Robin Gucker (PYRC Founder) has worked in Outdoor Education since 1984, and has a deep relationship to the Adirondacks and the beauty of the natural world. For nearly 20 years she worked as a Waldorf Kindergarten teacher, much of the time incorporating the forest and farm life into the essential early childhood experience. Robin’s passion for movement lead her to study Spacial Dynamics and teach Movement and Games. Throughout this career as an educator, part of her selfcare and development was a steady yoga practice, which she later came to teach. This love of yoga blossomed into a desire to teach with more depth and time with students.

Offering people from all walks of life an opportunity to take a pause and truly reflect, renew and restore.  Robin herself had a time of pause before she could realize this goal, when in 2017 she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Through this journey she renewed her commitment to offer yoga as recovery by training to teach Yoga for Cancer. It is a lifelong dream to bring together all of these passions and interests to provide a retreat from daily life to learn about ones self and GROW together, through a Pinnacle Experience!

Since 2005 I have studied and taught Yoga with the intention of strengthening my own foundation and to share these teachings with others in a way that is most meaningful for the greater good. My personal studies are focused on the science of breathing, Ayurveda, ashtanga and hatha yoga, meditation, and the daily practices that bring the many layers of self into balance. Currently I am attending school at Sai Ayurvedic Institute and will be completing my degree for Practitioner of Ayurvedic Medicine this year. I currently work as an Ayurvedic Counselor, a Breathing Consultant for Clinical Studies and Disease Prevention, and always, a teacher of Yoga.

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I have had the gift of learning from so many incredible and inspiring teachers including Indra and A.G. Mohan, David Swenson, David Garrigues, Dharma Mittra, and Edwin Bryant. The teachings have most importantly led me to learn from within, through attention, listening, teaching, living, and simply being.

Yoga is the teacher of simplicity, honesty, strength, and connection. It is the study of humanity and the relationship with all things, big and small. I am honored to practice and offer these teachings in my life daily and cannot possibly put into words the appreciation I have for this process. I look forward to connecting with you whether it be through breathing, stretching, meditation, philosophy, or any thought or curiosity that makes us who we are; human.

Kim’s journey into the healing benefits of yoga began with a simple gesture at the end of a yoga class led by Libby Yokum; a soft lavender pillow placed on her forehead. It was the beginning of learning how to relax, be gentle, be present, and harness the unique ability to love ourselves completely.

Kim began studying and building an understanding of yoga after graduating from Plattsburgh State University with a BA in photography and ceramics. For the last 10 years she has studied alongside teachers and students at Funky Door Yoga, Laughing Lotus, ADK Yoga, Dharma Door Retreat Center, Trinity Yoga, Laughing River Yoga, Empower Fitness and Yoga, and Ashaya Yoga with Todd Norian.

In April of 2015 she completed her Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at Laughing River Yoga, where she studied alongside Emily Garrett and Sofi Dillof. Kim feels that this training left no stone unturned and has given her the tools to help people connect and reconnect, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to life.

In 2017, Kim attended a 300 hour Raviana Kundalini Yoga training that depended on her understanding of the chakra body and the power of breathing techniques.

In 2020, Kim graduated with a 500 hr certificate in Ashaya Yoga method, a practice that uniquely integrates alignment-based therapeutic yoga techniques with heart-opening Tantric philosophy and meditation practices to awaken your inner and outer strength. 

Kim brings a wide variety of experience to the practice of yoga. She has studied dance for 23 years at Langlois Racine Dance School and has a diverse background in dance including tap, jazz, and ballet. Alongside her love and study of movement, she also has a musical background including proficiency in piano, song, drum and percussion. Through the discipline of music and movement of the body, she has found confidence, experienced less physical pain, and discovered how to express herself fully in the world.

In addition, Kim owns and operates Quarry Gardens Garlic and Vegetable Farm, established in 2003.  Her connection with nature and growing plants help her create meaningful themes in her yoga teaching.

Kim continually trusts yoga’s ability to heal as it has helped her work through many situations in her own life. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share her knowledge, talents, and personal life experience with others through the practice of yoga.  It also a joy for her to combine all of these modalities in the hot room for a full body experience.

She looks forward to seeing you on the mat!

