Instructors
Kamie Nicholls
B.S. in Exercise Science, Certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance, Certified Phoenix Rising Group Facilitator, Certified Prenatal Yoga for Conscious Labor and Certified Relax and Renew Trainer.
Kamie has a B.S. in Exercise Science and has been teaching classes and private sessions for about 13 years. She has completed two one-year certificate programs and is also a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. Kamie is certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, Phoenix Rising Group Facilitator, Prenatal Yoga for Conscious Labor (w/ Janice Clarfield) and Relax and Renew (w/ Judith Lasater) She is currently studying for her Integrative Yoga Therapy Certification (through Kripalu Center for Health in MA), Meditation Instructor Certification, Stress Management Counseling Certification, and Training to become a Birth Doula (A birth doula provides support during labor). She has practiced yoga with famous yoga instructors such as Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn and many others..
Alex Barrett
Alex first learned a sun salutation during his college years as a theater major, and thought that at that time he had learned everything there was to know about yoga. It took another ten years before he realized his mistake and rediscovered yoga at a local YMCA. One day of practice each week became two, three, then eventually any chance he could get. A few years later, he started training to be a teacher and has been sharing his love of yoga ever since.
Alex's training includes the 230-hour program at the Yoga Center of Minneapolis, where he studied with Betsy Weiner, Monique Maxwell, Jennifer Gray, Chris Gordon and others. He has also trained with Rod Stryker and Kim Jeblick. His classes are a challenging blend of flowing and static poses, along with breathing exercises and meditation. He hopes to help you find more joy, balance, strength and flexibility on and off the mat.
Jacki Knudsvig
Jacki is currently acting as studio manager here at Synergize Yoga in Anoka. She has been practicing yoga for 8 years and through her participation in the Phoenix Rising group found meditation to be an important part of her daily life. She is currently studying at the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teacher Training Program to get her certification in Meditation and Hatha Yoga. Jacki graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BFA with honors. Her specialty was in litho printmaking and graphic arts. For the last eight years she has chose to be a stay at home mom and domestic goddess. She really feels her family is important. Jacki believes strongly in being active in her community and is currently serving on the Coon Rapids Soccer Association board as well as being the President of the Parent Teacher Organisation at the school her boys attend. Jacki was born and raised in the Coon Rapids / Anoka area and is glad to be a part of the local community.
Jessica Jenness
Katie Belanger
Katie began practicing yoga casually, with a VHS tape in her college dorm room in Madison, WI. Over the years, she's practiced at various studios from New York to Minnesota, and found a more regular yoga practice at Synergize Yoga Studio in Anoka when she moved to the area in 2009. The physical and mental benefits of yoga led Katie to pursue VInyasa Power Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga in Spring 2011. She is grateful to her many teachers, including Kamie Slegers, Lisa Bloom, and Becka Ollmann for their guidance. Katie continues to find joy on and off the yoga mat and hopes to infuse her classes with physical and mental challenge, as well as peace and laughter.
Alyssa Jacobs
After living on the East Coast for a year, our free bird has returned. Alyssa just completed her level 1 thai bodywork training at All That Matters in RI. She was certified at the 200 hour level through Corepower Mpls in July 2008. She taught here at Synergize for a year and many of you know her as "the queen of core.". In addition to her training as a yoga instructor she holds an Associates degree and is licensed in esthetics. When she isn't at the studio you will probably find her relaxing with friends, spending time with family, volunteering or jet-setting to her next travel destination.
Annalicia Niemela
Annalicia Niemela is a Registered Yoga Teacher and a Pilates Instructor with over six years of teaching experience. Annalicia is currently in training to become a PMA certified Pilates Instructor. Annalicia absolutely loves the mindfulness of both yoga and Pilates and feels extremely blessed to have the opportunity to bring these healing and invigorating methods of movement to her students. Along with her yoga and Pilates training, Annalicia is also a licensed Physical Education Teacher, a certified Group Exercise Instructor and a certified Stability Ball Instructor. Annalicia's passion for wellness extends beyond fitness through her health coaching practice. She is currently in training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a certified Health Counselor and has recently launched, Entire Entity, a holistic health support business. Annalicia genuinely enjoys teaching health and well-being concepts to people of all ages and levels.
Guest Presenter
Dr. Charlie Bammert
Dr. Charlie Bammert began his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University. From there he transferred to Logan College of Chiropractic near St. Louis, MO where he received his B.S. in Human Biology and his Doctorate of Chiropractic. In 2006 Dr. Bammert joined Maximized Living. In addition to Dr. Bammert's ongoing continuing education, Maximized Living doctors undergo advanced training in spinal correction, toxicity, and exercise and nutritional sciences. They obtain advanced certifications and have access to the latest scientifically based research and protocols. Dr. Bammert practices holistic wellness and is trained in several complementary modalities. With over 1,000 doctors and growing, the ML network has access to the latest research, case studies, programs and statistics from some of the brightest minds in wellness. Our continual research, product development and program enhancements allow Dr. Bammert to bring you the most cutting edge wellness principles available.
Jessica Jenness of Jeness Finesse
"My mission is to make the world more colorful, natural and handmade."
Jessica is a mother of two beautiful children and any free time she has she is either doing yoga, drawing or sewing. She started out making yoga clothes for herself because she enjoyed sewing and didn’t want to spend a ton of money on cute yoga pants. Once Jessica started she loved it, especially creating designs and watching them come to life. Then she found screen printing and was able put her artwork on the clothes that she had designed.
The clothes Jessica makes are made from organic cotton blends in a variety of colors. She believes handmade has more to offer because a little piece of the designer goes in to each piece.
This spring and summer Jessica has funky new colors but also has the more traditional colors, that can be customized to your individual needs. She has a variety of colors and styles at Synergize Yoga in Anoka.
by Amy Ranae