RedBloom Yoga has amazing teachers with experience in a variety of styles of yoga. Each of our teachers are Yoga Alliance certified and lead classes to suit each individual's needs. Take a look- there is a style and teacher to fit everyone!
Meet our teachers...
Kris Batzner, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Kris is Owner of RedBloom Yoga & Center for Community Wellness and runs Kula Yoga Outreach in Mt. Pleasant, MI. While Kris has practiced yoga on and off for most of her life, she began a definitive yoga practice in 1998. She is certified through Yogafit to teach general yoga as well as yoga for seniors, children, and pre/post-natal, and has received her certification in Ascension/Aerial yoga through Shanti School of Yoga. She started teaching yoga, pilates, and other fitness classes for adults and children while living in Orlando, Florida in 2008. After moving to central Michigan, Kris taught yoga in fitness centers and yoga studios before starting Kula Yoga Outreach, a yoga community based in Mount Pleasant. She currently organizes Kula Yoga and is excited to expand that sense of community and love of healthy living into RedBloom Yoga and RedBloom Center for Community Wellness. Kris tries to always find the joy and humor in a practice and encourages yogis practicing with her to do the same.
Before starting down the yoga path, Kris worked as a music therapist for 10 years in a variety of settings. She is an avid reader and knitter with two mini-yogis (daughters) and a husband at home.
Kris’ philosophy is simple- everybody can do yoga, regardless of shape, size, or experience. And everyone should have the chance to experience yoga in their own bodies. In her personal practice Kris likes to spend much of her time upside down.
Kris is Owner of RedBloom Yoga & Center for Community Wellness and runs Kula Yoga Outreach in Mt. Pleasant, MI. While Kris has practiced yoga on and off for most of her life, she began a definitive yoga practice in 1998. She is certified through Yogafit to teach general yoga as well as yoga for seniors, children, and pre/post-natal, and has received her certification in Ascension/Aerial yoga through Shanti School of Yoga. She started teaching yoga, pilates, and other fitness classes for adults and children while living in Orlando, Florida in 2008. After moving to central Michigan, Kris taught yoga in fitness centers and yoga studios before starting Kula Yoga Outreach, a yoga community based in Mount Pleasant. She currently organizes Kula Yoga and is excited to expand that sense of community and love of healthy living into RedBloom Yoga and RedBloom Center for Community Wellness. Kris tries to always find the joy and humor in a practice and encourages yogis practicing with her to do the same.
Before starting down the yoga path, Kris worked as a music therapist for 10 years in a variety of settings. She is an avid reader and knitter with two mini-yogis (daughters) and a husband at home.
Kris’ philosophy is simple- everybody can do yoga, regardless of shape, size, or experience. And everyone should have the chance to experience yoga in their own bodies. In her personal practice Kris likes to spend much of her time upside down.
Mel Bailey
Mel's relationship with yoga began in 2002, while in Midwifery school in New Mexico. Three years later, while practicing Midwifery in the same city, she was surprised to find there were no prenatal yoga classes. Pregnant herself at the time, she decided to get her yoga instructor certification with a specialty in prenatal (pregnancy) yoga. This naturally led to yoga with babies, since many women wanted to continue after birth.
When she moved back home to Mt. Pleasant, she again found no yoga classes specifically for pregnant women and their babies. She has been privileged to provide this service in other yoga studios in Mt. Pleasant, and now leads prenatal, postnatal, baby & me, and much more at RedBloom. She am also excited to expand our community by offering education and support to women during pregnancy, early motherhood, menopause, and those dealing with issues related to being a woman. This is her passion and calling!
Mel says, " Yoga has become a way of life for me, and I am glad to be able to share the many benefits with others. It extends way beyond our mats, impacting our lives each day."
Mel's relationship with yoga began in 2002, while in Midwifery school in New Mexico. Three years later, while practicing Midwifery in the same city, she was surprised to find there were no prenatal yoga classes. Pregnant herself at the time, she decided to get her yoga instructor certification with a specialty in prenatal (pregnancy) yoga. This naturally led to yoga with babies, since many women wanted to continue after birth.
When she moved back home to Mt. Pleasant, she again found no yoga classes specifically for pregnant women and their babies. She has been privileged to provide this service in other yoga studios in Mt. Pleasant, and now leads prenatal, postnatal, baby & me, and much more at RedBloom. She am also excited to expand our community by offering education and support to women during pregnancy, early motherhood, menopause, and those dealing with issues related to being a woman. This is her passion and calling!
Mel says, " Yoga has become a way of life for me, and I am glad to be able to share the many benefits with others. It extends way beyond our mats, impacting our lives each day."
