MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
INSTRUCTORS
We pride ourselves in having the finest, most experienced yoga and Pilates instructors the valley has to offer! With decades of combined experience (and huge followings), we are honored to be blessed with such incredible staff who provide a warm, welcoming environment to all!
Britney is a Fresno native who began practicing yoga while living in San Francisco many years ago. She fell in love with the Bikram practice and it became a daily part of her life. Soon enough she quit her job, went to Teacher’s Training and ended up back home in Fresno where she taught her first class at Blue Moon Yoga in 2010. Before making Fresno her permanent home, she travelled around the world for 2 years and taught in France, New York City and other locations across California. In July of 2013 she became the owner of Blue Moon, an exciting chapter in her yoga journey. She is passionate about creating a space where all students feel welcome to pursue and achieve the amazing benefits of heated yoga. She is dedicated to her husband, Mike, and their children, Andrew and Miller, who are the true loves of her life.
Taryn (Founder of Aloha Yoga; RYT 200, 2009) has been drawn to health and fitness as long as she can remember. Taryn received her yoga certification at a Northern California Ashram and her training also includes study with the Hot Yoga Doctor, Gabrielle Raiz, in Costa Rica, and 40 hour Vimana Fusion training. Taryn has been teaching Yoga for over 6 years and has experience teaching a variety of styles of yoga, including Bikram, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative Yoga classes. Taryn’s classes offer a peaceful approach to a sweaty mind – body connection.
Jean (Bikram TT 2010) and is one of Blue Moon Yoga’s very first students from 2006. A former marathon runner and triathlete, Jean loves a challenge and encourages her students to engage in new experiences. Students participating in Jean’s classes can look forward to working hard, sharing a few laughs, and exploring new boundaries to meet and even surpass their goals.
Ali first moved in Fresno in 2010 and Blue Moon Yoga was her first stop in a new town and it’s been the second home she shares with a very special community of yogis ever since. Ali was first certified to teach children’s yoga and after a year of teaching mini yogis, she traveled off the mat to Guatemala to become 200hr certified in teaching Sadhana Vinyasa flow and Sadhana Hatha flow to adults through the School Yoga Institute. Two years after that, she craved an even deeper understanding of all the different limbs of yoga with a focus on alignment and adjustments and her heart guided her straight to the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh India where she completed her 500hr certification in Vinyasa Ashtanga flow and Hatha. Ali could not be happier sharing her passion in a city she loves with the entire Blue Moon Yoga family. When she’s not at the studio, you can find her promoting and producing Fresno State athletic events, eating or spending time with her adored family and beloved dog.
Kyle’s love for movement originated in the hot Arizona desert where she played soccer and swam competitively. As she grew out of playing organized sports, she began to explore different avenues of movement. Her first introduction to yoga was while living in San Francisco and she instantly felt a deep connection. She continued to pursue her new passion while living in New York City. The calming effects of yoga and meditation helped to alleviate some stress of living in a big city. In the last seven years she has trained with inspirational teachers in New York City, Costa Rica and all over California with over 400 registered hours.
Kyle has enthusiastically jumped down the rabbit hole of holistic living and is also a Certified Massage Therapist where she is constantly learning new modalities and techniques. As she has come to the realization that this world is full of opportunity to feel happy and healthy, she feels even more inspired to share her knowledge and open mindedness to help the Fresno community feel better in their bodies, mentally and physically.
Kyle’s many other passions include cooking, her twelve-year-old pitbull – Fanny, traveling and exploring new places with her lover and being in nature. Kyle believes life is all about being surrounded by good people and loving with no condition.
Kyle has enthusiastically jumped down the rabbit hole of holistic living and is also a Certified Massage Therapist where she is constantly learning new modalities and techniques. As she has come to the realization that this world is full of opportunity to feel happy and healthy, she feels even more inspired to share her knowledge and open mindedness to help the Fresno community feel better in their bodies, mentally and physically.
Kyle’s many other passions include cooking, her twelve-year-old pitbull – Fanny, traveling and exploring new places with her lover and being in nature. Kyle believes life is all about being surrounded by good people and loving with no condition.
My name is Corie. I’m a mom to 4 amazing teenagers and a 1st grade teacher. I began a consistent yoga practice in 2008. After spending 8 years exploring and deepening my own practice I decided to attend Yoga Teacher Training with Mark Stephens during the summer of 2016. Yoga is a journey that deepens my passion for others and for life…I take yoga where ever I go and love to share it with others. My teaching focuses on awakening the true self through awareness, truthfulness, and movement of the Divine energy. I am committed to offering my students not only the physical benefits of yoga, but also the ways it can transform your life off the mat.
