Kristina Reese (E-RYT 500) is a yogi, designer, teacher, and creator, cultivated in the heart of the Midwest. Her passion for yoga stems from a background in team and individual athletics coupled with a desire to find positivity in the present moment. Practicing with Kristina you can expect to find confidence and peace. Confidence that comes from approaching and overcoming new challenges, and peace as you accept and love yourself exactly as you are in the moment. Ideally, you’ll leave with a smile too.

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My yoga journey began in the physical realm. It was a transition away from the competitive, performance-based practices of my adolescence, primarily cheerleading and gymnastics. During a time-out performance my sophomore year of college I had an unfortunately accident in my cheer career suffering a broken nose, which required painful re-setting and later, surgery. At this point, I found myself looking for a way to meet my desire for movement, without the pressure of performance or competition—enter, Yoga. 

Even after my first class, I know there was something more than movement happening. I left with a sense of confidence and peace. While I was challenged physically and mentally by these things that were new to me, I also felt a sense of success and peace as the teacher encouraged honoring the process. In time, yoga showed me that it’s OK to end things with a question mark, and that being present in the journey is the goal, not pushing through to a destination. From this point on, I immersed myself in the practice of yoga, learning as much as I could from videos and books.

I continued my journey post-college, taking my first yoga training in early 2011 and began teaching at a local gym. I went on to complete a 200-hr training in 2015 and a 300-hr training through the Colorado School of Yoga in 2018. I explored and trained in pre-natal, aerial yoga and reiki along the way. 

While continuing my growth in the physical practice, I also discovered mindfulness and meditation which enriched my life beyond measure. I found the practice of slowing down and being fully aware in the present moment a much more humbling challenge then learning the movements, but the refuge I found in breath awareness was like coming home.

I began teaching yoga and meditation full-time in 2016 and helped open Hatha Yoga & Fitness in 2018. My goal is to empower students in their practice to take pause and connect with their own inner teacher on and off the mat. I offer classes in the Integrated Vinyasa style that are both challenging, yet accessible, inviting students to learn from where they are in the moment. As a ‘recovering athlete’ I understand the mindset of performance, pushing, and perfection, through yoga I’ve learned the value of slowing down, honoring progress, and truly experiencing the journey.