I have worked in health care most of my life first as a registered nurse and recently a retired registered pharmacist.  In the 1990’s I became interested in relationships with horses, alternative healing modalities, spiritual practices and yoga.  

I became a certified yoga instructor in 2012.  I had an opportunity to teach and also became a co-owner at Yoga West Community in Grand Junction which closed its doors 2019.  I now teach at Orange Door Community Wellness.  My classes focus on each student of where they are at!  In yoga you will become more aware of your breath and the inner workings of your body.  Circulating this vital energy promotes a happier and healthier you.

I recently completed an intensive two year program, Equine Gestalt Coaching Method, in 2020.  This a healing journey that partners with horses to bring about awareness of one’s perspectives and limiting beliefs.  It helps one explore what actions one can make today to make a better tomorrow.

I share a five acre property with my three horses. We provide workshops and equine gestalt coaching by appointments.  Trail riding is my therapy to reconnect with nature, spirit and myself.

The Gestalt Therapy Program and yoga provides spiritual and personal growth thus creating more of a life that supports my values and that is my wish for all.  My goal is having work that truly serves and helps individuals along their journey.

I found my way into yoga in 2014 after being diagnosed with a spinal condition that could eventually put me in a wheelchair.  As an active equestrian and outdoor enthusiast, I began searching for natural ways to help myself.  I found yoga.  Yoga has helped heal not only my body, but also been a balm for my mental wellness.  Yoga becomes not just an exercise but a way of being and living fully.

In 2018, I took my yoga teacher training and have been in love with teaching yoga ever since.  As a professional involved in teaching and in developing a variety of therapeutic programs over the years, my passion has always been to help build wellness in the members of my community.  I love building bridges of connection with and between people.  Yoga is a beautiful practice for both self-empowerment and building connection.

Having been involved for years with people with physical, mental or social challenges, and I love that yoga can be adapted to suit wherever a person is in their journey to wellness.  I love teaching a variety of yoga and focus on adaptive, restorative and gentle class that are inclusive and supportive for every body.  I also love to teach in a way that helps people slow down, relax, release their stresses and come back into their best selves.  I believe that everyone can be their own best healer and I love helping guide them in that process!

My journey with yoga began in the late 1990s when I took a yoga class as my physical education credit in college. After that my practice lapsed and I didn't pick it up again until the early 2000s when I found myself in over my head with life and not enough self-care. I found a local studio that was hosting a challenge with free classes for a month and this re-connected me to my practice again. I grew with my practice, found balance in life again, tamed my anxiety and embarked on a new journey to share, teach and more fully live. 

As a life-long science educator, I have had the honor of helping many wonderful students discover the awesome intricacies of the universe. Since retiring from teaching, yoga has been a life-enhancing practice for me, bringing a sense of peace in my mind and healing for my body. In 2018, I was fortunate to find an amazing group of women with whom I became a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor.

These awesome ladies created The Orange Door Community Yoga studio, and I am now delighted to share the healing power of yoga with others here. My mission as a yoga instructor is to help each participant to explore the many advantages of incorporating a regular yoga practice in their lives, to find the peace of mind and well-being that yoga brings.

Forever grateful, yoga has changed my life. I fell in love with yoga in 2011 and the way it made me feel. I am a RYT200 and completed my training at Shambhava Shoshoni Yoga Retreat in 2019 where I completed the study in asanas, pranayama, meditation, teaching methods, yogic philosophy, anatomy and sanskrit. The mission of my classes are to share my love for yoga, meditation, and healing. Guiding students to slow down, promote self love, gratitude and to live life in the present moment. Namaste  

Kristi moved to the Grand Valley in 2012 for a new job and new life. Graduating from CMU in 2015, she started her own social media marketing business as well as continuing to do office management and bookkeeping for different companies.

Then she was introduced to yoga and hot yoga. It was an immediate love affair for Kristi. From there, Kristi joined the Academy of Yoga for her first Hatha Yoga 200-hour training and certificate.

Immediately following, she started another 200-hour training in the Baptiste methodology. She has taught at Fruita Yoga, Thrive Fruita, Fruita Rec Center, the Climbing Gym, and Orange Door Yoga.

Because of life’s occurrences, she has melted the methodologies into her own brand of strength and awareness yoga. Using faith, asking self-awareness questions, and physically doing yoga and breathing to relieve grief, addiction and life are the tools she hopes to share in her classes.