Alyssa Liadis

Co-Owner of Lotus Pond, Alyssa was drawn to yoga as a way to find movement outside of her corporate job.  As her physical practice began to deepen, she realized there was a bigger connection to her mind and spirit.  With this, and her passion to teach, she knew she found the right path - teaching yoga.  Alyssa has completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Lotus Pond and looks forward to meeting with her students.

Katie Beene

Co-Owner of Lotus Pond, Katie Beene brings a deep love for yoga to every class she teaches. She guides students of all levels through a variety of yoga styles, from group sessions to personalized 1:1 practices designed to meet individual needs. Katie’s teaching is rooted in the belief that yoga is for everyone, whether you're seeking physical strength, mental clarity, or emotional balance.
A lover of nature and mindfulness, Katie finds inspiration in the world around her, bringing a grounded, holistic approach to her yoga practice both on and off the mat. She enjoys cross-training in dance and sports, always infusing her movement with the wisdom of yoga. Her classes are a space for growth, self-discovery, and connection, where students are encouraged to explore their own path with curiosity and compassion. Katie believes in the power of yoga to transform lives, and her teaching reflects her commitment to sharing these practices in an accessible, warm, and supportive way.

Kimberly Hughes

Kim has been practicing yoga for almost 15 years and completed her 200hr YTT here at the Lotus Pond in 2014.  Since then she has taught in a variety of settings including Yoga for Crossfit, Beach Yoga, and KAY Yoga for Kids.  She is a proud mama of two and is excited to introduce and continue to expose her littles to the teachings of yoga. Kim received her Holistic Health Coaching certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she was introduced to the concept of bio-individuality: the idea that every BODY requires its own personalized approach to health.  Holistic health and wellness is Kim’s passion and her goal is to create a ripple effect by spreading her knowledge and enthusiasm to her community, focusing on the younger generations.  In her spare time, Kim loves thrifting, arts and crafts, being in nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.  She feels extremely blessed to be a part of the Lotus Pond community as it has been a dream of hers to work here since she first stepped through the front door of this magical log cabin oasis.

Anne Marie Kearney

Anne Marie Kearney shares her love and passion for the Lotus Pond and it’s wonderful community within every class and welcome from the front desk. She leads her classes with the intention of creating a space of opportunity for students to breathe, release tension, and find rejuvenated connection within the present moment. Cultivating intention, balance, clarity, renewed energy, creativity, inspiration and inner radiant stillness in a very gentle, compassionate and exploratory way. Anne Marie is a Tampa native, mom of three beautiful grown up kiddos, an artist, and loves exploring the beauty of natural Florida landscapes and waterways. She loves learning and exploring nature and brings her curiosity and inspired creativity into her Mindful Art and Guided Meditations. She is intrigued by diving into the depth of wisdom found in the teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda. Anne Marie graduated the Lotus Pond’s 200hr Yoga Teacher Training program and is continuing her studies in our 300hr advanced program. She believes yoga is a way of Life and through our continued learning and practices we are able to allow our best qualities to radiate into our daily lives.

Abby Salem Goldman

bio coming soon!

Carla Jimenez Rosas

Carla began teaching yoga and dance in 2002. She has been a Yoga Alliance 500-hour E-RYT and YACEP–certified teacher since 2015 and is also a Certified State of Florida Dance Educator. With over 20 years of experience specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Carla brings depth, care, and expertise to every class she teaches. In 2011, Carla became a Yoga Teacher Trainer and continues to offer in-depth, transformational education for yoga teachers. She has led numerous yoga retreats, including the Costa Rica Yoga Immersion, Transforming Practice Into Purpose, guiding students and teachers alike to deepen their practice and reconnect with their inner wisdom. Carla’s classes are rooted in the Iyengar tradition, emphasizing precise alignment to prevent injury and support the healthy flow of energy through the body. Each class concludes with a healing sound meditation. As a Reiki Master, Carla integrates energy work into her teachings, enhancing the overall experience of the practice. Her passion is helping students experience true bliss by integrating yoga into every aspect of life. Carla’s classes invite students to listen to their own inner wisdom, align with their purpose, and cultivate a lasting frequency of health, balance, and vitality—both on and beyond the mat.

