About
Meet the Earth & Owl Instructors!
Nikki Hayes ~ RYT 200, B.S. Ed
My mission is to provide a serene, safe, and welcoming environment for people of all ages, sizes, shapes, and abilities in order to bring greater health, happiness, and well-being into the lives of those in my community.
I am a 2004 graduate of Peru State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. My RYT 200 yoga certification was earned through Lighthouse Yoga in Omaha, Nebraska. I am also a JumpSport Fitness Trampoline Credentialed Instructor fully qualified to lead and teach classes on the JumpSport Fitness Trampoline and associated equipment.
My husband Danny, an instructor at Peru State College, and I have been married for 20 years and have three children ages 18, 14, and 12.
Emily Crotty ~ B.S. Ed
Hi, I’m Emily. I’m a blessed mama to 3 sweet kids and wife to Brett. Being active has always been important to me and I have participated in several different types of workouts over the years. Since having kids it has been harder to find the time to fit it all in. I started attending yoga and bounce classes at Earth and Owl shortly after having my third baby because I knew it was important. I fell in love with the whole experience! I needed the peace, the adult connections, and the “me time” that came with it. I found out that group fitness is totally my niche! Since then, fitness and exercise has become an important part of daily life. The more I move my body, the better I feel, and the better I can keep up with my active kiddos! I have a degree to teach early childhood and elementary children, and now I’m so excited to be teaching adult fitness classes! You never know where life will lead you! I am looking forward to being a part of your health & wellness journey!
Diana Bantz ~ RYT 200, B.S. Psyc/Soc
Hi, I’m Diana! I live on a farm in Stella, Nebraska. I am married to my husband, Steve, and together we have 6 grown children, 10 grandchildren and 6 dogs! Back in 2012, after I lost my mother to cancer, I started searching for answers and ways to find peace within myself and I found yoga. I was certified in Lincoln that year at Inner Power Yoga. I taught locally for several years and then fell away from my practice until Earth & Owl opened. I am excited to renew my passion for my yoga practice and share it with all of you!
Jill Hardy ~ Registered Nurse
Hello, I’m Jill Hardy. I am a full time Labor and Delivery Nurse in Nebraska City. My husband Ben and I live in Peru and we have two beautiful children, Burke and Remi. The first time I stepped on a trampoline at Earth & Owl, I was hooked. Getting me to that first class was a trick. I was a bigger girl and very self conscious about what others might think. What was a girl like me doing at a place like that? Well, I found myself. I found a love for moving my body. My bounce journey has helped me lose over 70 pounds! How could I not love something that has done so many great things for me. I have developed friendships and it is so much FUN!! So much fun, it doesn’t even feel like a workout! The music, the atmosphere, the people, I love it ALL!! I would have never guessed a year ago you would find me teaching a fitness class, but here I am and loving it!! Come try out a bounce class with me, I promise you won’t be disappointed!!
