I first met yoga in 2013 as a part of my gym workout. I am very grateful to my first teachers who showed me that yoga gives you way more than just stretching or fancy Instagram poses and had the patience to guide me through the phase when I was finding out. Just after a few months I knew I wanted to enroll in teacher training but back then my life was too busy and I was sure I wouldn't commit as much as I would like to. In 2018 I moved to East Tennessee and shortly after, the universe finally aligned and gave me the time and way to get certified as a yoga teacher with Downtown Yoga Center.

When "everything went online" I had the opportunity to reconnect with my very first yoga teacher and obtain RYT 500 certification through training with Yogaprem Studio Barcelona.

I like understanding yoga as a moment to connect with yourself, pampering your body and soul, as well as creating space to have fun and explore. In my classes I enjoy having time to melt into asanas and play with them.

When I'm not on my mat, I like variety. You can find me paddleboarding, hiking, chasing waterfalls and exploring caves with my husband, engaged in events or programs that are helping animals or looking for an excuse to speak Spanish.

I began practicing yoga in 2006, with my first introduction to yoga being in Kundalini and White Tantric yoga. I completed my first yoga teacher training in 2007 while living at a yoga commune in Kentucky called Eartheart. From there I spent a year traveling the US before settling in Asheville for the next eight years.

I left Asheville in 2015 to pursue working in television and film in Atlanta. In 2018 while traveling in a van from one film location to the next, the van was struck from behind. The accident left me with severe back injuries that had to be healed. I was eventually forced to leave work in order to heal, and after two years spent trying to heal conventionally, I returned to yoga as a way to find healing. In 2020 I felt a strong pull to leave the city of Atlanta and return to Johnson City, which is where I attended college from 2001 to 2006 and obtained a BFA in Studio Art.

Yoga became a big part of my life, not just to heal physically, but also to nurture and strengthen spiritually. I attended YTT here at Downtown Yoga Center in Jan through May of 2021, and became a part of the DYC family. While working to help organize the Downtown Yoga Festival, I met and joined the bhakti yoga band, Nhambava.

I continue to paint, dance, sing, chant, make music, meditate, and practice yoga in the belief that all art forms come from and connect us to source energy.

My name is Rita, and I am originally from Ukraine. I received my yoga teacher certificate in 2015 from the Yoga Alliance and have been teaching seven years, including classes in Restorative, Yin, Nidra, Hot, Power, Vinyasa Flow yoga and Pre- and Post- Yoga (certificate).

I moved to the United States in 2012. I had been practicing Yoga before my life-changing move to America, and I made sure that my future husband found a place where I could practice Yoga prior to my arrival.

Different people have different reasons for coming to yoga. Some come because of injuries; others to improve flexibility. Some come to balance their mind; others to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I believe that through yoga practice you can change not just your physical appearance but also your life completely. Yoga practice can help you take steps without fear about what will happen next and can help you make better decisions.

I believe that every person should listen to their heart and body and that yoga is your guide! I wish everyone to be in the present moment and be happy! Namaste!

I found yoga later in life at a local fitness center, during the cool down at the end of the workout. I started taking yoga classes which led me eventually to taking the 200 hour teacher training at Downtown Yoga Center, as well as a Mentorship Program with Kim Blaine. Next I obtained my 500 hour RYT certificate in Asheville Yoga Center in NC.

Since then I have been taking additional trainings concentrating in anatomy and conditions like osteoporosis, back pain, hypermobility, arthritis, chronic pain and more. This new mindful awareness changed my own practice in a way that helps me deal with structural bone changes in my body due to arthritis, as well as manage my anxiety. I am interested more in core stability and function, over form.

When I am not practicing, studying, or working, I like to spend my free time trying new things, enjoying nature, and going for walks, as well as caring for my 5 dogs.

