BA, MBA, K-12 Certified Teacher, E-RYT® 200, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Julie has practiced yoga for over 30 years. Her background is in Hatha yoga with an emphasis on pranayama. Outside of yoga, Julie is the president of a small foundation that supports the arts and sciences, and she manages several rental properties. In addition, she is a gourmet cook and master baker. A former performing arts teacher at the junior high level, Julie pays close attention to all her students at the same time while creating a classroom environment that is both relaxing and challenging.

Julie joined Barefoot soon after it opened and has been an integral part of the Studio, including teaching a unit on pranayama and breath integration in the 200 hour teacher training program. Always smiling and offering knowledge to those who attend class, Julie currently teaches on-line Mellow Flow classes.

E-RYT® 200, CAP, CAHC, CPKT, BFA

When Tanja was seven years old, her mother, who had been struggling with mental illness, committed suicide. Thus, Tanja always has been keenly aware of the challenges that people dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, and mental illness face, as well as the limits of western medicine in addressing these problems. Looking for alternative solutions, she started out with yoga, eventually becoming a yoga teacher. While traveling to India to study Ashtanga yoga in Mysore, she took advantage of the opportunity to visit multiple Ayurvedic clinics and practitioners to learn more about this ancient, holistic Indian medical system.

Tanja attended the Kanyakumari Ayurveda and Yoga Wellness Center to become an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Panchakarma Technician. Significantly, her clients are an integral part of her journey along the path of Ayurveda and yoga—sharing her skills and knowledge with others is the natural fulfillment of that path. Teaching and educating people about Yoga and Ayurveda through lectures, workshops and classes is her calling along with seeing clients in her practice that she shares with her husband Bill Price, who is a Panchakarma Therapist, right here in Tucson.

Tanja Bungardt-Price is an E-RYT® 200, YACEP®, NAMA Board Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Panchakarma bodyworker (Abhyanga, Svedana, Shirodara), Educator (CEU provider), Professional member of NAMA, Board member of CAC (The Council of Ayurvedic Credentialing), Ayurveda lecturer at University of Arizona Integrative program (IMER), founding member of Ayurveda Professionals of Arizona (APAA), Faculty member (Ayurveda studies at Yoga Teacher Trainings)

She currently is on Barefoot Studio’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training team.

RYT® 200

Elizabeth and her husband are originally from Chicago, Illinois and moved to Tucson 5+ years ago. After practicing yoga for several years, Elizabeth decided to pursue her instructor certification in order to deepen her practice and share her personal yoga expression by teaching. She currently teaches Hatha classes and is chair yoga certified.

Elizabeth loves to make people smile and continually focuses on expanding her yoga practice by integrating fun, laughter, kindness, music and love along with mind, body and spirit. She says, “The thing I like best about yoga is it’s accessibility to everyone. Anyone can find a style that works for them.”

When Elizabeth is not in the studio, she usually is on a hiking trail or sail boating.

E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®

Melissa strives for students to feel amazed by their yoga practice! She’ll meet you right where you are when you arrive on your yoga mat, helping you make a stronger connection with body, mind, and spirit through modification-forward asana (posture) practices, breath techniques, and guided meditation. Additionally, she enjoys leading yoga philosophy-based workshops with a western world perspective.

A former VP, figure skater, and race car driver, Melissa was introduced to yoga in 2012 as a way to manage stress and regain flexibility. Yoga delivered! She is RYT® 500 certified with specialized training in yoga philosophy, guided meditation, pranayama, restorative yoga, yin yoga, chair yoga, trauma sensitive yoga, and modification-forward asana practices.

Melissa currently teaches Hatha, Juicy Joint, and Gentle/Connect to Breath classes. In addition, she is on Barefoot Studio’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training team. She is available for private sessions in the Hatha, Gentle, Yin, Chair, and Restorative styles.

RYT® 200

Trey began practicing yoga in 2016. Immediately, he was amazed at how great it made him feel and how much it helped with anxiety. In 2017, he decided to expand his practice and completed a 200-hour teacher training through the Barefoot Studio.

On the mat, Trey aims for his classes to be flowy and physical. When not at the studio, Trey likes running, working out, and playing with his four kids. Originally from Georgia, Trey and his family have found their second home in Tucson.

RYT® 200

Bio coming soon!

RYT® 200

David appreciates the yoga community at Barefoot Studio, and his deep connection to it as both an instructor and student allows him custom tailor classes that are personal, effective, and beneficial to students.

A retired police officer and paramedic, David began practicing yoga about 20 years ago. He stopped practicing for about 10 years, but soon realized what a mistake that was! As he approached his 60^th time around the sun, he recognized how important yoga was for maintaining his lifestyle, as well as his physical, mental, and emotional health. Not only did he resume his practice, but he also decided to share the benefits with others by becoming an instructor. David earned his RYT® 200 certification through Barefoot Studio.

When not teaching or taking classes, David is an avid hiker and biker who also enjoys working out at the gym.

