Meet The Team

WELCOME! Yoga is such an integral part of my soul and I am so grateful to be able to share this dream of mine with you. Thank you for your support and for showing up! Not just for us but also for yourself.  Namaste

Rachel found yoga years ago after much convincing from her friends. She quickly grew to love the physical practice as a method to tone and strengthen the body and to decompress from her stressful job. Finding a practice that provided an excellent workout was the initial draw, however as time passed, Rachel found that the spiritual practice is what kept her coming back for more. In 2009, Rachel started down a new path in life and decided to deepen her practice and enroll in teacher training. As student and now a teacher, Rachel loves sharing the gift of yoga with everyone.

Emily found yoga in 2016. Struggling with postpartum depression and other health issues, Emily decided to try yoga on the advice of her doctor. The combinations of mind/body awareness and breath work helped ease her anxiety and the physical aspects of stretching and strengthening helped with her health issues.

The owner of the studio, seeing her dedication and growth, asked her to teach classes in 2017, and in 2018, she completed her 200-hour RYT certification. Since 2018, she has also expanded to teaching Boga Yoga, aerial yoga and Barre.

Emily is known for strength building classes with unique transitions. You will sweat, feel stronger, and become aware of all your body can do for you. She hopes to see you on your mat soon!

Jen stepped on the mat in 2013, looking for a good sweat and and a way to relieve some stress. Within a month, she fell in love with yoga and practiced consistently over the next several years. In 2019, she completed her RYT-200 in hopes to give back to the Pittsburgh community what yoga had offered to her. Jen recognizes that people come to yoga for many different reasons and firmly believes that within the combination of the asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation components of the practice, there is something for everyone. Her all-levels classes are intentional, intuitive, and fluid. You will find a balance of effort and ease, a judgment free space to explore the mind-body connection, and a thoughtfully curated playlist. You will leave her class feeling rejuvenated, connected, and peaceful.

Alyssa Ball 500hr trauma informed RYT

Alyssa’s passion for movement has been a life long journey through dance and various sports. She remembers feeling lost after high school and stumbling into a hot yoga class a decade ago and feeling immediately called to deepen her practice.

She completed her first 200-hour training with Amanda Fitzgerald in 2018, with a focus on vinyasa, the same year she completed an Integrative Nutrition Coaching certification.

Alyssa completed most (thanks COVID!) of a 300 -hour focused on Hatha yoga and Ayurveda but formally finished an additionally 300-hour trauma informed training through an organization online called Soul Work.

Alyssa believes that movement should be fun and restorative, not punishing and forceful. Her classes usually include a few laughs and stumbles but the vibes are always the same- your body is your home, let’s love it and move it. Expect a blend of hatha, vinyasa, and trauma informed moves with plenty of reminders to b r e a t h e.

Holly was first introduced to yoga during college as an escape from studying and a means of exercise. Loving the physical benefits that yoga provided, it wasn’t until years later did Holly discover the life changing benefits yoga has to offer. With a love for teaching and a desire to expand her yoga practice, Holly completed Yoga Flow’s teacher training in 2013.

Yoga allows her to let go of the things that do not serve her while finding peace in the present moment. Her yoga practice has taught her the importance of living a gentle and humble life by leading with an open heart. As a yoga teacher, Holly hopes to share the love and acceptance she has been so fortunate to receive since coming to Yoga Flow.

Movement arts have always been a part of my life. Taking my first dance class at age 3, I’ve had a long-standing passion for experiences integrating the body with movement and rhythm. It wasn’t until the late ‘90s, as a young new mom, that Yoga became a household name and a continuous practice of presence. In 2012, I completed my 200-hour Yoga Alliance training, and I continue to study with a broad range of teachers to stay current on how Yoga can create mind-body coherence. I continuously return to Yoga as it aligns me with our shared humanity and has been the backbone of my self-awareness, health + wellness, and ability to surrender.  

Since 2019, my thirst for brain-body knowledge has steered me to teach a style of vinyasa that provides the framework for functional movement patterns. My classes will intentionally provide moving meditation sequences that enhance mobility, stability, and flexibility for optimal movement habits.

As a social worker, reiki practitioner, certified nutritionist, yoga instructor, and now in my final semester of graduate school for my Master’s in Health and Wellness Coaching, I am excited to co-create yoga classes with you that combine movement patterns that empower you to feel more energized and confident in your body. 

Come to class with a beginner’s mind; we will move better to feel better together.

