Shari Samson is a physician with over 25 years of experience in anesthesiology who brings the same dedication and compassion from her medical career into the world of yoga and wellness. She trained in Hatha Yoga at Kula Yoga Shala in Jupiter in 2023 and is also a Chopra-certified meditation teacher with more than seven years of experience guiding students in stillness and self-awareness. In addition, she is a skilled Ayurvedic health coach and Reiki practitioner.

Shari discovered yoga, meditation, and breathwork during a pivotal chapter of her life, following a spinal injury and the end of her marriage. These practices became her pathway to deep healing, teaching her to slow down, listen inward, and tap into her own innate ability to restore balance in mind, body, and spirit.

Today, Shari is passionate about sharing these tools with others. She brings an authentic, grounded presence to her classes, inspiring students to discover their own inner strength and healing potential. She has a remarkable ability to teach in a style that brings out power and strength but also is gifted in allowing space for others to soften into each of their own unique practice,  encouraging one to honor their body, their skill level, their mood, and what feels right in the moment. At the same time her extensive knowledge of anatomy creates safety in the practice, especially with regards to students with  pre-existing injuries, as she, herself, has overcome a serious spinal injury and surgeries. She enjoys teaching across the whole Hatha spectrum, including vinyasa, gentle flow, restorative, yin yoga, meditation, and breathwork practices, always with the intention of creating space for transformation and self-discovery.

Shelli is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor with over 15 years of extensive teaching experience, complemented by thousands of hours leading group classes, private sessions, and workshops. Trained in the Sivananda style of Hatha yoga, Shelli integrates traditional practices emphasizing breath control, alignment, and holistic wellness.

For 10 years, she owned and operated a successful yoga studio, where she fostered a welcoming and inclusive environment dedicated to physical health, mindfulness, and community engagement. Shelli specializes in senior fitness with a focus on safe, compassionate instruction tailored to improve mobility, balance, and overall well-being. She is also trained in trauma-sensitive yoga, enabling her to provide compassionate and nurturing guidance for individuals recovering from stress and trauma.

In addition to her yoga credentials, Shelli holds a Level 1 Reiki Healing certification, which enhances her holistic approach to wellness by integrating energy healing techniques into her teaching. Her practice emphasizes functional movement, breath awareness, and injury prevention to support clients of all ages and abilities in achieving sustainable health and vitality.

A Florida Native, Sonja has been living in Colorado and teaching yoga for 8 years.  Having just returned to her home state, she is excited to share her love of yoga with a new community.  Sonja is a firm believer in the power of yoga for positive change and the fact that yoga can be for everyone! 

Sonja core training is in Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative styles, but she has also studied Prenatal Yoga, Chair Yoga, and even Stand up Paddleboard Yoga. Expect classes that integrate a mixture of strength and softness, with a focus on community breath to  leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.

Sonja also loves an eclectic mix of musical styles, so don't be surprised to hear anything from 80's pop, 70's soul, reggae, funk or electronic while you flow!

SUZETTE GARCIA, MSc: Master in Health & Nutrition Education, Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist (BCHN), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)

Suzette is a native South Floridian that you can find on or near the water, at home, at a yoga studio, out to eat and visiting farmer's markets.

A life-long passion of Suzette's has always been in the medical industry; however, it wasn't until the last 10+ years that Suzette made a career out of her passion. For the last decade, Suzette has passionately educated those seeking knowledge, empowering them with the knowledge and motivation to achieve optimal health and wellness. Full-time, Suzette is a Clinical Lab Educator, which means that she assists doctors and patients in the interpretation of their lab results and provides lifestyle, food, and supplement considerations. She has a Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education, is a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a Professional Member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. 

After decades of practicing yoga, in January of 2019, Suzette started a deeper journey in her practice of yoga beginning her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. The training added to her skillset, as well as her own personal growth, which was truly her ultimate goal. For Suzette, yoga has helped her endeavor through challenging times, maintaining balance in her mind, body and soul.

Trained in numerous styles of yoga, with a strong focus on Vinyasa, Suzette also learned and teaches Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.

Yoga was introduced to Alexa as a young child and the seed that was planted continued to grow roots until 2020 when she walked into a studio for the first time and a plant sprouted. After working admin for a studio in Jupiter, she took the plunge and dove in to their first ever teacher training in October 2021. Since graduating she has been teaching all over the treasure coast and starting her retreat coordinating journey

Alexa has a background in social media and marketing, and spends her days in her garden, on the beach and hanging out with her four pups!

