Michaela Coleman ERYT-200
Michaela completed her 200 hour training in October 2015 through the Yoga Mutts program at Greensboro Downtown Yoga. She quit her full time desk job and began teaching up to 20+ classes a week, all over Greensboro. She was also working part time as studio manager for Greensboro Downtown Yoga, and in February 2017 she had the amazing opportunity to take over the ownership of the studio and is thrilled to focus her teachings and her energies there now. She has taught over 1,000 yoga classes.
Michaela is deeply grateful for all the practice of yoga offers her, not only each time she steps on her mat but also as she walks through the world each day. Michaela attended yoga classes here and there throughout high school and college, but it was later, during hard times, that she realized the profound power of yoga to heal, to promote peace, strength, and joy. She believes firmly that yoga can benefit everyone and she wants to help spread yoga to people who might not try it without some encouragement. We all deserve a solid sense of wellbeing and access to a practice that can help us get there. Michaela teaches gentle, restorative, and flow yoga classes, as well as private/individual yoga lessons. She encourages students to learn to harness the power of the breath, to find joy in movement, and to reconnect with their body and intuition. She likes to keep her sequences varied and fresh. Her classes are balanced, incorporating playfulness and serenity, challenge and rest.
Michaela completed her 200 hour training in October 2015 through the Yoga Mutts program at Greensboro Downtown Yoga. She quit her full time desk job and began teaching up to 20+ classes a week, all over Greensboro. She was also working part time as studio manager for Greensboro Downtown Yoga, and in February 2017 she had the amazing opportunity to take over the ownership of the studio and is thrilled to focus her teachings and her energies there now. She has taught over 1,000 yoga classes.
Michaela is deeply grateful for all the practice of yoga offers her, not only each time she steps on her mat but also as she walks through the world each day. Michaela attended yoga classes here and there throughout high school and college, but it was later, during hard times, that she realized the profound power of yoga to heal, to promote peace, strength, and joy. She believes firmly that yoga can benefit everyone and she wants to help spread yoga to people who might not try it without some encouragement. We all deserve a solid sense of wellbeing and access to a practice that can help us get there. Michaela teaches gentle, restorative, and flow yoga classes, as well as private/individual yoga lessons. She encourages students to learn to harness the power of the breath, to find joy in movement, and to reconnect with their body and intuition. She likes to keep her sequences varied and fresh. Her classes are balanced, incorporating playfulness and serenity, challenge and rest.
TONY PARRA, RYT-500 Teacher Trainer and mentor, Tony Parra has been living a yogic lifestyle for over a decade. Incorporating the full spectrum of yogic practices into his teachings. He keeps the integrity and tradition of an ancient yoga style alive, yet remains open to complimentary modern techniques that he has found to be effective in supporting the growth of his students.
Tony believes that there is no area of one's life that is outside of the scope of yoga and aims to re-establish the ancient duty of the yogi as mentor, scholar, leader, seer, advisor and healer, etc.
His instructions completely transform his students. Increasing their health, wealth and awareness. He is consistently in a state of growth and inspires others to do so as well. Join him in this enlightening experience! Join him in the joy of yoga!
Tony believes that there is no area of one's life that is outside of the scope of yoga and aims to re-establish the ancient duty of the yogi as mentor, scholar, leader, seer, advisor and healer, etc.
His instructions completely transform his students. Increasing their health, wealth and awareness. He is consistently in a state of growth and inspires others to do so as well. Join him in this enlightening experience! Join him in the joy of yoga!
Lance Oldham RYT-200
After years of weightlifting, Lance was diagnosed with neck arthritis. He began practicing yoga as a new way to exercise. Soon after, Lance 's body started feeling better. But he also noticed feeling better emotionally and mentally. After a few years of regular yoga, he signed up for a yoga teacher training. He started with hopes of deepening his practice. By the end of the training, he knew he wanted to teach. Lance finished the teacher training through Greensboro Downtown Yoga in 2015. Lance likes to offer students the opportunity to find presence and awareness as they move through their physical practice. His teaching style incorporates vinyasa flow, and poses for strengthening and improving flexibility. He hopes students will leave class feeling flexible, in both mind and body.
