Meet our Teachers

 Alysa is a dedicated yogi who has been teaching and taking classes around the world since her RYT 200 certification in 2013. She has traveled to Asia, Africa and South and Central America to study Bikram, Yin, Hatha, Iyengar and Jivamukti yoga. Alysa incorporates aspects from several types of yoga into her classes, and she specializes in restorative classes that are designed to relax the mind and gently release tension in the body.

Instagram:

@alysadiaz 

As a native New Yorker and an ex athlete - I learned at a young age that physical movement was my sacred space. I fell in love with the practice of Yoga in 2012 and completed my 200-Hr Yoga Teaching Training in 2017. I never dreamt of my personal practice of yoga translating into becoming a teacher, but I am honored and extremely humbled to be given this gift of sharing this sacred practice with you. With a strong foundation in Vinyasa, and HIIT movements - I incorporate subtle strength, flexibility, and breath work to help guide my students on releasing whatever no longer serves them. I encourage my students to find their own flow and fall in love with how their body is able to move.

Instagram:

@flowingfromwithin

 Alexia began her own personal yoga journey back in 2015. Inspired to take her practice further and to gain more knowledge, Lexie completed her 200-hour training back in 2021 at Stone Wave Yoga. Movement has always been a medicine that works for her as a holistic approach. Lex strongly believes that yoga should be inclusive and accessible to all and to celebrate self-love and connection through practice. She also believes that yoga is not a “one size fits all” practice, and that each individual is on their own path. She considers herself to be a life-long learner, and is so grateful to have the opportunity to share her experience with her students.

Instagram:

@lexiemillan

 Courtney is a certified 200 hour yoga teacher. She has been an athlete all her life and has been practicing yoga for 10 years, with a recent certification in Hot-26. She loves the peace of mind that yoga brings and also the physical challenge of pushing beyond limits. Yoga has brought a sense of self love and care, confidence, and strength to her- she hopes to bring that to you in class.

Off the mat, you can catch her as an account manager for a fashion software startup or browsing the newest reads at the local bookstore.

Instagram:

@loveyouwongtime

 Dee Dee Thompson is a 200 hour registered yoga teacher. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, she practiced yoga on and off for 7 years before deciding to get certified at Stone Wave Yoga, based in Poughkeepsie and Gardiner, NY.

She first came into the practice as a runner/pole fitness enthusiast when she needed a good stretch after a workout. Without the expansive knowledge of what a yoga practice entails, it took a book about healing trauma through yoga to help her realize that yoga is more about the ability to do a handstand or hold a deep lunge. The more she learned, the more she integrated yoga in her life, on and off the mat.  

Dee Dee is also a certified Yin instructor  and commits to further her studies in yoga and mediation. Additionally, she wants to increasing diversity in the yoga space, so practitioners feel comfortable, safe, and seen regardless of their race, size, gender, or level of ability. When Dee Dee's not teaching, she works full-time in advertising as a writer. She hopes to use her writing ability to educate people about yoga throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Instagram:

@cityofdeedee

 Hi I'm Emma! Born and raised right here in the Hudson Valley. I have been incredibly passionate about movement classes since childhood, some of my favorite styles to practice include hip-hop, burlesque, modern, African, ballet, and of course, yoga! After practicing and finding yoga in a difficult time in my life, I decided to take my 200 Hour and begin teaching. Shortly afterward I didn't want to stop and completed my 300 Hour as well!

While back in college studying dance and psychology, I only started to touch the service on the importance of the mind body connection as well as having movement as part of a daily practice. This has developed into what my practice is today. In my classes you can expect an emphasis on breathwork, core strength, meditation and body mind awareness with the right amount of movement, release, and play.

I have always believed everyone can and should have the ability to practice any movement and spiritual exercise that calls to them. My saying has always been “anyone can dance” and this has lovingly evolved to include “anyone can yoga”.

Out of the studio, her other favorite activities include hiking, reading, spending time with her family and animals, and visiting new towns and local shops. Emma also enjoys traveling with her partner and has visited 24 states in hopes to one day visit all 50!  

Instagram:

@ephresh5

 Hi! I’m Kara Prichard and I’m an RYT-500 and certified Yin and Restorative yoga teacher. I started practicing yoga during my senior year of college and I immediately fell in love with it. I took my first teacher training program soon after I started practicing and there is nothing I love more than sharing yoga with others. I hope to offer space for students to challenge themselves in their yoga practice, as well as offer space to slow down and embrace stillness. Off the mat, you can find me in the mountains hiking. 

Instagram:

@karaaadise

Hi! I am Kate, the founder of Rooted Yoga! I am a RYT- 500 and have a deep love for vinyasa, yin/restorative, and Hot-26. I found yoga when I was in a very dark place at 17 and I am forever thankful for yoga saving me. I've practiced for 12+ years and decided to start sharing the magic of yoga to others in 2019. I love a challenging class that helps guide you gently out of your comfy zone but also a juicy yin/restorative to help melt away your day.

If I'm not in the studio, you can find me with my 2 pups outside or eating some delicious food at any restaurant.

Instagram:

@ katelynn_bee 

Hi I am Lindsay Paoloni. I’ve been teaching yoga for 7 years. I am a RYT-500 and IAYT Yoga Therapist. I started teaching yoga with Prison Yoga Project in San Diego in various prisons and jails throughout the area. With this project I realized the enormous healing potential of yoga, breath-work and meditation. I quit my corporate job and spent 2 years abroad in China, Japan and India learning holistic healing modalities like Qi Gong, Reiki, Yoga and Ayurveda. I am passionate about using holistic tools to feel our absolute best and brightest- body, mind and spirit! 