RYT® 200

Mel started practicing yoga in 2001. She traveled the country practicing various types yoga while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education. After that, Mel spent some years working with foster children and at risk families, guiding them in their healing process. She often used yoga and breath to help people cope.

Stress and illness led Mel to leave her profession and follow a nearly twenty year dream of becoming a yoga instructor. In early 2019, she received her 200 hour yoga certification. Since then, her focus is on guiding others with passion and heart. Along with her love of yoga and music, Mel uses her travels and training to bring compassion and empathy to her students on and off the mat. She currently teaches Gentle and Fresh Start classes.

E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500

Yvonne began her yoga journey sporadically at a gym, where it challenged her body but hadn’t connected the way it does today. Then, an invitation to join a meditation workshop at Barefoot came in, and the space and vibe intrigued her. After a few classes, Yvonne was hooked. It felt like home; a space where she was accepted, supported, embraced.

Yvonne lives with a number of ailments that at times can leave her bedridden. Without a doubt, learning to connect breath to body truly began to improve her practice and overall quality of life. The difference she felt from yoga was incredible. But, why did it work?

When Yvonne took the 200-hour teacher training at Barefoot in 2015, she did not intend to teach. However, as the training came to completion, she knew she wanted to share the bliss that can be attained through yoga.

“I have now been teaching for nearly 4 years and am grateful for every minute.”

Yvonne currently teaches Gentle, Hatha, and Fresh Start classes. She also is on Barefoot Studio’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training team.

RYT® 200

“Hello, hello, my beautiful beings! I’m Nicole Mendoza. I have always been interested in the fields of beauty and wellness.”

A licensed cosmetologist for 10+ years, Nicole’s passion is to help others see the beauty they possess, inside and out. She has been blessed to witness the big impact little things can have. In the classroom, she utilizes her intuition to tailor the emphasis to the unique needs of each class. As a result, she hopes to impart every participant with a sense of their own amazing energy.

“When I was introduced to the life-changing experience of yoga, I truly understood the depth of inner beauty, gentle strength, and the importance of balance. I fell in love. The fact that simple poses and breathwork can transform physical, emotional, and mental states is awe inspiring.”

Nicole believes that yoga provides amazing benefits for everyone, body and soul. She loves to see clients’ transformations, and her journey to assist that transformation continues to expand. She provides Reiki at the end of her classes to assist the healing of all four levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Nicole currently teaches Glow & Flow Reiki and Yin classes.

RYT® 200

Sara started her yoga journey 18+ years ago as an awkward, self-conscious middle school student in Minnesota. Her aunt and uncle took her to an Iyengar studio in St. Paul. Little did she know how much that studio and those experiences would shape the path of her life later on!

As she grew older, Sara’s practice ebbed and flowed. At times, it was a dedicated daily ritual, and at others, only flavoring the edges of her life with little asana or meditation practice. In 2013, she was registered and committed to starting a yoga teacher training in Bend, Oregon when she became pregnant and put her training on hold.

Moving back to Tucson, Sara discovered Barefoot Studio and happily completed her 200-hr YTT in June 2017. Her personal practice and teaching style ranges anywhere from gentle meditation to funky flow. In her classes, she loves incorporating music and creating a fun, friendly atmosphere. She is dedicated to growing as a yogi and grateful to be able to share the life-altering practice of yoga with others.

Sara currently teaches Yin classes and guides Healing Cacao events.

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

am began to teach yoga after seeing the almost magical response her body and mind had after beginning her practice due to health issues. Pam is called to teach and study the deeper practice of yoga as a whole. Given that, she developed curriculum for 200–hour and 300- hour teacher trainings and is the owner of Radiant Spirit Yoga and Radiant Spirit Travels.

When not on her mat, her nose is most likely buried in a book. Pam lives in Tucson, Arizona and will try to not bore you with pictures of her grandchildren.

Pam Ronstadt, E-RYT® 500, is a passionate yogi who has taught over 10,000 hours both internationally and domestically. She teaches both Yin and Yang yoga in a nurturing and loving manner. Her dharma is to teach and share the practice with whomever is receptive.

Pam currently is on Barefoot Studio’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training team.

RYT® 200

Susan began a regular Yoga practice in 2006, as a vehicle for physical strength, flexibility, and good health. Over time, the enriching benefits of Yoga multiplied and grew to encompass all aspects of her life, and she was inspired to pursue teacher training. She is a 2011 graduate of The Arizona School of Yoga in the vinyasa flow style and a RYT® 200 with  Yoga Alliance.

Susan teaches challenging, nurturing and light-hearted classes locally and out-of-state. Her belief is that in order to grow and change, we must first understand and accept where we are. When not practicing Yoga, Susan enjoys spending time with family, friends and pets, hiking, gardening, kite boarding, stand up paddling, cooking, reading and traveling.

Susan currently teaches Hatha classes when she’s in Tucson.