Teachers

Stephanie Raaschou

Stephanie’s yoga journey began in 2000 when she took her first yoga class and instantly knew that she had found something amazing, not just for her mind and body, but also for her life. As an avid runner, she enjoys running and racing at the half-marathon and marathon distances. Yoga, she found, helped in physical recovery and healing, mental toughness, as well as physical strength and awareness, not only in running, but also in all areas of her life. In December 2015, she completed her RYT 200 in Virginia Beach.

After teaching for a few months, she made the decision to pursue training with Tara Stiles, the founder of Strala Yoga, because she instantly connected with this style of laid-back, feel-good yoga that allows for a certain freedom in flowing. “Strala is a way of being, moving and healing, that helps people connect with how they feel, move how it feels good, and handle challenges with ease.” Movement in Strala starts with your breath. “Every inhale opens and creates space, every exhale relaxes and lets you move easily into the space you create.”

Stephanie’s style of guiding is laid back, calm and relaxing, allowing for plenty of freedom to move how it feels good for your body. The pose is not the goal or end of the journey, all of the movements around the pose matter just as much! Stephanie believes that how you are on your mat is how you are in life, so RELAX!

Paige Hamm

Paige’s yoga journey began when she first took a class at the Yoga Room in Norfolk in 2013 and that immediate feeling of weightlessness, clarity, and a newfound sense of purpose was all it took to get addicted. Paige spent the next several years taking advantage of Hampton Roads’ yoga studios and practicing as much as possible until timing aligned to realize the dream of deepening her practice. Paige graduated in December 2016 with her 200 hour YTT from Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga in Virginia Beach.

A self-taught meditation and mindfulness practitioner, Paige firmly believes that yoga is the answer to any problem we bring to our mat. She encourages a free spirit in her classes, as well as a humble awareness that yoga is a mirror to how we view ourselves and consequently the world. If we can learn to work with the many anxieties we all carry, then we have ignited the light with which we can help others. It is Paige’s hope to ultimately pursue training to become a yoga therapist and work alongside children & adults in the field of mental health.

When not playing on her mat, Paige can be found lounging in coffeeshops with her husband Joseph, racing her Labrador retriever Luna on the beach, and relentlessly rooting for the Atlanta Braves.

Neha Nahar Jain

-What's your name? Neha Jain
-What are you doing when you're not on your mat? Love Cooking vegan , gluten free food
-What is your favorite pose? Standing Forward fold
-Who is your yoga inspiration? My family
-If you could practice anywhere on Earth, where would you practice? In my backyard

Greetings, beautiful community! For me, yoga is about the inner changes and awareness. My practice is a time to put everything else on hold and connect to my inner being. The heightened awareness I experience through my practice is what continues to draw me to my mat. My passion is to share the positive effects yoga has had upon my life in hopes of continuing this positive effect among others.

My classes are accessible to yogis of all potential shapes, ages, and interests. Come experience yoga as a beautiful way to celebrate life and to embrace the spirit which manifests within. My classes are fun, focused, and very naturally flowing.

Kirsten Anderson

What's your name?

Kirsten Anderson @kirstenasana_ll

-What are you doing when you're not on your mat?

Handstands ;)... travel when I can, tandem sky dives jumps, taking care of my family, or working behind the bar at The Cheesecake Factory!

-Any mini-yogis, or furry yogis running around?

Yes! My little mini Joie. She's such a joy to my life. I began as "Auntie"... then "Auntie Mommy"... now I'm blessed to know I've earned the title as "Mom" in her life. babygirljoie

-What is your favorite pose?

Natarajasana : Lord of the Dancer Pose. It's such powerful elegant balancing pose. I enjoy feeling into this posture and accepting that some days my body is not in rhythm and my dance is a little off beat.

-Who is your yoga inspiration?

I'm inspired by all the yogis around me. I practice at many different studios and find every instructor has something to offer me each time I step on my mat. Mostly the ladies that were by my side durning my training. Thank you.

@kerrimersereau

@ireserena

@michellennunez

@revengeofthesithh

-If you could practice anywhere on Earth, where would you practice?

Bora Bora.

-Tell me a joke..

What does an astronaut do to get ready for a party? :: They plan-et.

Christal Rabalay

Christal is a native New Yorker who made Virginia her home after completing her enlistment in the Navy. She has been a dedicated practitioner of yoga for many, many years and decided to finally complete a 200 RYT certification to pursue a deeper understanding of teaching yogic principles through Asana and breath work.

