Our Teachers — Monarch Yoga

a yoga teacher helping correct a yogi in half moon pose

Monarch Instructors

Meet Our Amazing Group of Teachers

Brianna Albertini

Rachele Cipollone

Michelle DeLorenzo

Michelle Delorenzo, Yoga Teacher

Michelle Dillon

owner of monarch yoga, Michelle Dillon

Brooke Ferguson

Alyssa Gillam, Yoga Teacher

Meg Gold, Yoga Teacher

Nicole Grundhoffer

Charlotte Howson

Charlotte Howson, Yoga Teacher

Reshma Kothari a yoga teacher at Monarch yoga in philadelphia

Maria Lena a yoga teacher at Monarch yoga in philadelphia

Nicole Neminski

Daniela O’Keefe

Daniela O'Keefe, Yoga Intructor

Arianna Pchola, Yoga Teacher

Michael Perl smiling for monarch yoga's teacher list

Sim Safer smiling for monarch yoga's teacher list

Victoria Schick

Victoria, a yoga instructor for monarch yoga in philadelphia

Quincy Shuda, Yoga Teacher

Bridget Stearns

Latoya Thornton

Chesy Tronchoni-Bello

Riannon Weisser

Riannon Weisser, Yoga Teacher

Brianna Albertini

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer

Special Skills or Hobby: traveling, reading, yoga, stargazing, hiking, creative writing, long walks with Brody (my dog), and being with people who I deeply connect with <3

Priya Behl, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Priya Behl

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Flying Pigeon

Favorite Book: When Breath Becomes Air-Paul Kalanithi

Fun Fact: When I’m not teaching yoga, I’m studying to be a doctor!

Rasheeda Bell, Yoga teacher sitting on mat at monarch yoga

Rasheeda Bell

Hometown: Philly Philly

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Birds of Paradise

Favorite Sports Team: EAGLES

Favorite Book: ‘Their eyes were watching God’ by Zora Neal Hurston

Shevy Burke Seated Pose

Shevy Burke

Shevy Burke Yoga Pose

Hometown: Philly, Philly

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Birds of Paradise (Svarga Dvijasana): Lead with the breath, strength, balance, focus.

Favorite Podcast: Daily Stoic

Favorite Book: 12 Rules for Life (life is that simple)

Favorite Philly Restaurant: Time Restaurant (endless vibes and live music) Music is love ❤️ Love is life!

Any Chen, Seated Pose

Andy Chen

Andy Chen, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Edison, NJ

Favorite Podcast: Broken Record, anything F1 or Arsenal at the moment

Favorite Philly Business: Fishtown Tavern, Milkcrate

Rachele Cippollone, a Philadelphia-based yoga instructor, in Easy Seat

Rachele Cipollone

Hometown: South Jersey

Favorite Book: ‘Awakening the Buddha Within’ by Lama Surya Das

Favorite Philly Business: REC Philly

Fun Fact: I love to write!

Nina Cosdon, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Nina Cosdon

Hometown: Meadville, PA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: This will be the year I do a handstand and split!

Favorite Podcast: Bandsplain; You’re Wrong About; Normal Gossip

Favorite Philly Restaurant: Gryphon Coffee & Loco Pez

Michelle DeLorenzo, Seated Pose

Michelle DeLorenzo

Michelle DeLorenzo, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Swedesboro, NJ

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Wheel

Favorite Philly Restaurant: CHAR for family Pizza Fridays

Favorite Sports Team: Let’s Go Phillies!

Fun Fact: I once auditioned for American Idol in Memphis, TN

Michelle Dillion - monarch yoga owner

Michelle Dillon

Michelle Dillon the owner of monarch yoga, practicing yoga

Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan

Favorite Philly Park: John Heinz

First Job: I started my own babysitting company when I was 13.

Favorite Local Businesses: Martha, Mural City Cellars & Forin Cafe!

Fun Fact: I taught fifth grade for five years!

Sara Downey

sarah Downey, a yoga teacher at monarch yoga in extended side angle pose

Hometown: Chalfont, PA

Favorite Book: ‘Normal People’ by Sally Rooney

Favorite Philly Park: The Wissahickon!

Favorite Local Business: Downerss

Julia Duemler, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Julia Duemler

Julia Duemler, a yoga instructor, posing on a yoga mat

Hometown: Green Lane, PA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: I’ve been working on a handstand without the wall! Also, Pincha!

Favorite Book: The Four Agreements!!!

Favorite Philly Park: LOVE Park

Brooke Ferguson

Brook Ferguson, a yoga instructor at monarch yoga in a lunge

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Favorite Philly Eatery: Murph's Bar - best Italian food around

Fun Fact: Was born during half-time of Super Bowl Sunday 1992!

