Our Teachers - Key Largo Yoga

Susana Fryman

Position:Yoga Teacher , RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2022

Biography:

Originally from Miami, I moved to the keys in 1996 with my husband and two small children to raise them in a more natural environment and a smaller, closer-knit community. I started practicing yoga then and loved how it complimented my tennis game and other sports and fitness pursuits. It wasn’t until I began yoga teacher training with Kathy at Key Largo Yoga and cultivated a daily sadhana practice that I was completely drawn in by the more subtle limbs of yoga which go way beyond just the physical asana practice. Always a voracious reader, yoga began to satisfy my “nerdy” side and my thirst as a lifelong student; a match made in heaven because there is so much to learn! The greatest thing I have learned from yoga so far is that my practice is inherently mine in a way that is inalienable; no person or thing, no matter if I am in a confined space or anywhere in the vast world, can separate me from my practice. When I teach, whether the students are locals or tourists, my intention is to build a sense of community that is unique to every class. I’ve received so much joy, knowledge, peace, growth, and understanding through yoga that it is my dharma, my purpose, to share it, spread it, and broadcast it wide. I love to travel in our RV and practice yoga everywhere I go, and I often find myself practicing outside, or at different studios around the country. My goal is to practice yoga in every National Park in the United States.

Valeriya Klenkova

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Position:Yoga Teacher , RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2022

Biography:

I was Born and Raised in Moscow, Russia. Moved To Unites States of America after Graduating From Law Academy with the Bachelor Degree in Constitutional Law of Russian Federation. Leaving behind all I had, all I earned, was working hard for, was so in love with; I started my Journey in a Land of unlimited possibilities and multiple choices...loosing ,finding and collecting myself all over again. Ended up in the Keys in 2016 and began practicing Yoga at Key Largo Studio with the help of owner of Mrs. Mac's Kitchen Angela Wittke, for whom I'm unconditionally grateful for. Yoga has always been a process of diving deep into already known but forgotten. It is homecoming experience. It is silent revolution. It is being comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is calmness in a pick of the storm and It is bright lightening in the middle of sunny summer day. I recently graduated from Yoga Teacher Training at Key Largo Yoga in April 2022 and I'm a dedicated Vinyasa Yoga practitioner. One of my loves and inspiration for every day practice is rescued pet squirrel I care for. I currently teach Hatha Basics and proud to share and express the union in service to all with honor, love and compassion. Yoga is what our Humanity needs the most nowadays. If You want to Self transform, Self discover, experiment; If You want to get better and let go of something that does not serve you any longer and adapt to life's stressors with peace, ease and grace in your heart - JOIN ME ON A MAT. Reflect and express, learn and be your own teacher, shine through in the world. Impossible is possible.

Kris Friedman

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Position:Yoga Teacher , RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2023

Biography:

Graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1997 with a degree in elementary education, I worked in copywriting in my home state of Illinois, and then as an apprentice on a Michigan horse farm, before moving to Islamorada in 2001. I was introduced to yoga in 2007 and enjoyed an on-again-off-again relationship for many years. I became a certified Sound Practitioner in late 2020, and received my Sound Therapy Certification in 2021. While in training I was fortunate to be invited to establish the Tuesday night sound sessions at Key Largo Yoga known as Tune Up Tuesday. Then in 2023, the Key Largo Yoga Teacher Training expanded my understanding of yoga beyond asana. It became the catalyst for transforming my yoga practice from casual and merely physical, to a disciplined and cohesive exploration of the body and mind. “Atha yoga anushasanam: Now the practice of yoga begins,” (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 1.1) Teaching yoga combines my educational training and my inclinations to explore and honor the spiritual nature within us all. To hold space for beautiful individuality within the oneness of existence. I so look forward to growing my practice on and off the mat, with this supportive Keys yoga community.

Jennifer Borr

Position:Yoga Teacher , RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2023

Biography:

I can’t specifically remember my first yoga class. Yoga was introduced to me mainly as a physical practice for the purpose of exercise. My practice was sporadic and surface level for many years. In 2014, I attended my first week-long, silent meditation retreat. It was a life-changing experience. Over the years, I continued to attend silent retreats and develop my own personal practice, but it was difficult without the support of a sangha. I continued my intermittent yoga practice, trying various studios, but few were able to bridge the connection between asana practice and spirituality that I was unknowingly, deeply seeking. After moving to Key Largo in 2019, in an attempt to meet new people, I began taking classes at Key Largo Yoga. Amongst the members of this beautiful community, I realized the full depth of “yoga” that existed here. My personal practice deepened with the support of our studio’s exquisite teachers. When I decided to enroll in teacher training, I only hoped to further deepen my own practice. Due to the solid dedication to my practice during YTT, I became more aligned- physically, mentally, and spiritually. The impact was undeniable and I was eager to share it with anyone who would listen! I realized quickly that becoming a teacher would allow me an opportunity to spread this practice further than just those closest to me. So here we are. As I step into teaching, my intention is to hold space for my students so that they may feel a sense of calm, focus, and peace during our one hour on the mat together.

