Discovered yoga in 2002 and it quickly became an addiction for her. She became a certified teacher of Vinyasa yoga from YogaFit in 2006. Her love for what she does is apparent in every class. Michelle puts her whole heart into her teaching and creates an atmosphere that inspires, motivates and challenges. She is committed to giving newcomers the tools and
Discovered yoga in the 1990s, but it wasn't until 2006 when she became fully dedicated to it. She received her certification as a Vinyasa Flow instructor from Yoga Fit in 2008. Yoga has changed her life in a very positive way and has become a good addiction. Gina has benefited greatly from the practice of yoga. She has gained physical as well as mental strength and has
The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual need for a change led Jesse to explore alternative ways of coping with the stress in his life. He found yoga in 1994. His passion for yoga led to his interest in becoming a teacher. He wants to share his own joy of the yoga practice with students of all ages and abilities.
Hayley first discovered yoga a few years ago as something fun to do with friends. As time went on, the practice slowly progressed more and more into her life. She took the opportunity to become certified at Yoga Flow in March of 2010 and is truly grateful to have the opportunity to share her love for the practice with others.
Grace found her way to yoga about 6 years ago and practiced off and on until she discovered Yoga Flow 2 years ago. It was then that her healthy obsession began. Everything about this style of vinyasa yoga spoke to her. It was perfect timing that the Teacher Training was offered in the early part of 2010, she realized she was already teaching her friends one on one and promoting
Rachel found yoga three years ago after much convincing from her friends. She quickly grew to love the physical practice as a method to tone and strengthen the body and to decompress from her stressful job. Finding a practice that provided an excellent workout was the initial draw, however as time passed, Rachel found that the spiritual practice is what kept her coming back for
Pam began her practice in 2006 as one more step on a lifelong journey of spiritual self discovery. It quickly became a way of life, as she totally immersed herself in practice, completing two teacher trainings in four years. Pam completed the 200 hour Certification in Vinyasa Yoga with Yoga Flow and a 200 hour Certification in Power Yoga with Amazing Yoga.
It is the healing and transformational potentials of the practice, on a spiritual and physical level, that inspire her to teach.
Prior to Yoga Flow, Pam taught outdoor yoga during the summers at Schenley Plaza for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and community based classes around the city. Her goal, as a teacher, is to "heal the world, creating peace on earth", through the transformational power of yoga... one class, one student, one breath… at a time.
Working as a social worker in Philadelphia, Katie was introduced to yoga in 2005. Initially she saw this as a means to strengthen her body- tone and strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, etc. Soon, it was apparent that yoga not only had physical benefits, but mental and emotional as well. After giving herself to others all day, she found a way to nourish herself, find calmness and breathe.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Heather's yoga journey began in college in New Orleans, taking Hatha classes at the Loyola gym for exercise. After college, she found herself in Chicago where she began a work study at Bikram Chicago's Lincoln Park studio. As her practice deepened, she became more drawn to the duality between mind and body and the strength both can possess. While
After practicing Bikram, and Hatha, Gina found the Vinyasa style of yoga the best expression for her background in dance and athletic pursuits.
She is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, completing her 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Certification with
Yoga Flow. She completed an additional 200 hour Certification in Power Yoga with Amazing Yoga, and continues to study and work towards her 500 hour RYT. Additionally, Gina continues her education with numerous workshops and teacher trainings, including Brian Kest's Power Yoga Master Class, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman, Yin Yoga and Inversion Workshops.
Using her dance background, Gina creates flowing asana sequences that use both breath and music as a rhythm to inspire her students to move with grace, strength and fluidity through their asana practice, with detailed attention given to proper body alignment. She believes that every yoga practice offers the opportunity to reach new levels of awareness, both physically and spiritually, to enrich life on and off the mat.
Began practicing yoga in 1999 as an alternative form of exercise. Practicing yoga has not only improved her strength and flexibility, it has brought balance to many aspects of her life. For Julie, yoga is a great physical and mental practice which allows her to release the stresses of everyday life and to "just be". Once Julie started to see the many positive changes yoga brought to
Ryan began his journey into yoga by practicing at home using yoga videos given to him by his yogi aunt and uncle. Desperately seeking peace of mind and a way to unwind after long days of work and school, he quickly found himself addicted to the serenity of yoga.
After taking classes at a few studios throughout the city, Ryan was drawn to Yoga Flow and immediately felt at home as his practice began to deepen. Looking to expand his practice, he took the Yoga Flow teacher training in 2011 and found himself teaching after graduation. Ryan has found yoga as a pathway to live joyfully in the present. He believes in its power to bring about total transformation while allowing us to let go of the things that do not serve our highest purpose.
Jessie has been practicing yoga for several years. After discovering the spiritual aspect of yoga Jessie decided to deepen her practice by attending teacher training. She believes yoga creates a connection between the mind and body which can allow for positive life changes. Jessie loves being able to share the practice of yoga with others. She hopes it can help others to open their
hearts, calm their mind, create stillness, and develop a wonderful body/mind connection.
After a life-changing accident in April of 2009, Mackenzie stumbled into Yoga Flow in October of that year. Despite lingering injuries and the darkness of post-traumatic stress,with her mother by her side the two embarked on a yogic journey and have never looked back. She decided to participate in Dominique's first round of teacher training for one basic reason: to give to
others the gift yoga gave to her, both mentally and physically. Her practice, and teaching style, continues to change, which is always humbling and rewarding.
