Kay was first drawn to yoga, like many of us, through the physical practice of asana. The yoga postures themselves served as a gateway to the deeper practices of yoga, where she later noticed how the physical practice offered mental and energetic benefits as well. As a busy mother of four, yoga brought a sense of peace and calm that no other practice had done for her before.

With four children and 12 grandchildren, Kay’s devotion to her yoga mat soon sparked an idea: yoga can be a practice for all ages. And that’s when her mission to offer yoga to kids and adolescents began. Kay has completed several yoga teacher trainings, including her RYT-200, RCYT, and varying courses specializing in all aspects of child and adolescent practices. In 2019, Kay opened a studio space called Just Bee Yoga that was devoted to kids yoga, from babies all the way up to teens. That studio, in partnership with her daughter, Hilary, has since flourished into a full-blown yoga studio, Dharamsala TC, that offers kids yoga, adult yoga, trapeze yoga, yoga teacher trainings, and speciality workshops and events. In 2021, Kay and Hilary expanded Dharamsala TC into a second location in the heart of downtown Traverse City, Michigan. With over 30 instructors and 60 classes on the schedule, Kay has seen her vision of creating a community come to life before her eyes. Dharamsala serves as an inclusive sanctuary, a safe space, and a shelter for all to practice yoga and learn the benefits that Kay experienced many years ago. She remains dedicated to sharing the world of yoga and mindfulness to as many people as possible.

Amelia is an osteopathic physician, professional coach, and movement enthusiast. She has engaged with yoga to balance a lifetime of endurance athletic training and racing, and has taught yoga classes since 2017 as part of her offerings within CrossFit Inconceivable, a gym and community space she owned while living in Southern Oregon.

Over the past two years, facing challenging circumstances in her own life, Amelia found yoga, and particularly the community at Dharamsala TC, to be a safe, sacred, soothing and supportive space. Countless classes, workshops, happy hours, and conversations with students, teachers and the owners led her to join the Inaugural Class of the Dharamsala TC Yoga School, completing the 200h Yoga Teacher Training in June of 2023.

Integrating her experience with osteopathic medicine and coaching, Amelia invites integration of body, mind, and spirit in her classes, creating the opportunity for students to recognize the strength and wisdom they have within while connecting to concepts and classmates in community.

For Beth, the space on the mat is where yoga supports the strength and flexibility of the body, and a space to practice letting go of the busy mind.  The mind-body benefits of yoga embraced Beth after serving in the military for 27 years.  In 2014 she completed her 200-hr yoga teacher training and immersed herself in continuing education that gives her the knowledge to support students ages 2 to 92 in finding the benefits of yoga. 

She encourages her students to meet themselves where they are, inspiring them to try something new, and move thru their daily practice without judgment; a philosophy that was instilled in her by her teachers both on and off the mat. 

Beth has a Master’s degree in health education, has studied at the Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, holds a Level 1 certification from the Baptiste Institute, and has a certification in trauma-informed practices for warriors and first responders living with PTSD.  The diversity in her practice is enhanced by her Children’s Yoga Certification received under the guidance of Shakta Khalsa a world-renowned Kundalini Yoga teacher.  

Her life off the mat is dedicated to cancer prevention and survivorship programs, and a calendar filled with family time and travel, and playtime on the water.

Brooke started her yoga journey as a college student searching for ways to reduce stress and move her body. As a former high school athlete, she enjoyed intense exercises, drawing her attention to the hot power flows.

However, it was the mindfulness practice and traditional asanas that made her fall in love with the practice. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Fever in Grand Rapids in 2018.

Brooke is also a Kindergarten teacher and strives to leave an impact through her passion for education in the studio and the classroom.
Specializing in vinyasa yoga, Brooke prioritizes creating a safe and energetic space. A space for students to move their body and refresh their mind.

Emily has been practicing yoga and mindfulness for 15 years, receiving her RYT200 with instructor Jenny Lintvedt in 2021. Drawn to the practices of yin and restorative yoga to counter her “yang” career and busy live, she hopes to lead students through mind/body/breath awareness integration practices that cultivate a sense of peace, self-love and healing.

Beyond yoga, mom hood and career, Emily is a musician and plays cello in the Traverse Symphony Civic Orchestra and Benzie Symphony.

Hindy has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and teaching for the last 8 years in Miami, FL. The transformational power of her own yoga practice inspired her to become a teacher. After meeting and studying with great teachers like Sri Dharma Mittra and Amy Ipolliti her practice evolved to becoming a teacher.

Hindy has a 200HR Teacher Training certification in Vinyasa yoga and an 800HR Teacher Training certification in Dharma Yoga. 

She is also certified in “Yoga Nidra” ( deep relaxation practice) and has taken several Kirtan and Bhakti yoga workshops at the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas with Kirtan legend, Krishna Das.

Classes are built on traditional Hatha yoga poses connected together in a flowing sequence. This focus helps the student to “quiet the mind”. They flow from centering the mind with mantra and pranayama ( breathing techniques) to yoga asana practice and meditation. The goal is to help each student feel more peaceful and with an open heart after each practice.

All levels, from beginners to advanced students benefit from Hindy’s classes.