Marissa began regularly practicing yoga as a form of exercise, and instantly noticed the sense of inner peace and balance it brought her. Marissa believes that the benefits of yoga enhance all areas of her life. Off the mat, she works as an environmental scientist, and in her free time you can find her hiking with her dog! 

Marissa has been teaching yoga since 2016. She completed her 200 hour certification through Yoga Flow, Pittsburgh, and continued her education to receive her 300 hour certification through Yoga Farm Ithaca. In her classes, students can expect creative sequences, linking breath with movement, while incorporating mindfulness. 

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Erika was introduced to yoga around the young age of 14 when her mother brought her along to a class. Not quite getting the true essence of yoga until a few years later- she struggled to quiet her mind and find her breath during classes; focusing rather on why she wasn’t as limber as her neighbor and letting her ego overwhelm and sadden her. With each class, she could feel her innate spirit dissolving her ego further. Still today, she struggles with anxiety and managing stress levels but credits yoga to helping her find her peace in the battle.

Erika’s training consists of levels 1 and 2 through YogaFit and Totally Yoga’s 200 hour program under the guidance of Amanda Fitzgerald. She enjoys creativity and room for play in her classes and making catchy playlists. Off the mat, you can find her gaming, listening to music, going on nature walks, working out, reading, or riding her street bike.

Marcia Ritter has been trained through the Himalayan Institute, and received the certification for 200 hour and 500 hour teacher training. She teaches Hatha Yoga for beginners and Gentle Hatha 1, Bringing awareness to connecting the breath with movement, guided meditation and final relaxation.

In college, I found myself needing to take an additional physical education credit and thought why not try yoga. I completed a beginner's history and instructor course in Hatha yoga in 2013 through Kent State University. Over the years I've expanded my practice to various types of yoga including hot, power, vinyasa, yin, and ashtanga. Facing multiple health challenges I looked for more ways to incorporate yoga into my everyday life. I completed my RYT 200 certification in 2015/2016 and soon after started teaching weekly classes at various studios. I'm passionate about spreading acceptance, happiness, and positivity. These passions motivated me to change careers and now work as a Human Resource Business Partner that allows me to cultivate better work life balance.

Outside of yoga, I have my master's degree in human resource development, certificate in organizational leadership, SPHR, and SHRM-CP. I love running and spending time outside with my chocolate lab, Dexter. I can't wait to see you on the mat!

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This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

Kelly began her yoga journey in 2010. A friend took her to class. Right away she realized this was something different than her gym visits that seemed obligatory. Connecting the body and mind was new for her, and it changed her perspective and life drastically. It wasn't too long before Kelly wanted to take the next step to further her practice.

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She received her Yoga Alliance RYT-200 in 2016 through Yogaflow and spent 6 years teaching classes there. Kelly lives in the North Hills with her husband and their four children. By night, she and her husband own and operate two local bars: Elly’s and Elly’s Meadowlands.

She loves to share her passion for yoga with others in the hopes it will be a tool to improve their lives, like it has hers. She believes your mat can be a place to heal and find yourself at the same time. In world where everything is so fast paced and intense, she wants your practice to be a place where you slow down, breathe and reset. Whether you are a brand new yogi, still a little nervous, or a seasoned veteran, Kelly would be honored to practice with you.

Katie earned her Yoga Alliance RYT-200 in 2016 and additionally is a Certified Health & Well-being Coach with a certificate in Lifestyle Medicine.  Yoga has held different roles in Katie’s life at different times – helping her: gain appreciation for her body & breath, find compassion for & a sense of connection to herself and others, as well as giving her a positive focus and empowering her when facing life’s challenges.  Teaching yoga additionally provides Katie with a creative outlet and a sense of purpose.  As a yoga teacher, Katie hopes to help others discover self-care and well-being through yoga.  She particularly enjoys designing sequencing intended to help students get lost (and found) in the flow.

Growing up in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, Maggie fell in love with yoga during ballet training when she was thirteen.  She continued dancing and practicing yoga while earning degrees in French Literature and Classics from Penn State, and a Masters in K-12 Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  She taught high school and middle school for Fairfax County Public Schools before becoming a stay at home mom.  While staying home with her three daughters, Maggie served on the Manor Recreation Board, organizing holiday parties, events and tee-ball leagues for the community. She continues to help with the elementary school PTO.  

When the Yoga Flow Irwin studio opened, she began practicing regularly again and found a spiritual haven with immense physical benefits.  Maggie believes the fire and breath of yoga kindle the spark of light, love and truth so our hearts shine brightly and grow in love.  She passionately seeks to help others find that spark, burning off the layers that keep us from connecting to others and ourselves. 

