Founded in 2008, the Yoga Soleil studio is Puyallup’s first center for yoga and related studies. We offer classes in hatha, vinyasa, prenatal, Kundalini, chair, restorative, Anusara and gentle yoga, beginner yoga courses, meditation, workshops and events for all levels. We serve Puyallup, Sumner, Graham, Bonney Lake, Orting, Spanaway, Tacoma, Edgewood, and surrounding Pierce County communities.
Our Mission: It is all very simple – we believe the 5000+ year old idea that a conscious yoga practice can transform individuals both physically and spiritually. Yoga can open our hearts and help us make choices that contribute to the freedom and happiness of all beings. Our goal is to serve our community by sharing yoga, encouraging greater physical health and fulfilled spirits.
The Studio: the Yoga Soleil studio is located in downtown Puyallup, near many restaurants, shops, art galleries and a lively farmers market. We are also a stone throw from the Sounder train station.
Our studio is green and environmentally friendly, offers a few choice items for sale and a spot to store your stuff while you practice. The Studio, built in 1928, has brick walls, 18 foot cedar ceilings, large windows and a skylight bringing in natural sunlight! During the colder months, the studio is warmed to a comfortable 75 degrees for most classes (hotter classes are clearly marked in the schedule) and in the dog days of summer, we do have air conditioning if we truly need it.
The Teachers: we are highly trained, certified (literally hundreds of hours of training and studying the science of yoga, the poses, philosophy, anatomy, therapy…) and we are committed to bringing you the practice of yoga in both an authentic, down-to-earth and accessible way. Let’s face it, all of us are yogeeks who love to study, practice and talk about yoga. We will answer your questions and help you start and grow your practice.
Anne Arntson, E-RYT200
Anne teaches yoga with an uplifting, down-to-hearth, and enthusiastic approach that reflects the way she approaches life. She opened the Yoga Soleil Studio in 2008 to connect teachers and students, to share the ancient wonders of yoga and help students incorporate its timeless teachings into their modern lives. She remains a passionate student and has embarked on a study of Anusara® Yoga. Expect a spiritually inspiring, therapeutically effective, and physically transformative class (et elle parle français).
John Eckard, RYT200
John first took a yoga class in the early 1970′s when he was studying with a Tibetan Buddhist group. For several decades his practice was sporadic and consisted of a handful of asanas and a smattering of Zen Imagery exercises he picked up during his 24 years in Japan. Three years ago he discovered Kundalini Yoga. He liked the blend of postures, breathing techniques, mantra, and meditation. He began practicing in earnest and completed teacher training in 2009. John is certified by the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association.
Michele Gilbert
Michele began practicing yoga in 1998 and teaching yoga in 2002. Highlighting the breath, her teaching emphasizes proper alignment, while allowing time to explore the asanas and become aware of how our bodies and minds respond to our practice. She encourages each individual to find his or her inner voice to shape a practice that will build strength, increase flexibility, and deepen the connection between mind and body. By approaching our yoga practice with attention and playfulness, Michele believes yoga can bring peace and a constant sense of discovery into our lives. With her passion for teaching and her enthusiasm, she encourages others to find happiness and equanimity both on the mat and in every aspect of our daily lives.
Irene Hauzinger, RYT200
Irene has been practicing yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2002. She is certified in traditional Hatha Yoga, Interdisciplinary Yoga, and Pre/Postnatal. Irene believes in the holistic nature of yoga and incorporates breathwork and yoga philosophy into each of her classes, facilitating the mind/body connection. She firmly believes that anyone and everyone can practice some form of yoga and teaches with a compassionate and competent knowledge of safety and modification options.
Ga-Hsin Lai
Ga-Hsin began practicing yoga in 2005 and immediately loved the way the entire body received attention from head to toe. She has taken many teacher trainings and is close to achieving R.Y.T. status. She loves the way everyone has a different reason for practicing yoga and enjoys the challenge of connecting with each person. She believes that everyone should feel successful in their practice. She has found that many people are curious about yoga and she loves sharing the benefits of yoga with those around her. She strongly believes that you can practice yoga anywhere – in the studio, at home, outside at the beach or in the mountains. She teaches flow style.
Darcie Jacobsen
Darcie is a wife and mother of 4, avid athlete, musician, business owner, and traveler. She plays tennis, basketball, softball & pickle ball at competitive regional and national levels. She discovered yoga in 1995. Chronic back pain from sports injuries and stubborn baby weight encouraged her to start practicing regularly. Within months, her back was healed and she was 3 sizes smaller! She immediately fell in love with the benefits and life changes yoga brings. She began a formal study of yoga and upon certification with Yoga Fit and completion of other courses, she began teaching in 2009. Expect challenging and fun classes with energetic yet mellow sequences.
Joan Knutson, RYT200
Joan has been practicing yoga for several years and teaching for almost four years. She is certified to teach Viniyoga and Kundalini Yoga. She believes yoga is for everyone and her goal is to create an environment that is safe, and nurturing where her students can receive the wonderful benefits of yoga.
Anne Marsh, RYT200
“Guiding others toward their highest potential and providing a space for opening the heart is what inspires me to teach.”
Anne teaches Empowered Yoga®, ‘a practical approach to the ancient healing art of Hatha Yoga’. Her alignment based classes focus on exercise science principles and are designed to increase strength and functionality, improve concentration and create a more fulfilling life.
She began teaching in 2005 and has extensively studied yoga, Buddhism and meditation in workshops with Frank Mauro, Rolf Gates, Cyndi Lee, Johnny Gillespie, David Nichtern, Pema Chodron and Ani Trime. Anne earned her first 200-hour certification through OM Yoga Center, NYC, founded by world-renowned teacher and author Cyndi Lee. Her trainers were the esteemed Frank Mauro and Margi Young. The teacher-training program offered through OM Yoga Center is known as the “Ivy League” of Yoga teacher trainings and has certified over 1,000 teachers internationally. Anne earned a second 200-hour certification through Empowered Yoga, Wilmington DE, founded by Johnny Gillespie CSCS, NSCA-CPT, E- RYT500, a revolutionary teacher of human movement and an international speaker on the subject of yoga for athletes. It is through her work with Johnny that Anne developed her gift and dedication to teach.
Barbara Ogolsky
Barbara has been a Physical Therapist Assistant in the Puget Sound area for 21 years and has worked with all age groups, in all settings of physical therapy. She began practicing Kundalini yoga in 2009, enjoys Restorative Yoga and sitting in meditation. Barbara likes working with the senior population and with individuals who face physical challenges. Last spring, she became certified as a Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga (LVCYT) instructor and teaches chair hatha yoga classes, offering several options for each pose, allowing everyone to enjoy the many benefits of yoga, regardless of age, lifestyle or injury. She believes the mind, body, spiritual connection is essential to the healing process and well being of all. Her goal is to have students feel empowered, comfortable and challenged while also having fun.
Paula Schwary, E-RYT200
Paula believes the world would be better place to live if we all practiced yoga! We would all be more peaceful, happier and stronger. She discovered yoga in 2000 and what started as a way to improve her health turned into a passion. In 2003 she took her first teacher training with the intention of learning more for her personal practice and discovered she really enjoyed teaching. Paula teaches a flowing practice focusing on breath and gives options allowing the student to move at the intensity that feels best to them.