Meet Our Team

Originally trained as a performing musician, Ms. Janet C. Barbour holds a BFA and MFA in Music Performance from Carnegie-Mellon University. Her lifelong interest in sports and yoga led her to pursue NYS Teacher Certification where she taught physical education and coached cross country and track. Her work in the public school system led to School District Administrator Certifications and the position of Assistant Superintendent for Business. After relocating from NY to Griswold, CT, Ms. Barbour joined the staff at Get Bent in Norwich and teaches Yoga Fundamentals and Fundamentals of Advanced Poses.

Molly has been practicing yoga since 2012 and has been in love with yoga since day one. Yoga has provided her with skills to take on challenges in her day to day life. A graduate of Samadhi Yoga Studio in Yoga Teacher Training in Manchester,  she hopes to share the love she has for yoga by offering assists, modifications, and up-levels to make each of her students’ practice their own.

Joining Get Bent in 2013, Susan is a Barre Certified instructor who enjoys sharing her love of yoga and a healthy lifestyle with others. Susan loves to travel, spend as much time as possible outdoors and in the water both hiking and paddle boarding, an avid skier and former instructor at Butternut Ski Resort in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.  She offers a challenging class with fluid movement incorporating props for muscle strengthening and lengthening and is open to all levels with modifications. Take time to take care of yourself, step out of your comfort zone and join her in class with her upbeat, energizing personality.

Melissa has been a fitness enthusiast since college. She has been a yoga student at Get Bent since we opened. Melissa is a qualified TRX Instructor. She has been taking TRX classes here, at Get Bent for the past two years.  Melissa is also a certified Barre Above Instructor.  Melissa hopes to bring a new level of fitness to Get Bent with Barre classes.

Jonathan began his Yoga practice 12 year ago, but it wasn’t until he found Hot Power Vinyasa at Get Bent did he fall in love with the practice. He found something in Yoga that he wanted to share with others so he enlisted in teacher training at Mystic Yoga Shala and completed 200hr YTT program. Jonathan has been teaching since 2013 and enjoys sharing this amazing practice with those who are open and willing. He understands the significance it has not only on Individuals, but  the rippling effect it has on communities throughout the world. He offers a practice that is fun and challenging, yet compassionate and safe, allowing students to expand in their own practice. Jonathan is currently teaching two classes at Get Bent and is a coordinator and trainer at the Finishing Trades Institute of Southern New England.

Who is Kristina Powell-Raines? A 30-year veteran of mind-body disciplines. The author of Dynamic Body Transformation™ and Skinny Cheater Eating Plan™. Reluctant gardener. Admin at InventorShortcuts.com. Paul’s loving wife. Purmione and Tinkerbelle’s favorite pillow. Health and happiness go hand-in-hand, yes? If one must exercise why not also make it an expression of physical skill, mental strength and inspired intention. With this in mind, I aim to guide yogis in expanding and connecting their physical and mental selves. Teaching is also an opportunity for me to express my own practice more deeply. Examining ideas for future classes often leads me down a mind-boggling rabbit hole. Lucky me. If you’re of like mind and care to join us, lucky you. I am much obliged to the amazing teachers of several local studios: Get Bent, Barre Coast, High Street Yoga, and Mystic Yoga Shala, to name a few. Namasté

Yoga has helped Tracey heal herself from being toxic. She was toxic to herself and suffered from depression and addiction. She has found peace within herself through yoga. The mind, body, and soul connection has changed her life forever. Yoga made a spark light up inside her and made her feel alive. To teach others how to heal themselves through yoga makes her inner light burn even more.

It was love at first sun salutation for me about fifteen years ago. I was instantly fascinated by the spiritual, emotional and physical facets of yoga. To gain a deeper understanding of the special gifts of yoga, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Samadhi Studio in Manchester, CT in 2014. I feel honored to share the gifts of yoga with my students.The lessons I learn on the mat serve me well off the mat as a mom of six children, an endurance athlete and an English as a Second Language teacher at Windham Public Schools.

Cara began her 200 hr. Training at Hot on Bank in New London where she learned from Meghan Smith and certified Baptiste teacher, Kristin Vaughn.

Cara loved the Baptiste methodology because it was inclusive of every body type, and fitness level. She quickly fell in love with the practice and wanted to learn more.

Cara completed her Level one Training and obtained a teaching credential under Baron Baptiste in August 2019. She is now currently working on saving for Level Two.

“When I went to Level one Training, I had no expectations.” “I expected to learn the sequence and methodology on a deeper level.”

“My experience was so much different.” I now feel the series in my bones. And feel the reason behind each posture.”

“Baptiste has changed my life. And I teach this particular practice in hopes, to change others’ lives.”

Crissy landed in yoga after searching for relief from chronic pain and stress. She has been amazed by the results both physically and mentally. She began practicing Baptiste power yoga and immediately felt drawn to the practice. She is inspired by the deep spiritual connection she feels while practicing as well as how that transitions off the mat. One of her favorite philosophies of the practice is how dealing with discomfort and breathing through postures during practice shifts into daily life stressors. Crissy is currently enrolled in 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Wild Essence Yoga School. She has recently received certification in Reiki level one and is seeking additional certifications in energy healing. She is a recent retiree of the U.S. Army after nearly three decades of service. Crissy looks forward to spending this time during her transition working in the healing arts so she can bring that to her practice as well as to her students.