Special Skill or Hobby: Singer, songwriter, and music producer who also has a huge love for building Legos

Alyssa Gillam, Seated Pose

Alyssa Gillam

Alyssa Gillam, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Goldbar, WA

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Forearm Stand

Favorite Podcast: Pod Save America

Favorite Book: Anything by Jennifer McMahon

Favorite Philly Park: Wissahickon River Trail, love a little Wiss Walk

Claire, a yoga teacher at monarch yoga seated on a black yoga mat in northern liberties

Claire Going

Hometown: Allentown, PA

Favorite Philly Park: Penn Treaty

First Job: I was a local news reporter for a few years after college

Favorite local business: Urban Exchange, Milkcrate Cafe, and Wokworks ♡

Meg Gold, Seated Pose

Meg Gold

Meg Gold, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Ridgefield, CT

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Flying Pigeon

Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Favorite Philly Restaurant: Kalaya

Favorite Sports Team: Penn State Football

Yoga teacher Nicole Grundhoffer in easy seat at monarch yoga in northern liberties Philadelphia

Nicole Grundhoffer

Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Handstand

Favorite Philly Biz: Reanimator & Riverwards

Monarch Yoga in structor Jordon Hafetz in an easy seat

Jordon Hafetz

Hometown: Old City, Philadelphia

Favorite Podcast: Almost 30

Favorite Philly Eatery: Taqueria La Prima- Get the Chicken Tinga Tacos

Fun Fact: I walked the length of Manhattan, top to bottom

Brian Holst, Seated Pose

Brian Holst

Brian Holst, Pose

Hometown: Bryn Mawr, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Marichyasana D - I love deep twists

Favorite Podcast: The Daily Dharma on Spotify

Favorite Book: Tao Te Ching or Meditations

Favorite Philly Park: Wissahickon Valley Park

Charlotte Howson, Seated Pose

Charlotte Howson

Hometown: Ithaca, NY

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Patita Tarasana (Fallen Triangle)

Favorite Book: When Things Fall Apart By Pema Chodron

Favorite Philly Restaurant: Honey's Sit n Eat

Fun Fact: I was an exchange student when I was 16 and spent a year living in Australia

Lise Jackson - a yoga teacher at monarch yoga in Philadelphia

Lise Jackson

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Working on: Tripod

Favorite Podcast: Deeply Well with Devi Brown

Favorite Restaurant: Suraya!!

Sabah Jamshidi, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Sabah Jamshidi

Hometown: Broomall, PA

Favorite Podcast: Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

Favorite Philly Business: Herman’s Coffee

Fun Fact: On a good day I can juggle three items that are exactly the same size for about four full seconds.

Hallie Johnson, a yoga instructor, posing on a yoga mat

Hallie Johnson

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Crow pose! (I’ll get there one day)

Favorite Philly Park: Penn Treaty, of course!

Fun Fact: I read over 80 books last year! If you need someone to talk about your latest fantasy read, I’m your girl

Reshma Kothari, a yoga teacher in Monarch Yoga seated

Reshma Kothari

Reshma Kothari, a yoga teacher at monarch yoga in camel pose

Hometown: Queens, NY

Yoga Pose You’re Working On: Sirsasana (Headstand!)

Favorite Philly Restaurant: Poes Sandwich Joint & Human Robot! A perfect combo!

Fun Fact: I'm fluent in American Sign Language

Maria Lena, a yoga teacher at monarch yoga in northern liberties in a seated position on a black yoga mat

Maria Lena

Maria Lena, a yoga teacher at monarch in a high pigeon pose with a bind on a yoga mat

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Legs Up the Wall—it’s the easiest thing ever, but so good for your lower back. Honestly, it just flips your whole perspective and chills you out

Favorite Book: Definitely Interview with the Vampire. I’m kinda obsessed with it. The whole vibe, the way it’s written... it just draws you in. It’s dark and beautiful, and I just love getting lost in that world.

Favorite Philly Park: The WISS.

Special Skill or Hobby: I've been running for 20 years now. It’s been a huge part of my life, and it helps me stay grounded and clear-headed.

Ephiphany Loux, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Epiphany Loux

Epiphany Loux, a yoga instructor, posing on a yoga mat

Hometown: Bethlehem, PA

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Half Split

Favorite Podcast: Critical Magic Theory

Favorite Meal: Dim Sum Garden and American Grammar

Jaime Marrero, a yoga instructor at monarch yoga in Philly in easy seat

Jaime Marrero

Hometown: Taunton, MA

Favorite Podcast: My Favorite Murder

Favorite Book: ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ by JK Rowling

Special Skill or Hobby: Creating / Photography / Video

Emily Matthias

Hometown: Pitman, NJ

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Savasana

Favorite Podcast: The Funny Thing About Yoga

Favorite Philly Park: Schuylkill River Park

Fun Fact: I love dogs - I have 3!

Nicole Neminski

Nicole, a teacher at monarch yoga in scandasana

Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ

Favorite Book: ‘The Untethered Soul’ by Michael A. Singer

Favorite Sports Team: Whoever Gritty is rooting for

Special Skill or Hobby: Anything related to plants! I’m currently starting a rooftop veggie garden!

Hometown: Miami, FL

Favorite Local Business: Art in the Age

Special Skill or Hobby: I love making friendship bracelets!

