Get to Know Me
I have been practicing yoga for almost 20 years and love the self awareness and healing that yoga has helped me find. Even something as simple as the breath can change my mood. I have lived with depression, anxiety, and feelings of not being "good enough" for a big portion of my life. As a trauma survivor, I experienced shame around the abuse, until I developed the self confidence to realize that I had nothing to be ashamed of. The healing process has been downright painful but so worth it! I share my stories (on Instagram & Facebook) as part of my healing but also in solidarity with others who may be experiencing similar things. I'm blessed to be on this path and so grateful to be able to share emotional healing through yoga, with others.
I have completed multiple online trainings with my guru, Juan Pablo Barahona, working with energy activation through the body's organs.
I’m a trauma aware yoga teacher and have also studied Emotional Wellness for Yoga under the guidance of the expert teachers at Phinney Ridge Yoga.
Always a student, I have been lucky to learn from teachers like Jason Crandell, Tiffany Cruikshank, Amy Ippoliti, Seane Corn, and many amazing local teachers.
I completed my 500 hour through Twist Yoga, where I have dug into both Ayurveda and Yin. I am immersed in my next 500 hour through Yoga Medicine, with Tiffany Cruikshank.
I believe that Yoga is much more than the physical (asana) practice and hope that students leave my classes feeling balanced. Because I know how hard it can be to relax the physical body when your mind is chattering or your breath is shallow, I weave both pranayama/ breath awareness and mental body balance into my classes. I like to meet the student where they are that day. We spend a lot of time in our head with less awareness of our physical body in that space. I work with the Koshas (layers of the body) to help balance body, breath/ energy, & mind- for those days where your physical body may be tired but your mind is active or agitated. There is no 1 size fits all practice. We are all unique individuals and need different things at different times.
I incorporate Chinese Medicine 5 Element theory and seasonal awareness into all my classes. I enjoy being playful and challenging, while also bringing alignment awareness to my classes. I encourage you to come join me outside your comfort zone and find acceptance of yourself in your practice. In my spare time, I love snuggling with my cat, Galadriel. I enjoy reading and spending time in nature.
TRAININGS
200 Hour Certification with Kathleen Hunt at Samadhi Yoga, Seattle, WA, March 2013
500 Hour Self Study Certification with Twist Yoga, Edmonds, WA, October 2019
Yin Yoga with Janell Hartman- 20 hours
Ayurveda on Your Mat with Kate Towell- 20 hours
Myofascial Release for Yoga and Wellness with Betsy Shilling- 10 hours
Yoga Nidra with Michele Hausman- 15 hours
Prenatal Modifications with Chrissy Vorpagel- 15 hours
Yoga for Emotional Wellness with Christy Fisher & Laura Yon/ Phinney Ridge Yoga, Seattle- 35 hours
Common Injury training with Jason Crandell- 21 hours
Find Your Cener- Teacher Renewal with Jason Crandell- 20 hours
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) with Morgan Vanderpool- Tacoma, WA, 16 hours
3 Wisdom Traditions (Yoga, Ayurveda & Psychology) online with Kathryn Templeton- 12 hours
500 Hour Yoga Medicine certification with Tiffany Cruikshank (in progress)
Chinese Medicine & Yoga- 24 hours
Mental Health & Wellness- 60 hours
Women's Health and Wellness- 24 hours
Spine Anatomy- 24 hours
Yoga Anatomy Training online Immersion- Yoga Intl- 20 hours
Insight Yoga teacher training Primary Level with Sarah Powers, Seattle, WA- 70 hours
Yoga Therapeutics with Amy Ippoliti, Seattle, WA- 27 hours
Fascia, Form, & Functional Flow with Karen Sprute-Francovich, Seattle, WA- 12 hours
Amplify the Leader Within with Juan Pablo Barahona/ online 8- week Immersion
Trauma Informed Yoga- 1 day training with Zabie Yamasaki, Seattle, WA
Five Elements of Yoga w/ Saul David Raye, Sianna Sherman, Juan Pablo Barahona, Janet Stone, Sreedevi K. Bringi/ Online Immersion- Hanuman Academy
Creative Sequencing with Sheri Celentano and Jamie Silverstein/ The Grinning Yogi, Seattle, WA
I have also practiced and studied extensively with Jason Crandell, Juan Pablo Barahona, Amy Ippoliti, and Seane Corn. I continue to be inspired by them and the many other amazing teachers (both local and international).
Photos of Colleen by the amazing Sukha Design & Photography
Classes
Public Group Classes
Live via Zoom (all times are PDT)
Thursdays 6- 7:15 pm Hatha- The Yoga Tree
$10 drop in
Self hosted (coming soon)
Mondays 4- 5:15 pm Gentle
Tuesdays 9- 10:15 am Hatha
Thursdays 4- 5:15 pm Yin
Saturdays 9-10:15 am Myo Yin (Myofascial Release w/ Tuneup Balls & Yin Shapes)
Classes are $10 each or $45 for a 5 class pass
25% off for BIPOC
10% of proceeds will go to a BIPOC nonprofit
A recording will be available for 48 hours, if you can't attend live
"Colleen appeals to beginners and advanced practitioners alike because she's all about creating balance...not tricks. She uses her knowledge of Chinese medicine and the energetics of specific yoga postures to help you feel refreshed and alive after every class." Camron M.
Photos of Colleen by the amazing Sukha Design & Photography
SPECIAL EVENTS
for FEEST Seattle and Got Green Seattle, to fight food injustice
August 14th, 6 pm
$10 donation, all proceeds go to the nonprofits
Free to BIPOC
Previous recipients have included the Loveland Foundation, Equal Justice Initiative, and Black Lives Matter

Get In Touch
Thanks for visiting my web site! I am currently based in Seattle, WA. I offer private and semi private classes, customizable to your individual or group needs. Send a message below for pricing or for questions on upcoming workshops and retreats. If you have any questions on energy work or my style of teaching, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Namaste.