Lauren discovered yoga in 2005 through spiritual exploration but fell in love with the practice for its integration of spirit, mind, and body. She received her Yoga Alliance certification with Yoga Flow in August of 2012 and is grateful for the blessing to share yoga with others. Her classes focus on challenging and healing the body and developing spiritual intention with a strong emphasis on the
breath. She is inspired by yoga's ability to transform our every day and believes that by unifying our energy in peaceful practice we can discover our highest self.
Initially drawn to yoga for its physical benefits, Audra was quickly humbled, yet empowered, by the changes she felt in her both her body & soul. She completed Yoga Flow’s Teacher Training & was certified thru Yoga Alliance in August 2012. As a full-time teacher, she eagerly awaits each day on the mat and the excitement of sharing her practice with others. She believes every time
we step into the studio is a new opportunity to evolve; to restore the body and mind, to learn acceptance, and to uncover the strength and focus that was with us all along.
Chavonna discovered the healing potential of Yoga in 2005 and has been practicing ever since. As a high school teacher in New York City, she spent her days taking care of others and needed a way to take care of herself physically and spiritually. Yoga enabled her to breathe out the negative energy and regain the calm and clarity needed to sustain a productive lifestyle.
Upon moving back home to Pittsburgh, it was a challenge to find a space to practice Yoga that allowed her to breathe, quiet the chatter, and “Be”. When Dominique opened the studio in Shadyside, Chavonna knew she had found a home! Having wanted to become a Yoga Teacher for a few years, the universe opened up this year through a series of serendipitous events and she was able to take part in the Teacher Training Program. Chavonna “let go” of education creating space for a new career as a Yoga Teacher. “I want to bring calm, compassion, and an overall sense of well-being to those who choose to practice Yoga.” Chavonna takes part in various Yoga workshops in an effort to deepen her own practice and further her knowledge in Yoga. She continues to work with inner-city children through bringing Yoga into their lives.
Maria fell in love with vinyasa style yoga after her first class. Immediately, she knew she needed this feeling of open-mindedness and stillness that the yoga practice brought to her. After only a few months of practicing she knew she wanted to share this with anyone that she could. The following spring she traveled the wonderful road of a teacher training with South Hill's. In her classes
at the Yoga Flow studios Maria is excited to bring students a healing class, leaving the feeling of an open heart and an open mind that her practice has shown her.
Yoga found Maryann in 2007, she was hooked after her first class. She pushed her running shoes to the back of the closet and the weight lifting aside to discover the endless empowerment of yoga. The practice of movement and breath made Maryann stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually.This feeling was different then running any marathon or weight lifting, it was of
spiritual strength. She became a certified teacher through Yoga Flow in 2012 and put it at the top of her long list of accomplishments. Learning how to teach others mainly came from building a strong self-practice of 5 years. She has attended various workshops, and wishes one day to travel the world studying yoga. It is obvious that Maryann puts her heart and soul into every class either teaching or participating, she uses life's lessons to learn from each experience. Maryann looks forward to sharing her gift on the mat as well as teaching her students the spiritual tools encouraging them to pay it forward incorporating wisdom into their daily lives.
Leigh Garbo first found yoga in San Diego, California in 2007. She began with a Bikrim style yoga class and instantly fell in love with the practice. Leigh has continued to practice yoga since returning to Pittsburgh in 2008. She has tried several styles and strongly believes that all forms of yoga are healing. She has really found her niche with Power Vinyassa Yoga!
Leigh has seen so many positive changes in herself, spiritually, mentally and physically. She also found that yoga has taught her to become more accepting and to have more discipline and self-control. With this discovery came a deep desire to share the blessings of yoga with others. Leigh decided to change her career path in 2011 and obtain certification to teach yoga through Karen Conley at Amazing Yoga and on to a further certification (after an amazing conversation with Dom..thank you) through Dominique Ponko at Yoga Flow. Yoga is Leigh’s daily therapy session! She is a better person because of her practice and she wants to inspire you to also discover the many benefits of yoga. Let’s enjoy this wonderful journey together!
I was initially drawn to yoga through Yogiwade in Ohiopyle. With working a demanding job it was great to have an "escape" where I had time to be with myself and my mat. I quickly became addicted and was loving the results it gave my body, mind and life. In my teaching I hope to share my passion for Yoga and give students the same escape that it has offered me.
To have a time to reflect, be new again, set intentions for your day and cleanse the body of any unwanted tension, toxins and mind chatter. I have met so many great friends and mentors through my Yoga practice and hope to continue to do so.
Jo has always been an avid outdoor enthusiast cycling in the States and Europe, running off road trails, hiking, snow boarding, XC skiing, and in the summer months enjoys kite boarding, paddle boarding and SUP paddle board yoga. What is constant throughout all of these activities is her yoga practice.
‘Through the physical, mental and spiritual practice of yoga we attune to our highest inner self, connecting us to everything in the universe’. Jo teaches a powerful vinyasa alignment flow practice focusing on the importance of a slow deep rhythmic breath, alignment, mindfulness and spiritual wellbeing. She believes ‘yoga is for all’ and as such teaches modifications for the beginner to advanced student. Jo owns her own private studio, invitation and donation based, giving 100% of the proceeds to local charities and Food for Life. (www.fflvrindavan.org) She is an advocate of taking what we learn on the mat out into the world to share. Jo draws inspiration from both her students and teachers on and off the mat and would particularly like to thank those who introduced the harmonium and Kirtan to her practice and enabled her to experience the spiritual connection of mind, body and song.