About

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.

My calling to become a yoga instructor came after years of working closely with the environment. The Earth has been my greatest teacher of all, and I honor all she has given me through my service as a yoga teacher. Yoga is about energy and movement. Through holding various poses we calm the mind, engage the body, and awaken the spirit. I enjoy practicing all types of yoga and find that a thoughtful balance of all the various styles is a wonderful way to combine peace and fun into my journey as both teacher and student.

When I'm not teaching yoga, you'll find me working with honeybees. My husband, Danny, and I established a 501c3 non-profit educational organization and honeybee sanctuary in 2013. All pollinators should be cherished and celebrated and we teach this in our educational center for families & children. I am a 2004 graduate of Peru State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and my RYT 200 yoga certification was earned through Lighthouse Yoga in Omaha, Nebraska. I am currently pursuing my 500 hour certification. Danny and I have been married for 18 years and have three children ages 17, 13, and 11.

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 in school, 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!

Brandi Sharp

I remember going to the first fitness class I absolutely loved. It stole my heart and that was 10 years ago. It was one of those classes that I packed my gym bag for to go to immediately after work. That love grew into a passion and one of my favorite instructors invited me to attend a fitness training with her. What a gift, and 10 years later I have grown so much as a instructor.

I went on to teach a variety of formats from Dance, HIIT, Kickboxing, Pilates, and Piyo a yoga dance blend. One thing I know for sure about fitness is you can find something that works for you and love what your doing. Fitness does not have to be a brutal experience and I love sharing that with people. That’s why I love to teach. I can’t wait to see you in my Pilates class at Earth and Owl studio.

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 practice and share it with all of you!