Our Teachers
Deb Vieira, ERYT 500
Owner & Founder
My name is Debra Vieira and I am someone who you might describe as an all-around athlete. Not a fantastic one, but someone who truly just loves the competition regardless. I have participated in endurance events such as marathons and IronMan Triathlons. I love all kinds of strength training including Crossfit. I actually taught myself long distance swimming to be able to participate in triathlons. I have participated and competed in it all.
Over the years I practiced in a few types of yoga. I never felt that "connection" others spoke about. One day I was asked to meet for a power yoga class. Well the rest is history! After the first class I was hooked! I realized after that first class that I found what I was missing in other aspects of my training-the immediate connection between breath and athletic movements. From that point on, I was hooked on the satisfaction of getting stronger both mentally and physically, without a finish line in sight.
After practicing yoga consistently, I decided to learn more and understand how the practice can be a guide for myself and my life. I discovered that what you learn on the mat, transfers off! How the connection between mind and body can be fostered and developed. I am a registered yoga teacher with my 500 hour yoga certification.
In my teaching, I want to show others that it doesn't matter how strong, capable or trained you are -- yoga is all about what you put in and take out. I hope to inspire others to explore themselves, their mind, and body, in a way they haven't before.
Heather Falanga, ERYT 200
Heather has been practicing yoga since 2013 & teaching since 2019. She received her training from Breathing Room Yoga Center in New Haven, CT. She is also a licensed Occupational Therapist & Holistic Healing Practitioner. Her niche is intuitive energy healing, chakras, crystal singing bowl sound immersions and guided meditations. She fell in love with the practice because of how much it helped with her mental, emotional & spiritual healing. Off the mat, you can find her navigating new mom life, immersed in nature and spending time in her garden.
I believe that inner healing is a sacred responsibility we’ve each been tasked with in our own lives. One of my favorite quotes is, “I can do nothing for you but work on myself, you can do nothing for me but work on yourself” -Ram Dass
Yoga helps us find inner calm and stability, teaches us about the inner workings of our mind and helps us navigate this human experience.
I love to create a safe space for my students to show up as they are, to honor and connect with their innate wisdom and let the practice of yoga unfold in each moment, meeting them where they are.
AJ Linet, RYT 500
AJ has over ten years of personal training experience. He specializes in nutrition, mobility and strength training. AJ completed a 500 hour advanced teacher training in Hatha Yoga. AJ holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a focus in human performance (SCSU) along with a Culinary Degree.
As a Yoga instructor, AJ believes that proper diet, proper exercise, proper rest, correct breathing and positive attitude are integral pieces of a successful yoga practice. He believes in consistent practice with detachments from results.
Michael Lombard, RYT 200
Michael enjoys yoga because it’s a place he can go to get away from it all. He decided to become a yoga teacher so that he can help others find their place to get away too.
Kayla Brown, RYT 200
Kayla started taking yoga classes in 2015 and soon discovered the benefit of the practice on both her physical and mental health. She then developed a consistent practice that led her to complete the 200hr Living Yoga Teacher Training with Breathing Room Yoga Center in New Haven, CT. She also completed a 20 hour Yin Yoga training with Breanna Ferguson in April 2022. Kayla teaches Yin Yoga and Vinyasa Flow focusing on alignment, movement, and breath while offering modifications for students of all levels.
Her hope is to help students come to a safe space where they can get out of their heads and into their bodies. She truly believes the teachings of yoga benefit the mind and body both on and off the mat and wants to share this experience with others. Outside of the studio, Kayla enjoys hiking, traveling, baking homemade desserts, and attending concerts whenever she can.
Danielle Sandella, RYT 200
Melissa Hall, ERYT 500
Melissa took her first yoga class in 1999 and has been hooked on the deep connection between practicing yoga and renewing the spirit ever since. As a yoga student, Melissa discovered a spiritual awakening and began a healing journey focused on forgiveness and self-love. Melissa has been teaching yoga since 2004 after receiving her teaching certification through YogaSpirit Studios. She has completed the level one and two yin yoga training with Josh Summers and has also studied with Rolf Gates, Seane Corn and Sarah Powers. Melissa teaches both a Yang-oriented flow class as well as Yin yoga classes to balance out the body and mind and to connect to spirit. All of Melissa’s classes are mixed level, and Melissa combines her knowledge of the poses with a supportive teaching style to cultivate a healing environment that will strengthen the body, focus the mind and open the heart. She encourages her students to use their yoga practice to turn inward, to deepen self-awareness and to reconnect to their inner strength and peace. Melissa believes that a commitment to yoga will not only build your physical power but also develop your emotional strength and reveal your true spirit. She is thankful to both her teachers and her students who continue to light the path toward love and peace.
