Alyson Atma Simms, E-RYT 500, is a natural bridge between the earthly and divine realms. Her teaching style brings an intensity of spirit while enveloping you in grace and humor. Your body will tune, your mind will balance, your courage will be summoned, and most importantly, your soul will shine. She was drawn to her first yoga class in 2001 to live a deeper life. Her true self was ignited and her life became one of devotion. Alyson has studied Hatha, Vinyasa, Tantra, Ashtanga, Restorative, Yin, Zen mediation, Qi-gong, yoga Nidra, and Trance dance.

Jenn has been teaching yoga for thirteen years going. She has an academic background in anatomy and physiology which informs her understanding of alignment and yoga as a therapeutic tool. Her gift as a teacher is her ability to connect somatically and emotionally with her students to connect with the wisdom of their own bodies. She is regarded as a teacher’s teacher and loves teaching students how to practice in a way that is accessible and effective to strengthen the body, ground the nervous system, and open hearts and minds.

Laura or Guru Karam began her life-long yoga practice at the age of 16 at a Kundalini Yoga Ashram in Houston, Texas. She is certified in Kundalini yoga, Hatha yoga, and Ashtanga yoga and is a level one and level two Kundalini yoga teacher trainer. She has presented classes internationally on Gong Yoga Nidra, the art of deep relaxation with the gong, and brings a feminine perspective to the art of playing the gong for meditation and relaxation. A registered nurse, she teaches anatomy and physiology in teacher training courses and is a guest lecturer in other yoga teacher training courses.

Mehtab Benton is the originator and author of Gong Yoga, the first book on using the gong in the practice of yoga. He has trained hundreds of yoga teachers, therapists, and musicians in the art of playing the gong. He is a lifelong Kundalini yoga practitioner and teacher and has trained teachers in Hatha and Kundalini yoga for over 18 years. He is a certified Vedic astrologer with international practice.

Rachael is a former scientist and now a full-time yoga teacher. She loves to travel with her husband and kids, to hike with her dog, and to seek out the best coffee wherever she lands. Born in the UK and now based in suburban Philadelphia, she is grateful to share the openness, focus, the clarity that yoga provides, as well as the calmness and stillness it inspires. Teaching and practicing a range of styles from Hatha and Vinyasa to Yin and Restorative, Rachael is passionate about guiding students to find their own path on this lifelong journey.

Jess Goulding came to yoga through her training as a dancer but quickly learned the depth of the therapeutic effects and applications of yoga. She has studied with numerous master teachers in the physical, mental, spiritual, and philosophical aspects of yoga, has taught thousands of public classes, and worked with hundreds of individual clients over the last 2 decades. She is certified as a yoga Therapist through IAYT. Jess is a kind and skillful teacher and enjoys sharing the gifts of yoga with all levels of students.

Gioconda has been practicing and teaching yoga for 20 years, and is still learning something new every day. Her enthusiasm for the practice is contagious and her dedication to yoga comes through in every class. Whether you are flowing in her artfully sequenced Vinyasa classes, or moving through the layers in yin, her guidance and support keep you safe, steady and focused. In addition to years of yoga training, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Trans-personal psychology and is a somatic experiencing practitioner.

Stacey found her way to yoga as many do, as a way to balance her own life, specifically with her struggles with anxiety and depression. 10 years later and living the benefits of a balanced practice in strong community, Stacey became a 500 RYT and operates a small yoga studio in her hometown of Skyesville, MD. Her training includes 200 hours at Blue Heron Wellness and 300 hours with the Yoga Center of Columbia. She is honored to be able to share the gifts of yoga to students of all ages and walks of life.

Kathy is a Toronto-based yoga teacher and meditation guide who specializes in helping people connect to themselves through movement and breath. Kathy’s teaching specialty is Vinyasa flow, and her classes incorporate creative movements that strengthen and lengthen the body while staying connected to the breath. She also teaches pranayama (breathing exercises), moving meditation, Restorative and Yin yoga, and mindfulness meditation. Classes are tailored to the students and include gentle hands-on adjustments and assists, inspirational music and an aromatherapy savasana massage.

Tej Arvind is a Vedic astrologer, gong therapist, and yoga teacher with certification in Hatha and Kundalini yoga. She has taught in yoga vacations with Mehtab and Guru Karam in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Bali. She will be co-presenting the Moon Sign reading workshop and teaching morning yoga classes at the retreat.

Suzanne, E-RYT 500, YACEP and Certified Yoga Health Coach, began teaching Yoga in 2005. Inspired to connect to others in her community and spread the joy and healing potential of yoga, she opened The Center Yoga studio. After years of study in the Anusara tradition, she eventually started teaching others to teach. Suzanne encourages her students to have fun, relax, and enjoy the splendid journey that yoga offers them both on their mats and in their lives.

Debbie Glick Phillips is all about connections. She is grateful that through her connection with her friend and mentor Suzanne McCahill Perrine, she was introduced to yoga. She completed her first yoga teacher training and certification under Suzanne’s guidance at The Center for Downtown in Harrisonburg, VA, and has additionally completed course work in Yin yoga, and the Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training at Duke University School of Integrative Medicine.

Paradise’s love of fitness and movement brought her to her yoga mat over 20 years ago. Her practice began in the Ashtanga lineage under the guidance of Sharon Moon. She quickly experienced that the practice was not only good for lengthening and strengthening the muscular system but also provided a sense of balance and calm throughout her life. Now a registered 500-hour Yoga Alliance instructor, Paradise combines energetic forms of yoga such as Flow and Vinyasa with quieter practices of Yin and Restorative, for a well-rounded yoga practice.

Rebecca took her first yoga class almost 20 years ago at the urging of her sister. “It was a life-changing moment,” she recalls. “I loved the physical challenge but more importantly, I felt a sense of peace, of being fully present at the moment, and connecting to the sensations in my body.” She immediately became passionate about yoga as an instrument for healing and integrating the body and mind. In 2003, Rebecca completed her teaching training and became an instructor.