Jenna knew from a young age that she wanted her career to be driven by her passions. After art school in Chicago and a brief stint in advertising, she left graphic design to pursue yoga and fitness and never looked back. Since 2007, she has been leading private and group yoga and fitness classes, facilitating yoga teacher trainings, managing yoga studios, mentoring instructors, and holding retreats.

Jenna’s classes are safe yet challenging, fun yet introspective, balanced yet adventurous. She is dedicated to teaching the practice of yoga as a gateway to living life in its most expressive form. Jenna has a friendly and approachable demeanor that aids her students in the more challenging moments of class. Her intention is to continuously invite her students to explore the depths of their bodies and the layers of their souls.

Jenna currently resides in Traverse City after spending 18 years in Chicago and Southern California. While her full time job is in the corporate side of boutique fitness, her heart will always be guided by her love for yoga and undying pursuit to live life to its fullest. When not teaching, you can find her on the trails, cooking or baking, paddleboarding, and soaking up the NoMi life.

Johannah is the General Manager at Dharamsala TC, and will also be taking care of all things design and tech. She holds a 200 HR yoga teacher certification,  Stoked Yogi Stand Up Paddle Board Certification, YB Yoga Trapeze instructor certification and Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher certification.  She loves the challenging aspects of yoga, as well as the overall positive benefits she has discovered for her mental health and energy. Johannah lives in Traverse City with her wife and daughter. She loves being a part of the Dharamsala TC team and can’t wait to meet you!

Katherine (Kat) Palms, Is me Director Of the Leelenau Wellness Collective, a yoga & Pilates instructor, and Retreat Leader with over a decade of teaching experience.

After a 2012 head injury during college lacrosse, she embraced yoga and meditation as tools for healing, leading her to share these practices through teaching.

Trained in India under T.K.V. Desikachar’s direct students, Katherine’s holistic approach integrates Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Ayurveda, and Somatic Experiencing. She specializes in stress management, mobility, and nervous system health, crafting accessible classes that blend mindfulness, alignment, and the power of breath.

Outside the studio, Katherine designs retreats combining movement, local cuisine, and outdoor adventures, inspiring participants to rest and reconnect with nature.

Katy Holloran comes to us with a diverse background in mindfulness meditation.

She has practiced mindfulness meditation for 15 years. As a neuroscience major at the University of Vermont, Katy worked with the Department of Psychiatry’s Mind Body Medicine Clinic to study the effects of mindfulness meditation on behavior, pain perception, and white matter integrity in patients with chronic pain. Katy has both a spiritual and scientific connection to mindfulness. She blends ancient wisdom with modern science as she explores and teaches others about this practice.

Currently, Katy is an early childhood educator at the Pathfinder School as well as a certified children’s yoga instructor. She is enrolled in a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program and will graduate with a certificate from The Greater Good Science Center at the University of Berkeley in February 2023. Katy is dedicated to helping children and adults improve their wellbeing by strengthening the mind-body-spirit connection

Lesley is a former professional NYC dancer, performing nationally and internationally with several dance companies (including 2 summer tours with Mikhail Baryshnikov). She holds a BFA in dance, 200 RYT, certified Acroyoga teacher, Reiki 1 and 2, and a Licensed NYS Massage Therapist since 1997. She has taught private Pilates (on the equipment and mat) for 25 years, and currently runs her own studio in Manhattan.  She is excited to transition to MI and share her knowledge and experience with Traverse City!

Lisa fell in love with the practice of yoga over fifteen years ago when she participated in a hot yoga class. What she discovered was not only the physical aspects of gaining strength, flexibility and improvement of balance, but also and more importantly, the mental benefits that flourish with a consistent yoga practice including mindfulness, stress release, clarity, and self-acceptance.

What began as a one month trial of classes, soon developed into a life long journey of humbly practicing breath, asana, self-awareness, and positivity. An instructor of ballet, modern and musical theatre dance for over twenty-five years, Lisa has thoroughly enjoyed the addition of yoga guidance to her repertoire.

She began her yoga studies under Jenny Lintvedt in 2014, and has since studied with Marion Mugs McConnell, Janet Stone, Stephanie Lynn, Kelly Stiglich, Leslie Simionescu, and others. She is a 200 E-RYT, 500 RYT certified instructor through Yoga Alliance and also holds teaching certifications in Yin and SUP yoga.

Liz has been passionate about yoga for over 20 years. Almost fifteen years ago, when she was pregnant with her second child, she became a teacher and taught at her home studio in Pennsylvania. She’s studied with Shiva Rea, Simon Park, Sean Corne and others and has a special love for vinyasa flow.

When she’s not at Dharamsala, she’s a busy environmental lawyer who runs the Great Lakes non-profit For Love of Water (FLOW). In her spare time, she loves running, paddle boarding and traveling with her family.

Mariann Kirch, a yoga teacher since 2008, is the founder of Heart Coherence Yoga, a transformative blend of yoga, meditation and heart-focused techniques. With extensive experience and multiple certications, including E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance, she has become a leading voice in Holistic wellness.

Mariann is not only a yoga teacher; she is a guiding light for those seeking holistic balance and transformation through Heart Coherence Yoga.

Taylor is a Michigan native and has been practicing yoga since 2011. She fell in love with hot yoga and became a certified teacher in 2016. Her style is all about linking breath with movement and finding peace from within. Her mission is to help with healing, self-love and acceptance through a yoga practice.