Sara Nadia Syed OWNER, the studio cleveland 500 E-RYT M.S. eDUCATION B.S. PSYCHOLOGY 200-RYS INSTRUCTOR Sara started her yoga practice during high school in 2008, during the peak of her adolescence while struggling with drug & alcohol addiction, anxiety, eating-disorders, trauma and depression. After a few years of consistent meditation and yoga, she discovered a glimpse of healing possible through these practices. She found herself crying in savasana after every yoga class; for the first time in arguably her entire life, Sara was able to be silent, present, aware and still enough to actually feel. This experience of feeling was the beginning of her healing journey. She learned how to use crystals and studied the chakras intensively on her own (she had no chakra teachers yet), and learned how to access the root of her addiction, mental disorders and overall mental chaos. She discovered that addiction was simply a symptom for a bigger problem and that her addiction problem was simply an inability to cope. She practiced yoga and chakra meditation regularly as a way to feel and cope. It became a life-saving practice for Sara. Sara realized the practice of yoga helped dismantle her ego that started running the show and leading her down a path of destruction in high school. She realized that yoga helped silence her own will and ego, and she was left feeling like an empty vessel where she can carry out a higher power's will instead of her own (her own will just got her into trouble!). She realized that not being able to do certain poses in yoga was humbling. She learn about "righting her wrongs," living with integrity, and living authentically. It was a long, deep inner journey. This path eventually led Sara to attend her first yoga teacher training in Cahuita, Costa Rica, in 2014. She shared yoga freely (without charge) for a solid year after yoga teacher training so that students at The University of Akron can have access to the practice. She believed in giving back what yoga gave to her. Since then, Sara has spent thousands of hours teaching yoga and meditation at elementary schools, high schools, universities, fitness centers, local festivals, and at yoga studios. Her most meaningful experience has been teaching under-served populations such as in inner city schools with Zenworks Yoga in Akron and in Cleveland, at juvenile detention centers, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and at mental health facilities. Professionally, Sara worked as a mental health case worker for two different organizations. She saw that yoga would be a viable solution to help the clients, but these organizations were not yet open to offering holistically-oriented solutions so Sara instead pursued teaching High School English. Again, Sara found that the students suffered from mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other issues that yoga addresses. Sara left the public sector to study yoga more in-depth. She knew that self-study was an important factor in being able to help and serve others. Sara completed an advanced 300-hour yoga teaching training program in India in 2016,at Yogadarshanam Ashtanga/Hatha yoga school in Mysore, India, and also studied at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute under Saraswathi Jois. Sara completed the 10-day Vipassana Silent Meditation Retreat in October, 2017, where she studied the laws of nature through silent sitting and observation. Since then, Sara purchased The Studio Cleveland in September, 2018. She strives to make The Studio Cleveland an inclusive and authentic resource for any human seeking inner peace. Sara personally enjoys Ashtanga yoga and includes elements of this style of yoga in her teaching. She is the lead instructor in The Studio Cleveland's Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training. 
Kasimira Vogel LMT thai massage Yoga teacher Reiki master Kasimira Vogel, is one of the Co-founders of Pathways to Wholeness and is very passionate in aiding each person to find their individual pathway to being a whole, healthy and integrated person. "Kassy" started her own quest when at age 13 it was discovered she had scoliosis. There started the introduction into alternative medicine and the benefits of proper diet. Today, Kassy is a licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, Energy/Light Worker and Intuitive Healer who likes to use everything in her "tool box" from crystals, aromatherapy and herbs to vocal sounds and rattles to effect positive healing changes in the human body, mind and spirit. 
Bryan Langsdale LMT Thai Massage sound healing Bryan practices a synergistic blend of therapeutic, deep tissue, and Swedish massage. He is guided through both intuitive and medical knowledge. Bryan believes every person has unique needs and desired outcomes with massage therapy. Therefore, every session provided is tailored to the individual receiving it. Bryan blends using his hands, feet, and massage tools to achieve deep pressure. He may also incorporate energy work and myofascial release along with trigger point. Client's often say, "It hurts so good!" 
