Our Team
Meet Angie
Yoga Instructor 500HR RYT
Angie is an Occupational Therapist turned yoga teacher who first used yoga as a ‘stretching’ activity while training for marathons.
Before she discovered yoga, Angie worked tirelessly in the healthcare world and ran hundreds of miles a month through injuries in hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Angie started taking online and gym classes at first but eventually made it to the yoga studio where she found her sanctuary. Within a few months, she was less sore and more flexible but most importantly, her mental health, spiritual awareness, and quality of life improved tremendously. Though Angie is no longer able to run due to the numerous running injuries and a career ending surgery, she managed to cut her hours in the healthcare world to pursue more of a career in the health and wellness world. She has her yoga practice and the benefits of practicing regularly (as well as her husband) to thank for that.
Angie is 500 hour RYT, certified through The Yoga Collective for her 200 hour and through Yoga Renew for her 300 hour. Angie also has her meditation and mindfulness certification through The School of Positive Transformation.
If you like a strong, sweaty class with a hint of mindfulness and breath work then you will love her classes. Angie does focus a lot on alignment based cues and safe body positioning, given her other career as an OT, and if you’re really lucky you will get to see her personality shine through as she gives you the weekly theme/intention in the beginning of class which usually ties in with some unfortunate or unlucky event that happened to her, or her two cats, throughout the week.
Meet Mary
Yoga Instructor 200HR RYT
Teaching yoga holds a special place in my heart. It found me during one of the darkest times and gave me the strength to change my life. It fills up my soul getting to connect with others through this powerful and ancient practice. I love teaching vinyasa flows (slow and power!) as well as juicy restorative classes. My promise is to hold a safe and supportive space for all to find a better connection to themselves on all layers- physically, mentally and spiritually.
Meet Crystal
Yoga Instructor 200HR RYT
Crystal has had a curiosity for yoga ever since she was 13 years old. Battling depression and anxiety at a young age, she turned to music and yoga to help her cope with everyday struggles and give structure to triumphs.
In 2015, occasional practice transformed into a daily lifestyle, in honor of her late father. In 2017, she obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in Hawai’i through a therapeutic based yoga training program with Soma Yoga Institute.
HER MOTTO: DO EVERYTHING WITH COMPASSION…
“In 2009, I reached a very low point in my life regarding my physical and mental health. I was fortunate to have people in my life to help me out of that space and get me started with a lifestyle that was sustainable and healthy. I am now using my education in psychology and yoga to help others who are ready to make those changes for themselves. My ultimate goal is to help YOU take control of your lifestyle and give you the tools to face your challenges on and off the mat.”
Meet Katherine
Yoga Instructor 200HR RYT
Katherine began practicing yoga at the age of 9, when she attended her first yoga classes with her mom, through a parks and recreation program. In college she found the strength and flexibility yoga builds greatly supported her body while studying classical viola performance. In graduate school she began to rely on yoga not only for the strength and flexibility, but also on the mental and emotional calm yoga nurtures.
Off the mat, Katherine is a professional violist/violinist and performs throughout Southeastern WI with groups including the Wisconsin Philharmonic. She also has a private music studio where she teaches violin, viola and piano. In 2023 Katherine took her passion for teaching and graduated from the 200-hour teacher training program at Tosa Yoga Center and is now a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
Students can expect a feeling of flow in Katherine’s classes. She enjoys curating classes with a theme in mind and postures that flow together with ease. She strives to leave students feeling balanced and at peace.
Meet Monica
Yoga Therapist C-IAYT and Yoga Teacher 500HR E-RYT
YI first discovered yoga during graduate school, expecting it to be a fun way to challenge my body as a former gymnast. However, during that initial class, I experienced something deeper—relaxation and mental clarity that I hadn't felt in a long time. Over the years, yoga has become an essential part of my life, helping me navigate challenging times through its tools like poses, guided meditation, and philosophy.
Before becoming a yoga teacher and yoga therapist, I worked as a wildlife researcher and college biology instructor. While raising my three children, I began pursuing yoga teacher training. Now, after 15 years of teaching yoga and earning an 800-hr. certification in yoga therapy, I’m passionate about sharing the healing powers of yoga with others.
