Anna Mitra Director of Studio Programs

Anna Mitra is PRG's Yoga + Fitness Director! She has been teaching and practicing yoga since 2011, and is an avid believer in movement as a form of medicine. She was born in Wyoming, raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Oregon, and has been living and running yoga spaces here in Portland since 2015. Anna weaves her love for yoga philosophy into her strong steady Vinyasa flows, and also holds advanced certifications in Yoga Therapy and restorative yoga.

When she’s not in the studio, you can find Anna out in the woods with her husband and Aussie pup, Echo, or at home curled up on the couch with her cats, Whiskey & Aurora. As a movement teacher, Anna believes in the wholeness and the deep intuitive wisdom that we all have, and strives to help students remember this within themselves. She empowers her students to be curious, to remain present with all that arises, and supports them in stepping into their own unique way of being. She encourages her students to take charge of their practice, and to make intentional, compassionate choices about how they interact with themselves and in the world.

Alexa Rittichier Yoga Coordinator

Alexa is an artist, mover, maker, yoga and movement teacher, anatomy lover, and perinatal exercise specialist. She has been dancing her whole life, practicing yoga for over 20 years, and rock climbing since 2012! Teaching, tutoring and mentoring have been part of Alexa’s life since 2005. She has taught visual art, creative movement, drama, dance, and yoga in a variety of settings to all ages from 3-years-old and up. Alexa has been training and managing yoga teachers since 2016. Alexa was introduced to yoga in 2001 after a hospitalization from a rare blood disorder. Through the practice of yoga, Alexa began a journey of relearning herself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Throughout her years of practice, Alexa has explored various and lineages of yoga. She has experience teaching a variety of populations, ages, and ability levels. The emphasis in Alexa’s classes is on alignment, accessibility, personal power and connecting with self. Alexa is a relatable and compassionate teacher who is dedicated to meeting students where they are. She continues to learn and study to bring evidence-based research and techniques to students and clients. Alexa offers in-person yoga classes in and around Portland, Oregon. Alexa is also involved in multiple yoga teacher training programs, and offers specialty workshops online and in-person throughout the year.

Christina Provencio

Christina’s practice began in college when a dorm mate invited her to yoga at the rec center on campus. She fell in love immediately and surrendered to an eternal life of conscious practice and learning. Never before had she been asked to breathe this way, to listen this way, to move and stretch this way, to be this way. Yoga quickly became more than the balance she needed to get herself through the stressful times; yoga became Christina’s spiritual fire and connection to an evolution of movement.
During her time in Southeast Asia, the asanas were brought to life for her in a traditional experience. Traveling from village to village, Christina sought out guidance and training under Buddhist monks. She learned to quiet the mind and surrender to the power of meditation.
Today, yoga continues to challenge her as she strengthens her relationship with herself. As this connection deepens, she is able to share her heart and passion for this life to the people around her through practicing yoga side by side. This ever growing love has presented Christina with the opportunity to teach and share her spiritual journey with our yoga community.

Brooke Shotwell

Brooke's path to yoga started with her young life as an athlete, which forged her love of movement and physical expression. Her exploration of the body deepened during her undergraduate studies in Theatre Arts Performance when she took many movement and breath classes, and began to discover the subtle body. Brooke has now been practicing yoga for over a decade. Upon completing her 200 hour YTT, she was given the "Lila Award" celebrating her sense of creative play, which is exactly the atmosphere you can expect from one of her classes. Brooke teaches with empathy and humor, guided by the beginner's mind. She aims to create a space for students to cultivate awareness internally as well as physically, and her classes balance practical biomechanics, joyous movement, and loving connection. When she's not on her yoga mat, you can find Brooke reading fantasy novels, eating pizza, drinking wine, and exploring Portland with her husband and their moyen poodle, Boomer.

Charli Beck

Charli first experienced yoga in a community college class in 2007 and knew right away it would be a life long endeavor. Since learning to climb in 2010, the two activities and the relationship between them have defined her way of being in the world. In 2019, Charli completed a 300 hour teacher training in Portland and has been more rapidly deepening her practice and knowledge base. She is excited to share her two movement based passions with the Portland climbing community and assist others in their growth and journeys in whatever small ways she can.

