Our Instructors
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 during her teenage years and obtained her 200 hour and 300 hour yoga teaching certifications 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. Her passion for slow, meditative practices are featured in her classes which often include mediation, breathwork, positive affirmations, and inspirational readings. Jess believes in upholding the fundamentals of the Yogic philosophy and enjoys educating students by weaving the ancient teachings of the Yogis into her classes. At home, she lives with her husband John and son Jacob and enjoys raising her son from home while she embarks on a new career path towards becoming a Physical Therapist.
Ren Hawkes
Ren 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.
She loves gardening in her yard, cycling, going for walks in the woods and camping with her family.
Website: https://www.renhawkesyoga.com/
Instragam: @renhawkesyoga
Hayley Baxter
Hayley has been a student of yoga and mediation for just over a decade! She is a self proclaimed student of life (hopefully FOR life, ideally learning something new everyday!) She has huge passions for nature, for humans and the rhythms of both. Using these passions in combination with her connection to movement of the mind and body, Hayley began pursuing her education to teach/guide - she is certified to teach yoga, aerial yoga, yoga nidra and barre.
You’ll be certain to find mindful, intentional movement, a potential shift of perspective, a good quote and a solid playlist in her classes!
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.
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.
Katie Bunch
Katie 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.
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.
Amanda Brockway
Amanda 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.
Erica Mullen
Erica has been on a transformative journey of mind-body healing over the past several years, experiencing profound personal change through the practices of aerial yoga, yoga nidra, reiki, and sound healing. Inspired by the positive shifts in her own life, she is passionate about helping others in the community who are affected by depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain to find healthier and happier ways of living.
Erica is certified as a Aerial Yoga Teacher, Yoga Nidra Guide, Level 2 Reiki Practitioner and a Therapeutic Sound Practitioner.
Erica founded Balanced Heart Wellness in 2024 to offer traveling services for reiki, yoga nidra and therapeutic sound baths. She resides in Gorham with her fiancé and two beloved dogs.