Charles Burgess

Charles has been coming to the Lotus Pond for over 5 years after discovering how yoga brought joy and relief to his life that was otherwise filled with bouts of corporate burnout, running-related injuries, and the stress of everyday life. Now, through the teachings of yoga, he helps students find more balance, confidence, and compassion on and off the mat.

With a background in comedy, acrobatics, and mentorship, he takes a light-hearted approach to class that focuses on proper alignment and finding some fun in each posture.

Cristina Yelvington

Cristina began practicing yoga regularly in high school while working her first job at a local gym. In her young adulthood, yoga's presence in Cristina's life ebbed and flowed, as she would abandon her practice for stretches at a time and then find herself back on her mat during times of trouble. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cristina was looking for a way to destress, connect to her body, and dive deeper into exploring the mysteries of human existence - in essence, to come home to herself. This search led her back to her mat - this time for good. Cristina graduated from the Lotus Pond 200hr Program in December 2022 and is currently pursuing her 300hr certification at the Lotus Pond as well. Cristina is passionate about helping people feel strong and confident in their own bodies. She teaches with props and modifications because she believes wholeheartedly that yoga is for every body.

Debbie Palombo

Debbie is a 200Hr & 300Hr YTT graduate from Lotus Pond. Debbie has been practicing yoga for 8 years and within the last year started teaching. She is thrilled to be offering Chair Yoga at Lotus Pond because she is passionate about her yoga practice and her goal is to make yoga possible for everyone. She has certifications in Chair Yoga, Restorative, Yin Levels 1 & 2, Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, Headstand, Vinyasa and True Core. When not doing yoga, Debbie is a hiker and loves trekking and climbing mountains. She also loves cooking and entertaining with her husband, Larry. They have two sons and are thrilled to be first-time grandparents to their new grandson, Lucas.

Eva Serna

Eva’s yoga journey began in 2015 during a ballet summer intensive. She began taking yoga
classes online with Yoga With Adrienne, and took her first yoga class at a studio in 2020. Her
history with ballet and search for self-love brought her to yoga. Expect to blend strength and
mindfulness in her classes, emphasizing alignment and cultivating a compassionate connection
with the body. In 2022, she was introduced to pranic healing by her teacher, Tara Drucker, and in 2024 completed her pranic healing certification at Pranic Healing Tampa. She is passionate about
sharing energy healing and helping others remove the blockages that prevent them from living
peacefully and happily. She started her own yoga Youtube channel at Eva Flowers in 2023. She has a rollerblading community called Bay Blades and a dessert business called Eva Flours Pastry Shop. She graduated from the University of South Florida in August of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in
Communication and minor in Entrepreneurship. Eva graduated with her 200hr teacher training in
June 2022 and is actively pursuing her 300hr training at The Lotus Pond.

Joyce Mattioli

Joyce has been practicing yoga in one way or another for as long as she can remember-- from stretching before, during, and after sports events, to watching TV and Tai Bo workouts, to sharing foundational yogic principles and methods with fellow teachers at school; and as far as sitting for breath and stretching before exams in English class. Her first, “Studio” class came in 2011 at USF where Joyce found an early morning class with an instructor who taught a combination of yoga and floor pilates. This class supported Joyce in a smooth transition from high school to college, as she was used to using movement  and music as outlets through activities such as marching band and sports. She quickly realized that she found a movement style she could commit to and enjoy. Moving on from the fast pace of high school sports and activities, to the calm and mindful practices of yoga, Joyce has found a home in yoga and has committed to life-long learning. Joyce completed and earned her Yoga Teacher certification in October 2023. And has taught more than 350 hours of yoga and meditation. Joyce’s hope for the future is to not only gain her 300 hr RYT certification and to train to become a Yoga Therapist, but to return to University in order to combine her training in yoga with a profession as a Mental Health Counselor.

