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Libby BaileyCox,
E-RYT 500, Level 2 TIYT, RPYT, YACEP, Director of Two Birds Yoga Training 
Libby Cox is an E-RYT 500, a mother of twin boys, an educator and a dedicated student of the body. With degrees in art, dance and education, a
20-year yoga practice, and a penchant for storytelling, Libby's teaching approach is passionate, compassionate, and witty. Teaching yoga since 2004, Libby has served on faculty in yoga teacher training programs in the US and abroad since 2010, drawing upon her studies from numerous styles of yoga and teaching approaches in order to meet the needs of yoga students and aspiring teachers alike. Most notable are Libby's studies with Patty Townsend, Judith Lasater, and Douglas Brooks. |
ToTownsend developed 'Embodyoga', an approach to movement steeped in anatomy-driven, developmental movement principles of Body Mind Centering (BMC). Libby uses these principles to help students discover and release underlying causes of dysfunctional movement patterns. Libby's studies with Judith Lasater have given her the skills to work individually with students on shoulder, hip and lower back health. Dr. Douglas Brooks introduced her to Rajanaka Tantra, a body of ideas that emphasize the invaluable education of everyday human experience. Libby works with students, using the vision of yoga philosophy, to help them gain perspective, presence and resilience through life's joys and challenges. Libby recognizes that to be a knowledgeable instructor one has to understand the world of yoga as a whole and not be closed off to any yoga experience, knowledge or practice. It is through this knowledge, Libby discovered, she stays grounded in her personal practice. This combination of studies has sustained Libby's long time love of connecting the exploration of body-mind and breath to invigorating, well-informed creative movement. She also loves the support and inspiration that grows out of being part of a yoga community, and seeks to share her love of yoga as a philosophy that nourishes the capacity for creativity and resilience on life’s paths. Libby moved to Eugene in 2015, and teaches for Balanced Hot Yoga. She lived in Austin, TX, for the better part of 15 years, and was a teacher trainer and national presenter for Yoga Yoga. Libby also leads retreats with One Yoga Global. www.libbyyoga.com |
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DeLora’s love of yoga started in 2006. Ever since then she has studied, practiced and shared yoga through drop in classes, privates, and teacher trainings. She has received her certifications in Hatha Flow, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Pre and Postnatal, Restorative, Children’s, Pelvic Floor, Trauma Informed, and Yoga Therapy. Through the years she has developed her therapeutic approach to yoga - offering each student what works for their body, mind, and soul. She prioritizes safe and effective practices.
DeLora teaches the endocrine, digestive, and nervous systems in our 200 hr program, bringing in her knowledge of western as well as eastern anatomy. DeLora also teaches on the pelvic floor, allowing students to benefit from her years of training and practice in this area . All of DeLora's sessions will be conducted over teleconference inside the Balanced Hot Yoga Studio. You must be present at the studio to participate in the lecture. DeLora is a reiki practitioner offering energy healings to her community. For free. Her commitment to healing is an important component of her life. She teaches reiki to others, changing the world one heart at a time. She is also a shamanic practitioner, journeying into the other worlds to create well being for herself and others. DeLora also offers her perinatal course Moon Momma - A Healing Centered Yoga Teacher Training for Pregnancy and Postpartum, in our 300 hr program. Teaching a perinatal course gives DeLora the opportunity to offer specialized techniques for pregnancy and postpartum yoga. With her extensive knowledge of the pelvic floor and her many years of teaching and working in birthing communities, DeLora prepares you to become familiar with all things perinatal. DeLora provides a space for all of her students to explore their own practice. Her classes are solidly based in the anatomy aspects of yoga with an emphasis on self awareness. Finding space in the body for breath becomes the foundation of a safe and freeing practice – opening up to the possibilities on and off the mat. |
Michele Bulgatz
MS, RYT 500 |
Michele is a Certified RYT 500 Yoga teacher in Eugene, Oregon. On the yoga path since 1987, she teaching with humor, joy and passion. Looking for the good and beauty in everyone, Michele helps her students to radiate their most luminous light. Since 1997, she has completed workshops, teacher trainings, therapeutic trainings and master immersions. Michele embraces a combination of heart orientated virtues, precise biomechanical alignment and supportive community offering a transformational experience both on and off the mat. Teaching for the past fifteen years, Michele knows she has the best job in the world! She teaches weekly classes, retreats and workshops locally and internationally. As a practicing artist Michele strives to create beauty in many areas. In 2004 she produced the Loving Kindness Yogathon in Eugene. A twelve hour celebration of Yoga, Meditation and Kirtan, participants were invited to co-create a profoundly positive change on every level. She currently links her meditation practice and art by creating quilts expressly for the recipient as a meditation in motion. She transforms worn clothing and textiles for another go around as a warm cuddly blanket. Other passions include; parenting her fourteen year old son River, camping, hiking and gardening. Michele is grateful to all of her teachers, her family and the kaleidoscopic beauty of life. She welcomes you to the life of grace and a joyful ride. |
