Lilias Folan – FIRST LADY OF YOGA- Master Teacher
Lilias Folan, known as the “First Lady of Yoga” since her groundbreaking 1972 Yoga series Lilias! Yoga and You, has been regarded as America’s most knowledgeable and respected yoga guru. Through her television shows, books, audio tapes, videos, workshops and seminars, Lilias has spent the past 27 years helping people learn about the benefits of yoga for the body, mind and spirit. Click here to learn more about Lilias Yoga!
S. Ashley Hunt
Owner of YogahOMe, E-RYT-500, Urban Zen Integrative Therapist.
Ashley has her Bachelors of Arts in Hinduism and Buddhism from Trinity College, CT. She continues her graduate studies at The Goddard College in the Individualized Masters of Arts program with a concentration in Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology. Ashley has been teaching yoga, in yoga studios and within academia. In 2010 Ashley taught her own Yoga Philosophy curriculum to Trinity College undergraduates. A class formatted to the setting of a liberal arts New England college where the academic study of yogic ideology is coupled with the practice of yogic techniques. Ashley is also an Urban Zen Integrative Therapist and has contributed to UZIT programs over seas. Urban Zen is a movement founded by Donna Karen headed by Rodney and Colleen Yee that brings therapeutic healing modalities into medical spheres. In 2009 she completed a 1,500 hour Yoga Development Course, immersed in the teachings of Swami Sivanada Radha at Yashodhara Ashram. Ashley has also studied yoga therapy at KYM while studying with Erica Kaufman, in Chennai, India. Ashley is a Reiki practitioner and continues to deepen her own understanding through her work with essential oils. She has taken many a master training with Para Yoga-Rod Styker, and deeply respects the authenticity and clarity of Rodney Yee, Colleen Yee, Roshi Joan Halifax, Richard Freeman and Richard Rosen’s teachings through her work with Urban Zen Integrative Therapy. Blessings and love to Turner Hunt, Tracy Hunt and Ducky Hunt, Ashley’s family will forever be in her heart.
“Bringing about radical change in the human being, brings about radical change in the structure of humanity, and the world.”- J. Krishnamurti
Amy Banfield RYT-200 YogahOMe
Co-Owner of YogahOMe, Manager
Amy instantly felt a deep connection with yoga when she took her first yoga class in college. With a background in speed & synchronized swimming, running, and a love of anything regarding fitness & art, yoga has forever found a sacred in place in Amy’s heart. She is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and received her training right here at yogahOMe. Amy thrives on the energy from her students and continues to always be a student herself. Her journey in yoga as well in life is to keep a calm mind and a peace in her heart. When Amy is not on her mat you can find her creating art, enjoying the outdoors, finding the littlest of joys in every moment and spending as much time with friends and family as she can. So come move, breathe and melt as you practice with her!
Anissa Dowling RYT-200 Ashtangha
Alex Ryberg RYT-200 – Thai Yoga Practitioner SomaVeda
Alex fell into the path of yoga by a fortunate series of events initially disguised as challenges offered by life. Having been very drawn to Eastern belief systems and philosophy at the ripe years of teenage life, her thought patterns were already driven towards conscious self-observation and unified love. The discovery of yoga only enhanced the process of connection with herself and others, becoming an integral and vital aspect of her everyday life. In 2012, she received her 200 Hr. certification in the style of Yin and Taoist yoga as part of Paul Grilley’s lineage with Matt Eshelman through YouDoYoga in Cincinnati. Since, Alex has not stopped hopping onto the continual train of study. Not only is she embarking on the 500 Hr. Teacher Certification journey with YogaHome starting in June, in the past year she has received her 400 Hr. certification as a SomaVeda Thai Yoga Practitioner with Aachan Dr. Anthony B. James through the SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and is currently enrolled in the school’s Doctor of Natural Medicine program. Alex weaves a nurturing understanding of the body into her classes offering perspectives from paralleling systems of study encouraging her students to choose which they may identify with most for their individual practice. She full-heartedly trusts in the concept that our bodies are mendable (and certainly bendable!) with our minds and is delightful to integrate her life and practice with the Sangha of YogahOMe. Tejas Vinaavaditam Astu – May the Light of Understanding spread between Us
Christy Dorger RYT-200 YogahOMe
Christy Dorger started her yoga journey 9 years ago when she began taking Ashtanga classes. It was love at first class, connecting to the mind-body-spirit philosophy. When yogahOMe-Mariemont opened, Christy began practicing there and found new inspiration in Vinyasa Flow. Christy was certified through yogahOMe’s 1st Teacher Training program in 2007. She currently teaches at yogahOMe’s Oakley and Mariemont studios, and teaches Corporate classes at Dunhumby USA.