After years of weightlifting, Lance was diagnosed with neck arthritis. He began practicing yoga as a new way to exercise. Soon after, Lance 's body started feeling better. But he also noticed feeling better emotionally and mentally. After a few years of regular yoga, he signed up for a yoga teacher training. He started with hopes of deepening his practice. By the end of the training, he knew he wanted to teach. Lance finished the teacher training through Greensboro Downtown Yoga in 2015. Lance likes to offer students the opportunity to find presence and awareness as they move through their physical practice. His teaching style incorporates vinyasa flow, and poses for strengthening and improving flexibility. He hopes students will leave class feeling flexible, in both mind and body.
Janis Lozano
Janis is a RYT200 Yoga Alliance certified Teacher specializing in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. She is also versed in Kundalini and has experience teaching Yin Yoga, Hot Yoga, Gentle yoga, Chair yoga and Restorative. Certified in Alignment, Pranayama techniques, Reiki healing, Crystal energy, and experienced in Meditation, Kirtan and Mantras. Her training was completed at Hatha Yoga World in Dharamshala, India, where she was able to learn from some of the best teachers in the world and study the Anatomy, Philosophy of Yoga and Ayurveda nutrition, along with the physical practice of Asanas. Her travels around the world, have allowed her to learn several techniques from many well-known teachers, allowing her to further develop in her personal practice and the practice of her students.
Janis considers Yoga to be one of the most amazing things a person can do for the health of their being as a whole. She enjoys making sequences that focus on her client’s needs in the three aspects of mind, body and soul. Blending the perfect mix of challenging poses and relaxation techniques to cater to all levels of practice. "Energy is something that is very important to me and I love to encourage and support my students through their practice, allowing them the ability to listen to their bodies and push right through to a practice they can achieve by using the proper techniques." She is fluent in Spanish and Italian and caters to international students as well. She also trained in Muay Thai kickboxing for 8 years at New York City's The Wat, and is a member of the Greensboro Roller Derby league.
Janis is a RYT200 Yoga Alliance certified Teacher specializing in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. She is also versed in Kundalini and has experience teaching Yin Yoga, Hot Yoga, Gentle yoga, Chair yoga and Restorative. Certified in Alignment, Pranayama techniques, Reiki healing, Crystal energy, and experienced in Meditation, Kirtan and Mantras. Her training was completed at Hatha Yoga World in Dharamshala, India, where she was able to learn from some of the best teachers in the world and study the Anatomy, Philosophy of Yoga and Ayurveda nutrition, along with the physical practice of Asanas. Her travels around the world, have allowed her to learn several techniques from many well-known teachers, allowing her to further develop in her personal practice and the practice of her students.
Janis considers Yoga to be one of the most amazing things a person can do for the health of their being as a whole. She enjoys making sequences that focus on her client’s needs in the three aspects of mind, body and soul. Blending the perfect mix of challenging poses and relaxation techniques to cater to all levels of practice. "Energy is something that is very important to me and I love to encourage and support my students through their practice, allowing them the ability to listen to their bodies and push right through to a practice they can achieve by using the proper techniques." She is fluent in Spanish and Italian and caters to international students as well. She also trained in Muay Thai kickboxing for 8 years at New York City's The Wat, and is a member of the Greensboro Roller Derby league.
Amber Land is a RYT 200 whose passion for yoga first began to develop in 2010 when she took her first yoga class. Since then, she's devoted herself to her personal practice and also hopes to inspire and encourage others to learn and use the techniques that yoga teaches us through a strong and disciplined practice. Her hope and intention is to teach her students the importance of self awareness and proper alignment for a sustainable yoga practice keeping the body safe and healthy. Her balanced classes encourage effort and mindfulness and are sensitive to individual students' abilities.
Amanda Waterhouse (Joti Kaur)
Amanda Waterhouse (Joti Kaur) is a Level One/200-hr certified teacher through the Kundalini Research Institute. She studied under master teacher Darshan Kaur in the Washington, DC metro area. Amanda believes that we each have our own inner light and that we can use Kundalini Yoga as a tool to help us shine and be true! It is by tuning into our true selves that we begin to heal from emotional traumas and dramas that inevitably cling to us from the time we are little children. Amanda teaches at community centers in Greensboro and Winston-Salem and is so happy to celebrate each Full Moon at Greensboro Downtown Yoga!
