Qualifications and Accomplishments

Jennifer is the Founder of The Blend Studio, and its lead instructor.  Jennifer developed The Blend class to create an unbeatable workout for her students.  She is a certified YRT 200 yoga instructor, as well as a certified power pilates instructor.  In addition, Jennifer holds multiple certifications in other fitness modalities including CrossFit, movement and mobility, Olympic weightlifting and muscle activation techniques.  In addition, she is a certified holistic nutritionist.

What to Expect in My Class?

In our Blend classes, I am going to deliver to you an experience unlike anything you have participated in before; over the course of our hour together, I will take you on a journey beginning with a great vinyasa yoga flow, thru a kick-butt matt pilates series and finally to an intense HIIT cardio progression.  I will leave you breathless and full of endorphins.

In my other classes that you join me for, I will help you develop your practice, find inner and outer balance and, together, achieve the intentions we set for our practice.  We’re also going to have a lot of fun and do it to great music!

Fun Fact

I am a Canadian! I moved to Orange County to bring The Blend to this community, which I am absolutely passionate about and in love with!

Qualifications and Accomplishments

Suzy has been practicing yoga since she was 13 years old with her mother. In 1987 she began practicing under the guidance of her guru, Tim Miller of the Ashtanga Yoga Center of Encinitas, Ca. She began teaching yoga in 1994 and has primarily taught for local studios in the OC area for the past 20 years. She has extensive experience of teaching a variety of classes, such as; Ashtanga Yoga-guided and Mysore style (adjustment only) practice, Vinyasa flow, Hatha and Yin yoga.

What to Expect in My Class?

Today, she has combined her knowledge of the study of Ashtanga yoga into her own original choreography in the practice of Vinyasa Flow. In this style of practice her emphasis is on the continuous flow of movement in order to build heat, stamina and focused awareness. She brings attention to a technique-based practice, teaching her students step by step how to move into some of the more challenging poses.

Her Yin Yoga instruction is focused on alignment, foundation and balance. She offers longer held poses in order to bypass the larger muscles of the body so that you can directly penetrate and stimulate the connective tissues. This applied emphasis is in order to remove tension and toxins that build up and store in the major joints and tissues of the body. During class, Suzy explains to her audience what they might be benefiting from both physically and emotionally.

In essence, she strives to offer balance, awareness and serenity to a complex understanding of the process of yoga.

Fun Fact

Her mother, Marlene Geoghan, has taught yoga in the Orange County area since 1979 and still teaches and practices to this day at the young age of 85.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

Courtney Parkyn, E-RYT 500, Reiki Master

• Trained under Alison Brown in 2008 for my RYT 200
• Trained under Erika Faith for my RYT 500 in 2011
• I have studied with Rod Stryker of Para Yoga since 2011, completing over 800 hours of continuing education in topics such as prana (energy), yoga Nidra (meditation), pranayama, and tantra.
• I have been a Reiki master since 2012

What to Expect in My Class?

My classes are mindful and breath-centered, helping to focus the mind on the body and breath. You can expect to connect deeply with body sensation and learn how to activate and isolate different parts of your body.

How I Found Yoga

I found yoga at 17 when my mom brought me to my first class at her gym. Later, at 24, yoga helped to save my life, helping me overcome addiction and an eating disorder.

Fun Fact

I am obsessed with all animals and love to foster kittens, especially bottle-fed ones.
My husband calls me a crazy cat lady.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

Courtney was certified to teach Barre in 2017 and acquired a group fitness certificate, chisel group class (upper body) and bellies, butts, and thighs group class certificates from Crunch Fitness.

Teaching Style

Courtney’s Barre class is a full body workout where grace meets athleticism. She uses fun basic dance moves and up-beat kickboxing for the cardio portion of her class. The Mat work includes planks, pushups and light hand weights, which are incorporated for the upper body strength training. The Ballet Barre portion of the class is designed to work on firming, lifting and shaping the lower body. 

What to Expect in My Class?

Courtney uses effective exercises that target abs, hips and booty for toned and tight muscles. Throughout the entire class, she focuses on posture and core strength. Her class will keep you moving for a continuous burn with body shaping results. 

Fun Fact

Courtney loves camping!

Qualifications and Accomplishments

What To Expect In My Class?

Teaching Style

Fun Fact

Qualifications and Accomplishments

After years of sustained injuries from running, I became a barre Instructor for an alternative lower impact workout. Barre led to yoga teacher training and the rest they say, is history!

• 500 hours yoga teacher training
• Certified barre instructor
• Teaching for over 8 years

What to Expect in My Class?

