OUR TEACHERS
We are a team of passionate, knowledgeable instructors dedicated to making yoga accessible, safe, and fun for every student. With deep expertise in anatomy, functional movement, and the science of yoga, we bring a fresh approach to traditional practices, ensuring each class is rooted in safe, evidence-based movement. Our teachers prioritize inclusivity, welcoming students of all shapes, sizes, and experience levels, and guiding them in a way that feels both supportive and empowering. Known for our approachable, down-to-earth style, we create a space where you can explore, challenge yourself, and grow – all while having a genuinely good time. Whether you’re new to yoga or deepening your practice, we make every class at Heart & Grit an educational, fun and enjoyable experience.
"I have been attending classes at Heart & Grit for 9 months. Taking yoga here has helped both my physical and mental health. I am so glad to be a part of such a welcoming yoga community. We are so lucky to have such caring and knowledgeable yoga instructors teach in our community. I highly recommend practicing here."
-Stacey
Gina Ward, Owner & Founder
I discovered yoga back in 2009 when I was injured from all the constant pushing and hustling to make my body better, perfect really.....read more
Kim Cotterell
I first found my love of yoga during high school when I came across a beginner’s yoga book. This was a catalyst for beginning my journey into the wellness community and Eastern Philosophy....read more
LezLee Ann
My campus offered a weekly yoga class, and once I started attending, I was hooked! That was 14 years ago, and I've been practicing yoga philosophy and movement since....read more
Renita Edwards
I practice yoga because it is great exercise for my body, but it also gives me profound mental clarity. The self awareness that I have developed from yoga ....read more
Steve Szakal
I became a yoga teacher as I've always had a calling to help people, a deep down urge that I had to fulfill....read more
OUR VALUES & PRINCIPLES:
Science-Based Movement
Beyond the holistic aspects, asana at its core is a form of structured, intentional physical movement, the very definition of exercise. Just like any other physical activity, we approach it with a practical, science-based mindset, ensuring that the yoga journey is not only enriching but also aligned with functional movement for overall health and well-being.
Being Real & Resilient
No one's perfect, and yogis are no exception. We're all just regular folks, doing our best. Yoga isn't about chasing some lofty ideal of perfection or enlightenment; it's about being true to yourself, accepting who you are, and dealing with the world as it is. It's a journey toward resilience in our everyday lives.
Communal Wellness & Belonging
Our motto is "feel better together," underscoring the belief that collective well-being begins with the movement of our bodies. Once we engage our bodies, we unlock the ability to shift our emotions and minds. The shared desire to feel better is a universal bond that unites us. We embark on this journey of communal wellness through the practice of yoga, because together, we can truly feel better.
Playfulness & Fun
Yoga is a mix of challenge and joy, and we believe playing makes it even better. This is a space where laughter, play, questions, and conversation are not just allowed but encouraged. We know the practice will be hard, but we encourage you to embrace the challenges anyway and have fun even when things don't go as expected!
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Upgrading Our Industry
We believe that the yoga world is long-overdue for a professional upgrade and we are here to lead the charge. From the nuance of the client experience, to the way we prioritize teacher education, we are upleveling our industry every day. We believe that the profession of yoga can be a primary contributor to the health and wellness industry, and we aim to gain a seat at the table in hopes of becoming a major science-backed, respected and prescribed modality in the wellness world.
They say three times a charm, we will see 😂
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Hey there, I am Gina Ward, the founder of Heart & Grit Yoga. This will be my third studio and it has been quite the journey.
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I discovered yoga back in 2009 when I was injured from all the constant pushing and hustling to make my body better, perfect really. I was a competitive triathlete, I taught 6 fitness classes a week at my gym, I went on every diet and did every fitness challenge out there. And I hurt myself, in more ways than one.
The pushing and hustling started way back when I was a pre-teen. I was always hustling for attention, to be liked, to be part of the cool kids and to do everything well to make my parents proud. I was both a people pleaser and perfectionist at heart, even though I said I wasn’t, and put on a pretty big show of “doing what I want,” and not caring about what anyone else thought.
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It was exhausting and left me everything but happy.
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Even when I had to do yoga because that was all my doctor allowed, I picked the hardest yoga I could find. And then I got certified to teach it.
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Yet, somewhere along the way, I stopped working ON THE yoga and let the yoga work on me.
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In 2014 my dad committed suicide. Prior to that I had lost all four grandparents over the course of 18 months and I lost my mom when I was 19.
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Loss had become a major theme in my life.
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I can remember sitting on my back porch on that March day in 2014, waiting to drive to Virginia to handle my dad’s funeral, and realizing that I had so many people in my life that died tragically and also seemed unfulfilled and unhappy in the process. I had the realization that I was headed down that same path. I decided right then that something had to change.
I no longer wanted to spend all of my time achieving, accomplishing, constantly proving my worth. And the thing was, everyone that I wanted to prove something to had passed, and I felt more alone than ever. In my grief I discovered what I wanted most was belonging, connection and to simply feel better!
Exactly one year later I quit my very stable, "safe" six-figure job and I taught the first class held in my first yoga studio, Moonshine Power Yoga. I was so proud of myself. I was in love with teaching and I desperately wanted to be successful as a studio owner. I was part of a specific organization and was being the “good yogi” and following the rules and doing everything right. I loved this place and I loved my community, but over time things just didn’t feel right.
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I started to shift away from the rigidity and structure that the organization placed on us. We relocated the studio, I rebranded, I started creating my own teachings and trainings. Things were just starting to fall into place and then the pandemic hit!
We closed, permanently.
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That was it for me.
I was done.
I told myself I would never open another studio……
Well here I am, three years later, opening my third iteration.
Here is what I now know:
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When you do something for someone else, it never works out, this time around I am doing it my way, in my town, with my wisdom and experience
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Nothing is ever “done” with you, even if you think you are done with it. And yoga was not done with me. I am back and brining it better than ever.
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We need people. We need each other. And we need to move our bodies, yoga does all of that.
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There is no ONE way, there are infinite ways, and staying curious and courageous will lead you to the way that works for you, that is what this place is about.
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I am resilient as fuck and I have never been more clear about what I want to contribute to the world.
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And never say never
If this sounds about your speed.
If you are vibing with this.
If you want to pick up what we are laying down here at heart & grit, come on over, all are welcome!
SPARK JOY FROM THE INSIDE OUT
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