Our Team

GET TO KNOW OUR INSTRUCTORS

Kara Yahn Mulder

Owner and Operator

Welcome!! I will start by introducing myself. My name is Kara Yahn Mulder, Experienced 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT) through the Yoga Alliance. I am so excited for all of you to experience the physical art known as Yoga. Balance is strategically set up to help you “balance” your lifestyle physically and mentally.

Originally from Clinton, Iowa, I came to the beautiful campus of the University of Northern Iowa in the fall of 2003. I was recruited by the UNI Track and Field team as a hurdler/sprinter and I chose to major in Worksite Health Promotion. My 5 years at UNI were some of the best ever. School was wonderful and I had a lot of success in track and field, but not near as much as my husband Tyler Mulder. Tyler signed a Nike contract with Oregon Track Club Elite, which took us to Eugene, Oregon.

While living in Eugene, I managed a weight loss company called Metabolic Research Center. Helping people achieve their health and fitness goals has always brought such joy to my life. One year into my residency in Eugene, I encountered hot yoga. I LOVE the heat and love to sweat so when I heard about this I knew I had to check it out. The studio I went to, Zen Spot, welcomed me with open arms, and I absolutely fell in LOVE. Hot yoga was something I had never heard of in the Midwest (12 years ago) so my mind started turning. I immediately thought about what I could do to bring this love of mine back to Iowa.

I practiced yoga intensely for 2 years before getting my certification through Zen Spot. Throughout the process I had been in contact with a dear friend of mine and fellow UNI track alum Brent Dahlstrom about this “hot yoga.” He and I decided it would be a great fit for Cedar Falls and UNI. Together we created a beautiful, welcoming studio right next to UNI’s campus on College Hill.

Four years after opening the studio, in January 2017 myself and fellow ERYT, Margaret Prophet, decided to open a teacher training program through Balance, called the Balance School of Yoga. Together we wrote, implemented, and have graduated 64 (and counting) Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teachers to date.

In October 2022, our new location on Viking Road opened. We now offer Hot and Non Hot Yoga and I couldn’t be more excited. We also offer childcare which is a great asset.

My goal for Balance has always been to challenge practitioners to take a chance and see what Balance has to offer. We have yoga for EVERYONE!

My staff and I are so excited to enhance your yoga practice. Please contact me with any questions by phone at (319) 435-0827 or email at info@balancehotyoga.com.

Namaste

Margaret Prophet

Originally from California, I moved to Cedar Falls 15 years ago with my husband and our 3 children.

I have a masters degree in mathematics and am a math instructor at UNI. I really enjoy the college-town vibe and energy of Cedar Falls and The (revitalized!) Hill.

The first time I ever practiced yoga was in my living room, with a videotape loaded in my VCR! That was over 20 years ago…and I loved it. I have turned to yoga as a support for my physical activites, and emotional well-being ever since. When Balance hosted ZenSpot yoga studio’s teaching training program this past spring I jumped at the opportunity to become a 200-hr RYT. I am thankful for that opportunity and for the opportunity to lead classes at Balance.

I have a strong interest in anatomy and breath work, and look forward to continuing my education in both of these areas. I truly believe yoga betters your experience of life physically, mentally and emotionally. And it’s fun! What could be better?! I look forward to sharing many practices with our community.

Rachel Jorgensen

During the summer of 2010, I moved from my home in Cedar Falls to the city of Austin, Texas, where I attended grad school at the University of Texas. With my bath towel and TJ Maxx mat in hand, I ventured into Black Swan Yoga Studio where I struggled to maintain balance and hide my laughter. Struggling with homesickness, past trauma, and the usual stress of grad school, yoga provided an environment of healing – giving me a sense of peace from the inside out, not to mention a pretty intense workout. Fast forward 7 years, and here I am, back in Cedar Falls, certified as a 200 hour RYT, utilizing the healing graces of yoga in my work as a mental health therapist. The connection between mind and body is something I find fascinating and a holistic approach to healing is something I try to incorporate in my personal and professional life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach at Balance and for the relationships I’ve formed with my fellow yogis. I look forward to meeting more you at one of my classes. Namaste!

