Meet Our Miami Instructors
Jessie Potter
Yoga Director
Jessie, 500 RYT & 200 E-RYT, joins the SOL Yoga team bringing years of practice, teaching, and yoga retreat experience.
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Among her greatest achievements, includes her role in creating Rise and SoulShine, a Miami based event for yogis, vendors, and philanthropists, with proceeds supporting local charities every month. Striving to be relatable and inspirational to those who follow her story, she devotes a good amount of her time connecting and listening to her students through social media and in person at public events and retreats. She’s also the creator of Priti Yoga, a unique yoga style, but more importantly a way of life. Focusing on powerful flows mixed with traditional balancing poses, students can expect a repetition of challenging calisthenics, inversions, breath work, core exercises, and deep juicy stretches. With an emphasis on transitions, movements are slow, fluid, and controlled to help establish body listening skills and mindfulness. When she’s not teaching, Jessie can be found painting, putting her green thumb to use around the house, snuggling with her dog and fiancé, planning the next adventure, or making something delicious in the kitchen. From green smoothie bowls to straight-up brownies… life’s too short otherwise! Follow Jessie: @priti_yoga.
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Nikkii Holtzheuser
Yoga Instructor
Known as “nikkiibear”, she may be petite in size, but don’t be fooled otherwise! This girl’s been practicing yoga for most of her life, earning her teaching certificate with years of experience throughout South Florida.
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Whether you’re new to the mat or a seasoned pro, her classes will have you moving through diaphragmatic breath work, with a mixture of vinyasa flow and restorative. Put them together and expect to leave feeling lighter and stronger, with reduced stress and tension – both physically and mentally. When she’s not teaching yoga or hammering away closing real estate deals, you can find Nikki somewhere on the beach doing a variety of water sports while filling-up her Instagram feed with inspiring photos, often appearing in campaigns for leading lifestyle brands. In her words: “Having known Cathy for years, I’m beyond excited to be part of her team and to give Miami locals a yoga experience unlike any other. SOL is where it’s at! See you on the mat real soon!” Follow Nikki at: @nikkiibear.
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Yhasmin Ruesta
Yoga Instructor
After completing her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Yhasmin felt inspired to explore the mind, body, and soul aspects of yoga.
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Influenced by her experience in dance, fitness, and aerial arts, she completed a 200-hour teacher training at Skanda Yoga, an alignment-based power yoga methodology that integrates the Mayan 13 Moon Natural Time calendar as a basis for class sequence and spiritual intention, with heightened synchronization and Universal alignment. Following years of more training and teaching, Yhasmin has furthered her yoga practice to include more movement-based modalities, fusing a blend of body intelligence, dynamic movement, creating an environment for students to enhance and explore their practice, while having fun too! Follow Yhasmin Ruesta: @yhasmin_yoga.
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Mimi Ghandour
Yoga Instructor
Born in Paris and raised in Saudi Arabia, Mimi is a certified yoga teacher, lifestyle blogger and busy Mother of two.
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Since discovering yoga years ago, she says it changed her life in every way possible – physically, mentally and spiritually. So much, she took her practice further, educating herself on technique and training. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned student, her classes tend to move at a faster pace for those seeking a good sweat and to feel energized. For more ‘Mimi’ inspiration – including her latest fashion picks, adventures in yoga, travel and family, follow her at: @mimiliciousoffical or www.mimilicious.net.
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Julianne Aerhe
Yoga Instructor
With a background in dance, including a spot on the Miami HEAT team, it wasn’t until Julianne landed on a yoga mat that her life would change forever.
