Charla K.

Instructor

Escape to Yoga

Charla Kalemkeris, RYT-200 I joined a large gym in 2014 for their two-hour childcare for my toddler twins. I really needed to get a moment to myself and quite frankly, I was very out of shape. Life was crazy, busy, and messy; I was all over the place. I started taking spin and sculpt classes regularly and then finally saw yoga offered as well. I was intimidated to go in. The spin and sculpt classes were dimly lit, so I could easily stumble my way through. The yoga studio… it was bright and there were mirrors everywhere, there was no hiding. I’d done a few videos at home, but I knew little about yoga and my inner judge was having words. I finally walked in and of course the first yoga class I took was a Power Vinyasa class. I had no idea what that was and just went with it. That 75-minute class literally changed me, and I absolutely fell in love with Vinyasa Yoga. For the first time in years, I felt what it was really like to be in my body and to have my mind quiet down. I showed up faithfully 2 to 3 times a week after that first class. Shortly after starting a regular yoga practice, I began wondering If I could teach someday too. Could I guide someone to find their feeling of strength and sense of grounding that my yoga teacher shared with me? I started looking around for yoga trainings and nothing quite fit for many reasons, so I just kept practicing. Fast forward to Fall 2022, Escape to Yoga offered their first 200-hour training and I jumped. I completed my training in February 2023 and followed that with a 30-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Specialty in May 2023. Vinyasa is my first love of yoga, but I know it is only the beginning. I am very curious, and I read and explore every chance I get. I read somewhere that if you’re learning something you love and want to learn more, teach it. So here I am. I’m so excited to share and grow, practicing with you.