Meet Our Teachers

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Nidra, Ayurveda Level 1, Retreats

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Brooke, the owner of Buka Yoga, brings over 20 years of corporate leadership and people strategy experience to her practice. Since beginning her yoga journey in 2017, she has become a highly certified instructor, holding an I AM Advanced Yoga Nidra certification and a Level 1 Ayurveda credential as well as completing her 500-hour certification with Yoga Medicine. ​

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Power, Gentle

Inspired by the teachings of Adriene Mishler and Rachel Brathen, she specializes in heart-led Vinyasa and Power flows that emphasize authenticity and gratitude. Outside the studio, Courtney enjoys life in Castle Rock with her husband and children, pursuing passions like singing, painting, and hiking. In every class, she encourages her students to find a balance of effort and ease, meeting themselves exactly where they are both on and off the mat.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

Adrianne’s yoga journey began in 2008 as a way to find gentle movement during her first pregnancy, but it was in 2012 that the practice became a daily anchor. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science from Arizona State University and is mindbodygreen certified Health and Wellness Coach. A nurturer by nature, she integrates her passion for holistic wellness into every class, helping students drop out of their heads and back into their bodies. When she isn’t on the mat, she is likely traveling with her husband and two children, enjoying live music, or soaking up the sunshine. 

Hatha, Power, First Responder Yoga

A lifelong athlete and student of wellness, Amanda discovered yoga in 2007 as a way to balance the physical demands of long-distance cycling after moving to Colorado. What began as a home practice to release tension quickly evolved into a deep passion. Her intuitive teaching style blends the structured alignment of Hatha with the vigorous athleticism of Ashtanga, further enriched by her background in Pilates and her credentials as a certified holistic health counselor. Known for her playful approach and belief that laughter is the best core exercise, Amanda creates a supportive, judgment-free environment designed to help students build physical strength and mental resilience.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, Nidra, Power

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Amber is a native Coloradan and began practicing yoga consistently in 2019 after going through some difficult life transitions. She would like to have a lifelong sustainable practice and teach her students how to do the same. She has always had a love for animals and agriculture, growing up on a ranch taught her hard work and dedication. Over the past decade, she has transitioned to organic and sustainable farming. Learning more about permaculture and incorporating many of those practices into her farm, as she believes it is our duty to leave the Earth better than we found it.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

Becky initially came to yoga in 2020 as a way to do gentle movement on her “rest” days. She quickly realized there was so much more to yoga and started reading about yoga, taking workshops, attending  retreats, and now yoga and meditation are part of her daily routine. Her goal is to provide inclusive classes where all feel welcome and to invite others to learn more about themselves and the mind-body connection. She is a registered nurse and is from Rhode Island. She moved to Castle Rock with her husband and two sons in 2006.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

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​Caroline is a speech-language pathologist, yoga teacher, and continuing education trainer. In her yoga classes, she combines ongoing study of human anatomy, neurology, and physiology with a deep respect for the ancient practice of yoga. Students will experience in-depth cueing, intuitive class design, and targeted breath work. Her practice is characterized by a sense of humor and a spirit of playfulness.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

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Channing uses her diverse knowledge to create a unique healing experience for each of her clients, regardless of background, age, health, or fitness levels. She thrives on helping people feel better through movement. She is certified in Functional Range Conditioning, specializing in joints and ranges of motion in addition to various energy healing modalities; LaHoChi, Healing Hands Level 2, and has her Reiki Masters.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Power

Chelsea started practicing yoga in 2007. As a cyclist, runner, and athlete, she was drawn initially to the physical aspect of the practice, and in the way of many yogis, came to love and rely on the emotional and spiritual growth that comes through the practice. After difficult days in the classroom as an educator, and now the office, yoga provides a way to center, bring peace, find joy, and foster the stillness and introspectiveness that come with meditation. Chelsea has found yoga off of the mat as well in her art-making, singing, and running. She hopes to help others find that joy in their practice as well.

