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Alma graduated from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health Teacher Training with her RYT 200 hours and 50 hours of Pranayama Yoga. She has studied Iyengar Yoga with Bryan Legere, Asana Yoga with Rodney Yee and Chair Yoga with Peggy Cappy.
Alma has been studying and practicing yoga for over 30 years and has attended many classes and workshops over those years.
Alma brings an abundance of knowledge and she has a passion for sharing with others. Alma also teaches in her own personal home studio.
Reneé is an AFAA certified group fitness instructor with special training in yoga, weightlifting, cycling, and kickboxing. She has been teaching yoga in the Akron area since 2007 with a specialization in "Real Life Yoga" for every body as well as athletes. Reneé believes in total body health, inside and out, practicing a vegetarian
diet with daily exercise and renewal.
In 2011 Reneé joined the Akron Women’s Rugby Team.
Her interests in sports and the outdoors knows no boundaries.
Alma Franks
Renee` Whittenberger
Mary has practiced yoga for nearly 17 years, and has taught yoga since 2002.
Attending Teacher Training Workshops with Rodney Yee for the last 11 years, Manouso Manos for the last 3 years, and enjoying classes with Bryan Kest, Baron Baptiste and Seane Corn.
Brahmrishi Teacher Training with Margot Milcetich
Hobbies include : Oil Painting, hiking, Kayaking, and enjoying time with my grandsons and family.
Favorite Pose: Urdhva dhanurasana
Favorite quote: Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it.
~ Salvador Dali
Mary Lange
Megan has an Associate’s Degree in Interpreting American Sign Language and a 200 hour yoga teacher training certification. One of her goals is to combine these interests, and hopes to teach visual classes in ASL in the future. Having found peace and inspiration through these arts over almost 5 years of study, she is excited & ready to share her passion and knowledge with the community.
Jennifer started teaching aerobics at Elaine Powers right after graduating high school. She then attended Bowling Green State University studying sports medicine and teaching fitness classes at the University Recreation Center. In 1988 she attended Joe Weider Pro Muscle Bodybuilding & Fitness Camp where she completed a course in bodybuilding, weightlifting, fitness & nutrition. Knowing she wanted to continue in the fitness path, she got her aerobic certification in 1990 with Exer-Safety Association (ESA). Continuing her education, she got her ESA certification in personal training and step aerobics in 1994. She is also certified with Bfit University for Yoga, Aerobics and Step Aerobics. Jen graduated from the Brahmrishi Yoga Teacher Training with her RYT 200 and has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching fitness for over 30 years.
Megan Butcher
Jennifer Klinect
Owner
Susan Darby, RYT 500
“In my classes, I love sharing with my students the science of yoga and yoga as a healing art.”
Learning yoga back in 1978, Suzy has been a Hatha yoga teacher since 2010. She teaches all levels of asana classes from intro to power. She also is trained to teach relaxation, pranayama and meditation techniques. Certified by Yoga Alliance registered schools including Himalayan Institute, The Yoga Place, Spiritual Life Society and White Crow Yoga, she has taught nearly 1,500 classes and individual lessons. To bring yoga to water for those with mobility issues, she also developed Aqua Yoga classes for Akron Area YMCAs.
Erin Michel has been interested in the physical and spiritual teachings of yoga for many years but found a heighten appreciation when introduced to power yoga mixed with ashtanga poses. She believes that when you take your practice to the edge, you can not only transform your body but also your mind. Her classes cater to both beginners and more advanced students by allowing simple yet strong asanas to be taken to the next level. She often incorporates arm balances and inversions into each practice, allowing for one sweaty hour. One of the most important things yoga has taught her is to stay present. Along with yoga, her other passions include traveling and the outdoors.
Erin Michel
Colleen Hohl
Colleen received her yoga teacher training in Asheville, NC at the Asheville Yoga Center under the direction of Stephanie Keach. She is a RYT 200 hour instructor trained in all types and levels of yoga from chair to Bikram (hot yoga). She enjoys introducing people to the basics and benefits of yoga and the need for a consistent practice. She has been practicing yoga since 2001. She enjoys the benefits of a Yin yoga practice along with the traditional Hatha yoga.
She is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Psychology. Enjoys golfing and mountain biking.
She believes if you lengthen your spine, you will lengthen your life.
Ashley Rosen: Because of yoga, I have learned that happiness comes from within; practicing yoga creates a mind-body connection, fostering growth through self-love, acceptance, discipline, and ultimately, happiness. My practice started in 2006, and since then, it has blossomed into an integral healing force that refreshes and empowers me each time I step onto the oasis known as my mat. After graduating from The Yoga Place, I am grateful to share my passion and knowledge with others. In my classes, yogis are encouraged to take time to learn what they are capable of and to do what feels good, both physically and mentally.
When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga, I can be found traveling with my husband, playing in my garden, exploring waterways on my paddleboard, cycling and hiking local landscapes, wakeboarding and snowboarding (weather permitting!), nestled up with a book or my journal, or tinkering around with any kind of DIY-repurposing project. I am also a Kent State graduate, middle school English teacher, and private tutor.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Ghandi
Ashley Rosen
Shannon Hockensmith is a Pilates and movement instructor based in Akron, OH. Well versed in the world of classical ballet and modern dance, Shannon learned at a young age the importance of maintaining an active body. Her love of anatomy and the interconnectedness of the human body and mind brought her to Pilates as a way to help people bring better balance and more effective movement to their lives. Shannon is passionately committed to helping every body achieve full potential through knowledge, body awareness and hard work.
Follow Shannon via Facebook at AlignYourself330 and Instagram at Align Yourself
Shannon Hockensmith
