Amy Kirkland
After moving to Louisiana in 2016, Amy tried out the big designer gyms but got bored easily with the same workout routines and never felt quite at home at these gyms. After meeting fellow instructor Kaitey, Amy signed up for the 21 Day Challenge at Bayou Yoga and from there she was hooked. Amy quickly feel in love with Yoga Sculpt, a combination of yoga movements with weight incorporated and small burst of cardio. In July of 2019 Bayou Yoga became in need of Yoga Sculpt instructor. Amy took that as a sign to begin her next yogi adventure. In November of 2019, Amy completed 200 hour Registered Yoga Training. In January 2020, Amy began leading Yoga Sculpt with energizing music and plenty of jokes and laughter. Amy loves sharing Tuesday and Thursday night with her Sculpt Squad but when she’s not with her Bayou Yoga family you can find her as a dental hygienist by day, honing in her grill skills, whipping up tasty treats in the kitchen, snuggling with her dogs, and laughing with friends.
Elizabeth Sconzert
Co-founder/Owner & Instructor
With a yogi for a father, Elizabeth grew up in a house where “downward dog” was not reserved for canine discipline but rather spoken in everyday life. So, naturally, as any daughter would do, she did everything to fight it, including graduating from Loyola’s College of Law. Elizabeth quickly discovered that a life of lawyering could be hectic and stressful, depleting the body's energy. Yoga offered nourishment where dedicated workouts and a marathon or two failed. She is certified in power vinyasa yoga, but like many students of this discipline, Elizabeth's practice uses a hybrid of techniques to respond to the individual needs of each class. Elizabeth’s approach to yoga focuses on the whole, pulling us back to center with asanas integrating strength, movement, and of course, balance—all of which carry over into everyday life. Understanding life beyond the yoga mat brings enough seriousness of its own, Elizabeth believes yoga can bring physical and spiritual harmony to our daily lives.
Ella McDonald
Once Ella discovered that yoga is basically a one stop shop for introspection, self development, physical fitness and the perfect way to tap into inner peace and play, she was hooked. Ella knows that just getting to the mat can often be the largest challenge, but once she pushes past that, no matter how she’s feeling beforehand, her outlook is always improved. Throughout her flows, Ella brings a strong element of body mind connection by honoring what the body needs in each moment, as well as tuning into the breath and allowing it to inform every movement. In addition to yoga, Ella loves any excuse to be outdoors, cooking tasty vegan meals, acting and spending time with friends and family.
Heidi McDonald
Heidi was first drawn to yoga because she thought it would be a fun way to improve her flexibility and strength, but she soon became intrigued by the numerous benefits she experienced off the mat. Basically, since she noticed the world seems to be a much friendlier place when she meditates and practices daily, she feels a deep sense of responsibility to keep it up! She loves how yoga is a journey to the self, offering practitioners a better understanding of how the mind, body and emotions are inextricably woven together and beautifully rebalanced by conscious breathing and movement. Her classes remind you to occupy your whole body with curiosity, compassion and a whole lot of long exhales!
Kaitey Kinchen
While attending college and working as a photographer in Washington DC, Kaitey tried her first power yoga class. Although a regular practice wasn’t a part of her life at that point in time, the seed was planted.
Eleven years later, yoga found its way back into Kaitey’s life after a very sudden loss. On a trip out West, a friend reacquainted her with yoga, and that is where her journey into yoga and healing began. Once she arrived home, Kaitey established a daily practice and found sanctuary. “My mat became my life raft— a safe space where I could show up as I was, to move and breathe, and just be… without expectation or judgment.”
Kaitey believes in the transformative power of yoga to nourish and heal the mind, body, and spirit. Through regular practice, the lessons of presence, connection, equanimity, and balance that we cultivate on the mat, begin to extend into daily life.
Kaitey obtained her 200-hour RYT certification in 2017. She has completed continuing education trainings in trauma sensitive yoga (with Connected Warriors, and The Center for Trauma and Embodiment), adaptive yoga, yin yoga, and yoga nidra. In addition, Kaitey is a Level 3 Reiki Master and has been practicing energetic healing since 2019.
