Meet Our Instructors
We are all proud to have an incredible team on board. We have local, experienced teachers to guide you. These instructors are known, loved and trusted throughout the community. Each of us bring a different personality and style to the mat. Choose one, choose all! Krystal, Jen, Cathy, Jessica, Kim, Scott, Marissa & Erika are honored to guide you.
Krystal Akin
Yoga Instructor
Krystal started practicing yoga in high school to help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. She completed her 200hr teacher training at Spira Power Yoga's West Seattle studio in 2016, studying under Dora Gyarmati and Carina Terra. She has since continued training in Yin & Restorative yoga, Pranayama, and Ayurveda with Carina Terra. Krystal completed the certificate program through the Trauma Conscious Yoga Institute in 2021 and an additional 300hr teacher training with My Vinyasa Practice with Michelle Young in 2022. She obtained a Level 2 certificate through TCYM in 2023.
She is a complete nerd when it comes to the healing power of the mind-body connection and her classes are a balance of East meets West. By marrying the body to the breath and creating dynamic flow, you’ll leave with an empowered sense of energetic awareness.
Outside of Orchard Roots, Krystal owns Mud Flower Mindful Movement & Counseling, PLLC, a counseling & holistic wellness practice, specializing in trauma and intense emotions ( www.mudflowermmc.com ), is a program Teaching Assistant for the Trauma Conscious Yoga Institute, and a mother to two vibrant and sassy little girls.
Cathy Westcott
Yoga Instructor
Cathy is a Yoga Alliance certified instructor and is known for her authentic, non-judgmental teaching style. She truly believes that yoga is not about picture perfect poses or bodies . Yoga is for everyone and every body! It is about calming the mind, challenging the body and picking yourself up when you fail and continuing on. That is why it is called a yoga “practice”. Everyday is a new learning opportunity whether you are a new yogi or an experienced one.
Jessica Shearer
Yoga Instructor
Jessica completed her 200hr TT in 2016 with Molly Lannon Kenney who founded the Samarya Center. Then went on to complete a 50hr Yin Yoga TT in 2020 at Shakti Vinyasa as well as a Fascia Mastery course in 2021 with Diane Avison.
"I fell in love with yoga about 10 years ago and have since continued to develop my practice. For me yoga is a journey where physical awareness and spiritual enlightenment come together. My intention is to provide a safe space where students will feel challenged, nurtured,empowered and inspired."
Erika Anderson
Yoga Instructor
A kitsap native, Erika Anderson believes that our connection to the natural world can provide us with the means to find our own unique path to bliss.
In 2014, she earned the RYT-200 designation with training in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga at the International College of Holistic Studies and in 2021 earned RYT-500 designation with training in Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra, Restorative, Yin, Adaptive, Children’s, Prenatal, and Trauma Informed yoga from My Vinyasa Practice. Erika has received additional training in Cosmic Anatomy, Sound Healing, Body Reading, Zen Touch Massage, and Ayurvedic Tradition.
Erika balances her time between her family, yoga practice and farm, Sunshine Acres Family Farm in Port Orchard, where she provides her community with fresh, naturally grown produce, goods, and services, as well as the opportunity to connect with the natural world in hands-on experiences and workshops. Rooted in the idea that yoga is much more than a series of poses, but rather a holistic approach to living, Erika fosters a supportive environment for personal growth.
Marissa Krecker
Owner & Yoga Instructor
Marisa began her yoga journey back in 2003. When she moved to Jackson Hole, WY her days consisted of back country hikes and snowboarding expeditions that were less than kind to her body.
She and her best friend, Erica found yoga at their local gym. It was great to stretch and breathe.
However over time they realized that yoga was not just about the physical aspect, the mental reward became just as valuable!
After moving to Seattle she became a member at Core Power Yoga. She started her 200 hour teacher training in 2014.