Madi Behr

Madi first started practicing yoga when she was a toddler with her Dad, cultivating compassion and a love for movement-based learning. As she got older, Madi found a love for teaching little ones, bringing her to Portland from Omaha NE to be a wobbler teacher. After moving, she looked to yoga to help create a community and completed her 200HR Training and Kids Yoga Certification. Madi is continuing on to complete her Asthanga 500HR Training. Yoga brings the opportunity to share her love for teaching, connection and loving compassion for all! When she's off the mat, Madi spends time with her cats, reading, caring for her plants and exploring the beauty of Oregon!

Phoebe Schiff

​Phoebe Schiff is a yoga teacher, corporate wellness professional, and writer based in Portland. Her classes invite students to practice svadhyaya [self-study] in each pose, and in every experience on and off the mat. Her highest intention is to teach yoga in a way that honors its Southeast Asian roots, and to guide students to experiences of chit [higher consciousness] and ananda [bliss] in their yoga practice, and in their lives.

Vickie Connor

Vickie grew up playing soccer at a competitive level. It wasn't until her soccer career came to a close that she discovered a regular yoga practice. At first, she practiced yoga for the fitness benefits. But soon, she realized how beneficial her practice was to her physical, mental and overall wellness. Now, her goal is to share her love and practice with her students. Vickie is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and completed her training at Parallel45 in Vancouver, WA. She is passionate about making yoga accessible and fun to all. Join her in the studio for alignment-based vinyasa classes where you'll flow breath to movement to upbeat playlists.

Erica Burjek

Erica is new to Portland from New Orleans, and excited to be a part of the PRG Yoga community! She has been teaching yoga throughout New Orleans since 2015, and loves teaching vinyasa classes and seeing how students grow from week to week. When not on the mat, she can be found exploring Portland with her dog, attempting to surf on the coast, or working on her art at home.

Cecilia Morris

Cecilia (she/they) is a south Florida transplant, and has been living in Portland for almost three years. Yoga has been a force of grounding while navigating her solo move across the country during the pandemic, and continues to facilitate healing, processing and the recognition of beauty despite the stressors of an ever-changing world. She is passionate about creating a space for people to practice vulnerability and to find solace in both themselves and in community. When not practicing or teaching, she finds inspiration from other sources of connection: dancing, playing music with friends, and exploring outside!

Steph Lit

Steph’s yoga practice began as a complement to her full-time schedule of teaching indoor cycling and boot camp classes. Her practice has carried on since 2008 and she continues to learn the benefits of consistently showing up to her mat. Today, her practice keeps her grounded, humbled and courageous. Steph teaches yoga because she wants everyone to experience the gift that her practice has given her: SELF-CARE. Steph hopes to share the benefits of yoga in order to co-create a growing and supportive community that is inclusive and caring. Her gentle (yet fierce!) approach invites all beings to move with the natural rhythm of their body and find strength by knocking down mental limitations in order to reach the goals they truly desire. Steph’s philosophy: Yoga is ALWAYS a good idea! When Steph isn't in the studio, she is probably at school pursuing a degree in Naturopathic Medicine, playing with her dog Sigmund, or dancing the night away.

Brandy Tidwell

Brandy (she/her) has been practicing yoga since 2010 and began teaching in 2020 following her 200-hour YTT at The Grinning Yogi in Seattle. Brandy holds additional certification in the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method and teaches through a trauma-informed lens, emphasizing principles such as agency, accessibility, and inclusivity. Brandy views yoga as a vehicle for both personal and collective healing and liberation and feels passionately about applying the eight limbs of yoga on and off the mat. When she is not teaching, Brandy works as a psychologist and enjoys gardening, cooking, brewing kombucha, and outdoor adventures with her partner and pups.

