Kelly Seyferth : Owner / Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Vibrant, Open Minded, Adventurous
Why yoga?
Yoga continues to awaken me to the beauty and simple moments of life. It reconnects me with my roots and takes me into the present, helping me to feel good both mentally and physically.
What’s your teaching style?
Empowering. Compassionate. Full of life.
My classes are designed to quiet the mind and inspire the body through music, movement and breath.
What’s your inspiration?
My 3 toddlers, who all always live in the present and remind me to do the same, my husband, RD team & community
What’s your favorite pose?
Any hip openers - so much goodness in these, they always leave me feeling lighter and with more freedom in both the mind and body.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Teaching the Summer ship yoga to a boatload of beautiful yogis and going into labor with my daughter Hadley during savasana.
What’s your personal mantra?
Trust the process/ be here now/ all is well.
Where can we find you off the mat?
Spending time with my husband, three daughters & Golden doodle, exploring nature and swimming in Lake Michigan.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
I’m So Young smoothie add turmeric and ginger / Run Wild Avo Toast
Brittany Jaskowiak : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Optimistic, Warm-hearted, Adventurous
Why yoga?
The list is endless! If I had to sum it up... Yoga invites us to breathe, be present, and let go.
What’s your teaching style?
Vinyasa.
What’s your inspiration?
Yoga teachers: Jason Crandall, Kathryn Budig, and Dice Iida-Klein.
Favorite books: Four Agreements, Revolution Of The Soul, and Untethered Soul.
What’s your favorite pose?
Wild thing (Camatkarasana)
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Anytime I see students SMILE, feel comfortable, and relax. A yoga mat is far more than a place to sweat, it’s a safe place to reconnect and be yourself.
What’s your personal mantra?
Every day is a gift 💗
Where can we find you off the mat?
You’ll find me with my family, planning girls nights, hiking, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cycling, and soaking up sunshine.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Kokomo with spinach :)
Danielle Hawkins : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Kind, safe, hungry
Why yoga?
It's my most dependable sidekick. I am eager to work alongside my students to embrace yoga as a physical practice, but more so, a way of life.
What’s your teaching style?
I'm most interested in offering a practice that builds upon meditation and integrates equanimity, requiring constant awareness of breath and sensation. In class, you can expect me to be present and excited to teach/learn. I'm deeply committed to providing a space that is accepting of all people.
What’s your inspiration?
Nature, music, research.
What’s your favorite pose?
Legs up the wall - it's accessible to most, supportive, and feels amazing (especially with some props).
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
I can't pick one! My favorite moments are when I can tell that students are connected to their own body/experience. And, when you can hear the rain in class.
What’s your personal mantra?
Be here, now. / Love, laugh, and laugh some more. / The answers are within.
Where can we find you off the mat?
Off the mat you can find me sippin' on tea and studying. I also enjoy live music and exploring this beautiful state with my partner John and my BFF Lumi (our pup).
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Wouldn't it Be Nice
Michelle Lihou : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Energetic, Creative, and Dedicated
Why yoga?
I practice yoga because every time I step onto my yoga mat I learn something and every time I leave my mat I feel better.
What’s your teaching style?
Hmm that’s a hard one. I try to be an authentic teacher who makes yoga accessible to my students. I truly love to teach and practice a variety of yoga styles.
What’s your inspiration?
My love to be constantly learning, challenging myself to be balanced and healthy. There is so much with studying yoga that I connect with and so much more for me to learn. I feel drawn to different aspects at different stages in my life.
What’s your favorite pose?
Hands down Ragdoll and Legs up the Wall are my favorite.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
My favorite moments are when I practice with friends and family, I can feel their energy around me. I plead the fifth on most embarrassing moment.
What’s your personal mantra?
Have a kind heart, fierce mind, and brave spirit.
Where can we find you off the mat?
I love to snuggle with my family, cook, listen to music, and be outside especially if its sunny out.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Lately, I am in love with the Run Wild Avocado toast.
Akia Pierce : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Fun, loving, loyal
Why yoga?
Keeps me in a place of humility and growth.
What’s your teaching style?
Alignment based yoga.
What’s your inspiration?
My husband because he masters peace at all times.
What’s your favorite pose?
Trikonasana.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
I taught a whole class with my pants backwards and inside out.
What’s your personal mantra?
1 word: Grace.
Where can we find you off the mat?
You’ll find me working my day job as a recruiter, reading and gardening.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
I get around with beet.
Julia Fisher : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Loving. Free spirit. Still becoming.
