Our Team of Teachers

Tracey’s journey into yoga began in 1995, when she discovered her first class in a gym, drawn to the unfamiliar rhythms of didgeridoo music and a feeling that something life-changing was happening. From that moment, yoga became more than just physical movement; it was a practice of mindful awareness that she immediately craved. Over time, it also became her lifeline. When her first baby was tragically born still, yoga offered her a way to process grief and find strength. The lessons she learned on the mat—about frustration, persistence, and acceptance—became essential tools for navigating life’s deeper challenges off the mat.

 

In 2003, inspired by her personal transformation through yoga, Tracey set out to share this gift with others by becoming a yoga teacher. Her studies with Deahna Brown in 2007 deepened her understanding of yoga's wisdom, and her advanced training at the Colorado School of Yoga in 2015 under Gina Caputo further refined her teaching. Through intelligent sequencing and a commitment to conscious living, Tracey approaches each class with the intention to create extraordinary experiences for her students.

 

Known for her approachable, down-to-earth style, Tracey has a unique ability to meet students where they are—whether they're new to yoga or seasoned practitioners. She fosters a space where everyone feels supported, with encouragement to modify when needed while challenging themselves to grow. With years of experience both in the classroom and in the studio, Tracey’s teaching adapts to the diverse ways people learn, ensuring every student benefits from their practice.

 

In addition to being an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), a Registered Children's Yoga Teacher, and a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Tracey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Education. She has twice been awarded Gold for Best Yoga Teacher in the Gazette’s Best of the Springs (2015 and 2018). As the co-owner and director of Hippie Soul Yoga, Tracey has led multiple yoga teacher trainings and continues to empower her community through yoga, with a passion for helping others live their fullest lives both on and off the mat.

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Photo credit Teryn O'Brien Art and Movement

Danielle discovered yoga in college when she signed up for a hatha yoga series to fulfill a physical education requirement.  Danielle was hooked, and she welcomed the healing journey that yoga took her on.  

 

In 2010, she committed to a daily, regular yoga practice. By 2014 she was ready to take her journey to a new level, and signed up for teacher training with Meg Galazra, owner of YogaOne studio, located in Cedarburg, WI.  It was through teacher training that Danielle discovered a love for the dynamic movements of vinyasa flow, and an appreciation of the relaxing benefits of restorative yin yoga. In 2017 Danielle completed her advanced yoga teacher training with the fearless Gina Caputo, director of The Colorado School of Yoga. In 2018 she went on to take trauma informed training with Comeback Yoga and Warriors at Ease, both non profit organizations who serve the military population.  

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Photo credit Rachel Garrison Photography​​

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Marchelle's fitness career began in 1992. She began teaching yoga in 2007 but her yoga practice did not commence until 2011. 

 

Marchelle's approach to yoga teaching is light-hearted and fun. While having studied several styles of yoga, you will find that she is most connected to Vinyasa Yoga. From Gentle Yoga to Power Yoga, you will always leave her class feeling nurtured and grounded in the breath and movement of the class.  She believes that yoga is for anybody and any body.

 

Marchelle is very passionate about healthy living inside and out.  When she isn't teaching Yoga, you can find her teaching Indoor Cycling or enjoying home workouts. Outside of fitness, she is a proud mom of three beautiful, athletic children and adored wife of her retired Navy husband of more than 26 years.

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Photo credit JCM Photography

Sarah first discovered yoga in college with a Rodney Yee VHS tape borrowed from the library. From that initial practice, she felt an immediate shift both mentally and physically. Yoga quickly became a passion and a steady lifeline during challenging times.  

 

Since beginning her studies in the 1990s, Sarah has pursued extensive training in trauma-sensitive yoga, restorative yoga, vinyasa, neurogenic tremoring, and mindfulness practices. She completed her 500-hour certification with Jason Crandell, further deepening her expertise and commitment to the practice.  

 

As a teacher, Sarah’s goal is to help students reconnect with themselves through yoga. Her approach leads students from broad, functional movement to a more nuanced and mindful experience in their bodies. She strives to create a calming environment where students leave class with a balanced and regulated nervous system.  

 

Sarah is passionate about making yoga accessible to everyone. In addition to being part of the Hippie Soul Yoga team, she teaches high school students in District 11. She believes yoga is for every age and stage of life. Her teaching emphasizes safe movement, gentle breathwork, and mindful attention, with a focus on building strength and mobility to support students in feeling well and enjoying the activities they love.  

