Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine LaBar.
Hi Catherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Yoga has a remarkable way of meeting people exactly where they are. For Catherine — an E-RYT 500® and YACEP® with over a decade of experience and more than 2,000 hours of teaching — this connection began soon after graduating high school in 2011. As she explored different classes, she noticed a common thread woven through her teachers’ messages—one that inspired her to dive deeper into an immersion teacher-training program. That experience became a turning point.
During her initial 200-hour training in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Catherine practiced yoga in nature for the first time. She recalls, “I found myself following the guidance of our teacher while simultaneously finding a home in my breath and body among the elements. There’s something profoundly sweet about turning inward with the trees, birds, and even bugs. This practice reminded me that through connection, we can cultivate reciprocity for ourselves, our communities, and the earth.”
Her time off-grid learning from her wisest teacher—nature—left a lasting imprint that continues to shape her approach today. Since 2016, Catherine has shared her passion for yoga and meditation throughout the Marquette area and beyond, teaching in studios, classrooms, online spaces, off-grid retreats, festivals, corporate environments, and more.
In 2022, she founded Pinecone Yoga to cultivate a nomadic, nature-inspired approach to yoga and meditation. Through this work, Catherine strives to create spaces where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the natural world—one breath at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many teachers, Catherine’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Finding her voice and building confidence as a yoga teacher has been an ongoing practice in itself. Yoga is such a deeply personal experience that sharing it with others can sometimes feel daunting. Yet, each time she steps onto the mat and connects with her breath, Catherine is reminded of why she teaches. Once the class begins and movement flows, the doubts quiet, replaced by presence, gratitude, and the shared energy of the space. Through yoga—and the act of simply returning to the breath—she continues to find trust in herself and in the natural rhythm of teaching and learning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Pinecone Yoga is more than a pop-up yoga practice; it’s a nature-rooted community. Our nature-based approach blends physical postures, breathwork, and meditation with deep reverence for the natural world. Drawing from traditional yoga and modern wellness trends, we explore the seasonal rhythms and landscape around us to shape and inspire our practice. Whether on the mat or moving through daily life, we listen to our bodies and invite curiosity, connection, and a sense of play.
We offer Yoga Classes, Workshops, Private Sessions, Retreats, and immersive teacher trainings. Our 200-hour Nature-Based Yoga Teacher Training and Continuing Education Modules cultivate skilled, compassionate, and environmentally conscious yoga teachers. We believe great teachers nurture strong communities, and this has a reciprocal effect on our practice.
We call our approach Nature-Based Yoga & Meditation®, and all of our offerings—from classes to retreats to teacher trainings—are grounded in this philosophy.
We are committed to honoring yoga’s roots while making space for new growth. Thank you to the Upper Peninsula yoga community and beyond for supporting this practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pinecone.yoga
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinecone.yoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pineconeyogainstitute
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pineconeyoga
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pinecone-yoga-marquette
