The Squirrel, a symbol of Gathering & Playfulness

In 2011 Sonia & Casey began camping and hiking adventures together while chatting about their dreams. They soon created Yoga Squirrels offering their first retreats in Joshua Tree, California and Moab, Utah. What began as small, intimate retreats sharing Yoga, AcroYoga, and Thai massage evolved into a loving tribe and community of adventurers with rock climbing, backpacking, leave no trace ethics and trail work in the mix. In 2014, they started organizing trail work stewardship retreats in Tuolumne and Yosemite and love to support the National Parks in sharing practices to stay in harmony with this beautiful world and reflect in each other’s natural beauty. The Yoga Squirrel community today has many leaders with various skills and backgrounds.

sonia peltzer

Hi ! My name is Sonia.

You could say I was imported from the French Alps, and have aged in the California Sierra.

If you've ever met me, you may have noticed I love being upside-down. I was a gymnast growing up, and my mom introduced yoga to the family when I was in highschool. Since 2007, Yoga and AcroYoga have shaped my life in many ways. These practices gave me a home, friendships around the world, and tools to live my life to the fullest.

As well as an abundance in community and human connection, my path has been enriched by training and learning various disciplines with many master teachers. My yoga practice is a culmination of experiences founded in Anusara alignment and the grace of Qi Gong and Shadow Yoga. Since discovering AcroYoga in 2007, I have also specialized in handstand training and partner acrobatics, alongside pursuing deeper studies in Thai massage. Acrobatics, and more recently rock climbing, has fed my playful nature and desire to connect to others and feel strong in my body and mind. Thai massage and nature time feed my meditative soul and the profound need for healing, softness, and slowing down. In 2012, this journey led me to Thailand and Laos for some advanced courses with teachers from around the world under the lineage of Pichest Boonthumme and Asokananda. My Thai massage practice has also been influenced by European and American teachers who introduced Chinese Five Element Theory, Cranio Sacral, Osteopathy and Shiatsu. I find balance in my life through these practices and by taking every chance to be outdoors, often rock climbing, hiking, biking, camping, swimming in the ocean, and anything else that connects me to nature, my biggest source of inspiration.

I am currently an Assistant Rock Guide with the AMGA and Wilderness First Responder. The mountains are where I feel most alive and I love to share that experience with others.

I love to travel and connect with people around the world. This is what led me to Nicaragua from 2008 - 2010 working with the Peace Corps, and what propelled me to travel and teach specifically in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America for the past 15 years. Although I continue to travel occasionally, I am now focused on building a home near Bishop and the Eastern Sierra.

I offer privates, workshops, trainings, guided rock climbing and nature retreats. I teach in English, Spanish and French, and travel for retreats and other events. I hope to meet you and learn about you somewhere on or off this wild road. Please contact me for any inquiries or just to say hello :)

Casey Stroud

Born & raised in Northridge California.  

  “No matter how smart you are, you can always learn.” I first came across this quote in a surf video I used to watch on repeat as a teen.  It stuck with me for years as I played basketball and explored the power of image at Art Center College of Design… But when I found yoga in 2009, this wisdom came fully alive. My heart was set afire by yoga’s simplicity in cultivating profound physical and mental awareness, at a level I had never before experienced. I am beyond excited to share the stoke with everyone in my life, and even more excited to continue learning. My teaching style is fun, playful, challenging and encouraging.  I teach from what I have learned on this journey and hope that you find a similar stoke and expansive learning in the practice of life.

Casey has earned her ERYT 200 and RYT 500 Yoga Alliance certifications under the tutelage of Sigrid Matthews, Noah Maze, and Matt Schwartz. Along the way to becoming a yoga teacher, she discovered AcroYoga and Thai massage in 2012, which blew the lid off of her already delighted mind, body, and spirit. She dove deeper, garnering both Level 1 and 2 certifions from AcroYoga.org, and taking multiple Thai Massage trainings. Her ability to maintain a beginner’s mind, even as her physical practice may look nowhere near beginner, keeps her offerings accessible, encouraging, and full of love.

Casey is now based in Bishop, CA.