Meet Our Instructors
Here at Simply Yoga we greet all of our fellow students with a warm welcome and an open heart. Honoring diversity amongst practitioners and teachers, we invite all levels and offer classes for every need. Our goal is to provide our community with a space to explore and experience the many benefits of movement and wellness in a variety of forms. Whether our students come looking for a workout, relaxation, rehabilitation, or the yogic mind-body-soul connection, we equip our students with the tools they need to unlock their own personal potential and enhance their overall well-being!
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Kristi McDaniel She/Her
Hello! I am Kristi and I like to refer to myself as a reformed cynical yogi. I started my yoga practice in 2005 as I was finishing my degree in animal science. As a person that loves research and studies I thought my yoga instructor was a bit out there with all her talk of meditation, mindfulness, and finding peace within my mind and body. As my practice grew, I started to understand what my instructor was talking about, but through a science lens. I like to geek out on the powerful and exponential research that has been done on mindfulness, meditation and yoga and bring that into my yoga and massage practice. I teach Gentle and Hatha based classes that will ask you to be mindful of the subtle sensations within your body, but also challenge you in a deeper way to hold the pose. We will also deepen your philosophical practice by asking you to notice patterns that you are holding within your body and mind. We get curious about these patterns and ask the question: Are these physical and/or emotional patterns helping, or hindering my wellbeing? |
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Candace Weisser She/Her
Candace Weisser has been a Yoga Alliance Certified RYT 200 Instructor since 2015. Candace first dabbled in yoga about 10 years ago, but started developing a consistent practice 6 years ago as a way of bringing balance to her active lifestyle and demanding schedule. Candace has a strong commitment to furthering her knowledge in the vast field of yoga because she believes in the physical and mental benefits of developing a practice and bears immense respect for the privilege of guiding classes. Since completing her 200 hour teacher training, Candace has completed an advanced YTT in Mindful Yoga for Trauma and Addiction, an advanced YTT for Movement Disorders (specifically Parkinsons Disease and Multiple Sclerosis), and Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga Teacher Training. Candace has also completed immersions in iRest Yoga Nidra, Pranayama and Meditation, Maya yoga and Yin yoga. While yoga is a large part of Candace's life, she spends her time off of the mat raising her young daughters, caring for her terriers, gardening, baking, crafting, traveling, going to performances and getting outside often to hike, climb and paddle. Candace hopes to expand her knowledge and passion of both yoga and the outdoors in hopes of bringing both to her community as a tool for wellbeing. |
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Margarita Johnson
Margarita found yoga ten years ago in the midst of a major life transition and it has been her lifeline since then. What started as a physical practice soon became a passion for overall wellness of the body and mind. Her first yoga teacher, Jenn Coates, inspired her to pursue her 200 hour yoga teacher training. She was mentored by the following outstanding teachers: Jenny Aurthur, Chrissy Carter, and Julie Melk at Yoga Works in New York City. She also completed a 20-hour prenatal yoga training with Heather Brown, creator of Yoga Birth in Baltimore. Over the years, she continuously educates herself in yoga teachings as she attends workshops and practices online with master teachers. Since 2014, Margarita has been spreading her love for yoga in every place life has taken her and has over 500 hours of yoga teaching experience. She has taught Vinyasa and Hatha yoga in Harford County, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Ormoc City, Philippines; and here in Vancouver, Washington. Margarita is a full-time special education teacher and has taught yoga and mindfulness as after-school programs for teachers, athletes, and students. Although yoga plays an integral role in her life, she also loves spending time with her family and friends all around the world, cooking and baking, exploring near and far, and playing outdoors. Margarita believes that yoga is for everyone and aims to make her classes accessible for each individual practitioner. Her thoughtful classes incorporate consciousness teachings and integrative movements that flow together. Student safety is paramount and she places emphasis on proper alignment and mindful transitions. You can expect methodically sequenced classes that balance the elements of grace and strength to gradually build heat and open the body for deeper poses. You will leave class feeling strong, limber, and relaxed. Yoga is a lifelong practice that we carry with us on and off our mats, so let's be cognizant of how we feel and act each time we step on our mats and be open to challenges and possibilities. I warmly invite you to come and flow with me and let’s enjoy this beautiful journey together. |
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Morgan Furgeson She/Her Morgan’s journey to yoga began at her first yoga class when she was 11, although really it was probably lifetimes ago. Beginning as a physical practice it had begun to manifest into something much more when she reached college. She had become interested in not only what the body could do, but what the mind was capable of. She studied Art and Psychology and started to delve deeper into the idea of consciousness and meditation and how these affect us. The idea of connecting with the Self as a means of healing and growing led her to begin a wholehearted study of yoga as a means of Self-exploration. Taking classes for a few years in college she then apprenticed under a 50-year E-RYT Patrick Freeman. Studying not only Hatha and Bikram yoga but the essence of where yoga began... eastern philosophy, and Meditations. Teaching when she could, she eventually decided to get certified in Hatha yoga at Blue Nyla Yoga with E-RYT yoga therapist Stacey Reynolds. Here she learned to help heal the wounded through understanding anatomy, asana, pranayama, and alignment-based practice. Morgan’s teaching style is a blend of all the beautiful teachers she has encountered along her journey. Focusing on mindful exploration of the Self through the body and the breath. Her aim is to help create a thriving environment and hold a space for everyone to find the healer within the Self. As all things can be reflected in water, so the whole universe is mirrored in the lake of the Cosmic Mind. Yogananda. |
