Courtney M. Wirt

After dabbling for years in various forms of fitness that inevitably fell by the wayside, I was introduced to yoga six years ago by a beloved friend. I was struggling through one of the most difficult periods of my life, and my physical and mental health were at a low point. Over time, yoga became a way for me to find my way back to the pieces of myself I thought I had lost to the shadows. I am living proof of the power of yoga as a holistic tool to heal chronic trauma and illness. Yoga is many things to me: release, courage, observance, love, acceptance, joy, calm, beauty… and so much more! My dream of sharing the gift of yoga with others through teaching became a reality in 2023 as I earned my RYT-200 certification at Yoga Connect in Lansing, Michigan. My yoga training background is in Ashtanga, the foundational grammar my body learned to speak before going on to the flowing poetry of Vinyasa. I have collected these and other elements of study to develop the language of the classes I teach, which are gentle flows emphasizing breathwork, mindfulness, and the interplay of movement and stillness. My heart has always been filled with love; that is unchanging. I created Heartlong Yoga to lengthen my heart to those in need of the healing power of yoga within my community. As a yogi, I embrace karma yoga, which invites us to purify our hearts by learning how to selflessly provide acts of service to others. My intention as a yoga teacher is to support and guide others by holding humble and loving space for curiosity, discovery, strength, and wonder.