Jackie Sliva YOGA TEACHER Not your typical 200 hour YTT graduate, Jackie has been immersed in various yoga education for over 10 years, finding her natural focus in meridian based yoga. In addition to yoga education, she has earned her B. A. In Anthropology, a personal training certification, advanced Thai Yoga Massage certification, & is currently working toward her M. S. in Complimentary Alternative Medicine. Teaching is her passion, 2nd to beach life, so she is looking forward to both on Fridays at 10am this summer at Euclid Beach Pier. 
Cary Manning THAI MASSAGE Cary is excited to bring to Cleveland his unique style of Thai massage! His practice bridges his education of Thai Massage learned in Thailand, where he worked closely with an instructor in a small, intimate class setting, along with his years of experience in partner therapeutic yoga. He offers a specialty Inverted Massage technique, providing the relaxing sense of weightlessness and the incomparable benefits of inversions, while guiding various bodily openings through spinal twists, chest and hip openers. Additionally, as part of an extension of Thai massage treatment, or as a session on its own, Cary offers foot reflexology. Its amazing how much the entire body can be affected by the therapeutic touch to the foot. Not only does Cary provide Thai Massage, he offers Acro Yoga private sessions, providing one-on-one tutorials for individuals or couples, teaching a “base” how to work with a “flyer”, or he will “fly” a “flyer”. Come alone or as a couple and get hands-on technical instruction. Acro Yoga, or Partner Acrobatics, is a great endeavour to expand a yoga practice into a new realm to build connection, trust, communication, surrender, strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. Yoga experience is not needed! Additionally, Cary is a health coach. Focusing on Holistic Fitness, he works with people who want to increase energy levels, improve body weight and shape, and change relationships with various aspects of life. Ask about his complimentary Holistic Fitness Assessment! |
Lauren Porochonski Massage And Bodywork manager LMT REiki Practitioner Lauren strives to create unique individualized massage sessions based on therapeutic needs and wellness goals. Lauren uses her knowledge of anatomy and structural integration to help a client connect to the root causes of their chronic pain. She works to elongate stuck muscles with passive stretching and trigger point therapy. She believes massage can help retrain the body to adapt healthier posture and body awareness. Lauren has had additional training in Trigger point therapy, Thai Massage, Reiki and personal training principles. She combines many modalities such as sports massage, medical massage and Swedish massage techniques to create balance. Her client's often experience better range of motion, and claim to feel taller after a session or two. Since Lauren's massage are based off the client's goals, she likes to track client's progress and ever changing needs. Lauren is also studying Public Health and Health Education at Kent State University. She is dedicated to health and wellness accessibility causes, and demystifying integrative health. She believes massage and wellness should be available to all, and can be a necessity rather then a luxury. She is also a lifelong student of herbalism and botany, and is a passionate wild food forager. 
