Rachel

Rachel VerValin is a yoga teacher, energy worker, astrologer, and founder of Heart Thread Collective. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY, she has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 16, leading classes, workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats both nationally and internationally.

Her teaching style blends the many traditions she has studied — including Anusara, Jivamukti, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa, and Katonah — into classes that are thoughtful, strong, playful, and accessible. She believes yoga should meet you where you are, while gently inviting growth.

Rachel describes herself as a “recovering type A” who found softness, humor, and self-compassion through yoga. Her classes are known for great music, honest reflection, hard work, laughter, and heart. She believes connection is why we are here — and that it’s never too late to begin again.

Leo Sun, Capricorn Moon, Leo Rising

Julie

Julie Mays has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for the past five. She is 500-hour trained and completed a six-month advanced asana mentorship, along with specialized training in Rocket Yoga, Yin, and Yoga Nidra.

Julie’s approach blends classic asana with modern functional movement and mobility work, supporting strength, longevity, and confidence in the body. She especially enjoys teaching inversions and arm balances, helping students channel focus, courage, and resilience on the mat.

Her current favorite postures? Easy seated meditation and handstand — a reflection of both grounded presence and playful strength.

When she’s not teaching, Julie is spending time with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She loves cooking, making music with her children, and being outdoors — biking, hiking, skiing, or wakeboarding whenever she can.

She believes it’s never too late to learn, grow, and feel amazing in your body.

Aquarius Sun, Leo Moon, Rising

Savannah

Savannah Edwards is a Louisville native, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher trained at YOGAST8 in 2022, and a certified group fitness instructor with additional training in Strength and HIIT. She has been leading group fitness since 2021 and teaching yoga since 2022.

With over a decade of personal yoga practice and a deep love for all forms of movement, Savannah brings both athleticism and creativity to her classes. She currently serves as a full-time studio manager at Shred415 and has completed two mini marathons, blending endurance, strength, and mobility into her well-rounded approach to teaching.

Her classes are thoughtfully and creatively sequenced, rhythmic, and rooted in connection to the body. She loves exploring unconventional transitions and the space between point A and point B — encouraging freedom, confidence, and playfulness along the way. For Savannah, movement is a way to awaken the inner child and appreciate the body through every season of life.

When she’s not teaching, she’s traveling with her husband (engaged in Barcelona, married in Nottingham), spending time with their son and their black lab mix, Belly, or simply putting her feet in the grass.

Sun, Moon, Rising

Christie

Christie Welch is a yoga instructor, social entrepreneur, and community advocate who uses movement as a pathway for healing and empowerment. She is the founder of The Black Beatnik Brand Yoga, a lifestyle practice rooted in mindfulness, self-expression, and intentional living.

With a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University, Christie currently serves as Deputy Director of Christopher 2X Game Changers, supporting youth and families impacted by violence. Her deep commitment to community care shapes the way she teaches — centering compassion, accessibility, and resilience in every space she holds.

A Registered Yoga Teacher and Chair Yoga instructor, Christie’s classes are welcoming, reflective, and empowering. She blends breathwork, gentle strength, and mindful movement to help students reconnect with their bodies and cultivate calm, clarity, and confidence — both on and off the mat.

Whether guiding chair yoga, slow flow, or restorative practices, her intention is to create spaces where people of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Aries Sun, Aries Moon, Capricorn Rising

Natasha

Natasha Triplett has been walking the path of yoga for over 20 years, stepping into the role of teacher after completing her 200-hour YTT at Akasha Yoga Academy in 2024. Her approach to teaching is rooted in breath, presence, and the quiet wisdom that unfolds when we slow down enough to listen.

With more than two decades in the service industry, Natasha carries a deep reverence for community and connection. She also teaches chess through the Chess Education Foundation and runs her own kayak rental company—guiding others both on the mat and out on the water. A mother, partner, entrepreneur, friend, and ally, she weaves heart and intention into all that she offers.

Her primary focus is Hatha, breath-centered yoga, and she has completed her 85-hour prenatal YTT, with hopes of expanding her prenatal offerings soon. She also shares sound baths, creating immersive spaces for rest, resonance, and recalibration.

Outside the studio, Natasha finds joy in dancing, playing music, seeing live shows, and soaking up time with her family and chosen community.

Capricorn Sun, Libra Moon, Pisces Rising

Lanie

Lanie Hopping is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with additional training in Yoga for Older Adults and Restorative Yoga through Accessible Yoga, as well as Yoga for Pelvic Health with Leslie Howard. They have also studied with Ramanand Patel and Doug Keller, deepening their understanding of alignment, accessibility, and sustainable practice.

Lanie specializes in making yoga accessible for every body. An experienced Gentle and Chair Yoga teacher, they are passionate about creating spaces where students feel supported, respected, and empowered to move at their own pace. Currently continuing their studies in Restorative Yoga, Lanie’s approach is thoughtful, inclusive, and rooted in care.

A retired psychotherapist, Lanie brings deep listening and compassion into the spaces they hold. As a queer, nonbinary teacher and chronic illness/pain experiencer, they are committed to building community in ways that are healthy and sustainable.

Outside the studio, Lanie loves walks with their dogs, the ocean, roller skating, reading, knitting, and exploring new creative hobbies. They are currently learning French and learning to cook — always curious, always growing.

Sun, Moon, Rising

More teacher bios coming soon, including…

Becca Chanda

Dre Smith

Nikki Tonini

Steven Fitzpatrick

Maria Whitely

Lee Schardein

Taylor Outram

Jaime Seelmeyer

Sarah L

Abbie