Vayu Yoga® Founder/Owner
Vayu, in Sanskrit literally means air or wind. Vayu Yoga® is dedicated towards teaching the practice of connecting breath to life – through a yoga practice – Breathe. Live. Renew.
Wendy Hassenpflug, MS, E-RYT, CPT
Wendy, founder and owner of Vayu Yoga®, has over 25 years of experience teaching dance, movement, and somatic (mind-body) practices to students of all ages in both private and public sectors. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, as well as a Master of Science in Kinesiology, with emphasis in dance. Her Masters thesis was based on: "A Phenomenological Case Study: A Personal Journey Through Aerial Yoga".
Wendy has trained in aerial arts since 2008 and continues to focus her research on the affects of aerial suspension on the body, mind and spirit. She has developed her own therapeutic method of aerial yoga called Vayu Yoga® Suspended. She approaches training intelligently, applying appropriate modifications for each individual, and provides her students with the tools to practice safely. Wendy has been a member of the dance faculty at College of the Canyons since 2006, and kinesiology faculty at California State University, Northridge since 2009. Prior to teaching higher education, Wendy taught high school dance programs for ten years in Texas, Nevada, and California.
Wendy holds certifications in personal training (NCEP), holistic nutrition (NCEP), professional teaching licenses in Texas and Nevada (grades K-12), is a registered yoga teacher E-RYT200 (Yoga Alliance), and certified Pilates® teacher (Pilates Method Alliance). Wendy trained with master yoga teachers Ganga White and Tracey Rich (founders of White Lotus Yoga Foundation), where she earned her 200-hour certification. She also completed the 300-hour professional program and 50-hour bridge program with YogaWorks. She was a member of the opening team at YogaWorks, Valencia, where she taught classes and held workshops for four years. She has also had the opportunity to train with master yoga teachers Gary Kraftsow (Founder of Viniyoga), Judith Lasater (restorative yoga specialist), and Julie Gudmestad (therapeutic yoga).
Wendy's Pilates training includes IMX, Balanced Body, Pilates Method Alliance, Aerofit Pilates, Rhythm Pilates and with Karena Thek Linebeck. Wendy enjoys teaching students how to enjoy movement from the inside out, and how to train in techniques that build strong mind-body connections. She finds it rewarding to see students improve their practice, discover new things about themselves, and feel better by the end of their sessions (physically, mentally or emotionally). Teaching others how to move more efficiently, both in their practice and in life, is her passion.
Wendy teaches Vayu Yoga(R) Suspended, Vayu Yoga(R) Wall Yoga, Yoga Blend, and Vayu Yoga(R) Pilates Mat, Acro Yoga, and Yoga in Nature. She is available to book for events and engagements.