Meet the team

Visual artist, professional photographer, and yoga teacher from Puerto Rico, based in NYC. She has a BA in Communications from the University of Puerto Rico, a Photography Certificate from Pratt Institute, and a Visual Arts MFA from Columbia University. She’s been practicing yoga for 15 years and has been teaching for 8 years. In her yogic education, she has a 500-hour Original Hot Yoga certification from Pure Yoga Texas, 200- hour Hatha Vinyasa certification from Spirit Sadhana School of Yoga Barcelona and a Yin Yoga certification from Science of Self Yoga New York. She is fluent in Spanish and English languages and she enjoys creating community!

Alison is passionate about making movement accessible and fun for all people. Alison's movement practice developed out of a need to make friends in a new country. Not only did she create a community, but she fell in love with movement and she truly believes in its ability to bring people together. When she is not at the studio, catch her watching trashy reality TV, spending time with her cats and husband or studying for her graduate program.

Lily Capstick received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in Vinyasa with YogaUnion in Ubud, Bali. Lily was drawn to yoga over 10 years ago, due to its enchanting effect on her mind and spirit. As a teacher, she honors to the best of her ability the teachings of Sage Patanjali's eight- limbed path, meaning she doesn't approach her yoga classes solely as workouts. Yoga is an embodied spiritual practice that disciplines the mind and body and strengthens our intuition and connection to self. In her classes, Lily emphasizes alignment, breath-to-movement connection, and finding your edge—pushing yourself without burning out, letting yourself rest without guilt. When she's not teaching yoga, you can find Lily making art, editing books, or petting her cats, Blackberry and Luna.

Myrtil is a certified Pilates and Group Fitness Instructor based in New York City. Originally from France, she brings a thoughtful blend of athletic precision, mindful awareness, and fluid movement to her teaching. With nearly twenty years of experience in Track & Field, her approach is rooted in strength, efficiency, and body intelligence. She is certified in Core Mat Pilates I & II through Power Pilates NYC and holds a Group Fitness Instructor certification through NASM/AFAA. Myrtil is currently continuing her training toward a comprehensive Pilates certification, deepening her understanding of functional movement and the mind-body connection. Her classes are grounded in the Classical Pilates method created by Joseph Pilates infused with modern energy and dynamic flow. Whether teaching Pilates Mat or Body Sculpt, Myrtil emphasizes clear cueing, core engagement, alignment, and intentional movement. Expect a supportive yet challenging experience that builds strength, improves posture, and helps you move with confidence and control.

After practicing various sports such as judo and running, Léa discovered yoga, which quickly became a true source of inspiration and personal fulfillment. Distinct from sports, yoga offered her a space to move her body while connecting each movement to a deeper intention, focused not on competition but on well-being, grounding, mindfulness, and presence in the moment. In her classes, Léa offers a dynamic practice where alignment and flow blend with music, creating a stimulating and uplifting atmosphere. Having been privileged to explore alignment in depth, among other things, during her 200-hour training with ShaktiYoga teacher training, she guides her students with clear and precise instructions, ensuring a practice that is both safe and enriching. Passionate about group classes, she draws motivation and energy from them, and enjoys helping her students leave feeling relaxed, revitalized, and smiling. Through her teaching, she hopes to share with each participant a true sense of peacefulness and a powerful, radiant energy.

Kayla Schwab (she/her) is a yoga and poetry instructor who is thrilled to offer classes to her neighbors in Ditmas Park. She earned her YTT-200 in 2019 and has continued her study with Melissa Shah. As a teacher, Kayla’s goal is to help people connect with their breath, expand its capacity, and maintain that connection as they move, meditate, write, dance, or whatever it is they are called to do. When she’s not teaching yoga, Kayla is a creative director by day and a poet by night, teaching workshops at Brooklyn Poets and the Poetry Society of New York. You can learn more about Kayla’s work and offerings at kaylaschwab.com.

