Meet Mandy Roush. She is a yoga teacher, retreat leader, and horsewoman who is known for Hygee (pronounced “Hooga”) – a Danish word for creating comfortable, warm and inviting spaces.
What makes her feel most alive is exploring the world (especially from a saddle) and being immersed in the awe and wonder of nature. She sees life as a practice of reverence and believes when we anchor into the present moment, everything becomes sacred. Sharing a meal, supporting a loved one, holding half moon pose, taking a deep breath or being in union with a horse – all of life is a practice.
Horses embody this way of being and have been some of her greatest teachers. She grew up in rural Wisconsin with her childhood pony, Dude. Along with her kittens, goats, rabbits and dogs, he was her refuge and best friend. Even back then, Mandy instinctively turned to animals and nature for comfort and support when the world felt overwhelming.
Mandy discovered yoga in 2001. After completing her degree in Health Education at UW La Crosse, she was working at Mayo Clinic as part of the employee wellness program. Ironically, she had never felt less well or more lost. What started as a way to move her body, became a way of being and living. Over time, yoga helped her find her way back to herself, sparking profound transformation. In 2009, she felt called to teach and share what had changed her life. In 2011, she and her husband Nick opened Root Down Yoga Studio in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Horses took a back seat to pursuing her career until she went on a vacation to a ranch in Wyoming. After a magical week in the saddle, she knew she needed horses in her life again. In 2016, she found her “heart horse” – a big liver chestnut gelding named Hoss. Adding Hoss to her family felt like a return to her roots. Mandy andNick sold their city home and moved to a small ranch in the country. She dug deeper into the world of natural horsemanship and her herd grew with the addition of two young geldings, Wyatt and Boone. The parallels in her passions – yoga and horses – started to become clear.
In 2021, Mandy discovered the work of Linda Kohanov, founder of Eponaquest Worldwide. Author and leader in the field of Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL). This subtle yet powerful work didn’t involve riding, only working freely with horses on the ground. EFL explained what she had always known in her heart; horses are powerful teachers and healers. She traveled to Arizona and started attending Linda’s workshops. Partnering with horses in this way changed her life and just like yoga, she felt called to share it.
Her journey with Big Sky Yoga Retreats began in 2023. At the time, she was contemplating selling her yoga studio and had just been accepted into the apprenticeship program with Eponaquest to become an EFL Instructor. With two major life decisions looming, she signed up for the Cowgirl Yoga retreat in Montana. Nature, yoga, and horses had always helped her find clarity. When Margaret pulled out Linda Kohanov’s Way of the Horse card deck at the opening circle, it felt like a clear sign from the universe that now was the time to step fully into a new chapter. She decided to sell the studio to a beloved teacher and began her apprenticeship.
Since then, Mandy has attended Cowgirl Yoga in Montana and Argentina. Horses and yoga is a unique and powerful combination. Margaret and her team are gifted at creating a retreat that is supportive, healing and fun! Mandy is honored to be a part of the Cowgirl Yoga Montana retreat team and can’t wait to meet you!
Mandy shares her life in Wisconsin with her husband, two cats, and three horses. Her herd continues to guide her growth with their honesty, presence, and wisdom. She teaches yoga, leads retreats and offers EFL workshops to individuals and groups. Yeehaw & Namaste.