Instructors

The instructors at Just Breathe are amazing instructors and amazing people. All of them have transformed their lives and bodies through their chosen movement practice.

		Abi Barella - Prenatal, Mom & Baby Yoga Abigail has been in love with pregnant mamas and babies since she was a young child. She is certified as a childbirth educator by Birthing Way College and as a labor and post-partum doula by ICTC in North Portland. She holds a bachelor of science in Psychology from PSU and is trained to teach a pre and post-natal yoga by Nicole from Moving Through. With over a decade of experience working with families as a nanny and educator, her two biggest strengths are her compassion for others and her intuition. She has two children Zurie Iris and Taj Willow and it is through their births and babyhood that she gained the most knowledge to help other families. She moved from Portland in the fall of 2010 and is excited to call Eugene her new home. For more information, visit Abi's website.
		Mandy Baucum - Yoga & Nia Mandy decided to become a fitness instructor in 2006 and her life hasn't been the same since. Her pursuit of movement seems to directly correlate to her improved health and personal growth, which is why she is so passionate about bringing it to others. Mandy's passion for music and dancing shines through in her expressive and energetic Nia classes. In her yoga classes she combines her love of flowing vinyasa classes with alignment details sprinkled throughout. Her favorite thing is creating "Aha!" moments for her students. Mandy became a Nia instructor (White Belt) in 2006 and became a Yogafit Level 1 instructor in 2009. She is also an ACE Certified Fitness Instructor.
		Kira Benesh - Yoga: Vinyasa Flow 2 Kira is a certified Hatha yoga teacher who draws inspiration from a variety of yogic backgrounds to create unique sequences that flow together like dance. Finding peace through movement, she embraces a strong vinyasa practice that encourages the soul to shine and the heart to smile. Yoga has enabled Kira to move through life with more grace and awareness, and she is delighted to share this with others.
		James Fox - Intermediate/Advanced Tai Chi Chuan & Medical Qigong James has nearly 30 years of experience teaching traditional Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, and approximately 20 years experience with traditional Chinese medical qigong. He has extensive training in China, Tibet, and the USA with the best known masters in each art. He completed four years of post-doctoral study in Chinese Traditional Medicine at Huazhong University in Wuhan, China and is also the Director Emeritus for the Yang family - the family lineage of the founding family of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. In 2007, he won Bronze medals at the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Tournament for each of the three events entered. James integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, practice, and applications into his classes. His primarily interest is on practicing and teaching the use of Medical Qigong as a primary treatment modality for a range of chronic disorders. James ran his own own school in Buffalo, NY for twenty years before moving back to Eugene in 2005. He is a retired university professor from the State University of New York system. For more information visit James' website
		Christiana Hansen - Yoga Christiana has been practicing yoga for 8 years. Originally a dancer and an actor she used yoga to gain better control and understanding of her body which led her to stumble upon yoga’s many other benefits, such as a decrease of chronic pain, and a release of stress & anxiety. She completed a 200+ hour Yoga Alliance approved teacher certification program with Christy Marsden in Burbank CA. Following the teachings of Krishnamacharya, she learned how yoga is suited for everyone and how to help every body gain the most from its practices. She uses demonstration and individual attention to aid each student. Christiana is excited to share the many tools yoga offers with everyone.
		Dominique Lefievre - Nia Dominique started taking Nia classes in 2005 and fell in love. She was so excited about the joy and expression that Nia brought into her life, that she decided to become a teacher. She took her Nia white belt training in 2006 and has been teaching regularly ever since. Dominique's students appreciate the lightness, joy and free expression Dominique brings to her classes. She is passionate about bringing health, mobility, strength and dynamic ease into people's lives through Nia.
		Terri Moody - Yoga: Vinyasa Flow 1 Terri teaches a moderate pace vinyasa flow incorporating many of the basic poses and their many variations. She likes to keep the core of her class similar, but always adding something new to keep it fresh. She searches to find the right queues to help you discover the adjustment that makes the asana work for you. Her wish is to create an experience each time you come to the mat and find the joy in your heart. Yoga has changed her life and she wants to keep discovering all the gifts it has to offer. Terri is registered with Yoga Alliance and received her teaching certification at Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, MX. They offer an intensive immersion in traditional yoga with an emphasis on hatha yoga.
