EMMA SAAL (She/her)
Emma’s intention is to create a cheerful and safe atmosphere, where she can share her love, passion and knowledge of yoga, martial arts and dance. Emma’s classes are sweaty, challenging and accessible, intelligently blending a vinyasa flowing class with clear verbal and visual execution of the body’s foundation and healthy alignment; always leaving time to spoil the body with yummy stretches, and a deep delicious savasana. Her positive energy encourages her students to cultivate a practice that is personal and nourishing while exploring their edge, and her laid-back vibe allows one listen to their inner-teacher learning to accept from a place of gratitude. She believes the body has profound inner intelligence that we access during yoga practice to bring us self-awareness and comprehension that ultimately reveals our true core…pure love. Follow Emma on Instagram @emmakoepicko
AMIE DITOMASSO (she/her)
Amie began her yoga practice about 20 years ago. She was introduced by her mother, and then practiced on and off for a few years. Later in college, she developed a passion and commitment to the practice. As she immersed herself in the surrounding yoga community, she was drawn to exploring the breath, body, and mind connection. Her science background encouraged her to better understand how the body and brain influence and are impacted by the mental, physical, and spiritual elements of the practice.
Amie has completed over 500 hours of yoga training. She leads foundational and advanced level trainings. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Amie seeks to create playful, creative, vinyasa and fusion classes (inspired by yoga, Pilates, sculpt, & barre) with intentions of offering opportunities for her students to grow, explore movement, let go of expectations, and practice everyday mindfulness. As a hands on instructor, she provides extra good feels and guidance on alignment, all while trying to take you just a little deeper in your practice.
ARTHUR URATANI (HE/HIM)
Arthur was introduced to yoga about five years ago by his roommate. Initially, he committed to a regular practice as a way to alleviate the back pain he experienced from sitting at a desk all day, but he soon discovered the joys of yoga extended well beyond just physical relief. Arthur's goal is simple. He hopes that students leave his class feeling good about themselves. Whether that be because they connected with the playlist, enjoyed a particularly nice assist, or got further into a pose than they've ever been, that is what he's looking for. Arthur enjoys working on arm balances and inversions. He loves when he can help his students achieve breakthroughs in their practice. Arthur started off his early yoga career as a karma yoga at Epic and continues to volunteer to this day!
NADIYA MAHMOOD (SHE/HER)
Sitara Nadiya Mahmood has been practicing yoga asana for over 12 years. Nadiya received her 200 Hour CYT in Costa Rica in 2016 at the Marianne Wells Yoga School. She teaches different styles including flow and Vinyasa classes. Nadiya enjoys practicing power yoga and Rocket yoga on her own time. She prides herself on keeping her classes authentic to her true self. She also makes sure that her class is available to students of all skill levels from beginner to intermediate and advanced students are welcomed as well and loved equally.
Nadiya says “I like to make sure all my clients feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. Maybe you wont be able to get a certain posture today, but if you continue to practice, one day you may be able to get that pose. Make the goal to be consistent, not to get to a certain destination”.
CHRIS DULING (HE/HIM)
Chris discovered yoga and barre after a four year battle to lose nearly 100 pounds had left him physically broken and plagued by persistent injuries. In a moment of quiet desperation, he sheepishly claimed a spot in the back of his first yoga class in 2008. A few sweaty classes later, Chris began to realize that his enthusiasm for exercise, although well-intentioned, had actually been causing most of his injuries through a misunderstanding of proper alignment. He soon thereafter discovered barre classes (with a slightly less timid entrance into the back row of class) and has loved both ever since. Chris decided to become an instructor in 2011 and earned his 200-hr yoga certificate. He continued his education by obtaining a 50-hr certification from master teacher David Kyle in the "Rocket," an intensive Ashtanga-based series. Chris began teaching barre in 2014 after learning that strength isn't measured by the numbers on the weights you lift, but rather controlling your own body with grace, poise, and precision. Chris's encourages students to keep a strong focus on steady breathing and body alignment basics, allowing for a safe exploration into more advanced sequences, all while cultivating a positive attitude and refining the mind-body connection.
