West End Yoga Lancaster LLC

Helene Williams is a registered nurse, Reiki Teacher/Practitioner and published author.  She received her BSN from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and is a graduate teacher of the International House of Reiki.  Her background in nursing includes oncology, hospice and orthopedic nursing. Helene has over ten years of experience providing Reiki sessions in a hospital setting and has a well-established private practice where she provides sessions and teaches classes.  She has presented information on Reiki and holistic health care at national nursing conferences, participated in a hospital-based Reiki research study, implemented and facilitated a hospital Reiki Volunteer Program and in 2013 established the Lancaster Community Reiki Clinic. She has six years of experience providing Reiki for Caring Hospice Services and actively volunteers at the VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA, where she leads weekly Reiki infused mindful meditations. She is currently enrolled in the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program facilitated by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.

You don’t need to rush in -
you just need to enter.

Having discovered Hatha Yoga 15-yrs ago after a debilitating injury, spine surgery, and a LOT of convincing…
I’ve not stopped experiencing the mountains and rivers of yoga. After practicing more dynamic physical styles for a few years - I completed teacher training and taught a widde arrage of Yoga formats.

ALLOW Practice Acceptance Begin with the breath

WATCH Simply Observe, See, Listen, and Feel

ACT Despite Fear, Challenges, & Ego.  We have accepted and observed - now our action becomes skillful.

Katie is a physician and yoga instructor based in Lancaster, PA.  She started regularly attending yoga classes while studying medicine in Philadelphia, discovering the stress-relieving power of the practice.  Katie was a student at West End Yoga for 5 years before deciding to follow her passion to become a yoga instructor in 2020.  She wholeheartedly believes in the healing power of yoga for the mind, body, and spirit.  She completed a 200-hour certification program with Create Karma in Lancaster, PA.  Katie enjoys exploring healthy living and is passionate about sharing the benefits of nutrition, exercise, and meditation with her patients.  Outside of yoga, she loves reading and participating in book clubs.  Katie feels at peace when spending time in nature and enjoys exploring wooded trails.  She likes to travel and hopes to make it to every continent in the world one day.  Katie is a cat mom with a guilty pleasure for murder mysteries and documentaries.

According to Hawa, life is yoga and yoga is life. The struggle, the journey and the Joy is to find the balance in our polarized existence. She employs these principles to her Yoga practices, incorporating the Yin and Yang principles into her functional movement and meditative classes; These active and receptive archetypes inform each and every teaching in order to help us all introduce balance into our daily lives.

Educated through Create Karma’s leadership program, Hawa gained her E-RYT 200 certification training under mentor Sarah Yukie Gingrich as well as an additional 200 hours of training through West End Yoga’s Yoga Sanctuary School under mentor Jonina Turzi. A shared principle learned through these renowned programs is being of service to the underserved through the power of her voice and intention. 

Finding balance outside of her Yoga practice has led her to begin a career in the trades as a HVAC and plumbing technician as well as founding a non-profit organization. Continuing her brand of focused community engagement, this iteration is called Discerning Eye Community Agriculture. DECA advocates for self-sufficient communities through Urban Farm-Gardening and creating agency and inclusion in the fresh food industry for at-risk communities. She also offers a one-on-one mentorship curriculum for those interested in the intersections of Eastern and Western Philosophy, Esotericism, and finding a personal connection to the Divine in our modern world. 

To learn more about work in Our Community lead by Hawa please check out the Backyard Farming CoOp website here, follow on FB here, and IG here.

“I am an intuitive, energetic leader who believes everyone has a divine purpose for connection and joy. I  create a safe space for confident and connected leaders.” Since 2015 Amber Ackerley has taught over 2,500 hours of yoga. She teaches workshops and group yoga, coaches clients individually, works as a drug and alcohol counselor, is on the Create Karma Leadership team and is a Reiki Master Practitioner. 

Michelle Newman is a wellness and movement educator. Drawing from her background in massage therapy, physical therapy, yoga and a wide spectrum of other healing modalities, she supports people of all ages and walks of life as they navigate their wellbeing.

