Elena Velasco found yoga through her work as a theatre and movement artist. For over 25 years she has worked in the performing arts industry as a director, choreographer, performer, and professor in the DMV and Greater Boston regions. Through such companies as Synetic Theatre and Convergence Theatre, she found that the fullest creative expression and connection was the result of the synthesis of the mind-body-consciousness. Yoga has helped her craft choreography that is more sustainable and gives performers greater agency over their bodies. Yoga informs her work in all disciplines, whether leading a vinyasa class at Bowie State University where she is an associate professor of theatre and movement, or establishing a healthy, mindful rehearsal process for movement-based performance. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Rising Sol Yoga School and is a member of Yoga Alliance. She believes yoga and the arts must be accessible and is passionate about holding space for a range of students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and lived experiences. Along with her active professional life, she enjoys biking, hiking, and meditating, and is the proud mother of seven children, all who have various paths and passions.

Elena Velasco found yoga through her work as a theatre and movement artist. For over 25 years she has worked in the performing arts industry as a director, choreographer, performer, and professor in the DMV and Greater Boston regions. Through such companies as Synetic Theatre and Convergence Theatre, she found that the fullest creative expression and connection was the result of the synthesis of the mind-body-consciousness. Yoga has helped her craft choreography that is more sustainable and gives performers greater agency over their bodies. Yoga informs her work in all disciplines, whether leading a vinyasa class at Bowie State University where she is an associate professor of theatre and movement, or establishing a healthy, mindful rehearsal process for movement-based performance. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Rising Sol Yoga School and is a member of Yoga Alliance. She believes yoga and the arts must be accessible and is passionate about holding space for a range of students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and lived experiences. Along with her active professional life, she enjoys biking, hiking, and meditating, and is the proud mother of seven children, all who have various paths and passions.

Anissa is a passionate and devoted yoga instructor with more than eight years of experience in offering uplifting, empowering, and inclusive classes and workshops to students of all levels. She teaches a variety of styles—including Vinyasa, Hatha, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, and Yoga Nidra—through group and private classes, corporate wellness programs, and special events. Drawing from her many years of dance training, Anissa’s classes weave together creative sequencing, encouragement, and a touch of humor to support students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music and nature inspire her teaching, creating a sense of playfulness, freedom, and joy on the mat. A lifelong student of yoga, Anissa maintains a dedicated personal practice, and has had the pleasure of exploring yoga all around the world—from sandy beaches to ocean liners to ashrams—deepening her devotion to the practice and its ability to connect us with fellow yogis everywhere. Beyond teaching, Anissa brings a wealth of life experience to her work. She is an Army Veteran who served nearly a decade as an active duty attorney, a professional actor, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. A graduate of Williams College and Cornell Law School, she strives to bring curiosity, creativity, and compassion to everything she does.

Melanie has been teaching yoga since 2015 after completing her 200-hour YTT through Evolve Yoga & Wellness / Nosara Yoga Institute. She is a certified Pilates teacher through Balanced Body and is certified in Reiki level II. She holds a bachelor in psychology. Her classes are fluent and feel good. They consistently move using dynamic movements. They are accessible for anyone as she offers modifications and detailed ques for structural alignment. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, spending time with others and her pup.

Tess studied ballet growing up and through college, and was introduced to yoga and Pilates as part of a health and wellness transformation beginning in 2003. She has been teaching yoga and Pilates since then. Her classes focus on functional movement, body awareness, balance, alignment and breath. Tess received her Pilates training with Physical Mind, her yoga training at Tranquil Space and Barre training at Barre Body. She completed her training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the fall of 2023 and is currently studying Polarity therapy.

Emily Bermingham is a 600-hour certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Moon Circle Facilitator, Yoga Teacher (RYT 200, RCYT), and Sociology Professor, currently completing her 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training. She is trained in trauma-informed yoga, vinyasa, hatha, restorative, and children’s yoga, and also facilitates moon circles that foster connection, reflection, and healing. Emily’s own journey with yoga and Ayurveda has been profoundly transformative. These practices supported her in recovering from injury and illness, helping her rediscover strength, balance, and vitality. In her teaching, Emily weaves together yoga philosophy, mindfulness, and Ayurvedic principles to create meaningful, heart-centered experiences. Her approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and the belief that self-care is both personal and collective — a form of community care. As a teacher, mother, and military spouse, Emily’s work is grounded in presence, resilience, and authenticity. She strives to hold space where others feel safe, seen, and nourished — leaving each practice with a sense of grounding, renewal, and connection.

Fatima is a 200-hour Vinyasa-trained yoga instructor, trained through Yoga Alliance in 2020 in Philadelphia, PA. She brings a dynamic and grounding approach to her classes, passionate about a range of styles including vinyasa, gentle, and nidra. Deeply connected to her Asian roots, Fatima weaves cultural and ancestral mindfulness practices into her teaching, creating space for both movement and reflection. Beyond the mat, she holds a Doctorate in Education and is PMP certified, integrating strategy, leadership, and wellness to support mission-driven organizations. Her work reflects a holistic belief that sustainable impact begins with individual well-being.

Adam has been practicing yoga for nearly 15 years. He completed his 200-hour training with VETOGA, a nonprofit sharing yoga and mindfulness with veterans and their communities, and is now pursuing his 500-hour certification at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York. Adam enjoys teaching because yoga showed him how to get out of his head and discover that, in the words of his teacher, "all is within."

Tess studied ballet growing up and through college, and was introduced to yoga and Pilates as part of a health and wellness transformation beginning in 2003. She has been teaching yoga and Pilates since then. Her classes focus on functional movement, body awareness, balance, alignment and breath. Tess received her Pilates training with Physical Mind, her yoga training at Tranquil Space and Barre training at Barre Body. She completed her training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the fall of 2023 and is currently studying Polarity therapy.

Tess studied ballet growing up and through college, and was introduced to yoga and Pilates as part of a health and wellness transformation beginning in 2003. She has been teaching yoga and Pilates since then. Her classes focus on functional movement, body awareness, balance, alignment and breath. Tess received her Pilates training with Physical Mind, her yoga training at Tranquil Space and Barre training at Barre Body. She completed her training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the fall of 2023 and is currently studying Polarity therapy.

Adam has been practicing yoga for nearly 15 years. He completed his 200-hour training with VETOGA, a nonprofit sharing yoga and mindfulness with veterans and their communities, and is now pursuing his 500-hour certification at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York. Adam enjoys teaching because yoga showed him how to get out of his head and discover that, in the words of his teacher, "all is within."

Elena Velasco found yoga through her work as a theatre and movement artist. For over 25 years she has worked in the performing arts industry as a director, choreographer, performer, and professor in the DMV and Greater Boston regions. Through such companies as Synetic Theatre and Convergence Theatre, she found that the fullest creative expression and connection was the result of the synthesis of the mind-body-consciousness. Yoga has helped her craft choreography that is more sustainable and gives performers greater agency over their bodies. Yoga informs her work in all disciplines, whether leading a vinyasa class at Bowie State University where she is an associate professor of theatre and movement, or establishing a healthy, mindful rehearsal process for movement-based performance. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Rising Sol Yoga School and is a member of Yoga Alliance. She believes yoga and the arts must be accessible and is passionate about holding space for a range of students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and lived experiences. Along with her active professional life, she enjoys biking, hiking, and meditating, and is the proud mother of seven children, all who have various paths and passions.