Your Wellness Professionals
About Us
Our Story
Runa Yoga was founded in 2014 in Duluth, MN in order to support and foster the sense of mindfulness and peace in the surrounding community. We offer a variety of approaches to achieve and maintain your optimal health. Whether you are experiencing pain or simply want to improve your physical and mental wellbeing, Runa Yoga provides a healing and friendly environment to do so.
The Runa Yoga team is comprised of qualified health specialists ready to put their energy and skills towards helping you reach your goals. Everyone at our center believes in establishing a balance and flow in the body. Get in touch to learn more about our incredible team — we’re looking forward to being a part of your healthy lifestyle.
Testimonials
"Absolutely great people and classes! Experienced instructors that provide an amazing flow, enhancing your strength both physically
and mentally!"
-Renee
"A few things I love about Runa is that they are passionate about sustainability, supporting local businesses, offering organic and natural products, and getting involved in the Duluth community!"
-Maddie
Meet Our Team
We are so grateful for our talented, supportive, and passionate team. Everyone has such a unique background and set of skills that can not be replaced. To all our teammates, you are so valued and we are grateful to have you! Take a look below to read more about each individual, maybe try out their personalized Spotify playlists while you are at it!
Michelle Cartier
Co-owner + Yoga Instructor
Co-owner Michelle Cartier has always held a strong belief that optimal health and wellness are achieved when the mind and body are treated and supported as one. She feels grateful to be a lifelong student of the practice of yoga and for the opportunity to share that passion with others. She holds space in her classes for students to explore the tools of breath + movement to peel away the outer layers and connect to themselves and the world around them on a deeper, authentic level.
Jessie Erickson
Co-owner + Yoga Instructor
Co-owner of Runa Yoga, Jessie Erickson, has over 12 years of experience as a yoga practitioner and over 10 years of experience as a yoga/fitness instructor. Jessie brings kindness and nurture to her classroom, which creates an environment that fosters growth through curiosity. Erickson believes that we can make the world a better place by first making our lives better. When she is not teaching, you can find Jessie either skiing or hiking with her family. Enjoying the laughter and joys that life brings.
See These Icons?
Click them! Each Instagram and Spotify icon is personal to the team member. Get to know us better through Instagram. Or follow along to your favorite teachers' virtually led classes with their personal Spotify playlist!
Miriam Hanson
Yoga Instructor
Yoga is for everybody! Miriam believes in the power of yoga to transform us out of the daily minutia and self obsessions to bring us freedom through breath, asana, and spiritual practice. After 11 years of practicing in her Caribbean home with visiting teachers from around the world, she returned to her birth home of Duluth in 2013 The grace to teach is a gift from the students, and Miriam continues to learn from the beautiful yogis who show up to every class!
Katie Pratt
Yoga Instructor
Katie completed her 200h vinyasa yoga training through Runa Yoga and Sutra Seekers in 2020 after a decade of consistent practice. She believes that everyone brings their own knowledge, experience, and wisdom to the mat and her classes acknowledge this, creating a space for you to shine in an environment of non-judgment, curiosity, and community. Expect a strong and creative flow with an ever-changing playlist to challenge your body and focus your mind.
Linda Farrell
Yoga Instructor
Linda is a Physical Therapist and has been for 27 years. She expanded her journey to include yoga receiving her 200 RYT in Costa Rica in March 2016, and now she has almost 900 teaching hours. Linda received her Restorative Yoga Certification in April 2017, a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner Certification in November 2017, and PIYO Live Instructor Certification in December 2017. Linda has worked with people from all backgrounds and enjoys teaching and practicing all types of yoga!
Marcia Rienhardt
Yoga Instructor
In 2011, Marcia started attending a yoga class a week to add some "stretching” to her cardio/weight lifting routine. There she fell in love. She took more and more classes varying the types. In the summer of 2017, Marcia became an RYT-200 Certified Yoga Instructor through Green Lotus Yoga & Healing Center adding Assisting & Adjusting and Restorative Yoga training the next Spring. Marcia believes yoga is for “everybody” and should be a fun way to relieve the stress of life.
Heidi Schuchman
Yoga Instructor
Heidi Schuchman has been teaching children's yoga for six years and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2020. Through 20+ years as an elementary teacher and avid runner, Heidi believes that breath and movement have the capacity to help us heal and grow, and that is what drives her yoga practice. Off the mat, she loves to run, hike, ski, listen to music and sit around a fire with friends, family, and a glass of wine.
