Mark White - Proprietor MarkWhite
Senior Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher & Certified Yoga Life Coach
Being a teacher inspires me. Connecting with people. This style of yoga. Through this medium, I believe I can bring to my students a different perspective on how they can live their lives- a lot less stressed, without so much judgment, resentment and fear. I believe I can help facilitate a connection with my student's authentic self through this style...
See the rest of the interview with Mark White
Frank Markowski
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher
Certification Program FrankMarkowski
A friend promised Frank that yoga asana would enhance his kick-boxing practice and break up the monotony of his regular gym workouts so, he gave it a try. During his first ever yoga experience, he realized an immediate passion for yoga. This same friend invited Frank to MBody Yoga studio and the Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga practice taught by Mark White. This introduction solidified his resolve to become a teacher of yoga.
Providentially, Mark made the decision to begin his first Teacher Certification Program and Frank did not hesitate to enroll. The life changing experience Mark’s TCP training offers now affords him the privilege to share with others the many benefits that come with a regular yoga practice. Strength, flexibility, and balance are parts of the physical, but enhancing the connection of mind, body and spirit is what makes yoga continually appealing to Frank.
Outside of yoga, Frank has a daytime gig in corporate health care and loves playing and hanging out with his family and friends.
Dawn ClappDawnClapp
Dawn came upon Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga in the summer of 2005. She
had been practicing and teaching yoga for two years, and was looking for
an opportunity to deepen her own practice. As a single mother of two
young boys she was also seeking a source of empowerment and peace. Dawn
was hooked after her first class, finding not only a practice that
challenged her physically, but also an opportunity for personal growth.
In February of 2006, Dawn attended Level 1 training in Hawaii with Baron
Baptiste. In June she traveled to Montana to complete Level 2. She is
currently working towards certification from the Baptiste Institute.
Dawn graduated from the University of North Florida in the spring of
2006, where she received a BS in Community Health and Exercise Science.
In addition to teaching Power Hour, Dawn continues to teach yoga once a
week at UNF as well as heading up MBody’s Community Based Class. Her
hope is to ignite the same passion for this practice in all of her
students.
Kintu Makanji
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramKintuMakanji
Kintu was invited to her first Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga class by a friend in the spring of 2005. Although finding the class challenging, she knew that the accountability and encouragement this style offered was exactly what she needed to get back into shape after the birth of her second child. The motivational force that brought her to her mat was the freedom she felt after each and every class. Through practicing yoga, constrictions she had felt gave way to openness and sense of well-being and peace. During the teacher training process, Kintu discovered that yoga is her lifelong path.
Kintu graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and before having children, she worked at an environmental lab. Kintu completed Mark White's Teacher Certification Program in December 2008, and also attended Level One Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste in October of 2008. Raising children and being a yoga instructor have been the most fulfilling endeavors that she has taken on, both continually bring extraordinary personal growth in her life.
Eddie Suero
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramEddieSuero
Eddie found yoga after being displeased with the monotony of regular gym workouts. One evening after leaving the gym, he drove by the MBody yoga studio on Southside Blvd. and felt an immediate need to just go in and try it. Ninety minutes later, soaked with sweat and feeling energized, he realized he had found exactly what he was looking for- the perfect blend of a physical, mental, and spiritual workout. Eddie loves the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga style because the teachings are tangible and the knowledge can easily be applied to everyday life. Eddie’s deep admiration of the practice stems from the powerful way that yoga allows him to tap into his heart.
After a dedicated yearlong yoga practice, Eddie decided to pursue Mark White’s Teacher Certification Program in April 2008. Teaching yoga continually supports Eddie's vision of promoting a world that is healthy, peaceful, and where everyone lives their greatest potential.
Eddie Suero is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a degree in Information Science. Outside of the yoga studio, he spends his time Salsa dancing with his wife, Sarah, and works as Relationship Manager in the Business Banking Group for a local bank.
Sarah Suero
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramSarahSuero
Sarah knew she would practice yoga for the rest of her life as she left her first class sweaty, smiling and peaceful. Even though she tried yoga on a whim, after driving by MBody Yoga and seeking little more than a new and challenging experience, she became hooked. Despite recovering from a knee surgery shortly thereafter, Sarah became a graduate in the inaugural MBody Yoga teacher certification program in 2008
She is always inspired to give others what she had experienced through yoga, and invites others to break through stress and exhaustion and into power and rejuvenation. She cultivates passion and purpose both on and off the mat, also working as a life coach. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Eddie, and salsa dancing.
Cason Lane
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program
Cason had practiced Bikram yoga for over 4 years in St. Augustine before she moved to Jacksonville and took her first class at MBody Yoga. She instantly loved the practice and knew immediately that MBody offered something special. Coming out of her initial class feeling renewed, Cason quickly learned that there is more to Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga than a merely physical practice. Cason experienced an opening of heart, which when combined with a cleansing of body, produces a result beyond words. In August of 2008, two weeks after her first class at MBody, Cason enrolled in Mark White's teacher training program. Without much knowledge or experience of this style of yoga, she whole-heartedly immersed herself in the world of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. Cason has since realized an incredible shift in her life, both as a person and teacher.