Bonnie Simoa
MFA, RSME/T, RYT-500 |
Bonnie Simoa, MFA-Dance Mills College, ISMETA RSME/T, has taught dance and yoga from a somatic perspective for over 20 years. As lead dance faculty at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, she teaches modern dance, Improvisation and choreography, Fluid Yoga, Balinese dance, and is an active choreographer and performer. Since 1999, Bonnie has traveled to Bali to study Balinese dance and culture. Her recent interest is in exploring the interconnections of Yoga, Continuum, and Balinese spiritual principles. She also completed a 300-hour Yoga Certification with Zuna Yoga. Bonnie creates a supportive and nurturing atmosphere where participants explore and experience the inherent intelligence of the body, and the healing power of movement. |
Susan Somers-Willet
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Susan Somers-Willett (she/hers/they/them) is a writer, scholar, parent, and body-positive yoga instructor dedicated to inclusive wellness practices that serve and center underrepresented people. Using trauma-informed methods, Susan guides people of all sizes, abilities, ages, and backgrounds to discover and integrate the wisdom of their embodied experiences.
An educator in higher education for over two decades, Susan holds a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches gender studies, literature, and creative writing. She is also an E-RYT 500 yoga instructor and cancer survivor who marries yoga and social justice through Yoga in Bold, a project that centers people with bigger bodies and people of all abilities. She teaches yoga using a trauma-informed approach, and she received her Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy certificate in 2017. Susan seeks to empower people and organizations through accessible movement practices, using inclusive language, and teaching and practicing cultural humility. She advocates for radical self-love, grounded action, leaning into the uncomfortable, and celebrating knowledge—especially when that knowledge transforms limiting scripts we have already learned. Mandy Eubanks founded EveryOne Yoga School in 2014 as a 200 hour registered yoga school based on ancient and modern yoga practices. She has since grown Everyone Yoga School into a reputable training with over 80 graduates at the 200 hour level and has added an advanced 300 hour level professional training.
Mandy's mission is to inspire her students to live life fully awake. Blending alignment, yoga philosophy, and seasonally appropriate sequences Mandy’s classes will set you up for a lifelong yoga practice. Known for her playful and intelligent approach, Mandy leads transformational classes that empower you to live life in your fullest potential. She believes with consistent practice and self love we end our own pain and suffering, from the inside out. Her public yoga classes are often a refuge for those who serve and teach yoga themselves and her private personalized yoga sessions are transformative and truly address the whole person. In summary, her experience is vast enough that her transmission of yoga is simple and accessible to everyone. Mandy has 14 years of teaching experience. She earned her 200 hour training in 2003 through The Living Yoga Program and her 500 hour training in 2009 through Anusara Yoga. She's certified to teach pre-natal yoga through OmMama and a Trauma Informed Yoga Therapist and Overcoming Anxiety Clinic Facilitator. In 2016 received the highly regarded credential as a certified yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapy. A Tulsa native, Mandy lived in Austin, TX for 10 years studying and teaching yoga under the guidance of her teachers. Read the story about how and why Mandy created everyone yoga school. Mandy now resides in Tulsa, OK with her husband and two children where they plan to settle Visit her website to learn more about where Mandy is teaching. www.mandyeubanksyoga.com |
Renee Taylor-Valentin
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Like many people, Renee Taylor Valentin was first drawn to the practice as a form of exercise movement. Before long she found herself searching for "more".
She says, "Turns out the physical practice of yoga (asana) is merely the tip of the iceberg. Asana provides us the opportunity to move with intention. In a studio setting, we practice our yoga with others, holding space for ourselves and those around us while keeping our bodies tuned in. This results in a more comfortable physical existence. Each lesson learned on the mat translates impressively into life off the mat. As an instructor, sharing this practice of awareness, perfectly blended with discipline and curiosity, is both an honor and a privilege. I hope to challenge students enough to help them identify their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. Both are to be embraced & appreciated. This powerful practice has absolutely changed my life in ways I had never imagined. It is my greatest hope that all people find their own empowerment, body mind and spirit, every day both on & off their mats." www. hotyogaeugenebalanced.com Gianna is an international yoga teacher, traveling around the world leading workshops, trainings, retreats, and classes. As a broken gymnast, her first passion was healing her herniations and intense joint pain. As an asana champion her passion was training and discovering different modalities and techniques to help achieve deeper shapes and perspectives. As a motorcycle accident survivor her passion was living and integrated yoga into every aspect of her being no matter the present life state. As a yogini devoted to practice, her passion is to share yoga as an adaptogen; a healing modality willing to meet you where you are.