Erin VandenBergh

Position:Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 200, YACEP, RPYT

Experience:Graduated 2010, San Diego

Biography:

Erin VandenBergh became a yoga instructor after three years of her own practice. She turned to yoga after a major back surgery (Anterior/Posterior Fusion on L5/S1) due to a condition called Spondylolisthesis. Her personal journey through her yoga practice has given her quality of life back and teaching others is her way to pay it forward. She specializes in Yoga for the Back and Therapeutics, however, she teaches a variety of styles: Hatha, Vinyasa, Pre/Postnatal and Restorative. Erin’s class style is a Classic Eclectic Hatha Flow, a fusion of various styles, with a meditative and spiritual journey. She teaches with an open heart and will guide her students through a series of poses that will develop strength and flexibility, release tension, increase energy, reduce stress, and enhance concentration. She is committed to help her students reach full awareness (body, mind, breath and spirit)…both on and off the mat. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL and moved to San Diego, CA in June of 2002. Erin worked in the NFL for 10 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and trained a few professional athletes along the way. She is now dedicated to teaching as she travels to share the gifts of the practice.

Tennille Dinon

Position:Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 200

Experience:Certified June 2013

Biography:

My journey into yoga began in 1996, as a Freshman in college. Hatha Yoga was the perfect baseline for me and exactly what I needed at the time. It taught me how to relax, strengthen and stretch my body. I resonated with the philosophy, alignment, and lineage of Hatha Yoga and pursued my first YTT in 1998. After graduation, I backpacked and mountaineered around Central and South America teaching yoga as a means to continue traveling. Vinyasa was the next exploration of my yoga journey, it became a healing practice for me and a step into meditation. I pursued another YTT within that modality. Settling down in 2001 on a small island off the coast of Panama I met a Kundalini guide who shared with me the teachings of Yogi Bujan and the technology of Kundalini. The depths of this practice had a profound effect on my emotional, energetic, mental, physical and spiritual body, SO QUICKLY! I indulged, studied and practiced allot. Teaching and sharing the tools I use, that work for me, with others. Moving back to America in 2017, I felt compelled to continue sharing this work and I am excited for the ever-unfolding path to peace. SAT NAM

Kat Wheatley

Position:Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 200, YACEP

Experience:Certified May 2013

Biography:

Katharine “Kat” Wheatley was certified as a RYT-200 in 2013 with YogaWorks and is a registered member of Yoga Alliance. Kat was trained as a classical ballet dancer, studying and performing for nearly 18 years with the Fletchers and with the Land of the Sky Civic Ballet in Asheville, NC. Kat started practicing yoga occasionally at a gym almost 25 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she committed to a steady and (almost) daily practice of yoga. Kat is currently manager of Key Largo Yoga and in addition to overseeing workshops and special events, she manages the schedule, our team of teachers, and our social media connections. Kat subs classes when the regular teacher is unavailable and as such can teach any level of Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Aerial, Gentle, SUP Yoga, and Yin. Kat continues her education as often as possible through her own practice, with her mentor Kathy Shirley, and by attending multiple workshops, conferences and events throughout the year. Join Kat for her Yoga Essentials class, Yin Yoga, Hatha Basics or her Friday afternoon Fun Flow, or stop in to the studio office to say hello!

Jessica Shafer

Position:Yoga Teacher, RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2017

Biography:

Jessica grew up in Syracuse, NY and moved to Key Largo in 2007. She graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelors in Inclusive Education and a masters in Special Education and taught 2/3rd graders in NY for six years before moving to the Keys to take a teaching position at Key Largo School where she primarily works with students who have severe disabilities. Looking for a stress release and another form of exercise besides training in the gym, Jess started practicing yoga back in 2013. After seeing all of the benefits yoga had to offer both on and off the mat she started working on her children's yoga certification so she could bring yoga to first, her own students and then eventually all of Key Largo School. The next step was to obtain her 200 HR RYT which she did right here at Key Largo Yoga in April 2017.

