spark the heart

Kristen (she/her) brings on the burn leading energetic and educational yoga classes with her playful and real Jersey-girl personality. Kristen encourages a positive practice space where students can connect to themselves and each other to strengthen the community collective and nurture intra and interpersonal growth. With an MS in Exercise Science & Rehabilitation, Kristen is intentional and methodical about class design incorporating functional movement and the latest from scientific literature. 

Kristen is co-founder of the studio Yoga Lab in State College, PA and faculty in Kinesiology at Penn State University. In addition, Kristen teaches as faculty for the international LYT(R) Method specialty modules for her expertise in prenatal and postpartum corrective exercise and core strengthening. Kristen's yoga journey began in her teens with a book in her room. She has been teaching yoga for 20 years since earning her first certification in 2004.

Off the mat, Kristen is inspired by conscious activism and organizes community fundraising events. Currently she coordinates the annual Yoga On The Mountain event at Tussey Mountain. Her activism work began with non-profit Off the Mat Into the World and the Seva Uganda Challenge. Kristen traveled to Uganda to engage in work at refugee camps in Kampala, Shanti Uganda birth centers, Building Tomorrow schools, and YouthAIDS. This trip is featured in the documentary film YogaWoman. Kristen has led Yoga In Action groups in her community to empower local charitable involvement. She also incorporates service work in her classes at Penn State University to revive a sense of purpose in students and strengthen community connections.