Val Spies • E-RYT 500

Owner & Director of the Lotus Pond Yoga Teacher Training Programs

Val is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher who specializes in the psychological quest for joy through the practice of yoga and breathwork. She has been leading workshops, travel tours, and training sessions for yoga groups and corporate enterprises for over 20 years, and offers expertise in tailoring programs to fit the needs of individual groups. Val was originally drawn to yoga through an inner yearning to find peace and comfort in her body and spirit. Over the years, yoga became a survival tool for her as she worked in corporate America and found less and less time for inner peace.

Val is best known for her ability to deliver the complex studies of yoga in a comprehensive and intriguing style that appeals to students of all levels. Her teachings encompass the philosophical studies of the yoga tradition and the mind/body connection of the practice. Val is yoga mama to 400+ graduating yoga teachers across the country.

Lynda Savidge • RYT 200

Lynda started exploring yoga when she began studying with Deepak Chopra, MD in 1994. Soon after she became a Certified Massage Therapist in CA and opened her first healing shop. Her desire to share as she learned led to opening an integrative wellness center and co-teaching courses on Ayurveda, Meditation, Aromatherapy, and other healing modalities. Her desire to assist in the healing process led her to delve into a host of healing techniques from Reiki and Craniosacral to Sports Massage and PNF stretching. Lynda sensed a need for clients to utilize their bodies' natural ability to heal and incorporated this into her nurturing treatments.

Lynda's quest for knowledge continues, and the integration of Yoga became a natural extension of her journey. As an RYT-200 Yoga Alliance member and excited to be in the RYT-500 program at The Lotus Pond, Lynda loves teaching Hatha, Slow Flow, Gentle and Restorative Yoga. Her background lends itself to a warm, safe and meditative journey during her classes. The potential she desires for all of her students/clients— bliss.

Ryan devin • e-RYT 500

Lead Teacher in the Lotus Pond Yoga Teacher Training Programs

Ryan Devin has extensive training in intuitive alignment-based yoga, acrobatic yoga, pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation. With over 2500 hours of experience in teaching, he is a passionate and enthusiastic leader with a patient and loving approach.  His co-teachers and students say he exudes wisdom and intuition beyond his years. With a Bachelor’s in Alternative Medicine, he merges an understanding of the human body and holistic practices into his teachings.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing is so gentle as real strength.”

Melissa Caroll • e-RYT 500 • YACEP • MFA

Melissa Carroll is a lead teacher in the Lotus Pond Teacher Training Programs, college creative writing professor, and the author of four books, including Going OM: Real-Life Stories on and off the Yoga Mat. In 2006 Melissa discovered yoga and Reiki as paths toward inner peace, and she has dedicated her life to sharing these practices with others. Melissa has taught yoga for the past 11 years and specializes in philosophy, alignment, Yin Yoga, meditation, and the subtle body. Learn more at www.TheYogaWriter.com.
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Creator of the online course SHADOW+LIGHT: A Journey Toward Self-Mastery

Manasa Kanithi, M.S. • E-RYT 500

Having been a student of yoga from the age of five under the guidance of her parents, Manasa brings authentic teachings of Philosophy, Sanskrit, Mantra, and Ayurveda to the YTT programs at Lotus Pond. As a graduate of the Lotus Pond 200hr and advanced teacher training, Manasa offers classes that draw from multiple lineages that take students right to the heart of yoga.  Manasa holds her M.S. in Medical Sciences from the Morsani College of Medicine at USF. She also carries a graduate certificate in Aging and Neurosciences certificate in Ayurvedic Studies. She strives to weave together the traditions of yoga with the scientific principles to promote health and wellness for her students. Her travels to 22 countries and extensive work with non-profits local and abroad inspire her teachings to promote diversity, inclusivity, and the importance of service and social action

Pam Velez • RYT 500

I have been practicing yoga for the past 13 years. I began taking yoga classes at a gym with the intention of getting a good workout. What began as part of an exercise routine has become so much more. I credit yoga for making me a better person: more patient, compassionate and less judgmental. I am a goofy person who loves to laugh and I bring this element of lightheartedness to each class. My classes are taught with the end result in mind- leave class feeling like you just had a good workout and a relaxing massage. I am certified as an RYT 500 and received my training right here at the beautiful Lotus Pond. In addition to teaching yoga, I am a holistic health coach specializing in working with corporate clients.

