Ecce Yoga

I opened ecce yoga in 2008 with the support of my husband Derek and with a unique partnership with my brother Mark of ecce art gallery. I’ve been practicing and studying yoga since 2002. I discovered yoga while living in Minneapolis, MN and continued studying after moving to Portland, OR, where I met my teacher Casey Palmer of Near East Yoga. I completed my 200 hour training in 2010 and have done additional trainings with De West (prenatal) and Judith Lasater (restorative) as well as Matthew Sweeney and Asha Wolf. I also completed a doula (birth partner) training in 2014. Being a professional touring singer-songwriter for over 12 years, yoga in many ways helped to ground me and keep me well in body, mind, and spirit. It has been a constant in my life through joy, loss, grief and change. Sharing yoga with others, and helping to build a community of like-minded people, has been a hugely satisfying part of me and my husband’s lives and I feel blessed and honored to hold the space at ecce for others to do their practice. I am also mother to a beautiful little girl Ruby Ann.

I was drawn to yoga in 2000 initially to redress some of the imbalances in my body caused by many years of distance running.  My first experience with Ashtanga was with Carrie Mickelson in Fargo. I completed a 500 hour training course with Mary Beth Nehl in Willmar, MN and am a RYT 500 and E RYT 200 teacher with the Yoga Alliance. I participated in group practices with Sri K Pattabhi Jois in Colorado and in New York.  I also completed a 40 hour training intensive with Manju Jois. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga strengthens the body, lifts the spirit and quiets the mind.

I am the mama to two beautifully strong girls, wife, 200 hr RYT yoga teacher and Horticulturist. During the day you can find me in the floral studio of Love Always Floral as an Operations manager and Florist. I am a student of Yogarupa Rod Stryker of Parayoga. I am fascinated with learning the Yoga traditions and applying my knowledge in my classes through asana, pranayama and meditation. My passions are nature, yoga and spending time with my family and friends. My lifelong passions are in the mastery of what brings me the most joy and the well-being of myself and others.

Gina has taught meditation in our community for over 10 years and has provide opportunities to practice through classes and corporate instruction. Gina’s guiding value is to live consciously, meditation can build this capacity and improve overall wellbeing. Her personal practice includes time in retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh and other extended silent retreats, Transcendental and AMI Meditation, and a daily practice since the 90’s. What feeds her soul is advocacy work and intentional connection with family and friends. She can count on her fur baby to make her laugh daily and a good cup of coffee. Early morning tops the list as her favorite time of day. Lately, and most gratifying, is watching her two young adult children forge their own way in the world.

I have always loved to dance. As a child growing up in a small town, I started in ballet/jazz, loving the opportunity to bring my athletic & musical abilities together. When I discovered modern dance & creative movement in college I knew I had found my passion. I learned I could teach children and adults the fundamentals of movement and dance in a positive, noncompetitive environment. I shared this passion in the FM area for 30 years, first with Mahkahta Dance Theatre (1982-1990) and subsequently with 8th Street Studio of Dance (1990-2012). The past several years I have devoted my time to the caretaking of both grandchildren and my elderly parents. I have recently discovered the healing benefits of yoga and mindfulness and re-discovered how vital dancing is to my physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

I have witnessed and experienced how yoga creates a healing space for those experiencing chronic pain, depression and anxiety. I have a 200 hour yoga certification and am trained in Creative Relaxation-Yoga Therapy for Autism and Special Needs, Yoga for All, Yoga for Trauma and Drums Alive–Adaptive Beats. I am a graduate of Mindfulness Fundamentals, Mindful Educator Essentials, and Difficult Emotions through Mindful Schools. I also completed the HANDLE Institute intensive 12 hour Level I and II workshop, where I learned various gentle enhancements aimed at reorganizing the sensory and nervous systems. I proudly piloted a medically based therapist/child mindful movements class at Beyond Boundaries Therapy Services in Fargo and continue to serve the special needs community. I have been an honored Kid’s Yoga Ambassador for the state of MN for 2 years in a row.

I love to learn, inspire and have some fun! I passionately pursue and encourage a holistic lifestyle. In 2018, I was granted board certification through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) as a Holistic Health Practitioner. I am also a current member of the National Wellness Institute where I participate in continuing education. Since 1997, I have been an instructor in numerous styles of movement. My primary focus has been dance education teaching ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and hip hop styles of studio dance. In addition, I’ve earned a variety of other specialty certificates from many organizations over the years in stretching and meditation, functional biomechanics, hoop dance, kickboxing, cardio dance and laughter yoga. Two great joys in my life are my husband, Mac and our son, Auggie. They love, support and laugh with me!