Jahmila is a certified yoga teacher who specializes in vinyasa, yin and trauma informed yoga offerings. She came to yoga years ago through her high school physical education substitute teacher. Her practice and offerings centers on authenticity and connecting the body to breath. Jahmila’s primary teaching interest is how we can truthfully and mindfully show up for ourselves. She received her yoga teacher certification in 2021 from New Love City under the tutelage of Be Leigh, Connor Alexander and Keela Williams. Outside of yoga, Jahmila enjoys running and pilates. When she’s not practicing, Jahmila spends her work time hours in development finance for affordable housing developments.

Kara believes that yoga offers us an opportunity to connect with our bodies and breath, bringing the body and mind into deeper union. Her classes are thoughtfully sequenced and alignment-focused, designed to connect breath to movement and offer a respite from the hustle of modern life and a more embodied self. Kara has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and feels that it truly offers something for everyone. She completed her YTT 200hr studying with Julie Dohrman at Shaktiyoga NYC and is honored to share the practice with others.

Caitlin Fischer is a certified personal trainer, yoga teacher, sound healer, and R&B musician (CTLN) from NJ! Her teaching style is warm, direct, alignment-focused, and rooted in intention. Caitlin is inspired to empower and awaken the healer within you through her classes and training sessions. Searching for deeper healing modalities and a way through this incredibly difficult season, Cailtin earned her 200-Hour yoga teacher certification during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She is in the process of receiving her 300-Hour Trauma-Informed YTT and is expected to be a 500-Hour yoga teacher by late May 2026. Cailtin also earned her personal training certification through the National Strength & Conditioning Association in 2021. She graduated from Boston University in 2020 with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Environmental Science. As a burn survivor since eight months old, Caitlin feels a soul calling to help others transcend the egoic attachments to the physical body in order to enter into a healthy relationship with their body. She embraces her wholeness and unique human experience unapologetically. She knows you can, too. Whether through holistic healing or R&B music, Caitlin leans towards the light and encourages others to come with her.

Mar Lures-Keller is a Brooklyn-based movement artist, yoga teacher, and arts administrator. His classes blend breath-led flow, strength, and mobility with an emphasis on curiosity and embodied presence. Drawing from his experience in dance, somatic practices, and yoga, Mar aims to create spaces that are grounding, playful, and human.

Regina is an Integrative Movement Specialist who believes yoga should be accessible to everyone. She brings a unique blend of expertise to her classes, combining her background as a clinically trained Physical Therapist and an 800-hour Yoga Therapist. At Cocoon Studio, Regina teaches dynamic Ashtanga for those seeking a traditional, vigorous practice, as well as a specialized Gentle Flow class, focusing on balance, stability, and fall prevention. Her background in therapeutic movement, chronic pain management, and womens health allows her to meet students exactly where they are—whether building strength and flexibility or regaining confidence in movement. Regina's teaching is grounded in sound anatomy and mindful awareness, creating a safe space for exploration on the mat or chair. She holds her RYT-200 in Ashtanga and is committed to helping each student discover their own resilience and capability through yoga

Danielle Roth-Booker is a yoga teacher, writer, and podcast producer. Her aim is to help students connect authentically with themselves through movement, while building strength and having fun, of course! She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Dou Yoga in Brooklyn, where she learned how to blend modern science with the historic traditions of yoga. She has been practicing yoga for more than a decade. Yoga has helped her learn how to move through difficult emotions and let go of perfectionism.

Justin (he/him) has spent the past twenty years as a video editor, injecting conflict and drama into reality television. Now, his main focus is helping his students extract the drama from their bodies. Yoga entered his life as a way to deal with the stress of a deadline-driven life. First exposed around 2007 in Los Angeles, Justin channels his many unique and diverse teachers to create his own style of teaching that blends alignment with encouragement to create more openness within our bodies. Justin’s classes feature accessible flows, hands-on instruction, and opportunities for growth. He welcomes those who are inexperienced at yoga or who consider themselves inflexible, and is a firm believer in the community building power of yoga. He is also available for private sessions.

