Meet the Yoga Journey Team

 
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Leslie Glickman

Leslie has been teaching yoga since 1994 and offers the dynamic flow of Vinyasa, the deep experience of yin, and the stillness of meditation. Her Pause, Breathe, Notice, Feel ideology is the basis for her approach to teaching. She believes there is a yoga for “every body” and strives to be mindful of the student's experience so she can meet them exactly where they are. Safe and intelligent, classes are always her priority, but intuition and creativity are what inspires her. Growing the community is Leslie’s passion,making all that come to practice feel welcome.  She's worked diligently to create opportunities that make yoga accessible to all with regular events that create free outdoor yoga and connect thousands of people live and in person as well as online connecting her global yoga community. Part of her mission is to also elevate the level of education for yoga teachers. She has been leading her Teacher Training Programs for over 12 years and feels that trainees deserve to be taught with the highest level of integrity that honors the traditions of this life changing practice. Yoga is at the very foundation of the life that Leslie has built here in South Florida.  She is always seeking to elevate herself, the community and the collective energy of the world through the practice of yoga.

 

 

Amy Appel

Amy’s relationship with yoga began more than 20 years ago, long before she ever stepped into the role of teacher. After experiencing firsthand the ways yoga could transform not only the body, but also the mind and spirit, she felt called to share that experience with others.

A former elementary school teacher with a B.S. in Education from New York University, Amy brings that same patience, attentiveness, and ability to meet people where they are to her teaching. She has been teaching since 2012 and is an E-RYT 500, having completed her advanced training through Yoga Journey.

Her classes are thoughtful, approachable, and grounded in the belief that yoga should meet you where you are. Amy encourages students to explore their edges and challenge themselves while still honoring what their bodies need that day. She has a natural way of bringing together the physical and deeper aspects of the practice without taking herself or yoga, too seriously.

For Amy, yoga doesn’t end when class does. She believes the awareness, perspective, and lessons we develop on the mat can become part of how we move through everyday life.

A lifelong student herself, Amy continues to practice and learn from teachers and traditions in a variety of settings, keeping her own practice curious and her teaching continually evolving.

Amy lives in Boca Raton with her husband and is a proud mom of four and grandmother to two grandsons.

Follow Amy @amyyogadream

 

Barbara Barrett-Rhee

Barbara brings more than 20 years of experience in education, working across languages, cultures, and learning environments. Her background in curriculum design and trauma-informed support has shaped the way she approaches wellness, with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and an appreciation for the many different ways people learn, move, and connect.

Her own path into yoga and mindful movement has continued to evolve over the years. Barbara is an RYT 200 Baptiste Power Yoga teacher, an RYT 200 Yin Yoga teacher trained at Yoga Journey, and a Certified Reformer Pilates Instructor. Her training reflects her interest in both strength and movement as well as the quieter, more restorative side of practice.

While she is not currently teaching at Yoga Journey, Barbara is very much part of the studio community. You’ll find her at the front desk, where she enjoys welcoming students, getting to know the people who walk through our doors, and helping create the warm and inclusive environment that makes Yoga Journey feel like more than just a place to take a class.

For Barbara, wellness is about creating meaningful experiences that meet people where they are and she brings that same spirit of openness and connection to the Yoga Journey community.

Follow Barbara @chihuahuaz

 

Bill Knowles

Bill first came to yoga for the physical practice. It didn’t take long for him to discover that there was much more to yoga than the poses. Inspired by the teachers who introduced him to the practice, he decided within six months of his first class to take the leap into teacher training. A recommendation led him to Leslie, and more than 15 years later, that decision continues to shape his life.

Bill began teaching immediately after completing his training and hasn’t looked back. Trained in Vinyasa Flow, his classes reflect the way he loves to practice: lots of movement, creative sequences, interesting transitions, unique poses, and an eclectic soundtrack along the way.

His goal is to challenge students without leaving them feeling defeated. His classes may not always be easy, but they are meant to be engaging, playful, and, most importantly, fun.

If you’re ready to move, explore, and maybe try something you didn’t think you could do, come along for the journey with Bill.