Daniela O’Keefe

Daniela O'Keefe, Seated Pose

Daniela O'Keefe, a Philadelphia yoga teacher, in Vrksasana (tree pose) with padma mudra

Sarah Owens seat in monarch yoga studio in Philadelphia PA

Sarah Owens

Hometown: Jenkintown, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Working On: Standing Split

Favorite Sports Team: Sixers! (Even though they let me down every year)

Fun Fact: I'm a hobby collector - if it exists, I either have tried it or have plans to try it.

Arianna Pchola, Seated Pose

Arianna Pchola

Arianna Pchola, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Elbow Stand!

Favorite Book: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

Favorite Philly Restaurant: So hard to choose one but Meetinghouse always seems right - a true neighborhood classic!

Favorite Local Business: Note to Self Wellness

Michael Perl, a yoga teacher at monarch yoga in philadelphia

Michael Perl

Hometown: Hopewell, NJ

Favorite Podcast: Armchair Expert with Dax Sheppard

Favorite Philly Eatery: Murph’s Bar (the pasta is amazing)

Fun Fact: I met Jimmy Fallon and had a conversation with him on an elevator once.

Serena Ringer, Seated Pose

Serena Ringer

Serena Ringer, Yoga Pose

Hometown: La Grange, KY

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Half Moon

Favorite Podcast: Just Trish or Two Hot Takes

Favorite Local Business: DreamWorld Bakes!

Special Skill or Hobby: I’m helping my parents with social media for their sheep farm in Ohio!

Sim Safer, a yoga teacher at monarch in kensington in an easy seat position.

Sim Safer

Hometown: London, England

Favorite Philly Park: Penn Treaty :)

First Job: Coffee Barista!

Special skill: Crafting the perfect road trip itinerary to explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Victoria Schick

Victoria, a yoga instructor in half moon pose at monarch yoga in Kensington Philadelphia

Hometown: Allentown, PA

Favorite Philly Park: Konrad Square

First Job: Red the Robin at Red Robin

Favorite Philly Eatery: Streetside (Vermicelli w/ Crispy Parcels) or Front Street Cafe (buffalo cauliflower)

Khuoma Sehume, Seated Pose

Khumo Sehume

Khumo Sehume, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Sirsasana

Favorite Meal in Philly: Jam Rock Jamaican Restaurant in West Philly and Cantina la Martina in Kensington

Favorite Sports Team: The Springboks. the best rugby team in the world

Random Fun Fact!: I collect tea cups and saucer sets and it’s a bonus if they come with a matching tea kettle. I also speak 6 languages.

Quincy Shuda, Seated Pose

Quincy Shuda

Quincy Shuda, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Wayne, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Bird of Paradise

Favorite Book: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

Favorite Philly Park: Seger Dog Park :)

Favorite Sports Team: Go Birds, born and raised

Bridget Stearns

Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ

Favorite Philly Biz: Riverwards. You have to try their Kale Vegan Caesar Salad! The best.

Fun Fact: I used to be a wedding planner!

Sarah Thompson, a yoga instructor at monarch yoga in Philly, in easy seat

Sarah Thompson

Sarah Thompson, a yoga teacher at Monarch yoga in Philadlephia in tree pose

Hometown: Durham, CT

Yoga Pose You’re Working On: Crow Pose

Favorite Philly Business: Gryphon Cafe and Proper Goods

Fun Fact: Pennsylvania is the fourth state I’ve lived in and I’ve travelled to 42. My goal is to eventually see al 50!

Latoya Thornton in heros pose with one hand on her heart and one hand on her stomach in meditation at monarch yoga

Latoya Thornton

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Hanumanasana and at some point a headstand

Favorite Book: I don’t think I have a favorite book, but here’s 2 books I think are worth reading: The 4 Agreements and Pause Rest Be. These books have been very helpful. Learning how to slow down in such a busy world can be very hard and these books encourage taking care of yourself.

Favorite meal: Pizza…I can always eat Pizza

Chesy Tronchoni-Bello

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Yoga Pose You're Workin' On: Headstand!

Favorite Podcast: Financial Feminist, Just Between Us, Escuela de Nada, so many more...

Alma Mater: Music Therapy at Temple University and then Villanova University for a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Tatiana webb a yoga instructor at monarch yoga in philadelphia

Tatiana Webb

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA

Favorite Book: ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ by JK Rowling

Favorite Philly Eatery: WM Mulherins (or Pub Webb)

Fun Fact: My family is from Caguas, Puerto Rico!

Riannon Weisser, Seated Pose

Riannon Weisser

Riannon Weisser, Yoga Pose

Hometown: Reading, PA

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Splits!

Favorite Podcast: Up First from NPR

Favorite Book: Currently enjoying The Motherload by Sarah Hoover

Favorite Philly Park: Norris Square

Jen Wilson, a yoga instructor, sitting on a yoga mat

Jen Wilson

Jen Wilson, a yoga instructor, posing on a yoga mat

Hometown: Chatham, NJ

Yoga Pose You’re Workin’ On: Any variation of legs up the wall!

Favorite Podcast: Who? Weekly

Favorite Philly Park: John Heinz Wildlife Refuge

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