Kayla Smith
Yoga Instructor
Kayla Smith completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through Sutra Seekers at RÚNA Yoga in May 2020 and earned her Yin training this year. She has been practicing for 6 years. Northern Minnesota born and raised, Kayla is eager to share the mental and physical benefits of yoga. She hopes to evoke curiosity, self-love, and healing in her students through creative flows and peaceful meditations in a safe, accepting environment.
Katie Knight
Yoga Instructor
Katie made her dream a reality and completed her 200-hour vinyasa yoga training through Runa Yoga/Sutra Seeker YTT in the winter of 2021. Katie is a Cardiovascular ICU nurse at Essentia Health for 7 years and understands how important the breath, movement, and mind-body connection are to maintain your overall wellbeing. Katie creates a welcoming space for you to show up as your true authentic self while encouraging and supporting your dive into your journey inward.
Marlene Weikle
Yoga Instructor
Marlene is a yoga guide and practitioner based in Duluth, MN. She began practicing yoga in 2012 and completed her 200-hour Yoga Alliance teaching certification through Runa Yoga + Sutra Seekers in 2021. Marlene believes yoga is for all bodies and strives to create a friendly and fun environment integrating curiosity and play throughout her practice. Outside of the studio, Marlene is a full-time nanny and passionate about all things wild & outdoors. Camping, hiking, biking, skiing, and more...
Nate LaCoursiere
Yoga Instructor
Nate completed his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through Sutra Seekers at Runa Yoga in May 2021, after serving as a Karma Trade Yogi at Runa and a committed practitioner since 2018. Nate believes in the transformational power of yoga in everyday life: a key to building greater present moment awareness, empathy, and resilience. Nate hopes students leave his classes with new ideas, tools, and techniques for incorporating basic movement, breath, and mindfulness practices into their personal and professional lives.
Olivia Mesedahl
Yoga Instructor
Olivia Mesedahl has been dancing since she could walk! She left her life as a ballerina after a serious injury and found yoga and barre in her healing practice. A native to the Twin Cities, Olivia moved to Duluth to finish her B.A. in Communication and Hispanic Studies and happily stayed in Duluth. When she isn’t managing a restaurant on the shore of Lake Superior or teaching barre... Olivia loves cooking, mountain biking, and spending time with her family in the garden. Olivia believes in the power of movement, music that makes you want to dance, and a good sweat.
Kate Horvath
Yoga Instructor
Kate brings 20+ years of yoga and fitness experience to her classes. A professional actor, singer, director, and educator, she now counsels executives on career strategy for a boutique firm in Duluth, MN. Kate teaches with energy and athleticism. You can expect an encouraging and inclusive class, creating a connected practice at every experience level. She is also an avid runner, community builder, and bonafide Shakespeare nerd.
Saranda Oestreicher
Yoga Instructor
Saranda was introduced to yoga as a teen but truly connected to yoga as a young adult. She decided to dive deeper into both her practice and herself by completing her 200-hour vinyasa yoga training through Runa Yoga/Sutra Seeker YTT in the winter of 2021. Saranda creates a safe space that invites you to dive inward and empowers you to connect to the divine within yourself. Outside of the studio, Saranda is passionate about the wildness of life and she holds a BS in wildlife biology. You can find her camping, mountain biking, and competing in agility with her dogs.
Trista Anderson
Yoga + Barre Instructor
Trista brings a background of 24 years (gulp) in the fitness industry. She firmly believes the combination of movement, music, and community is a powerful tool that aids our physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. She started practicing yoga 20 years ago through community education and hasn't looked back. Trista loves to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere and isn't afraid to laugh at herself. Her greatest joy and accomplishment in life is her family, including her supportive husband and two wonderful sons.
Cassi Schwantz
Studio Manager
Cassi believes in living a well-balanced life, and a life that you love! Currently a student at UMD, she is soon to be graduating with a major in Graphic Design and Marketing. When she isn't in school, she enjoys camping with her family and playing volleyball with her friends. Now practicing yoga for 6 years, she is thrilled to be working with Runa Yoga, managing the studio and marketing team. Cassi loves the opportunity that has been given to her through Runa Yoga as she continues her passion for creating and connecting with the Duluth community!
