Marisa LaValette
Marisa E-RYT 500 YACEP is the founder of Tara Yoga Studio where she is known for invigorating vinyasa yoga classes that make you sweat on your mat, laugh with your satsang, and cry out loud when you realize…that you are everything.
Marisa trained through YogaWorks with Erika Trice, Hillary Skibell, Eka Ekong, Sarah Ezrin, and Michele Klink, and also trained in Jivamukti-derived vinyasa yoga methods with Lesley Desaulniers.
She completed her Yoga Teacher Trainer certification through YogaWorks.
Marisa studies kirtan with Mirabai Warkulwiz.
She can’t wait to see YOU shine your light. After all, you’re a star.
Kate Dolkas
Kate first discovered yoga at a small Bikram studio in Los Angeles 20 years ago while working as an actor. Kate now practices yoga for quiet space, strength, and connection.
As a teacher, her classes are challenging and fun, set to upbeat music, with a focus on alignment and breathwork. Kate is a 200-hour Yoga Alliance RYT.
When not on the mat, Kate keeps busy on her small farm with her husband, two sons, nine goats, twenty three chickens, one dog, two barn cats and a tortoise.
Elena McAlpine
Special guest teacher Elena is a forty-something yoga teacher who first came to the mat simply to stay sane…and stayed for the transformation.
She completed her 200-hour Teacher Training with YogaWorks and her Advanced Teacher Training with Lesley Desaulniers, deepening her practice and passion for mindful movement.
Off the mat, she’s fueled by love for her kids, dogs, and boyfriend, and finds inspiration in being surrounded by strong, supportive women.
Mostly, Elena wants her students to know they are divine beings of love and light—may the Yoga simply remind them.
Sarah Lee
Sarah is a yoga and meditation teacher, life coach, and business professor.
She helps you connect with your body, find your unique flow, and channel your energy toward purpose through movement, mindfulness, and mindset.
Her journey through mindful movement began in high school as a way to heal from overworking her body in competitive sports. What started as therapy became a lifelong passion, leading her to train in various styles of yoga, barre, Pilates, meditation, and life coaching.
Sarah’s teaching blends intention and playfulness, focusing on alignment, breath, and non-judgment. Whether on the mat, in coaching, or in the classroom, she creates safe, transformative spaces to shed conditioning, reconnect with your truth, and step fully into the life you’re meant to live.
Keely Ferguson
Keely brings 500 hours of training in Jivamukti-rooted teaching methods with Lesley Desaulniers, including deep anatomy study with Alison Smith, Sanskrit and yoga philosophy with Ramana Erickson, and restorative practice with Erika Trice.
Keely’s teaching brings forth her deep passion for music and connecting with people, along with dharma wisdom and creative sequencing. Her classes have a beautiful arc set to her curated uplifting playlists.
In her ‘alternative’ career, Keely has practiced real estate for 27 years and can also DJ your party.
Nichole GaVette
Nichole’s guiding principles are to inspire students to discover yoga beyond asana and to assist them in connecting with their inner universe.
Her classes have an emphasis on body-breath synchronicity while weaving alignment and strength principles throughout thoughtful sequencing. Nichole’s approach includes pranayama, yogic philosophy, mantra, meditation and exploration of the subtle body.
Nichole began studying yoga in 2002 at Oregon State University with Sujita Sklenar. She received her teaching certification at Loka Yoga Institute in Whistler, BC. Presently, she studies under the expert guidance of Tina Pashumati James and Betty Roi.
Off the mat, Nichole enjoys artistic work as a Maker and Metalsmith. Specializing in custom pieces, she offers one-of-a-kind + small batch collections.