Carlin Caszatt, RYT-200
Carlin’s yogic path began long before she ever stepped foot into a studio. Having been a former gymnast, as well as a coach, she went on to pursue a bachelors of science in health fitness from CMU. Carlin was soon drawn toward a more natural approach to health, and so decided to pursue a degree from the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education. This holistic approach to health inevitably led her to yoga.
After Carlin experienced her first group yoga session she was hooked. She eventually went on to earn her 200 hour yoga teacher certification, and then decided to focus on the vinyasa style of yoga. Carlin has an aptitude for inversions and believes that the combination of breath and movement in a yoga practice are priceless attributes to a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
“Yoga soothes my nerves and nourishes my soul.”
Carlin’s yogic path began long before she ever stepped foot into a studio. Having been a former gymnast, as well as a coach, she went on to pursue a bachelors of science in health fitness from CMU. Carlin was soon drawn toward a more natural approach to health, and so decided to pursue a degree from the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education. This holistic approach to health inevitably led her to yoga.
After Carlin experienced her first group yoga session she was hooked. She eventually went on to earn her 200 hour yoga teacher certification, and then decided to focus on the vinyasa style of yoga. Carlin has an aptitude for inversions and believes that the combination of breath and movement in a yoga practice are priceless attributes to a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
“Yoga soothes my nerves and nourishes my soul.”
Julia Wozny, RYT-500
Throughout her four years of high school, before she discovered yoga, Julia was a sideline and competitive cheerleader. She loved the sensations of stretching and would spend her free time sitting in the splits, doing backbends, forward folds, and balancing on one foot. She would find herself involuntarily stretching during class, in restaurants/stores, and in social situations just to calm her nerves.
Before high school, Julia was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. While medical treatment helped, and art was an excellent expressive tool, it was yoga that made the biggest impact in managing her mental health. Because of her love of stretching and need for healing, the yogic path made the most sense.
In 2016, Julia graduated from Lakeland High School and started her freshman year at Central Michigan University. She took a 2-day intensive training through YogaFit to become certified in teaching basic yoga in a group fitness setting. However, she became more interested in the philosophic aspects of yoga and less interested in the physical fitness aspects because she believes the purpose of yoga is to observe and change the way you feel/think, not necessarily the way you look. So, in the summer of 2018, she completed her 200-hour teacher training at Brighton Yoga Center.
Currently, Julia teaches on campus at CMU and at Redbloom Yoga. During breaks in the school year, she teaches at Brighton Yoga Center. She has experience teaching all-levels classes, beginner classes, power flow classes, restorative, yin, vinyasa, and hot yoga. At CMU, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in Visual Arts Education and minoring in American Sign Language. She plans on graduating Fall 2020, becoming a K-12 certified art teacher.
Throughout her four years of high school, before she discovered yoga, Julia was a sideline and competitive cheerleader. She loved the sensations of stretching and would spend her free time sitting in the splits, doing backbends, forward folds, and balancing on one foot. She would find herself involuntarily stretching during class, in restaurants/stores, and in social situations just to calm her nerves.
Before high school, Julia was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. While medical treatment helped, and art was an excellent expressive tool, it was yoga that made the biggest impact in managing her mental health. Because of her love of stretching and need for healing, the yogic path made the most sense.
In 2016, Julia graduated from Lakeland High School and started her freshman year at Central Michigan University. She took a 2-day intensive training through YogaFit to become certified in teaching basic yoga in a group fitness setting. However, she became more interested in the philosophic aspects of yoga and less interested in the physical fitness aspects because she believes the purpose of yoga is to observe and change the way you feel/think, not necessarily the way you look. So, in the summer of 2018, she completed her 200-hour teacher training at Brighton Yoga Center.
Currently, Julia teaches on campus at CMU and at Redbloom Yoga. During breaks in the school year, she teaches at Brighton Yoga Center. She has experience teaching all-levels classes, beginner classes, power flow classes, restorative, yin, vinyasa, and hot yoga. At CMU, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in Visual Arts Education and minoring in American Sign Language. She plans on graduating Fall 2020, becoming a K-12 certified art teacher.
Erin Swystun, RYT-200
Erin found her way to the yoga mat after her first daughter was born in 2001, when a group of friends invited her to class. A neck injury in her very first headstand kept her away from yoga for about six years…
Thankfully teacher friends encouraged her back and helped heal that physical and emotional trauma. She has since been practicing and using yoga to better understand the subtle energies of the body as well as heal injuries and trauma.
