Teachers

As a North Carolina native living in the Sunshine State, being out in nature and practicing yoga have become two of my biggest passions. I started yoga in 2014 as a high school athlete, then three years later I became an instructor and have been teaching ever since. While living in Asheville, N.C., I taught a variety of yoga classes from athletic flows, hot classes, restorative practices, brewery yoga, yoga hikes, and more. Now that I live in St. Pete, I enjoy teaching yoga at a few area gyms, small events, and of course beach yoga. 

Amber has always been physically active, participating in gymnastics and martial arts in her younger years.  As an adult, she found a love for CrossFit and competed in Olympic weightlifting.  She had dabbled in yoga along the way at various health clubs, but became fully captivated upon trying out (and subsequently joining) a studio in 2017.  She was seeking some balance from the activities that were so hard on her body, but quickly appreciated the balance it also brought to her mind and spirit.  She enjoyed learning about yogic philosophy so much that she completed teacher training in 2019.  She is also certified in Yoga Trapeze and Yin yoga.  

Amber’s background outside of yoga is in the healthcare field, which allows her to bring together her knowledge of anatomy and physiology with the practice of yoga.  She loves sharing this expertise with her students to encourage body awareness and promote proper alignment both on and off the mat.  She also contributes to YTT 200 and 300 hour programs as an anatomy instructor.  

Yoga has been a part of my life for over 20 years and my personal practice has helped me both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live each moment with yoga. Even after years of practice, the biggest surprise is the sense of joy I continue to find.

I strive to teach classes that are authentic, non-judgmental, and compassion-centered. For me, being compassionate not only means being kind, but also teaching a class in a useful and understandable way. I nurture personal growth of the body, mind, and breath encouraging the interconnectedness to each other, to the world, and to the universe.

I am often described as powerful yet unassuming whose classes are strong, playful, and heartfelt. In my classes, I love to combine creative sequencing, playfulness, and a does of inspiration to help yogis deepen their practice. I seek to help yogis thrive in life by nurturing mind and body with yoga, and my hope is that yogis leave the mat feeling centered and ready for the next challenge.

I will always be a student of yoga and am deeply grateful for the loving wisdom my teachers and fellow students have shared with me.

Laurel was initially interested in yoga for its physical benefits. As so often happens, she discovered that yoga can be a powerful instrument for change. As a teacher, Laurel explores the strength that builds from movement as well as the power that resonates within and between the quieter moments of breath-work and stillness. Laurel’s group classes combine playful sequencing with an emphasis on respect for and acceptance of ourselves and others. When she’s not teaching yoga, she is usually found outside -- at the dog park, on a stroll, or watching the waves roll in.