Diana Sweeney

Position:Yoga Teacher, RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2017

Biography:

Yoga practice has been a part of my life for 15 years. I believe that every time I step on my mat I move towards my inner peace. Vinyasa yoga moves you in a flow very similar to aerobic dancing. I was a Jazzerciser aerobic dancer for twenty years which I loved and all so taught aerobic dancing. I had major neck surgery in 2012 and I knew aerobic dancing was out of my life. I wasn’t sure my yoga practice was still possible. I had my doctors approval to continue my yoga practice and I have grown so strong with my practice! I was loving my practice so much I wanted to learn to teach yoga. I finished my Vinyasas Yoga teaching in April 2017 with Key Largo Yoga. I am a 200 hour RYT yoga teacher and working on my ERYT! I have been teaching yoga for 5 years with Key Largo Yoga. I all so have 14 CE hours in Yin yoga training with Tymi Howard Yoga and a Adjustment and Assists training with 3 CE hours with Kathy Shirley. I have been a member of Yoga Alliance for over 5 years in which I keep up with my training. I am trained in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Level 2 the universal life energy leads to healing of the body, mind and spirit.

Damian Groark

Position:Yoga Teacher, RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2017

Biography:

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I grew up playing organized sports from 5 years old all the way through college. I attended Widener University and graduated with a BS in Hospitality Management. After college I worked my way up the ranks running the premium service departments at the arena that hosted Philadelphia's professional basketball and hockey teams. In October of 2003 I was given an opportunity to work and live in the keys and enjoy the "island" lifestyle, saying good bye to the cold, grey, rainy Philly winters, and have not looked back since. I was first introduced to yoga around 2011 when I attended several Ashtanga classes at the Pattabhi Jois studio in Islamorada. I officially got the yoga bug in May of 2013 when Kathy opened Key Largo Yoga. I initially enjoyed the physical practice of yoga, building strength and flexibility and losing weight, however this quickly evolved into seeking out the mental and spiritual aspects of yoga. After four years of consistent daily practice and several workshops I finally decided to take the next step in my journey and signed up for 200 hour yoga teacher training in October of 2016 and graduated in April of 2017.

Jane Hlis

Position:Yoga Teacher, RYT-200

Experience:Graduated KLY 2019

Biography:

I recently completed my yoga teacher training through Key Largo Yoga studio under the guidance of her mentor, Kathy Shirley. I am also a licensed physical therapist and owner of Atlantic Sportcare, Inc, in Key Largo, FL. I have been actively practicing physical therapy 33 years specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine. I received my BS degree, double majoring in biology and physical education and a minor in psychology, from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, and played Division I scholarship tennis. In addition, I attained my physical therapy degree from Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. My interest in yoga stemmed from my medical and sports background, knowing my body needed much “love” both physically and mentally from competitively pounding the tennis courts for 20 years and realizing it was catching up with me. My physical practice began about 4 years ago and I quickly felt not only the physical benefits, but also the mental and spiritual changes as I found my way of thinking was definitely and naturally changing. I was “sold” on that combination and have never looked back. I look forward to expanding my yoga knowledge and practice while integrating and sharing my technical medical background with the Upper Keys community!!

Tami Marano

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Position:Owner, Yoga Teacher, RYT 200

Experience:Graduated KLY April 2022

Biography:

I have always had a sense of adventure, a wanderlust for travel and food and a passion to help people heal. Originally from Pennsylvania, I moved to California in 1986 as a new Registered Nurse and met my Marine husband in San Diego. As a military spouse, I experienced the highs and lows of life. We lived in Germany and Italy and travelled extensively through Europe and the Mediterranean from the Caucuses to Scandinavia. During the peak war years after 9/11, I experienced firsthand the personal horrors of war in advocating for proper treatment of our wounded Marines, all while raising a family with my husband gone. After many years as an RN having worked in trauma/ER combined with the stresses of wartime deployments and the tragic loss of my brother, I was introduced to yoga by my daughter as a way of healing. At first, I wasn’t certain I could practice yoga. I discovered the balance, peace, calm and clarity I experienced in practicing yoga was just what I needed. Landing in Key Largo a year ago I began to practice regularly at Key Largo Yoga and found a community of amazing people and wanted to learn more. Although relatively new to yoga but with the encouragement of family, friends and Kathy Shirley I took the step to become a yoga teacher.