Sheri Vettel RYT 200 (And Registered Dietitian Nutritionist)
My love of yoga began in college. I felt right at home on my mat and my yoga practice became a journey in personal growth that continues to this day. I believe in “growing with the flow” and am energized to share the beauty of yoga with others---both on and off the mat. Because I love the outdoors, I use nature to inspire my teachings. I also encourage my students to explore the possibilities of their practice in a fun, relaxed space. I teach Hatha yoga flows that are alignment-based and always promote improved wellness and self-care for my students---a reflection of my role as a Registered Dietitian. When I am not on my mat you might find me at the farmers market, in the garden, or on an adventure with my husband and son.
My love of yoga began in college. I felt right at home on my mat and my yoga practice became a journey in personal growth that continues to this day. I believe in “growing with the flow” and am energized to share the beauty of yoga with others---both on and off the mat. Because I love the outdoors, I use nature to inspire my teachings. I also encourage my students to explore the possibilities of their practice in a fun, relaxed space. I teach Hatha yoga flows that are alignment-based and always promote improved wellness and self-care for my students---a reflection of my role as a Registered Dietitian. When I am not on my mat you might find me at the farmers market, in the garden, or on an adventure with my husband and son.
Brittany Carty, RYT-200, found yoga after several years of being an avid runner. She felt the
wear and tear slowly taking a toll on her joints and decided to find a practice that
was more gentle on her body and offered the same lively pace and
excitement as running. Brittany enjoys all styles of yoga, and finds Vinyasa with
a focus on Core and Cardio the most personally rewarding. Brittany believes
yoga can empower everyone to feel stronger, healthier, faster, and happier. She
believes, “Yoga is so much more than movement of your body, it is movement of
your mind from where you are to where you want to be.” After several years of
practicing at studios around the Triad Brittany took a leap of faith and completed
her 200-hour training at Greensboro Downtown Yoga in 2018. Brittany creates a
fun, energetic, and playful environment for all to feel welcome!
Kristy Mallard, RYT-200.
After spending active years in the gym and cross
training with personal trainers, Kristy began studying yoga post neck surgeries thanks to the suggestion of her Neurosurgeon. Within a few months she started to feel stronger in mind, body and spirit while falling in love with the practice. After practicing several years Kristy signed up for a yoga teacher training with hopes of sharing her practice with others, and is a 2018 yoga teacher training graduate of Savvy Soul Yoga and Mindfulness held at Greensboro Downtown Yoga. Kristy likes to offer her students a practice to find self-awareness on and off the mat by offering a warm, inclusive class environment.
When not in the studio, Kristy enjoys spending time traveling with her husband, visiting her daughter at
school in Savannah, GA and living life to the fullest. Each day is a gift that should be fully enjoyed.
After spending active years in the gym and cross
training with personal trainers, Kristy began studying yoga post neck surgeries thanks to the suggestion of her Neurosurgeon. Within a few months she started to feel stronger in mind, body and spirit while falling in love with the practice. After practicing several years Kristy signed up for a yoga teacher training with hopes of sharing her practice with others, and is a 2018 yoga teacher training graduate of Savvy Soul Yoga and Mindfulness held at Greensboro Downtown Yoga. Kristy likes to offer her students a practice to find self-awareness on and off the mat by offering a warm, inclusive class environment.
When not in the studio, Kristy enjoys spending time traveling with her husband, visiting her daughter at
school in Savannah, GA and living life to the fullest. Each day is a gift that should be fully enjoyed.
Vanessa Oldham RYT-200
Vanessa is an energetic and creative person who is fun and friendly. She is from New York, but has lived in North Carolina for 20 years. Her husband Lance is also a yoga teacher, and they can’t wait to instill the yoga mindset in their son Toby, who is 13 months old. Vanessa uses her mindfulness and meditation to navigate her life in the classroom as an Exceptional Children’s middle school teacher.