Gianna is a USA National Yoga Asana Champion, a Bikram Yoga Certified teacher, an Ashtanga/Vinyasa E-RYT 500 hour certified teacher, and continuing education provider. With 15 years of athletic coaching and teaching experience, she teaches asana, pranayama, and meditation practices rooted in holistic movement, hatha yoga and ashtanga yoga in the light of her teachers David Swenson, Emmy Cleaves, Mary Jarvis, Swami Satchidananda, and Lord Shiva. Gianna started the Siddhi School of Yoga, wrote the teacher trainings for 105F, created Queer Retreats LLC, and partners with Open Lotus Retreats. You can join her online community at the Siddhi School of Yoga for on line and on demand classes. she/they Elly:
"I have more than 23 years of experience in and with nonprofits. I have been a frontline worker, Director of Programming, and I currently work as a coach for nonprofit leaders. I hold a Master’s degree in Political Science from Leiden University, the Netherlands. I am a certified coach, a credentialed mediator, and I am in the process of becoming a certified trainer Nonviolent Communication. I have a lifelong commitment to empathy and compassion. I love to walk around the block with my hubby David Nayer, hang out with my family and friends, bake vegan goodies, and sit on my meditation cushion. My godchildren adore my Spanish accent and say that I laugh out embarrassingly loud." |
Emily Ridout
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Emily Ridout is a professional folklorist, yogi, and astrologer. She has cultivated her astro-yoga techniques for over a decade and instructs classes, workshops, and private lessons. Ridout strongly believes that a yoga practice offers a path toward mental, physical, and emotional resilience. She loves her own practice and believes it is an honor to serve others through yoga and astrology. Ridout holds an M.A. in Folklore from the University of Oregon and a B.A. in Folklore and Ethnomusicology from Indiana University. She holds three yoga diplomas: University of Hyderabad, 2009 (first in class, high distinction); Freedom Yoga, 2015; and Two Birds Yoga School (300 hr), 2019. She offers continuing education in AstroYoga for yoga teachers working on advanced certification. She is a member of the American Folklore Society. She is grateful to her yoga, philosophy, astrology, and folklore teachers who have been a lasting influence.
From Shanti: I began my career as a yoga educator in 2007. I am a 500 hour ERYT and have spent the last ten years strongly committed to sharing my understanding and ex-perience of yoga with many people. In my classes I am dedicated to holding a space for people who are interested in exploring their own unique expression of yoga. First and foremost, I am devoted to supporting every student I work with in creating a wholesome sustainable practice. Physically, I strive to create sequences that support the development of both strength and flexibility. Mentally, I am in-spired to weave the dynamic breath practices that are fundamental in yoga to de-velop the ability to focus and calm the mind. Emotionally, it is my highest hope that anyone who I share with feels secure and confident in their personal practice. See you on the mat! I was born in Eugene, Oregon (aka part of the Pacific Northwest – PNW) and moved away at the age of 15. After moving and traveling Central America and various states, I returned to the PNW 16 years later. I am single mother of 3, and now a gleeful, grateful, grandmother of 3. I’ve earned 2 degrees along the way; an associates in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a discipline in Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Sociology and public relations. I love dancing! I especially enjoy West African (Guinean style) dance, a couple forms of Salsa dance. My adventurous side led me to scuba diving, which I am certified as a Master diver!
I started my love for public service as a Medical Assistant at 19, I went on to earn a nursing degree and from there moved into Social work. I’ve been fortunate enough to have created and served on international initiatives focused on cultural responsive programs based in Hawaii, Houston and Mozambique! I have contributed to Equity and Inclusions initiatives around the disproportionality of Black children in Foster Care, among other efforts to bring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awareness while working for the State of Oregon over 7 years. With all of this, It was only natural to create and derived a curriculum for the first overnight camp on the West Coast that focuses on Positive Attributes of Black History for middle school children: Black Gold Culture Camp, now known as Kids for the Culture. The camp has since developed into a beautiful manifestation of empowerment into an active 501(c)(3) non-profit. How do I balance this? With my podcast!! My journey of self-discovery and healing has led me to creating this essential space. It started as just a podcast for me; it was a courageous endeavour to express myself freely after years of being silenced. This podcast has been my release and has evolved into something so much bigger. It is now a safe space for any BiPoC to express their personal experience while living in the PNW and white people to listen and learn without ownership. I am very proud of that. |