Instagram: 

@keeplindsaywild

Hola! l am Maria, a teacher at heart! I have been a bilingual school teacher for the past 17 years and a yoga instructor for the past 4 years. My love for teaching has led me to continue learning and discovering new adventures. It was the summer of 2017 after completing a 200 hour educator yoga training  with a social emotional learning component course through the organization "Breathe For Change" in NYC, when I realized yoga had become my new passion. In 2020 | decided to broaden my yoga training by completing an additional 200 hour teacher training at Firefly Yoga in Fishkill NY. During the program, I participated in "40 days to Personal Revolution", Baptiste Yoga for Youth "Unstoppable" and the Baptiste Assisting course.  In addition to yoga training,  I am certified  in Classical Pilates and currently completing the Comprehensive  Pilates Apparatus training at Beacon Pilates.

As I continue my journey as a yoga/pilates teacher, l intend to lead by empowering others to use wellness as a vehicle for healing and self transformation. 

Instagram:

@mariacep78

 Marilyn is a RYT-500 who began practicing yoga in 2003 after finding a new way to exercise and relieve stress.  After years of consistent yoga practice, life changes and health issues surfaced which took her off her mat.  She returned to yoga in 2017 when she began practicing and studying more intensely and Yoga became a way of life.  She honors the traditions of Yoga while providing a safe and empowering space for anyone at any level and with any physical capability looking to discover something new about themselves on their mat.  

Instagram:

@marilynperezyoga

 I’ve been teaching Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga, and Pranayama (breath regulation techniques) since 2003 after completing my first 200- hour teacher training (TT) certification.  I continued studying and certified 500 (RYT) with Alan Finger (Ishta Yoga), Yoga Works, and many more other trainings with amazing yoga teacher trainers.  I am registered with Yoga Alliance, and received Reiki Level I & II certifications.  After many injuries, I was taken with Yin Yoga.  I took various Yin Yoga TT Level I & II 2016-2018.  I love connecting with my students, and they are my priority and concern as I create a safe space for them to practice, offering different variations of Yin poses for the many different body types.

“Our goal is not to be PERFECT; our goal in life is to be WHOLE” ~ Bernie Clark.

Instagram:

@nancymald0121

Raisa Moya, a Hudson Valley native, has practiced Yoga for over 12 years. She received her 200hr certification in 2022.  Her goal is to create a sacred space where students can dive deeper into their own personal journey, through transformative practices of Yoga. Connecting the mind, body, and soul with the growth, change, and strength. Inspiring students to experience their journeys through true intention, pranayama, and asana. Raisa specializes in Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Yoga Sculpt, and Barre! Let @a_raiofsunshine bring the light into your day!

Instagram:

@a_raiofsunshine

  My name is Roberta McGinley. I teach yoga, specifically hot 26 , at local studios here in the Hudson Valley. My initial first 500 hours was from Jimmy Barkan, in Ft. Lauderdale. I was a student in his charter TT in 2001, then I completed his Level 2. From there I went on to open Tadasana Yoga Studio in Wappingers Falls, in 2007 where I had the opportunity to introduce many people to this style of yoga which I feel very passionate about.  

Some of my other passions are cooking and baking. Anytime I am in the kitchen it feels much like a practice of yoga and meditation. My husband and I run an Abnb in New Hamburg which keeps us very busy.  

My yoga journey has been a beautiful one. I am a forever student of many different teachers and styles of yoga and I love to meet and guide students on the mat and in their lives as it brings me such joy. 

I look forward to meeting you 🙏

 I am a 200 hour certified instructor with Stone Wave Yoga. I enjoy a variety of activities such as skateboarding and hiking and music. What to expect from me will be vinyasa classes and a focus on meditation practices. I believe in being mindful and present with challenges we face in our daily  lives because our mental health is so important. It’s my intention to be a supportive outlet for that and to make everyone feel welcomed and loved in my teaching space at all times.

Instagram:

@rob1nsar1ca

 I began my yoga journey in 2009 at Jivamukti Yoga in Union Square, NYC, starting as a student with a daily practice. This provided a space for me to center myself and find focus amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City life. Over the next decade, my practice naturally ebbed and flowed with the rhythm of life. However, I always found my way back to my mat at Jivamukti, where I could give my mind and body the time and space they needed.

The turning point came when I realized how essential this practice was to me—I never wanted yoga to be absent from my life. It was then that I decided to deepen my practice by becoming a teacher, with the desire to share the benefits of this transformative method with others. Jivamukti has profoundly shaped my life, and I am committed to continually learning and expanding my knowledge of yoga and its teachings.

The well-being of the mind, body, and spirit is incredibly important to me. I am constantly seeking new opportunities for growth, whether it’s through a local weekend intensive, a week-long retreat, or a month-long stay in India. The pursuit of enlightenment is a lifelong journey, and I am dedicated to walking this path. 

Victoria has been an artist/producer in the music industry for the past 6 years. Later, through her journey, she had a profound realization into the healing power of sound and vibration. Her spiritual journey started at a very young age; with having a strong understanding into meditation & the higher realms of our abilities to heal the body. This later drew her to studying deeper, & later seeking into becoming a CMA certified sound healer. This practice is a gentle, therapeutic modality that helps us utilize the vibrations and frequencies of sound to promote healing and relaxation. Through meditation, she uses various instruments, such as singing bowls, tuning forks, & other sacred instruments, to produce specific tones, rhythms, and sounds; that help release stagnant blockages, realign, relax and ground the body. 

Instagram:

@theonlystori