Stafford House of Yoga

Linda has over 15 years in the wellness movement with a background as an advanced medical massage therapist, which led her to research the benefits of yoga for her clients. Always looking for alternative ways for healing and living healthy, Linda quickly realized yoga was more than just stretches to suggest for pain relief, but also a opportunity to practice living in presence through meditation. Becoming more conscious of body mechanics is the real answer for preventing injury and assisting in overall well being.

Audrey is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet and modern dance. Her intense training consisted of anatomy and kinesiology, choreography, performance, music and dance history, Laban movement, and The Alexander technique. She has performed and taught professionally in Boston, NY, and California. She has always had a passion for movement and a dedication to furthering her education of the body. A friend of Audrey's asked that she take her yoga class and after her first class Audrey's life changed. She knew she had to learn more about yoga and how to inspire other people to partake in this journey. She has been studying yoga and is a certified RYT 200hr yoga teacher through Yax Yoga Concepts. She believes that our bodies are our vessels and must be well cared for. In her classes she helps you to create space and peace in the mind as well as total body awareness. We must forever stay open, curious, fearless, and willing to be and love exactly who we are.

Amanda Schutz has been dancing in various formats since childhood and is passionate about overall health and wellness. Trained in classical ballet, Amanda danced throughout high school and her undergraduate years. In adulthood, Amanda fell in love with yoga and became certified as a RYT in 2017. She married her love of ballet with instructing others by obtaining certification in barre instruction in 2017. She enjoys teaching adults and has been a college professor since 2007 with a PhD in Public Health Studies. Amanda loves to bring fun, uptempo music to classic ballet barre isometric movements that lengthen and tone the entire body.

Chandra has practiced yoga for almost 7 years starting at Body Balance Studio and Studio South in Williamsburg, VA. After relocating to the Fredericksburg area in June of 2017 she decided to deepen her practice and attend teacher training. Chandra started practicing yoga for relaxation and building strength; however it has become an integral part of her life and she hopes to share her passion and love of yoga with others. Chandra in Sanskrit means Luna or moon and she views her teaching as guiding those to the light and love that can be found in yoga.

Chandra is a graduate of Latitudes Yoga Studio, Stafford VA obtaining her 200hr (YTT) certification as an instructor in January 2019. She is registered through Yoga Alliance Foundation.

John was first drawn to yoga in 2012 for the therapeutic benefits as a triathlete and crossfit coach. After attending a hot yoga class at SHOY in the beginning of 2017, John realized the mental health benefits of yoga by connecting the mind and body through breath. John has worked to deepen his practice and earned his 200 RYT from the Yax Yoga Concept’s YTT in Jun 2018. The SHOY family has been truly inspiring and John is looking forward to sharing his journey and love for yoga at SHOY. John is a retired Army veteran and currently works as a firefighter/EMT in a neighboring county.

Elena is an experienced instructor with over three decades of teaching experience and 10 years of dedicated yoga instruction. She began her personal practice of yoga over two decades ago after a knee injury left her in need of a different form of exercise. She soon discovered that yoga was a lifestyle that she embraced. Elena holds a BS in Elementary Education from George Mason University and her MED in Special education from UVA. In addition to being an exceptional yoga teacher, she is a retired Special Education teacher, currently working in Stafford County Schools part time. She is passionate about riding horses, kayaking and attracting small wildlife to North Stafford with native plantings.

Certifications:
American Aerobics Association Yoga Certification
RYT 200- Healing Arts Yoga Center, Fredericksburg, VA
BS in Elementary Education – George Mason University
MED in Special Education – UVA

My name is Jesse Harris, and I am a mom of three energetic boys! I hold a Master's Degree in Sports and Health Sciences, as well as a Bachelor's in Sports Management. I have worked in the fitness industry since 2004, and hold certifications through Sara City Workouts Group Exercise and Prenatal Fitness, Kettlebell AMPD, Barre Above, Cycle Fusion Indoor Cycling Level 2, NASM Youth Fitness Specialist and NASM Senior Fitness Specialist.

I am SO excited to be your Barre-tender, and bring my love of fitness to all of you!! With my upbeat music, powerful and explosive movements, partnered with lengthening stretches and endurance routines, Barre is the perfect compliment to any fitness program!

I can't wait to meet you ALL at the Barre!!

Leia Tenuta is a certified Barre instructor that has joined the SHOY team. She holds a Master’s of Science in International Marketing and is also certified in both Zumba and Boot Camp. As a collegiate tennis player, Leia used the Barre method for her strength training which was beneficial for endurance during long matches and overall well-being throughout her season. She grew up in a fitness oriented family and draws inspiration from her Mom, who is also a Barre instructor in Philadelphia. As a wife to a former Marine and mother of 2, Leia understands the daily craziness of life, but also recognizes that empowering herself parallels the importance of taking care of others. Her passion for healthy living is evident through her cooking of clean meals for her family and friends and in her work educating others about making healthy choices. In her spare time (if any) she enjoys running half marathons and cycling with friends. Leia has been practicing Barre for over 10 years and is excited to bring her own personal style to Stafford House of Yoga.

Luke started practicing yoga in earnest in 2011, when SHOY originally opened. He saw it as a form of exercise that he could share with his wife. As his practice became more consistent, he found that it provided him improved patience and calm when dealing with his daily commute to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. Luke retired from the Coast Guard and continues to work for the Coast Guard in a high stress environment. Luke took teacher training because he wants to share what he has found thru his practice of yoga with others. He completed his 200 RYT through Yax Yoga Concepts in April of 2019.

