Our Community 

Passion for yoga. 

Love of yoga. 

For the past 15 years yoga has been a foundational and vital part of Joanna’s life. Helpful in virtually all aspects of life; she has witnessed first-hand its profound physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Joanna felt deeply compelled to create a space of healing and health for all. Her hope was to help others who find themselves struggling, and provide a safe space for self-care and nurturing. As her inspiration bloomed, she envisioned a collaborative studio, where instructors from diverse modalities could be empowered to grow and share their offerings with community.  

Finally, in 2021 Joanna opened the doors to Joshua Tree Studio & Spa. Offering a space to the Alpena community and beyond founded in the spirit health, healing, and peace; welcoming all. In harmony with this growth, Joanna joined the Light Guardians Yoga school to fine-tune and share her personal practice at Joshua Tree. 

Here are just a few of classes Joanna will be personally offering:

True Colors series for teen girls

Pre-Natal Yoga 

Hot Yoga

Restorative Yoga with Sound 

Now in full stride, Joshua Tree continues to grow from the seeds of Joanna’s vision. Offering barre, men’s yoga, sound baths, Qigong, groove, a Himalayan salt room, and more. 

Join us! 

 Mackenzie Totten is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (200 RYT), an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, and a Functional Medicine Health Coach.

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​Originally from Portland, Oregon, Mackenzie brings a holistic and personalized approach to movement and well-being.

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Her passion is guiding students to connect their mental, physical, and cellular health.

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​Alongside her family, Mackenzie moved to Alpena to establish Brighter Moons Apple and Lavender Farm, a peaceful sanctuary featuring over 600 fruit trees.

It is here that she distills her own therapeutic-grade lavender, infusing her classes and studio environment with natural calm and aromatherapy. Join her on the mat to cultivate strength, balance, and sustainable health.

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Emily is a certified yoga instructor, herbalist, sound healer, and psychotherapist who has a passion for integrative and holistic mental health and healing.

She is also in the process of receiving her reiki practitioner training. Her yoga classes aim to address the mind-body-spirit during every class, leaving you feeling more balanced, calm, connected, and inspired.

If you attend Emily's class, you can expect a vinyasa style class, which includes breath to movement, static postures, and also some slow flow, which can be accessible for any level of yogi.

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Each class is tailored to be well-rounded and address the whole body, mind, and spirit.  

Nicolle Rene brings care and calm to every connection she makes.

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As a certified elementary school and yoga teacher—and an active mom of three—she knows firsthand the power of patience and compassion.

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Driven by purpose and passion, Nicolle is excited to begin serving both the Alpena and Rogers City communities, spreading wellness, balance, and kindness one mindful moment at a time.

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Kingsli is an NASM CPT certified in September 2024.

Kingsli is passionate about making fitness and movement fun and approachable for folks of all experience levels.

Her personal fitness journey has led her through several different eras, including long-distance running, yoga, weight lifting, and powerlifting.

She believes the best kind of exercise is the fun one AND you can stick with.

Find her on socials at @coachingbykingsli

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​Sarah believes in the practice of Yoga on and off the mat. That love and kindness is the answer to the foundation of all issues. She has been teaching yoga and pilates for 29 years her lifetime and has immersed herself in Yogic principles and philosophies. Sarah is the owner and founder of Light Guardians School of Yoga. Passing the lineage of Yoga from teacher to student is a calling for her. Just as the ancient Upanishads once did. 

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Sarah is also a busy Mom of four beautiful children and a Physical Therapist Assistant. She loves time with her family and being in nature

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Since the age of 13 Julie has been a student of various hard style martial arts, including Kenpo, Taekwondo, Karate, and Mixed Martial Arts. It has been in studying Taiji that Julie enjoys a truly holistic practice of moving meditation. Blending soft style martial movements with breathwork and Taoism, Taiji has become one of the great loves of her life and one that she enjoys sharing with others.

In addition to a Taiji instructor, Julie is an author, philosopher, writer, and reWild mentor and educator. In reWilding, Julie works with individuals and groups to reframe and rehabilitate life-styles and awareness, moving from living in disconnect to living in connection. Guiding students into deep listening to body, mind, and spirit; and ultimately reclaiming living from original Chi, living in authenticity.

I am passionate about all types of movement and here to guide you on your wellness and longevity journey.

In my classes I incorporate mobility and strength with traditional yogic breath work, mindfulness and asanas. I am a huge proponent of progress, not perfection so that we can take what we discovery and learn about ourselves on the mat, into our every day, busy lives. 

Mobility as my ethos allows me to create a dynamic and supportive environment for all, whether you're a life long yogini or brand new to the practice allowing you to easily find more joy in your health journey.  When I am not guiding movement classes, you will find me in the garden or painting (watercolor is my preferred medium). Finding beauty in the everyday  helps me to maintain a balance between helping others in my community and leading classes from Restorative to Vinyasa and everything in between.

My roots began in southern Georgia, and then grew to Alpena, in June of 2018.

My interests then were in pre-nursing. In 2018, I became a certified nurses aide, and worked in that field for five years. I attended Alpena Community College, where I graduated in May of 2022, with my associates degree in the General Sciences.

When Covid-19 consumed our community, I realized that pre-nursing was not the route my heart truly desired. After experiencing yoga and several healthcare therapy classes, my passion shifted to alternative healing and Holistic Healthcare.

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In May of 2023, I graduated from Light Guardians School of Yoga, where I now hold my 200 credit hour certification.

In October 2025, I am newly certified in Level 1 Aerial Yoga.

On August 17, 2025, I graduated from Alpena Institute of Massage Therapy.

I am currently practicing at Better Living Massage and Wellness, and McAnsh Life Energy Institute. I have a passion for health science and holistic healing. As my roots have grown, I have found peace in what I practice. It is vitally important to me to share this knowledge and light with others. I welcome all walks of life to peace and healing. 

Life poet, mind mystic, paradigm shapeshifter, foundational cultural community challenger, internal seeker, external adventurer, entrepreneur, master life coach, human potential enthusiast, nature conservationist, evolutionary motivator, life loving spiritual being enjoying the human experience.

Yoga & Sound Bath Teacher