But the real truth about when yoga became Marissa's heart and soul was when she became pregnant with her twins. At 12 weeks of gestation they were told that baby B (their daughter) had zero chance of survival. She was devastated. She had weekly scheduled ultrasounds to determine whether or not “baby B” still had cardiac activity. So she would go to yoga. She figured, "at least we can do something that I love together before she goes". So, day after day… Marissa would go, flow with her hand on her belly and think about how much she loved that baby.
The baby never left! Kaya has her struggles as a special needs child. But she is a beautiful, imperative part the family and Marissa genuinely believes that Kaya is here because of the yoga practices that they shared together.
Their family now consists of Marissa's husband, Kevin, their 8 year old daughter, Everly, their 4.5 year old twins, Kaya and Jameson and Marissa
She was born and raised in Port Orchard. And so very honored to bring something so profound to a community that she loves so much!
Angie Morton
Yoga Instructor
Angie was first introduced to yoga in college when she thought it would complement her athletic training. With a commitment of time, many classes and extensive training, yoga has evolved for her into a love for the body's amazing capabilities, the value of a meditative outlet, and a desire to create inspiring classes for others. She is passionate about providing a fun and safe space for others, being outside, learning, and spending time with her family.
Miranda Rhodes
Yoga Instructor
Miranda Rhodes holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts. She is also a Physical Therapist Assistant. She was a Dance Instructor at Ballard/Shoreline Academy of Music and Dance for 8 years. She also taught Children's Yoga at Stroum Jewish Community Center, and began her teaching career with Creative Dance in Seattle Public Schools. She believes that witnessing and facilitating the natural expression of movement in children is one of life's greatest joys. She is so excited to be finding a new home to teach after relocating with her husband and 2 kids from Seattle last summer.
Shonna Porter
Yoga Instructor
Shonna has a B.A. in Exercise Physiology, Sports Science and Nutrition, and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology. Her current full-time job is serving in private practice as a (licensed, mental health counselor) LMHC. She has been certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American Fitness & Aerobic Association (AFAA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). She has been teaching group exercise and personal training since 1993, has been a 200 hour YRT YogaFit trained yoga instructor since 2004 and is formerly a member of YogaFit’s medical advisory board. In addition she has attended numerous trainings, conferences, summits and certification courses for over three decades.
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Shonna has lectured extensively on group fitness, personal training, healthy living and weight loss, disordered eating and wellness related topics for major corporations and at fitness conferences all over the U.S. She has worked in key positions for major international and national corporations as an award winning educator, innovator, creative consultant and leader. Some such companies include: The U.S. Navy, American Specialty Health, Silver& Fit, Star Trac Fitness Equipment manufacturer, 24-hour Fitness, LA Fitness, Pure Fitness, Zumba, Spinning and Yogafit. For seven years (until the news publication ended), Shonna wrote a weekly column entitled “inspired,” for the Gig Harbor Life newspaper and has produced content for such publications as Shape, IDEA Today, Personal Training on the Net, Parenting, Parenthood and several publications for advocacy groups supporting health and wellness.
Shonna's light hearted, realistic and results oriented approach to incorporate wellbeing into everyday life, has trained hundreds of fitness leaders to be effective and helped thousands of clients improve the quality of their life, break free from emotional dis-ease and attain lifelong health and wellness goals. As a presenter she is humorous, energetic, effective, engaging, entertaining and practical. Shonna loves to be a student as much as a teacher and prides herself on having up to date, cutting edge and relevant education and effective modalities of corrective and foundational exercise for her audience.
Kim Smith
Yoga Instructor
Kim Smith has been teaching yoga for 12 years, dance for 25 years, and various other classes along the way. She received her Yoga Alliance Certification in 2011 after completing her 200 hour course while in Fort Collins, CO. She is a devoted teacher, wife, and mother of three amazing little boys. Her husband Casey, along with her little men, Waylon, Coltrane, and Seger, are her inspiration, her adventure team, her unwavering support, and her whole heart. She is passionate about her students and their personal growth and loves the energy, the challenges, the friendships, and the community of yoga. She brings encouragement, focus, and joy to her classes and looks forward to helping align body, mind, and spirit with all who step up to the mat! Namaste!