My introduction to yoga came as a complete accident in 2002 and has turned into a lifelong passion. Yoga has impacted my life in so many wonderful ways and I deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet wonderful people who also share a love of yoga. My hope for you on your yoga journey is to truly see your inner personal value, for you to know that you matter, and for you to find moments of peace and quiet in your mind. Yoga starts as a physical practice on the mat, but when we begin to peel (or sweat) away the layers, we realize that the real yoga practice is off them mat in our day-to-day lives. My yoga training has been diverse ranging from Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Hot yoga, Yin yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy. I am a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), having completed the IYT yoga therapy training with Joseph and Lillian LePage and the training and credentialing process for the International Association of Yoga Therapists. I am also an E-RYT-500 with the Yoga Alliance. I have a PhD in Mental Health Counseling and have been teaching for online Universities for over 20 years in Masters’ and Doctoral Counseling Programs.

I discovered yoga so many years ago during my intense running days. It kept me injury free and it got me to the 26.2 finish line a few times! Yoga has provided innumerable positive effects to my life physically, mentally and spiritually simply by just living in the present moment with gratitude and truthfulness. I have been teaching a variety of classes and private yoga sessions at Yoga Pointe since 2013 where I so proudly completed my RYT200 and RYT500 programs. My wish for you is that you experience inner peace, balance and well- being during your practice, enabling you to carry this harmony into your daily life and cultivating more resilience, unity, and tranquility beyond the mat!

My yoga journey started in 2010, with a P90X 90 day workout plan which included yoga. As I was completing that 90 day plan, I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend an in-studio class, and from that experience, I knew yoga would be a daily part of my life. In teaching classes, you will hear contemporary stories of inspiration while experiencing the physical practice of the postures, with a little bit of humor added for good measure. As you take your practice off your mat, I hope you leave smiling, feeling vibrant, and inspired in ways that are beneficial to you so that you can share the gift of yourself with others. I began teaching in 2014, receiving my YTT from Yogapointe. Over the years, I have participated in various anatomy trainings, received pre/post natal certification, and sequencing certification. I am an E-RYT 200 instructor. When I’m not teaching yoga, walking and working out are two of my passions, but my greatest passion is gardening, and I can always find a good reason to purchase “just one more plant”. I am also very fortunate to have a terrific husband, and a beautiful family including not only our children their spouses, but also five wildly wonderful grandchildren. My family is my true inspiration to be a better human in “all things life".

This path of my yoga journey all started with a gift certificate for 3 classes, and just like that I was hooked! Since then it’s been a path of deepening my physical practice, while delving deeper into the philosophy. My greatest desire for every student who comes to my class is for them to find a deeper connection with themself. Whether that’s a deeper connection with their physical body and the messages being conveyed, or understanding their thoughts and emotions and how to work with their personal energy; each class offers a unique opportunity to understand themselves better. I went through my 200 HR yoga teacher training in 2020 (remember what a fun year that was! 😉) but didn’t decide that I wanted to explore the world of teaching until 2021 and I’ve loved every minute of it. I was a police officer in WI for 10 years before retiring and moving down here where my yoga journey began. I’ve truly enjoyed all the different twists and turns my life has taken and I can’t wait to see all the different paths that are waiting to present themselves!

My yoga journey began in about 2014 with juggling between work schedules and being a mom, I was living on autopilot. Feeling lost, I sought out yoga to give myself a chance to recharge, recover, and rediscover who I was as I entered into the next stage of my life. When you step on your mat, I hope for you to feel a sense of belonging, to always feel welcomed, encouraged, all while embracing your practice feeling the groundness that nurtures your inner self of body, heart, and mind. As you learn and cultivate experiences on your mat, I encourage you to feel connected to yourself and develop the sense of belonging that fosters your personal growth and wellbeing. I’m a mom of two amazing children, high school teacher, dance instructor, dance coach, and an ERYT-500 hr certified yoga instructor, having competed the 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher training programs at Yoga Pointe.

My yoga journey started after college as I was looking to integrate myself into the “real world” and cope with the adjustments and anxiety that brought me. My journey was on and off through my early adult years. I came back to yoga more intensely when I was pregnant, and as a new mom looking to gain peace and reflection time for myself. Yoga has supported me through some of the biggest challenges and transitions of my life. When I get the opportunity to share yoga with others, I want people to feel supported, welcome, and at ease. I want to help people see that their yoga mat is a sacred space all their own, and what they experience on it is theirs to keep. Most importantly, I want people to feel welcome in the room – just as they are, wherever they are in their yoga journey. I began teaching in 2021 with a 200-hour certification from Yoga Pointe. I loved the opportunity to deepen my appreciation for yoga and expand my knowledge. Outside of yoga, I work as a nonprofit technology consultant. I have three kids that keep me very busy and I love to run (maybe I’ve seen you in the early mornings on Lake Hollingsworth!). My family and I love the arts, and are always looking for ways to explore arts and culture in Lakeland. I serve on the board of directors for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra.

