Renée Balyoz

M.Ed. CSMC

E-RYT 500

I am deeply committed to educating and empowering people of all ages to make informed, confident choices that support a fulfilling and healthy life. I approach my work through the lens of curiosity and compassion, always meeting my clients exactly where they are — with respect, openness, and care.

My path to becoming a menopause coaching specialist grew out of my own perimenopause journey. Long before my first hot flash — which I initially mistook for a COVID-related fever — my body was already changing. After two negative COVID tests, it became clear: this was perimenopause. What followed were familiar challenges — weight gain, mood swings, and a sense that my old routines no longer fit.

Instead of resigning myself to feeling out of control, I chose to get curious. I shook up how I moved my body, experimented with new forms of exercise that felt both challenging and joyful, and renewed my focus on nutrition to better support my changing needs. I refused to let hormones dictate how I felt about myself or my life. Through education, experimentation, and persistence, I reclaimed my sense of agency — and today, I feel empowered, informed, and very much in charge.

That experience ignited a deep desire to help other women navigate this powerful transition with clarity, confidence, and self-trust. You do not have to suffer in silence or figure it out alone. With the right support, this chapter can be one of strength, vitality, and renewed connection to yourself.

Beyond my professional work, I am the proud mom of two amazing young people and a devoted companion to a senior rescue dog who keeps me grounded and smiling every day.

A lifelong learner and teacher, I bring a rich curiosity to both life and work. My interests include art, music, travel, cooking, movement, swimming, disco dancing, hiking, time in nature, and the practices of yoga and meditation — both teaching and learning them. I also love exploring new languages and forming meaningful connections with like-minded people. These passions shape how I show up: engaged, grounded, and energized by possibility.

If you are navigating perimenopause or menopause and want to feel informed, supported, and confident in your body again, I invite you to work with me. Together, we will explore what your body needs, create sustainable practices that fit your life, and help you move through this transition with clarity and strength. You deserve to feel empowered, vibrant, and at home in yourself — and I would be honored to help you with your journey through menopause.

  • “Renée is a consistently excellent yoga instructor, and that is especially evident in her menopause workshop. Her passion for women’s empowerment is palpable, and she creates a peaceful, nourishing environment where we, as women, can comfortably and honestly discuss our unique and shared experiences during this phase of our lives. Renée’s research, preparation, and expertise ensured the experience was fact based, while allowing for personal reflection and exploration. The yoga practice itself was both strengthening and restorative. I left feeling excited about possibilities for the future and relieved to be connected with a supportive group of women, especially Renée."

    Rachael D.

  • “Thank you for your contribution to the health of our community.  I’m happy to have discovered you.  I really like how you vary your classes and are always adding something new.”

    B. Stephenson

  • "One of your strengths is your ability to offer kind encouragement and gentle correction. More important is the way you not only instruct on the correct execution but also share the purpose of practicing certain poses. You include both the spiritual and physical aspect of the practice which incorporates the mind and body seamlessly. It is evident that your knowledge of yoga goes far beyond the basics. "

    Linda M.

  • "I always feel safe and strong when I practice yoga with you. You provide excellent cues, so it's easy to follow you even with challenging sequences. You build in smooth transitions that provide a true sense of "flow". I never get lost or feel like I'm falling behind. All of these elements create an atmosphere that encourages surrender so the yogi can enter into a meditative mindset, just flowing along without worry. "

    Aimee B.

  • "You have a calm and calming quality that is hard to describe. It is natural and goes beyond the yoga studio. It goes beyond a grounded, centered kind of mindfulness, it's more like a peacefulness. Being in your class is like an "ahhhhhh" releasing exhale, followed by smiles."

    Terry C.

  • "You have a gift for teaching. You really know and live your yoga. Whether it's a small group or a big class, you are able to identify those of us who need a little guidance and offer that in a very caring and respectful way. You don't allow classes to be routing and predictable, consequently, we work more muscle groups and are never bored."

    Linda P.

What is Maitrī?

The word Maitrī means loving kindness. It is found in yoga sūtra 1.33:

maitrīkaruṇāmuditopekṣāṇāṁ sukhaduḥkhapuṇyāpuṇya viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaścittaprasādanam ॥33॥

“For a pure mind, cultivate loving-kindness for people when they are well, compassion when they are in pain, joy when they are virtuous, and patience when they are weak.”

-Michael Johnson, 2019

The wisdom behind this sūtra is the intention behind my daily yoga practice, on and off of my mat. In the classes I teach, whether it is online or in person, my goal is to create an atmosphere of acceptance and kindness to all. I offer inspiration and provide a calm grounding strength to the group.  

In my workshop and retreat offerings, I combine yoga with other wellness modalities, such as meditation, mindfulness practices, art, acupuncture, sound, healthy eating, self-study, creative writing, the art of laughter, service, philosophy, and more, so that people can extend this same intention towards themselves and others.