Tribe Members

Our Tribe

As the studio owner, Kari brings an extensive wealth of information to her space. A registered nurse for 25 years, she has decided to transfer her clinical knowledge of healthcare into a more holistic expression by creating Palm Studio. After many years of having to travel to different studios for particular classes, she has incorporated her favorite mind-body fitness classes into a singular zen environment. It is Kari's belief that kindness matters above all else and it is her intention that students leave her studio feeling rejuvenated, inspired and loved. She has incorporated free kid and teen yoga into the studio to help all children become more mindful. She is happily married to her husband Dave, of 24 years and has 3 children.

Originally from upstate New York, Meagan is almost an Englewood "native" having lived here since 1989. She is married and has two sons, Miles and Nixon. She fell in love with instructing during her tenure as a substitute teacher for a step aerobics class in 1999. Since then she has broadened her knowledge base by becoming certified to teach Beach Body PIYO and Insanity, POUND, TRX and Barre. She also has her 500 hour Yoga Certification, which she received from the esteemed Heartwood Yoga Institute in Sarasota Florida. Meagan's broad knowledge in healthcare helps her to efficiently tailor fitness classes for all levels. She enjoys being on the water and being active with her family. Her personal motto is "My heart is fitness, it is what I love to do. If I am moving I am happy!"

Introduced to the Pilates Method in 1990, Katrina became a lifetime enthusiast of the work.

Completing her certification in 1999 under the tutelage of Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Pace, Katrina taught in NYC then continued a lifelong dedication to Pilates while pursuing a career in NYC as a Makeup Artist. A lifelong dancer, The Pilates Method added greater strength and flexibility along with sharper focus, better brain health and more energy to enjoy life. This translates into her teaching style inspiring greater enthusiasm

Kim arrived in Englewood 10 years ago, and joined the Palm Studio team in March of 2020. During her time in the area, she’s been a frequent participant in Yoga on the Beach. She’s also been a student at several area locations for various kinds of fitness training. Her experiences taught her that Barre was the area she found most beneficial, with elements of Pilates, dance, yoga, and strength training. Her determination steered her to classes presented by American Barre Techniques. Her success in those classes earned her the title of Certified Barre Instructor in March of 2019. She has honed her Barre skills by teaching for local training studios, and now is using her skills for Palm Studio in Englewood where she hopes you’ll join her.

Rosa discovered Kundalini Yoga in 2012 after a 25-year corporate career and became a certified teacher in 2017. A Stetson University graduate, she now interprets for the Florida 12th Judicial Circuit Courts. Dedicated to personal growth, she practices meditation, attends retreats, and shares her teachings. She currently teaches Kundalini yoga at our studio.

Dena M. relocated to Venice Florida in 2020 with her husband Michael from Western Massachusetts. Retiring from a successful career in business and education Dena has jumped into pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a Yoga teacher. Dena obtained her Yoga Alliance 200-hour teaching certification and is now seeking a Ayurveda Specialist certification. Dena’s passion for philosophy, spirituality and seeking a deeper meaning in life began at a young age. Dena’s yoga style using chakras, mudras and breathwork encourages calm energy, positivity, focus and clarity. After calming and focusing through breath work we are able to free energy to flow in the body. Dena loves to groove in her yoga classes to modernized yoga and acoustic music.

Introduced to aerial yoga in 2019, Grace’s new-found passion inspired her to explore her abilities and love for the yoga community. Moving from Lexington, KY to Englewood, FL in 2021, she was welcomed in by Palm Studio with open arms. After consistently taking aerial classes at Palm Studio for a year, Grace went on to complete her aerial yoga certification course at Heartwood Yoga Institute in August 2022. She now enjoys sharing her passion with others, encouraging self-love, empowerment, and confidence for all.

Kristin is a certified RYT 500 hour yoga instructor

She fell in love with hot yoga while training to hike the high peaks of NY State. Finishing and signing in at # 12,405 right before her move to Florida in 2020.