My name is Candice McCoy, and I live in Stuart, Florida. I’m a proud mother of three and have
worked in education for over 21 years, teaching in both public schools and at the college level.

Beginning in August 2025, I’ll be working at Independence Middle School in Jupiter, Florida.
I hold two advanced degrees—a Master of Science in Reading and a Philosophy of
Education in E-Learning. In 2010, I was honored to be named Teacher of the Year in Martin
County, Florida. Throughout my career, I’ve trained teachers across Florida in research-based
reading strategies for early learners.
I serve as Chaplain of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women
educators, and am a former President of the local chapter.

I am also a certified 500-hour
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), life coach, meditation instructor, Reiki Level II
Facilitator, and Intermediate Integrated Energy Therapist, with an additional 100-hour
certification in Cranio-Sacral Therapy.
I’m the Founder and President of The Healing House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
established in 2016. At The Healing House, we combine Western approaches with Eastern
philosophy to support self-regulation, stress reduction, personal growth, and well-being. We
believe that every person is their own “healing house,” and our goal is to help individuals
connect with themselves so they can thrive—mind, body, and spirit.

My greatest passion is helping others connect with and follow their inner compass—leading to
more empowered, intentional lives.

Cecile Schoen discovered yoga as a teenager and was immediately drawn to its ability to calm the mind, strengthen the body, and connect to the inner self. She has since devoted her life to studying and practicing yoga, and is passionate about sharing its transformative power with others.  She got her RYT 200 Hatha yoga teacher certification in 2021 and has been teaching classes worldwide. 

Cecile loves to share the healing experience of yoga through breath work, meditation and movement. She includes sound healing in her practice with singing bowls to promote a deeper meditation. She believes Yoga is incredibly beneficial for anyone and can heal and transform lives for the greater well being. 

Cheryl began her yoga journey when she was in college and has been practicing ever since. After retiring from a career in higher education administration, Cheryl chose to deepen her yoga practice by obtaining her 200 hour teacher training in Iyengar style yoga in 2022 and in 2024 she became certified in Yin yoga. Since receiving her certified yoga teacher, Cheryl has been sharing her love of yoga with others as  in Marathon, FL and Old Saybrook, CT. Cheryl recently moved to the Stuart area and is excited to continue to join the Banyan Soul Yoga community. In addition to teaching and practicing yoga, Cheryl enjoys spending time outside sailing, paddle boarding, hiking, playing pickleball and organic gardening. She also likes cooking, entertaining and playing board games with friends and family.  

Chris White is a 200 hour RYT certified yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner and hypnotherapist. She has been practicing yoga for over 25 years but began to take her yoga journey more seriously after experiencing a debilitating back injury 15 years ago. An educator by trade, it was natural for Chris to combine her passion for teaching and passion for yoga. Chris was trained in the Baptiste Tradition but loves facilitating all kinds of yoga – including Vinyasa, Yin, Restore, Kids’ yoga, and Yoga Nidra - to all kinds of people. In addition, Chris loves spending time with friends and family, playing with her dogs and swimming in the ocean. Hobbies include taking care of her plants, cooking healthy meals and restoring old furniture. She is an eternal optimist who is always looking for more ways to be joyful and balanced. Her favorite aspects of teaching yoga are experiencing wellness as a community, connecting with her students and offering space for people to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Yoga and meditation have been a grounding force in my life, helping me find balance, peace, and connection in the midst of life’s demands. My practice began with hot power vinyasa and has expanded to include Yin, restorative yoga, TRX yoga, and meditation. Through dedicated study and daily practice, I’ve experienced the profound mental and physical benefits of yoga and felt called to share them with others.

I am certified in 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, 120-hour Meditation Training, 120 hour Yin Training, and a certified TRX Yoga Instructor. My goal is to guide students toward greater strength, mindfulness, and balance—on and off the mat.

Courtney's yoga journey began, as many do, as a way to stay active and balance out her running sessions after graduating college. She thought she was going to find a challenging physical outlet (spoiler: she did!) but what she really found was far better than could have ever been imagined- she found herself, her soul’s purpose is in this lifetime.

Courtney's personal yoga practice has witnessed nearly 13 years of physical, mental, + spiritual transformation and many, many different seasons of life. The biggest constant? The mat. Life always found a way to bring her right back to yoga- right where she was meant to be.

