Melanie began her yoga journey in 2015 and is passionate about yoga and its benefits, both mentally and physically. Encountering stress and anxiety in many aspects of her life, Melanie embraced the opportunity of incorporating yoga into her everyday life. Finding her way to the “mat: has changed and shaped her life in more ways than she could have imagined, finding strength and power in the variety of practices and challenges that yoga provides! Finding inner peace and serenity in her practice, Melanie made yoga a priority in her everyday life and began yoga training through YogaFit in 2017. In 2018, Melanie was presented with the amazing opportunity to begin her Pilates training through Balanced Body, blending the beauty of the two practices daily.

Teaching and sharing the joy of yoga and Pilates is a true gift in her life, and Melanie continues her yoga training through YogaFit, expanding her training to include Warrior/PTSD/Trauma training which was completed in March of 2019 and anticipates completing her 200 hour yoga certification in 2020. Melanie is pursuing additional trauma training, using yoga to help those dealing with trauma, stress and anxiety, exploring the benefits of yoga to develop a sense of peace and control. In addition, Melanie has completed her Pilates Reformer training through Balanced Body and will complete her Mat Pilates training in January of 2020.

Melanie draws energy and positive vibes from the amazing souls that share in the Beyond Zen tribe, feeling the light that radiates in each person who walks in the door and desires each student to find themselves and embrace the beauty of who they are, loving themselves EXACTLY where they are at this moment, knowing they are wholly loved and finding the joy in the journey. Experiencing yoga and Pilates in a safe, nonjudgmental environment and leaving feeling empowered, relaxed and ready to return soon

Cathy Roe, Instructor

Cathy Roe is an international educator of dance, fitness, and yoga. As the 2019/2020 Ms. Senior Michigan America, Cathy's platform is to bring health, healing, movement, and encouragement to all generations. Teaching credentials include: • Dance Director/instructor, University of Hawaii • Dance Instructor/choreographer, Hong Kong Television, Hong Kong • Owner of 4 dance and fitness studios, Santa Fe, New Mexico • Master Teacher with numerous organizations, including Dance Masters of America, various universities, and studios • On the faculty of Dance Teacher Magazine conventions teaching yoga, Pilates, jazz, lyrical, modern dance. Cathy Roe is the founder of Cathy Roe’s Ultimate Dance Competitions, a touring convention company holding master classes throughout the United States, as well as competitions. Cathy is the owner of Cathy Roe Video Productions, where she has produced and choreographed over 150 instructional Dance, Yoga and Fitness videos.

Vanessa Canal, Instructor

Vanessa fell in love with Pilates through her own personal practice. Learning to quiet her mind and appreciate all the body can do. She was inspired by the physical and mental transformation that continues to occur therefore she has chosen to share her passion with others. Vanessa completed her Balance Body Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training in which her focus is on proper body alignment and functional movement to enhance day to day life. Her passion, in her practice, is empowerment of the mind; recognizing what an amazing symphony our bodies can be if we just listen and appreciate our own mental and physical strength. Her class purpose is to inspire and teach clients to be intentional with each movement to create stability and strength within the body. Vanessa also maintains a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s in School Counseling. When Vanessa is not seen in the studio she can be found in our community working with individuals with special needs, as a Behavior Consultant. Vanessa looks forward to you joining her Pilates Reformer Class, as we journey to become stronger in both body and mind. Her day to day inspiration is “Be the BEST version of YOU”, never look around you but look inward to yourself.

“Each Day, Do Your Best and Let Go of The Rest”

Kerry Perry, Instructor

Kerry fell deeply in love with yoga at the beginning of 2016 when she completed her Registered Yoga Teacher Training. Her initial plan was to complete the certification solely for herself, looking for a way back to herself after becoming a new mom and to open herself up to experience of the world of yoga. Little did she know that halfway through the certification process she would have an overwhelming feeling to share this practice with everyone she met. It is more than a practice, it’s a lifestyle that she incorporates into her daily life. Since then Kerry has completed her 300 hours locally to qualify her as a 500 hour RYT. Within this training she has earned multiple certifications including Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, and focused trauma training. Her goal for each class is to encourage students to be themselves and take care of their mind and body. She wants to make each person feel comfortable in the skin they are in. Being the mother of two girls has given her the motivation to do the same for herself. She is very excited to share her practice and to be a part of the Beyond Zen Tribe.

Mary Lord, Instructor

Mary taught school for 30 years! Most of her time was spent at Prairie Vista Elementary School. She started coming to Beyond Zen 1 1/2 years ago. She fell in love with Restorative Yoga and from then on was hooked! About 6 months ago, because of the wonderful support from the tribe at Beyond Zen, she started to dream of teaching yoga. She started her training to earn her Yoga Teacher Certification and she is excited to follow that dream! She thinks we continue learning something new every single day. No matter your age nor life experience, there is always something new to be taught. That is what keeps us young! She is so excited to be part the of Beyond Zen Tribe and their positive atmosphere! Beyond Zen Studio is her happy place!

Amanda Losch, Instructor

Amanda is a trail and ultra runner and as been an athlete her whole life. Initially, she turned to yoga for physical relief from running-related injuries. The more yoga became a part of her life, she started to notice more than just physical benefits. Sleeping better, being more present and focused, and overall happier were among the few! This spoke to her and she decided that she wanted to become a yoga teacher to help others to stay fluid, prevent injuries and find inner peace through yoga practice. She encourages everyone to come to their mat with the intention to be their best and honor their body.

In addition to physical benefits of yoga, she strongly believes in the benefits of pranayama (yoga breath) and meditation. She loves to teach others how to incorporate them into their daily life for overall wellness.

She completed her 200RYT at Inhale Exhale School of Yoga. She is also trained in Mindful Yoga Therapy and is currently in training with the Institute of Yoga Sports Science.

