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Justin Krausse, RYT
"The smiles on the children’s faces and the light of comprehension that shines when you are able to share with them the incredible gift of yoga and the awareness of breath is the reason I volunteer. ~ Justin Krause

I began practicing yoga 9 years ago when I attended a class on a dare from my brother. I have always been physically active and involved in “traditional” forms of exercise such as weight training, running and biking and was a bit skeptical as to what lying around on a mat, stretching, breathing  and possibly chanting had to offer someone like myself. To my utter amazement I found yoga to be challenging and an incredible addition to my regular fitness routine. As my practice developed and deepened beyond just the physical, the myriad of ways yoga impacted my whole being and the benefits I received from yoga in all aspects of my life became apparent. With the continued expansion of my practice and understanding of yoga came the realization and belief that yoga was something EVERYONE could benefit from and I decided to become a certified instructor. I received my RYT certification from the University of Utah in December of 2009. I currently volunteer with GreenTREEYoga and teach private individualized classes.

Sunnie Howard, RYT

"What an amazing oppotunity to volunteer while having so much fun! The kids are amazing. They are so excited for the Yoga Breaks. They love the chance to move, to feel the control they have over their body and breath, and to be a little silly and have fun at the same time. Each 5 minute break has become precious to me. Thank you GreenTree for the chance to help my community with the power of Yoga"

I was introduced to Yoga 4 years ago, and when I stared I was very interested in the physical aspect of the practice.  I wanted a body filled with lean muscle and if static stretches and supporting my own body weight in a pretzel twist were the way to get it, I was going to do it.  I was lucky enough to wander into a class with an amazing instructor that really opened my eyes to the other elements of yoga.  Being more connected with my body with the controlled movements in each pose felt amazing to have so much awareness of the body and also helped to clearing the daily scatter of thoughts and endless list making of my task master mind. 

I was finally able to relax into my own skin and learn about who I really was, not just what I hoped to accomplish that day.  These classes became precious to me.  I had the opportunity to attend a YTT at the University of Yoga in 2009 and completed my 200 hour certification with a group of inspiring individuals that helped to further my practice and passion for teaching. Now I am in school to become a fitness technician with an emphasis on group classes.  I was lucky enough to marry my best friend 3 years ago! I'm so thankful everyday to be able to share the practice of yoga with others. 

Sarah McConkie, RTY

Sarah  is dedicated and diligent in the development of her yoga practice, her students, and the greater yoga community.

Sarah brings a deeply inquisitive nature to her practice and teaching.   She offers the expertise acquired as a student of mathematics and science, and years of experience as a researcher.  Sarah has been fortunate to participate in a number of projects through the years, both local and international.  Sarah entered the field with focus in biochemistry and ethnobotany.  Her interest evolved to genetics, vector borne illness, and math biology.  While passionate for understanding the scientific method, Sarah has been frustrated with the disconnect between data, proven results, and people’s lives.

“I have not been able to present spreadsheets and pie charts in a way that invokes a lasting change in behavior, or a change in lives.  That takes a shift in awareness at a deeper level.  Soulful yoga and educated bodywork are the greatest tools I have found to empower individuals with their own health and inspire real change.”

Sarah is grateful for her science background, and applies the skills of analysis and deduction combined  with her understanding of the human form to each session.
For Sarah, yoga practice has grown to fill many roles.  She has learned to build strength, find length, cultivate specific and demanding movements, and recover form and prevent injuries.  Sarah believes it is the skill in the integration in the eight limbs of yoga that has carried her through her most difficult times.

Sarah has been fortunate to study with true Yoga Masters of our age.  She has had the opportunity to study meditation and the ancient tradition with TKV Desikachar and Sonia Desikachar; Advanced Power Vinyaysa with Seane Corn, Jason Crandall, and Bryan Kest; Mysore Ashtanga with Richard Freeman; Forrest Yoga with Ana Forrest; and Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Nidra as taught by the ever mindful Charlotte Bell.  Sarah is a Registered Yoga Teacher certified to teach under the Yoga Alliance since 2008 after graduating the In Body Yoga Academy operated by D’ana Baptsite in Salt Lake City.

Sarah strives to respect her teachers and integrate their perspectives and her experience into a reachable, healthy discipline.  She plans to continue to build and support research projects, but aligning her efforts with her passion: yoga science and structural bodywork.  In addition to her research interests and her work at The Structural Integration Institute, Sarah nurtures her private practice, assists Taylor Lamont in his classroom at the Utah College of Massage Therapy, teaches yoga at the University of Utah, and is a ardent advocate for Off the Mat Into the World, an international nonprofit.

Carissa Brandt, RYT

" Volunteering for GreenTree has been such an amazing experience. It is SO rewarding to see the classes progress with their (short but sweet) 5 minute breaks. We get numerous comments about how yoga has helped during the school week; I had one little girl tell me she used the "count to feel better breath" before a test and it "REALLY WORKED!!" I am very grateful to be a volunteer for this program."

 Carissa has been a student of yoga for the past four years. As her practice grew she had the overwhelming desire to become a certified yoga teacher. The Yoga Teacher Training at the University of Utah provided the perfect path for that transition.
Carissa believes yoga is the perfect approach to study "you", enabling discovery of your own spirituality, passion and life force. She enjoys teaching yoga to diverse groups and children! She always learns something new with each class she teaches and is grateful to have the opportunity to get together with members of her community.  

Carissa is a native of Park City, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in Environmental Studies and currently works for the Division of Water Rights. She enjoys river rafting, urban farming, reading, community action and hiking with her two dogs, India & Mokie.   

Jessi McAllister

"Volunteering is a way of life in my family. Giving back makes me happy, and yoga makes me happy. I love the senior population; they have done so much for my generation."

Jessi McAllister has a Bachelor's in Mass Communication and will complete her Registered Yoga Teacher certification in the fall of 2010. She is CPR and AED certified and was a CNA in high school. She loves exercise, foreign food, theater, and humanitarian work. She is delightfully married and has a shih tzu.

Svea Lunøe, RTY

As a skier, hiker and serial mover, I never knew I could have so much fun exercising on a 2 foot by 6 foot mat.  Discovering all the ways to move your body, makes yoga the most freeing and exhilarating practice I’ve ever tried.  Ashtanga and vinyasa flow are my favorite practices, but I love any kind of yoga.
I am a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance.  Having taught anatomy, biology, and geology labs at the University of Alaska Anchorage, was great preparation for leading yoga practices.  I love sharing information I find interesting or important with other people.  I look forward to sharing my practice further after I welcome twin girls this fall.   As a mom of a beautiful little boy already, I am lucky enough to get to spend most of my time with him.   When I’m not with my son or on my mat, I am drawing, painting or sewing.   Yoga has even opened up doors to my art.   I’m illustrating a yoga children’s book “Yoga makes me feel…”  written by Yael Calhoun (Lila Press, in press). 

Becky Eschler

Becky first fell in love with yoga while taking a college class a few years ago and wanted to share that love with others. She is in the process of becoming an RYT through the University of Utah's program. Along with her study of yoga, Becky is also in the process of earning her degree in Exercise Science at the University of Utah where she will graduate this fall.

Becky also enjoys running and competing in endurance races and triathlons. She is hoping to use her love of yoga to create programs for endurance and recreational athletes to use in their training.

University of Utah PEAK Academy 2009

Many of our wonderful volunteers! Namaste ~