Karen Frost

Karen was drawn to yoga in 2000 because of work and personal stress, and she felt right at home once she began practicing regularly. A runner for years, yoga provided the chance to really stretch in a unique way. More than that, it pushed her toward regular meditation. Karen became a YTT 200-hour certified teacher through the Lotus Pond in 2012, and she has been a teacher of gentle practice at the Pond since 2013. She invites her students to learn their bodies, to have fun and relax, and to explore the amazing flexibility that the human mind and body can have when you give them permission.

Poorna Kranti Kalepally

RYT 200 and Certified Yoga Therapist / In 2011, I embarked on a one-year Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program in Shri T Krishnamacharya Lineage under the guidance of my first teacher, Saraswathi Vasudevan of Yoga Vahini. My intention was to enhance my well-being as I embraced new roles in life. Through this journey, especially with responsibilities of householder, I realized the profound significance of yoga. Relocating to a new place became more manageable as I discovered the stability that yoga offered amidst life's constant shifts. The turning point led me to Lotus Pond Yoga Center in 2018 where I reconnected with a new perspective on yoga. I am currently engaged in teaching at the same center. In 2021, I re-commenced my yoga education with my initial teacher, opening new aspirations, particularly in chanting and the study of Yoga sutras. My approach to yoga revolves around focused attention and chanting. Chanting, to me, is a connection to the inner voice and a way of expressing oneself in a more divine manner. It is the practice of aligning the mind (manas), body (kaya), and sound/speech (Vaca). I continue to learn and evolve under the guidance of Sheela Shankar in Chennai. To keep my practice alive and curiosity thriving, I regularly pose questions to myself. Am I calm as I chant, even when there's a mistake? Am I truly listening, ensuring accurate repetition? What am I listening to every day? Join me on this journey of self-discovery through the profound realms of yoga.

Liliana Brun

Lili came to a yoga class to release tension from a high stressful job. She fell in love with the mind, body, breath connection and in July 2015 she completed her 200 E-RYT with Ally Ford Yoga. Lili began the privilege of teaching in August 2015 and continued her education learning different styles of yoga (Vinyasa flow, gentle, yin, hot yoga, pranayama and meditation). Lili is currently taking her 300RYT training at the lotus pond in Tampa. She is grateful to have found her own yoga practice that has kept her strong during many difficulties. Lili believes it’s a reminder to stay humble on and off the mat and to be kind to the body as she ages.

Lisa Osorio

​Lisa is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor whose journey began a decade ago when she discovered yoga as a practice and watched it evolve into a complete way of life. A passionate travel enthusiast, Lisa has been fortunate to teach and study yoga across the globe, absorbing diverse cultural experiences and teachings that enrich her approach. With a passion for yoga in its entirety, she embraces not only the physical postures but also the often-overlooked aspects of meditation, pranayama, history, and philosophy. Lisa guides with knowledge and compassion, inviting students to develop deeper connections with themselves and yoga's ancient wisdom.

Lori Rogovin

Lori has practiced yoga at the Lotus Pond for over a decade and, amid the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, was inspired to deepen her practice and expand her understanding of the philosophy and history of yoga. She enrolled in the Lotus Pond’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program and graduated in August 2021. It was not until her immersion in the teacher training curriculum that Lori realized a calling to teach yoga, recognizing it as a natural complement to her social work background and the work she does teaching and mentoring social work students. She is more than halfway through the Lotus Pond’s 300-hour teacher training program and credits the training and teachers with cementing the connection for her between her yoga journey and her personal and professional commitment to public service, diversity, inclusivity, and social and economic justice. Her yoga classes foster a warm and welcoming environment, add a touch of humor and play, and are encouraging for practitioners at all levels of practice. When off the yoga mat, Lori enjoys time at the beach and in nature (can never see enough water and beautiful sunsets), playing golf, kayaking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends near and far.​

