About Us

Focus. Strength. Flexibility. What do you want to embody in your life? Your own personal transformation is here.

Founded in 2005 by Master Baptiste Teacher Mark White, MBody Yoga is Florida’s first Baptiste Power Yoga Affiliate Studio. With two locations—one in the Southside area of Jacksonville; the other in nearby Neptune Beach—MBody Yoga opens up the practice to anyone looking for a challenge. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, you will find a place for your mat at MBody. In addition to providing classes seven days a week, we offer many innovative and pioneering workshops, events and teacher training programs year-round. Whatever it is you seek to gain from yoga, you will find it at MBody Yoga..
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Our teachers are dedicated to help each student grow and to facilitate a healthy and non-intimidating environment for all to flourish. We pride ourselves in providing high-quality instruction to our community. We work hard to ensure our customers have access to the best yoga instruction and leadership available.

MBody Yoga Instructor Facts:

Over 50% have been teaching yoga for more than 3 years.
100% hold an RYT-200HR Certificate from Yoga Alliance.
95% of our RYT-200HR instructors have graduated from MBody Yoga Academy’s 200-HR Teacher Training Program.
100% of our 200-HR Academy graduates have completed a 6-month intensive mentorship program prior to teaching on our schedule.
Over 50% retain, or are in the process of obtaining, an additional RYT-300HR Certificate from Yoga Alliance. Combined, that’s 500-Hours of professional certification.
Yearly, our instructors attend a mandatory in-house “true-up” training to ensure we are delivering the quality of instruction and leadership our community has grown to expect.

Meet Our Team

Leah Green

Owner, E-RYT-500, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program , YACEP, FMS Level 1 & 2, TPI certified

Leah Green

Owner, Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, E-RYT-500, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program , YACEP, FMS Level 1 & 2, TPI certified

I started my yoga journey in May 2012 when my husband asked me to join him for a class, so I did and loved it! I signed up for a 30 for $30 Groupon. I got lazy and soon realized I needed some motivation so I entered the March madness contest (2013) with a friend and we won! I began my free month and stayed with it! In August I wanted to do more with MBody and my community, so I became an Ambassador for the studio.

I was also beginning a battle with infertility and struggling with where my career was, at this point in my life, so I entered the 40 days to a Personal Revolution where I realized that my mat and my life were mirroring one another. After that program, I wanted more! More, self discovery, more inquiry, more yoga, more community and more break-throughs!

I approached Dawn in January of 2014 and inquired about the teacher training; she led me to the 200 YTT that started that month. In August 2014 I became a 200 RYT. In February 2016 I completed the 300 hr Embody Mastery program and became a 500 RYT.

Yoga provided me with a fun and safe place to not only receive a physical workout, but a mental one as well. This community has helped build a powerful practice, lifetime friends, a community that I am passionate about and encourage others to join and share. Besides Baptiste Power

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Hayley Pritchett

RYT 200 MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Hayley Pritchett

RYT 200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Hayley grew up in Neptune Beach, Florida and has been involved in yoga since she was 15. Her yoga journey at MBody began in 2011. Instantly, Hayley loved the MBody community as well as the Baptiste Vinyasa Flow practice and the powerful, sweaty combination of syncing breath and movement. After contemplating the MBody Teacher Training for two years she enrolled in the 200hr-RYT training and became a certified instructor in 2017. Hayley also holds her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of North Florida and her goal for any student who walks in her class is to grow in his/her physical strength and mental awareness. Her classes are easygoing and fun, with an added emphasis on endurance and strength building. You will leave Hayley’s class feeling strong and empowered.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Chelsea Franklin

Student Advocate
Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, RYT 500

Chelsea Franklin

Student Advocate
Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher
RYT-500, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program
Trainer, MBody Academy