Kristin is a full time hairstylist but when she’s not behind the chair she’s on her mat, crocheting, or in nature with her family and dog.

Kristin believes that yoga is for every body and if you can breathe you can do yoga. Meet your body where it’s at and join her on your mat.

Grace has always loved working with kids. For 10 years she worked with children in the ESE department. She now specializes in brain and cross body integration and handwriting to children with dysgraphia. It was working with kids where Grace found true compassion and felt that her students would greatly benefit from practicing yoga and mindfulness.
She has been a yogi for over 25 years finding love through movement and breath. Grace also enjoys photography, tennis, holistic health and disc golf. Through Grace's childlike imagination she hopes to inspire and motivate her students.

This summer she will be in charge of Youth Yogi's at Fun Under the Sun Camp.

Jen has a diverse portfolio from Art and the Air Force to corporate America and the service industry. She is a "forever" student and a well rounded metaphysician. Her consistent studies include a PHD in Astrology, Naturopathy education certification, RYT 200 aerial yoga instruction, Tarot reader, Reiki healing and Nada yoga with crystal bowls.

Lisa has a passion for our youth, the arts and nature. She grew up dancing, cheering and participating in gymnastics and has always loved creating and being outdoors.
Over the last 35 years, she has spent her time focused on our youth as an elementary education teacher, a physical education instructor, a preschool teacher and a cheerleading and gymnastics coach.
Lisa is currently our teen yoga instructor and helps out with the youth program. She is certified in youth yoga through Kidding Around Yoga, Integrated Energy Therapy and is currently working towards her 200hr yoga certification. She is always learning new ways to help balance the mind, body and spirit and loves to empower the youth with her knowledge and spirit.

At an early age Robert had a reading and was told “some day you will heal with your hands”. Robert did not understand this meaning until later in life, but that seed was planted in his memory. Robert received a Reiki treatment which was extremely profound and this awakened him to his healing path. He became a Reiki Master and studied several other modalities of energy healing. Eventually, he began to incorporate a Crystal Bowl in the guided sessions. With the beginning of the new Millennium, the healing techniques began to change significantly during sessions as well as amazing shifts during the Crystal and Tibetan Bowl concerts. Robert now teaches and exchanges this knowledge with others so they may integrate this modality into their own path. Energy Sound Healing workshops consist of learning about the Crystal and Tibetan Bowls, Tuning Forks, Crystals, Healing Stones and Pyramid Activation.

Testimony:

I attended Robert Austin's "Floating" Crystal Bowl Concert at the Palm Studio and I am truly amazed!

To preface, over the last few months I had been experiencing some sort of block. I was not feeling like myself; my drive and motivation towards activities that I typically enjoy was way down. I was having a hard time looking at things in a positive perspective.

Firstly, I have to say that the Palm Studio is a wonderful facility. I was very interested in experiencing a sound bowl concert in a hammock.

I chose a turquoise hammock as the color drew me to it, and I happened to be right next to the bowls.

During the concert I had several experiences which I can only explain as "out of body." The weightlessness in teh hammock was very comfortable. I was able to feel the vibrations flow through my body, at some points I had the sensation that I was rocking in the hammock at the same frequency that the bowls were playing.

During this concert I had made an intention to let this experience heal me and for it to guide me in the direction I needed to go in order for me to be my best self.

After the concert I felt very peaceful and like my worries had melted away. In fact, I drove the wrong direction to go home.

I thought that this was going to be the end of it, but, NO!

Over the next few days I felt increasingly more clear. I started noticing the things that I was doing that were not serving me and that were lowering my vibration.

By the second day I found myself doing the things that I have been putting off for months. I have been feeling inspired and motivated again!

Amy Gordon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years experience in child welfare. In her pre-Florida life, she was Director of Intact Family Services at an agency in Illinois and then a Field/Practicum professor for Bachelors level Social Work students at Illinois State University. She has taken a leave of absence from direct work to enjoy raising her child and re-located to Venice in 2022 to be closer to family. Now that her child is school aged, she is focusing on shifting gears in her career to provide parent coaching and is working on setting up a private practice to serve the parenting/family therapy needs of the community. She loves to read non fiction, to learn, to ride her bike, and can't ever see enough sunsets.