Zoe Doudous

Born and raised in Paris, Zoe's athletic journey started with competitive figure skating, taekwondo, and Graham dance technique, where she discovered the power of breath work. Her love for yoga blossomed in 2016, and since becoming a certified 500-hour instructor in 2021, she has been sharing her passion for movement, mindfulness and meditation with her students. During her dual BA in psychology and philosophy, Zoe had the privilege of studying with inspiring professors of eastern philosophy and psychology of spirituality, igniting her deep fascination with yoga philosophy. As a flexologist at StretchLab, Zoe's hands-on assist practice complements her warm teaching style, creating a nurturing space for everyone in her classes to explore and grow.

Sarah Ashes

Sarah is a Portland native that has practicing yoga for over 5 years and teaching for 1 year. She is a trauma informed teacher with 200hrs of training in Ashtanga yoga and a focus on accessibility. Sarah enjoys offering vinyasa classes blended with hatha and encourages the use of props. She is currently in a 300hr training program for tantra yoga as well, and expects to be done summer, 2024.

Amy Moreland

Amy has been teaching yoga since 2008 and completed her Vinyasa Flow certification with the astounding Mark Stephens in Santa Cruz, CA. She has apprenticed with Kimberley Dashiell-Danza in Los Angeles and Jillian Glikbarg in Palo Alto, CA. Amy has a number of specialties in her teaching toolbox: introducing yoga to new students, power classes for athletes and climbers, Vinyasa flow, and an advanced training in prenatal and postnatal yoga. As a PDX native, Amy is thrilled to be part of the growing Beaverton community at PRG. Her hope is for everyone to feel welcome in her classes and to enjoy the empowerment yoga can offer: choosing modifications or explorations endless variations in a practice. When she’s off the mat, Amy enjoys the happy chaos of her 2 kids, catching a dance class, hiking with her golden retriever, raising backyard chickens, fostering dogs, and her event-planning work for her longtime nonprofit organization.

Abby Flynn

Abby, a dedicated and compassionate Yoga teacher and Ayurvedic counselor, holds over 700 hour of Yoga training. Her deep passion for Yoga and Ayurveda have led her on multiple transformative journeys to India, where she has immersed herself in the ancient traditions and teachings of the sacred practice. Through Yoga, Abby underwent a profound metamorphosis, not only healing her physical body but also nurturing her mental, emotional and spiritual health. Her holistic approach to wellness reflects her unwavering commitment to guiding others on their own transformative paths towards balance and enlightenment.

Chelsey Wright-Jackman

Hello, I'm Chelsey, proudly from the Midwest, though I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of snow. When I'm not on the yoga mat, you'll often find me out in the great outdoors, sharing hiking adventures with my family and my one-year-old son, or on a quest for the finest hot chicken sandwich. My other interests include biking, reading, and snoozing.

Suzy Kussner

Suzy discovered yoga in 2010 while trying to heal a serious spinal injury. After her journey of healing and recovery she realized her passion to help others heal their bodies. In 2017 she completed her 200hr YTT and moved on to become a Hanna Somatic Educator as well. Suzy’s classes are designed to gradually open up the body using somatic movements along with yoga asanas; making each new movement feel natural as you progress through the class. With an emphasis on the brain-body connection Suzy helps you to connect with your body through conscious and mindful movements that are safe and beneficial; while also leaving you feeling energized in your body and relaxed within your mind.

Melanie Orton

Melanie found yoga in 2005 and it has been nourishing, strengthening and surprising her ever since. She firmly believes yoga can be a source of power and peace for everybody regardless of age, ability or experience level. For the past eight years, she has enjoyed teaching vinyasa with both mellow and feisty moments, plenty of modifications, attention to the mind-body connection, and a killer playlist. When not on the mat, Melanie enjoys wrangling her three young children, singing, walking in the forest, scheming about her next trip, and going to live music with her husband.

Kensie Sempert

Portland Rock Gym's Fitness Coordinator and in-house Personal Trainer! Years of experience in different fitness modalities, from powerlifting to endurance sports, inspired Kensie to complete her personal training certification to help empower other individuals through strength training and love of movement. Her primary passion as a fitness professional is complementing outdoor, athletic, or everyday recreation with cross-training that not only helps us perform and feel better, but also fosters longevity in our favorite activities. In working with Kensie, you can expect to practice fundamental movements as well as progressions, build or improve a foundation of strength by maximizing your effort, and better understand how movement mechanics improve performance (oh, and also have fun!). She works with all levels of ability and cultivates inclusivity in the spaces she leads.

