Meet our Team

Amy McGuire

As the owner of Balance Yoga & Lifestyle, I would like to welcome you to our studio! I am so happy to be able to provide this space for all those in our community who are looking to begin, or deepen, their yoga practice.

I have been involved in the fitness industry for many years and had tried a few yoga classes along the way, but when I tried my first vinyasa yoga class, I was hooked! Vinyasa yoga provided me the movement and “fitness” component I was was initially looking for, but the added bonus was that along the way I became much less stressed and found myself feeling calmer and more at ease.

I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training in Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga and began teaching in 2015, and soon went on to earn additional certifications in Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, and Children’s yoga. With many hours spent teaching, I have recently earned the E-RYT 200 designation and have become qualified to be a Continuing Education Provider through Yoga Alliance.

Thank you for joining us on this journey and we hope to become your favorite place to practice. Please join us often and allow yourself to experience all that a consistent yoga practice has to offer. Together it is my hope that we will continue to evolve in our practice together and will grow a strong and thriving yoga community in Bay County!

Vinyasa Monday 5:30 PM & Weds 10 AM, Sculpt Weds 5:30 PM, Sunrise Yoga 6 AM, Flow & Stretch Thurs 5:30 PM, Vinyasa Saturdays 9 AM

Morgan Godwin

Morgan is a Panama City native who is passionate about yoga and wellness. She has studied a number of healing traditions and philosophies which she incorporates into her practice. Her teachers have come from numerous traditions including Ashtanga, Bhakti, Kundalini, and Kripalu.

Morgan teaches a slow flow, vinyasa style class with a focus on mindfulness and meditation techniques on Tuesdays at 10 AM. One of her favorite quotes: “ May you live all the days of your life.” (Jonathan Swift)

Tonya Nye
Vinyasa Spice, Core on the floor

Tonya Nye

Tonya began by practicing yoga in her home six years ago, after moving from Michigan to Panama City Beach. She took her first studio class in Panama City at One Heart Yoga. After developing a consistent practice there for several years, Tonya had a desire to share the sense of self that she had personally gained through her practice, and she made the decision to further her journey by completing her 200 hour yoga teacher training locally in 2020. Her path came full circle as she then began teaching at One Heart Yoga, and later, at other locations around the Panama City area.

Tonya says, “It has been an absolute blessing to lead in a community that I have grown to love, supporting students as they navigate their own personal journeys to wellness.”

You can join Tonya for “Vinyasa Spice” on Friday mornings at 8:30 AM and Core on the Floor on Fridays at 10 AM.

Sarah Bailey
Vinyasa

Sarah Bailey

Sarah’s teaching style has classic roots, informed by her Ashtanga based teacher training with Caroline at Beyond the Pose Yoga and her time teaching at One Heart Yoga. Her practice has evolved, as these things do, and she hopes you will enjoy a more playful experience with yoga. Her love of Somatic practices, art, and music have enhanced her embodiment of yoga philosophy. She is trauma-aware. The goal is not the pose, but letting your body cue what you need. Come flow, connect, and have some fun moving your body!

Libby Norman
Vinyasa

Libby Norman

Libby holds a 200 hour certification from Yoga Den in Jacksonville, Florida. Her journey into yoga began through physical therapy after a significant back injury in 2021, which has given her a profound understanding of anatomy, physical safety, and accessibility for all practitioners. Libby’s classes are designed to make everyone feel safe, empowered, and challenged, regardless of their experience level. She passionately believes that yoga is a meditation intertwined with physical discipline and strives to help her students achieve both a stronger body and a deeper sense of self peace.
You can join Libby on Sundays at 12:30 PM for a 75 minute All levels flow, and on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM for Warm Vinyasa flow.

Kristen Nichols
Vinyasa

Kristen Nichols

Kristen is a seasoned yoga instructor with over a decade of experience guiding students on their yoga journey. With a 500 hour certification under her belt, Kristen brings a depth of knowledge and expertise to her classes. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that yoga is not just a physical practice but also a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness. Her classes combine a playful approach with a keen focus on anatomy, allowing students to explore their bodies and minds in a safe and nurturing environment. Through her teachings, Kristen aims to empower her students to deepen their practice both on and off the mat, cultivating a greater sense of balance, strength, and mindfulness in their lives.

Amy Renae
Yin (Stretch & Release), Restorative

Amy Renae

Amy began her yoga journey in 2008. On and off the mat, she returned to the practice fully in 2013 due to lower back and hip issues. She sought out one on one sessions and got back to regular classes. She quickly realized that a regular yoga practice was healing and helping her live pain-free.
In 2014, she decided that yoga was a gift she wanted to share and pursued teacher training. She has been teaching for seven years.
Amy has trained and earned E-RYT 200 certification in Vinyasa Yoga. She also holds a restorative yoga certification, along with two children’s yoga certifications. Amy recently received trauma informed yoga training.
Amy has a passion for helping people realize that yoga is specific to them and that their practice is as individual as they are. That “Everyone can do yoga as long as they are willing to give it a try.”

Payton Reynolds
Vinyasa

Payton Reynolds

Payton is a recently graduated yoga instructor, graduating from Sama Yoga House in Costa Rica in November of 2024 with 200 hours in Vinyasa. She strives to feel more energized and confident every time she leaves her mat and is excited to share that in her classes. She recently moved to Bay County from Alaska, where she has spent hours practicing yoga in the cold Alaska winters where there isn’t much to do! As her mentor says, “how truly blessed we are,” and Payton feels truly blessed to be able to continue sharing this practice and wants people to feel better and more confident in their body and mind. You can join Payton on the mat on Mondays at 10 AM for all-levels Vinyasa flow.

Tracy Jagiello
Yin Yoga

Tracy Jagiello

Tracy is native to Bay County and is a retired Tech Corporate Executive turned Yogi (20 years at IBM & 2 years at Amazon Web Services). She first stepped on the mat in 2014 and found it life changing after being an avid athlete. She is passionate about all things lunar and chakras. She immediately began sharing yoga after she achieved her 200 hr certification in 2016. She loves to learn, which led her to pursue multiple certifications including Vinyasa Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Holy Yoga. She is Reiki Level 2 Attuned as well.