Teachers
WHITNEY KATZ completed her 200RYTT in 2015 and is currently working on her 300RYTT. Being bedridden for over three years, Whitney experienced a personal transformation through yoga. Her intention is to help others heal and transform their own mind, body and soul. Whitney’s teaching is playful while encouraging students to embrace their edge with care. She carries the message of community into each class by checking in with individual student needs.
Q - Little known fact about you: I LOVE poker.
SCOTT KINSLOW began his yoga journey in an effort to balance a stressful, sedentary lifestyle. Scott became a certified yoga instructor in 2011. With a deeper understanding of yoga’s benefits, Scott decided to leave his management job in 2016 and founded Phoenix Yoga Project a not-for-profit with the mission of contributing to the health and well-being of children and adults with free yoga classes that connect people and strengthen communities.
Q - Favorite inspirational book: Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera.
SARAH SENSEMAN Sarah's training background is rooted in Hatha Yoga, alignment, and Vinyasa. Her instruction often centers around a main theme or class of poses with guided breath cues offered throughout. She loves to create fun, accessible flows that can be enjoyed by every student. Sarah is passionate about using props and modifications. Her favorite part of teaching is creating community!
Q - 3 million dollars - what would you do: Open a yoga studio.
MAGGIE HOWELL received her 200RYTT in 2015. She credits Maty Ezraty and Seane Corn as her biggest influences. Her classes are easygoing and relaxed, while maintaining a feel of deep reverence for the practice. She savors time with her adored husband, friends and family and delights in traveling the world. She finds that the dichotomy of being an airline pilot and teaching yoga supports all aspects of herself.
Q - Your dream destination: Hanalei, Kauai. I dream of living there one day.
LANCE HOAGLAND has been an avid practitioner of Power & Vinyasa Yoga for over 20 years. Creating focus and intention in his classes, Lance believes meditation is an important part of the flow. Having spent 4 months practicing Astanga yoga in India, he understands the roots and origins of an authentic practice. Focusing on breathwork, his classes are vigorous, fun, and combine tradition with a modern mix of poses and sequences. Lance has accomplished several 200 hour teacher training programs.
Q - Little known fact about you: I have a huge fascination with old world cemeteries.
KATHRYN GONGAWARE has been teaching yoga since 2013. Her classes are playful, fun, and fearless. She isn't shy to take things 'out of the box', complimenting old school fundamentals with new school sequences and music. A former athlete, recovering consultant, and current standup comedian - she aims to cultivate balance between strength and length, sweat and stability, time on and off the mat - about as (un)successfully as anyone.
Q - Your first contact with yoga: In high school. I rolled my eyes for 75 mins straight.
JACK BERNING Jack Berning is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor who places emphasis on breathwork, meditation, and detailed cueing. His classes feature creative sequences that challenge and inspire, encouraging everyone to explore new edges in their yogic journey. Jack's teaching style focuses on mindfulness and physical alignment, making yoga accessible and enriching for practitioners of all levels.
Q - 3 million dollars - what would you do: Open a farm to table breakfast cafe.
HEIDI ELLISON CHILDRESS Teaching since 2003, Heidi’s classes blend aspects of Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga to create a moving meditation. She practices primarily under the guidance of Suddha Weixler. Having taken many teacher trainings and intensives, she considers the most profound to be those of Erich Schiffmann and is influenced by Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley, whom she assisted at the 2009 Midwest Yoga Conference. She currently teaches privately as well as in group settings.
Q - 3 things you couldn’t live without: My husband, books and music.
DEBBY FRIES After a 25yr career in advertising Debby’s life took a turn when she decided to complete her yoga teacher training. Her goal is to create a life she doesn’t need a vacation from. She loves teaching a strong flow class set to contemporary music, stimulating both body and soul. Her classes begin and ends with breath work, intention and calm: bookending her vigorous flow.
Q - Your favorite quote: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss
DAVID DUERKOP is a teacher with more than 20 years of experience in meditation and yoga. His accessible, but challenging classes integrate many of the best elements of traditional yoga with modern, practical ideas for finding peace in a noisy world.
Q - A private yoga class to anyone. Who would you teach: My late father. Although he had no idea what a down-dog was, he was a perfect yogi.
CARMEN MORCOS is RYT500 through Abhaya Yoga in Brooklyn, NY. Carmen has a passion for therapeutics after having suffered many injuries. Yoga and bodywork have been instrumental to her healing. Her classes combine alignment and therapeutic principles, deep-hearted spiritual teachings, and poetry. She loves integrating different exercises (i.e. ball work, qigong, joint mobility), using the wall and props, and focusing on specific body areas.
Q - Little known fact: I danced for Bolivia in the Opening Ceremony of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.
ANIA PLACHTA received her 200RYTT in an attempt to marry two things she loves: yoga and having a positive effect on peoples’ lives. She hopes that every class she teaches promotes physical wellness, mental clarity and stimulates inspiration. Ania is also a Reiki practitioner, Yoga Nidra Instructor, certified “rest and renew” restorative teacher and is working on her 500RYTT.
Q - A little known fact about you: I'm a super nerd and have been DnD mastering for 10+ yrs.
AJA RHODES Aja completed her 200hr YTT in 2016 and her 300hr YTT in 2019. She also has her Reiki 4 training. Aja hopes to enlighten her students on their ability to be co-creators in their lives by utilizing meditation, affirmations, yoga, and the power of intention. Aja's classes vary from restorative meditations, gentle flows, and challenging vinyasas. They are introspective, light hearted, and balanced.
Q - Your biggest passion other than yoga: Art. I am an avid artist and designer.