Hatha, Vinyasa, All Levels Flow, Women's Circles, Health & Wellness Coaching

Chelsea has been practicing yoga for nearly two decades, discovering the discipline in high school and maintaining it as her singular constant through career shifts as a software engineer and her transition into motherhood and entrepreneurship. In 2016, she deepened her commitment by earning her RYT 200 certification through Maitri Yoga, an experience that expanded her perspective of yoga from a physical exercise to a vital philosophy for daily living. Today, she integrates her extensive practice with her love for hiking and her family life, dedicating her energy to helping other mothers ditch parental burnout and find balance through yogic principles.

​Hatha, Restorative, Energy Medicine Yoga, Nidra

Since discovering yoga in 2000 as a remedy for anxiety and burnout, Claire dedicated her path to exploring diverse healing modalities, eventually specializing in the intersection of yoga and Eden Energy Medicine. She bridges the gap between traditional Hatha yoga and energy repatterning to help students balance their chakras, meridians, and vitality. Whether through group classes or one-on-one energy work, her goal is to provide students with the foundational skills to ground themselves, restore emotional balance, and reclaim their innate vitality.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Pre & Post Natal, Certified Birth Doula

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Claire spent 10 years overseas doing disaster relief and primary health care in the South Pacific and South East Asia. After being diagnosed with PTSD, and being teamed up with her service dog Sarge, she realized she needed something more to help her sleep and handle anxiety, symptoms, and injuries. She found yoga, and got certified as a 200 RYT yoga instructor through Buka. In her classes, she focuses on regulating the nervous system, somatic movements, and working with veterans and first responders to create safe and accessible spaces.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

​As a former rhythmic gymnast, I first came to the mat in 2012 to maintain strength and grace. Today, my teaching is dedicated to helping students find curiosity and calm. I specialize in gentle and restorative practices that inspire clarity, drawing on my background as a Community Herbalist. Having called Buka Yoga home since 2020, I am honored to share a practice that nourishes both on the mat and in daily life.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Equestrian Yoga​

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Danny's style is energetic and enthusiastic and reflects her experience in all of these types of yoga practices, with a strong emphasis on proper alignment. Her goal is to create a fun, yet safe environment and empower her students to relax, develop greater strength, and improve flexibility. Danny holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Master of Business Administration. She is also the owner of Ashva Yoga, where she teaches Equestrian Yoga.

Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, Yin, Ayurveda, Children's Yoga

As a multi-certified instructor in Hatha, Kundalini, Vinyasa, and Yin, I have trained globally—from the Bishnu Ghosh lineage to the Himalayas of India and the retreats of Bali. My background as an Ayurvedic Practitioner and former professional photographer informs my holistic approach, which spans teaching "Classroom Yoga" for kids to leading corporate sessions across California. Today, I focus on organizing and leading immersive yoga retreats in domestic locales like Sedona and Joshua Tree, as well as international destinations including India and the Philippines.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

After almost 5 years of coming to Buka as a student, Elizabeth completed her teacher training at Buka and is now honored to hold the space for others just like others have held it for her throughout the years. After that first yoga class, she saw how healing and inspiring it can be. Elizabeth is a native to Colorado and a mother of one.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative 

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Erin brings 20 years of practice and a deep passion for yoga. With a PhD in literature and women’s studies from CU-Boulder and 15 years of experience as a professor, she now leads corporate content development teams, blending her love for learning with her dedication to the mat. Originally from Idaho, Erin has lived across five states but now calls Castle Rock home, where she lives with her husband, two teens, and their rescue dog, Rosie. In her classes, Erin strives to provide a sanctuary of peace and calm, inspired by the words of Mary Oliver to help others "be filled with light, and to shine."

Women's Circles​

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Massage Therapist, Owner of Wildmoon Alchemy & Wellness, and Co-Owner of Laughing Moon Wellness

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Hannah integrates massage, movement, and nutrition to help clients return to their center. A graduate of the Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy and Pima Medical Institute, she has furthered her holistic expertise through the Nutritional Therapy Association and the Herbal Academy, blending therapeutic exercise with herbal remedies rooted in her own healing journey. Hannah’s approach uses slow, specific movements and guided breath to foster relaxation and alignment, offering a diverse range of services including injury management, pregnancy massage, manual lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, reiki, and herbal counseling. 