When I am asked what yoga means to me my response is “Yoga is whatever you want it to be…Yoga is having passion, kindness, gratitude, and compassion for yourself and others. Yoga is LOVE and to practice yoga helps you get better at all of those things. Don’t practice yoga to get better at yoga; practice yoga to get better at living.”
When I am asked what yoga means to me my response is “Yoga is whatever you want it to be…Yoga is having passion, kindness, gratitude, and compassion for yourself and others. Yoga is LOVE and to practice yoga helps you get better at all of those things. Don’t practice yoga to get better at yoga; practice yoga to get better at living.”
I have held a variety of teaching positions in the Clovis Unified School District and am looking forward to bringing those teaching skills to the Pilates classroom. I have been married for 20 years to my husband, Mark, and we have two children, Joseph (18 years old) & Jaden (16 years old). Blue Moon Yoga has been a staple in my life since September 2010 as a source of healing, rejuvenation, and peace. When the opportunity to take the Inferno Hot Pilates training popped up, I just knew it was something I was interested in helping develop at the studio.
Hi! I’m Kathleen Spain. I have been practicing yoga at Blue Moon for over 7 years. Blue Moon is my home away from home. The studio provides a place of peace, community, and classes that push me to be stronger and more diligent in my yoga practice. I have been married for 24 years to my best friend, Matt. We have 3 children, Rachel – 20, Ryan – 18, and Dylan – 15. Inferno Hot Pilates is a great addition to the class schedule. I am so excited for everyone to be inspired, to sweat, to work hard, and to feel great!!
What’s Namaste, I’m Darrion! I started practicing yoga during my senior year of High School after dealing with chronic back pain, although I’ve always been drawn to health, wellness and magic. My first time I stepped foot in a class I had no idea how to do “yoga” I struggled through my downward dogs and laughed through my happy baby, but despite this, I found myself coming back time after time. When I was 19 I made the decision to deepen my practice and attend my first Yoga Teacher Training, which led me to Rishikesh India (where my heart still resides). I started teaching yoga about 6 months after returning and have fallen in love with sharing love! In addition to teaching yoga, I also work as a full time Veterinary Technician and dog mom, blogger and prefer spending time exploring somewhere with my feet grounded to the earth.
Christine’s commitment to yoga began in 2010 during her days as a runner, and through the years her practice has been critical in helping her with stress relief and anxiety. It’s because of her journey with this practice and love for wanting to help others, she wanted to become an instructor. Whether you’re taking one of her 26+2 or #infernohotpilates classes, you’ll be treated to fun music during your experience.
Christine is a Southern California native who is now proud to call Fresno ‘home’. After 12 years in television news, she has ‘retired’ to focus on her health and other things that make her happy. When she isn’t at the studio, you can find her spending time with her (fellow Blue Moon yogi) husband, Marquese, and their 2 furbabies. She’s also proud to be the Fresno Grizzlies’ first ever female game-day emcee. What she loves most about teaching at Blue Moon is being a part of a stellar teaching staff and among a group of dedicated and inspiring yogis.
Christine is a Southern California native who is now proud to call Fresno ‘home’. After 12 years in television news, she has ‘retired’ to focus on her health and other things that make her happy. When she isn’t at the studio, you can find her spending time with her (fellow Blue Moon yogi) husband, Marquese, and their 2 furbabies. She’s also proud to be the Fresno Grizzlies’ first ever female game-day emcee. What she loves most about teaching at Blue Moon is being a part of a stellar teaching staff and among a group of dedicated and inspiring yogis.
Gigi is a Bay Area native who moved to Fresno in 2015 after her husband’s job relocated them back to his hometown. She has been a longtime fitness enthusiast, running in high school and college, and trying a variety of workouts including cycling, yoga, and pilates to keep her strong so she can keep up with her two young boys, Dawson and Maddox. Gigi found Blue Moon after the birth of her second son and never looked back! She was drawn to the people and staff that made her feel accepted and challenged her mentally and physically. This past April, after taking a few Inferno Hot Pilates classes at Blue Moon, she knew she wanted to be an instructor offering the same high-energy, sweat-driven, and lively music to clients at the studio. Gigi enjoys eating alone, yes you heard that right (if you’re a parent, you understand), traveling, and easy conversations with friends at coffeeshops. She is known to be sarcastic so don’t take her too seriously. SERIOUS…
A native of San Francisco, Anna began her athletic career at 7, studying under master Chinese acrobatics instructor Mr. Lui as a member of the Pickle Family Circus troupe and performing as a contortionist, trapeze artist and acrobat. Anna expanded her studies at the San Francisco American Gymnastics Club where she mastered all four events in just two years. Anna then studied and performed Flamenco dance, first as a member of the Rosa Montoya Flamenco troupe and later in Spain, where the art was created. Back in the U.S. she trained in the Bikram Yoga Method and has taught yoga classes around the country since certified. In 2006 Anna began training under master and Olympic trainer Justin Chinn, focusing on weight, kettle bell and strength training techniques and shortly after decided to transform her corporate marketing career to her passion of health and fitness. She is now certified in 12 technical areas of training and is changing people lives.