Growing up, I was not an active child and I was not involved in any sports except for 2 years of track in High School. I occasionally worked out here and there and consumed a lot of processed, sugary foods. In my early 20s, I came across bloggers who posted pictures of themselves balancing on their heads, making pretty shapes with their bodies and eating a whole foods/plant-based diet. This lifestyle inspired me, and I wanted in on it (and to learn how to do a headstand!) This led me to take my first yoga class in 2014. I had no idea what I was doing. I had not even watched a YouTube video to see what I was getting myself into. The yoga instructor could tell I was new to the practice because she ended up staying after class to show me how to properly do chaturanga. Although I started off uncoordinated and confused, I stayed curious and showed up week after week and became addicted and inspired by my weekly improvements.

I wanted to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for yoga with others, so I decided to take my sincere passion to the next level and became a certified yoga instructor in 2020.

Yoga leaves me feeling taller, stronger, and empowered after each class. I want to share this with you!

Find me on Instagram @janna_omyoga

I share my 20+ years of experience, which is comprised of a Master's in Education, two yoga teacher trainings, several retreats, and classes from over 30 different instructors.  Click here to learn more about me.

When my local fitness center offered yoga, I jumped at the chance to try.  I was hooked.  After practicing on and off for several years I embarked on the journey of learning.  I received my 200-hour training at Evolution Power Yoga in Lancaster.  Shortly after that I went on to acquire my 300-hour training through Create Karma in Lancaster.  I have since become certified in Yin Yoga from Nectar & Nurture Yoga (Ryah Dekis).   I have become certified in both Chair and Restorative Yoga from Ignite Power Yoga in York.  I find it interesting that the person trained in accounting who avoided biology in college is now spending time learning more about the anatomy and in particular, fascia.  Additionally, I am focusing on comprehending my Ayurveda training to be able to help myself and others.  I continue to take courses online with Yoga International and Yoga Alliance to further my knowledge.

I encourage my students to honor their own body and engage to their own personal ability.  I have always wanted yoga to be accessible to everyone.  My flow is slower as I found I need more time to “land” in the pose.  I encourage use of props.  I want students to have fun in the class, too.  I love how the use of a prop can bring a difficult pose into an attainable pose.  

I live with my husband, an elderly dog and 2 cats who appeared as kittens on our property.  Besides doing yoga, reading about yoga, learning about yoga, I enjoy reading, gardening, and cooking.  I enjoy being outside and find it refreshes me.

Jenn Applegate found her love for the Yoga practice 5 years ago here in Lancaster, after attending Tellus’ roof top yoga classes. After that, she kept up her practice while attending Cross fit classes for several years. Jenn opened a Yoga studio near her hometown in 2014, The Lime Tree Yoga, where she was blessed to share her love for Yoga, and Wellness with the community. She is trained in the Ashtanga style yoga, but also teaches Vinyasa, Slow Flow, and Kids yoga. In 2015 Jenn became a part of the Transformation Yoga Project and received her certification in Trauma Informed yoga practice. Jennifer recently moved to Lancaster full time, and loves the community feel here and of course the extraordinary yoga community! When she is not practicing, or teaching yoga, you can find her exploring all the hidden gems downtown.

Stephanie studied Yogic Philosophy, Pranayama, and Meditation in the Buddhist heartland of Dharamsala, India, where she earned her 200 hr yoga teacher training at Chinmay Yoga in 2019. She is trained in Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga, and holds a certification in Reiki. She has spent the past 3 years backpacking through Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. During her travels, she volunteered as an English teacher and Yoga Instructor to underprivileged children in the Himalayas and taught surf yoga in Baleal, Portugal. Stephanie is a Lancaster native who has a deep love for nature and the many colorful cultures of the world around her. She is currently working on her degree in Environmental Science and a second certification in Reiki.

My name is Sandra Rodriguez Olmos. I am a Hatha-Vinyasa Yoga Practitioner and a Level 2
Reiki Healer.
  I began my Yoga journey in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2017. At Healing Cabo, I earned my
national yoga certification and taught at a local architectural firm. I continued my yoga practice in Tehuacan, Puebla in Mexico, my home. There, I opened my own studio called Apapacho
Yoga. I also taught in a local studio, called Sevana Yoga. Throughout my practice and
continued training, I deepened my spiritual connection to yoga and it's meanings.
Since moving to the United States, I have begun to focus on the chakras, mantras, mudras, and
meditation, along with yoga. I have also attended various virtual yoga workshops which have
helped to introduce me to new practices like Meso-american medicine.
My yoga classes focus on promoting self healing and realization, peace, and deepening your
connection with your surroundings.