MELANIE JONAS (SHE/HER)
Melanie is a graduate of Epic Yoga's first 200 hour yoga teacher training. She started her yoga journey in 2012 with Bikram yoga as a way to manage stress and anxiety, while focusing mainly on the physical aspects of the practice. This style of yoga provided a strong foundation for alignment and body awareness that has served her since starting a more traditional vinyasa practice. Transitioning to vinyasa-style yoga shifted her practice to include meditative qualities and philosophical principles that can be applied to everyday living in practical ways. Her classes incorporate a blend of sweet warm-ups and cool-downs with a couple of powerful flows, working toward that meditative state during practice while maintaining alignment using self-corrections.
BAILEY DAMIANI (SHE/HER)
My relationship with yoga goes back to attending classes with my mom at a local studio in my hometown (Atlanta, GA). Yoga has since seen me through many phases of life - including the pandemic, which had me doing yoga in the driveway of my parent’s house with my brothers; graduate school, where I joined my university’s yoga club; and now as a member of Epic’s community while working my first 9-5 job in DC.
For me, yoga is a mental practice first and a physical practice second. It’s a key way I manage anxiety and maintain a sustainable lifestyle in an incredibly fast-past and high-pressure city like DC. In my classes, I invite you to come as you are and ask that you hold acceptance and compassion for yourself and others around you. There is no “optimal” way to practice. You do not need to do every pose accurately or with the most “advanced” variation. I encourage and celebrate modifications because it means you’re acknowledging your own mind-body connection, and, ultimately, that is what yoga and mindfulness practices are really all about.
In my classes, you can expect to see a lot of funky transitions, alignment cues, breathwork, and more! I hope my sequences will offer you a way to explore your mind and/or body and learn new techniques for stretching, grounding, meditating, etc. that you can take away with you into your everyday life.
AUBREY WALDOCK (SHE/HER)
Aubrey's yoga journey began in high school and as a college student, she delved deeper into her practice, exploring various yoga styles until she discovered her passion for Vinyasa. It was in the vibrant yoga community of Washington, DC, where Aubrey truly fell in love with the graceful flow of Vinyasa yoga, a style that resonated deeply with her background in dance.
Yoga has taken Aubrey around the world, participating in yoga retreats in destinations like Greece and Morocco. These experiences have broadened her perspective and allowed her to learn from some of the most inspiring yoga teachers.
Given her strong foundation in dance, Aubrey's classes are designed to focus on intentional balance and alignment, along with the fluidity and serenity of movement that yoga offers. She emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection, breath awareness, and being fully present in class. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in compassion, inclusivity, and the belief that yoga is truly for everyone. Aubrey is a graduate of Epic Yoga's 200-hour yoga teacher training program.
MARIAH MCPHERSON (SHE/HER)
I love yoga for its ability to teach us about our minds & bodies and the role we play in the world around us. In addition to being a yoga teacher, I am a holistic health coach. I believe that food and movement are powerful tools of self-care that can help us live more mindfully so we can be who we want to be. I hope to show you new ways to live, move, eat and think so you can find what feels good and natural to you. I got my yoga teacher certification through Mimi Rieger's Power of Teaching program. I teach Vinyasa Flow style classes with fun music and creative sequences to keep things interesting. I love strong core work to stabilize all our asanas and lots of stretches to keep the body feeling fluid and light. To learn more about me, you can check out my website mariahmcpherson.com :)
HAILEY WALDMAN (SHE/HER)
Hailey found yoga in high school and immediately fell in love with the practice. She initially was interested in yoga for the sole purpose of the movement, but quickly found that it was so much more than a physical practice. Hailey is currently a student at George Washington University and has seen the mental health benefits that a yoga practice can offer during the stress of her studies and school. She completed her teacher training during the height of COVID-19, and it was one of the best decisions she has made. Her classes are filled with lots of movement and playfulness, as we all navigate new ways to move the body. Be prepared to sweat, play with balancing postures and enjoy the music in her classes, while tuning into yourself.