After many years and a few hundred classes, Courtney has traveled to Costa Rica for two incredible weeks with Marianne Wells’ Yoga School earning my 200-RYT certification in 2023. She's always seeking to deepen my knowledge and skillset so that she can best serve her students as they grow in their practice- Courtney truly believes in remaining a student first and a teacher second.

Courtney's flows blend creative, dynamic movement, focusing on alignment and guiding students to cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and their bodies. Intentionally integrating props into her classes helps build a safe, supportive space where students can explore their practice. She's also known for meticulously curating epic playlists!

Off the mat, Courtney is the proudest mom of two really cool kids and a licensed skydiver!

I was embraced by Yoga shortly after my second L5S1 Microdiscectomy surgery in 2007 at the age of 52. Over the next 4 years, I worked diligently to strengthen my core, lose weight and dive deeply into my Yoga practice. I completed a 40HR Yin Yoga YTT in 2011 and a 200HR Hatha Yoga YTT in 2012.

Yoga and all that entails, has subsequently become the way that saved me. In my quest for fitness and health, I found that the principles of Yoga Asana: "Sthira-sukham" (Steadines and ease in my posture) would serve well as the foundation for functional mobility training. To move freely and without pain as we age requires work and commitment. The alternative requires nothing, but the outcome is loss of movement, independence, and quality of life.

My practice is a combination of Hatha Yoga inspired by Gabriel Halpern (Iyengar Yoga) and Yin Yoga as taught to me by Paul Grilley. Together they give me a unique perspective in the ‘yoking or union’ of form, the ‘Vehicle of the Soul’, and spirit, the ‘Spark of Divinity’.

Walk with me on this journey and let’s explore together… Om, shanti, shanti, shanti

RYT 200, iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher, and Licensed Psychologist

Gina L. Buse (RYT 200) holds sacred space for her clients’ navigation of the mind-body-breath connection in her specialized services. She recognizes the importance of balance with both active and passive practices and leads clients mindfully through dynamic sequences in gentle yet powerful movement, while she also guides clients in navigating stillness in her sweet love of yin and restorative yoga. She loves to share her joy of yoga with others and guide them along the journey of the unfolding of yoga on and off the mat. With her profound love for Yin Yoga, Gina leads clients into the sacred pause and journey inward to stoke the light, help clients to be attuned to the subtle energy lines in their bodies, and nourish the rivers of energy in reflection. Gina integrates her yoga training with her psychology expertise to lead clients into deep conscious relaxation with her heartfelt love for Restorative Yoga. Her passion lies in the heart of the meditative and passive, yet powerful, practice of pause and stillness in Restorative Yoga, which she often refers to as guided time snuggling with pillows and blankets. She loves to guide clients into the sacred pause release the mental fluctuations to simply be and soak in the relaxation experience. In 2019, she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Kula Yoga Shala (a Registered Yoga School (RYS)) in Jupiter, Florida. Her love for the meditative component of the sacred pause led her to complete the Integrative Restoration (iRest) Institute Level 1 teacher training in 2023. Her expertise as a licensed psychologist since 2007 provides a different lens for practice with her knowledge of cognition, emotions, and behavior. Thus, her training as Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, and iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher integrates and complements one another for navigation of the mind-body-breath connection in her specialized yoga and meditation services.

Holly has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, beginning her journey at Baptiste Studios in Boston during a time of personal overwhelm. As a new single mom, she was searching for balance but found so much more—strength, resilience, and a profound sense of calm. Through yoga, she discovered not only physical transformation but emotional and spiritual growth, evolving into a more grounded and self-aware person.

Holly’s training was completed at Open Doors Studios in Massachusetts, where she deepened her practice and developed a passion for teaching. She specializes in Power Vinyasa, Slow Flow, and Gentle Yoga, bringing a diverse range of styles to her students.

In 2023, Holly founded Banyan Soul with the mission to create a welcoming and inclusive community where all individuals, regardless of their experience level, feel comfortable and supported on their yoga journey. Her goal is to share the transformative practice that has so deeply impacted her own life, empowering others to find strength, calm, and connection both on and off the mat.

With over 20 years of personal practice, I bring a deep love and respect for yoga into every class I teach. Though I’m new to teaching, yoga has been a steady presence in my life—grounding me through change, inspiring balance, and nurturing a strong mind-body connection.

I grew up in Jensen Beach, and the ocean has always been a place of peace and inspiration for me. When I’m not on the mat, you’ll often find me by the water with my kids and our pets, enjoying the beauty of nature and the joy of being present. My children share my passion for yoga, and their curiosity and energy continue to inspire my own journey.