My classes are fun and high energy, you should LOVE your workouts!

Fun Fact

I grew up on a farm in Michigan and dream of one day having my own.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

NASM (CPT, CES), 500RYT, Barre Teacher, Spinning Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor, Les Mills Trainer & PN1 Nutrition Coach.

How I Found Yoga

I was born in Sweden but raised in Spain. Health and movement have always been an integral part of my life and my passion. Growing up, my family owned a dance and fitness studio, and as a kid, that’s where I spent all my free time.

I started teaching group fitness during my university years in Sweden. Through the busiest times in my life, I have always carved out time to work out and stay active – it’s always been one of my top priorities. Training for me is more than just staying fit – it’s how I stay balanced, both physically and mentally. It’s my “moving meditation.”

I discovered Yoga back in 2005 when I borrowed an Ashtanga yoga DVD from a friend, but it wasn’t until my first pregnancy in 2010 that I really deepened my interest and got hooked to a consistent practice.

What to Expect in My Class?

In my class, you can expect high energy and to be challenged while always keeping close attention to maintaining proper form. I’m a big anatomy/form nerd 😉

Fun Fact

In my previous professional career, I was the founder and CEO of a startup that developed educational apps for kids focused on boosting kids’ creativity. I’m also a proud owner of a Harley Davidson!

Qualifications and Accomplishments

An RYT-500 with over a thousand hours of training, Nicole is an experienced Vinyasa, Restorative, and Yin teacher. She respectfully credits the master teachers she’s grateful to have worked with, including Judith Hanson Lasater, Joe Barnett, Kali Durga, Dana Damara, and more. Nicole seeks to offer inspiring variations in each class so every student shines brighter.

Teaching Style

Nicole’s classes offer mindful movement and breath through varied sequences.

How I found Yoga

Nicole found yoga 2 decades ago when a friend brought her to a parks and rec community class in her hometown. She was immediately hooked. She had no idea she was doing Hatha yoga — she just loved finally feeling at home in her body and wanted the feeling to last. Nicole remembers practicing poses on her own at home, excitedly awaiting the next week’s class.

What to Expect in My Class?

Every class Nicole offers is rooted in mindful variations so that students of all levels can benefit. Nicole’s classes are thoughtfully curated but intuitively guided, often with a motivating theme connected to the roots of yoga.

Fun Fact

Nicole is a Reiki Master Teacher but hasn’t yet mastered her fear of birds.  She is an eternal student and spends her time with her family, including her two young sons and dog.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

She comes credentialed and certified with 200hr, Yoga Sculpt Training, HPF – Hot Power Fusion, and has taught yoga throughout Orange County.

Teaching Style 

SuLu specializes in Vinyasa, Slow Flow, Yoga Sculpt, and The Blend.

What to Expect in My Class?

SuLu’s intentional and grounding nature is complemented by her ability to infuse energy into her practice to motivate guests. She loves creating playlists to inspire deeper and greater movements throughout class.

Fun Fact

She ran cross country in school and continued that passion of running by participating in half marathons in her adult life.  Later in life she had a wonderful opportunity to practice yoga and was hooked!  She loved that yoga was grounding for the soul as well as energizing to the aspect of mind, body, breath, and soul.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

I completed my 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification to share my love of movement with this beautiful community and help students feel joyful, balanced, creative, and alive in their practice.

What To Expect In My Class?

You can expect a powerful flow with creative sequences that energize you, fun challenging balances and inversions, and strong core work. My classes will encourage you with inspiring intentions and thoughtful playlists.

Teaching Style

With a background in yoga and Pilates, I incorporate these throughout my classes. I teach a strong, creative flow that moves you on your mat.

Fun Fact

After years as a competitive gymnast, I found yoga filled my love for balance, movement, mobility, and flexibility.

I am most alive when I am active, finding joy hiking and paddle boarding in beautiful places.

Qualifications and Accomplishments

What To Expect In My Class?

Teaching Style

Fun Fact

Studio Manager

I am a Michigan native who moved to Orange County three years ago and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I am grateful for my midwestern roots and have an amazing family back home, but I love the active, healthy lifestyle here and being near the ocean. I have my degree in business management and marketing from a university near Chicago. I enjoy being creative in different areas of my life, which is why I love being on the marketing team for The Blend. My role within the company allows me to live out my passion for marketing and working out, plus being near Dana Point beach is another great perk.

Fun Fact

I enjoy trying new foods and traveling to exciting places. I have been to Belize, Thailand, and Jamaica so far and hope to experience European countries in the future!