Our Instructors
Jess Owen
“The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan
Jess Owen (Zdanys) has been practicing yoga and meditation regularly since 2013. She obtained her 200 hour Recovery Yoga Certification in 2018 with a focus on clients dealing with trauma. Jess has her Reiki I and II certification and enjoys blending her yoga classes with dynamic physical postures and energetic healing techniques. As a musician and a teacher of young children for 10 years, Jess incorporates a blend of sharing knowledge as well as supporting students in a fun and playful environment. Jess is inspired by yogis of all ages, body types, and ability levels, and enjoys introducing her students to the power of breathwork and self-awareness developed from a regular yoga practice. While she has taught many styles of classes including Vinyasa, Power Yoga, and Kid’s and Family Yoga, her deepest passion lies in guiding students through Gentle and Restorative yoga practices. She is currently working on her 300 hour teaching certificate and hopes to complete it within the year.
Ren Hawkes
Ren has been studying yoga for over 20 years. As an outdoor educator, she brings her passion for the natural world into her yoga practice. She completed her 200 YTT with Portland Yoga Project and holds a Kids yoga certification through Radiance Beginnings. Ren is also a certified Let Your Yoga Dance teacher and is an active member of the Let Your Yoga Dance teacher association. She invites playfulness, curiosity and joy into all of her classes.
She loves gardening in her yard, walking her dog, cycling and camping with her family.
Website: https://www.renhawkesyoga.com/
Instragam: @renhawkesyoga
Angela Balzano Gowen
Angela Balzano Gowen became a certified Reiki I & II practitioner in 2021 while on maternity leave. Being a brand new mom had her feeling so connected, but also so disconnected to her body, mind, and spirit at that time! This journey began as something she pursued for her personal growth, and is now blossoming into something she is ready to share with others. Her goal is to help you realize your magic and show you that profound things can happen when given a little room to rest.
Brianna Deroche
Brianna has been practicing yoga in some capacity for almost 20 years. Starting with a yoga class in college she has woven yoga and mindfulness into her work as a former elementary school counselor, as a parent, as well as using yoga as a way to rehab her brain and body after having two strokes in the summer of 2022. Brianna holds a 200hr teacher certification from Yoga Farm Ithaca, completing her teaching requirements in early 2021. Using her experience in supporting emotional well being, as well as her own journey in finding a physical practice of yoga that works for her body’s limitations, Brianna creates space for students to explore yoga in their own unique way.
When not on the mat, Brianna can be found with her family, reading a good book or working as a parent coach.