I cannot say that I "found" yoga at a particular age or stage of life, because it feels so much more like yoga found me.

My passion for movement began at childhood. I led an active lifestyle through competitive gymnastics, recreational sports, and vigorous hiking expeditions. As a young adult, I developed an insatiable interest in all things philosophy, metaphysics, spirituality, the abstract, and the esoteric. It was at this time that I began a personal meditation practice. For years I traveled extensively on a quest to understand more of the world, more of myself, and more of the relationship between the two. At different times, periods, and junctures of my personal growth and spiritual development, "yoga" appeared. In buildings, in books, in travels, and in conversations, "yoga" appeared. One by one, the stars aligned as if to say, "Here it is."

Yoga quickly revealed itself to me as the missing link between my body, my mind, and my soul. In my search to learn, I went to India. I studied in the city of Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga. Nestled along the Ganges river at the foothills of the Himalayas, the scenery only reflected the light that I came to know inside myself, the same infinite light that resides within each of us and every moment we inhabit.

Through yoga, I've found that there is more to life and there is more to me. There's something brilliant, something ineffable, something intrinsically greater in the whole than in the individual pieces combined. As a teacher and a human being, I aim to help us all reconnect to it in some small way.

Shiv Om,

K

I discovered yoga in 2006 when I was suffering from depression.  I was a stay-at-home mom and loved my family very much; yet I felt stuck and unfulfilled, as if my dreams and desires for life were passing me by. My mantra became "SSDD"… "Same Shit, Different Day". 

The Universe led me through a series of events in which I ended up in a yoga class, and that class placed me on the threshold of change and transformation.  Today my new mantra is “Thank You”.  My yoga and meditation practice helped me to rediscover ME! I reconnected to the silence and stillness that rests within, and I found comfort and acceptance in all aspects of life– the good, the bad, and everything between.

Eileen has been teaching yoga since 2009 and is certified + experienced in the areas of Meditation (Davidji Masters of Wisdom, The Chopra Center and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra) and a range of yoga modalities- Chair, Gentle, Vinyasa Flow, Therapeutics, Alzheimer’s Prevention, and more. In classes Eileen places great emphasis on philosophy, alignment, and safety- leading students to re-frame and re-train their mind, body, and breath... ultimately discovering a greater connection to their True Self. 

Eileen moved to the area with her husband in 2020 and has 3 grown children.  She loves taking her two little pups for walks, hiking/nature, going to concerts, free-style dancing, singing, wine, cheese and crackers.    

Sapha 500RYT is a yoga and meditation instructor as well as a writer, feminine embodiment relationship mentor, and all around lover of all things nerdy. She has been teaching for over 12 years and is strongly focused on the anatomical and bio-mechanical movement of her students' bodies so as to keep them safe, strong, and aware.

Her teachings revolve around the belief that in order to access creative change and powerful healing, one must first learn to ground down and open up- a paradigm that has lead her through many years of study and self-discovery, and which brings a unique voice and quality to each of her teachings.

Sapha is a firm believer in the importance of continual education and is constantly growing her knowledge of yoga, meditation, somatics, physiology, psychology, and much more. Her mission is to help people to develop and harness the tools they need to help them heal from the inside out by allowing them to truly get to know who they are and teaching them how to remain present to every moment so they can release, open, and create a life that is filled with joy, purpose, and peace.

Matt RYT 500 started practicing yoga in 2007 while going through a challenging time in his life. A lifelong athlete, he quickly realized that yoga was different than anything he had ever done in his life up to that point. It made everything better. His mind, body and Spirit were all positively affected. He soon noticed he was living a healthier lifestyle, had more energy and was happier than he had ever been before. After a couple of years of dedicated practice, he knew that this was a gift that he needed to share with others and he became a teacher. Matt's newfound joy led him to create his "7 Tools for Happiness" program that has helped hundreds of people find greater joy and purpose in their lives. He shares his tips on his podcast and blog at YogaLoveFood . Matt has now taught yoga for over 13 years to everyone from beginners to professional athletes. He has also led teacher trainings, including yoga for athletes, Meditation and Pranayama. His classes range from Gentle and Restorative to Powerful and Challenging, depending on the class and the students. His students will attest to his positive energy and good vibes, which are contagious. He always has a smile on his face and in his classes he shares his wisdom and inspiration. Matt and his wife Chelsea moved to Tennessee from Manhattan Beach, California 2 years ago with their two young boys, Matteo and Owen.

