About Me

Welcome.

I empower women facing stress, exhaustion & overwhelm, to re-discover their connection with the deepest part of themselves, so they can live fully, and achieve long-term goals for life transformation.

It was my own need for healing that brought me to yoga in 2000 when I was living in a big city, stressed out, had no energy, no tolerance, and felt zero compassion toward myself.

When I found yoga, my world began to shift. I couldn’t wait to get to the tiny studio where I would practice several times a week after work. The stress and tension of the day lifted as I learned how to connect with my body and breath.

The hard edges of my armor; mentally, emotionally and physically speaking, softened. I began to notice compassion towards, and resiliency within myself. I developed a whole new friendship with my body. In my 30s, I felt more alive than in my teens or 20s, and I knew I had found my life’s calling.

In 2012, my best friend died, and my world crumbled. After several weeks of numbing out, I found my way to my yoga mat. My mat was the only place I wanted to be. At a time when I couldn't talk about my grief, my mat witnessed my pain, soaked up my tears and silently supported my anger, and shattered heart. Nothing could fix me. My yoga practice was my way through my grief.

There’s a saying, “Whatever is in the way, IS the way.” In those dark times, I was hurting, I felt alone, and my body ached so bad. I desperately needed yoga. I began compassionately connecting with my body and my breath, and it felt so good! I began healing, and I also began to know God. Yoga brings us in touch with the incredible wisdom of our bodies, which is an opportunity to better know ourselves, and the One who created us.

There have been many moments in my life when I felt lost and empty. But I now know that God has always been with me, and He provided this path which has healed my body so many times, and has redirected my life in the most beautiful way. "The kingdom of God lies within you" (Luke 17:21). God has given me the gift of being a courageous teacher.

I have been a yoga practitioner for 25 years, and completed my initial 200hr YTT in 2007, another 200 hr in 2014, and 500hr ERYT in 2019. After more than a decade of teaching group yoga classes, I learned about Yoga Therapy, a specific application of yogic tools to address an individual's physical, mental and emotional needs.

When the global pandemic caused my yoga studio to close, and my anxiety to skyrocket, I fully emersed myself in the healing work of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. This work has allowed me to experience major breakthroughs in my physical practice, my profession as a teacher, and in my personal life.

What I uncovered, was a mass of tension and anguish in my body, that I was still holding onto, going way back to early childhood. I had developed an unhealthy relationship with my body, and ever-present anxiety over not being enough.

I have always pushed myself hard, even to the point of injury. I would tell myself "suck it up buttercup" when my hips would hurt after contorting my body into a pretzel to achieve a certain pose. Thankfully, I don't do (or teach) this kind of madness anymore.

My own yoga therapy work allowed me to create an environment where I could listen to my body with compassion, and then investigate the painful parts of my life, somatically. I was able to look back at a lifetime full of “little t” traumas, and be present to myself with a new level of presence and empathy that I had never experienced.

This work has allowed me to give those experiences a voice, and release the trauma that my body was holding onto. After my own profound personal experiences, I knew that yoga therapy, was in fact, my life’s work - to share this healing work with others, so they can live with less suffering, and more peace.

I am a Certified Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT, have a B.A. from Washburn University, am registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 500, YACEP. Additionally I have a Pilates Reformer training certificate.

I have been a RYT yoga teacher for 17 years & completed 1,000+ hours of additional training to be a certified international yoga therapist in Nov 2022. I enjoy teaching group classes and working with yoga therapy clients individually on their healing journey.

I am a wife; mom of two amazing adult children; dog-mom to a goofy, senior Siberian Husky; and Christian who worships the Lord Jesus Christ.

I would love to connect with you!

Get in Touch Today

Testimonials

What People Say...

Within a container of simplicity, I accessed deep patterns in my subconscious that have created obstacles in my life for a long time. I was supported in not only locating the root of these challenges but inspired by Brenda's guidance to acknowledge how I could choose differently. I experienced more courage and commitment to the person I want to be.

-Lexi A. Arvada, CO

You may not know where you are going, but a compass will point you in the right direction & keep you on your path. This course has given me direction; to find my truth, to find acceptance, & pointed the way.

-Kathy W. After completing yoga therapy course, spring 2022

I am a clinical trauma therapist with my own personal trauma story for which i have been in treatment for some time. I know that yoga is a highly recommended effective treatment modality for trauma. I understand the science behind it.
I had never met Brenda before our zoom session. She helped me relax and connect to my breath and to my body. She gave me permission to move in and out of poses as i needed to, to honor myself. She choose words and poses that brought healing and peace. The first session was emotional and healing. I felt such a release.
On my second session, I came in highly distracted and wound up. Through the session, i received much wisdom, strength and calm. I filled a page with thoughts and affirmations.
Additionally, Brenda allowed me to refer one of the clients i see in therapy to her for yoga therapy. This client experiences a medical condition that is clearly trauma based. I met with the client for therapy following Brenda’s session. She was able to relay the powerful positive messages she felt through the first part of her session and then the strong emotions released during the second part of the session.
I was very impressed with both the process and skills that Brenda used. She was constantly reading body language and somatic expression and adjusting her words, tone, and next instructions. She didn’t push or pry. She accepted whatever came and helped me, and my client, to do so also. The power of that alone is incredibly healing.
I am excited about yoga therapy and the benefits it holds for clients. I believe that Brenda will do incredible work in bringing wholeness, peace and healing to clients.
Sincerely,