Natalie has always been a natural born teacher. After graduating from Florida International University with a Bachelors in Education, she moved on to NOVA university in South Florida to obtain her Masters in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Through all those years of school, Natalie used yoga and Pilates to help her stay focused and stay healthy. It wasn’t until she moved to Stafford in 2013 that she began to expand her practice.
“The first time I walked into the Stafford House of Yoga just days after my move, I knew that this place was special and I was at home.” Natalie became a member of the Stafford House of Yoga and practiced both at the studio and at home. Since 2013, Natalie has taken several workshops throughout the DC Metro area. Natalie enjoys various types of yoga, including rocket and Ashtanga yoga.
Through the Stafford House of Yoga, Natalie became RYT200 hour certified and combined her love of teaching and passion for yoga. In September 2017, Natalie become BarreAbove Certified. The combination of dance, yoga and Pilates.
“I want to be able to share my love and knowledge of yoga with you. In my classes you will feel welcomed, challenged, enlightened and free. The light within me bows to the light within you. Namaste

Rita has over two decades of dedicated personal yoga practice. She began an intensive study of the practice of yoga in a formal setting with Susan Van Nuys, Angelika Stadel and Doug Keller to improve her knowledge of alignment and anatomy in yoga and the practice of pranayama and meditation. She believes that yoga is an individual journey into an awareness of our physical, mental and spiritual alignment. It is a beautiful, peaceful, loving awakening with each class.

Certifications:
RYT 200– Health Advantage Yoga Center, Herndon, VA

Rachel loves that age and flexibility are not top priorities for
practicing Yoga.

She believes one of the many concepts of Yoga is to “serve” and that is truly one of her strengths!

Being a teacher at SHoY has given her the joy of serving others through adjustments and making everyone feel at home.

Teaching provides the forum for her love of interaction, meeting newcomers and reconnecting with old friends. It also gives her the opportunity to make each connection personal beyond the mat.

Her personal yoga practice has helped her to have more patience, understanding and most of all be more tolerant and accepting. It has also taught her to become more present; and acknowledge that each one of us is different and unique.

RYT 200- Certified Multi Style Yoga Chesepeake Hot Yoga Inc.

Yoga Fit- Completed Teacher Training Program Indo Yoga Fit Balance Board

Shareia completed her 200Hr YTT with YaxYoga Concepts. She’s been practicing yoga for 3 years. Initially drawn to yoga, like many, for the beautiful poses, but immediately found the healing benefits she experienced kept her coming back. Prior to becoming a “yogi”, she spent 3 years competing as an NPC Bikini Bodybuilder competitor and many years as an avid runner. She’s always been a health and fitness fanatic and loves sharing everything she learns with others. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 beautiful daughters.

Thomas originally started yoga in Hawaii in 1998 at the recommendation of his mentor who believed it would work well with his golf, volleyball and basketball. It was a great way to heal much of his aches and pains from constant tweaking, twisting and injuries. He restarted practicing yoga 4 years ago. It may sound funny, but he initially thought it was a way to keep the weight off from a sedentary winter. He now uses it to maintain flexibility and strength for his golf game. As a retired United States Marine, Thomas believes that yoga provides a greater counter-balance to his Type A persona. He enrolled and completed his 200RYT through Yax Yoga Concepts in June of 2018.

Leah found her love of mindfulness and breath work as a teenager. She began a consistent yoga practice in 2015. As a young mother, she realized the space it provided her to process all of life’s hardships. She completed her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training with GoYoga in 2016. Currently leading classes at the Stafford House of Yoga. Leah also enjoys volunteer teaching at a local church and leading classes at home for family playtime. She has experience teaching all levels in gentle hatha, heated and nonheated power vinyasa, and cardio yoga. Leah focuses on form, while safely leading her students through a class that nurtures the individual. She values meeting each student where they are at in their mindfulness journey.

Hi there! I’m Katie Gilley, a USMC veteran, American Council on Exercise personal trainer, RYT-200 yoga teacher, group fitness instructor and most importantly, a Mom. I started in the wellness industry, teaching spin classes in 2009. As a former control freak, I quickly realized, I enjoy teaching people how to take charge of their own health and wellness through preventive behaviors. I trained with Art of Balance Yoga Studio in Fredericksburg, VA. I also traveled to Rishikesh India in 2019, training at the Himalayan Institute for yoga and meditation.

In addition to my wellness certifications, I have a BS in Management Information systems and an AS in Social Psychology. I’ve had a successful career in Military Information Technology, but my passion is sharing health and wellness concepts. I have two teenagers, Amelia and Neil. They are my main reason for taking care of my health.

I look forward to meeting you on the mat!

I spent 32 years of my life in Indonesia, and earned a law degree from Lampung University, South Sumatra, Indonesia in 1995. I came to the U.S. in April of 2002. I discovered yoga in the summer of 2017, and I felt in love with yoga. Practicing yoga has helped me became a better loving person to myself, my family, my friend and people around me. I will continue pursuing my knowledge of yoga, so I can help people through yoga. If money it doesn't matter, I would give my time and my life to everyone, to the world through yoga. Namaste!