Christopher Cox RYT 300 – Thai Yoga Practitioner SomeVeda
Christopher maintains an intimate relationship with Mother Earth by tending to gardens and just being cradled in the arms of a tree. Chris’s teachings are latent with metaphors from observations, interactions and mindful attention to the flow of life. He seeks harmony in all aspects of life. Chris applies the principles of permaculture, which is an ecological design system of sustainability, yoga and eastern philsophy to maintain dynamic balance within his life. He feels that the philosophies of yoga and the practices of permaculture intertwine in an enchanting dance merging our spiritual essence with our material and earthly experience.
Christopher’s fascination for art and the capabilities of the human body are expressed in the realms of dance, martial arts, acrobatics, and especially any combination of these. Through his gratitude for yoga, Christopher has embraced further modalities of ancient knowledge and naturopathic medicine. As a practitioner of Naut Boran, or Thai Yoga therapy, Chris continues to study with his teacher, Aachan Dr. Anthony James in Florida. His ever-expanding passion for the teachings of yoga continues to make clearer the connections to everything we experience in our lives.
In 2010, Christopher completed his 300-hour yoga teaching certification. He is also a certified Thai Yoga practitioner and is certified in the teaching of Permaculture design science.
Everything is a teacher, if we let it be.
All One, One Love
Diane Faul RYT-200
Diane began her studies of yoga in 1972. In her early years she was inspired by, and fortunate to study under, renowned yoga instructors Indra Devi, Lilias Folan, and Amrit Desi. Lilias continues to be a guiding light for her yogic journey. Diane is a CYTA certified yoga instructor receiving her training and 200-hour certification through yogahOMe and certification with the YogaFit organization. Through her yoga practice, Diane became aware of and interested in energy work, which led her to her certification in Healing Touch in 1999. Diane’s passionate teaching style reflects her eclectic background drawn from many teachers throughout her years of practice. She is deeply grateful for their support, guidance and wisdom. Diane believes that practicing yoga practice on a regular basis creates a holistic balance between the physical, mental and spiritual self. In the classroom, Diane brings a gentle approach to teaching. Her classes are heart-centered and she focuses on the success of each individual student. Diane strives to touch the hearts of others in a positive way, and her motto is, “Do everything for the joy of doing it.”
Gail Zimmer RYT-200 YogaHome
After relocating from Milwaukee, WI to Cincinnati, OH in 1996, Gail was inspired to become a Group Fitness Instructor. Her journey began with high impact aerobic formats such as Step and Kickboxing but as her body began to show signs of wear and tear she changed gears and found Spinning and Pilates. In 2005 she walked into a Yoga training looking to fulfill the continuing education credits needed to maintain her ACE certification. She walked away from the experience thinking ‘where has yoga been all my life?’ She fell in love with the flow and the creative transitions offered in the Vinyasa practice. yogahOMe was the perfect place to call home. It was in 2007, when she decided to join the second wave of their teacher training, that she discovered the rest of the story…that Yoga is so much more than physical exercise. Practicing ahimsa, honoring our bodies and minds is a lifetime of actions and experiences. Gail continues to grow as a Yogi through studies, physical practice and experiences shared with her students.
Heather Poast RYT-200 YogaHome
Heather is an avid barefoot runner, cyclist, swimmer and yogi. She grew up playing soccer, softball and swimming. However, in her high school years Heather slipped away from sports and took more to partying. After losing her father during her freshman year in college, Heather decided to take back her life and started running and doing yoga. Today, Heather is a marathoner, ultramarathoner and triathlete. She has completed numerous Flying Pig Marathons, Grand Island Trail Marathon, Stone Steps 50k, Berryman Trail 50-miler, Ironman Louisville and many other triathlons. She completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training through yogahOMe in 2011 and has been practicing yoga since 1999. Heather has a bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Lake Forest College, a Culinary and Pastry Arts degree from Cincinnati State Midwest Culinary Institute and a Dietetics certificate from The University of Cincinnati. Heather loves working in the Health & Wellness industry as it allows her to share her passion with others. She wants you to experience the joy that is possible by exercising, eating well and making mindful decisions throughout the day. Heather will share the secrets and simplicity of an overall healthy lifestyle with you! With her exercise, nutrition and culinary knowledge she will provide you with a well-rounded approach.