  Roberta seeks the unity of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Meditation as a lifestyle.  In poses she works toward each person's alignment for posture and balance.  Each class cites a theme and some sort of lesson. Poses develop in sequence so there is always something new. Flow is slow. Be prepared for fun and learning. 

  Her yoga certifications came from Kripalu in 1995, then 13 years studying Anusara, and now Iyengar yoga.  She cites Doug Keller as a longtime teacher of Yoga As Therapy and the Philosophy of Yoga. Roberta taught yoga as part of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction team for 6 years. She studied Ayurveda at Himalayan Institute for 20 years and received an Ayurveda Counselor certificate from Kripalu in 2014. 

Rachel Nye Sammon, M.S., C-IAYT, E-RYT, is a self-proclaimed yoga nerd. She is deeply passionate about her study of yoga and sharing the practice in a way that is both empowering and accessible for all. As a Yoga Therapist, her goal is to empower individuals to find a place of peace, safety, and wellbeing within themselves to help them live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.

“Before yoga, I was living on autopilot. I was disconnected from my body and out of touch with myself. When I discovered yoga and began experiencing huge shifts in my physical and mental health, I knew I wanted to share this practice with others.” Rachel began teaching in 2010 after completing her first 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Pam Guido at Shri Yoga and Wellness Center. Since then, she has continued to learn as much as possible through ongoing trainings and workshops in various yoga modalities, anatomy, meditation, and philosophy including a second 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny at Dig Yoga, a chair yoga certification with Lakshmi Voelker, and restorative yoga training with Jillian Pransky. In 2020, Rachel completed an M.S. in yoga therapy and a 500-hour teacher certification from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Rachel’s classes weave therapeutic alignment-based pose instruction with meditation, breathing practices, and yogic lifestyle philosophy to empower the whole person on their path towards growth, healing, and transformation. 

Rachel has been teaching yoga for over 14 years and is a 2019 graduate of Jonina’s 200 HR Alignment Yoga Teacher Training. Loving yoga from the day she met it, Rachel’s practice has been one of rich discovery with the heart of giving back to everyone she meets, what she has learned to bring wholeness and heal shame. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Brene Brown & Richard Rohr as well as many others, Rachel’s teaching style and personal journey incorporates the depth of the spiritual practice along with the strength and comfort of the physical and emotional training. Her teaching style is strong yet soft, creating each class with the prayer and hope that every person who comes leaves with more grounding, life energy and inner strength and grace. Rachel is excited to be joining the West End teaching team and can’t wait to love the yogis of West End! Outside of the yoga room, you’ll find her enjoying all that Lancaster has to offer, finding nourishment in great books and podcasts, loving those she interacts with and enjoying life at home with her new husband and step-son and two kitties.  Please check out Rachel's Webpage including class links HERE.

Neida started her Yoga path with the goal of “taking 40 by the throat”. She pushed herself through heated Hatha styles of yoga growing stronger and more flexible as her practice grew. Her focus was attaining and holding the perfect posture, maintaining balance and alignment. She began taking more and more challenging classes at a variety of local and distant studios. With eyes towards becoming stronger and a desire to share yoga with others, Neida studied to become a Certified Yoga Teacher at Gateway Bodyworks and Wellness Center. It was there that she found a match to the Yang of her practice; the gentle Yin of her teaching. She went on to become certified in Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Ballet Barre Connect. Neida has developed a beautiful style at the boundaries of a traditional Western class. She includes the rituals of mudra, breath, and motion in synchronicity, while encouraging her students to reach for the highest versions of themselves. Don’t be fooled though, she still moonlights as the tough one.

