Meet Our Instructors
Jade Bodenhamer (Owner)
Yoga was introduced to Jade in 2015 after relocating to Fairbanks from North Carolina. The power of yoga brought on a new craving of self-love, unity with the mind and body, and a new sense of awareness.
She completed her 200 HR YTT in Fairbanks with Golden Heart School of Yoga which focused on Vinyasa-based yoga. She also studied for her certification in Yin Yoga which was received from North Yoga in Squamish, B.C. Yin & Restorative Yoga became her pride and joy and main modality for healing. In 2024, Jade continued on to take her 500 YTT in Arin, Peru with The Kula Collective.
Jade has this ability to create a safe space for people to feel seen and heard. She strives to continue growing her knowledge of yoga to share with the community and beyond. She adores spending time with her partner and dog. You can find her walking in nature, traveling, and always looking to explore new things.
She completed her 200 HR YTT in Fairbanks with Golden Heart School of Yoga which focused on Vinyasa-based yoga. She also studied for her certification in Yin Yoga which was received from North Yoga in Squamish, B.C. Yin & Restorative Yoga became her pride and joy and main modality for healing. In 2024, Jade continued on to take her 500 YTT in Arin, Peru with The Kula Collective.
Jade has this ability to create a safe space for people to feel seen and heard. She strives to continue growing her knowledge of yoga to share with the community and beyond. She adores spending time with her partner and dog. You can find her walking in nature, traveling, and always looking to explore new things.
Jacie Sturm (Original FY Owner)
Jacie began her yoga journey over 15 years ago, right here in Fairbanks, Alaska. At 16, she attended her very first yoga class as a favor to a friend who was afraid to go solo. She had no idea at the time that this single class would lay the groundwork for her journey of self-discovery for many years to come. Since that first class, Jacie has spent countless hours exploring all different styles of yoga. From Hatha to Vinyasa, restorative to ashtanga; she makes it her personal mission to never stop learning. However, the one style that has really stuck with Jacie is Vinyasa, a flow-style of yoga that links breath to movement, which aids in building a deep mind-body connection.
In 2009, Jacie moved to California and stumbled upon CorePower Yoga. She immediately knew that this studio was aligned with everything she wanted out of a yoga class: intelligent sequencing, clear cues, and a practical approach to integrating yoga into daily life. Having always loved public speaking and connecting with people, teacher training was the next natural step in her yoga journey. In 2011, she competed her 200-hr certification with CorePower Yoga in Huntington Beach, CA, complimented by an additional 5-week extensions course. In 2010, she furthered her education by attending an Ariel Yoga training at The Yoga Studio in San Jose, California. Her most recent certification is in Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga (SUP Yoga), completed in 2015 with Paddle Board Bliss in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her latest and largest endeavor, however, has been opening up Fairbanks Yoga over winter 2016!
“Serving my students is my biggest inspiration as a teacher,” Jacie says, “I encourage students to approach life both on and off the mat by setting intentions and staying present.” Expect a creatively-sequenced flow in Jacie’s classes, filled with fun transitions, and hands-on adjustments to aid in deepening your practice.
In 2009, Jacie moved to California and stumbled upon CorePower Yoga. She immediately knew that this studio was aligned with everything she wanted out of a yoga class: intelligent sequencing, clear cues, and a practical approach to integrating yoga into daily life. Having always loved public speaking and connecting with people, teacher training was the next natural step in her yoga journey. In 2011, she competed her 200-hr certification with CorePower Yoga in Huntington Beach, CA, complimented by an additional 5-week extensions course. In 2010, she furthered her education by attending an Ariel Yoga training at The Yoga Studio in San Jose, California. Her most recent certification is in Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga (SUP Yoga), completed in 2015 with Paddle Board Bliss in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her latest and largest endeavor, however, has been opening up Fairbanks Yoga over winter 2016!
“Serving my students is my biggest inspiration as a teacher,” Jacie says, “I encourage students to approach life both on and off the mat by setting intentions and staying present.” Expect a creatively-sequenced flow in Jacie’s classes, filled with fun transitions, and hands-on adjustments to aid in deepening your practice.