Herman Ranpuria RYT-200 YogaHome
Herman has been exposed to yoga from a young age, but got hooked on yoga after seeing an on-stage demonstration from two of his future teachers (Shashank Lakhia and Sarwani Prasad) in 2003. The initial attraction was just the asana practices for flexibility, strength, and endurance. After attending years of classes in all available styles, Herman was finally talked into taking the RYT training for which he selected the YogahOMe program. His goal was to improve his understanding of yoga and accelerate his personal practice. Teaching was not on the agenda but quickly became a passion and a very important component of his yoga journey.
Jill Greek RYT-200
Jill first discovered yoga after being unable to run after having children. She has always been physically active, growing up playing soccer and basketball. A friend introduced Jill to yoga in 2004, and she has been hooked since. Teaching yoga has been a natural extension on Jill’s career as a junior high teacher. Once her children were born, she retired from teaching to be a mother. Now, Jill is able to put her love of yoga and teaching together. She hopes people leave her challenging flow classes feeling refreshed, strong, centered, and thoughtful.
Joan Riemar RYT-200 YogaHome
Joan’s love for yoga began in her early 20’s and developed through a desire for a healthy and holistic lifestyle. She received her 200 hour RYT certification through yogahOMe and has been teaching yoga for 8 years. Joan has been inspired by and studied under Lilias Folan, Rod Stryker, Shiva Rea, and Baron Baptiste. She enjoys teaching all levels of vinyasa yoga, with an emphasis on breath, movement and the integration of Body, Mind and Spirit. As a certified Healing Touch Practitioner, Joan loves to weave the principles of energy and healing into her yoga classes. She is knowledgeable in Aromatherapy and integrates the oils in her classes to enhance the experience of the practice. Her love for Yoga, Healing Touch and Essential Oils keeps her feeling vibrant, energized and connected to life. Joan says “Yes to Life” and to dark chocolate!
Josie Caruso RYT-200 YogaHome, Integral Yoga Certification
JOSIE CARUSO is an RYT200, with a B.A. in Wholistic Health, and is also currently pursuing an M.A. in Yoga Studies. Josie has a passion for movement. She remembers walking to ballet class at age 4 and hasn’t stopped since.’Our bodies are the gateway to our soul’ and asana/breath/meditation open us to an awareness that supports the body, eases the mind and brings joy to the spirit. Yoga principles and practices can help every-one and every-body blossom into their best selves. Students feel encouraged, empowered, and rejuvinated in her classes.
Karen Johns RYT -500 Anusara
Layla Gilman RYT-200 YogaHome
Layla completed her yogahOMe Teacher Training in 2009 and has been teaching at yogahOMe ever since. For nearly a decade prior she practiced yoga throughout Cincinnati before finally finding her community at yogahOMe. Layla loves creating community and connecting with people and her gentle flow classes reflect her welcoming, inclusive, laid-back style. Striving for balance in her own life, Layla’s yoga practice brings profound peace and grace to an often hectic and sometimes overwhelming life. For Layla a great class means sharing breath and laughter, a little sweat, and sometimes even a few tears. She is passionate about creating an open, non-threatening environment in her classes and welcomes everyone to come to the mat and explore all yoga has to offer.
Linda Becker RYT-200 YogaHome
Always an active person, Linda was first drawn to yoga for the physical practice. Yoga improved her flexibility, strength, and stamina. The teacher would often say that the asanas (poses) were only 2%, it was the other 98% that was important. Not really understanding what he meant, Linda knew that she loved what the asanas were doing for her physical body. She began to think about teacher training to “perfect” her yoga poses. She completed YogaHOme’s teacher training in 2007, and began a life long journey. She soon learned what the “other 98%” was all about! Never intending to teach, Linda was content to always be a student. But with encouragement from her teachers, she began teaching in 2009. Linda wants to share her passion for yoga, and wants students to know that yoga is for every-body, every-mind, and every-spirit whether it’s a gentle or vigorous approach.
