Teachers

• Jaime Scates Scmitz

  Studio Owner | Teacher

  As a glacier climber and avid skier, Jaime comes to Yoga from a long and diverse athletic back ground. When she committed to a daily Yoga practice, the physical and mental shifts created a sense of peace and balance in her mind and body-comparable to that of being out in the mountains. After years cultivating a daily practice, she participated in teacher trainings in both Baptiste and Ashtanga Yoga. As she continues along her path as a teacher and a student of Yoga, Jaime has been “breaking out of the box” keeping the flow fluid and dynamic as she sequences from authenticity and her home practice. With her training in Ashtanga Yoga, Jaime teaches from a place of connection to the historical roots of Vinyasa Yoga, however she loves the liberation, athleticism and challenge inherent in a dynamic and intuitive flow. Jaime believes that set sequences can trap us in our competitive & ego based natures as we strive for the next pose or the more advanced iteration of the pose. Jaime teaches with the desire to insight freedom, power, uninhibitedness, and breath/body awareness. While her athletic and demanding flow classes are sure to generate a good sweat, a playful and dancelike quality inspires liberation and freedom. She’s most interested watching her students “let go” and inhabit the flow rather than strive for an end goal.

• Julie Andres

  Teacher

  Julie’s love for the science of yoga began in lifetimes past. She has found a purpose in this western world, and that is to help people who struggle with addictions through the use of breath and movement. Julie is passionate about this need for nurturing as she has had many internal struggles in my past with addiction. It is a reality in so many of our lives, how do we recover? How do we act without reacting? Her intention is to teach others how to sit quietly and listen, to be compassionate to themselves and others. Healing the mind and body is a life changing journey. As a teacher Julie opens her heart as taught by her mentors, Eiric Ovrid, Kathleen Hunt, Dee Hein, Alice Waters, and her Dad, Henry. She feels thanks to god for bringing her here, for the four seasons, for this gift of light. Namaste.

• Alison Barnes

  Teacher

  Allison came to Seattle by way of Boulder in her native Colorado. In college, she studied human health and rehabilitation and has maintained a lifelong interest in human performance and exercise physiology. After relocating to Seattle in 2003, Allison worked as a personal trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She was intrigued by yoga, but it never resonated with her until she stepped into Mountain Flow Yoga in 2008. The power, athleticism, fluidity and heat that are the foundation of Power Vinyasa, were a perfect fit for her. This amazing practice was a logical next step for Allison because it was both innately rewarding and challenging. She hasn’t stepped foot in a gym since. Allison has been pleasantly surprised at how yoga has become a metaphor for her life “off of her mat.” The benefits she has gained from her practice are innumerable. In May of 2011, she finishes her 200-hour RYT certification in Power Vinyasa through BeLuminous Yoga along with a five month practicum with Mountain Flow Yoga. Allison’s enthusiasm for yoga is only exceeded by her desire to share her passion with others. She strives to bring joy, balance and power to her classes. When Allison Is not practicing or teaching yoga, she is a stay-at-home Mom to two vibrant little girls.

• Madzy Besselaar

  Teacher

  Madzy first committed to a yoga practice in 2003 when she regularly attended Kirk Slobody’s classes. With this practice, she learned to engage all aspects of her body through highly creative movements, an incredible attention to detail, and an appreciation for the athleticism inherent in “power yoga.” Though her study with Kirk, Madzy learned how to use alignment and breath to maximize the benefit from each posture. While Madzy felt incredibly well versed in the physical aspects of Yoga, It was not until she began a regular practice at Mountain Flow Yoga that she learned what yoga really meant to her. In her words: “I learned what Yoga meant to me personally and more on a spiritual level. I not only gained strength, endurance, confidence, and overall competence . . . but also gained a new sense of self. In each class, I felt my own personal growth and strength begin to soar.” Madzy is participating in her teacher training as she apprentices with the teachers at MFY. This year she has studied with master teachers Brian Kest, Richard Freeman, and Sarah Tomson Beyer. She is participating in teacher training with Shiva Rea in April and with Shakti Vinyasa’s Lisa Black in June. Madzy will complete her 200 RYT with Mountain Flow Yoga this year.

