Sara Balkun
Sara began her yoga journey while searching for ways to better understand the paradox of feeling highly sensitive but also disconnected to the world around her. Sara’s study of self-realization, yoga and the arts has provided her with tools for empowerment and whole body healing.
Sara is passionate about teaching and learning. Sara received her 200-hour certification from SoulSpace Yoga and Wellness in 2015. Since then she has trained with skilled yoga teachers from all different styles of yoga.
Sara is an intuitive and creative yoga teacher who compassionately holds space for people of all ages, abilities and experience as they safely bridge the gap between their mind, body and heart. Her classes can consist of intention, breath work, meditation and carefully sequenced postures. Sara enjoys bringing awareness and balance to the energetic body as well as providing students with modifications and gentle hands on assists that encourage students to meet themselves where they are and practice yoga for longevity.
Sara is extremely grateful to be a part of the SoulSpace community.
Amy Capobianco, RYT200
Karen Carollo ERYT500, YACEP
Jessica Chavanick, RYT200
Lisa Cote, ERYT200, RYT500
Lisa has been honored to be part of the yoga staff at SoulSpace since 2011. Lisa is also involved with CrossRoads Teacher Training at SoulSpace leading an in-depth chakra workshop. She has recently begun leading Kirtan at SoulSpace since 2016, combining her musical gifts and love of chanting mantra.
Kathy Dow,
Kathy has worked at IBM as a technical support specialist in software sales organization for over 25 years. She lives in Southington with her husband of 33 years, Peter and her two cats. She has raised three grown daughters and hopes to have lots of grandchildren some day. In addition to yoga, Kathy likes to read, hike, cook for her family, and attend UConn sport events. Go Huskies!!
Jessica Grant
Jessica is an E-RYT 200, IAYT Yoga Therapist, Licensed Psychotherapist, and is certified to practice Ayurvedic Medicine after years of comprehensive study at both the Himalayan Institute and ongoing studies at Kerala Ayurveda in India. She has a passion for learning and utilizes her knowledge in these realms to support and refine her classes, workshops, and educational offerings. Jessica will often weave her love of Psychology, Ayurveda, and Plant Wisdom into her teachings. She is passionate about trauma recovery, women’s health, and developed the sacred science program for women and Teenvana program for teen girls. Jessica has been teaching yoga since 2011, receiving her certification from Samadhi Yoga and approaches her students form a place of love and acceptance. Jessica serves in a Clinical Faculty role within Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry and is the founder of the integrative healing practice, Prima Wellness. When off the mat, you can find her hiking CT’s scenic trails with her chihuahua-corgi rescue pooch, Chloe.
Michelle Hansen
Kim Higgins
Lucia Infante
Lucia completed Bhogah Yoga’s 200 Hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training in Vinyasa under the direction of Brianne Davidson in May 2013. She has completed an 85 hour prenatal training program.
She started practicing yoga in 2006, but her practice was put on the back burner a few years later to complete her Master’s degree in education coupled with raising her family. It wasn’t until 2012 when her doctor prescribed yoga for her health, which began her path to deepen her yoga practice.
She practiced yoga for the physical benefits. However, once she learned to truly be on her mat, she was able to make a body, mind, and spirit connection that transcended off her mat. This self-discovery sparked an excitement and craving to learn more. The benefits of regular practice during her training has improved her life in ways she didn’t believe possible, which cultivated a desire to share this passion with others.
Whether you have been practicing for some time or new to yoga, join Lucia for Vinyasa yoga or if you are pregnant, deepen your experience and enjoyment of pregnancy with prenatal yoga. Her goal is to help her students find and maintain a peaceful mind and body. Students of all levels enjoy her friendly and warm teaching style.
Amy Inzero
Jessica Jusseaume
Joanne Kelleher
Joanne is currently transitioning from a career in the technology field to the non-profit world. She is the director of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, where she runs workshops and provides resources for parents and childcare providers. She is also doing grant proposal writing as an independent consultant.
On the technology side, she is the Vice President of Operations at SecureRF Corporation, focusing on operations and administration including recruiting, grant writing/administration and logistics. She previously worked as the marketing director at Imaging Solutions and Pinnacle Decision Systems, and she started her career at the Travelers.
Joanne lives in Southington with her husband, Tim Johnson, and they have been exploring the joys of an empty nest as both of their sons are off at college. Joanne sings with the Branches contemporary choir at the First Congregational Church of Southington, and has been an active volunteer in the Southington community with FCC, Boy Scouts, the Southington Band Backers, the Southington Education Foundation and other organizations.
Kristen Lengyel, RYT200

Kristen stays busy as both the mom of two active boys and as the Department Chair of Fine Arts & Photography teacher, at a local high school. She holds a B.S in Elementary and Special Education, and a B.F.A and M.F.A in Photography. In addition to being a master teacher, Kristen is a curated artist and photographer, whose work has been exhibited locally and elsewhere.
