Sierra Bryan AMY Lesa Becky April

SIERRA LYNN KLISCZ

My Story

My name is Sierra Kliscz, I was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, but moved frequently from the age of ten. My story is laid out a bit differently than most but perhaps very similar to others. I grew up with a less than traditional childhood and without getting into the details let’s just say I experienced a variety of challenges. Ultimately this led me to have a destructive lifestyle at a young age and to develop unsavory habits.

As a teenager I was sent to a Retreat House in Adair, IA. This was the spark that lit my fire. At first I resisted as any teen would, I was kicked out of the center after my 3rd week of living there. As I sat on the curb alone and lost, it was there in that moment that I had a revelation. Life gives you EXACTLY what you want. I had lived in adversity for so long it became my identity. Even in fleeting times of happiness I would destroy any lasting chance as I became so uncomfortable with the feelings of joy. I seen 40, 50, 60 even 70 year old men and woman in this facility struggling with the same issue as I and my mind flooded with dread that I would be fighting this battle for the rest of my life. It was in this moment I made the conscious choice to change my life’s path. It was in this moment I realized that I had a CHOICE.

Through the years I would experience a roller coaster of “up’s and down’s”, two steps forward ten steps back but I always kept trying. I never gave up and that is why I never failed. I made many MANY mistakes but I learned something from each of them. I knew I wanted happiness and inner peace but I could never seem to achieve it for to long. I had my first child at the age of 20 and I truly believe she was brought to my life for a bigger purpose. I knew I wanted to give her everything I never had. I knew I wanted her to be surrounded with love and confidence, with honor and security and I was determined to provide that for her. She propelled me into a full forced search for the meaning of life, for the cure to the victim mentality.

After she was born I began diving into holistic approaches, trance work, mind and body connection and spirituality as a whole. I tried going to different churches and finding something that spoke to me but my efforts always came up short. I coasted by little by little learning more about myself and my role in the surrounding world. I found happiness in my daughter, in her eyes, in her smile and in her laugh. Together we explored nature and the human experience and things were simple. 4 years later I would become pregnant with my second child, I was terrified. I had my life figured out to this point but adding another child to my life and along with it a boyfriend that loved me!? This brought back feelings of unworthiness, of lack and doubt. I ran away from the chance of happiness in effort to protect myself from being let down. Months later I would come to my senses and realize that having a family is what I ALWAYS wanted and not only did I deserve this but so did my children and I broke down some pretty big walls.

After the birth of my second child I began to experience a panic disorder coupled with PTSD and social anxiety. It literally came out of nowhere because at this point in my life things were good, things were GREAT. I knew I didn’t want to be on drugs for the rest of my life and my therapist had recommended Yoga. I had done in the past but never stuck with it. I decided to give it a try in my adult life. It was here where I was finally able to wash away the dirt I still carried with me. I fell in love with the practice and with myself truly and honestly for the first time.

I learned so much about where and why my personality developed. I sat for hours with my breath and thoughts, my tears and my fears. I loved the way I felt after a practice, I would feel strong and confident and reminded of my purpose. I was aware of the light and the dark sides life. I learned to respect and honor both experiences as they were and not try to change them. Knowing that when I stepped onto the mat, the darkness was uncovered and when I stepped off, the light shone bright. I was able to discover the inner strengths I had all along but was not using to full potential. I obtained a tool box for life.

It became my passion. The physical practice showing me how strong I was and only allowing me to become stronger. Linking the breath to my movement forcing me from thoughts of the past and of the future and bringing me into the present moment. I didn’t practice yoga to get better at yoga, I practiced yoga to get better at life.

I decided I needed to take this further and share my passion with the world. I went and took my RYT 200 hour certification training and started a small outdoor yoga company called "Mindful Motions Yoga”. I had prepared to open a location in lacrosse in the 5th and king building, until one day I stumbled upon ‘Ohana Yoga. I threw away my plans for my own studio and started teaching here. Something about the studio just felt right. After 6 months of teaching I was asked to step in as manager, I was so excited to become more involved. Soon after that I was approached by the owner to buy in as partner. My heart was bursting with joy.

After a year went by of being partners with an amazing woman Sarah Allen, she made a difficult decision of letting go. She saw my passion for the company and wanted me to run with it. This was finally it, my dreams becoming reality. So here we are today, 4 years of practicing yoga, 2.5 years of teaching and now I am in my own space sharing the gift of inner peace to the community. No more lost, fearful and scared little girl. But a powerful, hopeful young woman who is more than grateful to be where I am today. Adversity led me to the path of self discovery and for that I am humbled.

WANT TO TAKE A CLASS TAUGHT BY SIERRA? 

TUESDAY: 9am-Strength Flow- 4:30pm FLOW

WEDNESDAY: 9am- Prana Flow

THURSDAY: 9am-FLOW - 5:15pm Strength Flow

Private Offerings: Pranayama (breathwork) + Meditation

Bryan first found yoga and meditation through his martial arts practice (Shito Ryu Karate, Choy li Fut Kung Fu, MMA, Kick Boxing and BJJ) over a decade ago.  Pushing his body to the limits through his training was taking its toll physically so on a friend’s recommendation, Bryan found himself in a yoga class.  That first class had such a profound effect on him that it drove him to continue exploring the depths of his physical, mental and spiritual practice for over a decade now.  His journey has led him to practice and explore many different styles of yoga across 5 different continents.  Having a passion for acquiring knowledge and studying the ancient yogic scriptures, Bryan loves to integrate these teachings into his asana classes and expose students to this wisdom passed down through the ages.   Bryan is a dedicated practitioner of Raja and Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Vishoka mediation, Qi Gong and the Wim Hof Method and brings a unique flavor of all the practices he embodies to the classes he teaches.  