Chelsea is a certified Baptiste Power Yoga Instructor and the teacher/student advocate at MBody Yoga. She is 200-Hour E-RYT and 500-Hour RYT through MBody Yoga as well. It was her private music instructor that first exposed Chelsea to yoga through a “yoga for musicians” class. She was hooked and began to notice several benefits to having a regular yoga practice. She noticed a heightened sense of well-being and calmness in herself. The chronic back pain she suffered from years of playing an instrument subsided. One of the biggest results she saw was a decrease in her level of performance anxiety. Soon after, Chelsea began to look for a yoga studio to practice at and found MBody Yoga. From the moment she walked in the door, it felt like home. It was the community, something she had never experienced before anywhere else, that kept her coming back for more. Two months later Chelsea signed up for Mark White’s teacher training program. Through her practice and Mark’s training, Chelsea discovered self-confidence and a passion to teach. She has been teaching for over six years now at MBody. Chelsea also teaches an adaptive yoga class at MBody through oMS Yoga, a local organization bringing yoga to people living with Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, she teaches at the Eisenhower Center to veterans and those recovering from sports injuries. She has taught at drug rehabilitation centers and senior chair yoga at a local community center. When Chelsea is not on her mat or teaching, she enjoys both playing and listening to music, being outdoors and is a dog and cat mom to four fur babies (one dog and three cats).

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Email: [email protected]

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Frank Markowski

Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher
Lead Trainer, MBody Academy, E-RYT 500

Frank Markowski

Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher
Lead Trainer, MBody Academy, E-RYT 500

Frank believes, “The world can’t resist passionate people”. His passion for the practice of yoga is what drives his desire to share the practice with others.As a student of yoga, Frank has over 500 hours of training with Mark White, Baron Baptiste and other leaders in the yoga community. Frank embodies the philosophy of the teacher remaining as a student.Using the experiences from his own personal practice and training, Frank has developed a style of teaching that gets people connected to their breath and their bodies. Through that connection, Frank encourages students in fun and creative ways to explore possibility from their own personal sense of empowerment.Frank leads numerous successful workshops. Power Yoga Basics, Arm Balancing, Breath,(pranayama),and Meditation to name a few. He mentors aspiring teachers and supports Mark White’s Teacher Training programs.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Johanna Markowski

RYT-500, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Johanna Markowski

RYT 500 MBody Academy; Certified KAY (Kidding Around Yoga) Teacher

While living in Colorado, Johanna Markowski would visit her parents in Jacksonville, Florida. This is where she first discovered hot yoga. It wasn’t until she relocated to Jacksonville, did she realize this was her passion she wanted to pursue.

Johanna fell in love with Baptiste yoga and the MBody Community. Since re-locating to Florida, she became an ambassador for the studio, completed her 100 Teacher Training Certification, 200 RYT and 300 RYT Certification Programs.

The yoga classes provided her with a fun and safe place to not only receive a physical workout, but a mental workout as well. Through MBody, Johanna has created lifelong friends and built a powerful practice that she loves to share with others.

Johanna also enjoys running on the beach, surfing, cycling, and spending time with her husband.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
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Amber Acord

Studio Management Team
eRYT-500, YACEP, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Amber Acord

eRYT 500, YACEP, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Amber has a passion for movement and was naturally drawn to yoga after years of gymnastics. The powerful physicality of the practice coupled with its ability to calm her anxiety and panic attacks was enough to compel her to spread the magic. Amber’s favorite thing about yoga is the endless personal growth invoked by committing to a regular practice. She teaches a fun, sweaty class designed to leave each student feeling empowered and curious about what else they can do and be on and off their mats.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Louis Weimer

Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, RYT 500 MBody Teacher Certification Progam

Louis Weimer

Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher, RYT-200

Louis has practiced different styles of yoga off and on since high school. When he came to MBody , he fell in love with Baptiste Power Yoga! He was challenged physically, his mind was stimulated through inquiry and the community was welcoming, gracious and caring. Louis’s journey here started with a Groupon and a class, this lead to him enrolling in the 100-hour Teacher Training which he took to deepen his practice. There he was inspired to take the 200-hour Teacher Leader Program and then the 300-hour Embody Mastery Program. As a 500-hr RYT, he is currently co-facilitating and leading trainings, leading workshops, and teaching classes throughout the week. He constantly enjoys learning and sharing with his fellow “yogis!”

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Calie Taylor

RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Calie Taylor

RYT 200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Leader Program Graduate July 2015. Calie Taylor stumbled upon yoga in the summer of 2014. Having never taken power yoga before she was drawn to the physicality of the practice and how the poses look. What she loves the most is the mental clarity she has gained and the ability to manage her chronic pain through yoga. Calie immediately knew she had to learn how to share this beautiful gift with others.