Vinyasa, Restorative, HOT (26 + 2), Warrior Sculpt, Hot Flow, Chair Yoga, Yoga Therapy

Jeanette’s path to yoga began as a healing journey following a decade-long career as a 911 dispatcher and a life-altering surgery in 2016. After discovering that a consistent practice allowed her to thrive despite chronic pain, she transitioned into teaching and has specialized in Trauma-Informed training for cancer survivors and others. Currently serving as the staff Yoga Therapist at Arise Therapy Group and a Real Estate Assistant to her husband, Jeanette brings a light-hearted, inclusive, and empowering energy to her classes. She believes personal growth is infinite, and uses her unique, music-filled classes to help every student feel capable and "at home" on their mat.

Power, Nidra, Yin, Alignment Practices, Prenatal

Jenn has been teaching yoga and wellness practices in the South Denver area since 2008. She is also an  Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist (AYS). She is passionate about helping others find balance both on and off the mat by creating and executing quality yoga classes and yoga teacher development programming. The implementation and advocation of meditation, contemplative practice, and other such components serve to further these offerings in a patient and practice-oriented manner.

Flow, Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, HOT, HOT & Flow, Pre-Natal

Originally from Nebraska and now a Colorado resident since 2018, Jenny is an adventurous wife and mother of four whose path to teaching began when yoga healed her body during marathon training in 2010. With a background in elementary and middle school teaching, her approach is rooted in functionalism rather than perfectionism. She recognizes that every student’s anatomy is unique and adapts postures to fit their individual skeletal structure. Jenny’s ultimate goal is to empower students to listen to their own bodies, helping them become their own best teachers through mindful, effective movement.

Gentle, Flow, Yin, Restorative, Meditation

Jessica completed her teacher training to deepen her understanding of the roots of yoga. She discovered that the physical benefits of yoga only scratch the surface, and continues to study the many avenues of yoga on a regular basis. She asks her students to be present in the moment, connect their intention to each action, and to listen to their bodies and trust themselves enough to modify and find their "awesome-asana". Jessica hopes that each student can leave her classes feeling connected, rejuvenated, and grateful to themselves for honoring their bodies and taking time for themselves.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, Nidra, Warrior Sculpt

Karey is known for her fresh, fun, asana flows, which are set to a backdrop of soul-stirring music and inspired stories. Her tales spring from her travels around the world and her work as an entrepreneur, organic farmer, wisdom seeker, wife, and mother. She is dedicated to both the physical and philosophical pathways of yoga. It is her passion to inspire students to help them find true peace and strength in their bodies, and encourage their personal journeys of evolution, discovery, and adventure, both on and off the mat.

Dr. Kate Newburgh is the founder of Books of Eden Publishing. She is an author, speaker, and Shamanic Healer committed to working with others in a powerful, collaborative space to unlock their deepest soul gifts. She regularly hosts retreats.

Hatha, Gentle, Nidra, Power

Kerrie is a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and worked as a therapist for many years before becoming a full-time mom. Her education, life experiences, and personal yoga practice inform her yoga classes, helping to facilitate growth in her students. Kerrie is a lifelong student and believes yoga is a warm blanket of self-discovery, both on and off the mat. Learning from her students is her favorite part of teaching yoga.

Hatha

Ketna is a member of International Association of Yoga Therapists and a certified Yoga Therapist. She is also a certified Ayurvedic Nutritionist. She has been practicing yoga for over 20+ years and teaching for 10+ years. Her style of Yoga emphasizes combining breath and gentle movement. (Breath Yoga). For Yoga therapy, she follows a holistic approach, which emphasizes healing via restoring of balance based on six factors.

All Levels Flow, Hatha 2, Vinyasa, Power, and HOT (26 + 2)

A Colorado native who thrives on outdoor adventure, Lauren first turned to yoga when an injury forced her to slow down, only to discover a practice that transformed her physical health and overall outlook on life. Since becoming a registered yoga teacher in 2018, she has dedicated herself to the Castle Rock community, guiding strong, dynamic, and playful classes that prioritize mindful stretching and functional movement for joint stability and injury prevention. Her teaching style is defined by creative sequencing, energetic playlists, and a focus on breath and body awareness, always encouraging students to explore new postures and transitions with a sense of fun. 