Dr. Manasa Kanithi

Manasa is a teacher in our 200 and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training Programs. Having been a student of yoga from the age of five, Manasa brings authentic teachings of Philosophy, Sanskrit, Mantra, and Ayurveda to the YTT programs at Lotus Pond. Manasa offers classes drawn from multiple lineages that take students to the heart of yoga.  Manasa attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and works as a resident physician at MedStar/Georgetown, specializing in Neurology.  She strives to weave together the traditions of yoga with the scientific principles to promote health and wellness for her students. Her travels to 25 countries and extensive work with nonprofits, local and abroad, inspire her teachings to encourage diversity, inclusivity, and the importance of service and social action.

Margie Sagafi

Maryelin has been practicing and studying yoga for more than 15 years, traveling the world and attending numerous workshops and conferences with Rodney Yee, Cindy Lee, Laurence Biscontini, David Regelin, Karin Stephan and others. She traveled to India seeking deeper knowledge; after a month of submerging into the practice of the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, she received her yoga teacher certification from The Himalaya Yoga Institute. She is trained in Raja Dhiraja Yoga, a more extensive and comprehensive form of Ashtanga Yoga. Her teaching methods emphasize strong practice, precise alignment, meditation, visualization, and intention; flowing in coordination with breathing techniques. She is certified in Prenatal and Restorative Yoga. She teaches private lessons as well as group classes.

Marie Shively

Marie discovered her love of Yoga 35 years ago in college and has practiced it ever since. She went on to teach yoga after becoming a personal trainer and group wellness Instructor at the YMCA more than 20 years ago. Marie obtained her 300 hours at the Lotus Pond in 2021 and dedicated herself to spreading yoga’s wisdom and teachings to all. She is passionate about helping people bring healthy practices to all aspects of their life and works with people at all levels, including those who are recovering from an injury or people who have physical impairments. She strives to bring love, kindness, peace, and ease to all who attend her classes, saying “From my heart to your heart, with grace and love, Namaste.”

Tina De Almenara

​Tina discovered yoga 20 years ago and has been practicing ever since. She received
her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training from The Lotus Pond and is
currently enrolled in the 300 -hour training program. Tina is excited about her yoga
journey and loves helping others on their path. She is trained in Hatha Yoga and is
equipped to teach all level classes to include, vinyasa, slow flow, power, gentle and
chair yoga. Tina encourages students to explore their own unique path to inner peace.

Pam Velez

Pam has been teaching yoga for the past 9 years.  She began taking yoga classes at a gym with the intention of getting a good workout.  What began as part of an exercise routine has become so much more.  Pam credits yoga for helping her to become a better person:  more patient, compassionate and less judgmental.  She has over 700 hours of yoga training and earned her E-RYT 500.  Pam loves to laugh and brings this element of lightheartedness to each class.  Her classes incorporate alignment, flow, humor and a bit of yoga philosophy.

Roger Mallory

Roger Mallory, Juris Doctor, B.A., ERYT 200 / RYT500, YACEP, Certified “Brain Longevity Therapy Specialist” as a teenager, began studying Eastern wisdom traditions, obtained official training in Transcendental Meditation, and, inspired by Parahamsa’s book, Autobiography of a Yogi, began a regular hatha yoga practice. Roger teaches from his 20+ years of yoga practice, and creates weekly unique guided meditation journeys for the benefit of his students. His teaching is infused with hard-earned wisdom, many years of intense study, his very bright energy, and humor. Roger's abiding intentions in leading his yoga and meditation students is to greatly improve and support their overall health, expand their awareness, on and off the mat, decrease their avoidable suffering, and increase their joy, overall contentment with their lives, resilience, and experience of equanimity and ease.
​

Ryan Devin

Ryan Devin is a 500 hour experienced yoga teacher and has extensive training in intuitive alignment-based yoga, acrobatic yoga, pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation. With over 2500 hours of experience in teaching, he is a passionate and enthusiastic leader with a patient and loving approach.  His co-teachers and students say he exudes wisdom and intuition beyond his years. With a Bachelor’s in Alternative Medicine, he merges an understanding of the human body and holistic practices into his teachings.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing is so gentle as real strength.”