 

Outside of yoga, Sarah has been married for 27 years and is a proud mom to two grown sons. Her two dogs keep her active outdoors. A naturalist, cinephile, musician, and lifelong learner, Sarah approaches life with curiosity and care.  

 

She is grateful to the Hippie Soul community for trusting her with their practice. Hippie Soul Yoga provides a welcoming space to explore the truths of the body and connect with a supportive community. Sarah warmly invites everyone to practice with her and experience yoga in their own unique way.

Tina was introduced to intentional movement at a young age through martial arts. As the eldest daughter of a sensei, from the age of five, her karate practice created the muscle memory of strength and stamina, and she continued to seek out those sensations in the different seasons of her life. The sudden loss of her father as a child led her away from the dojo, but she eventually found other sports and was a student athlete from elementary to high school. The transition into young motherhood came with both mental and physical challenges, and the constant pursuit of fitness along with the encouragement of her mother brought her to the sport of running. 

In 2014 after moving from Hawaii to Colorado, she was in search of a different way to be in her body. She joined a local gym, where she signed up for a Vinyasa Flow class, and found both her practice and her teacher. Even after leaving the gym and the birth of her fourth and last child, she continued her pursuit to learn more. When the chance to be trained by the very teacher that inspired her own practice arrived, she enrolled in the program.  

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In 2020 after completing her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with the Colorado School of Yoga, she began offering small group classes and continued her education. Having had the experience of learning how to teach a practice of connection during a global pandemic and time of isolation was a challenge, but it also offered a unique perspective into the importance of genuine connection. This perspective continues to influence the way she teaches today

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She has continued to study and train with the goal of deepening her knowledge to be able to expand her offerings. She has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, and thousands of hours teaching in studio classes to groups and individuals. In June of 2026 she completed her 300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, choosing again to study with the Colorado School of Yoga.

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Tina is trained in and currently teaches Integrated Vinyasa Yoga ™, Gentle Yoga, and Chair Yoga. She believes in both the value of honoring the Indian roots of the practice, as well as our Western values of anatomy and adaptation. Each class is crafted to offer a sense of curiosity within body and mind for a different experience of being. She plans to continue her studies and offer more classes, workshops, and teacher training in the future.

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As a Filipina who grew up in the south, spent many years and graduated high school in Hawaii, and now resides in Colorado, Tina feels a deep connection and love for Mother Nature. Now, with two adult children and two school aged, she has found herself with more time to dedicate to her personal practice and reconnect with the natural peace that is abound in this beautiful state. When she isn’t on the mat, you can find her floating on her paddleboard, exploring the forests, or logging miles around the city on her gravel bike. She plans to travel more and will be attending her first Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica in April of 2027. 

Lisa’s first experience with yoga took place in a brightly lit gymnasium at a local community college in 2011, where she enrolled to simply fulfill a required elective credit. She entered her first class with little knowledge of yoga, other than memories of seeing her mom practice in their living room from time to time as a child. By the end of the semester she felt as though a new spark had been lit within her- and thus began her journey of a regular practice. Yoga soon became a steady source of support for her- offering a sense of connection to herself that she didn’t know she was missing.

 

After completing her 200-hour foundational yoga teacher training at Cambio Yoga in 2020, Lisa began teaching and continued deepening her studies through earning her yin and restorative yoga certifications. She ultimately completed her 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training certification under Tracey Garcia at Hippie Soul Yoga Studio. Lisa aims to teach yoga as a space for people to come home to themselves—not to perform, be perfect, or prove anything, but to simply arrive in their bodies, just as they are. She strives to create a welcoming environment and believes that strength and power can coexist with delight and lightheartedness in a yoga practice.

 

While she is passionate about creating and leading dynamic, balanced Vinyasa practices, her true focus lies in supporting nervous system health. Her deep dive into the principles of yoga shifted her perspective on health and wellness after nearly a decade of struggling with low energy and overall well-being. She discovered that lasting transformation wasn’t fully possible without a regulated nervous system. This realization is what fuels her passion to weave nervous system awareness and breath practices into each practice. Each class is designed with intentional moments of strength and challenge as well as space for regulation, restoration, and deeper connection to self.

