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 15 years ago. First introduced by her mother, she practiced on and off for a few years. In college she developed a fierce passion and commitment to the practice. As she immersed herself in the surrounding yoga community, she was drawn to exploring breath, body, and mind connections. Her science background encourages her to better understand how the body and brain influence and are in turn 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 holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. In early 2017 Amie decided to take a leap and move to DC.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, let go, and practice self-care.She designs thoughtful sequences intended to thread throughout class with dynamic playlists to keep the energy in tune. 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.

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MELANIE JONAS

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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.


ARTHUR URATANI

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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!


CYNTHIA PYLE

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As a practitioner of yoga for over fifteen years Cynthia’s experience has led her to a very simple mission, to bring the practice of yoga to all people both on and off the mat. As a teacher her goal in every class is to hold a grounding and nurturing space, allowing students to cultivate a practice that is unique and authentic to them as an individual.

Overcoming a difficult childhood and the loss of close family members early in her life, she has through the practice of yoga been able to work through periods of grief, and past trauma to conquer chronic anxiety and depression. It is because of her personal journey that she believes so passionately in the power of both pranayama and asana to calm and heal the mind and body.

Classically trained in vinyasa yoga at Epic Yoga DC she brings a creative approach to sequencing her classes targeting specific aspects of anatomy, while also encouraging her students to focus their practice more on how the posture feels in the body rather than how it looks.


JENNA MELGAR

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Before discovering yoga, Jenna held three professional dance contracts by the time she graduated college. When an injury interrupted her dance career, she picked up and moved to Vegas. After battling anxiety and depression from years of living in the relentless, fast-paced casino and nightlife worlds, she decided something needed to change and discovered her mental health improved the more regularly she attended yoga. Now an outspoken mental health advocate, she believes yoga is an excellent therapeutic outlet. By leading classes that are fun, upbeat, and power-driven, she aspires to help people receive a well-deserved break from the daily stresses of life, while getting a great workout and boosting their endorphins. She is certified in Trauma Yoga and passionately believes yoga is an empowering activity for everyone. Connect with Jenna on her Instagram: @jennabrynn


CHRIS DULING

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.


MARIAH MCPHERSON

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 :)


NATALIE CLARK (she/her)

Natalie believes that when we approach life with an open heart, engage with others from a place of compassion, guide others from a place of authenticity, and move through the world with a sense of purpose, an awakening from within occurs. This awakening has the power to heal, nurture, nourish, transform and enliven ourselves, our loved ones, our students and our communities. Natalie teaches as a means of connecting with herself, with others, the Earth and the Divine, and as an offering to all of those with whom she walks this path of grace, truth and endless discovery. Natalie is an energizing and encouraging teacher whose classes are fun, athletic, creative, challenging and intelligently sequenced to keep you grounded in the present moment. She considers challenges on + off of the mat to be a source of inspiration, as well as an opportunity to gain strength of body, mind, heart & Spirit. She’s a kind and spiritual human and a life-long learner who welcomes, motivates, includes and inspires all students in all bodies, with all levels of experience. She believes that all movement is valuable, and that mindful, intuitive and explorative movements promote growth, expansion, empowerment and liberation.


SHONALI BOSE

Shonali is a graduate of Epic Yoga's 200-hour yoga teacher training. Having spent some of her childhood in India, Shonali has seen the mental and physical benefits of both pranayama and yoga asana practices throughout her life. She teaches thoughtful Vinyasa style classes available to all-level practitioners set to some funky playlists. Her classes aim to work towards breath-awareness, mindfulness and reaching a state of inner-calm while challenging her students and maintaining a focus of proper alignment. She also hopes to be a helpful guide for yoga teachers/practitioners who are looking to learn more about the roots of Yoga and make their practice more inclusive.


ROSIE ETTINGER (THEY/THEM)

Rosie is a graduate of Epic DC’s 200 hour RYT program. Their classes are a mix of grounding, playful and healing with an emphasis on an intentional curation of a safe space for you to both explore and deepen your connection with your body, mind and spirit.

Enjoy a variety of invitational flows ranging from energizing vinyasa sequences to soothing moon salutations, all with an emphasis on linking your breath to your movements and honoring your own body’s unique needs. Each class is inspired by the current astrological transits and moon phases, to facilitate an energetic alignment with the rhythms & cycles of nature. Come play with us! No flexibility required and all levels of yoga experience are welcome. Connect with Rosie on Instagram @rosiesrhythm

“ This is true yoga, the unbinding of the bonds of sorrow. Practice this yoga with determination and with a courageous heart.” - The Bhagavad Gita


INDIA English

India is a graduate of Epic's 200hr RYT. She was originally introduced to yoga in high school; however, it was not until after college that she developed a commitment to her asana practice. Her physical practice became her go to method for managing stress, anxiety and depression. Over the years, India has expanded her practice to include regular meditation and breath work. In her classes, you can expect to find a welcoming environment where individuals are empowered to listen to their bodies and practice honoring where they find themselves today on and off the mat. Her intention is to lead classes that provide students with the opportunity to practice joyful movement in a communal setting, and hopefully provide some smiles along the way.


NADIYA MAHMOOD

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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”.


HANNAH DUFFY (SHE/HER)

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Hannah’s yoga journey nearly ended as soon as it began when she set a blanket on fire in her second studio class. Thankfully she worked up the courage to come to her third class a few days later, and Epic switched to battery powered candles shortly after. A former rower that loves classes that push her out of her comfort zone, Hannah’s classes are designed to challenge yogis of all levels through thoughtfully crafted and balanced sequences. Hannah is a graduate of Epic’s inaugural teacher training and was certified in January 2019. If you come to her classes, prepare to laugh (or groan) at at least two dad jokes.


STEPHANIE HASENEI

Stephanie’s first yoga class was walking into the studio hoping to get a workout in and walking out feeling strong, centered, and relaxed. Since then her love of yoga and all of its benefits has constantly grown and brought her to continue her yoga journey with Epic Yoga's YTT 200 hour program. She hopes to bring her students the benefits of yoga through intentional and fun sequences that balance strength and flexibility, and keep students tuned into their breath throughout class. Her classes are designed to be available to all students so that hopefully everyone leaves feeling good after coming to their mat.