Lisa Marrs RYT-200 YogaHome
Lisa’s yoga journey began four years ago, with the opening of yogahOMe. What an amazing ride! She became certified in January 2007 and today Lisa loves teaching and practicing. Like most of the yogahOMe teachers, Lisa has a busy life, with plenty of opportunities to practice ‘off the mat,’ along with 3 wonderful kids, a healthy family, a great job and phenomenal friends. She feels very fortunate to be able to introduce and teach yoga to so many people whose paths cross with hers. “Yoga has offered a wonderful new perspective and a great deal of strength.
Mary Syzek RYT-200 – YogaHome- Kirpalu Ayurveda
Born & raised in Warren, OH, Mary developed her passion for dance and has taught & taken ballet classes for over 30 years. She received a degree in Physical Therapy from Indiana University. After meeting her husband in a yoga class, Mary moved to Colorado to work as a Physical Therapist and to start her family. Upon returning to Ohio, Mary continued to teach ballet. Her background in Physical Therapy and dance led her to rediscover yoga. Mary became a certified yoga instructor in 2007.
Mer Hogan RYT-200 Forrest Yoga
Meredith Hogan is yogini, healer, dancer, singer and songbird. A humble and constant student of life, she has practiced yoga for more than 16 years. After an An Afro Brazilian dance immersion in Salvador Brazil she recognized that the most passionate and joyous culture she had ever tasted had once been the most repressed. A reign of slavery violence that lasted more than 200 years had become a place of constant drumming, dancing and play. The inextinguishable flame of spirit had introduced itself to her. She moved to chicago and studied with World renown Yogini, Ana Forest. Ana is a force of nature a fierce and powerful healer and a pioneer in the global yoga community. She gifted Meredith with the lesson of discernment and flew open the doors of spirit and strength. Meredith has been deeply touched and changed by the teachings of Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Guru singh-( Yogi Bhagan’s first American son),Shiva Rea, Seane corn Eddie Ellner,Peter Block, Lucia Horan and Billy Walker. Meredith lived with a shaman of the four winds academy for over a year and holds deep reverence for the sacred practices of the medicine men and women of the earth. She believes that we are all the medicine men and women with an innate ability to heal ourselves our communities and the Earth. Meredith lives and teaches in Cincinnati Ohio. She studies voice and story telling,with her Sacred Elder- Jazz Pianist and living legend, Billy Walker.Meredith teaching workshops and retreats locally and globally and is currently working on her first album with her band Goodbye Gemini.
Micah Duwel RYT-200 YogaHome
Morgan McGowan RYT-200 YogaHome
Morgan studied the Eastern traditions in college as a Comparative Religions major and was always fascinated by the idea of finding the divine within through yoga & meditation. But it wasn’t until in 2007 that a running injury helped Morgan come to her own yoga path- bringing her to yogahOMe to expand her yoga and meditation practice and complete yogahOMe’s 200hr Teacher Training.
“After my hip injury, I was frustrated about missing out on the race I had trained so hard to complete and because I could participate in so little of my regular routine. My Physical Therapist suggested I take a yoga/pilates class with her at our gym. It was the first extremely positive physical and emotional experience for me in quite some time. There was such a sense of camaraderie and positive energy flow in the room that I was hooked. Finding yogahOMe has been such a blessing- I learn from amazing teachers and other students whenever I come to the studio. I instantly feel a connection with those I practice with and I love being part of a larger community. Sadly, our western schedules get increasingly hectic in this frenetic pace we keep- we are always plugged in or online- yet our lives are becoming isolated from our friends and neighbors. Fortunately, yoga really brings people together. I love that.”
Paul Wright RYT-200 YogaHome
Paul ‘Pablo’ Wright has been teaching vinyasa and ashtanga yoga since 2007. A former elite level road race cyclist, he found yoga through YogahOMe. Pablo received his 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification in 2006. Pablo’s astanga-vinyasa influenced teaching style reflects his personal practice of astanga. Pablo specializes in guiding yogis in arm balances and physically challenging vinyasas. Pablo’s yoga resume includes workshops teaching the basics of uddiyana bandha technique as well as the more challenging asana transitions.
Rini Golechhar
I was born and raised in Rajasthan India. Curiously enough, initial interest was stoked in yoga from magazines at the age of 13 .This journey of practicing the poses everyday at home started and continued till the age of 34 . It was purely home practice learning from trial and error at home. In high insight those were the most precious yrs. of learning . I truly believe the true teacher resides within. Meanwhile I got married and life’s journey took me to many different places around the world with my husbands job. Hence it was time for me to put yoga into practice and learned that flexibility and steadiness of poses had to be translated into the flexibility and steadiness in life. Being adaptable and accepting of what ever comes your way as though you had chosen it .
