About Us
The Story of the House began as a dream.
A repetitive dream that Jen had years ago in her small magical studio nestled in the heart of the Bainbridge Island forest. The idea was to have a bigger space that could bring lots more people in to do yoga as well as serving as a community gathering space. The kind of studio that would encourage folks to slow down after practicing yoga and maybe sit for another few moments to chat with one another before rushing off to complete the next item on their 'checklist!'
Built on the ancient principles of Sacred Geometry Architecture and informed by the extensive knowledge of a veteran yoga studio owner, Bainbridge Yoga House came to be, manifesting the same vibrant aliveness that exists here today. From the powerful and pulsating Flower of Life that greets you in the entryway, to the fibonacci spirals found in the stained glass waves, and the sizes and entryways of each room; everything is designed with love and intention using the Golden Mean proportions. These ratios were derived from nature and developed by enlightened designers and builders in all corners of the globe thousands of years ago.
We have reproduced these time honored formulas in an attempt to bring humans and nature together and create a peaceful and harmonizing effect for all to enjoy. The concept and basic principles of the House came from Jen. The design and construction were orchestrated by local builder and world traveler Darrell Cooley. It is our heartfelt wish and hope that everyone who comes to the House has as much fun experiencing this wonderful place as we did creating it!
House of belonging, participation and sharing.
House of welcome and belonging.
House of living and learning.
That was then…
Now we have shared almost 15 years as a yoga community and we continue to change and grow together. We have a strong foundation of regular yoga students and we love meeting new students. People come and go but we always remain a welcoming and hospitable place for you to be and breathe. We are also coming through a year when everything seemed to turn upside down and inside out. The studio doors closed March 2020 due to the pandemic and in late Spring we transitioned out of the yoga room and into the zoom room. It has been an unexpected gift to continue to successfully practice in community and to thrive and transform through it all. This pause has offered time of restoration, reflection and realignment. We have faith that the Yoga House will continue to hold space for all the joys and sorrows of life, personally and collectively, now and forever more. We are grateful for your presence and continued support.
We have a wonderful group of
amazing teachers at BYH.
Jen Breen, Founder and Teacher
Jen grew up in Seattle in the 70's and 80's and was introduced to yoga by her mom. She first studied in High School and then more formally after college with Cintra Brown in Phoenix, AZ where she lived while completing two years with Teach for America. She then moved to Spain then San Francisco then Austin, TX with her sidekick Tom. Jen's first teacher training was with Bikram Choudhury. Her teachers include Erich Schiffman, Baron Baptiste, Katerina Wen, Ryan Leier, Nevine Michaan, Abbie Galvin, Ivy Ray and Eva Giorgi. She started Yoga Vida - the first hot yoga studio in Austin, TX in 1999. She then moved to Bainbridge Island and opened up the "little" Bainbridge Yoga House in 2007. Jen is a mom of four kids...now teenagers! and founded Bainbridge Yoga House on Day Road in 2012. Jen loves teaching, practicing and living yoga! She also enjoys pottery, hiking and walking in nature, cooking, reading, writing and hanging out enjoying this gift of life.
Kelly Asadorian
Bio coming soon
Christine Chen
Joyce Cooley
We are so so very lucky to have Joyce Cooley as our Kid's Yoga teacher extraordinaire. Joyce has been teaching Kid's Yoga for over a decade. She loves kids and creating a safe and fun space for kids to self discover, move their bodies, regulate their breathing and create friendships and connections. Joyce empowers young people to realize their unique gifts and to build confidence and capability to share these gifts to the world.
Misty Fasig
Amanda Horn
Beginning in 2018 I became an avid student of yoga. Initially I focused on developing my practice on the mat by attending daily classes; however, over time I opened my eyes to the many ways we practice yoga off the mat too. Reminding each other that yoga is a come as you are party where you have nothing to prove and nothing to improve gives us permission to get whatever we need from the practice. I enjoy putting together creative play lists and teach in tune with the seasons and time of day. You may find me subbing any type of class because I like it all, but my own classes lean towards a longevity practice with longer holds and slower flow. I am grateful that BYH cultivates an environment where we can learn from each other, grow in our practices, and find community. Let’s practice together.
