Our Instructors
Cathie Dever
E-RYT 200, RYT 500
CATHIE (SHE/HER) HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY IN THE PHYSICAL FITNESS WORLD FOR 42 YEARS. SHE HAS A DEGREE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, AND IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT CAN HELP US ALL GET TO HEALTHIER PLACES IN OUR LIVES. SHE HAS BEEN PRACTICING YOGA FOR OVER A DECADE AND BECAME A REGISTERED YOGA TEACHER IN 2018. She has also added some specialties under her teaching umbrella. Ashtanga, Yin Yoga, Adaptive Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga Trauma Informed and Yoga Nidra are extra areas of study.
CATHIE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM MOST YOGA TEACHERS YOU WILL MEET. SHE TRULY UNDERSTANDS HOW THE ANCIENT PRACTICE CAN HEAL THE BODY. SHE HAS HAD THREE SPINE SURGERIES WITH TWO OF THOSE BEING SPINAL FUSIONS. SHE HAS HAD ONE KNEE REPAIRED, Two TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENTs, AND BOTH SHOULDERS RECONSTRUCTED INCLUDING NUMEROUS PINS IN EACH SHOULDER. SHE BELIEVES THAT YOGA IS FOR EVERY BODY, AND SHE TEACHES FOR EVERY BODY.
SHE IS EXTREMELY PASSIONATE ABOUT IYENGAR YOGA TEACHING. THE IYENGAR PRACTICE REALLY OPENS UP NEW POSSIBILITIES WHEN YOUR BODY IS HEALING, OR RECOVERING FROM SURGERIES. IT IS ALIGNMENT DRIVEN, WITH A MAJOR FOCUS ON THE HUMAN ANATOMY. IT IS ALSO HUGELY BENEFICIAL FOR MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE IT INCORPORATES PROPS INTO THE POSES, MAKING MANY POSES MORE ACCESSIBLE. BLOCKS, BLANKETS, STRAPS, AND BOLSTERS ARE USED OFTEN SO THAT EVERY BODY HAS A CHANCE TO REACH THE POSE THEY ARE STRIVING FOR.
MENTAL HEALTH IS AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH TO CATHIE. SHE HAS LEARNED THESE THINGS FIRST HAND, AS HER FAMILY HAS BEEN TOUCHED REPEATEDLY BY CANCER. SHE IS A SURVIVOR HERSELF, AND YOU CAN OFTEN FIND HER TEACHING CLASSES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES CHANGED DRAMATICALLY BY CANCER.
As the world finally addresses the topic of mental health, Cathie agrees that a yoga and meditation practice can truly change lives.
Haleigh Dever
RYT 200
Haleigh (she/her) has been practicing yoga and meditation for the better part of 15 years. Initially taking up yoga for the physical benefits, Haleigh quickly learned that Yoga is so much more than a means of exercise. Yoga is also an incredible tool in managing her mental health.
She left home to pursue a career in the music industry at the age of 19, and this uprooting of her life really threw her for a loop. she battled with suicidal thoughts, severe depression, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. through the aid of medication, therapy, and yoga, she has formed a better understanding of these issues.
thanks to her ryt 200 training, haleigh is now equipped with the tools to aid others going through a similar struggle. it is her hope that people from all walks of life will find a home in bearhawk yoga, which is for every Body.
Haleigh is also deeply interested in all genres of music (thanks to her mom, cathie, who raised her to like a little bit of everything). It’s her hopes to center future classes around her ever changing playlists.
