Build Yoga and Wellness Home

Want to increase your strength and flexibility? Recover from injury? Want to work on your health and wellness? No problem!

We welcome you with open arms and yoga wellness practices to help. I offer a deep understanding of the body, a good sense of humor and serious devotion to offering each person what is possible through yoga.

OUR MISSION

We believe power, energy and happiness come from connecting the body, breath and mind. This is what we are about. This is what we teach.

ABOUT THE BODY

Seriously, the body is genius. You don’t need to make it genius, it just is. Think about what this really means. The body is more than a vehicle to get you from point A to point B. You have a high performance system that is meant for action, challenges, rest, fun and exploration. It facilitates everything you do. The body isn’t who you are. But it is a mirror. It teaches you about how you are taking care of yourself. That’s incredible. And it’s yours.

Your body needs your attention. How? The way you hold your body-- the way you sit, stand, walk and sleep-- affects everything you do and how you feel. When you feel pain, discomfort, weakness, instability, tight muscles, headaches, stress, this is the body telling you something is out of balance. You have the power to do something about it.

Yoga and mobility is way more than being bendy. Good posture and positioning can improve your body alignment. This helps you improve your strength and flexibility, develop greater mobility, eliminate pain, recover faster from injury, improve performance and just plain feel better. Knowledge of the body is applicable to everything you do. That’s how to access power.

Katie Shults of Build Yoga

BREATHING

If you practice yoga, you will get a great physical workout for the body. It also helps you to access the vital power of breathing. We’ve all heard the benefits of “deep and full” breathing. But the value of breathing can lose its meaning. It’s so basic we even take it for granted. In our advanced and beginner yoga classes, we teach our students how to train themselves to be aware of breathing.

How many times a day do you notice breathing? Have you ever felt stressed then reminded yourself to breath, and things got better? Or maybe when you were running, you noticed how regulating your breath helped you run with greater ease?

You don’t have to think about breathing, it happens automatically. But breathing is a tool that can help you with generating power, handling stress, calming the anxious mind, and approaching difficult tasks with more ease and awareness. That’s big.

MEDITATION FOR CLARITY AND FOCUS

The choice of being relaxed and enjoying your day-to-day experience is up to you. We all hear about “meditations” as though it’s something we “should do” or that only “certain people" do, or that it’s “other-worldly.” Some people even find it creepy.

But here’s the thing. Meditations are simply quieting the chatter in your mind. Why? Because your chronic thoughts can make you crazy. Quieting the mind feels good. A quiet mind makes you stronger and more relaxed.

People meditate without even knowing it. You probably know how it feels. You’re outside on a walk. You’re moving your body, you're seeing the color of the trees, you feel the wind, maybe it's a warm day, you notice the light in the sky. Your mind is relaxed. Your breathing feels good. That’s meditation, or mental focus.

This kind of mental focus is a skill that improves everything you do. You’re in charge of where you direct your mind. That’s a game changer.

Yoga For Students in Athletics

"The team has LOVED the sessions and they all feel they have benefited tremendously!” - Christine Engle, Head Women’s UMass Cross Country/ Track and Field Coach

This yoga for students in athletics program is designed to address the overall needs of athletes while complementing their existing training regimen. By emphasizing physical literacy and proper body alignment, combined with mental focus and breathing techniques, we provide a holistic approach to athletic performance improvement and injury recovery. Click the button below to learn more about the  benefits of yoga for athletes!

Yoga For Student Athletes

LEAVE A REVIEW!

We would love to hear about your experience at Build Yoga! Your feedback not only helps us improve but also assists others in finding a welcoming community for their yoga journey.

Write A Review

"I have thoroughly enjoyed attending Katie’s weekly classes this year, and because of an old reoccurring shoulder injury, I decided to sign up for three individual sessions with her. I was having trouble putting weight on my right arm, and avoiding poses like downward facing dog, plank, and chaturanga. Katie is a highly skilled yoga instructor who developed an individual program for me to strengthen my back muscles, arms, and core in such a way as to avoid further injury. Within two weeks I was back to downward dogs and one minute planks, and I was feeling much stronger in my arm strength. After the next two weeks of using her program I was not experiencing any pain while doing yoga. Katie’s love for the practice and her passion for helping people use yoga to heal are so motivational. Her caring nature also made me feel safe to try new poses, as she encouraged me to meet my edge. I recommend Katie’s private instruction without hesitation to anyone who needs help with a physical limitation, or who wants to bring their yoga practice to a new level. Thank you, Katie!"