Cason continues her growth as a teacher in the yoga room and in the world. She is a passionate artist, graphic designer and yogi, and while professionally practicing her own design, she also teaches graphic design. For Cason, life is an amazing experience and one that should be enjoyed and shared.
Jamie Lavi
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramJamieLavi
Jamie began her yoga journey 10 yrs ago, drawn to the physically challenging discipline of Bikram yoga.
In 2005, while living in Guatemala City, Jamie discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga and was attracted to the freedom and versatility of the practice. She soon discovered an awakening of spirit and a grounding of mind in the inherently physical practice. Upon moving to Jacksonville in 2007, Jamie found MBody Yoga and instantly fell in love with the studio, practice and community.
Teaching has always been a part of Jamie's life- from teaching kids arts and crafts at summer camp, to teaching snowboarding all around the world. Jamie is a graduate of MBody Yoga's TCP Program and a Level 1&2 Radiant Child Yoga Instructor, certified to teach children's yoga. Although she has practiced yoga at studios in many different cities and countries around the globe, MBody Yoga is a place she can call home. To her, yoga is more than asana and Mbody is more than a yoga studio. It is a place that provides an incredible connection between spirituality and physical asana, fun and lightness. This connection has been her true inspiration to teach yoga, creating the desire to share her passion for yoga and life.
Sarah Smith
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramSarahSmith
Sarah was primarily seeking stress relief from her busy work life when she began practicing yoga. She was hooked, and tried many different styles as she became dedicated to making yoga a lifelong journey.
After moving to Jacksonville in 2008, she discovered MBody Yoga and was drawn to the combination of heat, power, spirit, and community that the Baptiste style offered. Through practicing yoga, Sarah found a new light and a lifelong path to peace and openness.
She graduated from Clemson University in the spring of 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and currently works full time in corporate health care.
Merrie Ann Sharpe
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramMerrie Ann Sharpe
Merrie Ann took her first Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga class six months after hip replacement surgery. She found the class very challenging, but quickly realized that continuing to participate was not only going to help her recover physically, but was giving her a way to “feel” even if it was only on her mat.
She completed MBody Yoga's Teacher Certification Program in September 2009. Through her training, Merrie Ann discovered an openness and flow to her life that she had forgotten existed, and has made yoga a central part of her life.
Merrie Ann is a graduate of University of North Florida with a degree in information science. Outside of the yoga studio, she spends her time with her children and her dogs, enjoying the beach, and works as a project manager in the treasury monitoring area of a global bank.
Karina Hahn
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramKarinaHahn
Karina grew up on the sunny beaches of Miami and in 2006 made her move north to Jacksonville where she had her first real experience with yoga. She took a Sunday community class at Lululemon where MBody Yoga owner and instructor Mark White was teaching. She was instantly hooked by the strength, love and joy that she felt after each class.
After two years of growing through a dedicated practice, Karina took the next step and completed MBody Yoga’s teacher certificate program in September of 2009.
Through yoga, Karina has found the confidence to accept whatever life throws her way and strengthen her relationships. Through the studios, she has meet amazing people who are now a part of her life. She has also learned to have compassion for all, and most importantly, herself.
Karina currently works in corporate banking. Outside of the yoga room she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting friends, gardening, walking on the beach and photography.
Aylin Aydin
RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramAylinAydin
Aylin began her yoga practice with Bikram, and found the intense physical workout appealing. But after taking a class at MBody Yoga, she found that yoga could be about so much more than exercise. She was inspired by the community of students and teachers that make up the M Body Yoga community, and became dedicated to her own personal growth through yoga. After taking the 40 Days to Personal Revolution program, she enrolled in the Teacher Certification Program.
Having now left her corporate job, Aylin is able to devote her life fully to yoga. Now, as a yoga teacher at MBody, Aylin invites her own students to be open to breakthroughs and possibility in their lives. She seeks to create space in her classes for students to begin their own personal journeys.
Aylin is a native of Germany where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology. She moved to Jacksonville about 6 years ago, but continues to travel the world, which affords her great insight into different cultures. Aylin enjoys the beach and kayaking trips with her husband. When she is not outside, she loves to cook and play with her son, Mason.
Gretchen Gaible RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification ProgramAylinAydin
Gretchen grew up playing sports and riding horses, but never believed yoga was for her. Five years ago, she was introduced to power yoga, ultimately discovering Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, and never turning back. As a former state lobbyist, Gretchen found yoga to be an ideal outlet from her fast-paced, high-stress career. The practice ended up becoming more than a workout, it became a lifestyle with benefits of mental clarity and emotional cleansing. Realizing she wanted to share her passion, Gretchen enrolled in MBody Yoga's Teacher Certification Program. She now seeks to empower people on their mats and in their everyday lives, encouraging students to let go of their expectations and judgements and come from nothing. Gretchen is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Political Communication. Outside the yoga studio, she enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and family, reading, riding horses and teaching horseback riding lessons.