Teacher Bio's
Leia Morrison
An avid mountain biker, dancer, telemark skier and general lover of everything Gunnison, Leia has been teaching yoga in Gunnison for 10 years. Leia was introduced to yoga, under the instruction of Sherrill Stenson and through Sherrill's encouragement and support became inspired to teach! Leia has completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance approved teacher training through Samudra Teacher training, under the instruction of Shiva Rea. Leia continues her education yearly in both teacher training courses and workshops. Leia has been accepted as an assistant in Shiva Rea's yoga teacher training program and is currently involved in assisting, and continuing her education toward her 500 hour yoga teacher certification. Leia has studied numerous styles of yoga including: Prana Flow, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, Bikram, Power Yoga and Kundalini. Her prominent style is Prana Flow which fuses vinyasa yoga, dance and core strength, Leia's classes are perfect for those who have tried yoga and thought it wasn't for them. Balance balls, resistance bands, light hand weights and other props are sometimes used in classes as well. Prenatal Stretch Strengthen & Relax is a specialty class which is designed for...well, the obvious! Prenatal classes are scheduled based upon demand, so give her a call to see if a class is currently running.
Leia's Sunrise Yoga classes are also available for college credit in the Fall
Register through Western State College Extended Studies
Leia is available for private instruction. The cost for one hour privates is $45 per hour or 10 sessions for a total of $350. Call or e-mail Leia to schedule your private.
Susan Searle started teaching yoga over twelve years ago in Las Vegas, NV. She has been inspired by and studied under numerous yoga masters including Sean Corn, Rodney Yee, Baron Baptist, and John Friend. Susan completed her 200 hr Yoga Alliance approved teacher certification through the internationally known School Yoga Institute. Additionally, Susan has completed the Spiritual Activist Leadership training for "Off the Mat Into the World," and has a Masters Degree in spirituality. Her teaching style incorporates a sense of the sacred with the physical exercise of the asanas. Susan's creative and challenging classes, infuse many styles of yoga aimed at helping one connect mind, breath, body and spirit. All classes are practiced to the backdrop of contemporary pop, hip-hop, trance dance, world fusion, as well as sacred music and chanting for inspiration. Each session concludes with a guided meditation and relaxation.
Susan's classes are also available for college credit
Register through Western State College Extended Studies.
Susan is available for private yoga sessions, yoga parties, group retreats, and spiritual direction.
Betsy Folkerth
(photo coming)
Betsy brings her expertise as a Physical Therapist of 25 years (w/a Master's in Orthopedics/SportsMedicine), and certifications in Pilates, Personal Training, and Spiritual Guidance. New To Gunnison in 2007, Betsy's enjoys all types of outdoor activities, horseback riding, and living life to it's fullest. She is owner of Body Fusion - a PT/Holistic Healing clinic run out of her home. She looks forward to working with the talented and dedicated staff at the Sanctuary, and bringing a happy, healthy, and healing approach to the fitness community.
Kellyn Kirch
Is a certified 200 hour Yoga Teacher and currently teaches Monday night Restorative Yoga at 7 p.m. as well as some Saturdays! She also teaches at Yoga for the Peacful in CB!
Delaney Keating
Teaches Thursday Evening Gentle Yoga - Is a certified Yoga I Instructor through AAAI
bio in the works! :)
Jennifer Vanatta
Teaches Yoga Chill on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. She is an apprentice yoga teacher and is working her way towards certification. She is an amazing artist! Look for her Vino and Vanatta workshops at the Gunnison Arts Center!!!
Kadie Graham
She is one of our terrific substitute instructors
Kadie is certified in Yoga Level I through AAAI and Level I Mat Pilates.
bio in the works! :)
Mary Burt
Mary believes in getting outdoors as much as possible to keep in shape. When cycling is not happening, skiing, running, and hiking fill the void.
Mary’s teaching style incorporates many influences, the focal point being symmetry. In a valley that seems to be in perpetual motion and within a society that is increasingly unhealthy, yoga serves not just as a way to cope, more importantly it cultivates a solid foundation from which to function. To do this one must slow down and loosen up. Mary teaches Hatha yoga influenced by B.K.S. iyengar which focuses on correct body alignment, through mastering the basics with the use of props to help the body into the correct positions required. Postures are not done swiftly or without awareness. It takes time to move into a posture and become stable. When this has been achieved then one remains for some time to intensify the depth of the posture and so extract its benefit.
Mary has been practicing yoga for fifteen years, inspired by the styles of Vinyasa Flow, Anusara, and Kundalini taught by Leia Morrison, Sherril Stenson, and Jani Pulaski. She has studied Iyengar yoga with Brenda Flemming for the past nine years. Over the past two years Mary has realized the power of mindfulness through meditation and studying Buddhism.
Mary has taught yoga and mat pilates classes at Colorado Fitness for three years, as well as teaching spin classes for ten years. All abilities are welcome to enjoy a restorative and rejuvenating practice that concludes with a guided meditation and relaxation.
Joe Bob Merritt
When I was a child I had an odd (or ordinary) experience. I said the words “blue sky”. I thought to myself…hmmm…strange…”I am here”. Then I thought…hmmm…”what am I”…“where is here”…”what is going on here”…”what can I do”. I REALLY wanted to know the answers to these questions…so…off I went wandering. I started asking around and around….and around…stumbling and striding…and finding a whole bunch of folks who were kind enough to guide me as far as they could or as far as I could go. It will be my privilege to share with you what has been shared with me, and to practice together as we make the efforts we make…to awaken to the creative expressions of life that we are.
I teach vipassana meditation, also known as mindfulness or insight meditation. The techniques that I facilitate are the results of the work of Shinzen Young and Soryu Forall Scott. My teaching style is influenced by 15 years of 4th Way work as taught by Phil Blecker and Dr. Bob Gibson. I have also been deeply influenced by the work of J. Krishnamurti, David Bohm, Martin Prechtel, and Patricia Albere as well as by my participations in Lakota ceremonies including Wiwayang Wacipi, Hamblechia and Inipi.
My aim as a mindfulness instructor is to facilitate experiences that contribute to the evolution of human consciousness. The system that I teach is removed from cultural and doctrinal trappings. The techniques can be practiced by the followers of any (or no) religion. Basic Mindfulness meditation is conducive to the development of sensory clarity, the strengthening of concentration skills, and the cultivation of equanimity. The efforts we make in these practices are aimed towards having direct experiences of freedom from mechanical conditioning and habitual reactions. Our aim will be to increase our ability to act creatively in the midst of challenging life situations.