Karen Rewerts
Director of Client Care
Karen is Bayou Yoga's Director of Client Care, what she calls, "a fancy title for someone who loves people and loves Bayou Yoga!" Whether it is your first visit or your 100th, you can be sure that Karen will reach out to you to say hello and get to know you better. In her view, our yoga community, affectionately known as Tribe 985, thrives on the love and support we give each other on and off the mat, and this community is what Karen believes makes Bayou Yoga so special. She started practicing yoga in 2015 after multiple breast cancer surgeries and chemotherapy left her physically weak and emotionally spent. Her daughter, Lydia, (now a certified 200 hour RYT with a trauma-conscious certification,) found Bayou Yoga in 2017, and Karen and Lydia accepted the 21 Day Challenge together. Karen considers yoga the ultimate exercise of body, mind and spirit, making it a completely unique and individual effort. At the same time, she appreciates the beautiful choreography of our yoga community moving and breathing together. She credits her practice at Bayou Yoga with building strength, restoring mobility and giving her a deeper knowledge of herself and a desire to share that authenticity with others. Karen is the daughter of John and Lenell Davis of Slidell, Louisiana; sister of Chip, Scott and Dawn; wife of Carl Rewerts; mother of Glendon and Lydia Rewerts; and dog lover (currently loving on a toy poodle named Jack.) Her joys are her family and friends, her faith, music and performing arts, all nature (especially hot, sunny weather,) and of course, Bayou Yoga!
Kristin Ashley
Kristin Ashley is a holistic health coach and 200 RYT with a background in bhakti, vinyasa, tantra, and restorative styles of yoga. Kristin has been practicing yoga for over two decades, and she is passionate about creating strength, safety, and joy both on and off the mat.
Maria Sferrazza
Maria has been practicing yoga since 2007. She fell in love with the way yoga increases strength and flexibility and helps quiet the mind. To deepen her practice, she completed yoga teacher training with a concentration in the Anusara style and taught for over six years in NC. Three kids and a couple of moves later, she settled in Mandeville in 2021. Through many phases of life, she has learned that yoga will always meet you where you are, all you have to do is step on your mat. With a spirit of gratitude and exploration, each class is a celebration of one’s own body and practice.
Marybeth Wise
Mary Beth is a Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. Her career in health and wellness spans 25+ years within physical therapy, athletic club, small studio and private in-home settings. With a lighthearted teaching style, she aims to educate students and clients, encouraging them to tune in deeply and move with intention. A native of Shreveport, she grew up barrel racing Quarter horses and running up and down basketball courts, ending her high school career with a State Championship. Now into her sixth decade on the earth, she is keenly attuned to the changes and challenges that come with age and remaining active and aspires to help others keep honing their practices and honoring their individual needs.
Megan Gabriell
Megan Gabriell, a Louisiana native with over a decade of fitness instructor experience, specializes in "Power Vinyasa" and "Youth Yoga." With a background as a dancer and dance teacher, Megan draws on her experience to create yoga flows that help students connect with their bodies and minds. She holds a 200-hour yoga teaching certificate and curates immersive experiences with carefully selected playlists, emphasizing the flow of movement with breath. Megan's classes feature unique sequences that captivate the mind and body, with the goal of improving students' mental and physical health. Megan creates a welcoming and inclusive environment in her classes, empowering her students to explore their bodies, minds, and spirits through the practice of yoga. With her warm and engaging teaching style, she helps her students cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace. Megan's classes integrate physical challenges, breath awareness, and mindfulness techniques, allowing each practitioner to embark on their unique yoga journey.
Nicole Azzi Williams
Co-founder/Owner & Instructor
Bayou Yoga students probably have a lot in common with Nicole. Like a lot of us, she found it hard to love conventional gyms, yet always strived for a healthy lifestyle. With a commitment to mental, physical, and spiritual health, she fell in love with yoga over a decade ago and has relished the nourishment it provides—not to mention increased strength and flexibility—ever since. A realtor by day and a mom 24/7, balance anchors Nicole’s busy life. Through her practice, she teaches us to empower the mind-body connection and apply it throughout the day in a chaotic world. A native of Canada who has lived internationally, Nicole has witnessed the breadth of the yogi world, providing her with not only a great understanding of the practice, but an appreciation of the resilience of yoga. This understanding and appreciation empowers you to stay on your toes as your practice evolves.