry since 1985 and has spent the last 36 years teaching a variety of Group Fitness classes and in 2007 found a love for yoga and then became a 500 Hr Yoga teacher.

She has taught and trained at various facilities throughout the years and currently is teaching as the Group Fitness Manager at Family Wellness in Fargo, ND.  Her love of knowledge, education has led to the passion to share it with others to help them on their own special journeys in life to live a natural and healthy lifestyle in order to be happy and live a life true to oneself.

Karla is teaching Yoga & 12 Step Recovery on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Keri Vammer

Keri Vammer

Mandan, ND

My passion for yoga started in 2017. It was a place of challenge, peace and inspiration. But more importantly the studio became a place of security and protection to be me! It was a place of finding myself and sending me on a healing journey that I never dreamt of and yet am truly greatful for all it has presented. Life’s journey is about self-love and self-care so we can exist in this crazy planet in peace. I find my peace in YIN and Restorative yoga and want others to do the same. On June 3rd, 2018 I completed my RYT200 from Transitions Yoga. I also hold additional certifications in Arial and Yin yoga, Reiki 1 and 2 and a master in Kundalini Reiki. And in April of 2019, I was able to start using all of my education on a daily basis when I opened The Studio.

Together, Keri Vammer and Jenn Hon have joined forces to teach Lymphatic Flow: Finding Freedom & Fluidity on Sunday at 8:00 AM.

Lori Hill

Lori Hill

Fargo, ND

I help people feel and look taller, stronger and younger!!

When I am teaching Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY), YogaFlow, MELT METHOD, or any other creative movement class, I am offering people the skills to boost their energy, learn something new about themselves, connect with their own healing intelligence, get out of pain and make time for self-care.

My story began in the 1980’s with aerobic dance, the 1990’s Stott Mat-Work and Reformer, 2000 Integrated Yoga Therapy (IYT), 2012 The MELT METHOD, and 2016 Gentle Somatic Yoga and James Knight.

I am always inspired when I combine yoga and somatic movements to release stress-based patterns. People are always invited to explore their own unique and creative ways to move and find more freedom in their body, mind and emotions. The body is then better able to return to an embodied state of peace and well-being.

You can find me on James Knights’ Somatic Sanctuary Monthly Live-streaming classes teaching themed events or Somatic Wellness TV.
Awaken the Possible!

Lori is teaching Gentle Somatic Yoga at the Wall on Saturday at 8:00 AM.

Michelle de Leon

Michelle de Leon

Center, ND

You know that feeling when the sunshine hits your face and you take a deep breath, believing anything is possible? I founded ResiliOak, a wellness brand, to help high performers level up their resilience and transform with nature by tapping into that feeling of sunshine in everything they do. I have got to help people practice yoga on-and-off the mat since completing my 200-hr yoga teacher training with Transitions Yoga. Practicing yoga has gifted me a greater sense of self and connection to people and the natural world. When we work together, expect to feel at home in your body and encouraged to connect with yourself, take the breaths you deserve, and be adventurous! I am excited to guide you to get unstuck and release tensions in your body, so you can reset your mind. I like to say, “Play outside to grow inside!”

Michelle de Leon is teaching Transform Your Resilience With Nature on Sunday at 8:00 AM.

Roxanne Jablonsky

Roxanne Jablonsky

Bismarck, ND

Roxanne began her yoga practice almost 15 years and has found that yoga not only provides physical benefits, but also mental and emotional benefits that carry over into everyday life. As a former runner, she found herself in a place of injury, aches and pains and yoga has helped her to manage those with a practice that is safe and strengthens her body. Her passion for helping people as a nurse carries over into her yoga classes and she emanates care, concern and commitment to guiding others along their journey. Outside of yoga you can find her working as a nurse for an insurance company, kayaking, hiking and attending her daughter’s swim meets and softball games.

Roxanne Jablonsky is teaching Elemental Yin on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

Sigrid Strebe

Sigrid Strebe

Bismarck, ND

Sigrid began her yoga journey in 2001 after being recruited by friends who were trying to gather enough people to get a class started. Barely able to touch her toes and never really “exercising” before, she took the bait and joined. Little did she know how Yoga would change the course of her life.

After teaching at various studios and fitness centers across the country since 2007, she opened Transitions Yoga in 2015. Starting her own studio created opportunities to expand her teaching and mentoring of students and teachers. The small 6 person studio has since expanded to a new space, added a regional 200 hour Teacher Training, retreats, and an additional aerial-based studio at Transitions Yoga at Balancing Goat in February 2020.

Sigrid’s mission is to encourage others to be the best version of themselves, to dream a little bigger and make you laugh with one of her terrible jokes. She believes that as business owners we are stronger together. If COVID taught us anything, it’s that we need to learn to collaborate, be creative when thinking about how business runs and that business as usual is unusual during challenging times.

