Yoga Jacksonville :: Yoga Teachers

(904) 680-7344 | e-mail us
4150 & 4154 Herschel St, Jacksonville, FL 32210

WELLNESS TEAM

Melissa Johnson
Owner/Wellness and Yoga Director

After many years of college, jobs and soul searching, Melissa finally looked her true path square in the face and jumped in feet first. It all started with a yoga teacher training that was just supposed to be 'informational'. My teacher had a deeper insight than me on my future and predicted that I would leave California and open a yoga center upon returning to Florida. An idea I once thought was crazy and unattainable is now reality. Not only did the yoga center manifest but along with it came the most amazing yoga family! The center has now expanded into what is now a center for yoga and wellness and we are proudly serving the whole self in a variety of wellness modalities. My husband Jay and I feel this center serves a higher purpose than what we can understand and hope to provide a welcoming, laid back, family atmosphere for everyone who walks through our doors.

Kimberly Ruel, A.P., NCCAOM
Acupuncture Physician & Certified Herbalist

Kimberly Ruel was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a fitness enthusiast and has been a massage therapist for 12 years. She decided she wanted to do more for her patients so she attended The Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in South Florida where she studied acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutrition. Kimberly has now moved back home and is proud to announce the reopening of her business through the Yoga Ananda Wellness Center. She enjoys working with people who are willing to take an active role in their own healing process. She believes acupuncture, massage, sound nutrition, herbal medicine, regular exercise and getting enough rest should be an integral part of living a healthy lifestyle.

Acupuncture Treatment
Herbal Consults & Treatment

Ginny Hill, LMT MA46232
BIO COMING SOON

Therapeutic/Deep Tissue Massage
Relaxation Massage
Hot Stone
Prenatal
Couples Massage

Katie Helow, LMT MA50462

Katie Helow's decision to begin practicing massage was inspired by an increasing interest in healing approaches that offered an alternative to western medicine and therapies. Knowing that the body has amazing potential to heal on its own, she believes in encouraging these natural healing processes through massage, and whenever possible, avoiding more invasive practices that suppress them. Katie's massage is a therapeutic blend of gentle techniques based on her intuition and understanding of each individual. She is trained in Swedish massage and is certified in Indian head, neck & face massage, Chinese reflexology, and Thai Yoga massage.

Relaxation Massage
Couples Massage
Thai Yoga Massage
Chinese Reflexology

We have also added: Stephanie Tindal, Keith Marks to our Wellness Team. Their photos and bios are coming soon
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YOGA TEACHERS

Victoria Faulkner

Victoria has been practicing yoga for years and received her 200 hour instructor certificate from yoga alliance recognized Two Suns Rising Yoga. This spiritual practice has brought peace into her life and she hopes students will leave her class feeling that same peace. Victoria encourages students to take what they gain on the mat and apply to their daily lives. She has worked as a childbirth educator and labor partner. During her pregnancy her interest was piqued to offer prenatal, mommy and me and children’s yoga. Victoria is also certified by Radiant Child to teach children’s yoga. Victoria continues to study yoga independently and through her personal practice. This keeps things fresh and allows her to bring new material to the classroom. She can teach gentle classes or offer challenging workouts. Victoria recognizes that students take yoga for a variety of reasons and hopes that her students will find what they are looking for when they attend her classes.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams, RYT first began practicing yoga in 2004 as a means of releasing tension after long workdays in the corporate world, as well as, the everyday stresses felt by a working mother. After two years of yoga classes, Michelle received her 200HR Teacher Training from Didier Razon's Yoga Alliance registered, "Two Sun's Rising Yoga", while pregnant with her fourth child. Her training included prenatal and children's yoga. Yoga has been a tremendous gift to her and she now has a strong desire to share it's healing and empowering effects with others. She believes that the magic of yoga is discovering your own personal practice that is unique to your own mind, body and spirit. Michelle hopes to help students find their own practice within their individual capabilities and limitations with a constant focus on honoring your body. Michelle has trained with Doug Swenson, Todd Norian and has also obtained certifications in Vinyasa Flow at Bliss Yoga Shala and children's yoga through the Radiant Child Yoga Program. She is excited to continue to gain knowledge on her yogic journey on and off the mat, through workshops, ongoing training and her personal practice.

Bonnie "Padma" Senteno

Padma started practicing yoga over eight years ago with nothing more than a towel as her mat and the willingness to open herself up to something new. With the guidance of a Sivananda instructor and friend as well as the support of other women, also searching for a better understanding of who they were, Padma’s love affair with yoga began. Over the year’s Padma developed a sense of self with her practice. Yet, it wasn’t until changing her course of yoga practices that Padma’s sense of self and calm began to deepen. With the practice of Ashtanga and certification as a yoga instructor, Padma developed a strong understanding of being present in the moment. Through her dedication to a traditional system Padma has learned the yoga history and philosophy, pranayama (breathing) techniques, meditation, and the anatomy as it applies in yoga. Throughout the eight years of her yoga practice the one goal that has never faltered for Padma is to help others see their true potentials just as she was encouraged to do so sitting on her towel that first day.

Mariana Barrenechea

Mariana Barrenechea, a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher found and fell in love with yoga at a young age but never took it as a path until she moved from Mexico 3 years ago. While living in Illinois she found herself missing the comfort and upliftment kundalini yoga brought to her life. Months later she enrolled in a teacher training in Chicago. Since then she has been enjoying her daily practice and the honor of sharing this teaching with others. She is also certified in the Khalsa Way as a pregnancy yoga instructor, she believes pregnancy is a precious time in a woman’s life, and wants to celebrate with women the gift of giving life.