Kayla Becker

Welcome, yogis! My name is Kayla Becker, and I am a proud graduate of Balance Hot Yoga’s first Teacher Training Program. I am originally from Jesup and attended Wartburg College majoring in English, Secondary Education. After Wartburg, life took me to Seoul, South Korea, where I taught ESL to children and adults before moving back to the States. Eventually, I found my way back to the Cedar Valley and am so happy to be home!! Currently, I teach 8th grade language arts at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo. Regarding my love for yoga … that happened quite randomly! A couple of years ago a friend asked if I had ever tried hot yoga. I hadn’t. A week later, another friend mentioned it to me. Being asked about hot yoga twice within a short time frame piqued my interest! I took my first class in June 2013. I practiced off and on before becoming a more committed yogi and eventually signed up for Balance’s Teacher Training Program. Now, I have the pleasure of joining all of you in the studio! I am interested in the various benefits yoga provides individuals, and I hope everyone finds that what they need most during their yoga experiences. I look forward to seeing you all on the mat!!

Vicky Dunn

Hello! My name is Vicky, and I am a proud graduate of the first Balance School of Hot Yoga Teacher Training Program. Yoga has been a part of my life for over twenty years, taking classes whenever offered in my small hometown in Wisconsin. After spending 20+ years working in my family’s cheese business, I made the decision to attend the French Pastry School in Chicago to obtain my L’Art de la Pâtisserie degree. Following my pastry training in 2011, I moved to the Cedar Valley with my husband, David. It was then, that I discovered hot yoga – and my life changed! Having a regular yoga practice has made me a happy and healthy individual. Not only do I feel better physically, but also the mental benefits have been tremendous. In addition to teaching yoga, I teach baking classes at Three Pines Farm. I also love spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and working in my yard. My two adult children, Paul and Caitlin live in Wisconsin.

Stephanie Itzen

I’m Stephanie Itzen and I’ve lived in and loved the Cedar Valley for over 26 years! Originally from Alaska, my husband Wade and I have four adult children. I’ve been a teacher librarian in the Cedar Falls School District for over 20 years. I like to bake, travel and spend time boating with family and friends.

I started practicing yoga about 10 years ago when a friend told me about class and instantly fell in love. I feel yoga is a perfect compliment to other fitness activities. I’m also a runner and a swimmer and I officiate swimming in the NCAA. I took the leap to become a yoga teacher in January 2019 through the Balance School of Yoga and have really enjoyed teaching. I try to incorporate poses that reach the entire body, building strength as practice progresses.

Hope to see you on the mat!

Kacie Denny

Hello Yogis! My name is Kacie Denny and I grew up in the Cedar Valley. My husband Matt and I have two children and live north of Cedar Falls. Our family loves to travel, and when we do, I enjoy visiting other hot yoga studios. I also love spending time with family and friends whenever I get the opportunity. I attended my first hot yoga class at Balance in January 2018 and I have been hooked ever since. I received my 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher through the Balance Teacher Training Program. I have benefited from hot yoga in so many ways. I love that it offers a wide variety of benefits for both the mind and body. If you have never done yoga before, please come try a class or two! You won’t regret it’s benefits. I look forward to flowing with you all. See you on the mat!

Kristen Landau

Namaste Yogis! I’m Kristen and I am a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (500hr RYT) through the Yoga Alliance. I am a proud graduate of the Balance School of Yoga, where I received my 200 hour certification in 2018 and I received my 300 hour certification from the Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy in 2021. I love reading about Yogic Philosophy and Hindu tradition and one of my most favorite parts about yoga is that I feel like you are constantly learning something new. I truly believe in the idea that yoga is for everyone and you don’t have to be super flexible or a certain body type to practice. And while I love the physical benefits of regular practice, I even more enjoy the mental benefits! In my classes you can expect a little slower flow, challenging both the mind and body, paired with a chill playlist that will hopefully leave you feeling relaxed and recharged afterwards. When I am not teaching, my husband and two little boys, ages 1 and 2, keep me very busy. The 4 of us, along with our dog, Mi-Me, love to travel and spend time outdoors. Hope to see you on the mat soon!!

Gina Jorgensen

I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and grew up as a dancer. I graduated from Iowa State University, where I met my husband John. We have three adult children and enjoy living in Cedar Falls, where John is from originally. I started practicing yoga in 2006 and teaching in 2009. In 2018 I completed my 200-hour training with Balance Hot Yoga and I continue to find the practice inspirational, challenging, and rewarding both physically and mentally. I enjoy educational opportunities within the yoga community, and I focus on creative transitioning between poses while keeping the integrity of alignment principles. I have a deep appreciation and love for the practice and hope my students will feel the same. Namaste