Sahara Rodriguez

Sahara Rodriguez has been practicing bodywork, teaching classes and workshops for over 30 years. She has studied and trained with spiritual teachers from around the world and brings together many paths in the spirit of Oneness. Sahara is a licensed massage therapist, Reiki Master, meditation teacher, minister, author of the inspirational, "Beyond the Reflection" and is dedicated to heart centered service. Her classes provide a safe, nurturing space which assist people on their healing path and connection to the Source.

Sarah Sclafani

Sarah Sclafani is an E-RYT500 experienced yoga teacher with a wide range of class styles for all levels. A certified Chair and Yin Yoga teacher , a Reiki Master and a Silver Sneakers certified in fitness and yoga instructor.  She loves to she share her passion through yoga through her teachings.  Sarah is a mother of 4, grandmother of 7. Sarah's motto: You are one yoga class away from a good mood!

Tara Drucker

Tara began practicing yoga in 2019 to deepen her meditation practice. She quickly found that yoga gave her the mind, body, and spirit connection she had been longing for her entire life. Through yoga, she was able to begin healing the grief associated with losing both parents and balance her physical, mental, and energetic body. Following her intuition, Tara completed her 200 hour Teacher Training at the Lotus Pond, where she is currently working on her advanced training to become a 500 hour teacher. She is also a Pranic healer (energy healer) and incorporates it into her yoga practice. Yoga and Pranic healing are a perfect match as both focus on moving energy through the body to avoid congestion as well as connecting on a deeper level to the divinity with us. Tara is passionate about helping students feel ease and confidence in yoga postures so they can find balance and bliss in their lives. She focuses on alignment while incorporating breath work, mindfulness, and joy into her classes. 

Teri Martin

​Teri Martin is an E-RYT500 Experienced Yoga Instructor from Boston and has been a yoga practitioner for over 20 years. In her yoga teaching she encourages, leads, and empowers students to tune in to and connect with themselves, creating increased physical and personal awareness.
Teri is an Artist, Art Consultant, Business Advisor and founder of TheArtNetwork. Her left brain has a Harvard MBA and is a former executive at HBO, Cinemax and Citicorp.
Teri’s vinyasa flow classes are enjoyable, thoughtfully choreographed and appropriately paced flows of ashtanga - based postures and movement with strong emphasis on proper alignment, breath, personal awareness and individual attention.

Tuan Tran Le 

Tuan is a 200 hr certified Teacher from the Lotus Pond and is currently continuing education in the 300 hr course leaning more about the mind and body. He loves the idea of yoga being accessible and able for everyone - meeting yourself and your body wherever you are at , at this moment. Through knowing our bodies and cultivating awareness of our inner self he believes we can develop into greater possibilities for ourselves and those around us. Tuan hopes to bring this idea into classes through his own experiences and continued education.

Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis is a teacher in our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She is devoted to teaching in a student-centered way, in which each student's unique characteristics are taken into account. Her goal is for each individual to find their way toward greater understanding of their own body and how to work with the yoga poses to bring about a finely tuned mindful balance. In 1996, Anne started studying Yoga and began to devote herself to Yoga as a way of life after using it to heal from an upper back injury. She had studied classical ballet and modern dance for 14 years in Berkeley, California. After her undergraduate studies, she earned a Ph.D. in biology at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2003, Anne did her Iyengar-based teacher training studies in Palo Alto, California with Larry Hatlett. She then completed the Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification with Val Spies, founder/director of The Lotus Pond in Tampa, Florida. She founded Yoga Within in 2010. In 2014, Anne completed the 500 hour certification with Val Spies. Anne is currently a member of The Lotus Pond Advanced Teacher Training staff.
Visit www.yogawithin.studio for more information