NATALIE PETRULLA (SHE / HER)
Natalie is a graduate of Epic's 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) program. She began her yoga journey 10 years ago, using yoga as exercise for stress relief. While initially drawn to yoga for its physical benefits, she developed a true passion for yoga after incorporating pranayama and other elements of traditional yoga into her physical asana practice. She teaches her vinyasa-style classes as moving meditations, creating moments for both dynamic movement and stillness that allow students of all levels to de-stress and create connections between the breath, mind, and body. Her classes are centered around creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all students, regardless of where they are in their yoga journey, to cultivate a holistic yoga practice.
TAYLOr FUSSMAN (SHE/HER)
Taylor began her journey with yoga more than 10 years ago when she found an old and rarely-used yoga VHS in her parent’s basement, and has since seen her practice evolve throughout the different stages of her life. What started as mainly a solitary movement practice that helped her build confidence and ease anxieties has grown into a daily practice of finding a sense of presence and community. As a graduate of Epic Yoga’s 200-hour yoga teacher training, Taylor intends to create a space that is inclusive of and welcoming to everyone while sharing the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of a yoga practice. She enjoys creating intentionally designed and balanced classes that incorporate pranayama and challenge students while helping them learn the foundational alignment of yoga asanas. Her progressive vinyasa-style classes aim to help students of all experience levels connect their breath to movement, deepen their understanding of yoga beyond the physical practice, and cultivate awareness.
NAOMI PERRY (SHE/HER)
Naomi began practicing Pilates following an injury as a way to support her body with low-impact exercise. She quickly fell in love with the practice after experiencing transformative healing
benefits. Her mission as a Pilates teacher is to share feel-good movement that aligns the body and is kind to the mind. Her calm and centered classes are focused on form, flow, and fostering a lasting mind-body connection for her students.
Naomi is a graduate of Epic Yoga’s YTT program and is completing her comprehensive Pilates certification through Balanced Body. She lives in Georgetown with her fiancé and her adorable cavapoo, Kale.
REGINA POSTREKHINA
Regina's classes combine aspects of traditional yoga (pranayama, meditation, mudras etc.) with asana (or movement) geared towards our modern lives and based on up-to-date movement science. Based on the system of Vinyasa Krama (aka intelligent sequencing) Regina focuses on strategically using various postural categories and their energetic qualities to help students feel the magic of yoga. Prioritizing mobility over passive flexibility, she aims to help students gain control by giving up their grip. Her classes are strong, but very accessible. And while she creates an atmosphere that encourages her students to find their edge, she'll caution against going over it.
After developing a personal self practice of 8 years, Regina gained her 500 hour training in 2018 where she fell in love with the historical context of yoga's traditions and roots. These concepts have given a stronger foundation for Regina's personal practice and flavor to her classes. Regina has personally harnessed the power of yoga to help manage chronic anxiety and prevent injury in her martial arts practice. Rather than zone out in their yoga practice, Regina aims to help students utilize the breath and various energetic qualities to zone in to self discovery.
JJ CARRASCO (HE/HIM)
In a serendipitous twist of fate over a decade ago, JJ stumbled into the world of yoga. Always one interested in athletic challenges partly as stress relief, a friend brought him to a heated vinyasa 2.0 class resulting in muscle soreness never felt before. From there, the love affair evolved far beyond the athletic aspect of heated vinyasa delving into a slow discovery of meditation, breath awareness and the realization of the soothing side-effects of yoga (i.e., Type-A management). Equally enriching and fulfilling was the acquaintance of a fun, mindful and exciting community.
After pausing yoga during the Covid pandemic, JJ came back to it trying a sound bath meditation and gentle flow class at Epic, that became the launching pad into yoga teacher training, (“YTT”), and the inspiration to delve deeper into meditation. As the founder of a boutique investment bank and corporate finance firm, an avid swimmer and generally active person, JJ has seen the effects of yoga reflect on his focus, patience, stress management, increase in distance-per-stroke, overall endurance, fitness and quality of life.