Mary-Kate Jackson
My introduction to yoga was met with resistance—I didn't think I needed it! Over a decade later, my yoga practice has become my lifeline for finding balance, sanity, and overall well-being. As a new mom, I'm finding fresh ways to incorporate my practice on the daily; on the mat but more so off the mat in many ways. Right now I'm really excited about weaving more anatomy into my classes. It's an effective way to drop into the experience happening in the body - to get out of the "thinking mind" and into the "now mind." Whether you're a more physical, mental, visual or auditory learner, there's something for everyone to gain when you learn more about the body and its systems.
Dawn Janow
I am so happy to be teaching again. Having practiced for the better part of 25 years, I find endless joy sharing some of what I've learned with others. From strong vinyasa flows to internally powerful yin to invigorating pranayama to contemplative meditation. I like to incorporate a little of everything in my classes. But joy and breath are the most important.
Paul King
My classes are designed for students of all ages and abilities. Approached with caution and deliberation, the poses respect and aspire to “classic” form but are never dictated by it. Classes are breath focused, linking pranayama and asana, motion and breath throughout. May include meditation, chanting or an occasional tale from Hindu or Native American mythology,
Charlsey Livingood
In December of 2018, I suffered a spinal cord injury. Prior to that, I was walking around the room on my hands, and I loved being upside down. Bainbridge Yoga House was the first class I took after my hospitalization. I showed up, and I did some cat cows.
Since then, practicing at BYH has helped me regain my strength and spinal flexibility. Beyond the physicality of yoga, I’ve also found a sweet surrender to what was, and a deep reverence for what is…..and how to be in the middle of it all. Being taught how to take yoga off my mat has changed my life.
And now, I absolutely love to teach yoga to my students. Guiding people through their practice and witnessing their growth and healing is incredible. I am so honored to have received my 200hr YTT from Bainbridge Yoga House. And even more so, being given the opportunity to share my practice with you makes me one very happy yogi!
Dave Meyers
Bio coming soon
Myste Noelle
Kat Sorensen
I fell in love with yoga when I discovered how amazingly therapeutic it can be...both mentally and physically. By incorporating movement, meditation and breathwork into my daily life I have learned just how much more balanced each day can be. Bringing yoga into my life has helped me feel better and live better.
I find so much joy in being able to share this practice with others and to help them find harmony in the body, mind and spirit.
Ann Strickland
Ann loves learning and feels like she’ll always be a student! Learning about energy and Vedic wisdom is both a passion and a devotional practice for Ann, and she hopes to share that experience with you!
"By enthusiasm one acquires unimaginable strength.” — Rig Veda
Kristy Tonti
I care about people, and that is why I teach yoga.
In a Vinyasa class, I blend several Indian lineages of yoga teaching into a moderate flow, peppered with anatomy and Sanskrit.
Yin yoga classes have longer held seated poses. I offer silence for meditation, Buddhist teaching, a few laughs and sometimes music.
Sophie Townsend
I was introduced to yoga by my parents who came home one night while I was in elementary school proclaiming “Look! We can do headstands!” My yoga practice has grown up with me, filling the container of my expanding curiosity.
I love practices that are mossy and rooted. Being together in a warm room on a rainy day. Discovering unexpected joy and expansion. I am excited to share these experiences with others.
Katie Zonoff
Yoga has been a steady companion for me since my 20's. It has moved from a physical practice that soothed my stress, to a more encompassing philosophical and spiritual system that grounds me in this crazy world. I have most recently studied in the Krishnamacharya tradition, and that guides my personal practice. I usually lead a traditional vinyasa class, but often include music to help us engage all our senses and to lift our outlook. I a perfect class we have a sing along while we move!