Becca Matthews YOGA TEACHER Becca first came to yoga in 2008. She always had a love and passion for stretching with different athletic activities. When she stepped into her first yoga class, it was love at first flow. It has been a perfect addition with balancing other forms of physical activity such as running, cross training and now her current weight lifting routine. In the first 8 to 10 years of her yoga practice the focus was primarily on "getting a good workout and stretch in". The last 3 to 4 years of her mainly home practice though has brought her into a space of emotional and spiritual healing. Through physical practice, breath work, and continually evolving into a more true version of herself by meditation, journaling, etc, yoga has changed her life and helped her through many life struggles. The past 3 to 4 years she's felt a pulling towards sharing her practice more widely. Not just friends and family any more but strangers, neighbors, etc. This gift yoga brings to so many lives is meant to be shared in many different ways. She finally embarked on her YTT journey in the fall of 2019 and earned her 200HR YTT in the spring of 2020. With a heavy emphasis on meditation throughout her training, the growth and peace inside of her has been undeniably life altering. Becca hopes to teach in a way that helps the student feel at ease, no matter the yoga experience, and to transport the student to an emotionally healing space while moving with their body, creating a continual connection to mind-body awareness and healing through music and silence. Her teaching style encompasses a wide range of flows with a heavy focus on building continual strength through basic poses, to inversions, to seated postures. She truly believes that no matter the pose or posture there is an opportunity for connecting with the mind and body more deeply each time. When not on the mat, Becca enjoys being a nurse, spending time with her husband and pups and friends/family, being outdoors, reading books, listening to podcasts and working out. "Courage doesn't mean the absence of fear, it means moving forward with fear present." Hillary McBride 
Lisa Turner Astrologer Yoga Teacher Yoga and Astrology ~ A Celestial Dance of Wellness and Transformation. Yoga and Astrology found me at different points in my life, but united themselves during the infamous Saturn Return. I have always loved bodies in motion; the alignment, lines, and grace that our bodies can make drew me to Classical Ballet as a young girl. I was privileged to study under two exceptional teachers, Marguerite Duncan and Nancy Arcury of the North Coast Ballet Company (formerly known as The Cleveland Civic Ballet Company, Cleveland’s first professional ballet company). Yoga found me years after dancing had ended. I had an inner calling, but was unaware as to what was calling me. Yoga finds most of us when we are in need of change and transformation and I was no different. The yoga asana's spoke to the dancer in me, but yoga is so much more. It was the spirituality and philosophies that connected me to a way of being that I had been longing for all of my life. As a teacher my classes are infused with challenging asanas and flowing sequences. I use my astrological knowledge of the celestial transits and our moving bodies to bring my students into reflection of their unique spiritual journey. As a born seeker I am never fully satisfied with the status quo; always wanting to understand things at their core. The passion to expand my knowledge and learn are just one of the many reasons why astrology captured my soul at an early age. It was the mysterious language of the universe that I wanted to understand, not merely to check on my love life; but to understand the big picture; “the why”. I mentioned earlier, my two passions collided at my Saturn Return. It was at this auspicious time in my life, that all that once was solid began falling apart and I wanted to understand why. I decided to get serious about my love and respect for this mysterious language and attend school for my certification. I continue to study and learn through the International Academy of Astrology, along with exceptional teachers to which I am eternally grateful. 
Regina Egut LMT THai Massage Regina has been a full-time therapist since early 2016, after receiving extra training in Thai/Shiatsu massage and Reiki in Costa Rica and Indonesia. Bringing her experience from different parts of the world, she creates a grounding tranquil approach to her massages. Integrating hypnotic Swedish movements and thorough Therapeutic and Deep Tissue style. As well as weaving in her knowledge in Asian Modalities and energy work to provide a soothing and effective massage. With compassionate and careful listening, Regina address both physical and energetic issues gently guiding to ease the mind, balance the body, and embrace the spirit. |
Stephanie Milosic YOGA TEACHER DESK YOGI B.A. SOCIOLOGY Stephanie completed her 200-hour Yoga Certification with Sara Syed in 2019 at The Studio Cleveland. Also, she has received certifications in Kids Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga, and Y12SR Yoga which works with addiction recovery. She first discovered yoga in 2008 when her anxiety became unmanageable. Ever since, yoga has been a vital part in finding balance in her life. Stephanie currently teaches yoga at gyms and studios as well as owns her own yoga company, Yogi'd by Tete LLC, which holds donation based yoga outside that benefits organizations such as Forbes House and The Lake County Humane Society. She holds her B.A. in Sociology from Ursuline College. Stephanie enjoys teaching beginner, Yin, Rest & Recovery and plans to soon teach addiction/12 step recovery classes. 
Mary Bell lmt yoga teacher Mary Bell is a huge fan of fun, bliss and love! Being a yoga practitioner for fourteen years, she finally decided to teach it and took 240 hour YTT in mid 2012. Being a licensed massage therapist for over five years and also a Thai massage practitioner, Mary’s seen first hand how the disconnect between mind and body can manifest itself into pain and tension. Yoga is Union, it requires awareness of what’s happening inside and outside of one’s being. With that awareness healing and the divine journey begin! Mary believes the most important yoga is done outside the classroom. Everything done on the mat is preparation so that everyday problems can be faced with calmness, strength and compassion. “I am honored by everyone that chooses to make my class a stop along their path to enlightenment or on their way home from work! Let’s play, laugh, work hard and sweat a bit together while we make ourselves and the world a little happier.” 