And in case you’re wondering, Sigrid can now touch her toes, completed her first Ironman and survived a heart attack.
Owner of Transitions Yoga, Transitions Yoga at Balancing Goat & Transitions School of Yoga.

Sigrid is teaching Bionic Body on Saturday at 8:00 AM.

Sirena Dudgeon

Sirena Dudgeon

Longmont, CO

Sirena Dudgeon is an experienced yoga teacher holding certifications as an E-RYT 200, RYT 500, and in Yin and Restorative Yoga. As the owner of Life Cycles Yoga she specializes in astrology and yoga, teaching workshops and holding training sessions at various national yoga conferences as a YACEP contributor for Yoga Alliance. Sirena recently co-authored the book Flow on the spiritual aspect of intersecting various mystical and religious beliefs. She engages in a yoga practice that goes beyond the mat and connects deeply with her students, encouraging them to embrace their own practice for where they are in their life journey.

Sirena is teaching Astro-Wellness for Students and Teachers on Sunday at 1:30 PM.

Sommer Hunke

Sommer Hunke

Bismarck, ND

Sommer holds the simple, pure intention to create a peaceful oasis for her students. A place they can come and just be, no expectations, judgement, or comparisons to others. Her goal is for students to leave class feeling calmer, lighter, and refreshed. In addition to being a 200 RYT, she is also a Barre teacher, and a certified life and health coach. Sommer knows that authentic whole person transformations are more than just the food you eat and how you move your body, it’s about creating experiences that fulfill our hearts and souls every day. She enjoys combining healing modalities with movement and breath to create ease and harmony within. Sommer is most connected to her inner wisdom when outdoors and recharges by hiking with her husband and their two dogs, snowshoeing, paddle boarding, or researching health, wellness, and spiritual growth.

Sommer Hunke is teaching Tapping Within on Saturday at 8:00 AM.

Stephanie Strand

Stephanie Strand

Bismarck, ND

I started my first yoga class in college as an extra credit class with my friend and loved it. From there began my journey through the yoga world. I took my first training in Minneapolis with YogaFit and started teaching at Cross-Fit gyms. I traveled west after college and did another intensive training with Jaya Yoga for their anatomical and fundamental movement-based practices. Wanting to continue along this path and feeling there was so much more to explore, I completed another training in Minneapolis with Devanadi and than progressed through to a Yoga Therapy program with Yoga North.

Holding space for functional movement is what I want for students, so they can tune in to their own creative side and find their yoga path. With this life experience, I want to inspire connection, healing, and wholeness, where people are gathered to breathe, sweat, move, and achieve more than just a physical workout. Yoga is all about the balance between strength and flexibility, holding and releasing; with music and syncing of people as a community that creates a whole new experience, you can’t get anywhere else.  Yoga is what makes us better people so that we can go out into the world and do better for others.

Stephanie is teaching Function Over Form-Our Alignment Principles on Saturday at 10:00 AM.

Terra Scharnowske

Terra Scharnowske

Bismarck, ND

Terra’s passion for yoga started after her first yoga class, over 15 years ago. As someone who is curious by nature and always wanting to learn more, just going to classes was not enough. She began to explore the aspects of yoga that go beyond the physical practice. With what she has learned and practiced over the years, she has experienced a greater sense of self and well-being. As a Registered Nurse by trade, she knows how beneficial this can be for all who practice. In 2018 she completed her first yoga teacher training to learn how to share these ‘on and off the mat’ practices with others. In class it is her priority to create a safe environment for students connect with themselves like she has been able to do. Outside of teaching yoga she is a wife, dog mom and enjoys hiking, snowboarding and gardening.

Terra is teaching Go Beyond Virabhadrasana on Saturday at 8:30 AM.

Allison Rissel

Allison Rissel

Longmont, CO

My passion and inspiration for helping yoga teachers is contagious and I harness this to inspire other yoga teachers to overcome self-doubt and burnout. I am dedicated to assisting yoga teachers to connect with their authenticity, enabling them to become powerful leaders of transformation in their yoga communities.

I became a yoga teacher in 2006. In addition to my master’s degree in exercise physiology, I have completed over 2,000 hours of formal yoga and yoga therapy trainings. I use my knowledge and experience to guide yoga teachers along their yoga teacher journey, supporting them through the mental, spiritual, and physical challenges that they face.

I am the co-founder of the North Dakota Yoga Conference, the 406 Yoga Conference and the Yoga Teacher Conf.

I’m an extroverted optimist and I love hiking, skiing, and connecting in nature with my husband, Sean.

Allison is teaching Live in Balance with Ayurveda on Sunday at 1:30 PM.