Shonna began teaching fitness classes in 2008 as an Indoor Cycling and Group Fitness Instructor in Clovis. She has shared her love of fast and fun paced spin classes to the beat of the music throughout the years with many, and loves the connections she makes on a daily basis with clients. Shonna has experience in instructing a variety of other classes such as Sculpt, Bootcamp, Piloxing (a high intensity based workout blending pilates and boxing), and TRX. She found her way to Blue Moon about a year ago and was hooked. She found the energy in the studio to be cathartic and addicting. And the classes at the studio to be just as, if not more challenging as the HIIT and strength training classes she enjoys teaching. Eventually she stepped into Inferno Hot Pilates classes and felt immediately at home. The fun and invigorating music along with the strong and effective workout were perfect for her. Now she is happy to add teaching Inferno Hot Pilates to her resume. She goes above and beyond making sure those in her classes have an absolute blast while still getting an effective and powerful workout. When she’s not teaching or taking classes, she’s working at CRMC as a Respiratory Therapist which she has been passionate about for the past 15 years.
Hello everyone! Here’s my yoga story (so far)in a nutshell. In 2013 life guided me to hot yoga, and what I thought was an amazing physical exercise quickly became a mental exercise as well. A few years into my practice I noticed my progression in both my physical body, and emotional well being. I feel what’s most notable is the negative emotions I’ve been able to release through my practice. With these experiences I wanted to deepen my understanding of yoga. So December 2018 I had the chance to travel to Peru, and I took a 200hr YTT. Through this experience I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation and understanding of this practice. I’m super excited to share my knowledge, and continue to grow with all of you.
“It’s been the greatest blessing to have teachers who have led me to understand the ancient Indian Yoga method of purification of mind, body and soul; I have evolved into a better human being towards myself and others”. Mani Ghuman has been a long time (7+) practitioner of Hot Yoga at Blue Moon Yoga, whose curiosity has taken her further into many yoga schools around the world. Academically studied Psychology at UC Merced, she continues to study “Self” in daily life with being present and acceptance. Mani has received certifications from: Shiva Shakti School of Yoga, Hatha Yoga RYT 200hr/ Goa, India 2016, Semperviva Yoga Studio and College, and Yin Yoga RYT 50hr/Vancouver, Canada 2018, and Kata Hot Yoga 26&2 Series 200+ hr/ Phuket, Thailand 2019. In free time, she enjoys yoga, music, dancing, mantra chanting, photography, reading, traveling, story telling, meditations in nature, hiking and walks on the beach or anywhere! Her strong passion for life/creation has been number one motivation to spread the healing practice of yoga to people around the world so all can see beyond the limitations that one sets for themselves. “Let’s broaden our insight, inspire each other and be man/woman of integrity!” Mani invites you all to the cozy hot room to practice hot Hatha and Yin yoga for a good dose of self purification of body and mind to reconnect back to the spirit and share good energy and enjoy the goodness of life.
Health and fitness have always been an important part of my life. My yoga journey began at Blue Moon Yoga Fresno in 2014. I was suffering from an old running injury and my sister Marlene suggested I try hot yoga. She had been practicing for nearly a decade and was a huge advocate. I took my first class and never looked back. When Inferno Hot Pilates came to the studio, I tried it and was instantly addicted. When the Clovis studio opened, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into this hot practice and I knew I wanted to share it with others. In March of 2019 I completed Inferno Hot Pilates teacher training with Gabriella Walters, the creator of IHP. The changes that happen as a result of time spent on the mat permeate my life. I am honored and grateful to be teaching at BMY. I look forward to the opportunity to share my love for this practice with you on and off the mat. Namaste.
Hello! I’m Crystal, a wife, mom and yoga fanatic. You can usually find me upside down somewhere, sipping on coffee, riding bikes with my family or working in my garden.