Meghan McLane has been a yoga practitioner for over three decades and an instructor for about 25. The reason she teaches yoga is because it saved her life in her twenties, and she wants everyone to experience the gift of yoga! Additionally, she is a certified Pilates instructor. Meghan is also a trained dancer so you will find that she incorporates a lot of dance training and dancy vibes into all of her classes. Meghan has been a practicing Buddhist for 10 years. Her yoga fusion style tends toward spicey and challenging, but is always safe and FUN!!!

Mary first discovered yoga in her early 20s. The loving and grounding practice helped her establish a stronger connection to the Divine. After years of intermittent practice, Mary became a certified yoga teacher through West End Yoga’s instructors course. Mary’s yoga classes focus on promoting happy, healthy, and holy experiences. Wishing each of you much peace and love. Namaste

Megan is a 700 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher who believes that yoga should be an accessible practice for every single person, no matter their body type, gender, religious affiliation, or background. She encourages her students to listen to their bodies and move in ways that serve their body, mind, and soul in that moment. Megan is a wife, mother of two elementary-aged children, and a cat-mom. She has held many jobs including preschool aide, piano teacher, and professional musician. She owns a small outdoor yoga studio in East Hempfield, Unity Life Yoga, and is also the Creative Director at West End Yoga. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, sewing, playing the piano, and reading books about religion and spirituality.

Check out her webpage HERE.

Lilias Yoga!  planted the seed in the 1970s. Several years later, after college and law school, I returned to yoga through Community Classes.  I practiced Ashtanga Yoga for several years at Just Plain Yoga in Harrisburg. In 2008,  an Iyengar teacher, Dale Hails, moved to Hbg.  I took her once weekly class and applied her teachings to my practice.  As my practice matured, I appreciated the Iyengar teachings including alignment, timing and sequencing, especially the idea of bringing consciousness to every part of the body. I attended the Casey Health Institute and in June 2017 completed their 200 hour curriculum taught by senior Iyengar teachers.  In 2016 and 2018, I participated in the Yoganusasanum in Pune India and studied with the Iyengars at conventions and during this pandemic through online teaching sessions.  I continue my studies with senior Iyengar teachers, Dean and Rebecca Lerner and Holly Walck Kostura. I pass on what I have learned from my teachers.

Yoga is a way to realize the divine connection and will truly impact a yogi's physical, mental, and spiritual self in amazing ways.

  My practice began 9 years ago and has transformed my life in all ways.  After 6 years of personal practice I recieved my training from Jonina Turzi in the Yoga Sanctuary School at West End Yoga and hold a 200 hour YA Certification in Alignment Based Yoga.  I am experienced teaching Alignment Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, YoPi, Children's Yoga, Flexibiliy Training, and Chair Yoga.  

  My passion is for motivating others to realize their personal best.  My true calling- to help others to be their best selves for the benefit of others or of a Community is put into action as the Owner of West End Yoga.  I am so lucky and grateful to be serving for the benefit of the Students and Teachers in the West End Yoga Community and I will continue to try my best to ensure that this Community stays apart of Lancaster and continues to touch the growth of others with love, joy, and gratitude.

Jessica on YoutTube HERE

My name is Samantha, I'm originally from South Florida and now in Lancaster PA. After years of having to rely on medication and suffering from anxiety and depression, I found my refuge in the practice of yoga. Through the asana, meditation and mindfulness I was able to heal mind, body and soul. Experiencing yoga's healing first hand through my own life inspired me to get certified and bring that opportunity for healing to others. I completed my training in Fort.Lauderdale, Florida with my home studio, Yoga Joint, through Yoga Alliance and have since then gotten an NASM certification in nutrition, as well, to further my yogic journey of healing. I wholeheartedly believe that when we lean into discomfort we are able to release fear and make space for growth. My goal is to bring my students a safe place to grow and find the path to their healing while having a fun, challenging flow that ultimately ends with a deep savasana.

Jonina Turzi is a Lancaster native who has studied human movement and the physiology of core strength for over 10 years. She has a doctorate in physical therapy, a specialization in functional manual medicine, and is a certified Hatha yoga teacher through the Himalayan Institute. Her classes are alignment-based and focus on the healing potential of body and mind. Jonina’s vision of an integrative wellbeing and healing center for the Lancaster community has taken a significant step toward realization with her founding of West End Yoga.