Frida is a NASM-certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and flexibility coach with over 15 years of experience in the fitness and movement world. Originally from Sweden, she has been based in New York City for over 14 years, working across both in-person and digital platforms. Frida has led classes and coached clients at major gyms such as Equinox and NYSC, as well as online platforms including Meta Virtual reality game FitXR and Balanced Health. Alongside her work in fitness, she has a background as a professional dancer, with experience in commercial projects, large-scale productions, and international collaborations. Today, Frida continues to work in fitness, movement, and private coaching while bringing her broad industry experience into the studio.

Ali is a yoga teacher and artist. She began her yoga journey 20 years ago studying Ashtanga, and began practicing vinyasa and other styles shortly after. She fell in love with the community, and the grounding she found through her practice. Ali is certified to teach Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Power, prenatal, yin, and laughter yoga. Ali has recently become a mother, and is excited to spread the amazing power of yoga to all who seek unity in life, on and off the mat and to include their babes! Ali teaches a fun, dynamic vinyasa class with uplifting music, and playfulness.

Originally from Japan and now based in New York, I am a dancer, Pilates trainer, and costume designer with a deep love for movement and artistic expression. I graduated from Osaka University of Arts with a major in Ballet and Performing Arts before moving to New York to pursue my dance career. After performing with various dance companies in New York, I now focus primarily on Brazilian dance, embracing its vibrant energy, rhythm, and cultural richness. Alongside performing, I work as a Pilates trainer, helping clients build strength, alignment, and confidence through mindful movement. Whether through dance, Pilates, or costume creation, my passion is the same — bringing joy to others and creating moments where people can smile, connect, and feel truly alive in their bodies.

Greta grew up downtown in Manhattan and has been lucky to call Ditmas Park her home for the past decade. She began her yoga teaching journey with the littlest yogis by getting certified in Children's Yoga through Karma Kids Yoga in 2015. As an Early Childhood educator, Greta is consistently weaving the practice of yoga into her classroom and inquiry-based curriculum. Greta has been exploring movement for most of her life, with particular gratitude for studying dance at Hunter College and the very first yoga class she took at age thirteen at her local YMCA, which hooked her instantly. Greta has been a practitioner and children's yoga teacher at Jaya Yoga Studio for a few years and was overjoyed to deepen her practice and complete her 200 hr teacher training with them in 2025. Greta is thrilled to join the teaching team at Cocoon Studio and explore movement and breath with her amazing neighbors.

Kristin leads meaningful yoga classes that will balance your energy and improve your mood. She focuses on the breath to soothe your nervous system, on the body to release tension, and combines the two to relax your mind. Her classes invite you to explore the elegant layers of this ancient system and receive its timeless wisdom. She draws on 15 years teaching vinyasa, kundalini, restorative, meditation and yoga nidra at NYC studios to provide a unified class experience. After practicing regularly for a decade, Kristin completed her 200 hr training at Yoga People in 2011 and her 300 hr training at ISHTA in 2016. Take her class to navigate life’s challenges and find acceptance with what is. All are welcome!

Jenn found her way to yoga and meditation after years of resistance to slowing down. She became an RYT-200 in 2023 and is committed to supporting others on their own wellness paths, recognizing no two paths are alike. She offers vinyasa, yin, restorative, prenatal and Inside Flow classes. Off the mat, she enjoys swimming, traveling and being in nature. Jenn believes yoga is for every body and aims to leave students feeling grounded and empowered each time they show up.  (More about her offerings and story at jennpliu.com)

Kendra is a classically trained Pilates instructor who began her Pilates journey while rehabilitating an injury. Inspired by the method’s ability to restore balance and strength, she now teaches with a focus on mindful movement, breath, and proper alignment. She also practices yoga and is passionate about lifelong learning.