Karra Rudisill

Karra became a fitness trainer and coach in order to combine her passion for exercising and teaching. She got her fitness specialist certification at Lane Community College, with a focus on kinesiology, injury prevention, and exercise science. From there she acquired several training certifications and has been working in the Portland area as a personal trainer, stretch specialist, and group fitness coach. Karra loves participating in every type of sport and will try any new activity at least once, but she also enjoys playing video games, reading comics, drawing, and spending her free time with her pup. She teaches a wide variety of modalities including circuits, strength, conditioning, HIIT and more, along with specific types of classes such as boxing. No matter what class she teaches though, she always makes sure the classes are fun, engaging, and challenge her students to do their best, and improve their skills and strengths.

Haze Lambdin

I have been in health and fitness for over 20 years with a bachelors in Exercise Sports Science, a concentration of Health and Human Performance with countless certifications in order to provide you with the safest and most effective program to help you elevate your fitness goals. I have such a strong love for helping people achieve their health and wellness goals. As a child, I was extremely into jumping ramps on my bike, climbing trees, and sprint racing. As I became older I had a strong desire to help people to have a balanced and well rounded healthy life. As an adult, I enjoy going on hikes, kayaking, going on long walks, riding my bike, strength training, and cooking healthy food that taste and feels good eating it:) I am originally from Memphis TN and moved to Portland during the pandemic because I always wanted to live here and felt it was the best time to pack up and come here. Portland has a awesome vibe and I am so happy to be here! I look forward in meeting each and everyone at PRG and help you excel in your fitness goals. I am truly devoted for your growth feeling greater and having a robust life. Also, we will have a blast and walk away with a smile!

Megan McGarry

Hi, my name is Megan McGarry. I was born and raised in Portland, OR, and attended Portland State University for my undergraduate degree in International Studies and Japanese. While studying at PSU, I became a certified group fitness instructor and fell in love with teaching group fitness classes. My favorite format to teach is strength training because I like to help my participants feel powerful and strong in their bodies. When I'm not in the gym, I love running with my dog, camping with family, cooking, and trying Portland's many delicious restaurants!

Alex Foutch

Alex became an instructor because his college instructors noticed how much he loved dancing. Ever since 2017, he has been teaching dance fitness classes. From there, he began his journey into teaching other formats like full body strength and toning, HIIT, and cycle. His goals are to provide fitness classes that are easy to pick up and make you feel stronger and a little bit more sweaty than when you come in. You can expect he'll be dancing and singing along to the music in his classes, even if it isn't a dance class. He has three rules for his class: Have fun, keep moving, and avoid colliding with others.

Isabelle Biehl

Hey There! My name Isabelle, to dive right in I live by the motto that movement is medicine. It is this reason that I decided to turn my passion of movement and the mind body connection into a career. I graduated Portland State with a Bachelors of Science in Applied Health and Fitness with a focus in Health Coaching. If I am not lifting weights, you can find me strolling through nature with my lab Rufus, cooking or talking to others about the mind body connection.

Leah Eden

Leah, a dedicated strength coach, channels her passion for fitness into sculpting both body and mind. With a heart for adventure, she seamlessly integrates her love for climbing, mountain biking, and surfing into her coaching philosophy, inspiring others to embrace strength for life's thrilling summits and waves. Join Leah on a journey of holistic well-being and the pursuit of peak performance.

Critter Vespa

Meet Critter, a seasoned personal trainer and strength coach whose heart lies in the thrill of surfing, biking, and climbing. With a unique focus on functional movement, Critter goes beyond traditional fitness, crafting programs that not only build strength but also serve as a foundation for adventure and holistic well-being. Passionate about sharing the transformative power of a balanced lifestyle, he is dedicated to helping others discover their full potential, both in the gym and in the great outdoors.

Suha Jappie