Hometown?

Born & raised in L.A., moved to H-town (Houston) as a teen, Orcutt has been my hometown for over 10 years since 2014!

How did you get into Yoga?

I was a troubled teen. My therapist recommended Yoga & Meditation & I fell in love with the calming effects they offered me. I've practiced for over 20 years now, did my Yoga Teacher Training here in Orcutt, now I own the same studio! Full circle moment <3

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Healing.

What is your spirit animal?

Hummingbird.

Class Style?

Full of sweat, strength, & soul filling energy.

Odd Fact?

My middle name is Mabell- named after the Beatles song.. Michelle, ma Belle these are words that go together well…

Jenn habla Espanol!

-Jenn Gagarin is the owner of Vida Yoga-

Hometown?

Born and raised in Northern California in Chico. Moved to Connecticut and then New York as an adult. Moved to Santa Maria in 2018

How did you get into Yoga?

I hurt my back when I was in high school and I started going to Yoga. My back healed and my whole body felt better. I dove into the philosophy and it carried me into a lifelong practice, teaching Yoga, owning a studio in NY, and training more teachers to carry forth this incredible tradition.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Acceptance

What is your spirit animal?

Meerkat

Class Style?

Mindful, original, playful

Odd Fact?

Hometown?

I'm a world traveler - I have never called any one place home.

How did you get into Yoga?

I can't recall a time when yoga wasn't part of my life - I believe yoga is embedded in my DNA.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you?  While I don't have a hometown, I consider yoga my spiritual home; yoga grounds and sustains me and continues to teach me something new every time I step onto my mat - the opportunity to share with others is something I take very seriously.

What is your spirit animal?

Coyote

Class Style?

Inclusive, non-judgmental, positive, and playful - but you'll work hard!!

Odd Fact?

Too many to mention; I embrace not only my oddities, but celebrate the uniqueness of everyone who joins me on the mat in my classes.

Hometown?

Tulsa, Oklahoma

How did you get into Yoga?

Many years ago I found a 90's Bryan Kest Power Yoga DVD left behind by a previous tenant in my apartment. This was the first form of "exercise" I did where I actually felt good in my body during and after. I kept up with the practice, and over the years, took a few classes in different studios, eventually landing here at Vida Yoga. During the most difficult season of my life, my commitment to Yoga practice, especially in community, was a lifeline of peace and healing. My desire to help others find this same healing led me to take Kelly Keene's "Living and Teaching from Your Spiritual Heart" teacher training at Harmony House in Pismo Beach.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Healing

What is your spirit animal?

Butterfly

Class Style?

Relaxing, gradually challenging, strengthening, and safe

Odd Fact?

I am an only child

Hometown? Born and raised on the Central Coast! I'm an Orcutt local.

How did you get into Yoga? I struggled with stress and being present during college. After attending my first yoga class at the school gym I was hooked! Practiced for 7 years and received my teaching certification in Arroyo Grande.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you? Mindfulness

What is your spirit animal? Wolf

Class style? Grounding, strengthening, and brings awareness to the small blessings life has to offer

Odd fact? I lived on a vineyard as a child. I’d enjoy taking my two dogs, Chard and Caber, on walks around the vines.

Hometown?

Born in Belarus, my family immigrated to the States when I was 4 years old and I grew up in Chicago

How did you get into Yoga?

After graduating college and joining the corporate world, I discovered the magic of Yoga and how relaxing, centering, and restorative it can be after a busy workday

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Love <3

What is your spirit animal?

Monkey

Class Style?

Restorative, healing, with a little sweat

Odd Fact?

I still speak Russian!

Hometown?

Born and raised in Manitou Springs, Colorado in the shadow of the Rockies.

How did you get into Yoga?

I began practicing yoga in 2013 with my stepmother and grandmother as a young  teen. In 2020 I completed my training in Colorado Springs and was able to teach my family in return. My yoga journey has led me to countless trainings, the development of a high school yoga curriculum, and training prospective teachers.

In one word describe what Yoga mean to you:

Responsibility

What is your spirit animal?

Crane

Class Style?

A moving meditation—grounded in breath, accessible to every body, and guided by compassion, creativity, and grace.

Odd Fact?

I’m the oldest of 7 siblings

Hometown?

Born in Denver, CO, lived on the central coast since I was 5 years old..SLO, Atascadero, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Los Olivos and Santa Maria since 2005.

How did you get into Yoga?

I was a gymnast as a kid and my mom had a yoga book. I could do almost all the poses. I started taking yoga classes when I was pregnant with my oldest son (who is 25 yrs old now). I got my TT certification from Lisa Jansen (Prema Yoga ) at this studio. I also taught at Treetop and Juicy Life, and Hunnyfly Yoga.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Connection- with self and sometimes with others as well.

What is your spirit animal?