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Enthralled with this form of movement both physically and emotionally, she completed her first 200-hour yoga teacher training at Bala Vinyasa Yoga in 2013. What started out as a hobby in college, turned into an exit strategy from a demanding career in the world of start-ups and marketing. So much, she completed her second 200-hour teacher training with mentor Jason Lawner and the Fluidus Method. Diving deeper into the idea of yoga as movement therapy, and with a bigger passion for sharing her practice, Julianne began developing content and leading teacher trainings. Today, she is the co-founder of The Inspired Life Teacher training, a 200-hour yoga teacher certification launching this November. Drawing on her double Bachelor of Science in Communication and Psychology, and minor in Exercise Physiology, this sacred practice is a culmination of all that she is weaved with multiple schools of thought. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned student, Julianne creates a space for you to show up as you are, to explore with courage, and to move your body in the most authentic ways. Inside each of us, there is magic waiting to happen, and she hopes to inspire yours to shine! Follow Julianne: @where.your.hope.lives.
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Hilary Bone
Yoga Instructor
Hilary grew up always expressing herself through her body. From gymnastics, dance, circus, and yoga — she has always felt best while moving.
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Her teaching style is reflective of her fluid movement background while also emphasizing the importance of your bodies intelligence to express itself organically through body sensations. Holding space for her students to acknowledge what is showing up and to fully embrace it. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned pro, her teaching incorporates intentional restorative poses and pranayama exercises to compliment your physical energetic release. Believing a moving body is the best gateway to a healthy and happy life, Hilary practices what she preaches, keeping an active, healthy lifestyle. Always exploring our own balance between movement and rest, her vision is to bring ease to your body, mind, and spirit both on and off the mat. Follow Hilary Bone: @hilary_bone.
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Dan Phalen
Yoga Instructor
It’s not the journey into yoga one hopes for, but for Dan it was triggered by the passing of his grandmother. At that time, he was shattered, with no hope of how or when he could emotionally heal himself.
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The first day he walked out of yoga class however, he knew his life was changed for the better, and that yoga was calling him back for more. Almost immediately, he dove right in, saying it allowed him to emotionally, physically and spiritually “drain himself.” Thanks to yoga, he learned his purpose was to spread light and love to those around him. Taking this mission forward, he completed extensive teacher trainings in power vinyasa in both Ohio and Florida. His teaching practice today combines strength building asana with breath work and guided meditation. His goal to help his students unleash any restraints, push them outside their physical comfort zone, and ultimately come into a more grounded, peaceful place that lies within. When Dan’s not teaching at SOL, you can find him sharing his latest on social, inspiring others with his videos and pics of dynamic inversions, strength and positivity. Follow Dan Phalen: @handstanddan.
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Courtney McDonald
Yoga Instructor
Growing up with a mother in the group fitness industry, Courtney always understood the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle. She was an athlete all her life.
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From softball to soccer, to lacrosse, you could always find Courtney on the field or in the gym. She often attended her mother’s group fitness classes at the local gym, and fell in love with her yoga inspired class. She loved the balance between finding strength as well as softness on her mat. After moving to Miami from Orlando, she sought out to find a training to become a Registered Yoga Teacher. In 2014, Courtney traveled to her father’s hometown, Lima, Peru to indulge in a 200 hour power vinyasa training. After returning to Miami, she starting teaching yoga full time, anytime, anywhere. On the mat, Courtney encourages students to absorb every bit of their practice with acceptance, and to take it with them when they step off of their mat. Always reminding students yoga can be practiced anywhere! Courtney says “Everyday we face new challenges and/or new blessings, and its important to find the beauty in it all. Every time we step on our mat, we tune into that place where we are exactly where we need to be” . When Courtney is not on the mat, teaching or practicing, you can find her creating beautiful spaces as an Interior Designer, laying on a beach or at the dog park with her pup. For more inspiration, follow Courtney @courtneyshea.
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Cristina
Yoga Instructor
Meet Cristina, also known as @HighOnYoga on social media. Cristina fell in love with Yoga back in 2012 as she discovered a way to heal herself through this practice.