Longing to return to the field of teaching, Maggie earned her Yoga Alliance certification at Yoga Flow and began teaching yoga/ballet/movement classes.  Maggie loves kids of all ages and they love her.  It was always a career goal to teach younger students and adults.  This is truly a dream to combine so many experiences and skills for a unique class.  She instructs little ones on breathing and stretching techniques through fun movement and play, empowering them to love themselves, others and yoga!    

Maggie has the necessary Child Abuse clearances & Criminal Record Background Check on file as well as certification and insurance from Yoga Alliance. 

After practicing as a student for many years, Gina received her 200-hour certification to teach yoga in 2016. That same year, she went on to become certified as a Warriors at Ease yoga and meditation teacher (teaching veterans, active-duty military, and first responders — with a special focus on teaching to those with post-traumatic stress and/or physical challenges). She currently volunteers her time teaching a monthly military gentle movement and meditation class for a local non-profit organization. Gina also holds certification to teach children and teens.

For several years, she taught a quarterly introduction to yoga and meditation class to new nurses in one of Pittsburgh's largest hospital networks. This class was designed by Gina to equip new nurses with the ability to remain present for their patients, coworkers, and themselves.

Gina encourages her students to make breathing their top priority. Each yoga class is an opportunity to experience the positive benefits of controlled breathing and its amazing impact on our bodies and minds. She believes that what you gain mentally and physically in class can be applied to all aspects of daily life — and that your personal yoga practice is a gift not only to you, but to everyone you encounter. 

Karen Nagy was always active and found that yoga offered her the mind- body connection she sought. She completed her 200-hour RYT in 2018. Then, in February of 2020, she finished her 300 hr RYT with Joni Staaf Stamford. She experienced such personal transformation on her yoga journey, that she continued her extensive education through her Kundalini 200-hour training with Guru

Singh, and graduated in March 2024.

Karen shares the wisdom she gained with others, teaching yoga as the union of breath with movement and the energetic forces within us and surrounding us. Karen believes yoga is learning to quiet the mind's chatter and calm the nervous system to notice the subtle whispers of intuition and be guided by the universe.

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Yoga has been part of Becky’s life for 25+ years.  She took her first Iyengar class at age 16 and has continually found yoga throughout the various stages of her life. In addition to the physical benefits, Becky appreciates that yoga repeatedly reminds her to live in the moment.  In 2023 she took the leap and completed her 200 hour teacher training through Yoga Medicine® In Becky’s classes you’ll experience both the physical and the philosophical components of yoga, accompanied by a great playlist!  Becky’s goal is for students to leave her class feeling light and refreshed.

Kelsie is a 200 hour RYT through Yoga Alliance. She became certified at her home studio, Totally Yoga, in February of 2016. Kelsie is also a certified children’s yoga instructor after a weekend intensive at Yoga on 3rd in Irwin. Kelsie spent most of her childhood and well into her teen years as a competitive gymnast. She has always been fascinated by the body’s ability to move, bend, and contort. Through a therapist’s recommendation for coping with her chronic depression and anxiety, Kelsie reluctantly took her first yoga class when she was 18. Unsteady and unsure, she felt like a fish out of water, and vowed she would never return- but it wasn’t long before she found herself back at the studio, ready to give it another shot. Kelsie quickly witnessed the physical benefits of a consistent yoga practice, but was even more amazed at the mental benefits and relief of anxiety and depression she began to feel as well. At that moment, Kelsie knew she had to share the gift of yoga with as many people as possible.

Since becoming certified, Kelsie has consistently been teaching yoga at studios all across Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas. She has held workshops of her own, been hired to teach private classes and events, and has even been a guest at daycares to introduce yoga and mindful breathing to kids. She remains committed to the practice by continually learning about the mind and body connection and remains inspired by being a lifelong student. Kelsie is fascinated behind the “why” and will often incorporate what is happening inside the body when in certain poses in her classes. She believes in the power of connecting mindful breath with movement to create a moving meditation. She aims for her students to feel a release through her classes; whether that is physical or emotional, she believes that yoga and stretching has the power to move “stuck” emotions from the body. Her goals for her students are simply to feel empowered and leave feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and motivated. 

Kelsie currently works in the nursing field. When she’s not at the studio, Kelsie enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with her husband and daughter. She also loves spending time with her pets; 2 cats and 1 bunny.