I began practicing yoga in 2017. After spending a large number of years shying away from physical activity due to a mild heart condition, I finally felt ready to invite some movement to my body. Yoga allowed me to feel comfortable challenging myself, but never pressured. I learned to listen to what my body was asking from me and to honor its needs, moment to moment. Yoga quickly became more than just a physical practice for me as I resonated with the themes introduced throughout the practices. I walked away from each class feeling like I had discovered a lost piece of my soul and was constantly working on incorporating yoga into my life off of my mat. In yoga, I found a practice that was simultaneously invigorating, empowering, calming, and healing. I knew early on that I wanted to help others realize this diversity of yoga and in 2020 I completed my 200 hour teacher training with Moonbeam Yoga.

Hey there! I’m Tina, a Yoga Teacher since 2019, with a passion for teaching Power Vinyasa and Restorative based classes. Like many of us, I turned to yoga as a way to listen to my body when nothing else seemed to work.  Little did I know how much my soul was about to heal as well.  I’m here to help you reconnect with your breath and uncover your inner strength. Off the mat, you’ll catch me enjoying walks with my hubby and our pup, Guinness, or  picking a new place to travel to, reading, hiking, baking, and all things creative. Join me on the mat, and let’s find your true self together!

Hello friends! I’m Chelsea, a recent graduate of Lotus Rising’s 200 YTT. My journey with yoga began in 2020 after a few years of feeling lost in my 20’s. I was anxious, in an unhealthy relationship, and looking for an outlet to find myself again. I became fascinated with my breath; initially for guiding myself out of hard days and panic attacks. Once I discovered pairing breath with movement in my first yoga class, I felt a calling to teach others about the infinite ways the body can heal itself. I learned that yoga is not just an hour of your time in a studio or at home but a way to walk through your life with peace. With yoga on my mind every day, my patience has become stronger, my body healthier and my life longer- one day at a time.

When I first started yoga, it was for many of the physical benefits that the practice brings - strength, flexibility, and balance. I was coming out of a long term illness and needed some gentle movement as I was recovering. It wasn’t long before I started to lean into the mind/body/spirit connection that yoga offers. Understanding that connection more thoroughly has helped to bring those same qualities of strength, flexibility, and balance, to many other areas of my life.

A few years ago, I started an administrative position at LRY. Being there almost daily, taking classes, listening to the instructors teach, and hearing transformational stories from other students, grew my love for all the things this practice offers. Although you will still often find me behind the desk, I took the leap and decided to teach after receiving my 200hr certification. I enjoy seeing individuals maintaining their independence through movement, quieting their busy minds through breath and meditation, and finding community with others in a class setting. I truly believe that yoga is a lifelong practice, and I'm excited to meet students exactly where they are in their journey.

Joseph Biache has been a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor since 2011 when he completed his training through the Asheville School of Yoga. Joseph began teaching yoga in Nashville, before journeying to Denver to teach for the next 4 1/2 years. During this time out West, Joseph began teaching in many different contexts - from yoga studios, gyms, and martial arts academies to retirement facilities, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. After moving from Denver in 2018, Joseph spent the next two years working throughout northeastern Ohio and Michigan, as well as his home state of Tennessee.

Joseph enjoys his work with the young, the elderly and everything in between. From the athletic to the arthritic, Joseph's passion to share yoga with others is evident in his classes. A graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, Joseph has a Masters degree in theological studies and draws practical teaching points from both his formal education, as well as his lifelong dedication to independent learning, personal development, and transformation.

In 2015 Joseph became a certified practitioner of Human Interaction Technology through the Human Communications Institute. Since that time, he has been working as a motivational speaker - leading discussion groups, movement and motivation classes, and writing workshops.

Joseph welcomes beginners to his class, as well as all those wishing to expand and deepen their yoga practice. His down-to-earth approach makes yoga accessible and understandable for each student. His classes are fun and challenging, thought-provoking, and stress-reducing.

Chelsea Rothert is a well-seasoned teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience. She's a California transplant, with a passion for living and teaching wellness and inspired living. She co-owns her own wellness business leading multiple retreat and training experiences and accountability programs throughout the year. Chelsea’s teaching style is challenging yet grounding, creative yet traditional, thought-provoking, and inspiring. She loves traditional breathing exercises, meditation, and grounding poses. Each practice cultivates her position as a believer of balance- recognizing that balance in life, like in the body, is not given but worked for. Her light-hearted humor and carefree spirit provide something for everyone.

In the time I've practiced yoga, I've rediscovered a deep love for myself and the world around me. My journey into yoga began with the desire to build a supportive community, enhance my physical awareness, and connect more deeply with my mind. To me, yoga transcends the postures and movements—it's a way of being present in every moment, a practice that permeates all aspects of life.

My fascination with yoga led me to pursue a 200-hour YTT certification through Lotus Rising Yoga. What started as a personal quest for deeper understanding quickly evolved into a passion for teaching and sharing this beautiful practice with others. Earning my certification is one of my proudest achievements, and I hold this accomplishment close to my heart.

