Our Instructors
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Debbie Jean, YTT 300
YOGA | MEDITATION
Debbie Jean first found yoga as a way to complement an active lifestyle and enjoyed the challenge of a strong asana practice. The balance and flexibility she gained helped immensely with sports like surfing and snowboarding. She loved the way yoga felt physically, but as her practice became more consistent, she noticed that strength, balance, and flexibility were reflected in her mental and emotional state as well. Enchanted with the mind/body connection, she expanded her practice to include meditation and pranayama, and began to view yoga through a more holistic lens. Her exploration led her to the Pura Veda Gurukulam in Costa Rica where she was immersed in Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda, and to the Maya Yoga studio on Maui where she continues to study with Nicki Doane. Her trainings have been very alignment focused and draw heavily on the ancient wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and Patanjali’s eight limbs.
Before joining us at Seward Yoga, Debbie Jean has led workshops in Alaska and Hawaii focusing on foundational techniques and concepts. Debbie loves teaching because she’s excited to share her yoga journey and what has been a very healing and transformational practice in her own life. She sees yoga as a continual process of learning and of becoming, and is still very much a student herself. When she’s not on her mat, Debbie enjoys adventuring in the wild, nourishing her loved ones with organic home cooked meals, and is a passionate advocate for the environment.
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Carlyn Walker, YTT 200
YOGA | STRENGTH
Carlyn is a local girl, born and raised here in Seward. Carlyn has been practicing yoga regularly since she discovered its healing properties during personal challenges and loss.
She earned her 200 hr certification in 2022 and has been teaching weekly ever since. Her passion lies in helping people find joy, confidence and peace through movement. She seeks to help people build the mobility and strength to do the things in life that make them happy.
When you attend Carlyn’s classes you can expect creative flows, strength building, mobility and breath work. She loves to throw in some arm balances and challenges for heat.
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Rachel Dow, ACE® Personal Trainer
PILATES | HIIT | STRENGTH
Rachel is a devoted Stott Pilates® Mat Instructor, ACE® certified personal trainer, and Health Coach with over 14 years of experience in the fitness industry. Throughout her career, Rachel has focused on enhancing her clients' fitness through Pilates, strength training, and coaching high school track and cross country running.
Her enthusiasm for Pilates arises from its emphasis on body awareness and core strength, qualities that have contributed to her own balance and endurance as a runner.
Rachel is dedicated to assisting others in discovering the advantages of functional movement, facilitating the overcoming of pain and dysfunction. Beyond the studio, you can find Rachel running on local trails or conquering Mt. Marathon.
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YARROW FARRIS, CCFT-3
STRENGTH | HIIT
Yarrow, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Level 3 CrossFit Trainer brings a wealth of expertise to the world of fitness and nutrition.
Yarrow's mission has always been rooted in the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to share insights on how to lead a healthier, more comfortable life in our bodies. Drawing on a background in dance and CrossFit, Yarrow possesses a deep understanding of exercise science, emphasizing the importance of training for mobility and muscle retention for long-term well-being.
As a Level 3 CrossFit Trainer, Yarrow brings a unique perspective to the intersection of movement, longevity, and overall health.
Beyond fitness, Yarrow counsels clients through her nutritional coaching practice Barbells and Brussels. An abundance-focused approach, her goal is to fuel individuals to feel energized, strong, and comfortable in their own skin.
With a commitment to lifelong learning and a passion for empowering others, Yarrow is dedicated to helping individuals move better, be healthier, and cultivate a positive relationship with their bodies.
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Kristin Wise
YOGA | MEDITATION
Kristin worked as a nonprofit leader for a decade before seeking to holistically heal herself from burnout.
She now supports others from around the world on their own journey to holistically heal from burnout.
She is a certified energy healer, 200 hr meditation and restorative yoga teacher.
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Toni Henderson
YOGA | STRENGTH
Toni fully believes that “movement is medicine,” and has been a yoga devotee for 10+ years. She obtained her first teaching certificate from ULU Yoga in 2016 focusing on Hatha, Vinyasa, and Acro Aerial Style practices. Her passion for learning new techniques keeps her immersed in ongoing education which she delightfully incorporates into her classes.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, her journeys have led her all over the world. In 2009 her heart was captivated by Seward’s amazing beauty and strong community, in which she has grown roots. She is an avid health nut, and outdoor enthusiast.
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Carly Locke, L.Ac, YTT 200
YOGA | SOUND | COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
Carly has dedicated most of her life to the world of movement, initially through dance training growing up in Alaska and later as a dancer in the vibrant city of San Francisco. Her journey into yoga began as a method to rehabilitate and cross-train her body, eventually transforming into a profound spiritual exploration.
