Instructor Profiles

All yoga instructors are certified with Yoga Alliance.

Deborah Adele, ERYT 500, owner of Yoga North studio since 1999, holds 2 masters degrees as well as certification in Kundalini Yoga and Hatha Yoga.  Initiated into the Himalayan Tradition and long-time student of Yogiraj Achala, Deborah has done extensive studies in Yogic philosophy, including several trips to India to study with Mataji (Narvada Puri).  An experienced business consultant, Deborah uses her knowledge and training to support others in living a life integrated with balance, clarity, and well-being.  She is author of The Yamas & Niyamas:  Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice, 2 CDs,  The Art of Relaxation and The Practice of Meditation, and numerous published articles.

Ann Maxwell, ERYT 200, owner of Yoga North studio since December 2001, holds a masters degree as well as certification in Hatha Yoga and Yoga for Cancer Survivors as well as extensive Yoga Therapy training with Susi Hately. An experienced wilderness adventure guide, Ann brings the spirit of adventure and curiosity to her expertise as a yoga instructor and business owner, grounding her ability in the practicality and expertise of the body.  Ann is a model of yogic living for her students and brings a sense of wisdom and fun to the daily practice of yoga.

Sara Duke has had a life long interest in health and wellness. She has been practicing Yoga since 1998 and completed the 200 hour teacher certification requirements through Yoga North’s Teacher Training program in 2008. Her main focus right now is to allow ease and contentment in her yoga practice and in her life and to encourage her students to do the same. As co-owner of On-Word Bound Books (a publishing company), Sara worked closely with Deborah Adele of Yoga North on her book, The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice.

Kyle Elden, RYT 200, received her first 200 hour Hatha certification at Sun Moon Studios in Mankato , MN in 2003 and has built upon her yoga education in Yoga North's in depth teacher training. She has been teaching since March of 2003 and continues to love sharing the gifts of yoga while at the same time learning from and growing with her students. She finds all that yoga offers to be transformational in mind, body, and spirit and believes Yoga North is a magical place that nurtures growth and has been a catalyst for her own unfoldment.

Kristin Fogard, RYT 200. Since 2002 she has cultivated a fondness for the Ashtanga and Hatha traditions and the underlying philosophy that surrounds yoga. She received Hatha certification from Yoga North in the Spring of 2005 as well as in depth teacher training in Ashtanga from David Swenson in 2004. In the years since she has attended Ashtanga workshops led by: David Williams, Doug Swenson, David Swenson, Manju Jois, and Govinda Kai.

Linda Glisson came to Yoga North with a passion for sharing wellness. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She attended the 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program at Yoga North in 2006 and completed an Ashtanga yoga training intensive with David Swenson. Linda appreciates the opportunity to share with and learn from her students on her yogic journey as a practitioner and teacher.

Margaret Harstad Since Received her 750 hour training for massage at Touchstone Healing Arts located in Burlington, Vermont. She received training for Thai Yoga Bodywork from Jonas Westring in Vermont and Tanya Boigenzahn in Minneapolis. Margaret specializes in Thai Yoga Bodywork, Deep Tissue, Sports, Relazation, Reflexology, Pregnancy and Swedish massage, She incorporates some Healing Touch and Chakra Energy Work into sessions if desired. You can learn more about Margaret on her blog: muggymoose.blogspot.com

Jillian Holmen  is mama to two small boys and Yogaplay instructor.  She feels blessed to be able to find constant opportunity for practice in this busy life.  It's ALL Yoga!!  It's ALL Play!!  And Yeah for those little gurus; who offer more lessons than we ever sign up for!  A quote from a 5 year old Yogaplay friend sums up why she loves this gig: (in describing his original asana, Warrior 4) "It helps to encourage and opens the heart of your bones."

Stacy Johnston brings to yoga a passion for mind and body wellness. She had been teaching fitness classes for over a decade, and knew she found something really good when she stumbled on her first yoga class! She completed the 200 hour Hatha certification through the Yoga North Teacher Training program in 2008. She is continually inspired by the amazing Yoga North community.

Catharine Larsen, MA, completed the Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in the Himalayan Tradition at Yoga North studio in 2005. She has found all of the classes she has taken, as well as those she teaches, at Yoga North to be life changing, spirit freeing, and heart opening. Catharine is a Licensed Psychologist who sees clients in her home office on Lake Superior.

Joe Lindgren, RYT 500, received his Hatha Yoga certification from Sun/Moon Studios in Mankato MN in 2002. Joe has studied in depth in the Himalayan tradition and the Iyengar method, which emphasizes the detail and precision of alignment. A committed yoga practitioner since 1989, Joe shares his expertise in asana alignment and his love of the 8-limb practice of yoga. Joe believes that the focus on detail and precision in asana makes the poses come alive, and continually brings one to deeper levels of awareness in mind, body, and spirit.

Virginia May  in 1999 Deborah Adele was my Virginia's Kundalini Yoga teacher.  She immediately fell in love with the class.  It was so inspiring, nurturing, and revealing.  She came and loved Sadhana.  In 2006 she took teacher training at the Center for Happiness in Minneapolis and has been teaching ever since.  Yoga is such a spiritual experience for Virginia.  Virginia is currently doing chaplaincy training and loves visiting with people in their homes.  Sat Nam.

Molly McManus RYT 500  loves Yoga North for the warmth and sense of community it has brought to her life. She has completed her 500 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga North and is currently happy to be fully engaged in her role as instructor and office administrator.  Molly continues her development with studies with Ann Maxwell, Deborah Adele, Matt Sanford, Susi Hately Aldous, Yogiraj Achala and the everyday events in life.  She is keenly aware that Joseph Campbell had it right when he said, "Follow your Bliss!"

Patti Peters, BA, RN, IKYTA, experienced the transformative power of Kundalini Yoga at Yoga North in 1999. She completed Kundalini teacher training through the Center For Happiness in Minneapolis . Her outside interests include wilderness camping, travel, parenting sons, and gardening.

Sarah Ricciardi joined the Yoga North family in November 2007 as our Marketing Coordinator. She is a freelance Graphic Designer who has worked in a variety of venues ranging from metro magazines to art galleries. She finds the atmosphere and energy at Yoga North to be an inspiration not only to train in the art of Yoga, but to apply the practice within life itself. Sarah wishes to use her education in Graphic Arts and creative gifts to attract others to Yoga North in hopes that they will find health & healing, focus, and the precious path to a life of happiness.