My yoga journey started in 1999 at a gym in California out of curiosity. Yoga in a gym environment is a bit clunky with lots of distraction and no centering, so my practice was inconsistent until I moved to FL in 2021 and joined Yoga Pointe. In our chaotic, crazy lives, I hope you can apply what you’ve learned on your mat out to the real world. My hope is that you use a breathing technique to ease anxiety or stress or maybe remember a pose to release tension or prevent sports injuries. I also hope you will make a connection within yourself and find inner resilience to carry you through whatever you are going through. After receiving my RYT 200 certification at Yoga Pointe, I began teaching hot yoga and children's yoga in 2022. I also completed a 30-hour Children’s yoga certification. I'm a mom of three almost-adult kids so I'm entering the empty nest part of my life. Life is too short so my husband and I find any chance we get to travel and experience new cultures and food. When not at Yoga Pointe, I fill my time with my regular job or volunteering in the community with the local Women's Club.

My yoga journey began in 2010 during my senior year in college at the University of Central Florida. It really peaked my interest but it wasn’t until a few months later after graduation when a co-worker invited me to attend a hot yoga class & after the first week I was hooked. That’s when I really started to see my practice starting to evolve. Through the years of becoming a wife & mother of three children, yoga was always there for me. A place to feel grounded & connected to my true self. A place where I could breath fully & be present in the moment. A place where I could work on myself so that I could better serve my family. It was finally in 2019 I decided to take Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Pointe to really explore the depths of yoga & why it has such a profound effect on me.

My yoga journey began when I came to Yoga Pointe to heal a muscle injury that required stretching. The stretching worked, and the injury healed, but there was so much more that caught me by surprise! The physical postures, breathing practices, and uplifting narratives encourage me to experience the present moment. Yoga has guided me to view myself from a new perspective, to work through difficult and uncomfortable situations where growth, confidence, and success are waiting to bloom. I received my YTT200 certification at Yoga Pointe in 2023 and began teaching that same year. I want to encourage others to rediscover their inner light, to find balance in their life, to see and experience the beauty that surrounds us all, to live life authentically and greet new situations, both good and bad, with equal enthusiasm. I hope you will join me at Yoga Pointe to discover these wonderful things for yourself. Namaste!

My yoga journey started in 2014 when I took my first Hot Yoga class at Yoga Pointe and has continued ever since. In my teaching, I hope to convey the importance of listening to your body, becoming mindful of your breath, and how this mindful presence can assist you to release anxiety and pain. I also hope to emphasize the marvel of the human body, hope for you to embrace it and know that it will respond in a positive way when you pay attention to it. I received my YTT certification in 2017 and started to teach shortly thereafter with teaching my clients who were in recovery. In my personal life, my mother was my mentor. She was a stay-at-home mother who had 9 children. She inspired me to take care of my body. She watched and practiced yoga, took Jack LaLanne programs at home, and had a regiment of vitamins that she took every day that helped her to stay healthy and happy.

My yoga journey started on a whim in college with a bunch of girl friends at the UF Rec center. Savasana was such a weird concept that I slowly began to cherish. In my classes I create a safe space to release your troubles and doubts, to leave refreshed, and in a better state of mind. I also hope that you have smiled and giggled at least once in class because laughter truly is therapeutic! I will always cheer you on through your practice. I have been a high school science teacher since 2012 and have been teaching yoga since 2021. I earned my RYT 200 from Yoga Pointe in 2021 during the awkwardness of coming out of the pandemic and my RCYT 95 (kids yoga) in 2023. My days consist of working out before the sun rises, teaching the big (high school) kids, writing curriculum, and snuggling with my fur babies. My husband and I frequent Lightning Hockey games and finding new local places to eat. Ultimately, my practice is what gives me clarity and keeps me moving!

Yoga has been an integral part of my life over the last few years. While in college, I worked at a yoga studio and fell in love with the community and the environment. I saw how students were able to connect their inner power and find balance within each class, and I admired how the teachers helped guide them. At first, I wanted to become certified as a means of personal growth and discovery but I quickly realized I wanted to share the gift of yoga and become an instructor. I graduated from Yoga Pointe's 200 hour teacher trining program in 2021 and have been teaching ever since. I'm passionate about helping others find balance and peace on their mats through a mindful practice, and strength and stability through the physical practice. When I’m not on the mat you’ll find me working at the amazing Bonnet Springs Park.