In 2012, Carly received her yoga teacher certification with Tracey Rohan-Irwin in Bali, marking the beginning of her teaching journey. Her personal practice deepened under the guidance of renowned teachers such as Shiva Ray, Janet Stone, Les Leventhal, and Megan Currie
Beyond the yoga mat, Carly is also an acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine at her private practice Alchemy Wellness, bringing a holistic perspective to her teachings. Her classes seamlessly weave together elements of dance, yoga, breathwork, chinese medicine, qi gong, fascia work, & mobility.
Dedicated to fostering a transformative space, Carly invites students to embark on their own journey of self-discovery, exploring the interconnectedness of movement, energy, and spirituality. Whether on the mat or in her acupuncture practice, she is passionate about guiding individuals toward harmonious integration.
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Tara Swanson, YTT 200
YOGA | EDUCATION
Tara's journey began growing up in Seward alongside her mom at yoga classes, creating a bond that has shaped her practice to this day.
Tara’s personal practice evolved through experience with a focus on healing her own athletic injuries — but she gained a deeper sense of peace and awareness along the way, something she’s excited to share with her students.
When she's not busy enlightening 10-year-olds, Tara finds solace in yoga, unwinding from the challenges of teaching or enjoying quality time with her furry companion.
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Annie Johnson
DANCE | FITNESS
Annie began her journey into fitness instruction in 2011 after completing her Zumba Teaching Certification. As a new mom and instructor, she discovered a deep love for dance as a joyful and invigorating form of movement. This passion for dance led her to explore various other fitness formats, including HIIT, Circuit, Bootcamp, Barre, and Core classes.
In 2018, Annie furthered her expertise by earning her Personal Training Certificate through PTA Global. She is deeply committed to helping others find the joy in movement, which is especially vital during Seward's long, dark winters. Whether you're looking to dance, sweat, or simply move, Annie's classes offer something for everyone. Come join the fun and discover the amazing benefits of movement!
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JILLIAN RYAN, YTT 200
YOGA | MEDITATION
Jillian came to yoga many years ago for fitness and the practice has since given her so much more. The practice of yoga has helped her live a more intentional, mindful, and compassionate life.
Over the years, her personal practice has evolved from more physically intense flows to more mindful, meditative movement. In recent years, she's cultivated a regular meditation and mindfulness practice in her daily life and hopes that she can share what she's learned with others.
Jillian’s classes blend breath work, flow, and meditation in her classes to nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Jillian received her 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in 2015 from Anchorage Yoga.
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Jessie Huett, YTT 300
YOGA | PILATES
Iñupiaq Alaskan born and raised, Jessie Huett is a 300-hour certified yoga instructor in Vinyasa, AIR® Aerial Yoga, Hot Yoga, and Stott Pilates®.
When not in the gym or studio, find Jessie in the mountains, at the beach, spending time with her family, or immersed in a good read.
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JENN HAUGH, CYT 200
YOGA | MEDITATION
Jenn Haugh has enjoyed the impactful mental and physical benefits of practicing yoga on and off for over 2o years. She is an elementary school teacher at Seward Elementary, and over the last five years has dove into integrating trauma informed practices into her classroom. She began this mission by receiving training in a mindfulness program, called Mindful Schools. From there she decided to continue on this path, and in the fall of 2023 received her CYT 200 certification through a year long program called Breathe for Change. Breathe for Change trains educators to bring trauma-informed SEL*F, mindfulness, meditation, breath work, and yoga into schools and communities.
Jenn takes what she’s learned from her yoga teachers throughout the years and meshes it with the structure the Breathe for Change training provided.
She enjoys working with people who are inexperienced with yoga, and welcomes all levels into her class. Her goal is to provide you with a class that will bring the mind into the present, and ground, align, strengthen, and relax the body.
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STEPHANIE LARSON
SOUND | REIKI
Stephanie is a Certified Reiki Master/Teacher, Life Coach and Sound Healer. A lover of humanity, travel and all things outdoors, wellness has always been woven into the fabric of her life.
Her background in social services eventually led her to complete her life coaching certification in 2017. Her journey with Reiki, a Japanese relaxation technique and energy healing modality, began 12 years ago, and she's not only received the positive benefits from Reiki herself but she's also been able to witness its profound effects on those she treats, humans and animals alike. She has thoroughly enjoyed being able to share these powerful practices in the Seward community and beyond.
Stephanie mission is centered around the belief that we are all capable of discovering our own personal path of self growth and freedom. She will be offering a variety of ways to support people on their own self care journeys at Seward Yoga including Reiki Certification Classes, sound baths and wellness workshops. Her holistic approach to coaching, teaching and facilitating focuses on mental, emotional, physical and energetic well-being and brings a mix of empowerment and soul!
More information about Stephanie's offerings and services can be found on her website https://www.soulfirebliss.me