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Whether it is a “heartbreak” or just “life” happening, she understood at some point we all feel broken and need to heal. Through her practice she hopes to inspire others to try yoga and implement it as a way of living. Her message to the world is, “You are capable, you are strong, you are love, you are everything you need to be and more. You are enough.” Cristina started documenting her Yoga journey on her Instagram page @HighOnYoga in 2014 and has reached thousands of people by sharing her story and inspiring others to try yoga. She is a RYT 200HR Power Yoga Teacher who loves creative Vinyasa flows. So whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, if you are in for a mindful vinyasa class with power yoga fusion, come try her class. “Yoga saved me. It made me feel whole again, regardless of the outside situations. It showed me the way to love myself again and spread that love to others in a way I never thought possible” ~ Cristina. Follow Cristina: @highonyoga.
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Johanna
Pilates Instructor
Meet Johanna, aka @JungleJohanna, a force of energy and inspiration, ready to make you work hard for results you need and want.
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A full-time model and ex-dancer, Johanna’s life and career has always focused on body movement. Professionally trained in ballet and modern dance, Johanna began and earned her pilates certification at Equinox, before Lagree Fitness. Bringing her mat and reformer expertise to SOL, she is considered one of Miami’s hottest trainers, helping her clients achieve a longer, leaner physique, with precision and a bit of sass :). Combining cardio, light resistance and toning, her mat pilates class provides the perfect fusion for core and glute workouts. Focusing on form and posture correction, she incorporates high intensity with conditioning, stretching and toning. Along with teaching at SOL, you can find Johanna traveling the globe on various modeling assignments, while training private clients. Follow Johanna: @junglejohanna.
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Rosario Chozas
Yoga Instructor
Yoga became part of Rosario’s life and journey when she was 18 and living in California. She practiced Bikram, Ashtanga and some Hatha for the next 12 years, in the US and her native Argentina.
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Before moving to Miami in 2013, she began falling in love with the creative expression that she felt while practicing vinyasa. It reminded her of dancing to the beat of breath and your heart. She solidified her Vinyasa practice at Dharma in the Gove and later went on to receive her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training from Paul Toliuszis and Amy Dannheim at Tropical Vinyasa. Rosario teaches from a place of celebrating acceptance and understanding of one’s body; how it moves and how it feels when doing so. Each class is a dance created by loving observation, movement and breath that will leave you feeling strong and very relaxed at the same time. Follow Rosario: @flowzario
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Liz Grant
Pilates Instructor
Like most people who find their way to the mat, Liz began her yoga journey as a way to de-stress.
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Finding its benefits to be profoundly beneficial, after years of practicing heated power yoga several times per week, she completed her first 200-hour YTT at Prana Power Yoga in Cambridge, MA. This experience, coupled with a trip to Kripalu in the Berkshires, prompted Liz to make some career and life changes, including moving to Miami, and devoting her time to practicing Ashtanga Yoga for nearly four years. She also recently enjoyed an intensely focused and most memorable month in India, studying at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in the city of Mysore. Now a full-time instructor, Liz finds purpose and joy in teaching yoga and aims to teach as selflessly as possible. In her classes you can expect a creative vinyasa flow that is rooted in the principles of the Ashtanga Yoga method. She loves preparing playlists for her classes, and truly believes yoga is therapy for the mind body and soul. Follow Liz: @lizgrantyoga.
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Marissa Lew
Yoga Instructor
From the time she was very young, Marissa was a girl on the move. From gymnastics to dance, figure skating to competitive swimming, she loved keeping an active, healthy lifestyle throughout her high school years and beyond.
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So naturally when her Mother introduced her to yoga, she fell in love with the movement aspect it offered, along with its combination of balancing strength and softness. After completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Marissa moved to LA to pursue a career in Public Relations. Not long after, she decided to move back to Miami and change course, completing a yoga teacher training. Now instructing most days per week, Marissa strives to teach a soft yet powerful class. One that challenges your body and mind – as balance is very important to her. She also loves to get creative and keep things fresh with her flows and playlists. When Marissa isn’t on her mat teaching, you can find her working on her swimwear brand, Mahina Bikinis that she designs and manufactures here in Miami! Follow Marissa Lew: @marissa_lew.
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