Meet The Yoga Via Teachers

Owner / COO, Lead Teacher Trainer
Jenny Compas, ERYT-500, YACEP
Jenny Compas E-RYT 500 is one of Contact’s owners and is the manager of Yoga Via. Jenny began practicing yoga in 2006 and climbing in 2008. The combination of the two completely changed the trajectory of her life.
As a yoga teacher, Jenny’s background is in Ashtanga and Vinyasa. Her classes are creative and challenging. She loves seeing postures as possibilities and regards yoga as an avenue of play, learning and personal growth. Grateful to the many mentors and teachers along the way, she is delighted to pay it forward through her yoga classes and teacher training.

Studio Manager, Lead Teacher Trainer
Melissa Christensen, ERYT-500, YACEP
Melissa Christensen (@yoginimelissac) found a passion for yoga and it's philosophies from her first class. A full time yoga teacher and trainer, she has been teaching all levels of yoga asana since 2008 and leading nationwide yin yoga teacher trainings since 2014. She has over 10,000 hours of teaching experience and is grateful every day for the opportunity to share this amazing practice with others.
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Her emphasis is currently on teaching yin yoga and the functional approach to asana; as well as leading 200 & 300 hour teacher trainings. Before moving to St. George, she developed and co-led a 200 & 300 hour teacher training program in Orange County, CA.
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She believes in combining current scientific knowledge and ancient wisdom; blending the best that both have to offer to find a better way of moving and living life to its fullest.
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Find her at yoginimelissac.com
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Yoga Teacher
Sadie Best RYT-200
Sadie is a yoga and outdoor enthusiast, happiest when she is not hungry and traveling. She enjoys hiking long distances, rock hounding and writing guiding thoughts and poetry.
She finds sound therapy useful when meditating and often offer sound as part of the yoga experience.

Yoga Teacher
Emily Stinespring RYT-200
Emily completed her training at the Zion Academy of Certified Instruction. Within her teachings, she also includes knowledge from her education as a certified Intuitive Eating Coach and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a B.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Similar to many yogis, Emily found herself on a yoga mat in search of healing and inner peace. Over the years, through yoga, Emily overcame difficulties with body image and eating disorders by connecting on a deeper level to her mind and body. With her loving and compassionate nature to all beings on this earth, Emily’s yin yoga classes are a safe and inclusive space for all levels and body types.

Yoga Teacher
Kelbie Sorensen RYT-200
Kelbie started practicing yoga in 2018. After some traumatic events yoga has helped her feel safe in her own body and has increased her love and connection for herself.
Kelbie’s background is in vinyasa and power yoga. Expect her classes to be powerful and energetic focusing on the breath and alignment.
Kelbie’s connection to others is incredibly important to her. She is excited to meet you and guide you through changing your life through the sacred practice of yoga.

Yoga Teacher
Kirsten Wild RYT-200
Kirsten is a lifelong yoga student and is infinitely grateful for moments when she can share what she is learning with others. She believes in the healing power of yoga for the body, mind, and heart. When asked, she will always tell you that yoga saved her life–it allowed her to step out of a place of chaos and turmoil, leave an unhealthy marriage, stop quieting her intuition and listen to her heart, start loving her body and self, and uncover bravery within to experience life to the fullest.
Kirsten typically teaches slow flow yoga classes that are accessible to all levels, always offering variations based on who is in the class or requested focus areas. She enjoys challenging the stereotype of what people think yoga is. As she likes to tell people who say they can’t do it: “If you have a body; if you can breathe, you can do yoga.”

Yoga Teacher
Reed Bie RYT-200
As a graduate of Yoga Via's 200H teacher training program with a decade of personal practice, Reed has personally experienced how yoga can cultivate mental resilience. In his classes, you'll find an encouraging environment for practitioners of all levels, welcoming those stepping onto the mat first time. He is committed to fostering a sense of camaraderie, where participants inspire one another to excel and focus on personal growth, rather than competitive pressures.
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Join Reed's classes to experience yoga as a potent tool to enhance your physical and mental strength and find balance in today's fast-paced world.
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Yoga Teacher
Kooper Smith RYT-200
Kooper, a graduate of Yoga Via's RYT-200 class, is an explorer of life’s dualities. Roaring through twisty canyon roads on his motorcycle is where his heart races, while he finds tranquility and calm in the yoga studio.
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His journey into yoga was a response to life's challenges, guiding him towards healthier coping mechanisms. With a keen interest in the science and physiology behind yoga, Kooper adopts a secular approach that harmoniously blends dynamic pursuits with serene practices.
Join Kooper’s classes for an opportunity to nourish the body and mind while cultivating resilience and mindfulness.
IG:@harleyhomie

Yoga Teacher
Caitlin Jaramillo RYT-200
As a graduate of Yoga Via's 200H Teacher Training, Caitlin loves empowering people to embrace their strength and potential through the practice of yoga while meeting themselves where they are at.
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Caitlin teaches Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin style of Yoga.

Yoga Teacher
Leo Duque RYT-200
Leo found yoga in late 2019 after a visit to a Wellness Retreat in Costa Rica. After experiencing a calm mind and relaxed body for the first time after his first yoga class, Leo became intrigued and committed to the journey of yoga with a regular practice.
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In early 2020, Leo completed a 5-week 200 Hour YTT in the Sacred Valley of Peru. He became fascinated by the philosophy and deep wisdom of yoga and began seeking ways of putting theory into practice. Leo began practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa under the guidance of his first Ashtanga teacher, Jenny Bindrum, in Omaha, Nebraska. After moving back to his native Salt Lake City, he deepened his Ashtanga practice under guidance of Level 2 Authorized Teachers, Sara Jane Burkholz and Sammy Brown.
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Being a former Marine, the physicality, dedication, and discipline demanded by his Ashtanga practice naturally drew Leo deeper into his practice and he is excited to share the healing journey that is Ashtanga Vinyasa with Contact.

Yoga Teacher
Vero Gillen ERYT-200
Vero discovered yoga when she was 20 while attending college, however, it wasn’t until a few years later that I started practicing on a regular basis. Over the years my practice evolved to a holistic approach on life.
Yoga has helped me grow stronger, both on and off the mat. It inspires me every day to live each moment more mindfully and I hope it will inspire you as well. Namaste.
Want to become a yoga teacher?
Click here for more information about our 200-hour
& 300-hour teacher training programs!