Christal currently offers an athletic at times challenging blend of Hatha, Power, Vinyasa, & Yin in her classes hoping to inspire students to deepen their own practice. She focuses on the importance of matching breath with movement to inspire students to take yoga to a higher body-mind connected level. If the seeker permits with continued and dedicated practice yoga is a journey to transform body and mind. Her training & background encourages her to teach various individuals ranging from the novice to advanced. Also, guiding underserved groups is a passion as she loves to share her knowledge with those who may not have access to yoga for whatever reason however, like all of us, absolutely need it.

Christal holds a Bachelor of Arts of Sociology and minor in Women’s Studies. She is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher with yoga alliance and is continuing her yoga education with a yoga therapy concentration, through Amanda Hamp CYT, 500 eRYT of National Yoga Academy. While maintaining her studies Christal also assists NYA in teaching/guiding new 200/500 RYT programs/teachers.

“Teaching yoga teachers is a highpoint in my professional journey.”
Lastly, Christal is a lover of life, animals, friendships and of course yoga.

“Be you, be free.”

“Live wisely, love passionately”

Watch me learn, teach & evolve @travellingyogi4u

https://www.facebook.com/travellingyogi4u/

https://www.instagram.com/travellingyogi4u/

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.”

BKS IYENGAR, Light on Yoga

Jeremy Wood

Rev. Jeremy Wood is an Ordained, Holistic Minister Practitioner (OMP), Traditional Usui Reiki Master (RMT), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and carries a Master’s Degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction (MS HAPI). Rev. Wood seeks to educate and guide those looking for a more connected and Holistic way of living and being. With an emphasis on spirit, education of the human form and a passion for spreading love and peace, Rev. Wood leads classis that will inform and transform your life; Mind, Body and Spirit.

Alyssa Michaud

Alyssa believes yoga should be accessible to everyone. She is always finding new ways to modify poses and encourages her students to focus on how their body feels versus how it looks. Coming from a 10 year dance background, Alyssa teaches classes that are balanced with strengthening and nurturing to the body. Her teaching style is based on safe alignment for each individual student with an emphasis on the emotional and spiritual aspects of yoga. Alyssa completed her 200 hour RYT from Studio Bamboo and Level 1 Restorative Training from Breathe Yoga Center.

Catherine Rice Schmidt

Catherine has been practicing yoga for over 12 years and began formally teaching yoga in 2014. She completed her RYT200 certification at Pure Yoga Pilates Studio in Wilmington, DE with Now:Yoga of New York in the spring of 2015.

Catherine structures her classes to be inclusive of all students regardless of their age or physical limitations. She offers ever changing experiences in chair and mat based yoga classes that encourage her students to find their own personal balance between ease, effort and advancement while they honor their mind, body, and soul.

Part of Catherine's teaching practice has included leading classes at the Cancer Support Community of Delaware and at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Hospital in Delaware where she helped cancer patients, survivors, and care givers fulfill their personal journeys to well being.

When not teaching or pursuing her own practice, Catherine enjoys walks with her rescue dog ‘Zoe’, gardening, photography and scuba diving.

Elizabeth Cason

In 1997, I began my yoga journey; a journey that has taught me how to live a happy, healthy and holy life. I turned to yoga as a result of being frustrated with my lifestyle and failed attempts to lose weight. I found I could perform basic postures and, subsequently, began to lose weight. The more I practiced the deeper I became grounded with a new-found passion. It is through this passion that a desire for teaching was fostered. Anyone can do yoga. All it takes is the dedication to show up on your mat.

In my personal growth, the lineage of Kundalini Yoga has called to me. This beautiful practice incorporates breath work, mantra, asana, chanting, and meditation for a complete practice. I strive to share all that I learn, through my own practice and the shared knowledge of my teachers.

I am honored to share your time and your trust as we travel this journey together.

Ayden Galindez

Ayden was originally a martial artist, gym enthusiast, half-marathon runner, cyclist, triathlete, and Spartan Race and Tough Mudder athlete. After taking his first vinyasa class, Ayden quickly fell in love with the yoga practice. Slowly swapping his previous athletic activities for more days of practicing yoga, little did he know yoga would soon become a lifestyle. As Ayden grew in his practice, his interest in the spiritual aspects of yoga grew. Ayden then completed his 200 hour yoga teacher training at Atma Bodha Yoga Studio in May 2016.

Ayden is also a minimalist and plant-based enthusiast who wants to share his lifestyle and love for yoga to help others live meaningful, happy, and healthy lives.