True North Power Yoga founders, Colleen Gillis and Mike Haight, knew that they had to create a successor studio to Down Dog Yoga when it closed its doors in November 2024. Inspired by the dedicated and committed community and the connections between its passionate members, Colleen and Mike set out to ensure that Down Dog’s students could continue on their paths of transformation in a new space.  

People come to the Baptiste power yoga practice for many reasons, but Colleen happened upon it in 2010 while going through a divorce. The practice facilitated both empowerment and self-healing for her, and it didn't take long before she was completely hooked. Colleen is passionate about much of this practice, but loves hands-on assisting in particular! As a lawyer and founder of a boutique law firm, she would tell you that her yoga practice is invaluable in terms of stress management and personal development, and that she finds deep value in the connections and friendships she's built on her transformation journey. 

A lifelong soccer player and athlete, Mike was first dragged to yoga by his then-girlfriend, now-wife, Colleen. Though he was initially skeptical of the heated practice, his competitive spirit quickly kicked in and his desire to "master" yoga (and impress his girlfriend) kept him coming back. It wasn't long before he threw himself into teacher training and began to evangelize the practice to anyone and everyone. He loves using the physicality of the practice to build his own mental strength. He knows that this practice has kept him healthy and injury-free as he has continued his other athletic pursuits. Mike is particularly passionate about yoga being accessible to men, as he knows that the barrier to entry can be harder for them than for women.