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Evolution Yoga & Wellness Co.
Our Evolution Team
Tiffany Hamm Gouveia - Yoga Instructor & Owner
Tiffany's journey has been an adventure, full of twists and turns. "Every step has led me to where I am today, and I wouldn't change a thing."
The pandemic rekindled Tiffany's love for yoga. "I found solace on the mat, reconnected with myself, calmed my anxieties, and navigated the grief of losing my father (there was only so much Tiger King one could watch). "
Tiffany's mission is to help her students discover their inner strength and potential. "I believe that yoga is for everyone and together, no matter where you are, transformation is possible."
You can find Tiffany walking, trying new recipes, bike riding with her husband and rooting on the sidelines for her baseball playing son if she is not at the studio.
The pandemic rekindled Tiffany's love for yoga. "I found solace on the mat, reconnected with myself, calmed my anxieties, and navigated the grief of losing my father (there was only so much Tiger King one could watch). "
Tiffany's mission is to help her students discover their inner strength and potential. "I believe that yoga is for everyone and together, no matter where you are, transformation is possible."
You can find Tiffany walking, trying new recipes, bike riding with her husband and rooting on the sidelines for her baseball playing son if she is not at the studio.
Amy Lawson - Yoga Instructor
Bio coming!
Kim Lesniak - Yoga Instructor
Kim is is muti-faceted teacher and incorporates many styles and approaches into her classes. She is a certified Power /Vinyasa and Kids Yoga Teacher (graduating in 2019 and 2020 respectively). Her goal is to allow students to connect to themselves no matter what style she is teaching.
"Yoga has taught me this... when life gets hard, step on your mat. It is the safest place to let go without judgment. It helps you clear your mind and reset leaving you with a sense of who you really are."
"Yoga has taught me this... when life gets hard, step on your mat. It is the safest place to let go without judgment. It helps you clear your mind and reset leaving you with a sense of who you really are."
Lianne St. Remy - Yoga Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Ying-Ying Lee - Yoga Instructor
My classes are deeply influenced by Ashtanga, Power Yoga and Taoism. I did my 200 hour training at West Hartford Yoga and am certified in WHY Power with deep roots in Ashtanga Yoga.
My approach, influenced by my recent discovery of Taoism, is twofold: 1) helping students find more balance in their practice and life and 2) helping students find peace, courage, and joy on the mat so they can discover this off the mat where it matters most.
My approach, influenced by my recent discovery of Taoism, is twofold: 1) helping students find more balance in their practice and life and 2) helping students find peace, courage, and joy on the mat so they can discover this off the mat where it matters most.
Julie Yimoyines - Yoga Instructor
Julie has been teaching yoga for two years and has practiced yoga for over twenty years. She loves a soothing restorative yoga class just as much (if not more!) than a heated power yoga class. Yoga has shown her how to tap into her own strength and gives her the courage to show up exactly as she is–something she encourages her students to do in her classes. She implores her students to drop their judgments, listen to their bodies and explore what is true in the present moment for them on their mats.
Julie is a 200 hour graduate of West Hartford Yoga’ Power Yoga teacher training (2022), as well as certified in Kids Yoga (The Yoga Shop, 2020) Restorative Yoga ( West Hartford Yoga, 2024) and Trauma Informed Yoga ( West Hartford Yoga, 2022) . She holds a B.A in chemistry (2002) and a M. Ed. in secondary education (2003) from Lehigh University.
She has been a high school chemistry teacher for over twenty years. When she’s not teaching chemistry or yoga, you can find her spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves to run, hike, lift weights, read and cuddle with her two rescue pups, Gracie & Ladybug.
Julie is a 200 hour graduate of West Hartford Yoga’ Power Yoga teacher training (2022), as well as certified in Kids Yoga (The Yoga Shop, 2020) Restorative Yoga ( West Hartford Yoga, 2024) and Trauma Informed Yoga ( West Hartford Yoga, 2022) . She holds a B.A in chemistry (2002) and a M. Ed. in secondary education (2003) from Lehigh University.
She has been a high school chemistry teacher for over twenty years. When she’s not teaching chemistry or yoga, you can find her spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves to run, hike, lift weights, read and cuddle with her two rescue pups, Gracie & Ladybug.