 

She feels strongly that mind, body, and soul are all deeply connected and we must care for all 3 equally to find true harmony in the body.“ Wellness goes far beyond the physical body; true health and well-being cannot exist without aregulated and well cared for nervous system. “

 

When she is not teaching or practicing yoga, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and dogs. She also loves reading, hiking, sharing good food with friends and family, and soaking up the sunshine whenever she gets the chance.

Iantha began teaching fitness classes 18 years ago. Her main goal at the time was creating athletic cross training classes to support obstacles racing. She realized flexibility and strength are two key foundations to racing, recovery and living a healthy lifestyle. She started teaching Barre to help with coordination, flexibility and core strength. There is so much joy in movement; Barre is a fun way to share it. She teaches an athletic Barre and loves that it targets specific muscle groups and enables all of us to be stronger versions of ourselves.

 

Outside of the studio, she is an animal (dogs, cat and snake oh my!) mom, wife, engineer and obstacle racer. Summer is her favorite time of the year in Colorado. She loves the long days and warm night to spend time outdoors.​​​​​​

Jess began her yoga journey in 2013. After attending her first Yoga on the Rocks at Red Rocks, she was hooked. Yoga was fascinating to her in that it encompassed not only the physical practice but also emotional and spiritual pieces. The message of self-love interwoven in the sequencing of class was one she needed to hear and longed to share with others. 

 

Jess completed her Dreamcatcher Teacher Training with Rebecca Butler at The Sanctuary Yoga Room in 2017. The theme shared in teacher training of always having the option to choose joy resonates deeply with Jess, and her goal is to share her experiences with others and to give students a space to connect with themselves on their journey to finding wholeness. Off the mat, Jess is a wife, mama, nutrition therapist, and lover of all things nature. 

Heather was introduced to  yoga seventeen years ago because it was recommended to her by her doctor to help control the pain from scoliosis and a degenerative disc disease. SheI had no idea where it would eventually take her. Yoga helped Heather heal her mind/body connection. 

 

She completed her advanced yoga teacher training in Colorado Springs and has been teaching for the last five years. She is passionate about education, alignment, and building connecting relationships with her students. 

 

When Heather is not teaching yoga, or being a single mom of a tenacious 16 year old boy, she is enjoying the outdoors, hiking, camping, and backpacking! ​​​​​​​​​

Penelope's yoga and meditation journey started over 20 years ago with self practice. In 2017 she went to Thailand to take her first Yin yoga course and has been dedicated to learn more about yoga every day and she has been teaching with joy and compassion since her first course.

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Penelope's mission here in life is to inspire and guide people like you, to find their way to living a more balanced life.

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In Penelope's teaching of yoga and meditation there is created space for you, to discover your inner voice and truth, so that you can soften your breath, open and deepen your practice. She teaches both yoga and meditation from her heart and she wishes to share the wisdom she has learned throughout her own journey, for you to take home.

Rene’ is a native Texan who has recently moved to Colorado Springs.  She brings with her 14+ years of yoga experience, training and knowledge. Rene' is a wife and mother of two grown children and three fur babies. 

 

Her hobbies include hiking, ballet and crafting. You can find her on social media as The Lotus Chick. Rene' looks forward to meeting each one of you and getting to know you both on and off the mat. 

 

Namaste, the light in me honors the light in you. 

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Wesley teaches Integrated Vinyasa Yoga classes that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all.  She thoughtfully creates small-group classes to offer options for different ages, body types and ability levels. Gentle, lunar and beginner styles are her absolute favorite to share. After earning initial certification through the Colorado School of Yoga in 2024 she has since studied Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and Trauma Sensitive Yoga modalities. As a lifelong learner dedicated to making yoga accessible for herself and others, she has completed an Advanced 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training through Colorado School of Yoga

 

An Army brat turned reservist and Army wife, Wesley loves exploring new places and connecting with new people. After settling into the woods near Black Forest, Colorado, and navigating the isolation of the pandemic, she turned to yoga to explore its benefits to her inner world, physical health and mental wellbeing. At Hippie Soul Yoga Studio, she discovered far more than just a physical practice: progressive balance, flexibility and a vibrant community. Through the thoughtful offerings and talented teachers she was inspired to deepen her own practice, dive into studying and learning to teach and commit to more expansive training.

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When off of her mat, Wesley can usually be found with her nose in a book, getting lost in the stories of fictional and historical people. She loves traveling, taking walks with her husband and big dogs, gathering with friends for chats and laughter, and heading up to the Denver area to catch up with her boys and their families.