A little bit about Kristen (she/they) - Owner/Teacher/Doula
,Kristen is a solo queer parent of two amazing kiddos, living the off-grid life on their homestead in Big Bay, Michigan. She's passionate about empowering folx, be it through her doula work or through yoga and mindful living. Kristen discovered yoga more than 20 years ago when she came across her mom’s copy of the book, 28 Day Guide to Yoga, by Richard Hittleman.. Her desire was to gain more flexibility in her body; what she received was so much more. It was the spark she needed to fuel a more full passion for living.
One of Kristen’s foundational teachers, B Alford, helped deeper her passion of yoga through the teachings of yoga philosophy. B also demonstrated that yoga isn’t just postures you do, it is a practice that forges connection, connection between body, mind and spirit, connection to the surroundings, connection to community and all that is . B taught Kristen the importance of being authentic in your teaching. Kristen saw how B didn’t simply teach yoga, she lived her yoga. It is Kristen’s desire to infuse yoga into all that she does, and in doing so inspire others to find ways to practice yoga in all that they do.
Kristen received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification through Yoga North in Duluth, MN. She studied the Himalayan tradition of yoga under the guidance of Ann Maxwell and Deborah Adele. It was through the tutelage of Ann and Deborah that Kristen deepened her understanding of the importance of balance in yoga, the balance of strength and flexibility, balance of breath and movement, balance of energy in the body, balance of energy in life.
Throughout Kristen’s years of practicing, studying, and teaching yoga she I has come to realize the many profound changes that yoga has brought to her life. ”Yoga is not just the movements my body goes through during a practice; it is in my every breath; it is a way of life for me. It has brought mindfulness to all that I do. It has helped me to move out of a place of fear and unknowing to a place of love and deeper understanding of the Universe. It has given me light in the darkest moments of my life. Yoga has taught me to live my truth, to be present, and to feel and move with the flow of the Universe.”
Over the last few years Kristen has taught at various studios in Michigan, Wisconsin and California. You can find them playing out in her element, the great outdoors, hiking, skiing, camping, kayaking, climbing or practicing yoga with her children Atlas and Indira, and their dog Lucy.
Kristen’s classes are an infusion of the many styles that she has studied. All levels are welcome.
One of Kristen’s foundational teachers, B Alford, helped deeper her passion of yoga through the teachings of yoga philosophy. B also demonstrated that yoga isn’t just postures you do, it is a practice that forges connection, connection between body, mind and spirit, connection to the surroundings, connection to community and all that is . B taught Kristen the importance of being authentic in your teaching. Kristen saw how B didn’t simply teach yoga, she lived her yoga. It is Kristen’s desire to infuse yoga into all that she does, and in doing so inspire others to find ways to practice yoga in all that they do.
Kristen received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification through Yoga North in Duluth, MN. She studied the Himalayan tradition of yoga under the guidance of Ann Maxwell and Deborah Adele. It was through the tutelage of Ann and Deborah that Kristen deepened her understanding of the importance of balance in yoga, the balance of strength and flexibility, balance of breath and movement, balance of energy in the body, balance of energy in life.
Throughout Kristen’s years of practicing, studying, and teaching yoga she I has come to realize the many profound changes that yoga has brought to her life. ”Yoga is not just the movements my body goes through during a practice; it is in my every breath; it is a way of life for me. It has brought mindfulness to all that I do. It has helped me to move out of a place of fear and unknowing to a place of love and deeper understanding of the Universe. It has given me light in the darkest moments of my life. Yoga has taught me to live my truth, to be present, and to feel and move with the flow of the Universe.”
Over the last few years Kristen has taught at various studios in Michigan, Wisconsin and California. You can find them playing out in her element, the great outdoors, hiking, skiing, camping, kayaking, climbing or practicing yoga with her children Atlas and Indira, and their dog Lucy.
Kristen’s classes are an infusion of the many styles that she has studied. All levels are welcome.
Yoga Classes
Yoga for Every Body: Yoga For Every Body is a class with all bodies in mind. This will be a slow flow style class that will offer up a myriad of posture modifications and options so you can feel more at ease in your body both on and off your mat. Please check the schedule at BeWell for class times and to register.
Queer Rainbow Yoga: Join us for a gathering of yoga flow with live deejay accompaniment and an experience that is welcoming and accessible for everyone! Two of Marquette’s own queer folx Kristen Karls (she/they) and Daniel Thurman (he/him) will be facilitating this gathering! This is an event created by queer folx, for queer folx. We hope to create an all inclusive, queer centered, safe space for everyone, whether you are queer or a loyal ally. After yoga and music, everyone is welcome to join us for a time of contemplation/journaling with tea and discussions! The second part is totally optional, come hang out just for yoga or stay for time to gather and share space with other colorful Rainbow folx! This is a once a month event. Please check the schedule at BeWell for when the next one is!
Prenatal Yoga: Currently offered in private or semi-private classes by appointment only. Kristen weaves her knowledge of doula work and the nuanced needs of pregnant people into a yoga practice that helps bring a sense of ease into pregnant bodies. Much of their teachings offer practices that can be used during labor and birthing as well. Please reach out to Kristen to set up a time that works for you.
For questions regarding the class style or any other inquiries, please contact Kristen at [email protected] or (906) 235-6967
All sessions are taught with the intention of “function over form.” Knowing that every body is different, a pose will look different in each body. The goal is to help each student feel the lines of energy in the body and to find their optimum range of motion in order to perform the asanas safely and to get the most out of each posture.
Queer Rainbow Yoga: Join us for a gathering of yoga flow with live deejay accompaniment and an experience that is welcoming and accessible for everyone! Two of Marquette’s own queer folx Kristen Karls (she/they) and Daniel Thurman (he/him) will be facilitating this gathering! This is an event created by queer folx, for queer folx. We hope to create an all inclusive, queer centered, safe space for everyone, whether you are queer or a loyal ally. After yoga and music, everyone is welcome to join us for a time of contemplation/journaling with tea and discussions! The second part is totally optional, come hang out just for yoga or stay for time to gather and share space with other colorful Rainbow folx! This is a once a month event. Please check the schedule at BeWell for when the next one is!
Prenatal Yoga: Currently offered in private or semi-private classes by appointment only. Kristen weaves her knowledge of doula work and the nuanced needs of pregnant people into a yoga practice that helps bring a sense of ease into pregnant bodies. Much of their teachings offer practices that can be used during labor and birthing as well. Please reach out to Kristen to set up a time that works for you.
For questions regarding the class style or any other inquiries, please contact Kristen at [email protected] or (906) 235-6967
All sessions are taught with the intention of “function over form.” Knowing that every body is different, a pose will look different in each body. The goal is to help each student feel the lines of energy in the body and to find their optimum range of motion in order to perform the asanas safely and to get the most out of each posture.