About
Meet Tanya Ford
Yoga instructor, wellness guide, and retreat leader. A lifelong athlete who turned a love of movement into 25 years of teaching across six countries.
Tanya's story
From Texas roots to global retreats
Tanya's wellness journey began in 1999 with a kickboxing class at the San Angelo YMCA in Texas, where she was living with her husband during their time at Goodfellow Air Force Base. A lifelong athlete and former competitive runner and triathlete, Tanya turned to yoga and Pilates to maintain alignment and avoid injury. What began as a way to protect her own body quickly became a passion for teaching.
Over the last 25 years she has taught thousands of classes across six countries and many U.S. states, including renowned destinations like Maui, Hawaii. Her classes and retreats are known for their welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and the deep sense of transformation they offer.
In 2020, Tanya co-founded OlneyFit, a virtual wellness community that offered hundreds of free classes to help people stay grounded and strong through the pandemic shutdown. Her work continues to inspire students around the world to reconnect with their bodies, build strength, and embrace joy through movement.
Milestones
First class. Kickboxing at the San Angelo YMCA sparks a new path.
Teaching internationally. Yoga and retreat leadership become the life's work.
Manor Country Club. Joins as Wellness Director and ACE Personal Trainer in Rockville, MD.
OlneyFit. Co-founds a free virtual wellness community during the shutdown, and begins teaching functional movement for the U.S. Secret Service.
Six countries and counting. Weekly classes at home in Maryland, retreats on the world's coastlines.
Teaching style & philosophy
Movement, meditation, and breath in beautiful alignment
Tanya believes that combining movement, meditation, and breath work lets each student rebalance body and energy into beautiful alignment. Her classes are designed to release physical, mental, and emotional blockages while cultivating strength, intuition, clarity, and self-love.
Her style is fun, informative, and grounded in inclusivity. She leads with heart, humor, and deep respect for each individual's journey, whether guiding a power yoga class, a restorative meditation, or a playful aerial session.
"Meet your body where it is today, and it will surprise you tomorrow."
Credentials
Certified, studied, and still curious
- 500-hour yoga certification through YogaFit (Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500)
- ACE Certified Personal Trainer
- Pilates certification (Peak Pilates)
- TPI Certified golf fitness professional, Titleist Performance Institute
- Suspension & Aerial Yoga certified
- Meditation & Mindfulness certified
- Indoor Schwinn Cycle and H2O Fitness instructor
- Wellness Director at Manor Country Club, Rockville, MD
- Functional movement educator for the U.S. Secret Service
- Studied at the U.S. Air Force Academy; psychology at Drexel University
Beyond the studio
Off the mat with Tanya
Tanya is a passionate explorer of nature and life. She loves to travel, learn, cook, hike, and spend time outside with her two Rottweilers, Cage and Zion, who join her on regular nature adventures. She finds joy near the ocean, on mountain tops, or anywhere that brings her closer to the Earth.
She is also a devoted wife to Barney Ford and a proud mother of two, Jake and Jordan. Family is her foundation, and she brings that same nurturing spirit into every class and retreat she leads.
Ready to move with purpose?