My yoga practice began in 2013, drawn like many others to the physical benefits of asana practice. As I continued to learn about the other limbs of yoga, I found myself peeling back layers of mental, emotional and physical pain. In the space remaining, I grew a greater capacity for love and respect for myself and the world around me. It is equally challenging and freeing, empowering and humbling to practice yoga. I graduated from Yoga Pointe's 200 teacher training program in 2019 and have been teaching since 2020. When I am not at Yoga Pointe, I am usually painting, doing something outdoors, or hanging out with my dog, Tree. My goal for teaching is to embody the salutation, "namaste"... the light in me honors the light in you. I love meeting people in that space. So, namaste, and hope to see you soon!

Yoga found me over 25 years ago and I’ve been practicing regularly ever since. Yoga helps me stay centered and provides the pathway to find peace and balance to live and love every moment of life to the fullest. I am passionate about encouraging people that anyone can do yoga. I have found that it is staying present in the moment, learning your true self and being accepting that can lead to pure joy. I completed the 200 and 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Pointe where I have been teaching since 2011. I also teach the academic yoga classes at Florida Southern College and enjoy seeing how the college students can incorporate yoga practices into their lives.

My yoga journey began while participating in Jana’s doctoral research back in 2002, and was amazed at the benefits mentally and physically. Since I have a background as a physical therapist assistant and a massage therapist, I like to share information on the anatomy of our bodies we are addressing with the poses. Encouraging love and full acceptance of oneself, being present in the moment, and allowing change organically are practices I want to encourage. And, of course, I LOVE to bring a few of my singing bowls to class from time to time for a very soothing end to our practice together. I complete the 200 teacher training at Yoga Pointe in 2013 and have bee teaching ever since. I have two handsome adult sons with beautiful wives, and 3 perfect grandchildren. In addition to teaching several yoga classes each week in a variety of settings, I work part time with a hospice agency as a massage therapist. Meditation, consciousness and all things Spiritual in nature, like being a Reiki Master and studying the human energy field, are important aspects of my life. (I completed a BAAS in Ayurveda Wellness and Consciousness and Human Potential in 2022.)

I have always been a very active person participating in many different types of exercise over the years including aerobics, kickboxing, and weight lifting. Like so many others, I started practicing Yoga at various fitness gyms because I wanted to improve my flexibility. I quickly came to realize that Yoga offered so much more than just physical benefits and profoundly effected my mental and emotional well-being as much as my physical body. Having been a physical therapist for over 35 years, I am intrigued by the use of Yoga asanas to help people heal from injuries and as a method of preventing injuries. I believe that each time we practice Yoga we have the opportunity to learn and grow in multiple ways - physically, mentally, and spiritually. I hope with each class you learn something new about yourself and are able to feel a sense of accomplishment as you dedicate yourself to your Yoga practice. I completed the 200 hour teacher training program in 2022 at Yoga Pointe and began teaching classes in the fall of 2023. I am currently a RYT 200 registered with Yoga Alliance. I am also a physical therapist with extensive experience in geriatrics and am a certified kinesio tape practitioner. I enjoy outdoor activities such as tennis, hiking, kayaking and white water rafting. I also love music and enjoy being a part of the praise and worship band at my church.

I started practicing yoga in my search for a physical activity that would entice and encourage me to maintain myself in good physical condition. However, I did not expect to experience something more profound; the emotional and mental effects of yoga. I realized that the health of the body was not the only important thing, but also the health of the mind. With that came the desire of discovering my true self and life purpose. I completed the 200 hour teacher triaining program from Yoga Pointe in 2020. My goal for the teacher training was to submerge myself more in the yoga world as a way to get in touch with myself and the universe; but as the training and the spiritual aspects unfolded I realized I wanted to share this with others and teach yoga. I have been teaching since 2021 and have taught in Spanish as well as English. In my 'other life,' I have a background in communications having worked as a TV reporter and news producer. Currently I am in the legal world and work as a paralegal.

