the Yoga Den

At The Yoga Den, I offer personalized yoga experiences grounded in somatosensory awareness and compassionate growth. Together, we focus on how movement feels -strengthening resilience, flexibility, and nervous system balance from the inside out.

Every body and every age is welcome. Whether you’re deepening your practice or connecting in community, I’m honored to support your journey.

Warmly,
Gretchen

Rainforest Retreat
Alaskan Yoga Retreat

with Gretchen, Annie and Keana

"It was exactly what I needed"

"So tranquil and serene at the lodge, and you created an inviting space"

Rainforest Setting

• Guided Movement

• Guided Breath work

• Guided Journey

About Gretchen

Founder, The Yoga Den by Water & Company

Welcome - I’m Gretchen.

I teach somatosensory yoga in the Hatha tradition, guiding students toward deeper body awareness, mobility, and nervous system balance. My approach is grounded, trauma-informed, and shaped by more than 30 years of personal practice and professional experience in counseling and education.

Yoga first came to me as a teenager recovering from sports injuries after years of figure skating, tennis, and softball. When I lost my mother at 14, movement became more than physical training - it became a way to process grief and return to steadiness. Over time, yoga shifted me from pushing through pain to listening with awareness.

Today, I bring that lived experience into every class. Whether we are flowing, holding yin postures, or exploring breathwork, the focus is not on performance- but on presence.

As I’ve navigated persistent back and foot pain in adulthood, yoga continues to teach me how to listen to my body, move with intention, and reconnect with myself.

My Professional Background

For over three decades, I have worked as a high school counselor, psychology teacher as a adjunct faculty at the University of Alaska Southeast.

I hold an M.Ed. in Counseling and am a certified Hatha Yoga teacher (RYT-200), trained through YogaFit, Sattva Yoga Academy in Rishikesh, India, and Yin studies with Bernie Clark.

My work integrates positive psychology, trauma-informed principles, and mindful movement to support mobility, resilience, and longevity.

Why I Teach

I teach because I’ve experienced how yoga supports:

• Grief and emotional healing
• Mobility and independence over time
• Nervous system regulation
• Self-awareness without perfectionism

Yoga reminds us that we are already whole.
Strong. Capable. Evolving.

Invitation

Whether you’re new to yoga or returning to your mat, I’m here to meet you where you are - with steadiness, curiosity, and compassion.

Let’s practice.

Warmly,
Gretchen

• Hatha Yoga (RYT 200)

• Somatosensory

• Yin Yoga

• Mommy and Me

• Positive Psychology

• Trauma Informed Yoga(PTSD)

• Vinyasa and Gentle Flow

• Yoga Retreats

• gentle, releasing, replenishing yoga

• unique playlists

• tailored flows

Yoga isn’t about touching your toes. It’s about tuning into your inner world.
At The Yoga Den, classes are designed for seekers — those curious about how the body holds memory, stress, and strength. Rooted in somatosensory practice and the Hatha tradition, this is where healing meets movement.

Sometimes the object of the journey is not the end, but the journey itself.

Rishikesh, India November 2022 Important part of my yoga journey started in this place.

Retreats 2026

2026 Destination Retreats
Juneau, Alaska | July 30–August 2
Hocking Hills, Ohio | May 28–June 2
Mohican Lodge, Ohio | July 9–13

Our yoga retreats offer space to reconnect in the rainforest of Alaska and the natural beauty of Ohio. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and thoughtfully curated experiences, you’ll rest, reflect, and move with intention.

Yoga - Online & In Person

Gentle, somatosensory yoga for mobility, resilience, and stress relief.

Practice with me:

In person (Juneau)

Online (Zoom)

Private sessions

Custom group events

Summer 2026 Retreats

Trauma-informed. Compassionate. Grounded.

In Person Offerings

Gentle Yoga

with Gretchen

I offer personalized yoga practices with a focus on your health and well being. We will use specialized movement to release stress, anxiety, and increase our self awareness, mobility, ROM, through gentle, intentional movement.

Somatosensory Yoga

A grounding practice centered on sensory awareness and nervous system regulation. Rather than focusing on how a posture looks, we explore how it feels - building interoception, mobility, and steady breath from the inside out.

This practice supports anxiety reduction, embodied presence, and sustainable movement for longevity.

Yin Yoga

A slow, grounding practice that uses sustained, supported postures to gently stimulate fascia and calm the nervous system. Yin invites stillness, breath awareness, and deep release - supporting mobility, balance, and restoration from the inside out.

Suitable for every body.