Morganne Armstrong
Morganne sees yoga as an opportunity to strengthen both body and mind and step out of the daily routine. She creates an atmosphere of self-investigation in her classes, allowing students to tune out their surroundings and focus in. An alignment and adjustment-focused instructor, Morganne’s vinyasa flow class combines engaging sequences to build strength with deep stretches. Morganne received her 200hr RYT from CorePower in Honolulu, HI in 2014 and furthered her practice instructing with their Extensions program in 2015. She now also works as a massage therapist.
Kayla Mailloux
Kayla Mailloux was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and cherishes the strong sense of community she has found in the Interior. She and her husband love sharing the life they’ve built with their two beautiful children and three Alaskan huskies. Above all, she finds deep purpose in her role as a mother.
Yoga has been a constant companion throughout Kayla’s life, supporting her through its many phases. As a competitive athlete, she turned to yoga for injury recovery and to heal her relationship with a results-driven mindset. In her early 20s, the practice became a creative outlet, helping her stay grounded during times of uncertainty. In 2017, she earned her certification in BUTI Yoga, embracing movement, music, and intuitive sequencing as powerful tools for self-expression.
When she transitioned into motherhood, yoga took on new meaning, offering her a space for release, renewal, and reclamation. It became an anchor—helping her reconnect with herself and strengthen the bond between her heart, mind, body, and soul. In December 2022, Kayla completed her 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at the Fairbanks School of Yoga, deepening her commitment to the practice and her community.
Kayla’s goal as a teacher is to create a space where vulnerability is welcomed and self-exploration is encouraged. She compassionately guides students through Vinyasa flow, using music and gentle cues to facilitate a practice linking breath to movement. Her hope is that each student leaves her class feeling present, at peace, and more connected to themselves.
Kayla is excited to continue growing her personal practice, teaching others, pursuing further certifications, and stepping into a leadership role within the Fairbanks, Alaska community.
Yoga has been a constant companion throughout Kayla’s life, supporting her through its many phases. As a competitive athlete, she turned to yoga for injury recovery and to heal her relationship with a results-driven mindset. In her early 20s, the practice became a creative outlet, helping her stay grounded during times of uncertainty. In 2017, she earned her certification in BUTI Yoga, embracing movement, music, and intuitive sequencing as powerful tools for self-expression.
When she transitioned into motherhood, yoga took on new meaning, offering her a space for release, renewal, and reclamation. It became an anchor—helping her reconnect with herself and strengthen the bond between her heart, mind, body, and soul. In December 2022, Kayla completed her 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at the Fairbanks School of Yoga, deepening her commitment to the practice and her community.
Kayla’s goal as a teacher is to create a space where vulnerability is welcomed and self-exploration is encouraged. She compassionately guides students through Vinyasa flow, using music and gentle cues to facilitate a practice linking breath to movement. Her hope is that each student leaves her class feeling present, at peace, and more connected to themselves.
Kayla is excited to continue growing her personal practice, teaching others, pursuing further certifications, and stepping into a leadership role within the Fairbanks, Alaska community.
Ariel Wright
Ariel has been evolving her mind-body relationship since she was young. As she got older, a panic-attack disorder disrupted her life and she felt there was no returning to a healthy homeostasis.
Her study of Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, energy work & Reiki, as well as meditation inspired hope that balance and vitality were possible. After many years of integrating these ancient practices, Ariel brings her wisdom to the world in hopes to help others discover balance through body movement, peace through meditation & Reiki, and self-awareness & personal growth through Astrology.
Her beliefs are rooted in the concept that we are a mind-body-spirit complex, and this foundation guides her teaching style as well as her connection with community & clients. Ariel is an Astrologer, Reiki Master, Ayurvedic Educator, and Certified Yoga & Barre Instructor.
Her study of Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, energy work & Reiki, as well as meditation inspired hope that balance and vitality were possible. After many years of integrating these ancient practices, Ariel brings her wisdom to the world in hopes to help others discover balance through body movement, peace through meditation & Reiki, and self-awareness & personal growth through Astrology.
Her beliefs are rooted in the concept that we are a mind-body-spirit complex, and this foundation guides her teaching style as well as her connection with community & clients. Ariel is an Astrologer, Reiki Master, Ayurvedic Educator, and Certified Yoga & Barre Instructor.
Roxie Johnson
Roxie is known for her radiant smile, upbeat energy, and deep passion for health and wellness. With over a decade of yoga experience, she became a Certified Yoga Instructor through Fairbanks Yoga's Teacher Training Program in 2019.