Marci Wenn is a 200+ hour yoga teacher. She has a 200 hour training in both Bhakti Yoga and Hot Vinyasa Yoga and is currently enrolled in a year long mentorship in Qigong, which is a longevity and movement practice rooted in Taoist philosophy. Marci brings her love of movement to each and every class and hopes to inspire in others a way to find their own personal joy in movement.

Marci is a lifelong learner in all things beautiful such as flowers, Poetry Therapy, psychotherapy, creativity, animals, NIa dance and other expressive therapies, such as writing and collage art making. Her classes are filled with humor and gratefulness as she works to create sequences that are creative, dynamic and full of meaning.

After working in fundraising, marketing and sales for over 15 years Michelle stepped out of the business world to follow her passion and stepped on the mat to become a Yoga teacher. Michelle began her Yoga journey 25 years ago when she stumbled into a Yoga class in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then her love of Yoga has taken her across the globe studying with some of the finest teachers at the world renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and beyond. She received her 200 Hour RKYT certification in 2008 and then began to teach Yoga in community spaces in the Champlain Valley of New York, where she lives. She founded and opened Lake Champlain Yoga Arts on her property in 2008 and then moved the practice to a beautiful studio in Essex, New York and renamed Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness in 2011 offering Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Massage, Physical Therapy and Organic Facials. Michelle taught a variety of weekly yoga classes and has supervised as many as eight talented teachers from the area, along with teaching meditation classes, wellness workshops for the community until its sale in 2019.

She created and hosted three Up North Yoga Conferences, along with two Weekend Workshops with Todd Norian and two Yoga Teacher Trainings. She is the author of Rest Stop Yoga which was featured in Subaru Drive Magazine. In 2017 she had the honor of modeling for the Kripalu Summer catalog. 

"As we move through our lives, we need the physical and mental strength, balance, and inner peace to find our way." Yoga provides all that within a community of people who are positive and inquisitive.  I have always marveled at the changes in students faces before and after class---before class there is the challenge of everyday life and after there is relaxation, rejuvenation, and happiness."

Yoga has been a part of my life for about 10 years, ebbing and flowing and evolving into a practice of various styles to meet my needs.  As a Registered Nurse of 30 plus years, working in Home Health Care and Social Services, my experience as a holistic provider served as a guide leading me on my yoga journey.

I began my practice at a time when I was very stressed and anxious in my personal life.  Yoga brought me peace, balance, and love for My Self. It taught me how to be mindful, forgiving, and harmonious.  Yoga helped me process grief from my past that I was not aware I was holding within.  I then knew I needed to share my practice to help others heal emotionally, physically and spiritually.

I received my 200 RYT training certificate through High Peaks Yoga in Lake Placid and Saratoga in 2017/2018.  I also received training in Yin Yoga at Laughing River Yoga in Vermont in 2018.  I have taken several workshops consisting of trainings in Mindfulness, Yoga and Alignment, Partner Yoga and Massage, as well as Health and Wellness Coaching with Ayurveda.  I also have enjoyed much self study and practice to include SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Yoga, a favorite of mine, connecting with nature while improving muscle strength, balance, overall body tone and feelings of pure serenity.

I have been teaching at various studios as well as “floating” studios over the past 4 years, teaching a combination class of movement and stillness, “Yin and Yang” to incorporate more balance in our lives, as well as SUP classes on our beautiful local rivers and lakes.  I have enjoyed volunteering to teach classes as well for people with mental health and addiction issues, as well as chair yoga for Seniors.

Alongside my love for yoga, my love of life involves spending time with my family and friends, outdoor activities such as hiking, paddle boarding, cross country skiing, listening to music, and dancing to name a few. 

“Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony”.  ~Seattle Yoga News.  I believe yoga is for ALL, and I look forward to sharing my practice with you. 

Plattsburgh native, Madeline Munn found her love for yoga at a very young age. As a child, she would tag along with her mother to classes and somewhat mimic what the other yogis were doing. As she grew older, her love for movement, travel and the outdoors grew.

Maddy graduated from Plattsburgh State in 2021 with a degree in Adventures Sports & Expeditionary Studies. She spent the last couple years teaching Outdoor Education both in California and the Adirondacks. When it comes to teaching, Maddy has a holistic approach and likes to incorporate mindfulness, movement and meditation any way she can.

Maddy furthered her education in most recent years by receiving a Level I Reiki certification in Utah, as well as a 200 hour RYT certification in Costa Rica. By incorporating energy work into her yoga classes, Maddy hopes to add that extra spark that can really make a difference in her students lives.