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Erin Wells She/Her After having her son, Erin found that her body was not the same (like most women). She struggled with back pain and tightness, and felt unbalanced. That’s when she decided to try her hand at yoga. After a few classes her pain started to subside, she felt stronger and more balanced. You could say it was life changing. Curious to try different styles she stumbled upon Aerial Yoga at Simply Yoga. After one class she was hooked and Aerial Yoga became part of her practice. The silks gave her the freedom to move in ways that felt good. Poses and moves that can be hard on the grounded body became more enjoyable while floating. Aerial Yoga showed her what her body was capable of doing. She completed her Aerial teacher training with Founder of Simply Yoga and Aer-FLOW Jessie Coakley in 2019 and completed her 200-YTT in spring of 2021. Now an instructor, she wants to show others that anyone can do yoga! The studio is a safe place no matter who you are and always remembering we can accomplish anything together! |
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Stephanie Crowley She/Her
Stephanie came to yoga looking to lose weight and improve her circulation. In the decades of practice since, yoga has helped her do both of those things — as well as build physical and emotional strength and flexibility, resolve major C-PTSD issues, develop a loving and compassionate relationship with her body, combat her phobias, reinvigorate her spirituality, and find an inner peace that is largely resistant to outside forces. Stephanie has been a student of yoga since 2002, and a certified and registered teacher since 2010. She was certified in Integral Yoga (RYT-200), a style that encourages student choice and embraces a wide range of expression in each pose. All poses are always optional; variations are offered for different skill and experience levels, and the mood is light and non-judgmental. The best thing she can do for any student is to help you find your own practice, the one that supports your best interests and honors where you are, physically and mentally. Stephanie offers both visual and verbal instruction throughout. Whether you are at your first yoga class or in your fifth decade of practice, Stephanie hopes you leave her class feeling stronger, calmer, and encouraged to continue your yoga journey! |
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Taylor Marshall She/Her
When I first stepped into a yoga class it was merely to find something new for my exercise routine. It only took a handful of classes for me to realize that something much more profound was happening. I began to appreciate my body more than I ever had before, thanking it for all it is able to do for me! The mental benefits were great, too! As a kindergarten teacher, I found that yoga helped me build a self-care routine that kept me balanced during some really challenging moments in my job. Teaching social-emotional skills to children has always been my passion, and yoga has helped me develop some social-emotional skills for myself. As I began my 200 hour yoga training, I realized that it was important to me to make yoga accessible for all body types. Living in a bigger body has forced me to get creative in the way I practice! I love learning and creating new ways to use props in my practice as well as in my teaching. I like to invite fun and playfulness into my classes that makes for a comfortable and welcoming environment for all students. I’m so glad to have found a great community to teach and learn in at Simply Yoga! |
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Betsy Bouffard She/Her
My yoga journey was on and off for years after my first class in 1998, but became a consistent part of my life in 2018. In the midst of personal growth and change, yoga was a launching pad to the sort of life I want to live. I received my YTT 200 from Parallel 45 in Vancouver in the summer of 2020. I am a perpetual student of yoga and enjoy the life-altering and affirming guidance of my many teachers. I completed the Leadership Training of Y12SR (yoga of 12-step recovery) under Nikki Meyers and am honored and grateful to hold space for all people touched by addiction. I share the hope and joy of yoga and all of the teachings it provides. I look forward to my continued growth and yours! Outside of yoga I enjoy time with my husband Steve, daughter Nola, and sweet dog Trixie. |
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Barbara Miller She/Her
Barb's road to Vancouver/The Pacific Northwest has been a long one. Born and raised in Indiana, a brief 7 years in Wisconsin -- then on to Florida, where she's called home for the last 25 years. She just moved here in June 2021 to be close to her younger son, daughter-in-law and first grandchild. She is married and is mother to two grown sons. Exercise, nutrition and wellness have always been a priority in Barb's life but she had only dabbled in yoga along the way. It was in 2016 after a devastating, life altering event that she immersed herself in the study and practice of yoga. Through her consistent practice she discovered yoga was incredibly healing on many levels -- physically, mentally and spiritually. Yoga played such an integral part in Barb's personal healing journey that she felt a deep calling to share yoga with others. She is so grateful for the teaching opportunities she's had the last 4 years and is so excited to join the Simply Yoga team. Barb received her 200 hr. yoga teacher certification in 2017, under Shannon Kidwell. She is also a certified "spaceholder" for Y12SR (yoga of 12 step recovery) studying under Nikki Meyers. Y12SR is a program designed to help those on their addiction recovery journey and provide support to their loved ones impacted by their addiction. Barb's interests include exploring the great outdoors, walking, plants, interior design, cooking, music, crime TV, family and being a new Grandmother! |
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Emily Keppler She/Her
Emily Klepper (she/her), 200hr RYT, began her yoga journey in 2015 shortly after her daughter was born. Emily loves the way yoga combines movement, self-care, and spiritual development into one holistic practice. She finds yoga helps her slowly grow stronger, more gentle with herself, and more aware of her perceptions that guide her point of view. Emily completed her first 200 hour teacher training with NOW Yoga in Portland, Oregon. With a desire to learn more, she completed her second 200 hour RYT program with My Vinyasa Practice based in Austin, Texas. Emily will continue to explore the tradition and wisdom of yoga through her own practice, studies, classes, and teacher trainings. In a class with Emily, you can expect to slow down, check in with yourself, move your body, gently build strength, and hopefully leave feeling calm and content. Emily strives to hold space for students to safely explore asana and feel like their yoga practice is valid no matter what it looks like. She likes to offer options for each shape so that everyone can find something that feels good in their practice. When Emily is not practicing yoga or teaching, she enjoys being with her family and pets, playing in her garden, and spending time in nature. |
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Executive Team
Did you know Simply Yoga is a non-profit? Our studio is ran by a team of strong empowering women. Meet our Executive team!
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Kristi McDaniel- President
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Morgan Furgeson- Vice President
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Erin Wells- Secretary