Follow Bill @yogawinecatdaddybill

 

Debbie Wolff

Debbie has been inspiring people to move for more than four decades. She began her fitness career in 1980 teaching Jacki Sorensen’s Aerobic Dancing, and her curiosity and passion for movement have continued to grow ever since.

Over the years, Debbie has trained across many areas of fitness and wellness, becoming a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor along the way. Her extensive training includes certifications through NSCA, AFAA, Mad Dogg, Tae Bo, Pilates, and Barre. She is also an E-RYT 500 and YACEP with Yoga Alliance.

With such a broad background, Debbie brings a wealth of experience to her teaching, along with the perspective of someone who has remained a student throughout her career. She continues to explore and learn in both fitness and yoga, always finding new ways to deepen her own practice and share what she discovers with others.

Outside the studio, family is at the heart of Debbie’s life. She has been married for 39 years, is a mom to two daughters and grandmother to three, and shares her home with Holly, her Whippet.

When she’s not teaching or studying, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and, like any good television enthusiast, settling in for a great binge-worthy series.

Follow Debbie @Debbiewolff27

Ellen Patrick

I’m a former professional dancer, an E-RYT 500, certified yoga therapist, and studio owner for 12 years, I have been practicing and exploring yoga for over 30 years. I am dedicated to providing my students with the tools of yoga that will educate, inspire and enhance their well-being. Whether asana, pranayama, meditation, or the study of yoga philosophy, I believe a consistent yoga practice will support my students in awakening their own inner resources. My fun, informative and empowering classes will provide the insight and wisdom needed to support a fulfilling and inspirational life.

Follow Ellen @ellenpyoga

 

 

Elyce Neuhauser

Elyce Neuhauser has been guiding spontaneous movement practices for more than 20 years. Her work draws from yoga, meditation, dance, somatic movement, Thai yoga massage, and a deep appreciation for the body’s natural wisdom and capacity for expression.

Elyce’s approach invites people to explore movement as a way of connecting more deeply with themselves. She encourages students to cultivate self-care and self-worth while discovering ways to move through life with less stress, greater ease, and a stronger connection to their own well-being.

Her teaching has been shaped by two influential mentors: meditation teacher and author Dr. Lorin Roche and movement innovator and yogini Shiva Rea. Their influence continues to inspire Elyce’s curiosity, creativity, and approach to movement.

An award-winning writer, RV traveler, and breast cancer survivor, Elyce brings the perspective of someone who continues to explore life with openness and curiosity. Her classes invite students to step away from expectations, listen to their bodies, and discover what movement can make possible.

Follow Elyce @elyceneuhauser

Emily Allen

Emily has been a lifelong student of yoga. She was first introduced to the practice as a child while tagging along with her mom to classes, and has continued to deepen her practice for the last 15 years. Growing up as a gymnast and cheerleader, she’s always been drawn to physical practices that require a deeper sense of body awareness, and the physical and mental challenge that comes with it. She's always in awe of how the body moves and what it’s capable of with practice and a good amount of play.  

In 2022, Emily decided to deepen her practice and understanding of yoga by diving into her first 200 hour Vinyasa Teacher Training at Yoga Journey, and has been teaching ever since! It was here that she understood how yoga is so much more than a physical practice, touching all aspects of the mental, emotional, and spiritual realms as well. Beyond her teaching experience, Emily has her B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Florida State, and is able to masterfully bring her understanding of anatomy and physiology into her classes, whether it’s through a precise cue or an explanation into what systems of the body are working. 

She brings a fun and fiery energy to every class, encouraging students to find moments to play and find their edge through her creative sequencing. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned yogi, her classes are full of modifications and variations to meet you exactly where you are.

Follow Emily @emilyallennn_

 

 

Erin Rubano

Erin brings a unique perspective to yoga, drawing on more than 18 years of experience in orthopedic rehabilitation and more than six years of teaching yoga. With a background that bridges clinical care and mindful movement, she has a deep understanding of how the body moves, adapts, and becomes stronger.

Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and is a Certified Hand Therapist. She is also an RYT 500 and a 300-hour LYT Yoga certified instructor.

Her classes are thoughtfully sequenced with an emphasis on strength, mobility, and alignment. Erin combines her knowledge of biomechanics with the principles of yoga to help students better understand their bodies while exploring movement in a purposeful and accessible way.

For Erin, yoga is an opportunity to connect what we know about the body with how we experience it. Her teaching encourages students to build strength, improve mobility, and develop greater awareness of how they move, both on and off the mat.

Follow Erin @erinrubano

 

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Jaci Gennaro

I am a lover of all things learning; as a student and teacher of both history and yoga, I am passionate about exploring our collective history and how the practice of yoga can help us heal from our past and create justice and wellness for all beings. I feel very lucky to be a part of the Yoga Journey community where truth, love and spirit shine on all who practice here. 


Follow Jaci @yoga.jaci

 

Laura B. Hedges

Laura’s connection to movement began with dance. With a BFA in Dance and more than 15 years of experience in yoga, she brings a natural understanding of the body, movement, and the relationship between breath and physical practice to everything she teaches.

A Yoga Journey-trained RYT 200, Laura is certified in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, and Prenatal Yoga, as well as Breathwork and Sound Healing. Her classes can take many forms, from grounding and restorative practices to dynamic flows that explore arm balances, handstands, and creative movement. Whatever the style, breath and mindful movement remain at the heart of her teaching.

Laura encourages students to build strength and body awareness while also finding more ease and connection within their practice. Her goal is for students to leave class feeling more grounded, joyful, strong, and at home in their bodies.

Her interest in wellness extends beyond the yoga mat. Laura is also certified in holistic health and aromatherapy and is passionate about helping people create healthier, more vibrant lives through mindful movement and intentional choices.

Whether you’re looking to slow down, build strength, explore something new, or simply reconnect with your body, Laura invites you to come as you are and see where the practice takes you.

Follow Laura @laurayogabliss

 

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Lisa Sefton

Originally from Liverpool, England, Lisa has called the United States home since 1993. After more than 30 years in early childhood education, she eventually found a way to turn her longtime passion for yoga into the work she loves.

Lisa became part of the Yoga Journey team and completed her 500-hour teacher training with Leslie through Yoga Journey. She now teaches yoga throughout the Boca Raton area and is also our Front Desk Manager, where she enjoys welcoming students, connecting with the community, and helping create the warm and welcoming environment that makes Yoga Journey feel like home.

Always curious to learn and explore new ways of moving, Lisa has expanded her practice into Pilates and is certified in both Reformer and Mat Pilates. Her experience across yoga and Pilates gives her an appreciation for the many ways movement can support both body and mind.

For Lisa, being able to make her passion part of her everyday life is truly a dream come true. And when she’s not on her mat or at the front desk, you’ll likely find her curled up on the couch with a good book and a warm cup of tea.

Follow Lisa @lisaseftonyoga

 

Mary Ann Morgan-Fried

Mary Ann Morgan-Fried brings more than 30 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and 16 years of teaching yoga to her work as a 500+ hour yoga teacher and wellness educator.

A Vinyasa and Ashtanga-based teacher, Mary Ann creates intentional, intelligently sequenced flows that bring together movement, breath, strength, and mindfulness. Her classes are purposeful and personal, inviting students to build strength, find focus, and connect more deeply with their practice.

Mary Ann has studied with Yoga Journey, Yoga South, and American Yoga, along with a number of extraordinary teachers who have shaped and inspired her practice and teaching over the years. She continues to approach yoga as both a student and teacher, always looking for ways to deepen her understanding and share what she learns.

For Mary Ann, yoga is not simply about what happens on the mat. It is a way of moving through life, with greater awareness, intention, and presence.


Follow Mary Ann @matmatterz

 

Melissa Salny

Melissa is one of the friendly faces that helps make Yoga Journey feel like home. You’ll often find her at the front desk, welcoming students with a smile, answering questions, and helping everyone who walks through the door feel comfortable and connected.