E-RYT 200 hour certified with Level Yoga in Vero Beach, FL. Emily is a Tampa, FL native with over 18 years of experience. In her classes you can expect a combination of challenging postures, thoughtful sequencing, a strong foundation in alignment, and deep relaxation. When Emily isn't practicing yoga, you can find her spending time outdoors with her two sons, eating spicy food, and expanding her knowledge of the yoga practice in her everyday life. Emily aims to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for each student who shows up on their mat so that you can feel the absolute best in your body.

Vicky Vazquez is an accredited Yoga instructor. She trained with Master Yoga Instructor Allaine

Stricklen, who created Gentle Therapeutics Yoga, a Restorative Yoga with teachings derived

from many different styles of Yoga including Iyengar Yoga. The method uses props (such

as blankets, blocks and chairs) to position the body to restore its balance and vitality.

"I've personally have experienced the effects of stress and anxiety and I decided to do what ev-

er it takes to heal this amazing human structure that it's capable of so much. With patience

I've come along way and I wish now to share this knowledge with all my heart to others".

Krista Ruffoni is a mindfulness and meditation coach, reiki master, and lifelong student of the universe. Krista believes meditation and mindfulness are life-changing, powerful practices for bringing more peace, joy, love, and presence into your daily life

Denese “Nese” Venza is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer with expertise in Hot Vinyasa, Power Flow, and Gentle Flow yoga. She holds a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification and is Barkan Method-trained. With extensive teaching experience at studios, schools, and fitness centers, she has led classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Known for her dedication and adaptability, she provides engaging sessions that blend physical fitness with mindfulness.

JoAnn Cooke acts as a channel through which subtle information is brought forward into the physical plane from higher dimensions. Light Language is a form of communication that bypasses the left brain, logical thinking mind. It is a vibrational expression that speaks directly to your soul and DNA. It brings healing on a deep cellular level; aiding in releasing patterns that no longer serve,
releasing trauma, and healing disease in the mind or body.

Nikki is a 200 hour RYT with Yoga Alliance through Kootenay Yoga School. She brings a calming and nurturing energy to her teaching, with a special interest in yin and restorative yoga. Her teaching style emphasizes the importance of being present to cultivate inner peace, self-care, patience, and acceptance. Nikki’s classes create a peaceful, inclusive space where students feel supported and safe to allow for reconnection with themselves and experience the profound benefits of slowing down in a fast-paced world.

She is a passionate energy healer and certified Spinal Flow practitioner devoted to guiding others through awakening, healing, and transformation. She blends ancient esoteric wisdom, modern energy techniques, and the sacred frequencies of light language to help individuals release and alchemize suppressed emotions. Through the powerful modality of Spinal Flow, Justyna facilitates the release of physical, emotional, and chemical blockages stored in the body, restoring balance to the nervous system and allowing innate healing to flow. She also supports the safe awakening of Kundalini energy, helping clients access deeper states of consciousness and personal power. With a deeply intuitive and heart-centered approach, Justyna empowers others to reconnect with their inner truth and awaken to their highest potential, creating a space for profound energetic shifts and soul-level alignment.

I am in the service of holding space for individuals so that they may find their inherent shine within. I do so with modalities of, Thai bodywork, breath work, energy work, moxibustion, Ayurvedic consultation and cooking. I come as an intuitive healer with a host of modalities to nurture you into the awareness of your own divine sparkle.

Born in Tampa and rooted in Englewood, I was first introduced to yoga through Tai Chi during my time at the University of Utah. What began as a personal practice quickly became a passion. In March 2025, I followed my calling and became a certified yoga instructor.

I now love teaching, especially Hot Yoga and Power Flow classes that connect breath, movement, and spirit.