I began my yoga journey in April of 2014 after a long battle with anxiety and depression. It was the first time in years I felt the weight on my heart lift and could take a deep breath. Yoga provided me a glimpse of the inner peace I’d been yearning for. I knew my life was forever changed.
I soon went on to receive my 200 hour certification from Yoga Tree in San Francisco and have been consistently teaching for over 4 years. I truly believe my purpose in this life is to share the therapeutic practices of yoga, meditation and self love with as many humans as possible. My hope is that the tools they learn on their mats will positively impact their day to day life.
Kayla’s journey into yoga began four years ago in San Diego, CA. Although she has always enjoyed practicing, it wasn’t until she began her training in Yoga Sculpt that she realized her love for teaching fellow yoga students. After returning home to Fresno, she continues to pursue a career in medicine, and looks forward to embracing the community surrounding Blue Moon. In her classes you will experience a physically challenging workout that will inspire personal growth on and off your mat!
Molly fell in love with yoga in 2010 when she tried her first Bikram class in Pacifica, CA. From that day her Yoga practice became an integral part of her life. Moving back to Fresno, Blue Moon was the perfect place to call home. Consistently practicing for many years physically and mentally, living the Yogi lifestyle. In 2020, Molly complete the RYT 200-hour certification for Hot Vinyasa, from our very own Blue Moon Studio! Teaching has presented itself as a way to serve the community and to share the practice that has greatly impacted every aspect of her life. Molly hopes to grow in her Yoga Practice and to share with others the love and support she has always received from the Yoga Community.
Chelsea was born and raised in the Central Valley. She first found hot yoga in her early college years when looking for something to complement her life of running, equestrian polo, and weight lifting. It wasn’t until she developed a consistent yoga practice years later after returning home to Fresno that she realized how profoundly impactful this practice was for her. At this point, she knew teaching yoga would eventually become apart of her future. When the opportunity to go through a teacher training program popped up at her home studio, she knew this was her time to start her teaching journey. Today, Chelsea enjoys weight lifting, running, exploring outdoors, and of course, lots of yoga! She likes to incorporate her passion for strength training into her yoga flows while maintaining a therapeutic experience.
Samantha’s yoga adventure started in 2013, she took her first class and was hooked! Strength, balance, flexibility, breathe, community, presence and so much more, all came together in one beautiful practice. She completed her first Yoga Sculpt teacher training in 2014, followed by two more, 200 hour ( RYS, certified by Yoga Alliance) yoga teacher trainings, Power Yoga, as well as, Hot Power Fusion. When you take class with Samantha, she hopes to inspire students to reach within themselves and find fun in their practice! But also to hold a space where people can come to feel grounded, safe, explore their bodies and push themselves outside their comfort zones to reach new heights in their bodies and minds. The thing Samantha loves about yoga, is there is always something to learn, you can always find room for growth, you can always use the positive energy that comes with your yoga practice.
Diana is highly energetic and always encouraging people to give it all they’ve got. She will work you and keep you smiling. She links movement to music – singing along and having fun is always encouraged in her classes. When she’s not in the hot room you can find her teaching/taking a spin class, hanging out with her twin boys and husband. After an eight year battle ulcerative colitis; she had a life giving operation in 2019. She now has a new lease on life and you will hear her refer to her ileostomy as “Perky Princess”; together they are looking forward to shedding a different light on life with an ostomy and being a voice and an advocate for an invisible and crappy (pun intended) disease.
Hi! I’m Makenna. My yoga journey started by a mere suggestion as a way to cope with my anxiety 6 years ago and I havent stopped practicing since. It has helped me so much both mentally and physically and it truly fulfills me to be able share my knowledge and see people receive the same benefits. After completing my prerequisites for the RN program I decided to accomplish my long time goal and completed my 200HR Teaching Training in Oregon. In addition to yoga, I have a true passion for propagating plants, hiking and cooking vegetarian dishes.
After 500 hours of training and practicing yoga for over a decade, Jenna has enjoyed watching the meaning of yoga change and evolve for her personally. Being as present as possible and held in loving kindness for whatever comes up on the mat is most important. With Jenna’s classes, expect her to show up authentically as she hopes you will do the same. After all, in the words of Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home.”
Photo by: Andrew Bird Photography
I grew up in the Central Valley. Went away to college on a swimming scholarship and began to lift weights. This brought me to getting my Personal Training Certification. I have also received my Group Fitness, Yoga and Pilates Ball Training along with Spin and Kickboxing Certifications. I have taught in all these areas in the Valley. I came to Blue Moon Yoga a year ago and fell in love with IHP. I was always the crazy girl at the gym working out in the sauna and Blue Moon combined my love of classes with pilates and sauna.