BSN, RN, CRRN, FMCHC, Functional Nurse & Wellness Coach 

Lisa is a Functional Nurse Wellness Coach specializing in reducing body burden and empowering others to follow their JOY in everyday life. Through her own personal health journey and her professional nursing experience, Lisa has witnessed the immense power that mindset, nutrition, lifestyle, and spirituality ALL have on our wellbeing. Having overcome severe bulimia, anxiety, depression, OCD, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut, and postpartum anxiety/panic disorder, she is wholeheartedly passionate about and grateful for now getting to be the wellness coach to others who she needed in her own desperate times of need.

Pre & Post Natal, Vinyasa, All Levels, and Yin

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Originally from Florida and recently relocated from North Carolina, Mara moved to Castle Rock to pursue a deeper connection with nature and a life of adventure. With a professional background in Public Health, she is dedicated to improving quality of life for others, a mission that led her to transition from a long-term personal yoga practice to earning her teacher certification. Mara is passionate about using yoga as a bridge between mental and physical health, offering a supportive and creative Vinyasa style that empowers each individual to honor their unique needs in the moment. 

Hatha, Power

Matt was a hall-of-fame basketball player in college. And for many years afterward, he played pick-up ball in Denver-area gyms. In his forties, he discovered that the bruising contact from all those games was starting to take a toll on his body. He felt tired, stiff, and worn out. That's when he started to attend hot Power Yoga classes over his lunch hour to get flexible and burn through the stress of his workday. And he found that yoga was not only a great workout, but it brought about a transformative sort of peace and resilience to his body and his mind. He was hooked!

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Restorative, and Prenatal

A Colorado transplant (2015), Megan is originally from south-eastern Pennsylvania. Yoga has been their grounding since 2012, when she fell in love with the movement, philosophy, mindfulness, strength, and how yoga helped her body become her home. Besides yoga, Meg is also a DONA-certified birth doula, CD(DONA). Other passions include travel, camping, reading, lifting, and hiking, all of which she loves doing with her husband and daughter. They love the autumn and are always willing to share a pot of tea.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Nidra, Yoga Sculpt, Kids Yoga, Buti Yoga, and Yoga for the 12-Steps of Recovery

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After finding the magic of yoga during her college years, she realized it was the perfect vessel to combine her love of song, dance, meditation, and service. Meryl has been practicing yoga since 2005 and received her first RYT-200 in 2015. Since then, she has taught at several Denver yoga studios, helped open the flagship Outlaw Yoga studio, travelled across the county in a “yoga bus” (you’ll have to ask her about it), and has classes on various online platforms.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, ​Functional Mobility

Michelle is the Yogi Muse. She has been practicing daily since 1990 and teaching since 2007. She teaches foundational and advanced postures with precision for form and function, building the poses from the inside out. She is also the author of four books on yoga and was featured on PBS in 2022. Her mission is to help everyone find clarity in life, while still being able to laugh at ourselves. Michelle is an FRC© Certified Mobility and Kinstretch trainer.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, Nidra, ​Energy Medicine Yoga®

With over 20 years of dedicated practice and a background as a former dancer, Mindy brings a unique, fluid grace to her teaching, offering creative flows that feel like a true moving meditation. Her classes are a rich blend of somatic and energetic work, functional movement, and stress-relieving techniques designed to help students navigate life’s challenges with contentment and joy. She also holds a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and Leadership.