Shortly after being put in touch with Dawn Clapp she enrolled in teacher leader program. Strength, flexibility, and a calm mind are all elements Calie is practicing to improve. Community, connection, and support are qualities that she values about being a part of the MBody family.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
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Suzanne Cooper

RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Suzanne Cooper

RYT 200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

I joined MBody Yoga June 12, 2012. A friend had invited me a few weeks prior, but I put him off because I was intimidated. I had preconceived notions of yoga studios and didn’t think it was for me. I traveled to CA to visit family and my sister-in-law invited me to her yoga studio. I took that as a sign – I had to try it! I walked out drenched in sweat feeling completely invigorated and so alive! Two days after I returned home, I took my first class at Mbody and I was hooked! I found a community of people (teachers and students alike) who accept, encourage, support and challenge me every time I step into the studio.
The physical benefits of my yoga practice, increased flexibility, stronger muscles, and improved balance were expected and I’m also learning that my body is capable of doing things I never imagined like acroyoga!!! What I did not expect was how a regular practice would benefit me off my mat as well. I’m learning to be more flexible and balanced in my life – I’m learning to breathe more and react less – I am learning to let go of self doubt and realize that I am capable of so much more than I’ve ever imagined.

As a graduate of MBody’s 100 hour and 200 hour teacher training programs I am so excited to share some of what I’ve learned from this amazing practice with others and to witness their growth. As an instructor, my goal is to create an atmosphere where students feel safe to learn and progress at their own pace – a place where they feel accepted, challenged, encouraged, and supported in their journey through this practice – a place to discover things about themselves that they never imagined.

Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Dot Bourgeois

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, RYT-200

Dot Bourgeois

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, RYT-200

Dot came to Mbody for the first time with a friend who wanted to try power yoga. She had previously practiced yoga at home or at gym classes but had never been to a yoga studio. At first she thought it was way too hot but she kept coming because she felt welcome in the community and loved how the practice could be modified to meet her needs. Three years later she signed up for a 100 hr teacher training to expand her practice with no intention of ever teaching yoga, but after teaching a class as part of her training she knew that she wanted more and immediately signed up for 200 hr teacher training. Dot loves the physical workout that she gets as well the shift in thinking that her time at the studio has produced. After completing her training she used those shifts to help her let go of over 100 pounds of weight that was not serving her. She teaches power yoga and Yin with a focus on accessing the poses in a way that works for your body as it is right now and exploring the possibility of trying something new.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Nicole Hamm

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, RYT-500

Nicole Hamm

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, RYT-500

Nicole believes that yoga is a physical relationship that cultivates growth in the mind, body, and soul. After experiencing this in her own practice she completed both 200 hour and 300-hour teacher trainings to share her passion with others. In her classes Nicole encourages students to release and create space using the physical challenge with heartfelt philosophy. Wherever people are breathing, sweating, and being in community is exactly where she wants to be.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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MARIA O'DONNELL

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, eRYT-200

MARIA O’DONNELL

MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program, MBody Academy, eRYT-200

Maria began her yoga practice in high school with her best friend whose father was a yoga teacher. Throughout college and her five years living in Southeast Asia, Maria continued to practice many different styles of yoga and found introspection and reflection through the movement of body and breath to be incredibly healing. Maria was introduced to Baptiste yoga class shortly after she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2007. Immediately, she was completely enthralled with the rhythm and flow of the class. She also found that the heated practice increased her flexibility, as well as physically rinsed her body out. Maria knew she was at home with the sweat, spirit and energy of the Baptiste practice and became a regular practitioner.

Maria completed her 200-hour teacher certification program at a Baptiste-affiliated studio in October 2010 and has since been dedicated to her yoga practice, self-growth and development as a teacher and as a healthy balanced individual with a desire to give back to her community. Maria works in the field of early childhood development and social work. Maria has created a community connection between yoga, bringing the healing qualities of the practice to a diverse variety of individuals; self-empowerment is something yoga offers and all communities need. The Baptiste practice has inspired Maria to be a leader in her community. Maria recently completed her Masters in Social Work and has a passion for art, music, food, and international travel.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
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Ashlee Johnson

Ashlee Johnson MPT, RYT200

Ashlee Johnson, MPT, RYT-200

Ashlee has been a licensed Physical therapist for 10 years and has recently added being a certified yoga teacher to her name. She has has been practicing yoga for at least 7-8 years, if not more. She initially began by taking random classes at the local YMCA, DVDs until she finally found my second home at a yoga studio in Alexandria, LA where she lived for 2 years. Her body was relieved of back pain and was able to deal with daily stressors and anxiety much better. She was completely hooked on this journey of yoga, as she enjoys having a challenging workout along with fulfilling a spiritual connection that she needed. This led into her reason for teaching yoga, as she felt a calling to continue the need to inspire, invigorate and assist with creating a healthier you. With her background as a physical therapist, she is dedicated to providing education on the body, promote safety with movements, and inspire people to learn their bodies from the inside out. She is driven to assist patrons to reach a maximum level of physical mobility and well being on their mat and in their life. She looks forward to meeting you in class and promises to leave you feeling energized and with a little more knowledge about your body and how it moves to further your yoga practice.

Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Hanya Farrah

RYT-200

Hanya Farrah

RYT-200

Hanya is a Jacksonville native who received her certification from the renowned Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine, FL. She has been practicing yoga since 2001 and aims to give her students a judgment free space to find new levels in their practice.
Throughout her practice, she has found overall health, peace and balance in her life and wishes to pass it along to every student. She loves to create a safe and peaceful, yet challenging environment in every class. Hanya loves to live life by this motto “Everything you want is on the other side of fear” so whether you’re advanced or a beginner, come conquer your fears and find peace on your mat.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Roberta Paixao Cortes

E-RYT-500

Roberta Paixao Cortes

E-RYT-500

Roberta Paixao Cortes is originally from Brazil, where she studied classical ballet. As a professional dancer, Roberta was always looking for ways to stretch and work out her body, and that is how she was introduced to yoga in 2005. At that time, she had no idea that she was getting hooked in Baptiste Yoga! Roberta went on to get her RYT200-hr at YogaOne Houston in 2012 and got encouraged by Roger Rippy to do level one training with Baron Baptiste in February 2014. The program made such a big impact in Roberta’s life that in the same year she completed level two training with Paige Elenson, and level three training with Baron, as well as started her certification process to become a certified Baptiste Yoga teacher! Roberta is a E-RYT500, tier 2 certified Baptiste Yoga teacher currently in the FIT to Lead program, an ambassador for Africa Yoga Project, a professional contemporary dancer, and the co-director and co-founder of the arts nonprofit Group Acorde. She learns every day from her teachers, students and from herself, and is really grateful for the power of yoga in her life and the opportunity to share that with others. Roberta’s classes are challenging, focus on breath, alignment, and honoring each student’s experience and needs. She is so excited to become a member of the MBody community and is looking forward to virtually connect with you soon!

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
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Quinn Cretul

RYT-200

Quinn, RYT-200

Quinn was initially drawn to yoga for the mindfulness that an occasional yoga class brought her, but it wasn’t until her first Baptiste Power Yoga class in 2011 that she knew she had to become a yoga teacher. She had never felt a sense of empowerment, fearlessness, community and simple presence from anything else in her life! She received her 200 hour training at a Baptiste studio in 2012 and began teaching countless hours of power yoga. Since that time she has taught many different types of yoga, and is extremely passionate about teaching yoga to people suffering from addiction. She loves running and developing yoga and meditation programs for local treatment centers and yoga studios. Quinn believes watching someone shift from stress and anxiety to calm and ease is one of the greatest privileges to witness. In her power class, you should expect to be challenged physically and yet feel a deep sense of flow. She will remind you to remain fully present and available to the experience, and aims to always leave you in your greatness!

Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Anna Luciano

E-RYT-500

Anna Luciano

E-RYT-500

DA former Division I College Pole Vaulter, Anna has been competing in sports since she was a kid and it has taken a toll. At the age of 30, her doctor suggested yoga as a relief for her aching back, hips, knees and feet. She walked into an affiliated Baptiste Yoga Studio and found a yoga practice that was physically challenging and 100% mind clearing. With a regular yoga practice she eased most of her physical pains and strengthened not only her body, but quieted her relentless brain. After every yoga practice she felt balanced, centered, strong and calm…. Something no other sport or workout fully gave her. In an effort to improve her yoga practice she enrolled in a 200 hr yoga alliance teacher training. She never planned on actually teaching yoga, but realized teaching was a lot like coaching and she could see the results instantly in her students. Anna has also trained with Matthew Sanford of Mind Body Solutions in Minnesota and since 2015, has specialized in not just teaching able bodied people, but is passionate about teaching people with disabilities, brain injuries, trauma and other physical limitations. She has found that it doesn’t matter what is going on physically, all of her students, no matter their limitations, have benefited from breathing, movement and mindfulness.