She began her yoga life in the hot studio. She loved the power and strength she felt when doing a challenging 90 minutes of poses. It helped her to be focused and peaceful both on and off the mat. In 2018, she took the leap into “cold yoga”, and completed her Yoga Teacher Training. Vanessa’s classes are creative and challenging, with an emphasis on being mindful in each pose to build strength and focus. She hopes that people will leave her classes feeling powerful and able to take on anything that comes their way. Yoga is not just exercise, but it’s a lifestyle.
Vanessa is an energetic and creative person who is fun and friendly. She is from New York, but has lived in North Carolina for 20 years. Her husband Lance is also a yoga teacher, and they can’t wait to instill the yoga mindset in their son Toby, who is 13 months old. Vanessa uses her mindfulness and meditation to navigate her life in the classroom as an Exceptional Children’s middle school teacher.
She began her yoga life in the hot studio. She loved the power and strength she felt when doing a challenging 90 minutes of poses. It helped her to be focused and peaceful both on and off the mat. In 2018, she took the leap into “cold yoga”, and completed her Yoga Teacher Training. Vanessa’s classes are creative and challenging, with an emphasis on being mindful in each pose to build strength and focus. She hopes that people will leave her classes feeling powerful and able to take on anything that comes their way. Yoga is not just exercise, but it’s a lifestyle.
Olivia Smith RYT200
Olivia describes her journey into a lifestyle of yoga as a daily practice and life of intention that occurs on and off the mat, a way of life that gently encourages letting go of anything that isn’t serving her or the best version of herself. Yoga to her has become a tool to learn to embody self-kindness that then allows a more authentic compassion towards others. After practicing yoga for several years intermittently as a form of another exercise routine, when a consistent yoga practice became a part of her life in 2013, it was then she was deeply awakened to the powerful and healing benefits of yoga physically, mentally, and spiritually. As she is in route to complete her Masters of Social Work in May 2019 from UNC-Chapel Hill in hopes to become a clinical social worker (LCSW), it felt like the right step to combine her love of yoga, her knowledge of the importance of holistic healing, and the intersection of physical and mental health to become a certified instructor. She received her 200-hour teacher training at Greensboro Downtown Yoga through Savvy Soul Yoga and Mindfulness School in 2018.
Olivia seeks to create a safe space in her classes where all find a place to belong, where vulnerability is welcome and growth is encouraged, and where all are reminded of their inner value and light to offer the world. She believes physical adjustments are an essential part of asana growth and refinement and offers these adjustments to students unless told it is not preferred. Join in on her classes for an energetic and active vinyasa practice paired with a grounding and mindful setting of intention, utilization of pranayama (breathwork) and meditation practice. When she is not practicing yoga, she enjoys various exercise and embodying an active lifestyle (especially when it can be done outdoors!), collaborating on projects toward community development and empowerment, working with children and adolescents, traveling, being by the water, hiking, cheering on the Tar-Heels and sharing quality time with family, her husband Macon and their kitties, and the company of their circles of friends in Greensboro, NC. If you are looking for her, there is a good chance she can be found in a rocking chair on her front porch listening to some tunes.
Olivia describes her journey into a lifestyle of yoga as a daily practice and life of intention that occurs on and off the mat, a way of life that gently encourages letting go of anything that isn’t serving her or the best version of herself. Yoga to her has become a tool to learn to embody self-kindness that then allows a more authentic compassion towards others. After practicing yoga for several years intermittently as a form of another exercise routine, when a consistent yoga practice became a part of her life in 2013, it was then she was deeply awakened to the powerful and healing benefits of yoga physically, mentally, and spiritually. As she is in route to complete her Masters of Social Work in May 2019 from UNC-Chapel Hill in hopes to become a clinical social worker (LCSW), it felt like the right step to combine her love of yoga, her knowledge of the importance of holistic healing, and the intersection of physical and mental health to become a certified instructor. She received her 200-hour teacher training at Greensboro Downtown Yoga through Savvy Soul Yoga and Mindfulness School in 2018.