Jen Gomez Yoga teacher THAI MASSAGE I completed my 200-hour Yoga Certification with Ylonda Rosenthal-Greene in 2018 and have recently received a certificate to practice Thai Massage from Sarah Cheiky, LMT NCTMB. My classes offer creative sequencing, emphasis on proper alignment, pranayama and meditation. Students can expect to explore their strengths, work on their focus and learn to find balance on and off the mat. When I'm not practicing, I'm happily engaged in my other related interests: herbalism, incense making & gardening—all of which show up in my classes in one way or another. 
Shannon Carlin Yoga Teacher Yoga Medicine Shannon visited ashrams with her parents as a child and then many years later, found herself in a yoga class one day. Though unfamiliar with the poses, the breath, and of course-sanskrit, she immediately felt a sense of belonging and of coming home. The experience resonated so deeply with her that she knew she had taken her first steps on a life-long path of study, practice and devotion. Shannon teaches a full-spectrum, balanced practice from challenging, upbeat vinyasa flow to bliss-out restorative. So whether you want to move, play and flow or simply sit comfortably and breathe consciously, you are always welcome in class. Through creative and thoughtful sequencing, Shannon offers a safe and inviting space to explore your boundaries and awaken your innate potential. In her class you'll experience alignment-based flow with clear direction, an uplifting theme and hands-on adjustments set to eclectic music. In between the movement of your breath and body, you'll find an ever-evolving sense of connection to the most authentic parts of yourself and a deeper sense of engagement with the world around you. Come as you are and expect to leave class feeling empowered, focused and inspired. She has completed her 200hr certification with Bernadette Birney, Restorative training with Jillian Pranksy, Prenatal Certification with Sue Elkind and her 500hr advanced training with Tiffany Cruikshank of Yoga Medicine. She also continues to study yoga philosophy with Dr. Douglas Brooks. Shannon is also a certified lifeguard, PaddleFit and Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga Teacher. She has also completed Trauma Informed and Yoga Activist training with Off The Mat and Into The World with Sean Corne, Suzanne Sterling and Hala Khoury. She is also a Lululemon Ambassador. 
Sarah Cheiky LMT NCTMB thai massage CONTINuing education provider Sarah Cheiky opened The Studio Cleveland on September 7, 2010, earning license as a massage therapist from the Ohio State Medical Board in 2003, after studying at the Harmony Path School of Massage in Rocky River, Ohio. She completed continuing education courses and teaching apprenticeship in Traditional Thai Massage from Dr. C. Pierce Salguero at his Tao Mountain School of Traditional Thai Massage with additional research and certifications at The Thai Institute of Arlington, Virginia. In 2006, Sarah met the high standards for excellence established by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB); continues to expand her skills and knowledge with domestic and international studies in Vipassana Meditation, Thai and Buddhist Medicine. Formally welcomed into the family and lineages of The Traditional Old Medicine Hospital, and the SVG Thai Massage Training Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2012, has been recognized internationally as a Master Body Worker. Sarah accepts this with great humility and continues to offer great respect to her clients and community, by allowing you to be the greatest teacher. For more information regarding services and training: http://www.sarahcsiki.com/ |
Ameena Ingram
YOGA TEACHER
Ameena completed her 200HR YTT through The Studio Cleveland. Her All Levels Vinyasa Flows typically begin with a short meditation, moving from a slow flow into a more powerful vinyasa flow. Ameena's classes will focus heavily on both alignment and mindfulness, with the goal of helping students discover the resilience rooted deeply inside of them.
Outside of the studio, Ameena enjoys reading, all things water, outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding and camping, and exploring new places.
Outside of the studio, Ameena enjoys reading, all things water, outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding and camping, and exploring new places.