Erin is a strong believer in self-healing and is committed to navigating the territory of achieving balance with essential breath work. She completed a 200hr teacher training with Dr. Justine Lemos and Scott Miller in 2014 through Western Yoga College and recently completed a 24hr aerial teacher training in October of 2017. Her classes are both grounding and expanding as she guides through the breath-body connection during yoga asanas.
Erin found her way to the yoga mat after her first daughter was born in 2001, when a group of friends invited her to class. A neck injury in her very first headstand kept her away from yoga for about six years…
Thankfully teacher friends encouraged her back and helped heal that physical and emotional trauma. She has since been practicing and using yoga to better understand the subtle energies of the body as well as heal injuries and trauma.
Erin is a strong believer in self-healing and is committed to navigating the territory of achieving balance with essential breath work. She completed a 200hr teacher training with Dr. Justine Lemos and Scott Miller in 2014 through Western Yoga College and recently completed a 24hr aerial teacher training in October of 2017. Her classes are both grounding and expanding as she guides through the breath-body connection during yoga asanas.
Lisa Martin, RYT-500
Lisa is a 500 Hour Yoga Instructor and Client Services Manager at RedBloom Yoga. I have a B.A. from Grand Valley State University in English and Physical Education and have spent 25 years teaching in the public schools. I have been active my entire life; first as a dancer, then aerobics and tae bo in college, and then as a “runner”after my children were born. While I had done yoga “videos” at home, I had never taken a formal yoga class until 2016.
My first yoga class was an Aerial Class at RedBloom. The next day, I took my first class on my mat. (It was outdoors and is still my favorite place to practice.) I have found myself using yoga every single day since then, often on my mat, but sometimes just using breathwork to bring calm to every day situations. I enjoy meditation and Kundalini yoga, and am facinated by the chakras and the amazing abilities of our bodies and minds.
Since that first class, I have taken a 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training here at RedBloom, an additional 300 Hr YTT through Peoples Yoga with an emphasis in Ayurveda, and have certified through ACT Wellness in Trauma Informed Yoga. I am always reading to learn as much as I can about everything! I teach two PranaFlow Classes at RedBloom and Yin Yoga.
Yoga provides me with peace, calm, love and light. It's benefits for me were and are life-changing. Breathwork, asana, meditation...all encourage me to be a better human. I have deep gratitude for RedBloom and this community for what they have guided me to and through on this journey. The love and light in me, sees and honors the love and light in you.
Lisa is a 500 Hour Yoga Instructor and Client Services Manager at RedBloom Yoga. I have a B.A. from Grand Valley State University in English and Physical Education and have spent 25 years teaching in the public schools. I have been active my entire life; first as a dancer, then aerobics and tae bo in college, and then as a “runner”after my children were born. While I had done yoga “videos” at home, I had never taken a formal yoga class until 2016.
My first yoga class was an Aerial Class at RedBloom. The next day, I took my first class on my mat. (It was outdoors and is still my favorite place to practice.) I have found myself using yoga every single day since then, often on my mat, but sometimes just using breathwork to bring calm to every day situations. I enjoy meditation and Kundalini yoga, and am facinated by the chakras and the amazing abilities of our bodies and minds.
Since that first class, I have taken a 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training here at RedBloom, an additional 300 Hr YTT through Peoples Yoga with an emphasis in Ayurveda, and have certified through ACT Wellness in Trauma Informed Yoga. I am always reading to learn as much as I can about everything! I teach two PranaFlow Classes at RedBloom and Yin Yoga.
Yoga provides me with peace, calm, love and light. It's benefits for me were and are life-changing. Breathwork, asana, meditation...all encourage me to be a better human. I have deep gratitude for RedBloom and this community for what they have guided me to and through on this journey. The love and light in me, sees and honors the love and light in you.
Renae Eckland, RYT-500
Movement, music, exercise and athleticism have always been a part of my life. Yoga allows me to experience all of the above and adds an additional layer of peacefulness and calm. Practicing yoga has helped me to laugh at my own “foibles” and to strive to continue learning, growing, loving, and laughing! Yoga is a way to find joy in ourselves and others.
Having recently earned my 200 hour teaching certificate, I am excited for the opportunity to share my love of yoga with others. Join me on this path of self-discovery and well-being!
Favorite Pose: Eagle
Advice: Listen to your body and trust yourself!
Learned: The joy of just being – we are enough.
Movement, music, exercise and athleticism have always been a part of my life. Yoga allows me to experience all of the above and adds an additional layer of peacefulness and calm. Practicing yoga has helped me to laugh at my own “foibles” and to strive to continue learning, growing, loving, and laughing! Yoga is a way to find joy in ourselves and others.
Having recently earned my 200 hour teaching certificate, I am excited for the opportunity to share my love of yoga with others. Join me on this path of self-discovery and well-being!