-Diane Clark, LSCSW,CCTP
Therapist, Ethos Therapy and Life Coaching

Manhattan, KS

I had been taking yoga classes with Brenda for a few years. My neck and shoulders have always bothered me so I decided to take Brenda up on a private session. She hit every spot that I needed. I now have a routine I can follow on a daily basis that I can do in my own home with very simple props. I highly recommend Brenda.

-Nancy M.Topeka, KS

As I reached my mid-sixties, the physical activities I had previously enjoyed were not a match for my bone loss and I needed a different physical health plan with individualized instruction compatible with my abilities and goals to deter the progression of osteoporosis. I began working one-on-one with Brenda just before the pandemic.

Since then, I have gained strength, improved balance, both statically and dynamically, and learned to use my breath as part of my foundation for movement, as well as overall breath awareness. I can feel and see the differences in my body. My sessions are individualized for my goals, physical capabilities, and the challenges and needs of an aging body. Brenda has so much knowledge about adapting yoga to meet the needs & restrictions of her clients. I appreciate how she brings different perspectives and experiences to each session, as well as her style of teaching.

I am so thankful that the gifts of my sessions with Brenda support the activities I want to do for fun and the activities I need to do as part of my ordinary day.

-B.R., Topeka, KS

Over ten years ago, I attended the first of what would become hundreds of classes with a beautiful, empowering instructor, Brenda Berg-Dyck. Brenda is without question the best yoga instructor & yoga therapist I’ve ever practiced with. She brings out the perfect balance of challenge and mindfulness to every practice. Brenda represents everything I love about yoga. She is more of a mentor than an instructor. Brenda is committed to meeting every student where they are in their personal journey, and coaxes out the urge to push ourselves, find our edge, and embrace self-acceptance. Brenda is a gift for which I am grateful.

Dannielle Thibault

Lawrence, KS

Brenda’s heart for her clients is simply priceless. I started my son, at age 13, with private yoga lessons with Ms. Brenda. He has autism and cerebral palsy, is non verbal, and has hearing and sight loss. Additionally, he has low muscle tone, weak coordination and very tight hamstrings. I decided to try yoga, and honestly, I was just hoping to find an activity that he might participate in.

In the autism world, us parents consider if our kids “tolerate” something, it’s a win. To actually enjoy a task, is somewhat rare (outside of their chosen obsessions or enthusiasm). Eight years later, and Jesse still loves his sessions with Ms. Brenda. Brenda automatically had this special connection with Jesse – from their first session – that surprised and truly awed me. I think she really “saw” Jesse and he truly loved her for it. Jesse's balance and coordination have greatly improved over the years and working with Brenda always makes him smile.

-Kim Stolle, Topeka, KS

I started taking private yoga therapy sessions with Brenda at a point in my life when I was desperate for any solution to manage my chronic pain. As a healthcare professional in the Sports Medicine/Rehab field, I had access and opportunity to try a multitude of therapeutic modalities during my pain flares. While those therapies were, and still are, tools in the belt to help me manage my condition, I still often struggled to function during daily activities. Where traditional medicine has fallen short, these yoga therapy sessions have helped fill a lot of the gaps. Brenda has helped me learn to better manage my pain physically, mentally, and emotionally. She has intimate knowledge of the human body and its anatomy, and has helped me find ways to physically reduce pain through movement and stretching. Emotionally and mentally, she challenges me to slow down, address my thoughts and emotions, and breathe through them as they are processed. Brenda has helped me acknowledge and focus on the things I can do to manage the stresses that inevitably appear in life, including my pain, and let go of those things I cannot.

I would highly recommend working with Brenda to anyone who has some stresses in life (aka everyone), whether they are physical, mental, or emotional in nature to learn how to manage them well.

M.B

Topeka, KS

Embody Wellness

With Brenda

About Me

I empower women facing stress, exhaustion & overwhelm, to re-discover their connection with the deepest part of themselves, so they can live fully, and achieve long-term goals for life transformation.

It was my own need for healing that brought me to yoga in 2000 when I was living in a big city, stressed out, had no energy, no tolerance, and felt zero compassion toward myself.

What People Say...

Embody Wellness

With Brenda

Embody Wellness With Brenda

About Me

I empower women facing stress, exhaustion & overwhelm, to re-discover their connection with the deepest part of themselves, so they can live fully, and achieve long-term goals for life transformation.

It was my own need for healing that brought me to yoga in 2000 when I was living in a big city, stressed out, had no energy, no tolerance, and felt zero compassion toward myself.

What People Say...

Embody Wellness

With Brenda