Kristen is an active person that thrives with movement. Kristen finds the movement of yoga a great way to strengthen her core and the pranayama a great way to calm her mind. You will find that you will leave class with a smile on your face and a feel as if some of the static from the world we live in has been washed away. Kristen’s goal is for people of all ages and abilities to be able to find themselves on the mat loving the practice of yoga. Kristen is a 200 hour YTT graduate from Soul Space.
Kristen’s motto is to “be strong and sparkle”–she keeps up her fitness skiing, hiking, and practicing yoga.
Cassie Marcheggiani, RYT200, LCSW
I started my yoga practice 10 years ago, looking for a new workout to define muscles. This led me to Soul Space Wellness Center in Southington, CT, where I was welcomed with love and inspiration. I recently graduated from Soul Space’s Crossroads Teaching Training 200 Hour Certificate Program, where I was guided along the path to mind, body and soul balance and peace.
>My classes are knows to be taught at all levels, however are lead with compassion and a gentleness. I offer a safe place to explore and strengthen your practice with non-judgment. Coming from a social work background, I understand we are beings of our environment, and I strive to create a soft loving cocoon with mantra, breath, and movement to work out the “issues that lay in your tissues.”
Dawn McKnerney

Dawn is also a certified fitness instructor through Aerobics Fitness Association of America [AFAA] and Body Training Systems [BTS] who has been teaching since 2007. In June 2012 she completed the class room requirements for her yoga certification in WHY Power through West Hartford Yoga’s 200 hour teacher training. This beautiful process was organically nurtured by many wonderful teachers such as Ellen Head, Jill Miller, Judith Orloth, Nikki Poole, Jude Russell, Barbara Ruzansky, and Crystal Sullivan. When not on her mat, Dawn can be found with her other beautiful inspirations, Paul, Brandon and Devin either running, skiing or just tossing the baseball in the back yard. Just as the word yoga itself means to yoke or join, yoga has helped me cultivate a connection between all aspects of my being. How can I not share this joy?
Marilyn Moffo, RYT200
Cheryl J. Moran, JD, ERYT200, RYT500
Believing passionately in the power of gratitude in our lives and the limitless benefits of living in the present moment (one breath at a time), Cheryl tries to walk her own spiritual path with grace, humility and an open heart. She strives for balance, flexibility, strength & serenity both on and off of the mat and, desiring always to remain a student, is constantly learning from all of the various teachers that surround her each and every day.
In 2011, Cheryl seized the opportunity to create a doorway where everyone was welcome to enter & explore their own unfolding journey…and find that delicate balance of intention & surrender. Cheryl feels enormously privileged & grateful to be able to offer SoulSpace, CrossRoads & Yocovery, along with their guides and healing energies to the community. When not in court, or overseeing her restaurant, Cheryl can be found enjoying her life with her numerous rescue horses, dogs & cats. 🙂
Leena Murali, RYT200
Lynn Nigro
quickly took over. She found her way back to her practice as a way to alleviate depression and
anxiety, but she felt stuck in her asana practice. Lynn found her way to teacher training at
SoulSpace in order to expand her knowledge of yoga and to reconnect with herself – and
rediscovered her voice that she had hidden away for so long. The practices of pranayama,
meditation, mantra, and asana unfolded into her world and developed a woman passionate
about life long learning and guiding others. In her classes, Lynn loves that she gets to give
everyone the time to remember who they are, and to remember the love and strength that they
hold inside. Lynn has found that practicing joining the mind, body, and spirit regularly helps to
guide her through life with much more ease. In her free time, Lynn can usually be found
exploring life with her wife, Kristina, and their two children. She loves theatre, music, traveling,
and trying new things!
Shelley Nyren
Lissa Shamburg
Lissa has been doing yoga since the 1990’s, or as her daughter says, “Before yoga was cool!” Never a fan of organized sports, or, let’s be honest, exercise of any kind, Lissa knew that she’d found what her soul was searching for after attending her first asana practice. The postures, the breath, the focus on what is happening within the four corners of the mat, brought Lissa a peace she hasn’t found anywhere else.
Lissa recently retired from teaching elementary school for 28 years and decided to check yoga teacher training off of her bucket list by attending the CrossRoads Program at Soul Space. It was here that she found her yoga home and her yoga family. Within this sacred space, Lissa was able to slow down enough and quiet down enough to remember who she is. This simple, yet profound remembering inspired her to share yoga with others. Lissa believes that yoga is for every body and that extending lovingkindness to ourselves on the mat is the first step toward healing this world.
Lissa loves all her roles: wife, mother, grandmother, dog mom, friend, retired teacher, and yoga teacher. When she isn’t connecting with and caring for the people in her life, Lissa loves spending time on the beach, reading, photography, crafting, listening to music, and walking.
Crystal Sullivan PT, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Alicia Whalen