Leanne
Leanne started taking classes at Bend in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the practice. Joanne walked up to her after just a few classes and said, “You will teach this one day.” And it happened. Leanne did her teacher training in 2019 and has been growing and learning and despite starting her teaching career during a pandemic has developed a strong practise and loyal following. She truly walks the walk of this practice and Bend is so lucky to have such a unique and rare soul on our team.
Meet Leanne:
1. What song would you sing at karaoke?
One Week - Barenaked Ladies or something Avril Lavigne/Hilary Duff/Miley Cyrus from my childhood
2. If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Explicit content, loud noises, easily excitable
3. What was your first job?
Paper route
4. What was the last thing you recorded on your TV?
I don’t record shows but the last thing I watched on Netflix was Queer Eye
5. What is your proudest accomplishment?
Personal: coming out of a low period of mental health and pushing myself to get on a plane and take a solo trip to Nicaragua
Professional: hearing someone say “that was exactly what I needed” after one of my classes or “I feel like a new person” after a massage or watching someone I’ve trained at work from day 1 thrive and grow
6. What is your favourite song to play in your spin and/or yoga class and why?
So far it’s A Reminder remix by Trevor Hall, East Forest because the lyrics are exactly how I feel towards the class “my love is just a reminder, find your centre”
7. What do you love about teaching classes?
I love getting to hold space for people to just be in their raw humanness, exploring and getting to know and be themselves on all levels - magic happens when people are given this space and it has the power to make the world a better place.
8. How do you want people to feel taking your classes?
Comfortable. Held. Grounded. Strong. Seen. Inspired. Heard. Accepted.
9. Why would you take your own class?
That is literally how I go about creating classes - so that I would want to take it. Our time on our mats is about exploring the body and strengthening and nurturing the mind-body-heart connection through movement and breath. No expectations, no judgment. Concise instruction, lots of modification options, mindful transitions and lots of love.
10. What is a fun fact about you?
I really don't like carbonation and if you ever come to my home, you will be asked to play Pictionary.
“Leanne’s classes are a must.
Her energy and spirit are contagious. She does not disappoint.”
— yoga studio
“Don’t let that sweet face distract you - Leanne creates amazing flows and her cuing is spot-on. Yes, I am partial to her challenging compilations and consistently tricky transitions. I always struggle with balancing poses and she never lets me down as each class has one!”
— Michelle D.
“Thank you for the amazing class! I really loved the combination of empowerment you gave us with your messages, along with the relaxation of the yoga postures. It’s so nice to be in a space where people can be vulnerable and shed tears without judgement. And not feel alone. It feels like a really safe place.”
— Kristine F.