OG YOGA INSTRUCTORS > Kaitlynn Hardy
Kaitlynn Hardy
Growing up, I learned to adapt and stay strong in difficult situations. The structure of military life reinforced this, teaching me resilience but also deepening my ability to numb and disconnect from my own needs.
After serving eight years on active duty, I left the Navy in 2022, knowing it was time for a new chapter. My daughter was four at the time, and every goodbye felt harder than the last. I was ready to build a life where I could show up for her—not just physically, but emotionally and wholeheartedly.
That same year, I began a 500-hour yoga certification and an associate degree through Pacific College while simultaneously completing my bachelor’s in psychology. During this time, I took JoAnn’s trauma-informed yoga class and immediately felt a deep connection to the practice. Her class gave me the language and tools to understand my nervous system, reconnect with my mind-body, and approach healing with self-compassion.
I also came to understand the role of breath in moving Qi (life force energy) throughout the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stagnant Qi contributes to both physical and emotional imbalances. Through breathwork, mindful movement, and body awareness, we can regulate the nervous system, release stored trauma, and create space for true healing.
As a single mom, I struggled to find time for self-care. Going to a yoga class or the gym often felt impossible with daycare expenses, and I longed for the sense of community that came with those spaces. OG Yoga changed that for me. It showed me that healing doesn’t have to be done alone—we heal in community. Having a space where people come together, support one another, and grow side by side is powerful, and it’s something I deeply want to help expand.
Now, I teach for the veteran community through the Connected Warriors program, helping fellow veterans find healing through trauma-informed yoga. This practice helped me unlearn old conditioning and reconnect with my body in a way I never had before. It taught me that healing isn’t linear—it isn’t just about thinking differently, but about truly feeling and embodying that shift.
I’ve also learned that when we prioritize our healing, our children benefit too. They watch us, learning how to move, breathe, and regulate their emotions simply by observing. Yoga isn’t just about what happens on the mat—it’s about how we show up in our daily lives. When they see us embrace movement, presence, and self-care, we give them permission to do the same. Healing ripples outward, shaping not only ourselves but the next generation.
OG Yoga’s mission—to empower all people to become their own greatest healer—deeply resonates with me. I know firsthand how transformative this practice is, and I’m committed to sharing it with veterans, parents, and children who, like me, are learning to navigate life with more presence, self-awareness, and ease.
Because when we heal ourselves, we heal those around us—creating a stronger, more connected community.