Vinyasa Yoga


This class is taught by:

Lee Nakamura

Lee was introduced to yoga 5 years ago by her yoga-loving mom in Hawaii. She has practiced many different styles of yoga and enjoys the great  benefits of this diverse discipline. Lee's favorite style is Iyengar Yoga, a yoga a style focused on the proper alignment of the spine and joints. As a Radiology resident at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Lee has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of anatomy and has been able to incorporate that in her vinyasa yoga classes, which are suitable for all ages and levels of practice.

Marisa Pelonero

Marisa loves to share her experience of the joy and benefits of yoga with others. Certified through Yoga Fit in Vinyasa Flow, Marisa has taught at The Yoga Haven since 2010 and has had a strong personal practice for 6 years.  A natural teacher and communicator, she teaches 7th Grade Life Science at Austin Middle School in Galveston. Marisa creatively incorporates themes from the Yamas & Niyamas, poetry and inspirational  readings in her classes. She uses her practice to fuel inspiration in her life both on and off the mat, to ground and center. Marisa's practice is taking on new emphasis as she prepares to give birth this summer.

Cate Black

Cate started practicing yoga in 2001, focusing on rigorous vinyasa and heated hatha. When Cate's father passed away in January of 2011, she realized just how necessary her yoga practice was. Linking breath to movement reminded her to breathe both on and off the mat, an action that is easy to forget while grieving. Cate was introduced to Yin Yoga at The Yoga Haven; a practice in which she found space for transformative healing within stillness. It became clear to Cate that yoga is truly a mind-heart-body connection.
Cate received her 200-hr Teaching Certification through Peak Beings Unified Yoga in Coast Rica. Cate incorporates elements of both Vinyasa and Yin Yoga in her classes.

Michelle Johnston

Michelle grew up in landlocked Ohio, but has always been inspired by the ocean. As a marine biologist working with NOAA, scientific SCUBA diver, and all-around outdoor girl, it was no surprise that she was charmed by vinyasa yoga. Initially drawn to the practice for the physical challenge, she quickly discovered that yoga offered much more--a balance of mind, body and soul. Vinyasa flow became one of her passions, complimenting her enthusiasm for water activities, and she has been teaching since 2001. As a graduate student at USC, she discovered Anusara yoga and aligned to that philosophy, as weaving elemental alignment principles into an energetic flow allows students to gain the most out of their yoga practice to both open and create positive space. Michelle leads an enthusiastically engaging class that plays to students of multiple levels. In her free time, Michelle travels, dives, paddles, hikes and runs on the beach with her dog Zoe. 

Joanna Shell

Joanna's (aka JoJo) passion for yoga started in 2005 when she enrolled in a 'Yoga 101' course while attending A&M Corpus Christi. She received her 200 Hour RYT YogaTeacher Training Certification in 2012 though the Yoga Institute. JoJo teaches a thoughtful and athletic vinyasa style that aims to relax the mind, strengthen the body, and rejuvenate the spirit. She lives in Galveston and works at Island BrainWorks as a Brainwave Optimization Technician. In her free time, JoJo likes to surf, travel, meditate, garden, spin fire poi, and do stand-up paddle board (SUP) yoga.
A dynamic flow class using surya namaskar (sun salutations) as a thread woven throughout the practice.  Standing poses, forward bends, back bends, twists, balance poses and inversions are sequenced with the vinyasa. This dynamically-paced series builds internal heat, strength, stamina, focus and flexibility. Mixed-level class for those with some yoga experience.