Ronnie has always been deeply connected to movement. As a lifelong dancer, she’s spent years listening to the language of the body. When she found yoga, the same sense of joy, presence, and freedom she felt in dance showed up on the mat—but with a new layer of inner connection that she hadn’t experienced before. Ronnie completed her 200-hour RYT certification with Julie Dohrman through Shakti Yoga at Brooklyn Flow, and for her, this is just the beginning of a lifelong journey. As both a student and a teacher, Ronnie is always learning—growing her awareness, deepening her understanding, and showing up with an open heart. Her classes are welcoming and grounded, designed to help students feel supported as they explore their own movement, find stillness, and connect to what’s true for them. More than anything, Ronnie hopes to create a space where students can just feel, get curious, and be inspired—to take what they find on the mat and carry it into their lives with confidence, compassion, and grace.

April’s classes are inclusive, fun, sweaty, playful, self empowering and community-centered. Her journey into fitness was sparked by her commitment to equity when she began teaching in schools, youth detention centers, and shelters. She is a certified NASM personal trainer and is also certified in Yoga, Barre, Pilates and IntenSati (combining positive affirmations with physical movement). Outside of teaching, April is a foster mother, where she practices the power of play.

As a dancer & performer, I was originally drawn to yoga and fitness to become physically strong. I began my teaching journey in 2021 after completing my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. I went on to receive additional 50-hour & 65-hour certifications in body sculpt & HIIT style classes. After sustaining a back & hip injury in 2024, my perspective on fitness shifted drastically. My physical limitations nudged me towards the non-physical elements required for physical healing. The beauty of yoga philosophy & mindfulness inspired me to complete my 300-hour YTT & I began coaching & leading various teacher training programs to share my knowledge. My background in yoga has provided me with a unique approach to strength-based classes. As I continue my healing, both physically and mentally, I celebrate having taught over 600 classes. My teaching mission is to make movement feel joyful rather than punishing. I love working with all populations, but especially beginners. They are my most distinguished teachers & constantly remind me that we are all always starting over.

Dionne is a certified group fitness instructor through NASM/AFAA, a health education specialist, and a board‑certified health and wellbeing coach. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Community Health Education and Promotion, further strengthening her ability to support individuals and communities in living healthier, more empowered lives. Dionne is also expanding her movement expertise through a comprehensive classical mat Pilates program, deepening her knowledge of alignment, core strength, and mind‑body connection. Dionne fell in love with group fitness during her college years, where she became a regular class attendee and discovered the unique sense of community, motivation, and empowerment that builds inside the studio. That experience fuels her approach today—creating inclusive, encouraging spaces where everyone feels supported and capable. A passionate advocate for health promotion across diverse communities, Dionne cares deeply about people and finds joy in seeing them thrive and grow into the best version of themselves. Her coaching philosophy blends compassion, education, and intentional movement to inspire lasting wellbeing. When she’s not working or teaching, Dionne enjoys running, traveling around the globe, and making meaningful memories with her loved ones.

Ashley is a Brooklyn based yoga teacher and community organizer. She began her personal yoga practice over 10 years ago as a way to find flexibility, spaciousness and release tension in her body. She has been dedicated to deepening her practice and sharing her learnings with others ever since. Ashley received her 200 hour yoga certification through the Bhakti Center under the guidance of Jamuna Jaya and Brinda Kumari. She has great appreciation for all that yoga has to offer- from the variety of asana styles, to meditation and breathwork, to yogic philosophy. You’ll find this versatility of the practice infused into her classes. Ashley enjoys creating sequences that balance challenging ourselves and meeting our edge with finding lightness, ease and joy in the practice. She prioritizes creating an environment that fosters self-exploration and acceptance. Students should walk away from Ashley’s classes feeling grounded, content, a deeper sense of self-inquiry and greater clarity of mind.