Photo by Scott Minshall

Vinyasa, HOT Yoga, HOT & Flow, All Levels Flow, Nidra

Mona hopes to provide relief and healing through yoga. Off her mat, Mona is an avid skier, snowboarder, surfer, paddleboarder, runner, hiker, backpacker, outdoor enthusiast, reader, thrill-seeker, and animal-lover. She is a 7th-generation Colorado native (her family’s origins trace back to the Blackfoot Indians), wife and mom to three AMAZING children! She is a former roller derby athlete who travelled worldwide with a championship team. You may also recognize Mona from the CBS reality TV show, “The Amazing Race - Season 22,” where her and Beth, a lifetime dear friend and roller derby teammate, traveled the world experiencing countless thrills and chills. In fact, Mona and Beth made it to the final 3, ultimately not taking home the $1,000,000 prize, but rather something far more valuable, the life-changing experience of seeing the world.

Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher, Yin, Gentle Yoga, Meditation, Certified Integrative Trauma Healing Practitioner

A Colorado native and Castle Rock resident of 24 years, Natalie is a mother of six who first turned to yoga as a sanctuary for healing after a series of difficult life transitions. Her specialized expertise encompasses Somatic Healing, BioDynamic Breathwork, and Body Trauma Liberation, as well as PNF stretching, allowing her to facilitate a deep mind-body-spirit connection for her students. Natalie is deeply passionate about sharing the same peace she discovered on her own journey, leading classes that emphasize slow, relaxing movements and intentional breathwork. When she isn’t guiding others toward healing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her animals, and relaxing in the sunshine.

Sound Healer, Meditation Facilitator, Vibrational Sound Therapy, Reiki, Yoga Nidra

Phyllis, or Filly as she is known, creates and supports a safe and sacred space for healing to occur. She has served our community for over 35 years working in law enforcement. She has a huge service heart! She has integrated all she has learned in her “day job” and blended it with all she has learned in her sound/energy training to provide a trauma-informed and client-focused practice. Filly has also spent many years in master sound and energy training and integrating intuition into her healing work. She is also the owner of Tri Resonance Sound & Energy Healing.

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

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Like many during COVID, Renee sought out yoga for community, restoration, and mindfulness. She found it! Since then, she has become RYT-200 certified and began teaching. Her mission is to make yoga accessible, available, and empowering for everyone and every body. When she is not on her mat, she is traveling with her husband around the world, reading a good book curled up with her cat, or making a lavish dish for dinner. Renee is excited to transform her practice with you!

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

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A dedicated yoga practitioner since 2005, Sara recently transitioned from student to teacher after completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Buka Yoga in 2025. As a professional writer and marketing consultant, she understands the mental fatigue of the modern workday and uses yoga to drop out of the thinking brain and back into the physical body. Other things she loves about yoga...taking part in an ancient tradition, stretching her mind, body, and breath, fighting off aches and pains, and outdoor yoga, because there's nothing better than yoga on the beach, in the jungle, or here in our own Colorado mountains. 

Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin

A lifelong athlete, Sara connected deeply with her yoga practice after committing to body's call to better self care and balance between yin and yang energy. Her classes and workshops welcome all levels and focus on rekindling self-awareness through the powerful connection between movement and breath. Arcadia Yoga & Wellness is her business and passion project. In addition to yoga, she is an Intuitive Transformation Guide, guiding students in tarot, Reiki, and other intuitive practices. 

Hatha, Restorative, Certified Yoga Therapist, Yoga Therapeutics, HOT, Reiki Level II, Yin

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​Susie, who has been practicing since 1995, originally utilized yoga to complement her career as an elite swimmer at Villanova University and a competitive runner. She holds many certifications, including Trauma-Informed Yoga, with a specialized focus on recovery from addiction, alcoholism, and PTSD—areas informed by her own 22 years of recovery. A former Philadelphia native and contributor to Yoga Living Magazine, Susie now resides in Castle Rock, where she operates her business, Lotus Flower Yoga. Susie is dedicated to helping her students find healing and resilience through a holistic, soul-centered approach.​​​

Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative

Vanessa believes movement should feel both playful and empowering. Expect her classes to be light-hearted yet purposeful while always offering plenty of space to challenge yourself or slow down when needed. Nothing gives Vanessa more joy than to witness someone truly listening to their body. Outside of class, she loves cozy nights in with a good book, an early bedtime, and cuddles with her Terrier, Penny. When she’s not in the studio, she’s usually planning her next adventure with her husband and daughter.