I focus on creating a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment where participants of all levels can thrive and remember that they are perfectly whole and connected just as they are. My teaching style emphasizes relaxation, mindfulness, the importance of listening to one’s own body, and challenging oneself in a fun and compassionate way. In yoga therapy, my specialties include pain management, stress reduction, and improving posture and mobility.
I live in Wauwatosa with my husband, kids, and dog. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, kayaking, and biking, along with relaxing activities at home like reading, cooking and watching movies with my family.
Meet Jamie
Yoga Instructor 500HR RYT
Yoga has been an ongoing transformation for me. What began as an 'activity' has become a career path and passion that I want to share with others.
I am a Milwaukee, WI based yoga therapist and meditation guide. I have taught yoga classes throughout the greater Milwaukee area for the past 10+ years. I received my 200-hr yoga teacher certificaiton with Integrative Yoga Therapy at Haleybird Studios, my 300-hr training with Yoga Durango and my yoga therapy certification (C-IAYT) from Inner Peace Yoga Therapy. I am also a plant-based nutrition certified practitioner.
It is my hope that I can bring ease to body, mind, heart and soul to all those who cross my path on their way to wholeness.-Jamie
Meet Kiara
Yoga Instructor 500HR RYT
Kiara found movement at a young age and it was a catalyst for self expression and self discovery. Kiara uses her background in dance, music, and theater to inspire her creatively on the mat using asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), mantra (chanting), dhyana (meditation/contemplation), and vedic philosophy.
Kiara attended the California College of Ayurveda and completed the Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine course. She incorporates her knowledge of Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga and ancient, holistic healing practice, into her teaching to help inspire others to heal their own lives.
Kiara worked managing another yoga studio in the Madison area, teaching asana classes, and facilitating the kids yoga after school and summer school programs. She hopes to continue to work with youth teaching them the skills they need to find a safe home within themselves.
When you take class with Kiara you can expect to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself, philosophy discussions, silent meditations, opportunities to challenge your mind and body, and long rest at the end. Kiara creates a safe, welcoming environment for all to find their practice.
When Kiara is not on the mat she is walking her dog, listening to podcasts, journaling, hiking, climbing, and cooking vegan eats.
Meet Tess
Yoga Instructor 300HR RYT
My goal as a yoga teacher is to hold space and provide the tools you need to connect to your inner knowing. The body holds so much magical wisdom and my goal is to help you create space within yourself to unlock those messages. I’ve been practicing yoga for 14 years and have 300 hours of yoga teacher trainings including a 100 hour 26 and 2, formerly known as Bikram yoga, training from Hot Yoga Milwaukee and a 200 hour training on Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Hatha yoga that I received from Vinyasa Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India. I love connecting with people and talking about art, travel, pets, food, yoga, your favorite color, the bunny you saw earlier that day, anything Every day is different and I acknowledge that by taking time to tune in to my own energy and adjust to the energy of y’all. You can expect fun music, creative flows and the freedom to move to your own tune.
Meet Emily
Yoga Instructor 500+ E-RYT
Emily McDoniels, M.Ed., is a 500+ E-RYT and founder of Soulshine Yoga, leading local and international yoga retreats. Certified as a 2nd-degree Reiki provider, Trauma-Informed Brain-Sensitive practitioner and Laughter Yoga Leader, Emily began her Reiki trainings in 2007 and her yoga trainings in 2013, and she has taught for over 5,000 hours.
Emily's mission is to create nurturing spaces for clients to shine their light into the community from a place of self-awareness and confidence. Emily weaves art, reiki and sound healing into a tapestry of community health.
Embodying a mothering lighthouse, Emily provides calm and refuge to souls seeking compassionate space to fully embrace their own journey. Emily's yoga flows are full of guided breath, mudra, mantra, affirmations and a playful story or two. Emily is proud to be a lifelong learner and enrolls in continuing education each year, always breathing new life into her shared practices.
Outside of yoga, Emily is a visual artist inspired by the wonders of Mother Earth and the Universe. Teaching Montessori-focused education to master's level students, Emily is also an adjunct professor for University of Wisconsin River Falls. She enjoys being lost in her garden with a book, and traveling with her musician/producer husband and their fur babies.