Why yoga?
Enlightenment! Nirvana!
What’s your teaching style?
I didn’t come to teach you. I came to love you and support you to practice in harmony with your inner guidance. You can expect a mindful, creative variety of postures, breathwork, meditations, philosophy, music and cues to safely guide you deeper into your body, soul, mind and beyond. People say I challenge them to explore and grow beyond their perception of their limitations.
What’s your inspiration?
Witnessing yoga-induced breakthroughs in myself and others. Mother Nature. Amma.
What’s your favorite pose?
Wheel.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
When tears come. They’re a sure sign for breakthroughs, transformation & liberation.
What’s your personal mantra?
Dwell in the space where everything is nothing and nothing is everything. Smile to spread the light.
Where can we find you off the mat?
With my baby. On the beach. In the forest. Breath & bodywork. Pinching myself in awe at the amazing humans around me. Exploring.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Beach Please
Theresa Bernhardt : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Intuitive, Loving, Healer
Why yoga?
Yoga has always, and continues, to provide insight, healing, and strength to my life. Through good times and challenges; celebrating or mourning, the “mat” knows all, and truly provides exactly what is needed each time it is rolled out!
What’s your teaching style?
Yin and Yang...sometimes slow and soothing and sometimes challenging and “spicy!” 😂
What’s your inspiration?
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.2 “Yoga chitta vritti nirodhah” “Stilling” or releasing the fluctuations of the mind so that union with The Divine, can be attained. In other words, approaching the practice with the “beginner’s mind set”, to be curious, and excited, open minded and non-judgmental; trusting that “relationship” which is cultivated through trust as a student and love of the gifts of God that unfold when one gives it all up on the mat!
What’s your favorite pose?
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana...the release that comes from opening the iliopsoas and heart center is beautiful.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Favorite! The “aha!” moment—occurs when alignment with asana is no longer effort and the meditative breath carries one in tranquil connection with The Divine, within and in all.
What’s your personal mantra?
So hum! I AM.
Where can we find you off the mat?
Hiking, biking, baking, gardening, knitting, reading and rocking my grandson—each has its own meditative qualities!
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
I am STOKED about STOKED!
Lauren Sawson : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Optimistic, Adventurous, Compassionate
Why yoga?
I began practicing yoga in high school and through college, only seeking the physical benefits. It wasn’t until post-grad that I began to understand the deeper value and gravity that yoga had on my life, not only physically, but emotionally. Rootdown was where I truly began my yoga journey. It has brought balance and a perspective I didn’t previously have.
What’s your teaching style?
I really enjoy Vinyasa classes; connecting breath with movement, and creating a sort of dance with my breath and body. This style of practice can really transport me to deeper place within myself. I enjoy putting together unique flows with fun transitions. I believe asanas should challenge us, either physically or mentally, to break through any barriers that are in the way of discovering one’s inner strength and light.
What’s your inspiration?
Rarely are we inspired by ourselves! There’s no stronger person than who you were yesterday; that is, until you surpass that strength today. I try to find inspiration in all that I have accomplished, even if it seems like a small feat. This can be difficult to do, so if I ever have trouble, I look to those in my life that have faced struggle, and try to emulate their strength.
What’s your favorite pose?
Any inversion! I love flipping my perspective. Plus, I find that when I’m upside-down, I focus solely on my breath and strength. My current favorite inversions are Feathered Peacock Pose (Pincha Mayurasana) and Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand).
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Loving inversions can come at a price! I’ve fallen many times don’t always land gracefully! But you’ll never know what you can accomplish if you don’t try.
What’s your personal mantra?
“I am that I am” or Ham-sah.
Where can we find you off the mat?
Off the mat you can probably find me in a dance studio. Dance is my first movement language. The dance studio was where I also began my career as a movement teacher. I love guiding students of all ages while helping them find mindfulness in their movement. Outside of four walls, you can find me boating or kayaking and hiking the trails of the Ludington State Park for as long as Mother Nature allows. I also love traveling and experiencing new places and things as much as possible.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Catch a Wave w/ Ginger and Turmeric!
Ellie Smidday : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Energetic, kind, easy-going
Why yoga?
For me yoga is an escape, a place of peace that I can retreat to not only during times of stress but also when I need to feel energized and empowered. I love the feeling of connecting breath to movement and that the only thought in my mind during a flow is the vibration of my breath and the pose in that moment. Oh and the savanna…..can’t forget the sweet savasana.
What’s your teaching style?