Zach Zenios • RYT 200

Zacharia is a 200-hour yoga teacher RYT-200, a NASM certified personal trainer and a corrective exercise specialist.  Zach also served 4 years in the Marine Corps Infantry.  He first started a mediation practice when he was deployed to Japan and was immersed in their culture.  When he was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2016 his mom suggested going to a yoga class with her to help him with several of his injuries.  He immediately fell in love with the way yoga made him feel and the connection between mind, body, and breath that became clear on the mat.  As he got deeper into his practice, he realized he wanted to share the gift and healing potential of yoga with everyone, so he enrolled in the 200hr teacher trainer program at The Lotus Pond.  He is also a Yin certified yoga teacher.  He is currently studying Exercise and Nutrition Science at The University of Tampa.

Joanna miller • RYT 500

Joanna Miller has enjoyed teaching at the Lotus Pond since 2013, often her home away from home.  She began her practice in 2005 and after six months of practice, she realized her daily pain from her scoliosis brought on after the birth of her third child had disappeared. She was hooked. After seven years of practice, she began her teacher training at the Lotus Pond.


As a former social worker, Joanna’s classes are inspired by her passion to help others find peace in their practice and to discover over time a stilling space that they create even while engaged in challenging postures. She believes patience with your practice is essential to unraveling the mysteries of the mind-body connection. The benefits, on the other hand, will be enjoyed long before.


Staying true to her passion for relieving onset pain from Scoliosis, Joanna has traveled to study with Yoga for Scoliosis master teachers, such as Elise Browning Miller and Debra Wolk.  She has benefited from the intuitive workshops of Karin Stephan who frequents the Lotus Pond from Boston. She has even built a yoga wall in her home for private classes and to work with her daughter who has scoliosis as well. Joanna Miller is also certified in Restorative Yoga and is a certified Pranic healer.

Paula Levesque • RYT 500

Paula Levesque has been a practicing yogi for the past 20 years and an inspiration to everyone she knows. After a successful career mentoring people in the tech industry, the perfect transition was to bring her kind heart and nurturing spirit to yoga.
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She studied for her 200-hour accreditation with Maya Breuer of the Santosha School of yoga and gained her 500-hour accreditation at the Kripalu School of Yoga. She is also certified in Yoga of the Heart for breast cancer survivors and heart patients. Additionally, she studied Yoga for Bone Health at the Sivananda yoga ashram with Beata Barnard. Paula teaches a gentle yoga class for students of all levels.  Classes are given with the individual in mind. Each pose is taught to assure the greatest benefit and feeling of ease. Students report that class with Paula makes them feel “more fit, energetic, happier and peaceful”. Paula is a member of Yoga Alliance.

Roger mallory • RYT 500

Roger discovered, early, the bliss of blending the nourishment of spirituality and meditation with an intensely focused physical practice of yoga and karate. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psych., his Juris Doctorate (law) degree at Univ. of Fla., working in the part-drama, part-straight-jacket life of a trial lawyer, and, circa 2005, suffering a rapid series of traumatic personal losses, Roger “stopped the clock” and consciously assessed his life to determine whether there was a “way out” of intense and persistent suffering. Roger came to realize that professional success, widespread recognition in various areas of law practice, and financial stability, did nothing but deepen his increasing alienation from who he truly was at the core of his being; the Light of the Divine. Roger consciously chose to return to the practice of yoga, meditation, and the pursuit of greater spiritual wisdom. After several years of practicing Iyengar yoga, Roger discovered other traditions or “schools” of yoga. Roger obtained his 200 Hour RYT certification in early 2015 from the Lotus Pond and is currently working to obtain his 500 hr. yoga teacher certification. Roger brings his years of teaching experience, yoga and meditation practice, gifted speaking and writing abilities, and his bright energy and humor to teaching yoga and meditation, and increasing the awake awareness of his students on and off the mat.

Karen • e-RYT 500

I began practicing yoga regularly in 2001. It started for me as a way to relax, being in a high-stress job, and at the same time, exercise. As a runner, it helped my tight quadriceps and hamstrings. I began to watch amazing things happen as my body strengthened and became more flexible. And to my surprise, so did my heart and mind! In 2011, I started the 200-hour teacher training program at The Pond, with the intention of deepening my practice. It was so amazing to be surrounded by like-minded people, all of us on our own journey, yet side-by-side! And something happens to me (still!) when I arrive and head down the path toward the Pond and see the sweet log cabin - any feelings of rushing around or stress dissipate. It is a serene and magical place, right here in Tampa! After giving birth to my son later that year, I resumed the teacher training and completed it in October 2012. I realized during the months of training how much I enjoyed teaching! And then I returned to the Pond to continue teaching gentle yoga after the birth of my twin girls!
My focus as a teacher is to bring my students a sense of well-being, focus on alignment, breath, strengthen and tone the body, help with flexibility and balance and achieve relaxation through mindful breath work and basic meditation. Karen is a Kripalu inspired yoga instructor.