My personal practice is rooted in Ashtanga yoga, and I also enjoy exploring heated Vinyasa, Yin, and slow flow styles. Each brings its own rhythm and benefits, and I love weaving elements of strength, softness, and stillness into the way I guide others.

As I begin this new chapter as a teacher, I’m excited to give back to the community that shaped me and to share the benefits of yoga with others. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your practice, I’m here to guide you with encouragement, mindfulness, and heart.

Kelsey is a dedicated yoga and wellness instructor with an impressive array of certifications, including a Trauma-informed 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT), Restorative Yoga Certification, Children's Yoga Certification, Prenatal Yoga Certification, Love Your Brain Certification, and Sound Healing Therapy Certification. Her journey into yoga began in 2020 as a personal response to her struggles with post-concussion syndrome. This transformative experience ignited her passion for sharing the benefits of yoga and meditation with individuals affected by traumatic brain injuries.

Kelsey believes in the power of community and holistic practices to foster healing and resilience. Through her teachings, she aims to create a supportive environment where individuals can explore yoga and meditation as tools for recovery and well-being. Together, we can shift the narrative around healing, emphasizing the importance of connection, mindfulness, and self-care in our journeys to wellness.

Kim’s passion for yoga came from a place of healing. A lifelong athlete with a desire for a holistic health.

Kim began her yoga journey in 1995 and fell in love with the practice. Kim completed her 200 hour teacher training with Margarida Tree at One Yoga planet in 2006. She is trained to teach the pure yoga tradition incorporating meditation, pranayama, vinyasa flow and yin.

Kim ties her yogic philosophy and readings into her teachings as a means to broaden students, perspective in deepening their practice off the mat. Her style of teaching is alignment based, yet fluid, hands on approach with great assists. Emphasizing on building core strength and flexibility, she believes breath and body consciousness awareness is key to a healthy practice.

Kim’s influences and inspiration come from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and Don Miguel Ruiz. Some of her favorite teachers include Rod Stryker, Eric Schiffman, Seane Corn, Rodney Yee and Baron Baptiste.

Please join Kim on the mat. Her warm smile, calm demeanor and humor makes her students at ease and at peace with themselves.

Lauren is a yoga teacher, licensed massage therapist, and Reiki Master, passionate about all things spirituality and self-growth. Her yoga journey began at 21, sparked by a hatha class while struggling to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up after college. On the mat she discovered a sense of peace and love surrounding her in Savasana and was immediately hooked. She dove into yoga teacher training a couple of years later while living in Encinitas, CA and completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2006 at the Soul of Yoga. Specializing in gentle vinyasa, restorative, and yin styles, Lauren believes yoga is accessible to everyone. She has taken advanced yoga trainings over the years in yin, mindfulness and meditation techniques for trauma through the Asheville Yoga Center. Her classes integrate breath, meditation, and movement, helping students find balance and connection. Lauren views yoga as a healing path for the mind, body, and spirit.

Hello beautiful friends. Let me introduce myself. My name is Liz Osceola. I am a 500 hour RYT, with additional certifications in Menopause Yoga and Trauma Informed Yoga. My "mission" is to change the narrative on Menopause, and to show women it's OK to age, In fact, it's a BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL thing. EMBRACE it! Yoga can help with this part of our journey in so many ways, and I'm honored to support you through it.

Hi, I’m Marisa! My yoga journey began in 2022 with hot Vinyasa flows, where I fell in love with the energy, sweat, and sheer magic of movement and breath coming together. Since then, I’ve become a certified yoga instructor through YogaFit Worldwide and have had the honor of sharing my practice in some pretty cool places, like my college campus, where I worked with students and athletes, and the sunny beaches of Ocean City, New Jersey, where summer yoga vibes were always at their peak.

Now, I continue to bring my passion for yoga to the mat , offering classes that are equal parts fun, challenging, and rejuvenating. Whether it’s feeling the ocean breeze during a beach flow or finding grounding in a Vinyasa session, my goal is to create an experience that leaves you feeling refreshed and connected. Let’s move, breathe, and grow together!

Michelle is a Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Energy Medicine Practitioner, and Death Doula devoted to the path of holistic healing and spiritual embodiment. With over two decades of experience—including 18 years as a licensed massage therapist, 23 years as a certified yoga teacher, and 15 years as a holistic health coach—she brings deep presence, wisdom, and compassion to every space she holds.