When it comes to yoga philosophy, Maddy believes that the body is something we can always return home to. Regardless of the stressors in our life; if we are on the road, in the office or just keeping up with day to day life… the safe, peaceful place we find within ourselves by connecting mind and body is something we can always tap into.

Michael was introduced to yoga while attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1984.  And he still marvels at how yoga presents us with the endless possibility to deepen our experience and to grow our understanding.  Like many, when Michael first met yoga it was through movement.  After meeting yoga he moved from the practice of martial arts and also switched majors, studying dance and encountering "The Only Dance There Is” by Ram Dass.  His studies led to a professional dance career and to living in New York, N.Y.

Michael met Anusara Yoga through Jackie Prete on retreat at a Zen monastery in the Catskills in 2000.  There was something decidedly different about that experience, and realizing that he was never going to get enough information through 90 minutes classes (no matter how many a week) he signed up for his first Teacher Training.  Just to learn.

Now as a E-RYT® 500, YACEP® teacher with more than 13,000 hours of teaching experience, and three times that much time in study and practice, he still marvels at how Yoga presents us with the endless possibility to deepen our experience and to grow our understanding.  Michael loves to share the practices of Yoga at every level.

He has been studying with Paul Muller Ortega and Blue Throat Yoga since 2012 and in 2017 completed EHS12.

In 2018 Michael completed an Ashaya Yoga Teacher Training led by Todd Norian in Essex, N.Y.   Michael currently teaches at Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness in Essex.  He and his wife moved to Westport, N.Y. in 2017

Joann tried her first TRE® group class as a participant to bring more ease to her own experiences living with complex PTSD. Joann credits TRE® for bringing more balance and healing to her organism. Since tremoring regularly her incidences of chronic pain (back & neck), irritable bowel, sleep disturbances, tmj and anxiety, that interfered with her ability to work and thrive, have all reduced significantly.

Joann studied and assisted advanced trainings with Jay Gleason MS, LCMHC, LADC of Burlington, VT. Joann is committed to offering TRE® to people as an affordable and accessible strategy for healing pain, stress, and the symptoms of stress and trauma. 

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Joann teaches Hatha Yoga and Yin yoga in Vermont. She holds a Personal Training certification through the American Council on Exercise and is a Balanced Body pilates instructor. Joann is a certified TREⓇ provider (Tension & Trauma release exercise). She is a 500 E-RYT Certified Yoga teacher.

Nora's vision is to guide others to awaken their hearts through yoga. Yoga is the key that unlocks the secret of life: we already have everything we seek inside of us. By listening to the inner voice calling out for more, we discover our capacity for love, freedom, and deep peace. Nora has been practicing yoga for more than fifteen years and became a certified instructor after feeling inspired to share her love for yoga through teaching. She completed 500 hours of training with Todd Norian, founder of Ashaya Yoga ®, an alignment-based, heart-centered approach to the practice. Each class with Nora weaves a theme into a sequence that uses precise alignment to enable body, mind, and heart to open and expand naturally. As a classically-trained singer, Nora finds joy in sharing her love of music, and ends each class with a Sanskrit chant. Nora lives in the Adirondacks and enjoys farming, gardening, hiking, cooking, beading, and playing music.

Nathan Henderson is the co-owner of Reber Rock Farm, a pasture raised certified organic meat and maple farm in Essex, NY established in 2013. He is a geologist, musician, business owner, farmer, father and partner. Teaching has been a subconscious thread throughout Nathan’s life, as a tennis pro, outdoor educator and farm mentor, and became a conscious choice after a herniated disk left him immobilized in bed for 3 months in 2021. Since it was Covid, he had to schedule elective pain management surgery 6 months out, and he looked for another solution to his pain. Narcotics and edibles didn’t touch the pain effectively, and through work with Brian Trzaskos and the Somatic Coaching Academy, Nathan began to untangle the relationship between body, pain, and perception. Long before the surgery date, he was on the path to recovery and remains pain free today. This experience inspired him to become a coach.  You can follow Nathan’s journey out of pain through coaching in this series of conversations with Brian. He works with clients using Core Centering, Cross Mapping and Sensation-Based Motivation Coaching to decode what our body is telling us and transform life's challenges into opportunities.