Our Team

Candice Lamarand

Candice teaches with grace and compassion.

Candice has been teaching yoga since 2017. "My yoga practice has helped me become more connected, intentional, and less reactive. Yoga helped me develop grace and compassion for myself, honoring my strengths and weaknesses, reaching a level of self-love that—as someone who as a tween/teen/young adult suffered from eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and more—never imagined was possible. Yoga helped me become and stay sober for over six years now—and most importantly, has helped me raise my children with deep love and respect. Holding a safe space in all of my classes, where all feel supported and respected as they are, is very important to me as a yoga teacher."

Carla Howe Ruffo

Carla, RYT 500, aims to spread joy and connection with others through yoga that supports sustainable health and wellness. She is thrilled to be part of the RealJoy Yoga community! She specializes in thoughtful sequencing and transitions that incorporate meditation and breathwork. Carla first found yoga in the late 1990’s through Rodney Yee’s instructional yoga videos. Decades later, after her father’s passing and a chronic health diagnosis, she found a steady practice in Morgantown, West Virginia (where she lived for five years) that ultimately led her to Suncrest Yoga’s teacher training program under Nicole Yost Ross--and it changed her life through routine practice, strong friendships and a deepened understanding of herself! In 2024 her yoga dreams came true when she studied under Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee to earn her 300-hour yoga teaching credential and further deepen her understanding of the eight limbs of yoga. Outside of yoga, Carla is a competitive Michigan Masters Swimmer, leads a team of education data professionals, and enjoys quality time with her husband, friends, family, and pets. She loves (decaf) coffee and is always looking for a coffee shop recommendation!

Colleen Badgero

Colleen prioritizes the therapeutic benefits of yoga.

"I started practicing yoga in 2006 and completed my first of 2, 200-hour yoga teacher trainings in 2013 to deepen my practice. I grew up as a dancer, so initially the physical aspects of yoga drew me in and were relatively easy, given my flexibility and body awareness. But a hip injury that left me with chronic pain forced me to learn the hard way that my yoga practice needed a complete overhaul. 

I discovered that my hypermobility was leading to joint problems and dove into research on the subject. It helped me realize that shifting the way I practiced yoga to meet my body’s needs could help me build strength and stability to protect my joints, rather than causing further damage by over stretching for the sake of making a particular shape in a pose. 

This experience of self-discovery and healing led me to seek further training in myofascial release techniques, trauma-informed teaching, restorative yoga, and somatics. I bring all of this knowledge to my classes, which results in an environment where each individual’s body wisdom is honored, many options are offered, and the therapeutic benefits of the practice are prioritized. Creating harmony between mind, body, and spirit for optimized wellbeing is the goal!"

Diane Loveday

Diane's warmth and love for yoga inspires others.

Diane is a mom, traveler, gardener, reader and nature lover, and inspired yoga teacher. "Yoga began as a fitness plan that grew into a lifestyle.  Having practiced yoga as a student for almost 30 years, I decided to enhance my practice by participating in a 200 hr YTT.  It changed my practice and my perspective on yoga and life.  Yoga connects mind, body and spirit and inspires me to share this with others."

Kate McCullough

Kate loves to help people get out of pain and learn to feel better in their bodies.

"My yoga journey began as a way to recover from injuries and regain my flexibility. What I discovered along the way is a place for me to heal physically and emotionally. Returning to my mat each time is safe and familiar yet new and challenging.  

As a teacher I bring a calm and encouraging presence to other's practice. I love sharing the healing energy I have found in yoga. I try to share a moment of light during our time together. I love teaching and it has enriched my own practice and life."

Katie Hipple

Hi , I’m Katie! My yoga journey started when I was 20 years old and working in health care. As an empath it always brought me joy to make people feel better but it wasn’t the path that felt authentic. I did my first teacher training in 2010 at Yoga 4 Peace. Seeing how happy people were after taking a yoga class was the reward that made me passionate about sharing yoga. I switched from health care to the health and wellness industry. During my first pregnancy I took a second 200 hour YTT . I sparked a deep connection to pre/ post natal yoga and took a Prenatal Training at Honey Studio. During my second pregnancy I was so sick that the physical practice wasn’t in my daily life but it was replaced with meditation and mindfulness . It made me slow down and appreciate all the other magical parts of yoga . My kids AJ and Madison are always inspiring my teaching style . In 2020 I started exploring sound healing . I love sharing sound baths and seeing the blissful experience it gives.

In 2021 I completed Reiki 1 and 2 training.

Nice to meet you! I enjoy holding space for you to explore your own yoga journey.

Tim Prince

Tim loves teaching flow and his playlists are always a big hit!

Tim has been practicing yoga for over 20 years with a special love for Vinyasa Flow. He completed RYT200 teacher training twice and has been teaching yoga since 2021. He retired in 2020 after teaching middle school social studies for 30 years in Farmington Public Schools. Tim brings his enthusiasm and care to everything he does. He knows his students by name and freely shares encouragement and positive feedback. And his music playlists are always a big hit!