Olivia seeks to create a safe space in her classes where all find a place to belong, where vulnerability is welcome and growth is encouraged, and where all are reminded of their inner value and light to offer the world. She believes physical adjustments are an essential part of asana growth and refinement and offers these adjustments to students unless told it is not preferred. Join in on her classes for an energetic and active vinyasa practice paired with a grounding and mindful setting of intention, utilization of pranayama (breathwork) and meditation practice. When she is not practicing yoga, she enjoys various exercise and embodying an active lifestyle (especially when it can be done outdoors!), collaborating on projects toward community development and empowerment, working with children and adolescents, traveling, being by the water, hiking, cheering on the Tar-Heels and sharing quality time with family, her husband Macon and their kitties, and the company of their circles of friends in Greensboro, NC. If you are looking for her, there is a good chance she can be found in a rocking chair on her front porch listening to some tunes.
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Barbara Smith RYT200
Barbara’s journey into yoga and teaching began long before she fully realized it. She came to yoga from an athletic background, and originally thought of it as a form of cross-training for the other things she was doing to train for triathlons. However, an Achilles injury in early 2014 (which left her unable to run for almost a year) increased her yoga practice. As she attended more classes and started to try different styles of yoga, she began to appreciate for the first time the aspects of yoga beyond just the physical asana practice. She allowed yoga to begin to work on more than just her body, and found healing that she needed far more deeply, and didn’t even realize was waiting for her. A vacation to the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas brought into full focus the intention to teach, and she completed her 200-hour training in 2016 at The Asheville Yoga Center. In addition to teaching, she is also currently enrolled in the 300-hour teacher training at Triad Yoga Institute, and has also received her Reiki certification. Barbara believes there is a distinct difference between doing yoga and practicing yoga - yoga as a life practice brings a sense of self-awareness and peace. It allows us to share who we truly are, and to bind together with others in our lives in a way that is authentic, patient, mindful, and loving. While yoga is a solo practice, and a very personal inquiry into our own connection with the source of all life, it is also an opportunity to come together and collectively raise our spirits. Her goals as a teacher are rooted in her belief in simplicity, inspiration, compassion, gratitude, kindness, patience, and presence. These are the things she wants to be able to share with her students, allowing them to discover and enhance their own journeys. |
Natalie Russo RYT-200 Natalie began studying yoga as a means to cope with anxiety, and found that teaching appealed to both her background in dance and education. As a student of yoga first and foremost, Natalie appreciates the opportunity to learn from each one of her students. Natalie is interested in crafting classes that are anatomically smart as well as fun and creative. She would like to encourage her students to embrace yoga as a tool for achieving total body and mind well-being.
Eduardo da Silva is a modern mystic, philosopher, and urban yogi that has been a leader in sub-conscious healing for nearly 2 decades. He is a loving mentor, teacher, and bio-energy healer, experienced in the yogic sciences of Karma, Kundalini, and Kriya Yoga with the mission of supporting the awakening and expansion of the human consciousness by treating the body, mind and soul as one.
He was born in Brazil, where he was raised in a family that blended Christianity and mysticism, allowing him to learn religious and spiritual matters in greater depth. He has lived in America for nearly 20 years graduated with a Business degree from a prestigious university and has worked for more than 15 years in large international corporations, where he held various corporate positions and developed a passion for self-help and personal development, his life experiences have helped him gain greater insight into the struggles of the modern American life leading him to follow his passion for healing and empowering individuals.
He uses his training in yoga, qigong, christianity, mysticism, eastern and western philosophy, meditation, mindfulness, neuro-linguistic programing, and metaphysics to assist others in developing their higher brain functions, connect with their higher-self, improve their self-image, heal physical, emotional, and psychological wounds to strengthen the mind, build mental resilience, and reach higher states of mind to express and manifest their deepest longings and desires in order to live a happy, blissful, and conscious life.
He was born in Brazil, where he was raised in a family that blended Christianity and mysticism, allowing him to learn religious and spiritual matters in greater depth. He has lived in America for nearly 20 years graduated with a Business degree from a prestigious university and has worked for more than 15 years in large international corporations, where he held various corporate positions and developed a passion for self-help and personal development, his life experiences have helped him gain greater insight into the struggles of the modern American life leading him to follow his passion for healing and empowering individuals.
He uses his training in yoga, qigong, christianity, mysticism, eastern and western philosophy, meditation, mindfulness, neuro-linguistic programing, and metaphysics to assist others in developing their higher brain functions, connect with their higher-self, improve their self-image, heal physical, emotional, and psychological wounds to strengthen the mind, build mental resilience, and reach higher states of mind to express and manifest their deepest longings and desires in order to live a happy, blissful, and conscious life.
