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 certifications in Yin Yoga and Mindfulness. 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 PM /Weds 10 AM, Sculpt Weds 5:30 PM, Sunrise Yoga 6 AM, Slow flow/Yin Thurs 5:30 PM, Vinyasa alt 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

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 9 AM.

Tonya Nye
Vinyasa Spice

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!

Join Sarah for Vinyasa Flow on alternating Saturdays at 9 AM.

Kristen Nichols
Vinyasa, Slow flow

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.

Join Kristen for Slow Flow Vinyasa (all levels) on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM

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.

Tracy teaches Yin (Stretch & Release) on Thursdays at 10 AM.

Amy Renae
Yin Yoga

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 as well as trans 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.”
Her teaching style is all inclusive and you don’t need to have any previous experience. She teaches with a warm welcome and a therapeutic approach. Amy is LGBTQIA affirming, an ally and a mental health advocate. You can join Amy on Sunday mornings for Yin yoga at 10 AM

Patty Bartoldus
Candlelight Yin, Restorative Yoga

Patty Bartoldus

Patty is a registered yoga teacher and has been teaching for about 15 years. She had a career of high stress jobs and long hours and finally realized how much her mind and body longed for a different expression of herself. She discovered yoga and mediation and knew this was her new path in life.
Yoga has been a life-changing gift for her and has given her many precious tools to use on and off the mat. Yoga has inspired Patty and has been instrumental in deepening her path of self discovery and healing. It has opened up new pathways of healing through energy work and other healing modalities. Through her own medical challenges she has started to self heal and loves sharing these forms of healing modalities with others to help transform their body, mind and soul into a more “feel good” place with love, support and compassion.
Patty has trained in Hatha, Somatic, Thai, Restorative, Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra and Yoga Sculpting. She is a Reiki master who loves to offer healing through a variety of modalities in her class.
You can join Patty on Wednesdays at 6:45 PM Candlelight Yin, Sundays at 4:30 PM Restorative Yoga, and Sound Healing Sundays once a month at 6 PM