Your Yoga Guide

Megan Piersma

HEY Founder, BA, E-RYT500, YACEP

Currently: Master of Science, Counseling Psychology (grad Dec. 2024), Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program (completion Aug. 2025)

Yoga has been a major part of my life since I took my first classes in college back in 2003. My initial experience was “wow, this is hard!” but felt strongly right from the start that yoga was something that I would be doing the rest of my life. It made such an immediate impact on how I felt not only in my body, but it broadened my perspective and gave me the courage to witness my own inner landscape. I began practicing several times a week, whenever and wherever I could.

In 2011, I decided to really commit to my “hobby” and attend a 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training program. I began teaching almost immediately after graduating. I have been consistently teaching and pursuing continuing education opportunities ever since. My 300-hour program was located in Vancouver, BC and certified me in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Chakra Yoga. I went on to attend trainings in Yoga Nidra, Sanskrit, Pranayama and Hands-On Assists, all with well-known and highly skilled teachers. I have also attended multiple training modules with Yoga Medicine’s 1000-hour Yoga Therapy Program: its science- and anatomy-focus has taken me even deeper into the world of why yoga works.

My teaching style has evolved significantly over the years. I now offer slower, trauma-informed sequences that are guided by anatomy, energy and intention. You’ll find options in every posture and the time to explore for yourself. I say this in every class: this is YOUR practice, your body, your breath and your experience. What do you want to cultivate and focus on? I can’t tell you what you need or want - you must decide that for yourself. I am simply here to guide you through the sequence and offer prompts for gentle self-inquiry. I believe we have a choice to make: commit to living in consciousness or continue to perpetuate unhealthy and possibly harmful cycles. I hope you will join me in embracing this path of awakening - within ourselves, our community and our planet.

When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga, I am studying diligently in my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program at APU. I will graduate in December of 2024. I am also currently enrolled in Somatic Experiencing International’s Professional Training Program as healing trauma is an important part of the process of personal evolution. Upon graduating APU and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, it is my deepest desire to support my community in offering individual and group holistic counseling opportunities with a somatic/spiritual/yogic focus.

I also love to skijor or bikejor with my huskies, cook healthy meals with veg from my large garden, explore AK with my husband Chet, sleep in tents, read or simply rest out on my deck.

ABOUT HEART EARTH YOGA

I decided to open my very own brick & mortar studio in South Anchorage during the winter of 2015/2016 and on February 1, 2016, Deha Yoga was officially born. My vision was to offer our yoga community a sacred space to rest, stretch, breath and relax. This was no fitness-based space; I wanted slow, soft, low light, lots of props, candles, gentle music and a focus on rest, rejuvenation and healing. I believe Deha provided that for many, many people.

Fast forward to Deha’s 4th birthday. News of a pandemic was rapidly sweeping the globe. On March 16, 2020, the local Anchorage government required many small businesses to shut our doors to slow the spread of COVID-19. It didn’t take long before I could no longer pay bills, rent or employees. With the help of MANY friends, family members and yoga clients, on May 1, we moved out and officially closed our door.

It has taken me a while to process and heal the wound of losing a business that was thriving, growing and supporting so many amazing people. And it has taken our community time to grieve as well. Losing Deha was hard for many, many folks and I want to recognize that here.

Pivoting to an online-only platform has been a kind of blessing in disguise as it’s allowed many of us to find our own unique expression of the practice. There is no group pressure pushing us on when we need to take a break. We are able to adapt or shift or change the offering to better suit our needs without a teacher standing nearby. We are also learning to carve out space in our day to be intentional with our energy inside our own homes! This means we have to set some personal boundaries - around our time, our physical space of practice and our attention.

Heart Earth Yoga is a culmination of the last 1.5 years of teaching online. I finally decided that teaching online is here to stay (for me, for a while) but I felt my clients needed (deserved!) a beautiful online place to go to check the schedule, register for classes, watch a pre-recorded yoga video, reach out to me directly, book a private session or yoga nidra, and read the monthly newsletter.

Why Heart Earth Yoga? Not only is this the title of one of my favorite books of all time (by Ivan Doig) but it also has significant and intentional meaning for the way in which I am now interested in living: big, open, loving, resting, curious, conscious, connected to nature! I invite you to embrace the real work of living on this planet with me: to remember our true nature of love, to learn the language of love, to live in love and find our way back to our heart.

Testimonials

  • I take yoga to improve my health and to stay flexible. I have enjoyed yoga with Megan for years. Her teaching style is friendly and knowledgeable. She will give alternate positions for difficult ones. I am learning so much about my inner self through her teaching. I always feel so relaxed and peaceful after class. Megan is a great teacher!

    Elaine G.

  • Megan's yoga classes are by far my favorite. Her ques are natural and never awkward. Megan's classroom always has a mellow vibe, no judgement, and plenty of variations for every body. I leave each class with a calm mind and an open heart.

    Erin N.

  • Megan's classes are the highlight of my week. I love how Megan leads each class with love and acceptance. She makes every pose available to every body - offering more challenging as well as more supportive modifications. From the minute we take our first deep breath to our last of class I find myself releasing tension physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    Kristin S.