Grace Parra, RYT 200
Grace came to yoga through Pilates! After completing her Classical Pilates certification in New York City she began practicing yoga with her husband as something they could share together. She fell in love with the connection yoga had with the core, the center and proper alignment and was amazed at how good yoga can make the body feel. After having taught Pilates for 8 years Grace obtained her yoga teacher training in 2017 through The Enlightened Yoga School in Greensboro. She is excited to start teaching at Greensboro Downtown Yoga, offering classes that focus on flexibility and the benefits of
increasing strength through yogic postures.
Grace came to yoga through Pilates! After completing her Classical Pilates certification in New York City she began practicing yoga with her husband as something they could share together. She fell in love with the connection yoga had with the core, the center and proper alignment and was amazed at how good yoga can make the body feel. After having taught Pilates for 8 years Grace obtained her yoga teacher training in 2017 through The Enlightened Yoga School in Greensboro. She is excited to start teaching at Greensboro Downtown Yoga, offering classes that focus on flexibility and the benefits of
increasing strength through yogic postures.
Alisha Wielfaert, RYT-500
Alisha has been passionately teaching yoga in Greensboro for 10 years and practicing yoga for almost 18. She received her 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher certifications from the Asheville Yoga Center and specializes in Vinyasa Flow. Alisha founded and ran Greensboro Downtown yoga for its first 4 years of life before passing the torch to Michaela in 2017. After a decade-long career in corporate America with Lincoln Financial Alisha took a leap of faith and embarked on a year of travel in 2017 while building her “leadership, life and creativity coaching” business Yoke and Abundance. Now nothing fires her up more than getting to meet with a woman who needs the perspective of a neutral confidant to reflect back to her a bird's eye view of her life situation. Alisha is a guide for women while they walk her unique process of identifying core desires, long-term dreams, and goals. Alisha shows clients that they already have the right compass in hand and teaches them how to forge a path to what they most want while weaving in creativity, mindfulness and yogic principles any chance she gets. While Alisha’s full-time job is now leadership and life coaching she jumps at any chance she gets to share yoga and it benefits with everyone who takes her class.
Alisha has been passionately teaching yoga in Greensboro for 10 years and practicing yoga for almost 18. She received her 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher certifications from the Asheville Yoga Center and specializes in Vinyasa Flow. Alisha founded and ran Greensboro Downtown yoga for its first 4 years of life before passing the torch to Michaela in 2017. After a decade-long career in corporate America with Lincoln Financial Alisha took a leap of faith and embarked on a year of travel in 2017 while building her “leadership, life and creativity coaching” business Yoke and Abundance. Now nothing fires her up more than getting to meet with a woman who needs the perspective of a neutral confidant to reflect back to her a bird's eye view of her life situation. Alisha is a guide for women while they walk her unique process of identifying core desires, long-term dreams, and goals. Alisha shows clients that they already have the right compass in hand and teaches them how to forge a path to what they most want while weaving in creativity, mindfulness and yogic principles any chance she gets. While Alisha’s full-time job is now leadership and life coaching she jumps at any chance she gets to share yoga and it benefits with everyone who takes her class.
Jacqi Morris, RYT-200 Jacqi’s yoga journey began in Michigan where she was born and raised. Her first experience with yoga was in a basement of a church where one of her friends was teaching. “I walked in thinking it would be a nice, relaxing stretch and walked out with every muscle aching.” From that point on, yoga changed her life. Instead of running, kickboxing, etc.. yoga became her focus and it not only changed her body but her mind. Jacqi started teaching in 2003 and has taught various styles of yoga ever since such as Ashtanga, Power, Vinyasa flow, hot yoga and prenatal. She has certifications not only in yoga but also in pilates and prenatal yoga. Jacqi has trained with many teachers including David Swenson, Bryan Kest, Todd Norian, Baron Baptiste and Betsy Downing.
Jacqi’s main goal in teaching yoga is to help others discover not only the physical benefit but the mental benefit as well.
Jacqi’s main goal in teaching yoga is to help others discover not only the physical benefit but the mental benefit as well.