• 230 hr Yoga Teacher Certification

• Vishoka Meditation and Pranayama training with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait of the Himalayan Institiute

• Wim Hof Fundamentals Training

• SOMA Breath Foundations Training

• Breath is Life certification from Yoga LAP

• Black Belt in Shito Ryu Karate

• Reiki Master

Private Offerings: Asana (Movement)

Becky started her yoga practice at Winona State University in 2014. She had just quit the college gymnastics team and was feeling lost and physically injured. On a whim, she started going to yoga classes at the University Wellness Center. Her passion for gymnastics quickly translated into a dedication to her yoga practice. She learned the sequences and took them home for a daily practice. Slowly her body began to heal from the high impact of gymnastics, but she started to notice some more profound changes in her inner world. Little by little she was able to loosen up her grip on her gymnast perfectionism and the need to always be better. One day, her yoga teacher needed a sub and asked for a volunteer amongst the students. Becky decided to try to teach that next week, and has been teaching yoga ever since. For the next two years she led yoga classes at her University Wellness Center. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Biology, Becky took her journey to Midwestern University in  Phoenix, AZ  to get her Masters in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. While studying at Midwestern University, she maintained a daily yoga practice at Modern Yoga in Scottsdale and continued to teach Yoga to fellow medical students.

Once she finished PA school, Becky immersed herself in her 200 hour Yoga Teacher training through Yoga Works in Larkspur, CA. She had the honor to learn from Maty Ezraty, one of the founders of Yoga Works. Her training had strong influences from Ashtanga & Iyengar Yoga as well as Vipassana Meditation. Becky continued her yoga training with a 50-hour hand stand and press handstand certification through Authentic Movements Yoga. She taught yoga and practiced medicine in Eugene, OR for a year and half. She has recently settled down in La Crosse, WI to work as a Surgical Oncology Physician Assistant and continue to share her love of yoga and mindfulness. Becky’s classes have influences from all her teachings, her years spent in gymnastics, and her medical training.  In her spare time, she loves backpacking, rock climbing, traveling, rollerblading, acro yoga, horseback riding,  and spending time with her 3 sisters.

Hello! My path to a life involving yoga came when I was trying to find my way after the loss of my mother. My best friend said,  "Come with me to a yoga class." I don’t say no to her often, if ever, so I went, and found what I needed to heal. To me, yoga is mind, body, and soul working together to create a peace and harmony in the body that you are not likely to find elsewhere. My instant love for this practice, and the joy I am blessed with after an hour of class led me to earn my certification, and I have been able to share my love ever since. Although I believe there is a need for all the types of yoga, my favorite classes include restorative and slower flow classes to create the peaceful state of mind that is sometimes hard to hold onto in daily life. I truly believe that in one form or another, yoga can be for everyone.

I have a wonderful husband of 26 years and two amazing (adult) children. I love animals and have two dogs and a cat that fill my heart. Biking, gardening, reading, running, wine, coffee (and of course yoga!)... just having fun and spending time with family and friends are the things that make me happy. I live my life in as happy a place as possible and there is always a smile and a hug for everyone!

I am so happy to be a part of such an amazing yoga family and I hope to see you all! Namaste 

My experience & education comes from years of tender self-exploration and a consciousness-based University education. 

I have studied Ayurveda at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa for the last 3 years, and will be starting graduate school for Ayurveda in February of 2021. I am a certified yoga instructor, avid meditator and TM Sidha, certified health & life coach, Ayurveda Wellness practitioner, trained Panchakarma technician, conscious healer, and last but certainly not least - the mother of two beautiful children. 

When I'm not mothering, practicing, healing, or meditating - I'm busy just BEING. I live a pretty spontaneous yet relaxed, dharma-driven life - allowing my truth to unfold in divine timing with full trust in the Laws of Nature and the greatest good. The practices I share are practices I live every day. I have experienced a massive amount of personal transformation by honoring the timeless wisdom that is Yoga, Meditation, & Ayurveda, and incorporating these ancient principles into my daily life. Now, I feel impelled to share these golden nuggets of pure Life Knowledge with YOU!

My intention as your Conscious Transformation Coach:

• Support you on your journey to Self-Knowledge

• Provide you with tools to enliven your inner intelligence & dissolve impurities

• And thereby uncover YOUR unique path to total alignment with Nature so you can start living your BLISS. 

Soma Yoga is a therapeutic style of yoga, blending somatics with classic Hatha yoga. A Soma is also a word for our experience of ourselves within our bodies. It aims to re-educate muscles, provide stress and tension relief, and encourage greater mobility, stability, and strength. Who can benefit from Soma Yoga? Anyone, from someone experiencing chronic pain or recovering from an injury, to a high performance athlete that wants to increase their longevity in the sport.

April Stokes found her passion in Soma Yoga along a healing journey through chronic pain due to scoliosis. She attended Yoga North and has complete the 200hr YTT and is currently enrolled in her 500hr YTT. She wants to help others experience freedom from their pain and to provide a state of relaxation you can take home with you. April also enjoys giggles with her daughter, rollerblading, and hiking in the bluffs.