Dr. Jennifer Swarigen

Jennifer Swaringen is a teacher in our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She began practicing yoga over 20 years ago and completed her 500 RYT yoga teacher training through the Lotus Pond. She also is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine and has taken care of patients in the Tampa Bay region since 2008. The principles of yoga have greatly influenced and improved her life and she feels grateful for the opportunity to share the practice with others. In 2018, she began teaching the Perspectives in Anatomy Course at the Lotus Pond with Anne Curtis. Jennifer is able to bring examples from her medical and surgical background into the workshop to assist students in understanding the anatomy of the human body, especially as it relates to doing, modifying, and teaching yoga postures.
Learn more at www.alexaderorthopaedics.com 

Karin Stephan

​Karin Stephan is an Alignment Teacher in our 200 & 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Programs. She is a leading Iyengar yoga teacher in the United States with a career that has spanned more than 45 years. She credits her understanding and appreciation of the human body to the teachings of BKS Iyengar, the world's foremost yoga master. As a student of Mr. Iyengar's since 1972 and a certified Iyengar teacher, Karin incorporates his insights and acute sense of observation into her yoga practice and teaching on a daily basis. Karin first met Mr. Iyengar on a visit to Pune, India in 1969. Mr. Iyengar's focus on yoga as 'precision in action' complemented her interest in structure and aesthetics, a theme which runs throughout her teaching. In 1985, she co-founded The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of Cambridge with Patricia Walden.
Learn more at http://www.yogamacro.com 

Larissa Carlson

Larissa Hall Carlson is a teacher in our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program and the Pranayama Teacher for our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. Larissa Carlson is an M.A., E-RYT 500 and Kripalu 1000-hr teacher, co-creator of Yoga Journal's online course Ayurveda 101, and former Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, guides retreats, directs advanced yoga teacher trainings, and provides consultations across the country. Specializing in pranayama, yoga for performers, Mindfulness and Ayurveda, she supports students and clients in deepening their practice, finding radiant health and making the most of this life.
​Learn more at www.larissacarlson.com ​

Melissa Caroll 

Melissa Carroll (ERYT500, YACEP, MFA) has taught yoga since 2008 and co-led the 200hr Teacher Training programs at The Lotus Pond for 7 years. Originally, she discovered Tibetan Buddhist meditation and Reiki in 2006, which began to help her work with her anxiety and depression. She is devoted to studying yoga, meditation, Reiki, and philosophy, and sharing these ancient wisdom practices with others. Melissa is the author of three poetry books and is the editor of the essay collection Going OM: Real-Life Stories on and off the Yoga Mat. Currently, Melissa offers advanced teacher training workshops and teaches online. Learn more at www.TheYogaWriter.com

Pam Kaplan

​Pam Kaplan,  E-RYT 200/RYT 500, YACEP, is a teacher in our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She has been studying the craft of yoga since the 80's in NYC where she also studied acting, voice, and dance. Pam is a former actress and vocal coach and currently practices as a speech-language pathologist. She has worked with both television, radio and stage actors to assist them reach their vocal potential. Some of Pam's clients have been ESPN2, NewsChannel 8, WMNF and American Stage. She has worked for Eckerd College, USF, Ruth Eckerd Hall, HSN and performed a one-woman show in Tampa.

Willow Marcotte

Willow Marcotte is a teacher in our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She is experienced in Yoga Nidra, Chair Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Restorative Yoga, pranayama and alignment. Her background in nursing, compliments these practices allowing for a deep understanding of anatomy and body function. Her journey began in 1996 while studying Tibetan Buddhism and Meditation. A long-standing appreciation for philosophy, she found the path of yoga a natural progression. Willow’s continued studies in adaptive yoga and trauma training have allowed her to develop a teaching practice that is all inclusive. In addition, she has developed trainings to provide access to the tools needed to safely and effectively teach adaptable yoga with supportive language and insight. Willow invites students to dive into themselves, embracing balance not only on the mat, but in the yoga of life as well.