Sarah-lisa is a New York–born and raised mover and groover whose relationship with movement began at age four through classical ballet and judo. These early disciplines shaped her lifelong curiosity about the body, leading her to explore modalities ranging from pole dance and fascial work to corrective exercise, strength training, mat/reformer Pilates, barre, circuit training, and of course yoga. No matter the class format, Sarah-Lisa views the body as a gateway to the mind. Her teaching emphasizes curiosity, awareness, and intelligent movement. She holds certifications in yoga, corrective exercise, mat and hot Pilates, as well as barre, and is currently completing her advanced 300-hour yoga training.

A NYC native, Jeremy Blackman’s dharma path began while studying Buddhist philosophy in college. He later developed a dedicated asana practice, learning to embody wisdom through breath and movement. For the last five years he has been teaching vinyasa yoga regularly. Deepening the path, he recently became certified through Dharma Moon/Tibet House to teach mindfulness meditation. His empowering yoga and meditation classes foster awakening through discipline, resilience, curiosity and courage. Jeremy is also a music producer and singer songwriter, currently working under the name William Irish

Ray developed a passion for athletics early in life playing ice hockey and lacrosse from a young age all the way to the collegiate level. After college he started working as a personal trainer, and CrossFit/Olympic weightlifting coach at various gyms throughout the New York Metropolitan area. He developed a passion for endurance training, and started to compete in marathons and triathlons, which he still does to this day. Ray’s goal with his classes is to create a fun, inclusive, and challenging atmosphere to help people improve strength, balance, and mobility to be able to thrive in everyday life!

Viviana is a NYC-based, 200-hour certified yoga instructor who completed her training with Y7 Studio. She’s passionate about creating uplifting, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome on their mat. Her classes feature energetic, music-driven flows that blend rhythm and movement to help students connect, have fun, and discover the magic of yoga. She has over 10 years of experience coordinating patient care in healthcare and also works as a freelance event and studio photographer—so connection, creativity, and community are at the heart of everything she does! When she’s not teaching or behind the camera, you can usually find her at a museum or at home spinning vinyl with a pittie happily curled up on her lap.

Colin Fin discovered early on that movement was his favorite way to connect with others and drop into his own body and mind. How you show up in class is fine tuning your body and brain for how it is going to show up in life. Teaching experience includes: Community School of Music & Arts, Bloom School of Music & Dance, The Aurelia Foundation, Tracy Anderson Method, and his own movement practice Movement Supply that he is grateful to bring to Cocoon Studio. He has also performed in concert dance and narrative film pieces throughout New York and Los Angeles. His approach relies on moving consistently and creatively; fusing elements of dance into class curriculum to develop and deepen whole-body balance, mobility, and functional strength.“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” —Martha Graham

Keila Torres is a lifelong New Yorker and lover of joyful movement, she earned her RYT at Dou Yoga Studio in the winter of 2026. Keila fell in love with yoga when it was offered to her in her high school gym class, finding it to be an incredible tool for calming the mind and enlivening the body. She is a community-focused teacher with a master’s degree in early childhood and childhood education, Sarah Lawrence College May 2021. Her time as a classroom teacher taught her the importance of flexibility (in both body and mind) and the often-untapped need adults harbor for embodied play and creative expression. Keila’s classes are inclusive, offering modifications for all body types and opportunities to take intuitive movements that help give students agency over their practice. She loves to guide others as they discover the individual needs and rhythms of their own unique bodies. It is Keila’s most fervent belief that yoga should be for everyone, and she has a key interest in working with children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Keila specializes in yoga for downregulation and maintaining flexibility but likewise enjoys teaching strength-building classes that invite participants to slow down and hold static poses; thereby challenging the body with stillness, a challenging feat in always bustling New York City. Keila enjoys a vast array of sensorial experiences ranging from cooking to live performance and karaoke—her hope is to help others find agency through finding peace in their minds and inspiration within their own bodies.