In college I went to my first yoga class. It was love at first sight! For years after, my practice with yoga has fluctuated; but no matter what, I always came back to yoga and knew I wanted to learn more and teach. In 2018 I left my job to pursue writing, and live life as a zipline guide. In 2019 I added yoga to the list and finally took teacher training at Downtown Yoga Center.

Yoga has helped deepen my spiritual journey and has taught me so much about myself. I've been able to overcome things I never thought I'd be able to before. I hope, as a teacher, I can share my journey with others and help others along their journey .

In addition to yoga I enjoy writing, hiking with my dogs, and learning about anything! I especially have an interest in learning new languages.

My yoga journey began back in 2015.

Desperate to find a healing outlet for anxiety, depression, and back injuries, I soon found the practice of yoga and began making it a way of life. It didn't take long to feel the tremendous benefits - mentally and physically.

I knew this passion needed to be shared with others dealing with the same struggles.

At 18 years old, I decided to leave my home state of Ohio in search of my true self and a deeper connection to life. In this search I was led to my love of hiking in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Tennessee and to Downtown Yoga Center.

After attending my first couple of classes at DYC, I fell in love with the energy of the atmosphere and decided to complete my 200 HR-YTT here. Students & teachers both have a judgment-free place to explore the art of this practice.

My goal is to be a healing form of guidance to those in search of better health and divine peace within to carry throughout their everyday lives.

In a world so fast paced, yoga is an opportunity to be grounded in the present moment and has the ability to change our lives in such a positive way.

I was thirteen the first time I tried yoga - I spent most of the class feeling awkward and confused, but then I experienced my first savasana and I was hooked. I remember feeling peaceful in a way that I hadn’t experienced before, and I wanted more.

I practiced on and off for the next several years, and finally began attending classes regularly when I signed up at Downtown Yoga Center as part of my New Year’s resolution. Only a few months later, I decided to enroll in teacher training.

Fast forward about six years, and I’m now (along with my husband Nick) a very proud owner of DYC. It was an opportunity that came along at the perfect time, and I couldn’t be more grateful for how things worked out.

When I’m not at the studio or lounging around the house with our two rescue dogs, I love hosting dinner parties for our incredible friends and family.

Yoga found me at a time when I was desperately searching for some answers. Who am I? What do I want out of life? How can I stop overusing my body and be happy with who I am? I set the intention to find myself, asked for some guidance, and the universe gave me yoga. I've been practicing since 2012. My practice didn't transform me as a person…it unblocked everything that was in the way and guided me to my truth. For that, I am forever grateful.

Teaching yoga is the way I show my soul to the world. It makes my heart smile. I genuinely feel like it makes a difference in the world. With every class, I plant a seed. It's the most beautiful thing to watch those seeds grow, as well as to be a part of a community that grows when we come together on our mats. Find your tribe and love them hard!

I hope to live a life of purpose, with a powerful yet gentle and familiar presence. A life filled with adventures and stories to share with others. I love to explore and organize, and I’m always learning new things. I am very holistic in my approach to living life. I try to keep it simple, stress free and good for me. I love to make my own beauty products and food. I spend my spare time alone, with my animals, or with good people doing things that light me up.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be-YOU-tiful.

I began practicing yoga in 2015. I had reluctantly followed my sister from our college dorm room to my very first yoga class, not expecting to like it. To my surprise, I found the practice had relaxed muscles in my body I had previously not even been aware of. I felt a significant change in my nervous system as well. It felt quieter and more relaxed.

I completed my 200hr-RYT Teacher Training at Downtown Yoga Center in 2019; an experience for which I feel a wealth of gratitude for my wonderful classmates and instructors. With their support throughout the program, I found the confidence to share my love of yoga with others.

The thing I most enjoy about teaching is sharing the quiet peace and joy found in a good yoga practice with my students. I love witnessing the gentle, positive change of energy that so often happens throughout the class, leaving students feeling a little lighter at the end.

When I am not teaching yoga, you can find me reading, creating art, baking, or playing with my cat Junie.