TEACHERS
Our skillful instructors help you go deeper into your practice while respecting your individual needs. We encourage all yogis to move towards a mindful practice that balances the physicality of asanas with breath work and meditation. Whether you are new to yoga or have made it a part of your lifestyle for many years, we invite you to enter the studio with a beginner’s mind and be open to the possibilities of your practice.
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At Serenity Yoga, we practice the intention of yoga by treating everyone with respect and love. We are passionate about helping students deepen their mind/body connection, heal from past physical injuries and emotional trauma, and empower personal growth.
BILLIE WIANT
500-RYT, Vinyasa Flow,Yin & Yoga Nidra
Billie received her first yoga class as a Valentine’s Day gift in 2018, and the gift that yoga gave back is one she loves to share with everyone. A lifelong hair stylist, Billie was looking for a new direction that still allowed her to connect with others, and yoga provided that opportunity. Starting as a student at Serenity Yoga, she soon got her friends, family, and husband to attend classes as well. Her passion for yoga led her to become a teacher, and she is now the proud owner of Serenity Yoga Studio.
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Billie finds the meditative aspects of yoga and longer holds, like those in Yin Yoga, to be particularly transformative.
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In her classes, Billie offers options for all levels, encouraging those who want to work harder while assuring those who prefer a gentler practice that they are free to choose how to practice in their own bodies. This inclusive approach has helped create a loving and compassionate community at Serenity Yoga Studio.
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"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 they can move their bodies through life with compassion and joy. Welcome to your mat. Welcome home." – Billie
KELLY SENTMAN
200-RYT, Certified Barre Instructor, Youth Yoga Certification, Certified SUP Instructor, Barre & Vinyasa
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 ROBINSON
RYT-200, Vinyasa
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 FRIEDMAN GREBE
RYT-200, ASL & Vinyasa
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.
MICHELLE REYNOLDS
RYT-200, Vinyasa
Michelle began her yoga journey in college, initially taking a class to fulfill a physical education requirement. This early experience ignited a passion that has been a constant throughout her life. Over the years, she has explored various studios and styles, each offering a unique perspective on her practice.
In December 2020, Michelle committed to a month-long trial at Serenity Yoga Studio, where yoga became a cornerstone of her life. She has found yoga to be particularly beneficial for managing pain from multiple injuries and maintaining strength and flexibility.
In 2023, Michelle deepened her commitment to yoga by completing her 200-hour RYT certification at Serenity Yoga Studio under the guidance of Rebecca Sirman. As a certified instructor, she aims to share the transformative power of yoga with others, helping them achieve the strength, flexibility, and peace that she has discovered on her mat.
PAM LEE
RYT-200, Pilates & Meditation
Pam is a passionate and dedicated instructor with a deep love for yoga, Pilates, and meditation. She believes wholeheartedly in the transformative power of movement to harmonize the mind, body, and soul. Pam's approach emphasizes resilience training, guiding her students to cultivate the inner strength needed to navigate life’s challenges.
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Her meditation practices focus on fostering calmness and inner peace, encouraging a profound connection to the self. Pam embraces mindful movement, often visualizing her higher self as she flows.
Her eclectic taste in music enhances her classes, featuring chill beats, yoga vibes, hip-hop, R&B remixes, jazz, and piano-inspired melodies.
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“True happiness is when you are able to fully appreciate and be present in the moment. Positivity is not about being happy all the time, but about recognizing the beauty in the ups and downs of life and maintaining a balanced, mindful mindset.” — Rachel Brathen (Yoga Girl)
EMILY SHUPE
200-RYT, Vinyasa Flow & Yin
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
SK SMIGIEL
RYT-200, Pilates Core Mat 1 certification, Strength & Conditioning
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.
LISA BOYD
RYT-200, Hot Sequence
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 PEOPLES
RYT-200, Vinyasa
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
CRYSTAL LANCOUR
RYT-200, Vinyasa
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.
MARILYN MOTTO
Usui Reiki Practioner (levels 1 and 2),
Breath Work & Reik for Self Connection
Marilyn is a certified Reiki practitioner specializing in Usui Reiki (levels 1 and 2), and is currently deepening her practice with a master course in Kundalini Reiki. In her five years of experience in energy work she’s also completed various trainings in life coaching, meditation, EFT Tapping, sound healing, breath work and other holistic health integration practices. Passionate about creating fun and unique spaces for healing, Marilyn loves incorporating these modalities into her classes to help cultivate the connection to our happiest, most authentic selves.
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Outside of the studio, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her partner, her two children and her pets. A lover of nature, astrology, and adventure, she can often be found at the beach, reading a good book, or traveling with her family.
HEATHER RICE
200-RYT, Vinyasa, Gentle, Yin, Restorative & EveryBODY Sequence
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 2022 with Lynn Slocomb and a second Vinyasa based 200 YTT in June of 2023 at Serenity Yoga Studio with Rebeeca Sirman. 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
LAUREN FONVIELLE
200-RYT, EFT/Tapping, Yin & Vinyasa
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."
MACKENZIE MYERS
RYT-200, Hatha - Sivananda Sequence
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 BERRY
RYT-200, Vinyasa
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.
ERIKA COSTA-GOODING
RYT-200, Vinyasa
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.