		Kristen Mico - Beginning Yoga Kristen's practice is focused on realizing yoga's capacity to enhance life beyond the mat. Seeing the body as a vital tool and vessel for the spirit, she brings the mind, body and spirit together for a greater experience of yoga and the life it exists within. Studying primarily Anusara yoga, Kristen has been practicing yoga for over ten years, with the strength and flexibility of the practice continually guiding her to places of beauty and wonder.
		Donna O'Neil - Yoga Donna is a certified and registered yoga teacher who has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching yoga and meditation in Eugene since 1995. Donna has a wide range of experience in teaching to all levels. Her gentle teaching emphasizes alignment, yet with space for our inner spirit to shine in each pose.
		Quincy O'Toole - Nia Upon a friends referral, Quincy tried her first NIA class in 2003 and was instantly hooked. After attending music school in the late 80's, and massage therapy school from 2002-04, NIA was the perfect blend of her passion for music and the way the body moves. Quincy believes on focusing on the daily basics - breathing deeply and steadily, drinking ample water, eating what makes us feel healthy, sleeping well and MOVING OUR BODIES!! Through attention and awareness to these basic life functions, Quincy believes we can heal many of our daily ailments aches and pains! Quincy's attention to breath patterns, anatomy and proper body alignment are unique to her classes.
		Kira Roberson - Yoga for Kids Kira is certified Shivananda Yoga teacher and Ayurvedic Practitioner. She was certified as a yoga instructor in 2004 at the Shivananda Yoga Vidanta Ashram in India. In 2007, Kira graduated from the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she studied under the esteemed Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Claudia Welch. After completing her studies Kira returned to the Indian Subcontinent for an Ayurvedic internship at the Devi Ma rural hospital in Nepal, in 2009. In Nepal, Kira worked directly under Dr. Sarita Shrestha, studying women’s health and herbal medicine. For more information visit Kira's website.
		Susan Stack - Pilates Susan is a Certified Stott Pilates Instructor and has been teaching Pilates for about five years. Stott Pilates changed Susan's life, transforming her body from being in a state of chronic pain to a pain free existence. Susan was so inspired by the changes in her own body that she pursued a career in movement science with a focus on Pilates (and later Hoop Dance) in order to help others feel better in their bodies. Susan's extensive training in movement science and rehabilitation coupled with her personal experience of past injuries has given her the knowledge and insight to empower clients to heal from injuries and attain their fitness goals. People love Susan's classes because her approach to exercise is creative and fun while incorporating a focus on form and technique, she has an innate ability to pick up on subtle movement patterns, and she is patient and encouraging. To learn more, visit www.fmpilates.com
		Shoshanah Thielle - Yoga for Arthritis Shoshanah Thielle is a master Yoga instructor. She has been teaching classes, workshops and privately for over 30 years. After having a ski accident she was told that she would never walk again unless she had surgery. She did not have the surgery and completely rehabilitated using Yoga and diet. Today she specializes in working with people with all types of health challenges. She has been trained in Viniyoga, a method that emphasizes that the poses should be adapted to the needs of the individual. Her greatest gift is inspiring people to live healthy lives.
		Jessica Swartz - Pilates Jessica Swartz received her comprehensive teaching certification from the Pilates Center of Boulder, Colorado in 2003 after a rigorous, year long, 850 hour training program. For the past 7 years she has been teaching in Paris, France as well as guest teaching at other studios around the world in Australia, Costa Rica and South Africa. Jessica is new to Eugene and is excited to share her love and experience of the Pilates method with this community. In her class you will breathe, stretch and strengthen to help you move through your daily activities with more ease and efficiency. You will also explore a deeper sense of body awareness to improve posture and alleviate tension. Please join Jessica in a class and discover a new way to feel better. For more information visit Jessica's website.
		Andrea Swartz - Restorative Yoga Andrea began her yoga practice as a way to get out of her head and into her body. Through studying with various Iyengar teachers, she has developed a deep desire to bring body and spirit into alignment. Through precise instruction and gentle pacing she offers safe challenges and deep rest on the path to healing.