I love all animals, but birds are often my messengers, especially hawks.

Class Style?

Usually mellow, mindful, healing, opening and relaxing, with sprinkles of activation.

Odd Fact?

I have a degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, and am sensitive to energies (an intuitive empath).

Hometown?

Born and raised here in Santa Maria and Orcutt

How did you get into Yoga?

During the pandemic, I magically stumbled upon Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. Towards the end of my undergraduate studies, I had extra space in my schedule so I signed up for a Yoga class to learn more. I was a total nerd when learning about the philosophy and history of Yoga and I loved the challenge and the mind-body connection of the asanas. I would oftentimes find myself in tears at the end of class. I knew I wanted to keep learning so I signed up for a 200-hour YTT in Santa Barbara and completed it in 2023. The rest is still unwritten!

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Connection

Class Style?

Powerful, grounded, and playful flow. A place where your inner child can play and where your inner warrior can shine!

Odd Fact?

My middle name is my mama's last name

Ysabel habla Espanol!

Hometown: I was born in Oahu and moved to Orcutt when I was 6 months old.

How did you get into Yoga? I drove by the studio a few times a day & would say, "I'd really like to take a Yoga class." For Mother's Day several years ago, my husband bought a 1-month trial membership for me. I was hooked. 

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you? Centering

What is your spirit animal? Elephant

Class style? Equal parts meditative, stretching, heat building. 

Odd fact? I have 26 first cousins

Hometown?

The Santa Ynez Valley

How did you get into Yoga?

I was a local law enforcement officer for 12 years and an interpersonal violence detective since 2018. I picked up some bad coping mechanisms and knew I had to find more healthy ways to process. I hesitantly  started attending a Yoga with weights class, not trying an actual Yoga class for a year and a half after that.

Creating a safe space for all people is a deep passion of mine that I learned in law enforcement & I get to continue that in my Yoga classes. I truly believe- if someone feels safe they will allow opportunities for expansion towards their most authentic self.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Release

What is your spirit animal? Believe it or not, I don't have an "animal". I connect with the Redwood tree & mountains

Class Style?

My trauma informed classes focus on turning attention inward to remind your nervous system you are safe, then we'll challenge our physical bodies. This creates a healthy pattern when our bodies are experiencing a stress response.

Odd Fact?

I am currently teaching myself how to play the native double drone flute, which has helped me deepen my connection with my ancestral roots. But don’t let that fool you, I am a lover of 90’s hits, so don’t be shocked when you hear one during class.

Hometown?

Raised in Camarillo, CA, I'm a Ventura County girl through and through! I've been in Santa Maria since 2024 and I'm loving exploring the Central Coast.

How did you get into Yoga?

My first exposure to Yoga was P90-X Yoga circa 2007. Classic! As I got older, I continued to learn more of the mindfulness of a Yoga practice to aid in mental health and the celebration of movement, which truly changed my life. My younger sister was born with a rare disease that left her in a wheelchair, so my practice became about embracing the gift of moving in honor of her. I started training in 2022 in my local studio with the hopes of deepening my own practice, and now I'm thrilled to be sharing the gift of Yoga with others <3

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Presence.

What is your spirit animal?

Sea Otter

Class Style?

Fun, upbeat, sweaty!

Odd Fact?

I went to undergrad on a Music Scholarship for Vocal Performance!

Hometown?

I was born in Altus, Oklahoma, and lived in Kansas until I was five. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley (LA) but attended high school here in Santa Maria. Being back on the Central Coast feels wonderful - it truly feels like coming home.

How did you get into Yoga?

I first turned to yoga to improve my flexibility and mobility after years of sitting at a corporate desk. What I didn’t expect was how much it would ease my stress and anxiety. Yoga has been my anchor through some of life’s toughest moments. In 2022, I became a certified yoga teacher so I could share these benefits with others. Since then, I’ve deepened my training to include breath work. therapeutic yoga, and soon prenatal and postnatal yoga.

In one word, describe what Yoga means to you:

Relief

What is your spirit animal?

If I had a spirit animal, it would definitely be a penguin! I’ve loved them since I was little - they’re cute, a little goofy, and the fact that they mate for life just melts my heart.

Class Style?

I believe in practices that are gentle, mindful, and safe, while still awakening your body with a touch of strength. I love gentle vinyasa and therapeutic yoga with breath work to restore balance, but I also enjoy the occasional energizing flow to remind us of our inner power!

Odd Fact?

One time, I got to meet Bill Murray-and I was wearing my Steve Zissou (Life Aquatic) earrings! I walked up to him and said, ’This is crazy, but I have you on my ears,’ and showed him the earrings. He laughed, looked genuinely amused and said, ‘Well, this is a first for me!’ It was such a perfectly quirky moment-classic Bill Murray.