• Ara Gibson

  Teacher

  

  Having a yogini mom, Ara dabbled in different types of yoga for most of her life.  However, it wasn’t until 2005 when she was introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa in a small New York studio, that she discovered the physical and mental strength provided by a dedicated yoga practice.  She found that this true embodied feeling could change her perception in all aspects of life.  She felt an unexplainable connection to herself and the world around.  Ara completed her 200-hour certification at the 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle in 2010. Her teachers were Anne Phyfe Palmer, Melina Meza, Chiara Guerrieri and Jenny Hayo. This training expanded Ara’s perception of yoga infinitely and she quickly realized that yoga (like most things) is a lifelong journey of discovering, and it is important to appreciate every step- just as you are today. 

  Her desire to teach comes from her passion to share this positive constant and make it accessible to ANYONE.  Using her background in personal training and her knowledge of human anatomy, she identifies optimal modifications for people to strengthen, open up, and find balance in their bodies.  As a nurturing and compassionate person she aims to create a safe and positive environment for people to come and share their practice. Ara discovered Mountain Flow Yoga in the spring of 2011 and immediately fell in love with the vibrant and energetic feel of the studio and the teachers!

• Alice Harper

  Teacher

  Alice first came to yoga to relieve a lower back injury and quickly discovered how much more there was to yoga than the physical practice. Living in Boston she was able to practice with Baron Baptiste and other master teachers at his studio. Her experience grew from there studying with many teachers around the Boston area. In 2005 she completed a Teacher Training in the Baptiste Power Vinyasa style. Still hungry for more she continued studying with Bo Forbes in Elemental Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapeutics. She then went on to being one of the founders of The Center For Integrative Yoga Therapeutics ™. Alice’s classes draw from this joy of discovery, with an emphasis on alignment, pranayama, and a connection with the self. Her focus on alignment and vinyasa flow yoga help students safely tap into their internal awareness taking their practices to a new level. Through a new found self awareness she hopes to give her students the tools to transform their minds and bodies both on and off the mat.

• Jenny Hurst

  Teacher

  Jenny first came to yoga looking for a good stretch, then with power vinyasa, a good sweat. She generally thought, “whatever” when a teacher began talking more philosophically about yoga . As the years passed and her practice deepened, messages started to click about yoga beyond asana. Every day she discovered (and continues to discover with awe) new wisdom on the mat that so often applies off the mat, like slow down, listen more and really be present. Jenny followed her passion and became a Level 1 Certified Baptiste Instructor. She has continued her studies with Ana Forrest and various extraordinary teachers in the Seattle area, gathering innovative styles and inspiration from all. Jenny encourages seeking challenge in her vinyasa classes, but pausing at one’s limit of safety with the ultimate goal of pure joy.

• Alison Mara

  Teacher

  Building upon a background in gymnastics and dance, Alison felt an instant connection with Vinyasa Yoga after being introduced to the style while attending college. Yearning for a deeper understanding, she received her 200-hour instructor certification from CorePower Yoga in 2007. Today, she guides students through a Vinyasa-style practice that focuses on core strength and flow to build a solid practice based on strength and spirit. Placing emphasis on linking breath with movement, this style of yoga heals, detoxifies, develops endurance, and exhilarates the body and mind. Alison uses music in her classes to further enhance the practitioner’s experience.

• Tess Tabor

  Teacher

  When Tess took her first power vinyasa class in 2008, she was hooked. Quickly cultivating a daily practice, Tess was amazed at the physical and mental shifts that yoga could bring. As her practice evolved, she was drawn to the structure of Baptiste Yoga, but started seeking the freedom of Vinyasa Flow. She has been mentored by Jaime Scates Schmitz, whose unique style of Flow Yoga has inspired Tess to develop a playful aspect to her practice. Tess believes that the only part of her students that need to be flexible is their mind. She encourages her students to challenge themselves not only to find their edge, but to learn to let go in their practice.