Robyn is the owner of Empower Yoga Studio! She brings 20 years of her own practice, an M.S. in Educational Psychology, 10 years in experiential education and therapies, as well over 400 hours of trauma informed training giving her insight and awareness into the benefits of yoga from an neuroscience and therapeutic point of view. Robyn loves sharing this beautiful practice as it has accompanied her throughout all of life’s challenges and victories! She approaches her yoga classes with lightness and joy, while also helping her students build strength in their mental focus and physical practice! She believes in the beauty of both science and spirituality! Robyn is thrilled to have the opportunity to provide a space for people to reconnect with self through breath, movement, and community.

Maria is our Studio Coordinator! As a yoga teacher, she guides students through a methodical and safe class, so they may practice yoga for a long time! Maria deeply believes that we must honor the mind, body, and spirit to enlighten our self-awareness in order to live the best life we can! She teaches from a place of knowledge, strength, and joy! She is originally from Chile and moved to Florida in 2012 where she lived until moving to California. Maria has been practicing yoga since 2000 and starting teaching in 2010. Maria is 500 YTT. Maria’s classes welcome both English and Spanish speaking students!

Cheyenne is a professional baker and chef in Grover Beach, a wife and mother to 3 sons, and a local performer, singer, songwriter, and musician.   Her passion for yoga began over 20 years ago after taking what seemed like an “easy” university elective yoga course  to break up the rigor of her last quarter  as a biology major… but has since grown into the cornerstone of her holistic wellbeing and heart for service. While earning her 300 hr YTT in 2024, she has been teaching her children, family and friends for over a decade. Astrological Asana was a 4 part series she taught at Empower last year that integrates earth and cosmos based rhythms and cycles into daily yoga practice and intention setting. Her yoga teaching philosophy is to always teach from the heart, always honor the origins of yoga and its philosophy,  and to incorporate live music, mantra, or sound healing and a sense of curiosity into all of her classes. 

Robyn Hastin is a certified nutrition coach, yoga instructor and yoga health coach. She is trained in Color Energy Healing as well as certified to teach Yin, Prenatal, and Therapeutic/Restorative Yoga. Robyn is a bhakta and kirtan leader who has played with kirtan groups The Bliss Project and the OmTonez and she occasionally supports Girish on harmonium. Robyn teaches an eclectic mixture of hatha yoga styles based on her personal exploration. In her classes, she uses a fun and playful atmosphere to allow students to explore freedom of movement as they develop intelligence and awareness of the bodymind through intention, breath and asana.

Amanda has been practicing yoga for over 20 years now! Yoga to her is living life well! It is being fully present in the moment, finding joy, and connecting back to your true self! She loves to teach a flowy class with a mindful connection of breath and movement. She is a bit of a nerd when it comes to anatomy and proper alignment, so she always encourages her students to honor their bodies in order to best support the longevity of their practice. In 2017 she received her 200 hour in vinyasa style and in 2025 her 200 hour in hatha style.

Joanne is new to the Central Coast and loving her new journey. She and her husband raised their two children in the San Bernardino Mountains where she worked as a teacher for 32 years. After being diagnosed with two different cancers they packed up and took a leap of faith to find the next chapter. Joanne started taking yoga as a way to heal from endurance sports. Taking yoga after her cancer surgeries gave her much needed strength and filled her heart with vitality, yoga stirred up that old feeling of passion that she once had with endurance sports. Joanne believes yoga is far beyond the physical postures. She loves a Vinyasa Flow class or a slow Hatha, nothing brings Joanne more joy than teaching yoga from the heart! 

Carmen has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is currently homeschooling her two children.  She believes in being a lifelong learner and has completed her 200 hour YTT.  She has been practicing yoga for nearly 15 years and counting! In her teaching, she is committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where students can explore the transformative power of asana, pranayama, and meditation. Whether flowing through dynamic sequences or finding stillness in breathwork, her goal is to guide each student toward greater self-awareness, strength, and serenity.

Tawny Newberry is a Central Coast native, certified Vinyasa & Hatha yoga teacher, nature enthusiast, and true lover of all beings. Her yogic mission is to create a space and practice that people feel empowered to generate their own energy and feel connected to their true Self to express it fully. Her approach is teaching Vinyasa and Hatha style classes that focus on proper alignment with methodical sequences that cultivate confidence and promote longevity for each student's practice. As a yogi of 15 years, she has experienced firsthand how this practice has supported her in every phase and chapter of her life, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She wants nothing more than to be in support of others in their life journey the same way her teachers supported her with love, connection and understanding. Namaste!