As a registered nurse, I'm thrilled to combine my love for yoga with my dedication to holistic well-being. I believe yoga is not just good for the body, but also profoundly nourishing for the soul. I've found it to be one of the most transformative forms of "exercise," offering benefits far beyond the physical.

As an instructor, my hope is to be a guiding light for fellow yogis, just as yoga has illuminated my own path.

Shanti,
Chloe

With a background in dance, gymnastics, and soccer, I’ve always had an affinity for the creative and expressive powers of movement; however, somewhere along the way, I became disconnected from this vital aspect. In 2014, upon a quest for depth, direction, and healing, I began cultivating an at-home yoga practice; and it changed my life profoundly. Not only did it rekindle my love of movement by reconnecting me to my body, but it awakened, deepened, and expanded, this understanding of how therapeutic, transformative, and transcendental this sacred practice truly is. Practicing yoga opened up dimensions of reality with such a richness of experience that I wished to share with others. In 2017 I completed my formal training at Kali Yuga Yoga through the Sri Dharma Mittra lineage led by Leah Lillios-King and Liz Mead.

My practice intends to awaken and harmonize the subtleties of the mind, body, and spirit, creating a holistic and empowering experience that brings balance, clarity, and inspiration. I seek to encourage inner inquiry, challenge growth, and help people to find safety, trust, and comfort within their body. In my classes, I love to incorporate themes, guided meditations and visualizations, pranayama, philosophy, and sound healing tools.

When I’m not teaching yoga, you can find me dancing with my hula-hoops, reading fantasy novels, making music, being in nature, and hanging with my cats and friends.

I took my first yoga class in a college gym in 2007. As I began exploring this new type of exercise, I started to understand that yoga is not simply a workout. Taking classes with numerous teachers in a variety of styles around the south has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient lineage of yoga and how it translates into everyday life. I have been fascinated by the physiology and kinesiology of the body for almost 2 decades. I am a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in TN and FL. I completed my 200 hour Hatha Yoga teacher training with Balance and Breathe Yoga 2022, and I am also certified in paddleboard yoga.

I teach because I want students to learn more about themselves, both physically and on a deeper level. The benefits in our lives as we gain this deeper understanding of ourselves allows us to live a more experiential existence.

I want each and every person to feel a connection with their body in my yoga classes. It is easy to fall into a desire to move your body into "ideal" or "perfect" shapes, but it is not necessary to experience the benefit of movement and connection. I hope that students who attend my classes can gain an understanding of how shapes appear in their bodies, and how their bodies change from day to day. It is also my wish that I am able to impart some deeper yogic wisdom and can help students find deeper meaning in their yoga practice. Everyone leaving my class will hopefully feel accomplished, challenged, and cared for.

As I think about my journey with yoga, I see that I was given many opportunities to "begin again." Yoga has shown up for me in ways that I needed, when I needed it. In high school and college, I liked the similarities between vinyasa and dance, without the pressure to perform. When I was pregnant and lonely in my 20s, I found a way to relate to other moms, to my baby, and to myself in yoga. When I became a certified yoga instructor in 2019, it was because I wanted to serve others as I deepened my own understanding of the holistic nature of yoga-- and also because it brought me joy! I love being a student, and I am fascinated by all that our bodies have to teach us. It is important to me that yoga be accessible to anyone, and I encourage classes to be a space for self-exploration rather than conformity. I appreciate the physical and mental challenges that come from a full spectrum of movement, breathwork, meditation, and stillness, and I invite students to engage the practice with compassion and tenderness.

Hi guys! I am thinking of each of you with so much love. My heart is so full as I write this.

My mom introduced me to yoga in high school when my anxiety and depression was at an all-time high. As I grew, I began to realize that it offered so much more than just physical health. Yoga became a gateway to personal growth- helping me cultivate strength, flexibility, and fearlessness, in all aspects of life. I continued to practice on and off throughout the years, at home and around town with my daughter, Gracie.

In 2014, my husband Toy was involved in a catastrophic accident that changed the whole trajectory of our lives. It was at this time my love for yoga came back with a transformative power. I was learning so much about the body, the spinal cord, and the ways we can heal ourselves. Yoga became a vital part of my life as it helped me navigate the emotional and physical demands of his caregiving.

In 2024 I became a graduate of Lotus Rising’s first 200 hour teacher training. Now, I get to hold space as a teacher for beautiful people weekly. I am so, so excited! My hope is that I can help you cultivate mindfulness and find freedom in your bodies, enabling them to better serve you each time you leave my class. I hope to help you find some peace and kindness to take into this world. We can all be a little more kind. Remember: You are whole. You are worthy. You are loved. You are beautiful. 

Shanti Shanti Shanti, Peace Peace Peace