Northwest Yoga Academy, Puyallup

Though the process of becoming a yoga teacher involves memorizing sanskrit and learning the roots and traditions of yoga, the best teachers manage to insert their own personality and teaching style into their classes. So when Michelle Ann Thielen founded Northwest Yoga Academy, she designed a teacher training that aims to help budding instructors find that sweet spot between honoring the long tradition of yoga and empowering teachers to develop their own teaching style. The school's instructors lead students through the 200- and 500-hour certification courses, as well as shorter workshops that focus on building solid foundations for a deeper yoga practice. But no matter the training, Michelle and her team work to make sure students find wholeness in mind, body, soul, and spirit.