Karen Nouizadeh - Yoga Instructor
Karen spent over a decade teaching yoga and meditation in New York City. Credentialed with Yoga Alliance, E-RYT 500 and The International Association of Yoga Therapists, I-AYT, Karen’s focus is on the healing aspects of yoga, mindfulness and meditation.
With an eye towards alignment, Karen’s teachings
incorporate principles from a variety of yoga disciplines including Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar,
Restorative, Yin/Yang, Sound Yoga, Yoga Nidra and more. Karen’s teachings and mindfulness
blogs have been featured in Reader’s Digest, The Daily News and Fitness. You can find her
meditations on Youtube @ NouriMeditationLab.
With an eye towards alignment, Karen’s teachings
incorporate principles from a variety of yoga disciplines including Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar,
Restorative, Yin/Yang, Sound Yoga, Yoga Nidra and more. Karen’s teachings and mindfulness
blogs have been featured in Reader’s Digest, The Daily News and Fitness. You can find her
meditations on Youtube @ NouriMeditationLab.
Elissa Woods - Yoga Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Kalli Koukounas - Yoga Instructor
Kalli Koukounas has practiced power yoga for over 10 years, beginning as a way to complement her other athletic pursuits. As a (former) soccer player and (current) runner, she turns to yoga to slow down and find energetic balance, while also building strength and enhancing flexibility.
Kalli is a RYT200 and completed her teacher training in 2022 with West Hartford Yoga after relocating to Connecticut. She enjoys teaching and practicing as a way to connect further with her community. She is a PhD student at Brown University focusing on Healthcare Policy and Economics, a lover of the outdoors, and an avid reader. She encourages her students to find a peaceful moment of mindful focus during yoga practice to break up a busy day, and enjoys providing everyone with a safe space to do so.
Kalli is a RYT200 and completed her teacher training in 2022 with West Hartford Yoga after relocating to Connecticut. She enjoys teaching and practicing as a way to connect further with her community. She is a PhD student at Brown University focusing on Healthcare Policy and Economics, a lover of the outdoors, and an avid reader. She encourages her students to find a peaceful moment of mindful focus during yoga practice to break up a busy day, and enjoys providing everyone with a safe space to do so.
Kerry Tharpe - Yoga Instructor
Kerry’s yoga practice and instruction are guided by her desire to make inclusiveness a reflex rather than an initiative, her love of her family, and her sense of humor.
Kerry graduated from the Pranotthan Yoga School & is on the National Yoga Alliance registry. She practices many forms of yoga, especially Yin and Restorative.
Off her mat, Kerry has dedicated her professional and personal life to people with Special Needs. She is the Farmington Special Education Transition Coordinator and has been a proud Co-Coordinator of the Farmington Valley Special Olympics for over 25 years.
Kerry graduated from the Pranotthan Yoga School & is on the National Yoga Alliance registry. She practices many forms of yoga, especially Yin and Restorative.
Off her mat, Kerry has dedicated her professional and personal life to people with Special Needs. She is the Farmington Special Education Transition Coordinator and has been a proud Co-Coordinator of the Farmington Valley Special Olympics for over 25 years.
Chris Haynes -
Yoga Instructor
Chris Hayes has dabbled in yoga since 1998, practiced regularly since 2011, and taught since 2013. He is a 500-hour certified teacher of Embodyoga® and a 100-hour certified teacher of Mindful Yoga Therapy. His goal is to share his yoga practice in a way that is accessible to anyone, and you’ll probably find you’ve learned some yoga philosophy between laughs. Chris’ favorite limbs of yoga are pranayama and pratyahara, but he can kick asana on request.
Mike Leahy -Yoga Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Amy Martinez - Yoga Instructor
Amy’s yoga journey began about 15 years ago when she started practicing as a way to carve out some time for herself and reduce stress as a busy working mom. She is a 200-hour graduate of Fuller Yoga’s teacher training and has completed advanced training in Restorative yoga and Yoga Therapeutics. Amy has found that a regular yoga practice allows her to be more in tune with her body, both physically and mentally, and helps her to listen to her inner voice. Amy is a firm believer that everyone can benefit from yoga practice and loves to share her passion with others. She enjoys creating classes that challenge strength and also provide deep, nourishing stretches. In her free time, you can find Amy spending time with her family at the beach, reading, traveling, kayaking, and cooking.
