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About Bretton

Bretton began practicing yoga from a dvd at age eleven, primarily as a complement to dance. A kinesthetic learner, she would often practice in her bedroom while doing homework. Her first instructor-led class took place her freshman year of high school, taught by a gym teacher who offered students a safe space in which to explore bodily sensation through yoga poses (asana) and meditation.

This formative experience greatly contributed to Bretton’s love for the practice, as well as her passion for teaching children of all ages, but particularly the adolescent years.

Adult Yoga Training.

In 2012, Bretton completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training in DC through Down Dog Yoga. Prior to teaching yoga full time, she worked part time teaching yoga to high intensity athletes, while also working as an assistant providing hands-on adjustments at a hot power yoga studio. Her experience as an assistant was fundamental in shaping her individualized teaching style, while giving Bretton the opportunity to learn on a deep level how different bodies move. In 2014, Bretton began instructing full time, while also returning to her dance roots, teaching dance to children and barre to adults. She loves to dance, and maintains a regular dance and barre practice. She teaches Vinyasa style and prenatal yoga to adults, striving to do so from a place of authentic connection with each student by tapping into her inherent creativity and sensitivity.

Prenatal Work.

Bretton began teaching prenatal yoga in 2017 and discovered she loves providing a space for mamas-to-be during this life transition phase. In 2019, she completed Graceful Fusions Birth Doula Training with Nicole Heidbreder, and became certified as a DONA birth doula in 2020. She previously worked for Community of Hope as a volunteer doula, and now works with private clients both virtually and in the DC area.

Kids Yoga & Mindfulness.

In 2013, Bretton began teaching children’s yoga completely unintentionally, when she was asked to guest teach at a local school. Quickly discovering that the world of children’s yoga was one very different from that of adults, Bretton registered for Circle Yoga’s Budding Yogis training with Linda Feldman, and fell in love with working with children in this capacity. She has since completed numerous yoga and mindfulness trainings for children, and obtained the Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) designation through Yoga Alliance. Much of Bretton’s work entails teaching children with special needs in several area schools as well as an outpatient rehab facility for mental health and behavioral challenges including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. She works with children ages 18 months to 18 years and teaches roughly 250 children/week.

International Experience.

Bretton has taught internationally at live-in healing retreat centers in Mexico and Cambodia. In 2016, she moved to India, to further studies in yoga and Ayurveda while practicing at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI). She practices Mysore-style Ashtanga with Michael Joel Hall, and remains immensely grateful for the guidance of him and many other teachers who have influenced her practice and work.

Bretton's Resume

Trainings & Certifications.

Adult Yoga & Barre.

Down Dog Yoga: 200-Hour Teacher Training Program; Art of Assisting I & II (2012)

Yoga Anatomy with David Keil (Spring 2014)

Spark Yoga:Yoga Anatomy for Teachers; Barre Teacher Training (Fall 2014)

CorePower Yoga: Yoga Sculpt Training (Fall 2014)

Sanskrit Levels One & Two at K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (Nov 2016 - Feb 2017)

Yoga Philosophy Courses with Arvind Pare in Mysore, India (Nov 2016 - Jan 2017)

Past Tense Prenatal Teacher Training with Lindsey Uhrig (Dec 2019 - Feb 2020)

Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness.

Circle Yoga: Budding Yogis Teaching Yoga to Kids Certification with Linda Feldman (July 2014)

Radiant Child Yoga Levels 1, 3, and 3 (June 2018)

Every Kid’s Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Children with Special Needs with Craig Hanauar (August 2018)

Karma Kids Yoga: Therapeutic Yoga Skills for those Treating Children with Trauma with Joanne Lloyd (June 2019)

Exploring Ethics in Children’s Yoga – Individual Practicum with Marni Gittleman (Sept - Dec 2019)

When Anxiety Affects Learning: How to Help Children with School-Related Anxiety with Dr. Jonathan Dalton, Ph.D. (Nov 2019)

Other Modalities.

Sculpt DC – Sculpt 360 Teacher Training (Summer 2014)

Zumba Basics (Fall 2014)

Ayurvedic Cooking Levels One and Two at Turiya Dhatu Organics in Mysore, India (Dec 2016 - Jan 2017)

G.M. Healing Centre, Mysore, India: Usui Shiki Ryoho First Degree & Second Degree Reiki Method of Natural Healing (January 2017)

Sarvaguna Yoga School: Usui Shiki Ryoho First Degree Reiki Method of Natural Healing (March 2017)

GracefulFusion Birth Doula Training with Nicole Heidbreder (July 2019)