Practicing with JJ, you can expect a healthy dose of athletic flow, preceded by a short meditation and pranayama practice in a fun and challenging environment, a notch outside the box. JJ is a graduate of Epic’s YTT, and the first alumnus-ever, of which he is very proud
BELLA PEDULLA (SHE/HER)
Before beginning her yoga journey Bella trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern styles of dance, which initially sparked her deep passion for movement. She began practicing yoga in 2017 to help recover from injuries that afflicted her dancing. Bella has since used yoga to heal from the mental and physical pressures she faced as a dancer, learning to find joy and liberation in movement, free from self judgment. She believes that the intention of yoga is not to look a certain way or to achieve a certain pose, but rather to be present and be grateful for where you are in your journey. Bella hopes to encourage others in finding wholeness within themselves by fostering a healthy mind-body connection and perception of self. In May 2023, Bella graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts with majors in dance and philosophy, and a minor in arts administration. She utilizes her studies in metaphysical philosophy and dance as sources of inspiration for her teaching and practice. Connect with Bella on Instagram @isabellavpedulla.
“In order to obtain happiness, we must have inner peace. Real, lasting happiness is not obtained from an external source.” - Traleg Kyabgon
KATIE VINCI (SHE/HER)
Katie started practicing yoga over ten years ago, seeking an outlet while working a stressful job. Long after leaving the job, yoga has stuck with her as a constant source of peace in her life.
She enjoys designing creative flows and playlists that offer that same sense of calm and escape. She aims to offer a space for students to explore new movements, find a challenge when looking for it, and leave class feeling grounded.
Katie is a graduate of Epic Yoga's 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program.
GRETTA DIGBEU
Eleven years ago, Gretta turned to yoga as a sanctuary for her anxiety, only to discover a practice that transformed her life and affirmed her sense of purpose. Today, she is committed to sharing the profound healing, joy, and balance that yoga brings to both body and mind with her students.
Guided by a sense of playfulness and creativity, Gretta approaches each class as an opportunity to foster a fun, judgment-free environment where students can safely explore new postures and breathing techniques while nurturing their strength, awareness, focus, and resilience. She encourages her students to embrace discomfort on the mat as a metaphor for tackling obstacles off the mat, while meticulously curating playlists that reflect the global influences in her life, harmonizing with the rhythm of collective movement. Above all, she deeply respects and honors each student's autonomy in crafting their individual practice.
JOHN BOTTINO (HE/HIM)
John embarked on his yoga journey in the summer of 2011 while attending classes at Harvard Summer School. His passion for yoga deepened as he became a student and later a Seva volunteer at Down Under Yoga in Brookline, MA—one of the nation’s top yoga studios known for its Iyengar lineage. During this time, John not only learned the discipline of disinfecting mats and mastering the art of blanket folding but also had the privilege of studying under the guidance of renowned teachers Patricia Walden and Natasha Rizopoulos, which cultivated his love for alignment-based flow.
John completed his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (HYTT) at The Yoga Loft of Marblehead, MA, studying under the esteemed Vito Politano and Larisa Forman. Throughout his journey, John was a regular volunteer and student at The Nantucket Yoga Festival and frequently practiced at Kripalu in the Berkshires and the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas.
In 2018, John was part of the opening faculty at Eaton Wellness. His career progressed in 2023 when he became Program Manager at The Ranch Malibu, later advancing to General Manager of The Ranch Hudson, where he led the yoga program for The Ranch Pop-Up in Vail. John's connection with Epic Yoga was established while working as a consultant in Washington, DC, in 2016. From the moment he discovered Epic Yoga, John knew it was where he truly belonged.
COLLEEN MCMAHON (SHE/HER)
Colleen is a graduate of Epic Yoga's 200-hour yoga teacher training. Her journey with yoga began simply as a form of exercise, delving in and out of the practice for years. Feeling inspired after moving to the beach post-college, she found a consistent practice filled with creative flows. Since then, she has traveled the world experiencing different styles of yoga; each influencing the teacher she is today.
Colleen’s classes are a combination of yin and yang energies. Students can expect a thoughtfully crafted asana practice with funky playlists grounded in the connection to the body through breath and movement ending with a gentle cool down and a soulful savasana. Colleen seeks to make her classes a welcoming environment for all and encourages her students to drop their egos at the door— to explore, to connect, and to grow through a holistic yoga practice.