- Meg Gallegar

"I did two series of 12 sessions with Katie. I was trying to recover from 4 joint surgeries in 3 years. The last knee replacement had been particularly difficult. I was in pain and couldn't get comfortable, let alone get down on the floor. I needed to reground, get back to my yoga practice and meditation. Katie began by working on realignment and mobilization and on releasing held energy in my body. She recognized how much I lived in my head and pushed myself, and she worked with me to listen to what my body needed. By the second series we were moving into yoga poses, first standing poses to develop needed leg strength and finally into a full practice. Katie has a deep sensitivity to people and insight into where they are at and where they need to move. I think I worked with her for about 2 years. It was the most helpful work I've ever done."

- Kathy Gregg

"Katie has really transformed my life. She is a deeply caring and thoughtful teacher, who will help you connect your body and your mind. Katie has helped me to develop targeted practices that I can repeat on my own at home, while also bringing her vast knowledge to new areas of growth in our 1:1 sessions. As a result of her teaching, I experience greater alignment, peace and strength. I cannot recommend Katie highly enough."

- Carol Learned Miller

"I first came to know Katie through her “Yoga for Stiff People” class. It was then that I realized that my low back condition responded well to yoga, and during the six-session class, grew to trust that Katie really understood that each individual had personal goals as well as challenges – and how her teaching style for yoga could help. My goal was to remain very active and my challenge was to do so without worsening my discomfort related to sciatica issues. I continued with Katie for six personal sessions, and it has been a fabulous investment in my overall health. Katie has taught me to honor and listen to my body, to expand my mind in order to accept new and different challenges, and very importantly, to calm my spirit by understanding the power of breath. All of this was achieved through Katie’s perceptive coaching and my willingness to pursue a regular yoga practice. I highly recommend Katie for anyone who is interested in yoga as a path to wellbeing in any realm."

- Beverly Dwight

"I loved taking this series with you, and am missing it already. Yoga for Stiff People was a a perfect follow-up to the private lessons 3-pack we did together last year to help increase mobility in my shoulder. I was so grateful for all the help you gave me then, and especially the lasting pain relief I experienced. It really worked! My shoulder does not hurt any more, day to day, and the couple times it started to twinge I just went back to my notes, repeated some of the exercises you taught me, and voila! All better. (The side-lying move with bent top arm doing forearm lifts is a favorite. Also, wall push-ups.) Since starting the series, I've been keeping up my home practice and plan to continue, fully inspired. Thank you for being such a wonderful, experienced, grounded, approachable and accessible teacher! You have so much to offer our community. May your business continue to grow and thrive!!!"

- Diana Allen

"Katie makes me slow down. Using simple asanas and clear instruction, Katie expertly tweaks each pose, so that it is safe for my body and I feel my body working. Her thoughtful insights,and questions deepen my awareness of my inner self. Here's what I do get from Yoga with Katie: I feel strong and energized, aware of how I am carrying my body and the knowledge of how to align my posture. I come away with a gentle discipline and desire to deepen my yoga practice and improve my life."

- Jeannie Bergstrum

"My life has been enriched in so many ways by taking Katie's yoga classes. I am stronger, more flexible and better aligned. I can access focus, patience and awareness in my life on and "off the mat". I am learning that as my habitual patterns of movement and alignment change I feel more solid in my mind and spirit as well as my body. I am part of a wonderful community at Build Yoga. Katie teaches with a fierce and loving dedication, knowledge and a sense of humor."

- Paula Hite

"I have benefitted greatly body, mind and soul from practicing yoga with Katie. Her authentic, grounded passion for teaching, sharing and care to yogic practices are unparalleled in my experience. I marvel that each time she introduces a class she is able to touch very central and relevant themes to reflect on and elevate my day to day life. She masterfully integrates those themes into the practice, helping me to strengthen both my body and my spirit. Katie’s attention to individual needs and abilities create a community of deep respect and non- judgment. A reminder to embrace ourselves right where we are! While there are lots of yoga classes to experience in the Valley, I can’t recommend her enough!"

- Sarah Patton

"The very best yoga teacher I’ve ever had. Caring, attentive, inspiring, accepting, warm-hearted, thoughtful and excels at really focusing on what is actually helpful for your specific body."

- Melissa

"After 8 years of parenting a child with a global developmental delay and severe motor impairments, the mind, the soul and the body of a mom can get very eroded. Attending Katie's yoga classes has provided me with a unique opportunity to remember who I am as an individual, to care for myself and my aching body, to recharge my energy and my commitment, and to process the difficult feelings that I often experience. Katie's innate wisdom and empathy have helped me to become a more nurturing and balanced caregiver. Her teachings have supported me through this journey and equipped me with practical tools to face everyday challenges."

- Maria Fernandez