spark the heart

Kristen’s holistic approach in teaching yoga guides individuals toward embodied self-awareness and meaningful connection, both on and off the mat. With over two decades of experience and a Master's in Exercise Science & Rehabilitation, empowers individuals through the transformative synergy of yoga and mindfulness. Her science-informed approach delivers tangible strength and mobility gains through dynamic movement, enriched by resonant mindful inspiration that cultivates self-agency, integrity, and compassion for enhanced personal and global well-being.

Kristen is co-founder of Yoga Lab, along with Anna and Jeremy Engels, a yoga studio going on 9 years and voted Best of State College. Kristen has also been voted Best Yoga Teacher in the community and earned multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards as Kinesiology faculty member at PSU for 15+ years. She is certified in Corrective Exercise, Prenatal, and Children’s Yoga to provide holistic practices through the lifespan and support mental health in younger generations. Kristen is faculty for the international LYT(R) Method specialty modules sharing her expertise in prenatal and postpartum corrective exercise, including pelvic floor and core strengthening, to help women reconnect with their bodies while fortifying and nourishing themselves through motherhood. Stabilizing her method with a science-informed approach, Kristen has previous extensive training and experience with Baron Baptiste, Sean Corn, Shiva Rea, Bikram, Jivamukti, Kripalu, and Iyengar Yoga.

Kristen’s commitment to community well-being extends into impactful conscious activism. This began with Off the Mat Into the World and the Seva Uganda Challenge, documented in the film YogaWoman, where Kristen committed a year of fundraising over $20,000 to educate and rally support for humanitarian work at refugee camps in Kampala, Shanti Uganda birth centers, Building Tomorrow schools, and YouthAIDS. Locally, she celebrates the power of community impact by fostering engagement as the founder of Yoga On The Mountain, leader of Yoga In Action programs, and by integrating service into her Penn State University curriculum, instilling purpose and strengthening local connections.