My yoga journey began while struggling to cope with the stress of working in the fast-paced, corporate world of the theme park industry. My practice became a necessity to balance and soften my anxiety as well as to help me understand how to incorporate the “yoga-off-the-mat” effects into my day to day. I am driven to provide the same space for growth and haven for peace for you on your mat that I have found and so desperately needed. It is my intention to offer mindful sequences with opportunities to deepen and explore as desired. It is my hope that it is here you find your own path on your mat; to find freedom in listening to your body, making your practice your own within the framework of the guided sequencing, and finding liberation in your ability to choose, challenge, and be open to what comes and goes. Inspired by my background in dance and my passion for strength and mobility training, I encourage intuitive and dynamic movement, breathwork, and stillness. I received my 200-Hour RYT certification through Full Circle Yoga in Winter Park, Florida, specializing in Hatha yoga principles, hot yoga, and Vinyasa flow in 2018. Off my mat, I am a production manager working in the theming industry. Most days you are likely to find me lifting weights in the gym, walking my greyhound Luna around Lake Mirror, dancing Bachata, or escaping to the beaches.

My yoga journey started back in 2013 while I was a student at UCF. I attended “Yoga in the Park” at Lake Eola on the weekends, which ignited my passion for yoga! I have completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training through Yoga Pointe and I am registered as a RYT-200 through Yoga Alliance. In 2022, I started teaching my Beginner Yoga class at Yoga Pointe. In our class, we will challenge ourself, laugh together and practice self-care. I hope that through our classes together, you can balance yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically. Outside of Yoga Pointe, I work as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, where I help people to become the best version of themselves they can be. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling with my husband, our daughter and our 2 dogs.

I began my impassioned yoga journey in 2015. My daughter and I were inspired by community classes, and she decided to broaden her knowledge by obtaining the 200hour YTT certification at Yoga Pointe. After seeing such a positive awakening, I did so myself in 2017. It was never my intention to teach, as I figured I was just investing in myelf, but here I am at 5:30 am each Thursday sharing my knowledge and love with all of my devout yogis! Yoga has brought greater meaning to my life, as well as a foundation of strength and peace. Coming from a health care background, I feel that yoga is an important facet in the continuum of care. I have found so many holistic attributes that anyone can benefit from, and I encourage all people, regardless of age ability or preconceived notions to seek this beautiful, ancient practice. Becoming the best version of ourselves is what I hope to convey. Besides yoga, I love to travel, spend time with my family and Standard Poodles (who also love yoga). I love food and culture and essential oils. Most days you can find me at our family business in Lake Alfred, Florida.

Namaste'

My yoga journey began in college, where the desire for a physical workout led me to my first yoga class. From that moment, I was hooked by the practice and its transformative effects on both my body and mind. My teaching philosophy revolves around empowering you to cultivate mindfulness, strength, and self-awareness through yoga. I strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where you can explore your practice with compassion and curiosity. My ultimate goal is for you to leave each class feeling rejuvenated, balanced, and inspired to carry the lessons learned on the mat into your everyday life. I began teaching in 2023 after completing the teacher training program at Yoga Pointe! When I am not teaching at Yoga Pointe, I am a high school mathematics teacher at McKeel Academy of Technology. Outside of teaching, my husband and I are always busy with our 3 children.

I had always been interested in yoga and mindfulness but it wasn't until I moved from my hometown in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico to Maine (I know, right!) in 2020 that my yoga practice became consistent as I entered a new stage in life. Ever since then, my time in my mat is non negotiable. With that in mind and ready to dive deeper in my practice and learn more about yogic philosophy, I completed my yoga teacher training (RYT200) in Augusta, Maine in October of 2022 and have been teaching sporadically, until arriving to Yoga Pointe in early 2024. Every time we step in our mat, is a chance to grow, learn and practice kindness towards ourselves and others. My goal is to offer an effective, accessible class where you can tap into your inner strength and take your practice into your everyday life. Other than in a Hot Yoga class, you'll find me enjoying the outdoors, specially if it's warm and sunny or in my kitchen, baking and cooking new, old and improved recipes!

As an new “empty nester” I realized it was time for me to focus on own health, physical and emotional. I decided to give Yoga a try, and began with private sessions with Marni. The peace I found astounded me. Eventually, I realized that my favorite time of day was my time on my yoga mat! While I LOVE my “day job” shepherding First Generation students through the college admissions process for Polk County Public Schools, it is such a joy to spend my Saturday mornings at the Yoga Pointe reception desk welcoming others!

I began practicing yoga about 20 years ago, and I loved it immediately. It wasn’t until my daughter became a yoga teacher that I decided that I wanted to become one too. In 2018 I became a RYT200 teacher at Yoga Pointe. I am also certified in Aerial Yoga, Chair Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Being a teacher allows me to share with you my passion for health, mindfulness and self-discovery. Yoga is both physical and mental and watching you grow in your practice gives me a sense of fulfillment. I have been married for over 30 years with two grown children. I enjoy traveling, reading, and playing tennis and pickleball.