108 East Broadway, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503, United States
Who we are
Our goals
Half Moon Yoga is a community-focused studio committed to the process of awakening the body, heart, and mind.
The traditional roots of yoga are held while embracing a modern, accessible approach. Half Moon Yoga provides a tranquil haven and peaceful respite to gather and share this transformative practice.
Our Teachers
Half Moon Yoga takes pride in having the best teachers around! All of the teachers at Half Moon Yoga have a Yoga Alliance approved RYT-200 at a minimum, many with advanced level training in a variety of modalities. Proper training and continuing education remain a top priority. As we evolve, everyone else also evolves!
Meet your teachers
Carrie- Owner & Founder
Hello! My name is Carrie, and I am the owner and founder of Half Moon Yoga. I am so glad you’re here!
My first experience with yoga was when I was about 13 and came home with a Denise Austin yoga VHS tape! I was HOOKED! Growing up as a dancer I have always been flexible, and yoga just made sense to me, physically. I crave the way the body feels during a good stretch.
I have probably taken a yoga class at every studio in the Omaha area! It was the only form of “exercise” I really ever truly enjoyed, and I learned quick that there is so much depth to the practice of yoga. Movement and the poses are just a small piece of a large, delicately sewn web. Soon after, I decided to go through yoga teacher training, and leave what I perceived at the time to be “what I was supposed to do” and just follow my heart.
I completed my 200-hour RYT with Carole Westerman at Evolve to Harmony. I have never gone through such a rapid period of spiritual and emotional growth as I did during that year. I came out a new person. Yoga truly changed my life.
This year I reached E-RYT status, which means I have over 1000 teaching hours and became a YACEP (Continuing Education Provider) for fellow yoga teachers. I am also a Reiki Master, Holy Fire III and received my training from Rhianna Mays.
I am completing the 500-hour program with Carole Westerman and will be finished this year. I am also a Level 1-Thai Yoga Massage practitioner.
I am a huge fan of Heated Flow classes and LOVE teaching them. Vinyasa has always been the style I gravitate towards the most. I will be teaching every morning M-F this fall and a few nights a week too.
The biggest accomplishment in this life has been raising my two children, June (9) and Calvin (6). They are my “why” and they make me so proud. They inspire me to do better every day.
Tiffany
My name is Tiffany and I am a plus-sized yoga teacher who found yoga during the pandemic. It was during that time that I realized no matter how busy life is or how much is going on in the outside world, there is always peace to be found when you step onto the yoga mat.
I originally decided to get my 200 hour yoga teacher training just so I could learn more about the benefits of yoga. However, I learned so much that I knew I wanted to share those benefits with others. On top of my 200 hours, I have over 130 hours of additional training in areas of yin yoga, restorative yoga, mudras, marma points, children's yoga and more. I also have my Reiki I and Reiki II certification.
My favorite style of yoga to teach is yin, which is hopefully where you'll be joining me in the evenings at Half Moon Yoga. However, no matter what class you take with me, I hope you find that my passion is sharing yoga with others, but more so helping everyone realize that yoga is for everybody in any body.”
Katie
Hello, I’m Katie! My yoga journey began in 2008 as a path to recovery after a car accident that caused a lingering shoulder injury. Today, I specialize in Restorative, Yin, and Low and Slow yoga classes, focusing on the deep healing powers of mindful movement and connection to breath.
Certifications:
•200-Hour Training @ One Tree Yoga, Omaha, NE
•300-Hour Advanced Training @ The Mindfulish School, Austin, TX
•Additional training in Myofascial Release and the impact of Yoga on the Nervous System
Teaching Philosophy: My classes are designed to help you foster a profound connection with your mind, body, and breath, transforming your yoga practice into a healing and stress management tool both on and off the mat.
Favorite Teaching Moment: Nothing fulfills me more than hearing how students apply lessons learned in my classes to their daily lives, truly embodying the practice beyond the mat.
Join Me: Whether you’re looking to find some stress management practices or to deepen your understanding of your body, my classes are tailored to nurture and support your journey towards holistic health. Let’s explore the transformative power of yoga together! I look forward to meeting you in the studio!
Bailee
My name is Bailee and I am passionate about physical activity and our mind, body, soul connections. I have had the privilege of working with Carrie at Half Moon Yoga in the past and I am so excited to be back! My flows are designed for any level Yogi. Whether you are a beginner or advanced I have the modifications you need to make the class work for you. I believe every practice should be your own and I look forward to being a part of this journey with you.
I received my 200-hour RYT certification from Lotus House of Yoga and have my BS in Kinesiology and Pre-Physical Therapy. I also have my Masters degree in Physical Activity and Health Promotion.
Morgan
Morgan Otto-Berglund is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher; she has additional training in restorative yoga, yoga therapy, and other mind-body approaches.
Originally from Pierce, Nebraska, Morgan earned her bachelors degree in The Study of Women and Gender at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and she earned her masters degree in social work at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Outside of yoga, she works as a licensed independent mental health practitioner at her private practice Breathing Room LLC in Omaha. She is passionate about fostering relaxation, embodiment, and curiosity.
Joy
Joy Bookout, an RYT- 200 and Reiki practitioner. She will be leading a new class called Chakra Flow on Monday nights from 5:30-6:30 pm!
More coming soon...
Our Story
The first location on McPherson Ave. pictured above.
Half Moon Yoga opened its doors on January 5, 2020 in Council Bluffs, IA in a tiny building off McPherson Avenue. It was a special place from the beginning and the first of its kind in the Council Bluffs area. The space was cozy and warm and just felt like home.
Because life sometimes throws you curveballs and you never know what the future holds, 10 weeks after opening our doors, the pandemic hit and Covid-19 made its mark on our space and brought classes to a screeching halt. Carrie and a group of dedicated teachers dove into the (mostly unknown) world of streaming classes on Facebook, and eventually as the weather warmed up we moved our classes outside. At the time, outdoors was the only place groups could gather and people eagerly joined the outdoor classes, 6 feet apart! It was during the summer of 2020, Carrie was approached by Ditmars Orchard to teach Goat Yoga! Another first for the Council Bluffs area. It was from there that Half Moon Yoga really spread its wings and locked arms with many people, with yoga at the forefront. Eventually Half Moon was able to fully reopen and allow classes to resume indoors.
We have hosted many workshops and events including Yoga and Mimosas, Glowga, a puppy rescue fundraiser called "Yoga to the Rescue" with Hands, Hearts and Paws, women's retreats, clay painting classes, pottery wheel workshops, Reiki trainings with Rhianna Mays, crystal workshops with Dorie from Dorie's Crystals and Things, and more!
Goat Yoga has continued at Ditmars Orchard every year since 2020, as well as Beer Belly Yoga at Full Fledged Brewing Company in Council Bluffs. We have partnered with Council Bluffs Public Schools to offer yoga to the children in an afterschool setting, as well as the Iowa Western Community College Volleyball team, numerous AAA baseball teams and local middle school and high school sports teams.
We have welcomed many gifted teachers for special workshops and events including Crystals and Reiki, Hot Stone Restorative workshops and events on the seasonal equinox. During the last 6 months at the McPherson location, Carrie partnered with another yoga teacher, Erin Rock-Winterstein, and the space became the Healing Den.
Since 2020, Half Moon Yoga has had the opportunity to share space with thousands of people. If our paths have crossed, I want to sincerely thank you.
