Colleen Hohl
RYT 200
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.
Alma Franks
RYT 200
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 50 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.
Jennifer Klinect
RYT 500
Jennifer embarked on her career in fitness by teaching aerobics at Elaine Powers immediately after graduating high school. She pursued her studies in sports medicine at Bowling Green State University while also instructing fitness classes at the University Recreation Center. In 1988, she attended the Joe Weider Pro Muscle Bodybuilding & Fitness Camp, where she completed a comprehensive course in bodybuilding, weightlifting, fitness, and nutrition. She obtained her aerobic certification from the Exer-Safety Association (ESA) in 1990, ESA certifications in personal training and step aerobics in 1994 and the Bfit University in Yoga, Aerobics, and Step Aerobics. In 2006, Jennifer graduated from the Brahmrishi Yoga Teacher Training, earning her RYT 200 certification, followed by her E-RYT 200 and RYT 300 certifications in 2019. With 30 years of personal yoga practice and 40 years of experience in teaching fitness, she has established herself as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional in the field.
Maria Licht
B.S. Exercise Science and Psychology
Maria is a 16-year yoga practitioner and former fitness professional with over 30 years' experience teaching many different types of classes. In love with sharing energy and the human experience. Maria is currently completing her 200-hour teacher training.
John Buckner, LPC
RYT 200
For John, yoga is more than just a physical practice--it's been a cornerstone of his own journey toward self-growth. Since transitioning into teaching in2020, he has been passionate about sharing the transformative power of the proactive with others. when he's not at the studio or working in clinical counseling, you can find him spending quality time with his wife, Angela, celebrating over two a d a half decades of marriage
Katya Bakita RYT 200
Katya began practicing yoga in 22017 and graduated from her 200-hour teacher training in 2020. Yoga has helped her access the inner peace that is within us all and let go of the stress and anxiety in our everyday lives. Her aim is to make everyone feel at home in her class and guide her students to help cultivate mindfulness and tap into their inner peace.
Erika Fritz
RYT 500
A former high school English teacher, Erika is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and Ayurvedic practitioner with over a decade of experience working onsite and virtually in studio, corporate, and retreat settings. Through her coaching, Erika offers modalities that span body, mind, and spirit, serving as a guide for her clients’ healing and transformation.
In addition to wellness consulting, Erika is a licensed realtor and also serves as board president of The Killer Video Museum in downtown Akron, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating analog media. She is an Aries sun / Gemini moon, a house music enthusiast, and currently resides in her hometown of the Portage Lakes with her partner, Jonathon, and their three-legged black cat, Jasper.
Marisa Bowerman
RYT 200
I'm Marisa, originally from New York. I moved to Ohio in 2007 and started my family. I have 3 kids. We love to go to the beach, be anywhere outside and try new adventures. I'm a Mental Health Advocate and I believe there is nothing more valuable than life.
I have practiced yoga for over 15 years, received my RYT certification in 2021 and began teaching. Yoga has given me a strong mental and physical foundation.
I enjoy teaching many different types of classes. My style can probably be defined as New York passion meets California vibes. My goal is to make my students feel safe, empowered, calm & centered and to know their incredible worth.
Melissa Tompkins
RYT 200
Melissa has been teaching yoga for over 10 years, offering a grounded, supportive space where students can reconnect with what they already carry within them: innate agency, autonomy, and self-trust. Her classes are intentionally designed to help participants feel empowered in their own bodies—cultivating not only deep rest, but also a sense of competency and genuine connection.
Teaching through the lens of Yin Yoga, Melissa creates experiences that are slow, spacious, and deeply restorative. Her approach invites students to soften tension, create safety in the body and nervous system, and return to stillness in a way that feels safe and sustainable.
Melissa also integrates silent disco headphones and Monroe Sound Science technology to guide students into meditative brainwave states, enhancing the depth of the practice and allowing for a more immersive inward journey. The result is a uniquely calming experience that blends ancient practice with modern sound-supported meditation—helping students drop beneath the noise of daily life and come home to themselves.
Autumn Andrella
RYT 500
Autumn started her yoga journey 10 years ago. "I was an overworked, completely exhausted, wife and mother of three amazing daughters. I had no idea truly what Yoga was or how much it was going to impact my life.
It wasn’t too long before I felt the pull to take teacher training. About halfway through I knew I was in the right direction and sharing Yoga was in my future after graduating with my 200 hour certification, I was still hungry for more so I went on to my 300. I am currently an E-RYT 500,
Which simply means I love to teach.
I love to create a space for yogis to explore, ignite, listen and respond … “wake up their inner bad-ass!”
When I’m not teaching, I’m outside with my best friend, mother nature, or hanging out with the A-TEAM.
I might be a power yogi at heart, but I welcome all yogis to roll out their mat and share with me".
Om shanti