Favorite Pose: Eagle
Advice: Listen to your body and trust yourself!
Learned: The joy of just being – we are enough.
Jordan Rios, RYT-200
Like many things in life, it is easy to let things fall out of balance. As a busy student several years ago, yoga became a way for me to reconnect with myself and find what I was missing.
Now post grad in social work, it has become a passion of mine to help others feel the same when they come to their mat. Come enjoy a slow, restorative practice with me."
Like many things in life, it is easy to let things fall out of balance. As a busy student several years ago, yoga became a way for me to reconnect with myself and find what I was missing.
Now post grad in social work, it has become a passion of mine to help others feel the same when they come to their mat. Come enjoy a slow, restorative practice with me."
Trisha Powell, RYT-200
Yoga and Trish found each other in 2007, but like most things in life, her practice waxed and waned. Throughout the phases of existence, the lessons she learned on her mat about self-love and acceptance transferred to daily living—and her daily life and asana practice meshed together.
Trish enjoys spontaneous flows that come in the middle of the day when she can just listen to her body and move. She also loves the practice of ashtanga yoga which is the same movement patterns every practice with a focus on the breath.
She pays attention to the nuances all around her and embraces the contradictory nature of life. And she wants you to join her on your mat. She hopes to offer you—if only for a moment—a time of peace with yourself and others; perhaps providing space for you to discover that you have the answers you are looking for within yourself.
Come move, grow, and explore what feels good to you and what your body and mind want. Come be with me.
Yoga and Trish found each other in 2007, but like most things in life, her practice waxed and waned. Throughout the phases of existence, the lessons she learned on her mat about self-love and acceptance transferred to daily living—and her daily life and asana practice meshed together.
Trish enjoys spontaneous flows that come in the middle of the day when she can just listen to her body and move. She also loves the practice of ashtanga yoga which is the same movement patterns every practice with a focus on the breath.
She pays attention to the nuances all around her and embraces the contradictory nature of life. And she wants you to join her on your mat. She hopes to offer you—if only for a moment—a time of peace with yourself and others; perhaps providing space for you to discover that you have the answers you are looking for within yourself.
Come move, grow, and explore what feels good to you and what your body and mind want. Come be with me.
Kelly Lawson, RYT-200
Kelly is a 200-hour Yoga instructor, has a bachelor’s degree in health education and a master’s degree in exercise science.
Health and fitness have long been a big part of her life. As a kid, Kelly danced and played various sports. In college, she began taking group fitness classes, and eventually found her way to her first Yoga class.
At first, Yoga was a way to relax, later morphing into a practice for strength and sweat. Today, she loves the spiritual/mind/body connection she feels when practicing.
As a life-long learner, Kelly seeks new ways to grow and improve, and still loves taking classes (like SCUBA!)
Kelly is a 200-hour Yoga instructor, has a bachelor’s degree in health education and a master’s degree in exercise science.
Health and fitness have long been a big part of her life. As a kid, Kelly danced and played various sports. In college, she began taking group fitness classes, and eventually found her way to her first Yoga class.
At first, Yoga was a way to relax, later morphing into a practice for strength and sweat. Today, she loves the spiritual/mind/body connection she feels when practicing.
As a life-long learner, Kelly seeks new ways to grow and improve, and still loves taking classes (like SCUBA!)
Taylor Hoffman, RYT-200
Taylor began practicing yoga in 2011 while she was in highschool and recently decided to take her practice to the next level to become a yoga teacher. Taylor has always found yoga to be a great source of stress relief and encourages everyone to try it. She likes to take on new challenges and is constantly learning new things or trying new things.
Outside of yoga, Taylor is a Marketing Manager, freelance writer, and has a husband and two crazy dogs. She equally enjoys going on adventures as well as staying inside with a good book. In her personal practice, Taylor likes to work with Sun Salutations and does a lot of poses that help her recover as a runner. One day Taylor hopes to run a marathon and would not be able to accomplish that goal without her yoga practice!
Taylor began practicing yoga in 2011 while she was in highschool and recently decided to take her practice to the next level to become a yoga teacher. Taylor has always found yoga to be a great source of stress relief and encourages everyone to try it. She likes to take on new challenges and is constantly learning new things or trying new things.
Outside of yoga, Taylor is a Marketing Manager, freelance writer, and has a husband and two crazy dogs. She equally enjoys going on adventures as well as staying inside with a good book. In her personal practice, Taylor likes to work with Sun Salutations and does a lot of poses that help her recover as a runner. One day Taylor hopes to run a marathon and would not be able to accomplish that goal without her yoga practice!