Katie Beene • RYT 200

With a background in dance and circus arts, Katie has a passion for movement! Along with teaching yoga, she also custom crafts hula hoops and teaches workshops and lessons on how to find you flow with a hoop. She's performed at local venues including: Ruth Eckhard Hall and the Straz Center and continues to light up the Tampa Bay Area with her flow props. Her style of yoga is a "slow flow", allowing time for each of her students to savor each moment, each posture, and each breath. She is Yoga Nidra Certified and has a passion for leading guided meditations. She believes that yoga and meditation are beautiful opportunities to slow down and be present, considering that the world can sometimes move so fast and provide many distractions from what's really important. Katie also teaches monthly donation based Full Moon Circles online via Zoom. When she's not teaching yoga, you'll find this blue hair fairy frolicking around in nature or island hopping in the Gulf. She loves being outside and feels the most connected to the teachings of yoga when she is in nature.

Carla Jiminez • e-RYT 500

Carla Jimenez is a native to Tampa, Florida where she started teaching yoga and dance in 2002. Carla has taught yoga and dance to people of all ages and abilities, including the football team at the University of South Florida, The Florida Dance Education Organization Conference, Various Performing Arts Elementary, Middle, and High Schools and The Patel Conservatory in Tampa. In 2011, she became a Yoga Teacher Trainer at the Lotus Pond Yoga Center in Tampa and continues to be a part of the school. She is currently a Dance Director at Orange Grove Middle Magnet School of the Arts. Carla is a Yoga Alliance 500 E-RYT and 200 E-RYT. She also has attained a State of Florida Dance Teaching Certification, Prenatal Yoga Certification, and American Ballet Theater Teacher Certification. Her yoga classes are creatively fluid and always include her singing the healing sounds of Mantra in the final meditation. Carla specializes in classes and workshops such as Gentle Yoga, Mom and Baby Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Dance, and Mantra Meditation.
She sings mantras during savasana in each yoga class and has delivered numerous workshops on chanting. Carla’s passion is teaching her students to achieve bliss by integrating yoga into every part of life.

Charles Burgess • RYT 200

Charles has been coming to the Lotus Pond for over 5 years after discovering how yoga brought joy and relief to his life that was otherwise filled with bouts of corporate burnout, running-related injuries, and the stress of everyday life. Now, through the teachings of yoga, he helps students find more balance, confidence, and compassion on and off the mat.

With a background in comedy, acrobatics, and mentorship, he takes a light-hearted approach to class that focuses on proper alignment and finding some fun in each posture.

Margie Sagafi • e-RYT 500

Maryelin has been practicing and studying yoga for more than 15 years, traveling the world and attending numerous workshops and conferences with Rodney Yee, Cindy Lee, Laurence Biscontini, David Regelin, Karin Stephan and others. She traveled to India seeking deeper knowledge; after a month of submerging into the practice of the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, she received her yoga teacher certification from The Himalaya Yoga Institute. She is trained in Raja Dhiraja Yoga, a more extensive and comprehensive form of Ashtanga Yoga. Her teaching methods emphasize strong practice, precise alignment, meditation, visualization, and intention; flowing in coordination with breathing techniques. She is certified in Prenatal and Restorative Yoga. She teaches private lessons as well as group classes.

Dana Khazendar • RYT 500

Dana has been working and studying health and wellness for over twenty years. After she got her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science she worked as a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor. She added a health counseling certification from the NYS Education Department to expand her knowledge about human health. Wanting to be able to help more people live life to the fullest, she started studying the mind-body connection through yoga and was called to dive deeper into the yoga studies.
Dana’s classes include a strong focus on the alignment of the poses while flowing with the breath. She offers modifications and props to make the practice accessible for everyone.  Her goal is to allow the students to build strength and balance while stretching and creating space in the body, with the intention of finding peace in the mind and connecting with the now. 

Michelle Caulde • RYT 200

Bio Coming Soon!

Teri Martin • RYT 200

Bio coming soon!