Light, vibrant, and fun all-levels vinyasa
What’s your inspiration?
Community, it's amazing when a group comes together because they believe in something, support something, and want to create change.
What’s your favorite pose?
Ardha Chandrasana, half moon
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Hitting crow pose for the first time, nothing beats a BIG internal celebration!
What’s your personal mantra?
What is meant to be will always find its way.
Where can we find you off the mat?
When I am not on my mat you can find me cooking/experimenting in my kitchen. I am passionate about nourishing my body and love to help others do the same! I also try to get outside as much as possible, soaking as much west MI beauty as I can with my adventure dogs Piper and Penny, and of course spending time with my family and friends.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
It truly depends on the week but on heavy rotation are the kokomo bowl, stoked and ruby baby.
Sydney McCann : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Optimistic, Passionate, Determined
Why yoga?
Yoga makes me feel connected to my highest, most-authentic self and reminds me that we are all connected. It makes my body feel healthy and strong, and my mind feel clear.
What’s your teaching style?
My teaching style is rooted in listening to body wisdom. I like to guide a practice that encourages you to move in a way that feels good in YOUR body and helps you tap in and feel connected to yourself.
What’s your inspiration?
My biggest yoga inspiration is my best friend's mom, Coleen, a yoga teacher who fostered my love and knowledge of yoga from a young age. I am also constantly inspired by my fellow Rootdown yoga guides.
What’s your favorite pose?
My favorite pose is frog pose (mandukasana), strangely enough because it used to be my least favorite pose. It reminds me that everything, including uncomfortable experiences, are finite, and that surrender can be sweet.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
My favorite moments in class are when I get to practice with my dad.
What’s your personal mantra?
"What you seek is seeking you" -Rumi
Where can we find you off the mat?
When I'm not doing yoga, you can find me teaching Kindergarten, hiking in the woods, swimming in Lake MI, and loving on my friends and family.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Breakaway wrap
Jenn Jettner : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Calm, playful, creative
Why yoga?
When I step onto the mat my entire mood changes. I feel more connected to what is happening in my physical body and connected to spirit. I love the energetic vibration of an entire class of humans moving, breathing and flowing together.
What’s your teaching style?
I enjoy planning creative vinyasa flows with an inspirational playlist. As well as teaching classes that have an equal balance of effort and ease.
What’s your inspiration?
I am truly inspired by our beautiful planet and all of her elements.
What’s your favorite pose?
In love with ardha chandrasana “half moon”.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
I will never forget the class when a lovely gentleman came forward and informed me that while in his forward fold he noticed a leech on his foot. He had pulled it off and it was now crawling around on the studio floor. I proceeded to guide everyone into child pose and collected the leech from the room and ran it outside
What’s your personal mantra?
To be mindful of your thoughts, your words and your actions.
Where can we find you off the mat?
Barefoot outside!
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
Moringa madness is pretty delicious!
Hannah Jurcich : Yoga Guide
3 words that describe me:
Passionate, Curious, Hopeful
Why yoga?
Yoga brought me my first experience of feeling like there was more to me than my physical body and mind. It and nature continue to be my greatest sources of inspiration, rest, perspective, strength and companionship.
What’s your teaching style?
I love time to feel. I tend to teach a slower flow with plenty of repetitive movements. Space to feel out how something feels and a couple tries to get familiar with a movement can create magic.
What’s your inspiration?
Love. Nature's unconditional and gritty love. Finding more self love. Falling in love. Romanticizing the little things in life. People's love for their craft. There's always more love, and when we know this, we never stop growing.
What’s your favorite pose?
I love high crescent warrior. It's sort of mundane, but it's powerful and feels really grounding for my body. There's a simultaneous stretch and strength that gets me.
What’s your favorite or most embarrassing moment in class?
Let me be the one to say it... the wind will pass when the wind needs to pass if you know what I mean. Our lovely culture has set it up to be embarrassing but listen, it's okay. It happens to the best of us.
What’s your personal mantra?
“This too shall pass.”
Where can we find you off the mat?
During the growing months, you can find me in a field somewhere! Every year we grow our homesteading practices a little wider so we are also in the kitchen a lot making yogurt, sauerkraut, drying herbs and preserving summer harvests. Outside of farming and food, I love being in nature with our dog Petey, pottery, the beach and local music. I'm also a doula, so occasionally I can be caught in the wee hours of the night helping a family welcome a new babe.
What’s your juice bar menu favorite?
The kokomo smoothie until the day I die.