Billie received her first Yoga class as a Valentine’s Day gift, but the gift Yoga gave back she enjoys sharing with all. As a life long hair stylist, she was looking for a new direction- while still connecting with others and Yoga gave her that opportunity. After getting her friends, family and husband to attend classes too, Billie realized her calling to teach yoga.

"In my class you will find a safe place to let go, a smiling face, a non-judgmental teaching style and a warm environment. Yoga is freedom and acceptance. My goal is to help others find this space so that they can move their bodies through life with compassion and joy. Welcome to your mat, Welcome home." - Billie

SK Smigiel is a mover, creator and educator. SK’s movement background started in the dance studio where she has put in 20 years of rigorous training in a variety of dance styles and techniques. They have their degree in Dance Performance and Education from Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts, and went on to dance professionally as well as teach a wide variety of ages and styles of dance in the tri-state area. SK has also completed her Pilates Core Mat 1 certification and completed her RYT-200 at Serenity in June of 2023.

They’re excited to be able to use their unique lens and experiences with movement and body awareness to bring strengthening and conditioning classes to you.

Heather (she/her) came to her mat in late 2019, to improve her mental & physical health and was surprised to find so much more! Yoga lead Heather to look within & become familiar with herself on a deeper level, allowing her to live her life out loud and encourage others to do the same. 

Heather completed her 200 YTT at The Light Within in West Grove, PA in 2022 and will be completing a second Vinyasa based 200 YTT in June of 2023. Her passion for making yoga classes accessible and to people of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life grows by the day. Heather’s classes always include the use of props/variations to make the poses work for your unique body as well as offer a safe space to come to your mat and simply be. She encourages you to connect with your body, on and off the mat, checking in with your own needs & responding in a nourishing way. 

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of who I am, I receive what I need.” - Lao Tzou

In January 2022, Mackenzie graduated from School Yoga Institute after participating in an intensive 200 hr training in Mal País, Costa Rica. She has been practicing yoga since she was 16, developing her practice as a way to reduce stress leading to a chronic migraine condition. With regular practice, she sees how every aspect of her life is nourished with mindfulness and is eager to share these benefits with others.

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Mackenzie loves teaching Vinyasa, hatha, and nidra style yoga with intention to explore the capabilities of your body, and nourish your spirit. Besides regularly spending most evenings at Serenity, Mackenzie teaches math at a local high school and loves to read. She can’t wait to see you on the mat!

Brandy-Joe is passionate about helping people cultivate physical, cognitive, and emotional wellness through yoga, nutrition, nature, and physical activity. First introduced to yoga as a teenager by Darren Rhodes in Tucson, Arizona, she has practiced a variety of yoga styles for more than 20 years. She has studied Ashtanga yoga under David Garrigues and Elizabeth Sitzler, Hatha yoga under Bonnie Phillips, and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification with Rebecca Sirman. At Serenity, Brandy-Joe teaches intentional vinyasa rooted in Ashtanga. Each class is infused with philosophy, appropriate for all levels, and designed to help you detach from the distractions and fluctuations of the mind.

Brandy-Joe is an Associate Professor of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she is both a researcher and teacher. She holds a PhD in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness, and a MS in Human Nutrition. Her research explores the ways in which nutrition, culinary medicine, nature, and healing behaviors promote healthy disease survivorship and caregiver health, with a focus on cancer survivorship and other complex illnesses.

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When she’s off the mat, Brandy-Joe enjoys adventures with her husband, dogs and friends, running and hiking, cooking and laughing, and connecting with nature through shinrin-yoku and horticulture.

Emily is a 200 hour registered yoga teacher through the Baptiste Yoga Institute.  She loves empowering others with strong, fun, creative yoga classes.  Her favorite class to teach is Power Vinyasa with a creative twist, so be prepared for an upbeat, fun, flow!

Subscribing to the theory that the best way to be a great teacher is to be a constant student, Emily is always trying new styles of yoga, exploring new modalities of movement, and learning from as many teachers as possible. The blending of many of styles and movements in her classes keeps things fresh and interesting.

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Emily has her master’s degree in Nutrition and she combines yoga and nutrition to create healthy living practices.  Yoga has changed Emily’s life and she wants to support others on their journey to healthful living.  Emily also loves traveling, hiking, cooking, and being outdoors.  Her favorite food is pizza and her favorite travel destination is anywhere that is wild!

“There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.” Brian Tracy

Kelly became a member of Serenity Yoga Studio in 2011. She instantly fell in love with yoga and the sense of peace that came with it. Kelly earned her Youth Yoga Certification through Serenity in May of 2015. She has worked at Father Martins Ashley helping kids of addicted family members cope with stress and anxiety through the gift of yoga.

Kelly then began taking the very first Barre classes that Serenity had to offer. She instantly saw the benefits of incorporating barre along with her yoga practice. She became stronger and her chaturanges became easier. Kelly became Barre certified through Serenity in 2017. She has taught Barre at Livit Fitness, Yoga on the Canal and Serenity ever since.

Kelly completed her RYT-200 Training at Serenity in June of 2023.

Makayla (ma-kay-lah) started her yoga journey in December of 2021 by taking her first in-studio class. After loving the addition of yoga into her life, she took the advice of a past school teacher to complete YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) shortly after taking her first class. Makayla completed her 200 hour YTT March of 2022 in Chester Springs Pennsylvania, and joined the Serenity team in May of 2022. 