Anna’s classes are challenging and playful, yet compassionate.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
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Janell Howard

RYT 500 MBody Teacher Certification Program

Janell Howard

RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

I’m Janell Howard, yoga enthusiast, mother, wife, teacher, student, professional chef, and entrepreneur.
My love of yoga began in 1997 as a way to find my inner strength in life. Throughout this journey I have
found courage in facing the challenges of raising teenagers, developing better relationships, and
seeing where I needed to improve in life. It has given me insight to my strengths and weaknesses, an
insight that has evoked a sense of calm in dealing with whatever this wonderful life has to offer.
My training began in 1999 when I took my first teacher training in Anusara-inspired yoga. Over the past
eighteen years I’ve become a lifelong student of yoga having studied and taken many teacher training
programs as well as intensive workshops with leading yogis in their respective fields from
transformational breathing to perfect alignment. All of my training has culminated in my appreciation
of the Baptiste methodology and I am really excited to be part of such an incredible studio. Currently
I’m teaching Baptiste Power Yoga and Yin classes. It is my goal to continually improve my flow, to know
and understand the intricacies of our practice, to learn and recognize others limitations and help them
to push past their physical and mental boundaries. In addition as a professional chef I bring with me
my knowledge of nutrition and clean eating to my students and those around me. I feel that with my
experience I am able to effectively instruct students on proper breathing, alignment, anatomy and flow
techniques of our beautiful practice.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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Sham

RYT 200 MBody Teacher Certification Program

Sham

RYT-200, MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program

Yoga has helped Sham move beyond the voices telling her who she should be and has allowed her to get in touch with her truest, most authentic self. She feels powerful and strong on her mat and wants to bring this same experience to others. Students can expect to feel whole, rejuvenated and powerful after leaving her class. Sham is a forever Student and Teacher of Life who loves meaningful, intentional, compassionate people, work and art.

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Phone: (904) 565-1005
Email: [email protected]

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About Contact Opportunities

About Us

Focus. Strength. Flexibility. What do you want to embody in your life? Your own personal transformation is here.

Meet Our Team

Leah Green

Hayley Pritchett

Chelsea Franklin

Frank Markowski

Johanna Markowski

Amber Acord

Louis Weimer

Calie Taylor

Suzanne Cooper

Dot Bourgeois

Nicole Hamm

MARIA O'DONNELL

Ashlee Johnson

Hanya Farrah

Roberta Paixao Cortes

Quinn Cretul

Anna Luciano

Janell Howard

Sham

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New to MBody?

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© 2005–2022 MBody Yoga, LLC All Rights Reserved.
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About Contact Opportunities

About Us

Focus. Strength. Flexibility. What do you want to embody in your life? Your own personal transformation is here.

Meet Our Team

Leah Green

Leah Green

Hayley Pritchett

Hayley Pritchett

Chelsea Franklin

Chelsea Franklin

Frank Markowski

Frank Markowski

Johanna Markowski

Johanna Markowski

Amber Acord

Amber Acord

Louis Weimer

Louis Weimer

Calie Taylor

Calie Taylor

Suzanne Cooper

Suzanne Cooper

Dot Bourgeois

Dot Bourgeois

Nicole Hamm

Nicole Hamm

MARIA O'DONNELL

MARIA O’DONNELL

Ashlee Johnson

Ashlee Johnson, MPT, RYT-200

Hanya Farrah

Hanya Farrah

Roberta Paixao Cortes

Roberta Paixao Cortes

Quinn Cretul

Quinn, RYT-200

Anna Luciano

Anna Luciano

Janell Howard

Janell Howard

Sham

Sham

Community Rotation

Connect With Us

Twitter Instagram Southside YouTube

About MBody

Our Services

Teacher Training Workshops Consulting Corporate Wellness Blog & Community PayPal Financing

New to MBody?

Your First Class Find a Location Find a Class Benefits Myths FAQ

Gift Cards Refer a Friend

Interested in what we are up to?

© 2005–2022 MBody Yoga, LLC All Rights Reserved. Privacy Terms

Sign in to your account

Twitter
Instagram
Southside
YouTube

Teacher Training
Workshops
Consulting
Corporate Wellness
Blog & Community
PayPal Financing

Your First Class
Find a Location
Find a Class
Benefits
Myths
FAQ

© 2005–2022 MBody Yoga, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Terms