Our Instructors
Ren Hawkes
Ren (she/her) has been studying yoga for over 30 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, holds a Kids yoga certification through Radiance Beginnings, and is certified as a Kripula Yin Yoga Teacher. Ren is also a 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.
Ren loves gardening in her yard, cycling, going for walks in the woods and camping with her family.
Amanda Brockway
Amanda (she/her) has been practicing yoga in some capacity for the last 15 years. As an elementary educator, she has enjoyed bringing yoga and mindfulness techniques into her classroom. Through this practice, she has seen first hand how yoga and breathing exercises can positively impact young students. She is excited to bring her passion for teaching calming techniques in a fun and meaningful way to the youngest yogis in the community.
Amanda enjoys learning to garden, spending time outdoors, and watching her children play and grow.
Jess Owen
“All you ever longed for is before you in this moment if you dare draw in a breath and whisper, "Yes.” ― Danna Faulds
Jess Owen (Zdanys) discovered yoga and meditation in her teenage years and felt inspired to become a teacher to share these healing practices with others. She obtained both 200 hour and 300 hour yoga teaching certificates in 2019 and 2021 with a focus on trauma-informed yoga. Jess is certified in Angelic Essence Healing as well as Reiki I and II, and enjoys weaving elements of spirituality into her teaching. Her passion for slow, meditative practices are featured in her classes which often blend meditation, breath work, dynamic movement, and traditional poses. Jess believes in upholding the fundamentals of the Yogic philosophy and enjoys educating students by sharing the ancient teachings of the Yogis.
Hayley Baxter
Hayley (she/her) has been a student of yoga for half of her life; this year officially marked being a teacher for half of that time too. She is a self proclaimed student of life- truly enjoying learning something new from each day. Her curiosity for learning and life has led her toward + through teacher training certifications in Yoga, Barre, Aerial Yoga and Yoga Nidra Meditation (for now)!
Hayley has huge passions for humans and nature. She spends time outside everyday and cherishes every moment with those she loves. Combining these two strong passions, Hayley intentionally connects the movements of nature and the human body into her class plans! If you make it to her classes you can expect a mindful experience, great tunes, and to be met exactly as you are in that moment.
Armella Brown
Armella has been practicing yoga since 2014 and completed her YTT 200 in 2016 through Corepower Yoga in Boston. Additionally, she has been trained in and taught Hot Power Fusion and Yoga Sculpt.
Armella's favorite style to teach is a power vinyasa flow that increases strength, flexibility and stamina, while connecting the mind and body.
Off the mat, Armella lives in a tiny house on wheels with her two cats, Loki and Luna, and dog, Stormie. She is a high school special education teacher, cheerleading coach, and loves finding ways to connect and empower others.
Katie Bunch
Katie (she/her) is a NASM certified personal trainer and a health coach, and has been working in the health and fitness industry for over 12 years. As a fitness trainer, she specializes in resistance training, strength training, and HIIT, with a focus in correcting muscle imbalances and establishing a mind-to-muscle connection. She takes a balanced and holistic approach to exercise and nutrition, and loves to help people reach their wellness goals. She believes in meeting all where they are, and in making fitness fun and a celebration of what the body can do.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters, gardening, and crocheting.
Sarah Patriquin
Sarah (they/them) is an artist and writer working in Cumberland. When they aren't making zines, collages, or writing poems, they are probably marveling at flowers, creating still-lives in their house, making weirdly specific playlists, or hanging out with other people's dogs.
Sarah sees teaching yoga and movement practices as a thrilling opportunity to accompany students of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities in exploration and evolution. Sarah wants to encourage your autonomy both on your mat and in your life. Classes with them are metaphorical, light-hearted, and full of references to how nature can show us everything we need to know about living life. They believe in the radical potential of rest.
Sarah has been studying and practicing yoga and meditation in one way or another for over 10 years. They completed their 200 hour yoga teacher training and 100 hours of Yin teacher training at Portland Yoga Collective, and they hold a certificate in Social Justice Chaplaincy from the School of Global Citizenry. They studied visual arts, writing, and philosophy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Pinky Fleury
Pinky Fleury (she/her) discovered yoga as a teenager, practicing along with YouTube videos in her bedroom before pursuing formal training at Portland Yoga Project. Her classes balance approachability with options for both challenge and grace, encouraging students to explore strength, softness, and connection.
Drawn to yoga for its impact across all pillars of health, she weaves this holistic perspective into her teaching. Outside the studio, Pinky works as a nurse and enjoys being active outdoors—whether walking, playing rugby, or Pickleball.
Lena DiMillo
Lena DiMillo (she/her) earned her 200 RYT from Scarborough Yoga. Born and raised in Portland, ME, she found yoga as a young adult through friends and taking a class in college. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a practice she could integrate into her weekly schedule and something that could help to alleviate mental health struggles. Lena aims to deliver a Vinyasa class that leaves you feeling confident, strong, and refreshed. “Come as you are”, stay open and honest and take whatever you need, and leave what does not work for you.
When Lena is not teaching yoga, she surrounds herself with art, music and nature, while she explores Maine’s beaches, attends local concerts, and spending time with her partner and two cats, Oreo and Vinny.
Angela Balzano Gowen
Angela Balzano Gowen (she/her) became a certified Reiki I & II practitioner in 2021, shortly after having her first child. As a new mom, she found herself feeling disconnected from her body, mind, and spirit. She knew that nurturing her intuition would be essential during this transformative season of life. What began as a personal journey of healing and growth through reiki, has since blossomed into a passion she’s excited to share. Angela’s goal is to help others reconnect with themselves and invite a little more magic into their everyday lives.