A 200-hour certified yoga teacher trained under Leslie Glickman at Yoga Journey, yoga has become an important part of Melissa’s own life and connection to the studio. While she isn’t currently teaching, her training has given her a deeper appreciation for the practice and the community that surrounds it.

Melissa especially enjoys getting to know our students and being part of the everyday moments that make Yoga Journey more than just a place to take a class. Whether it’s helping a new student find their way around, catching up with a familiar face, or simply being there to greet you when you arrive, she brings a warmth and genuine care to the studio each day.

For Melissa, Yoga Journey is about connection, community, and creating a place where everyone feels welcome.

Follow Melissa @melissaraeyoga

 

Michael Nasti

Michael Nasti is a lifelong musician whose relationship with sound began at the age of six and has grown into a deeper exploration of meditation and sound therapy. After a severe COVID infection led him to explore sound as part of his own healing, he discovered the profound stillness and restorative quality that sound could create. That experience became a turning point in both his life and his artistic path.

Drawing on years of study, research, and certification in crystal bowl therapy, Michael creates immersive sound baths using crystal and Tibetan bowls, gongs, chimes, drums, and other instruments. Each experience is guided by intention and presence, allowing the sounds to unfold naturally and create space for deep relaxation and reflection.

Michael’s sound journeys invite participants to slow down, settle the nervous system, and step away from the constant noise of everyday life. For him, sound is more than music, it can be a pathway into stillness, restoration, and a deeper connection with yourself.

 

Richard Brookens

Richard Brookens has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1998, sharing his practice at Barry University and studios throughout South Florida. His own exploration of the connection between breath, body, and the nervous system has been a lifelong journey and an important part of his teaching.

Certified in Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, Richard brings a thoughtful approach to the practice, with an emphasis on using the breath as a tool for awareness and regulation. He has also been creating space for sound baths since 2000, offering students another way to experience stillness, presence, and connection.

Music has been an important part of Richard’s life long before yoga. A professional musician since the 1970s, he has worked extensively with woodwinds and percussion. His deep understanding of rhythm, sound, and vibration naturally finds its way into his work with yoga, meditation, and sound.

For Richard, the practices of yoga, breath, meditation, and sound are all connected, and each offers a different pathway toward greater awareness and balance.

Follow Richard @richardbrookens

 

Ruth Sanders

Ruth’s yoga journey began in 1995, and what started as a personal practice soon became something much deeper. Experiencing firsthand how yoga could transform both body and mind, she felt called to share that experience with others. She completed her 200-hour teacher training in 2010 and her 500-hour training with Leslie in 2016.

Over the years, Ruth’s own practice has taken her through injuries and surgeries. Rather than letting those experiences keep her from yoga, she learned how to adapt and modify her practice to support her body. That firsthand experience has become an important part of her teaching.

Ruth teaches a variety of yoga styles, but the common thread throughout her classes is accessibility. She encourages students to find the version of each practice that works for their individual bodies and abilities, with an emphasis on breathwork and finding a sense of centeredness.

An E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance, Ruth is also certified in Chair Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Mindfulness Meditation, Hatha, and Vinyasa Yoga, as well as through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

For Ruth, yoga is about staying connected to the practice through every season of life and helping her students discover that same possibility for themselves.

Ruth lives with her husband and is grateful to have her children and grandchildren nearby.

Follow Ruth @yoginiruth

 

Sean Holly

Hi my name is Sean Holly. My yoga Journey was initially inspired by the potential of the healing and restorative aspects of the practice. My personal experience and education allowed me to come to know how amazing this practice is for the mind, body, and soul. Two important concepts I aim to integrate into every practice are mobility and breath work. Mobility is the combination of strength and flexibility, intending to increase range of motion, stamina, and help in the recovery process for injuries. By integrating pranayama or breathing practices into a safe, creative, and intelligent vinyasa flow I intend to enhance my students experience of their own inner world. I believe community is everything and feel humbled to have the opportunity to serve as a teacher to guide and encourage members of the community to honor themselves and take care of their body through a practice that has been around for over 2000 years. Looking forward to seeing you on the mat. Namaste. 