Once I reached Cincinnati I thought of doing a yoga course to deepen my knowledge of yoga. I met Indu bhardwaj and did my 200 hr. yoga training with her at It’s Yoga . Since then i have realized the more I learn the more I realize there is so much I don’t know
hence now i’m doing a 500 hr.yoga therapy training with Dr. Ganesh Mohan(a physician,yoga therapist and ayurvedic doctor) son of Mohan and Indra residing in Chennai ,India. The whole family has grown under the tutelage of Krishnamacharya himself for many years and bring a very down to earth ,matter of fact and practical approach to teaching and practicing yoga .
Also as time permits I take workshops in Iyengar school of yoga from senior teachers of Iyengar.
Yoga is a journey ,just be aware and alert through the journey.Some moments may be pretty and some may look unappealing,usually your tough moments are you best teachers, yet everything will make sense somehow as you keep practicing yoga in every aspect of your life.
Sandy Kingsley RYT-200 Anusara- Vital Yoga
Sandy began practicing yoga ten years ago, finding it to be an amazing cross training and way to prevent injuries while playing ultimate Frisbee in Colorado. She was immediately drawn to the quiet, expansive place that yoga connected her to, and soon began a consistent practice of Bikram yoga. In early 2008 she received her 200 hour Vinyasa teacher training immersion in Denver and has been teaching vinyasa and a Bikram-derived hot yoga series with anusara alignments for the past four years in studio classes, corporate classes, and private lessons.
Sarah Crabtree RYT-200 Bija Yoga School
Sarah is a joyful Mother to her two sons, a yogini and a runner. The frenetic pace of motherhood and the desire to find calm amidst the chaos of raising young children are what drew Sarah to yoga in the first place. It is on her mat, through the moving meditation of asana, that Sarah is able to find the ‘medicine’, the inner peace and calm that she needs to feel recharged and renewed in spirit everyday. It is this feeling, this ‘medicine for the soul’, that Sarah cannot wait to share with others and what drew her to attend the 2012 Bija Yoga School 200-hour training.
Sharon Thompson RYT-200 YogaHome
As a business owner in the early 90s, Sharon found yoga to be a great stress reliever and life balancer. Living in California, she studied with her Iyengar-style teacher for 14 years before returning home to Cincinnati. Once here, she completed her formal teacher training and became registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. Her studies continued with specialized training in Senior Yoga, Kid’s Yoga and Yoga Therapy as well as an inspiring regular practice with Lilias. A registered nurse who firmly believes that wellness is a product of mind, body and spirit, Sharon also practices Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and is a certified instructor of Tai Chi for Arthritis. Although she has taught a variety of yoga students and styles, her greatest joy is helping beginners embark on their own yogic paths.
Vickie Fairchild RYT-200
Vickie Fairchild has spent 15 years teaching and studying yoga, most recently with John Friend. She is loving the Anusara approach to yoga: aligning with the Divine. Anusara yoga emphasizes creating beauty and forming the asanas from the inside out, and with a heart-centered theme, your yoga practice flows with Grace. Vickie has over 25 years’ experience as a Physical Therapist, specializing in manual therapies and movement education/repatterning, with an emphasis on body-mind approach. She is a Certified Movement Analyst and Certified Mind-Body Centering Practicioner. She has also been trained in a variety of Intelligent Movement Systems such as Pilates and Laban Movement Analysis, as well as a variety of dance and yoga approaches. She is in private practice inMontgomery, offering individual yoga sessions & yoga therapy.
Werner Hildebrand RYT-200 YogaHome
Werner went through Transcendental Meditation instruction in 1975, but started his journey down “The Yoga Road” in 1981, coerced by his sister-in-law to attend a class taught by Lilias Folan at Mariemont High School. After sporadic attempts to stay on track he re-connected with Lilias in 1996, and has been on the open road ever since. Plagued with back issues and chronic pain since early adulthood, Werner turned to yoga for relief and found it not only helped his physical challenges, but also brought clarity and focus to his life on so many levels, and a deeper, more meaningful connection to God – truly, the most wonderful gift of all. Since receiving his YA RYT-200 certification through yogahOMe in 2007, he’s been teaching Beginners and Gentle Flow classes at yogahOMe and around town. Werner and his wife, Kathy, live in Loveland, OH.
