Meet Stephie

Stephie's earliest memories of yoga are of standing in shoulderstand with her mom and the Jane Fonda vinyl playing in the background. It would be years before she'd return to the practice, but those early moments planted seeds that would eventually blossom into a life's work.

Her first "official" yoga class came in the late '90s while working as a performer for a touring children's theatre company. She fell in love all over again. Wanting to share that love, Stephie's journey led her to the east coast and Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health—a decision that would shape the next two decades of her life.

The journey to teaching

Stephie has been teaching yoga for over 20 years, bringing what many call an "old world" approach to the practice. This means honoring yoga's spiritual and philosophical roots, emphasizing breath and meditation alongside physical postures, and maintaining the traditional lineage-based teaching that has been passed down through generations.

For the past 14 years, she has made Des Moines her home, building a vibrant community of students and fellow teachers. She serves as Lead Yoga Instructor at PowerLife Yoga, where she not only teaches regular classes but also guides new instructors through their 200-hour and 500-hour teacher training programs.

Training & credentials

Teaching philosophy

Stephie's intent is to provide various tools and techniques so that students are able to take the teachings from the mat and apply them in their daily life. Her classes combine fluid movement and breathwork to create a meditation in motion—allowing for inquiry and exploration of one's true Self.

What sets Stephie apart is her authenticity. She is raw and visceral in her teaching, never shying away from acknowledging that this practice can be hard—and that's exactly as it should be. She doesn't sugarcoat the work required, but she holds space for you to do that work safely and at your own pace.

Students often describe her classes as transformative, not because she promises transformation, but because she creates the conditions for it. She has the rare gift of knowing when to push, when to soften, when to speak, and when to let silence do the teaching.

And yes, occasionally you might hear a well-placed curse word in class. Not for shock value, but because sometimes the most authentic thing you can say when holding a challenging pose is, "This shit is hard, and that's okay." It's this kind of realness that makes students feel seen and safe.

Beyond the mat

Stephie is a machine that keeps moving. She runs marathons, lifts weights, and practices CrossFit—not in spite of her yoga practice, but as an extension of it. For her, marathons are meditation. Movement is prayer. The discipline of athletic training and the mindfulness of yoga practice are two sides of the same coin.

This diversity of movement informs her teaching in profound ways. She understands athletic bodies because she lives in one. She knows how to balance intensity with restoration because she practices both daily. She can meet you whether you're training for a marathon or recovering from injury, whether you're seeking strength or softness.

When she's not teaching or training, you might find her on stage—she still acts in the occasional play, keeping alive that performer's spirit from her theatre days. And always by her side (or waiting at home) is Drake, her best friend and constant companion. The large community of friends she's built in Des Moines will tell you: Stephie is deeply loved, and for good reason.

Wandering with LOVE

Within the last few years, Stephie has become acutely aware that how she walks through the world is the most important thing imaginable. This realization gave birth to Wandering with LOVE—not as a brand, but as a way of being.

The name reflects the journey itself: wandering without rushing, moving with intention, and choosing love in every interaction. It's about creating on purpose, teaching on purpose, and living on purpose. Every class she teaches, every student she guides, every moment on the mat—it's all an expression of this commitment to walking through the world with love as her compass.

If you're nervous about trying yoga for the first time

You are in very safe hands.

Stephie welcomes students of all levels, all bodies, and all backgrounds. Whether this is your first yoga class or your thousandth, she'll meet you exactly where you are.

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