Rita Lamontagne- Yoga Instructor
Rita’s yoga journey began with a sampling of yoga classes at her local community center where a talented teacher exposed her to many styles of asana and pranayama. This gave her the confidence to try a studio class where she accidentally discovered and fell in love with Ashtanga. The classes were small and the teachers paid attention to alignment, providing options when her body didn't work in a posture yet, along with encouragement to continue. After continuing to build a strong foundation in several styles of yoga for over 15 years, she completed her 200 hour teacher training. During this transformative experience, she dove deep into a meditation practice, later completing a 100 hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher training, as well as becoming a certified Reiki practitioner. Her current practice and teaching leans toward meditation and gentler practices, but she also enjoys the occasional vinyasa flow.
Rita believes yoga is for every body and that practice doesn't end when the mat is rolled up. She works to find modifications when necessary and challenges her students to find ways to incorporate their practice into their daily lives. Rita lives in Newington with her husband and daughter. She is frequently seen strolling the neighborhood with her 80lb brown rescue dog. She enjoys spending time reading and in nature.
Rita believes yoga is for every body and that practice doesn't end when the mat is rolled up. She works to find modifications when necessary and challenges her students to find ways to incorporate their practice into their daily lives. Rita lives in Newington with her husband and daughter. She is frequently seen strolling the neighborhood with her 80lb brown rescue dog. She enjoys spending time reading and in nature.
David Fuller -Ashtanga Yoga Teacher
My journey in yoga began in 1996 with the discovery of Beryl Bender Birch's book, "Power Yoga." I dedicated myself to learning the primary series, rising at 4 AM each morning to practice. This commitment led me to travel weekly to New York City to refine my skills at Broome Street. I am passionate about sharing this transformative practice with others.
I have had the privilege of studying under esteemed first-generation Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teachers, including Tim Miller, the late Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson, and Richard Freeman. In 2015, while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, I joined the Yoga Shop community. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this supportive and inspiring environment, and I am deeply influenced by the teachings of Annie Q, Kimberly C, and the entire Yoga Shop team.
My goal is to inspire individuals to step onto the mat and discover their inner "Silence."
I have had the privilege of studying under esteemed first-generation Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teachers, including Tim Miller, the late Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson, and Richard Freeman. In 2015, while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, I joined the Yoga Shop community. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this supportive and inspiring environment, and I am deeply influenced by the teachings of Annie Q, Kimberly C, and the entire Yoga Shop team.
My goal is to inspire individuals to step onto the mat and discover their inner "Silence."
Melanie Klinck -Yoga Instructor
Melanie started practicing yoga over a decade ago and started teaching yoga in 2024. Melanie first discovered yoga as a stress management technique in college. Years later, she found yoga to be of great help when recovering from a motor vehicle accident and other health issues. Over time, she discovered that yoga is more than a physical practice; she believes yoga is truly a way of life that has enhanced every aspect of her existence.
In addition to leading flows that will stretch your body and strengthen your practice, she loves incorporating breathwork and meditation into her classes. Outside of the studio, Melanie is a licensed social worker and has years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field guiding individuals on their paths to holistic wellbeing. She is a firm believer in the life-changing benefits of mind-body practices. When she is not on the mat, she enjoys walking, hiking, reading and playing frisbee.
In addition to leading flows that will stretch your body and strengthen your practice, she loves incorporating breathwork and meditation into her classes. Outside of the studio, Melanie is a licensed social worker and has years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field guiding individuals on their paths to holistic wellbeing. She is a firm believer in the life-changing benefits of mind-body practices. When she is not on the mat, she enjoys walking, hiking, reading and playing frisbee.
Karen Kudish - Yoga Instructor
Karen has been a practitioner of yoga for 25 years engaging in several styles including Power, Yin, Restorative, Gentle, and All-Levels in studios around Connecticut. She completed her course work for her 200 hr certification through West Hartford Yoga and teaches in various locations around the area. She has taught English at Granby Memorial High School for 30 years and works at Hartford Stage as a hobby. She lives in Newington, CT with her husband and dog-best friend, Chloe.
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