I am passionate about my clients having fun and seeing results from their workouts. I bring the energy and positivity to motivate clients. The best part of my day is watching clients bodies transform with my classes.
I have been married to my best friend for 34 years and have two amazing sons! I was born in California and have also lived in Dallas and Las Vegas.
I have been practicing yoga regularly for about 21 years! After the very first class I was hooked! I have practiced Hatha (Bikram style), Vinyasa flow, Yin, and others, all across the United States as I traveled with my husband for his work. My favorite place to practice has always been Blue Moon Yoga Studios. When Britney and Blue Moon offered a teacher training last year I knew it was finally the right time for me!
I have been practicing yoga regularly for about 21 years! After the very first class I was hooked! I have practiced Hatha (Bikram style), Vinyasa flow, Yin, and others, all across the United States as I traveled with my husband for his work. My favorite place to practice has always been Blue Moon Yoga Studios. When Britney and Blue Moon offered a teacher training last year I knew it was finally the right time for me!
So excited to be a part of the amazing Blue Moon Team and sharing and growing along with the Blue Moon community. I love to spend time at the lake, or in my garden, also reading and cooking, when I am not practicing yoga.
My name is Maria “Huggybear” Mendoza. I was first introduced to yoga in 2016 and absolutely fell in love with the practice. The fluid movement in yoga, connected with the breath, allowed for calmness and focus that was so different from anything else I had experienced in a fitness class. I found that it exercised my body, my mind, and my soul all at once. As I continued to deepen my practice, I knew that I would one day share this very special practice with others. So, in 2020, I completed the RYT 200-Hour Certification for Hot Vinyasa at Blue Moon Yoga!
One of my biggest passions in life besides yoga is exploring nature; it is like breathing to me! If I’m nowhere to be found, you will find me in nature (hugging trees, climbing rocks, playing in the water, etc). In addition, I love spending time with my family and friends.
My hope for each student is to provide stillness, healing, and relaxation that will nurture each body.
I’ve always been driven by health and wellness. Over time I came to realize that my idea of “health” was more about being fit than being well. Now I know that wellness is truly achieved from the inside out. I moved to Fresno, CA from the East Coast about four years ago. In a desperate attempt to cope with the drastic changes that had taken place in my life, I decided to give yoga a try. Quickly realizing that I was exercising much more than my physical body, I fell in love with my teachers and the practice and the peace both helped me to achieve. I became passionate about yoga, the yoga lifestyle and more aware of true wellness than ever. I began to desire more than anything to share this passion with the world, hoping to present others with the gift I was given when I discovered yoga.
I earned my 200 hour teacher certificate in 2018 and am currently enrolled in an advanced program to obtain my 500 hour teacher certification. I am enlivened to be on this adventure with you!!
I earned my 200 hour teacher certificate in 2018 and am currently enrolled in an advanced program to obtain my 500 hour teacher certification. I am enlivened to be on this adventure with you!!
Hi! My name’s Macy, born & raised in Fresno, and now a freshly graduated college student (Go dogs!). I’ve always been an active person- from playing soccer for almost 10 years to daily gym sessions, I eventually came across Blue Moon Yoga. That was around 6 years ago & I’ve been hooked ever since. After recently discovering my passion for teaching and being able to combine it with something I’ve been passionate about was a dream come true for me in the form of a job. I have experience teaching reformer pilates & was interested in learning how to teach I.H.P because I LOVED the low impact-high intensity concept as a workout! The best part about teaching is getting to interact with all the yogis & remind them how strong they really are!
Pegah has had a passion for yoga since 2002 and prior to that, she was a dancer for decades. She started teaching yoga in 2010 and has not only taught literally thousands of hours of yoga, but taught hundreds of individuals to become teachers themselves in various teacher trainings. In addition to yoga, Pegah is a speaker, international trainer, and resilience expert who believes whole-heartedly in the transformative nature of coming home to oneself through periods of adversity. Over the past 20 years, she’s cultivated a holistic approach to coaching and healing work, blending cutting-edge techniques and complimentary philosophies to inspire a completely new way of being in the world. She is certified as a Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Mental and Emotional Release Therapy, with additional certifications in Theta Healing (energy healing modality) and Huna (ancient Hawaiian shamanic studies) and she’s a board certified Integrative Nutrition Coach. Most importantly, she loves bringing people together for the purpose of getting into their bodies and learning from their own inherent inner wisdom.