Makayla encourages you to “take everything you need, and leave what you don’t.” She reminds you to have fun, to listen to your body, and to not hesitate when it comes to doing things for yourself. Makayla also focuses on helping those in her class focus on ‘the now’ and do yoga in the present moment instead of with your body on auto pilot. She enjoys practicing Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin and Restorative Yoga and is also a Licensed Aesthetician. 

This Vinyasa flow invites you to be comfortable in the body you’re in. Come flow through your practice with a hot playlist and positive affirmations! Makayla hopes to see you on your mat, and out of your own head space, very soon! 

Sheri's parents discovered she was deaf at 17 months of age. She attended and graduated from Margaret Sterck School (now called Delaware School for the Deaf) She completed her 200hr YTT at Serenity in July of 2023. Along with Serenity Yoga family, Sheri’s goal is to integrate the deaf community with the yoga community, creating a safe space to access selfcare of their minds and bodies.

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Sheri  loves seeing people come together and learn this beautiful language. She encourages, quite strongly, that everyone should learn ASL. It is about overcoming the language barrier. Serenity Yoga Studios welcome us. We feel their support and inclusion of the deaf community. Give yourself some Grace.

Erika Costa began practicing at Serenity Yoga Studio in 2021. As a special education teacher, Erika is passionate about accessibility both on and off of the mat. She is so thankful for the grounding and empowering role her practice has played in her own life and is so excited to share this practice with others. Erika earned her RYT-200 from Rebecca Sirman Yoga at Serenity Yoga Studio in June.

"I received my yoga teacher training at Serenity Yoga in 2013 under the tutelage of Susan Smith and Allison Leinbach.  I have taught a wide range of yoga classes at a variety of studios and other venues, including vinyasa, gentle, hatha, hot, senior, chair, prenatal, and children's yoga.

My current passion is sharing what I have learned about the breath and its essential role in yoga. I was lucky enough to learn one-on-one in the home of Therese Jornlin who learned one-on-one in the home of A.G.Mohan, himself a longtime private student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, often called "the father of modern yoga." I name the lineage not in order to name drop but instead to honor how blessed I feel that these ancient teachings made their way to me here in Chesapeake City, MD.  Surely I was meant to pass them on to you! 

My style of teaching can best be described as breath-led yoga and can be adapted to any situation, body, or goal.  I am also a practitioner of Qi Gong, which has enhanced my experience of the subtle energy body and informs my understanding of yoga.  I teach movement, breathwork and meditation that connects people to their bodies and their direct experience of life, leading to body awareness, self love, greater connection, improved health and joy.  I find breath-led yoga to be a truly healing practice of self-recognition and forgiveness and a transformational source of joy. Of course it transforms the body, too, building strength, stamina and flexibility in body and mind.  It's the full package!" - Laurie

Lauren turned to yoga during some of the most challenging times in her life. Yoga became the guide post that helped her focus inward and discover truths about herself that she never knew existed. Becoming a RYT-200 Yoga Teacher was the beginning of a beautiful journey that then led to becoming an EFT Practitioner, Reiki Practitioner and MindShift Coach.  Combining these modalities to help others break through obstacles- physical, mental, or emotional is her passion. 

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"I believe life is too short, and we must use our time wisely.  We all deserve to find what lights our soul on fire. We must go after what we want, speak our truth,and share it proudly. Yoga is a practice of coming home to yourself in the most beautiful way."

Lisa walked into her first yoga class in January of 2016 despondent and lacking purpose & clarity. Yoga transformed Lisa and she hasn’t looked back. Yoga has brought balance to her life and allowed her to walk in grace and authenticity without apology. When challenges appear or life becomes especially hard – Lisa finds solace in her breath and her mat is her sanctuary. Lisa’s alter ego finds her working in the financial industry during the day but most nights – she can be found on her mat at Serenity.

Lisa completed her 200 hour YTT certification in 2019 along with becoming a Balanced Athlete instructor. Lisa considers herself extremely fortunate to have found a community of kind, compassionate teachers and practitioners at Serenity.
Lisa’s goal in teaching yoga is to help others find themselves through this meditative practice, stay in a state of gratitude and keep a beginner’s mindset. Lisa’s mantra is meet your body where it is, on any given day.

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“The study of asana is not about mastering posture. It’s about
using posture to understand and transform yourself." - B.K.S Iyengar

Brittany has practiced yoga for 15 years but became consistent in May 2022 after finding Serenity Yoga Studio. She started doing yoga to improve her mental & physical health. She enjoys the welcoming community & is excited to be apart of it. Yoga helped her during a major shift in her life and hopes to help others in a judgement free, fun, empowering environment! When she is not teaching or practicing yoga, Brittany enjoys shopping, traveling, trying new restaurants and pet sitting!

“Embrace your imperfections, celebrate your strengths, and be kind to yourself through every step of your journey. You are deserving of love happiness and inner peace.” - Brittany

Dr. Crystal Lancour is a Mathematics educator in Delaware of 25 years. She came to yoga to help find balance in her life and recently received her 200 HR YTT certification under the guidance of Rebecca Sirman here at Serenity Yoga Studio. 

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She believes yoga can be thoughtful, expressive, and most of all, fun! She is committed to ensuring a joyful yoga experience for all.