Her journey began with a personal quest for healing after being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition in her teens. When conventional medicine offered little relief, Michelle turned inward—discovering the transformative power of yoga, meditation, energy work, nutrition, and somatic practices. Through these modalities, she not only found physical healing but also profound emotional and spiritual awakening.

Today, Michelle guides students and clients through their own cycles of transformation, weaving ancient yogic wisdom with intuitive energy work to support healing, balance, and self-discovery. She invites others to reconnect to their true nature, release fear, and live in alignment with their soul’s calling—from birth to death and every step along the way.

Shari Samson is a physician with over 25 years of experience in anesthesiology who brings the same dedication and compassion from her medical career into the world of yoga and wellness. She trained in Hatha Yoga at Kula Yoga Shala in Jupiter in 2023 and is also a Chopra-certified meditation teacher with more than seven years of experience guiding students in stillness and self-awareness. In addition, she is a skilled Ayurvedic health coach and Reiki practitioner.

Shari discovered yoga, meditation, and breathwork during a pivotal chapter of her life, following a spinal injury and the end of her marriage. These practices became her pathway to deep healing, teaching her to slow down, listen inward, and tap into her own innate ability to restore balance in mind, body, and spirit.

Today, Shari is passionate about sharing these tools with others. She brings an authentic, grounded presence to her classes, inspiring students to discover their own inner strength and healing potential. She has a remarkable ability to teach in a style that brings out power and strength but also is gifted in allowing space for others to soften into each of their own unique practice,  encouraging one to honor their body, their skill level, their mood, and what feels right in the moment. At the same time her extensive knowledge of anatomy creates safety in the practice, especially with regards to students with  pre-existing injuries, as she, herself, has overcome a serious spinal injury and surgeries. She enjoys teaching across the whole Hatha spectrum, including vinyasa, gentle flow, restorative, yin yoga, meditation, and breathwork practices, always with the intention of creating space for transformation and self-discovery.

Shelli is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor with over 15 years of extensive teaching experience, complemented by thousands of hours leading group classes, private sessions, and workshops. Trained in the Sivananda style of Hatha yoga, Shelli integrates traditional practices emphasizing breath control, alignment, and holistic wellness.

For 10 years, she owned and operated a successful yoga studio, where she fostered a welcoming and inclusive environment dedicated to physical health, mindfulness, and community engagement. Shelli specializes in senior fitness with a focus on safe, compassionate instruction tailored to improve mobility, balance, and overall well-being. She is also trained in trauma-sensitive yoga, enabling her to provide compassionate and nurturing guidance for individuals recovering from stress and trauma.

In addition to her yoga credentials, Shelli holds a Level 1 Reiki Healing certification, which enhances her holistic approach to wellness by integrating energy healing techniques into her teaching. Her practice emphasizes functional movement, breath awareness, and injury prevention to support clients of all ages and abilities in achieving sustainable health and vitality.

A Florida Native, Sonja has been living in Colorado and teaching yoga for 8 years.  Having just returned to her home state, she is excited to share her love of yoga with a new community.  Sonja is a firm believer in the power of yoga for positive change and the fact that yoga can be for everyone! 

Sonja core training is in Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative styles, but she has also studied Prenatal Yoga, Chair Yoga, and even Stand up Paddleboard Yoga. Expect classes that integrate a mixture of strength and softness, with a focus on community breath to  leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.

Sonja also loves an eclectic mix of musical styles, so don't be surprised to hear anything from 80's pop, 70's soul, reggae, funk or electronic while you flow!

SUZETTE GARCIA, MSc: Master in Health & Nutrition Education, Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist (BCHN), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)

Suzette is a native South Floridian that you can find on or near the water, at home, at a yoga studio, out to eat and visiting farmer's markets.

A life-long passion of Suzette's has always been in the medical industry; however, it wasn't until the last 10+ years that Suzette made a career out of her passion. For the last decade, Suzette has passionately educated those seeking knowledge, empowering them with the knowledge and motivation to achieve optimal health and wellness. Full-time, Suzette is a Clinical Lab Educator, which means that she assists doctors and patients in the interpretation of their lab results and provides lifestyle, food, and supplement considerations. She has a Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education, is a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a Professional Member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. 

After decades of practicing yoga, in January of 2019, Suzette started a deeper journey in her practice of yoga beginning her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. The training added to her skillset, as well as her own personal growth, which was truly her ultimate goal. For Suzette, yoga has helped her endeavor through challenging times, maintaining balance in her mind, body and soul.

Trained in numerous styles of yoga, with a strong focus on Vinyasa, Suzette also learned and teaches Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.