In addition to yoga, Roxie brings her love of movement to the world of fitness. She earned her Step Aerobics Certification in 2021 and went on to launch the Step Program at Cirque Alaska, where she leads high-energy classes throughout the winter.
When she's not on the mat or working out, Roxie is soaking up the sun, playing softball, watching baseball, crafting, and embracing every opportunity to live life to the fullest.
In addition to yoga, Roxie brings her love of movement to the world of fitness. She earned her Step Aerobics Certification in 2021 and went on to launch the Step Program at Cirque Alaska, where she leads high-energy classes throughout the winter.
When she's not on the mat or working out, Roxie is soaking up the sun, playing softball, watching baseball, crafting, and embracing every opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Amy Stein
Amy earned her 200hr RYT from Fairbanks Yoga in 2025, but her journey began about 10 years ago when she took her first class during her sister’s teacher training final. That experience ignited a passion that ultimately led to her own certification.
To Amy, yoga is self-expression, a path to healing, and a practice that balances challenge and reward. She loves incorporating music, mobility, and strength to create an energizing yet grounding experience.
In her classes, Amy encourages students to move with intention, build strength, and explore their potential. Her dynamic flows blend mindful breath with powerful movement, leaving students feeling strong and accomplished. Whether leading a vigorous vinyasa or focusing on mobility and breathwork, she invites students to embrace both effort and ease in their practice.
To Amy, yoga is self-expression, a path to healing, and a practice that balances challenge and reward. She loves incorporating music, mobility, and strength to create an energizing yet grounding experience.
In her classes, Amy encourages students to move with intention, build strength, and explore their potential. Her dynamic flows blend mindful breath with powerful movement, leaving students feeling strong and accomplished. Whether leading a vigorous vinyasa or focusing on mobility and breathwork, she invites students to embrace both effort and ease in their practice.
Melanie Engram
Melanie brings 20 years of experience as a yoga student with various Fairbanks teachers to her Vinyasa class. Her yoga philosophy and teaching goals focus on gratitude and gentle self-talk while building strength and flexibility. She believes pairing movement with breath in Vinyasa yoga creates the space to quiet the mind and spend time with yourself, allowing connection between the physical, emotional, intellectual, energetic, and spiritual selves.
Melanie teaches an intentional and creative Vinyasa practice, with emphasis on lengthening and strengthening the spine inspired by her years of practicing Pilates. You can expect some core strengthening with every class to build some heat. We then use that heat to gently extend mobility and flexibility, ending with melting stretches.
Her class allows you to gain comfort and ease on those rough days, and encourages you to find your growth zone and work your edge on other days. Melanie’s classes are suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners and are planned with the goal that you will leave feeling relaxed, refreshed, and revitalized. Melanie completed her 200 HR Vinyasa YTT certification in March 2025 from Fairbanks Yoga.
Melanie teaches an intentional and creative Vinyasa practice, with emphasis on lengthening and strengthening the spine inspired by her years of practicing Pilates. You can expect some core strengthening with every class to build some heat. We then use that heat to gently extend mobility and flexibility, ending with melting stretches.
Her class allows you to gain comfort and ease on those rough days, and encourages you to find your growth zone and work your edge on other days. Melanie’s classes are suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners and are planned with the goal that you will leave feeling relaxed, refreshed, and revitalized. Melanie completed her 200 HR Vinyasa YTT certification in March 2025 from Fairbanks Yoga.
Han Harp
Han remembers practicing yoga with their mom at the local fitness club in Rochester, New York, more than 10 years ago, when they started practicing for physical flexibility, but kept practicing yoga for the community's breath and accountability. Unsure how to be of service but sure they were called to serve the community, Han went to school for years studying education and how to help community members access necessary resources with a heavy emphasis on intellectual solutions. On a whim, Han moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in the summer of 2021 with their spouse, and felt as though they were coming home to somewhere they had not lived yet.
When the universe aligned, Han completed their 200 hour YTT certification in May 2024 with Jacie Sturm at Fairbanks Yoga, learning Vinyasa Yoga and Hands-On Assists. From a legacy of academic teachers, training to be a yoga teacher was revolutionary for Han's learning style and allowed their purpose to serve their community by teaching yoga to slowly reveal itself. Han has been using embodiment to move beyond intellectual awareness and into action in their community resource advocacy, and now has the tools, language, and commitment to serve the community.