 

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Shea Carey

I am Shea, a yoga teacher who is passionate about supporting pregnant and new mamas create balance in their lives through sacred movement, breathing techniques, mindfulness, and connection. In 2020, I completed my Yoga Teacher Training here at Yoga Journey. Shortly after, I learned I was pregnant with my son and as my body began to grow, so did my practice. Yoga, during my pregnancy, helped me listen to my ever-changing body and trust my instincts in ways I never have before. I felt seen, heard, and validated as I shared about my nerves and anxieties surrounding new sensations in my body, childbirth and becoming a young mom. It even gave me the space to connect and bond with other expecting mamas who shared similar feelings. Community building and sisterhood was honestly my most valuable takeaway. Overall, the experience allowed me to feel in tune with my divine body and prepared me for labor and delivery. I remember walking away from each class feeling so peacefully empowered, that it encouraged me to teach prenatal yoga to hold space and guide other expecting moms. 


Follow Shea @sheadytheslim

 

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Shona Castillo

Shona has been practicing yoga and meditation for 20 years and teaching since 2012. An E-RYT 500 Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation teacher, she has studied with respected teachers including Bryan Kest, Vinnie Marino, Leslie Glickman, and Pablo del Real.

Her path to yoga was shaped by a significant turning point in her life. After more than a decade in the corporate world, Shona was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2001. The experience led her toward yoga, meditation, and a more mindful way of living, practices that have continued to shape her life ever since.

Shona teaches Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Yin, Chair Yoga, and guided meditation. She has also led yoga and chair yoga teacher trainings and presented programs at Palm Beach State College, Miami Dade College, and Eau Palm Beach.

For Shona, yoga is more than something she practices; it is a way of moving through life with greater awareness, compassion, and connection. She brings that perspective to her classes, inviting students to explore both movement and stillness in a way that feels meaningful to them.

Outside the studio, Shona enjoys art, live music, dancing, singing, and playing her ukulele. She also puts her commitment to compassion into action through her work with CROS Ministries’ Caring Kitchen, serving individuals experiencing food insecurity and homebound seniors.

Shona lives in Hypoluxo with her husband and sons and continues to share the practice that has become such an important part of her life.

Follow Shona @shonacastillo.yoga

 

Sofie Taylor

Sofie discovered yoga at 15 and immediately felt a deep connection to the practice and its ability to support the mind, body, and spirit. That first class sparked a lifelong passion for yoga and a desire to eventually share it with others.

A 200-hour certified yoga teacher, Sofie believes yoga is a practice of coming home to yourself. Her classes blend mindful movement, breath, and grounding moments to create space where students can slow down, connect with their bodies, and move with intention.

With an emphasis on intuitive movement and self-trust, Sofie encourages her students to meet themselves exactly where they are. Strong when they need strength, soft when they need softness, and always with grace. Her teaching experience also includes children’s yoga, giving her another perspective on creating practices that feel accessible, engaging, and meaningful.

For Sofie, yoga is about creating a welcoming space where students can move with intention, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves. Her goal is simple: for every student to leave the room feeling a little more rooted, present, and connected to their body.

Follow Sofie @sofie.taylor22

 

Victoria Orlikova

Yoga became part of Victoria’s life more than a decade ago as a path toward healing, self-discovery, and a deeper connection with herself. What began as a personal practice eventually grew into a calling to help others feel more grounded, connected, and at home in their bodies.

Victoria has completed extensive training in Hatha and Yin Yoga, along with continuing education in holistic health coaching and wellness. She teaches Yin, Gentle Flow, and mindful Vinyasa, approaching each class as a moving meditation that invites students to slow down, breathe, and listen to what their bodies are telling them.

Her classes are warm, welcoming, and free from judgment, with an emphasis on mindful movement, compassionate awareness, and reconnecting with the body. Victoria encourages students to let go of the idea that anything needs to be fixed and instead discover what is already there.

For Victoria, yoga is a practice of coming inward, not to change who you are, but to become more aware of yourself and the quiet wisdom that is already within. She welcomes every student exactly as they are.

Follow Victoria @vika.orlikova