She can be found here at Beyond Zen teaching her unique Feel Good Flow and Stress Relief Yoga. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and honored to be a part of the Beyond Zen tribe.

“It’s called a yoga practice, not a yoga perfect.”

Rachael Von Eschenbach, Instructor

Rachael was introduced to yoga and meditation as a child in her living room, where her mother organized classes before yoga studios were common. Her personal practice has been her trusted friend through rehabilitation from injuries, loss of loved ones, the joys and trials of motherhood, and each major life transition. She continues to be humbled and inspired by yoga’s gifts of increased strength, vitality, and physical health, along with contentment, patience, and self-awareness.

She has studied many forms of yoga, including Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, and Mindfulness Meditation, and her teaching is an integration of the juiciest parts of each! Rachael completed her 200-hour Teacher Training Certification in Austin, TX at Yoga Yoga Studios in 2007.  Before moving back to Granger in 2016, she lived in London, UK, where she completed the Foundations of Mindfulness course at the Oxford University Mindfulness Center and obtained a certification to teach Mindfulness to Elementary School students through the Mindfulness in Schools Project.  She is excited to be a part of this wonderful community and strives to meet each student at their level of experience, supporting them in challenging themselves while safely honoring their current physical ability.  Her intention is for her students to leave her classes feeling strong, centered, and uplifted!

Mindi Dugard, Instructor

Mindi is passionate about the impact yoga can have on the community. Though her love of yoga began over 25 years ago while practicing in the Los Angeles area with noted instructors, her sense of service and helping others began long before. The training and knowledge she developed as a registered nurse spanning over two decades provided a deep understanding of human anatomy, physiology and well being. Additionally, through her individual practice, she fell in love with the ease of the flow, the stretching and lengthening, the challenging strength postures and was absorbing key philosophies that guide her practice today--being less reactive and practicing without judgement.
As yoga became a way of being for Mindi, she began teaching children’s yoga in the community in 2008. She is certified through YogaKids International as well as being certified through YogaFit. She began leading adult yoga classes in 2018 and today, through the business she co-founded, Mindful U, her programs, curriculum and partners, inform, inspire and motivate adults and children to incorporate mindfulness and yoga practices into their lives.
Through her teaching and Mindful U, Mindi continues her pursuit to promote the vital role yoga plays in both our mental and physical health; in building strength in our bodies, ease in our minds; and, most importantly, building compassionate and loving relationships. Mindi’s lifelong journey of helping and serving others through the empathetic practice of yoga has included her instruction at Beyond Zen for over three years.

Tara Hennig, Instructor

Tara fell in love with Pilates during her 15 year career as a professional dancer. She received her BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University in Indianapolis, after which she danced professionally in the Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, and Carnival Cruise Lines. For 13 years she travelled the world on many CCL ships as Dance Captain managing and performing in multimillion dollar production shows. Pilates made such a huge difference in in her balance, performance ability, strength, and endurance, extending the length of her dance career. After retiring in 2013 she decided to make it her new career choice. Tara recently completed her BASI Pilates comprehensive teacher training. Her main focus in her practice is proper muscle recruitment, form, and mind and body connection and balance.
She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge, and honored to be a part of the Beyond Zen family.

Courtney Canfield, Instructor

Courtney began her yoga journey in 2007 while living in New York City.  The tools she learned on her yoga mat were able to quiet her mind in a noisy city with a fast-paced lifestyle.  Yoga is so much more than the physical postures - it is a way of life.  It is an evolving practice that you can meet yourself where you are, at all times, no matter what life throws your way.  The wisdom of yoga allows us to connect to our most authentic Self, and to be more open, engaged, accepting and content with what is available to us in the present moment.  

Courtney is an ERYT-200 teacher with Yoga Alliance, and she has certifications in Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra.  She has also completed additional Advanced Teacher Training curriculum and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University.  There is so much magic to the practice, and Courtney is passionate about learning and sharing this lifelong journey.

Jill Halloran-Barnes, Instructor

Jill got into the holistic world because she believes in self-care. She believes, if you take care of yourself and your body, you can live to 100, which is her plan. Jill’s aunt that lived to 106 years young and still walked every day and lived in her own house. You have to be proactive and take care of yourself is Jill’s philosophy… Jill knows this firsthand having scoliosis and osteoporosis but neither one bothers her because she takes care of her body. After training with Beach Body Live, Jill started teaching Pi-Yo at her school 3 years ago. Knowing how hard it can be to motivate yourself to work out, she strategically offered a free class right after school, removing some of the excuses to working out. The staff shared how much it has helped them and they are grateful to always have someone there.

Jill fell in love with Aerial from her very first class at Beyond Zen and has been an aerial junkie ever since! Following this newfound passion, she went on to get her Aerial training through Yoga Body, Yoga Teacher's College. Jill started taking yoga classes at Beyond Zen shortly after they opened and loves all aspects of the studio including the yoga, Aerial yoga, Pilates, massage and acupuncture. Jill refers everyone she knows to the studio including her husband and father!

In addition to teaching high school AP Calculous and AP Computer Science, Jill loves working out, puzzles, walking with her husband and dancing. Jill tap dances and is part of a lady’s formation team and she and her husband ballroom dance.

Kimberly Wassenhove, Instructor

 There’s a good chance that you’ve seen Kimberly at the studio. Usually she can be found buzzing around the studio watering plants or helping other yogis get set up for their practice.

 Kimberly started practicing yoga in 2018 and fell in love with the mental nourishment she felt on her yoga mat and went onto become certified by YogaFit. She teaches the basics and foundations of yoga. So whether you are new to yoga or have a strong practice already cultivated, Kimberly can help assist you on that journey.