Han’s yoga is rooted in community. While Han enjoys practicing alone occasionally, they prefer to practice in community and teach yoga to foster curiosity about yoga and the healing power of breath and intentional space. Han keeps coming back for that special post-Savana glow and feels that the rest feels best after hard work. Their classes will include intentional breathwork (pranayamas), physical poses (asana) to build heat in the body, and a guided reflection or meditation for self-study (svadhyaya). Han's mission is to lift the veil of misconception about yoga, and therefore about ourselves, by providing more than a physical practice.
When the universe aligned, Han completed their 200 hour YTT certification in May 2024 with Jacie Sturm at Fairbanks Yoga, learning Vinyasa Yoga and Hands-On Assists. From a legacy of academic teachers, training to be a yoga teacher was revolutionary for Han's learning style and allowed their purpose to serve their community by teaching yoga to slowly reveal itself. Han has been using embodiment to move beyond intellectual awareness and into action in their community resource advocacy, and now has the tools, language, and commitment to serve the community.
Han’s yoga is rooted in community. While Han enjoys practicing alone occasionally, they prefer to practice in community and teach yoga to foster curiosity about yoga and the healing power of breath and intentional space. Han keeps coming back for that special post-Savana glow and feels that the rest feels best after hard work. Their classes will include intentional breathwork (pranayamas), physical poses (asana) to build heat in the body, and a guided reflection or meditation for self-study (svadhyaya). Han's mission is to lift the veil of misconception about yoga, and therefore about ourselves, by providing more than a physical practice.
Keara Nikole
Keara is a RYT-200 certified vinyasa teacher, trained right here in Fairbanks through Fairbanks Yoga. Her teaching is grounded, real, and rooted in the belief that yoga isn’t just about how flexible you are—it’s about how honest you’re willing to be with yourself and what you can learn when you come to your mat with an open mind.
In her classes, you’ll move with purpose, breathe with intention, and maybe even surprise yourself. She encourages students to meet themselves exactly where they are—whether that’s strong, tired, fiery, or somewhere in between. With a blend of challenge, stillness, and space to just be, Keara offers space to ground, move, and meet yourself honestly.
Born from her own experience of using yoga to navigate life’s harder seasons, Keara's practice is about resilience and authenticity. She believes the mat is one of the few places we can strip it all down, get a little messy, and come out steadier on the other side.
Whether you're here to sweat, breathe, have some fun, or simply have a moment to yourself, Keara will meet you there on the mat.
In her classes, you’ll move with purpose, breathe with intention, and maybe even surprise yourself. She encourages students to meet themselves exactly where they are—whether that’s strong, tired, fiery, or somewhere in between. With a blend of challenge, stillness, and space to just be, Keara offers space to ground, move, and meet yourself honestly.
Born from her own experience of using yoga to navigate life’s harder seasons, Keara's practice is about resilience and authenticity. She believes the mat is one of the few places we can strip it all down, get a little messy, and come out steadier on the other side.
Whether you're here to sweat, breathe, have some fun, or simply have a moment to yourself, Keara will meet you there on the mat.
Mckenzie Mcdonald
McKenzie is a yoga and pilates instructor with a background in dance and a masters degree in English Literature. Her teaching blends mindful movement with functional strength, encouraging students to develop a deep sense of embodiment, presence and mind-body synergy both on and off the mat.Trained at Bodhi Tree Yoga in Costa Rica in Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga (RYT 200), McKenzie integrates pilates principles, fascia awareness, and mobility training into dynamic, thoughtful and balanced classes.
Influenced by natural patterns, a sense of play, and the study of human physiology and psychology, McKenzie’s teaching encourages students to tune into their bodies, refine movement patterns and develop awareness and balance.
She has taught internationally—from Canada to Costa Rica, Greece and Alaska. She continues to share movement as a tool for mental and physical well-being.
Influenced by natural patterns, a sense of play, and the study of human physiology and psychology, McKenzie’s teaching encourages students to tune into their bodies, refine movement patterns and develop awareness and balance.
She has taught internationally—from Canada to Costa Rica, Greece and Alaska. She continues to share movement as a tool for mental and physical well-being.