My faith is the foundation of everything I do, and I'm a proud fur mom to two Chihuahua-Terriers and an aunt to three beautiful girls.

When I'm not teaching, you’ll find me practicing yoga, playing sound bowls, exploring energy healing, or working on my business, Be Happy Painting.

Moriah was given the gift of freedom almost 10 years ago through her Yoga practice. She was trapped in her body and trapped by negative thought patterns. Self-doubt ruled her, and her body was a stranger. Yoga was the path to her freedom. Moriah had already undergone a successful Gastric Bypass surgery in 2002 but let the weight creep back on. Through diet and exercise, she lost 125 pounds. While that was an outstanding accomplishment, it didn’t teach Moriah how to love herself. How to give herself grace and understanding. How to release negativity and self-doubt. That occurred when Moriah began her Yoga practice.

Yoga has allowed Moriah to connect to her body while facing what is going on inside her mind. Through Moriah’s time on the mat, she is able to grant herself grace and ease whenever necessary. To accept where she is in the moment. Moriah expects nothing and is so very grateful for everything.

Moriah’s goal is to show that the practice of yoga is accessible to all body types and maybe help another being find their freedom. Moriah is a Certified Alignment-Based Yoga and Aerial Yoga.

Rodica relocated to Englewood with her husband, 17 years ago, from Detroit, Michigan retiring from a corporate career in automotive industry. Pursuing her passion to work with kids, she went back to school and graduated from SCF in 2020 with a degree of Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has always been interested in energy healing and she studied with renowned masters of healing Usui / Karuna Reiki, Crystal Healing, Rising Star, Pranic Healing and Theta Healing. Rodica is an Usui / Karuna Reiki Master and her passion project is to empower kids/people to become stronger, more resilient and aware of who they really are. She enjoys doing yoga, painting, cooking and gardening.

Joanna is a certified Level 2 Kundalini Yoga instructor with over 500 hours of training and a dedicated teaching practice since 2014.

Her classes are rooted in the transformative principles of Kundalini Yoga, guiding students toward greater awareness, vitality, and inner balance. Joanna is also certified in Radiant Child Yoga, bringing a compassionate and intuitive approach to teaching children.

In addition to yoga, she offers deeply restorative sound baths, creating immersive experiences that support healing and relaxation through vibration and frequency. Her work blends movement, breath, and sound to support holistic well-being for all ages.

Through varies studies and the gift of speaking and

being guided by spirit I realized I could facilitate

people’s growth on their spiritual and physical

journey. Those I have guided have experienced

much success through inner child healing,

emotional releasing, chakra balancing, restorative

release, and mediumship.

Also, empowering positive affirmations, my unique

forgiveness technique, and gratitude teachings I

have been able to have a positive and live altering

impact on those seeking spiritual council. Through

continued guided meditations, healing and spiritual

council clients have been enabled to transform their

energy to vibrate at a higher frequency level. These

shifts move them into a dimensional realm which

supports the universal wave instead of the

emotional roller coaster.

Rachel's movement journey began as a gymnast and powerlifter through high school and college, eventually leading her to discover the grounding balance of yoga. She has been practicing at Palm Studio since 2022 and earned her Yin Yoga certification in 2025. Rachel specializes in Yin and Gentle Yoga, creating a calming, supportive space where students can slow down, release tension, and reconnect with themselves through mindful stillness and breath.

Tribe Members

Our Tribe

Kari Hayden

Meagan White

Katrina Sylvan

Kim Scardaccione

Rosa Devi Sangha Kaur

Dena McCabe

Grace Pentecost

Kristin Cimmino

Grace Perkins

Jen Hill

Gabriela Gurevich

Robert Austin

Amy Gordon

Emily Davis

Vicky Vazquez

Krista Ruffoni

Denese Venza

JoAnn Cooke

Nikki Zahora

Justyna Obiedzinski

Marisa Incelli

Malori Eichler

Moriah Farrell

Rodica

Joanna Jackowska- Sach Dhyan Kaur

Rev. Nancy Lee

Rachel Szabo

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