Meet Our Instructors
Our instructors don’t just teach yoga - they hold space for healing. Each of us brings years of experience, continued specialized training, trauma-sensitive care, and a heartfelt commitment to helping you feel safe, seen, and supported. Whether you're navigating anxiety, chronic pain, pregnancy, or just need time to reconnect with yourself, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
Our Teacher's Credentials
RYT200
Registered Yoga Teacher
Completed a 200-Hour Teacher Training.
E-RYT200
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher
Completed a 500-Hour Teacher Training & has a minimum of 2 years and 1,000 hours of teaching experience.
RYT500
Registered Yoga Teacher
Completed a 500-Hour Teacher Training and has at least 100 hours of teaching experience.
E-RYT500
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher
Completed a 500-Hour Teacher Training & has a minimum of 4 years and 2,000 hours of teaching experience.
RCYT
Registered Children's Yoga Teacher
Completed an additional
95-hour training with a registered children's yoga school.
RPYT
Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Completed a 200-Hour Teacher Training.
YACEP
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider
A Registered E-RYT (Experiened Yoga Teacher) with significant experience or education in yoga.
Y12-SRYoga of 12-Step Recovery
Completed an additional 26-Hour Yoga Training for 12-Step Recovery.
Our teachers are more than just certified—they’re heart-led facilitators of healing. Many have backgrounds in trauma recovery, spiritual practice, and therapeutic care. This diversity of training and life experience creates a rich, supportive environment for students of all levels.
Instructor Bios
Learn more about each of our certified instructors, their training backgrounds, and their unique approach to yoga and healing.
Kevala
Yoga Therapist, E-RYT200, RCYT, RPYT, YACEP
Leads Teacher Trainings, Private Sessions, Healing Foundations Therapeutic Yoga, & Ashtānga
Lineage & Training
Kevala's yoga foundation and training comes directly from the Krishnamacharya lineage. She has been fortunate to have been privately trained and mentored in the Ashtānga tradition as her personal practice by David Miliotis, who is an authorized teacher of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois; and in the Viniyoga tradition, Yoga Philosophy and Yoga Therapy under the personal mentorship of Chase Bossart, student of TKV Deśikāchār.
Additional Trainings
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Trauma-Informed Yoga Certified
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Yoga Trapeze Certified
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Yoga of 12-Step Recovery Certified
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Children's Yoga Certified
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Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Certified
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YA Continuing Education Provider Certified
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Advanced Yoga Philosophy
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Reiki Master Healer
About Kevala
Kevala is a certified yoga therapist and the founder of The Mind-Body Connection Yoga Studio. Her journey into yoga began as a personal path of healing from trauma and PTSD, where she found deep relief through the integration of breath, movement, and meditation. With over two decades of experience, Kevala is known for creating safe, compassionate spaces that honor each student’s unique process and inner wisdom.
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Yoga Studies at Vivekananda Yoga University, and specializes in yoga for trauma recovery, emotional healing, and self-realization. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to all and to restore its roots as a path to deep inner transformation—not just physical fitness.
I don't practice yoga, Yoga practices me."
~Kevala
Larissa Allan
RYT200
Leads Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Trapeze, Ashtanga, & Vinyasa Classes
Lineage & Training
Larissa completed her 225-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Mind-Body Connection Yoga Studio under the guidance of Kevala. Her training is rooted in the Krishnamacharya lineage, drawing from both the Ashtanga and Viniyoga traditions. She studied the foundational principles of breath-centered movement, yoga philosophy, and therapeutic applications of yoga, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care and individualized practice.
Additional Trainings
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Trauma-Informed Yoga Certified
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Aerial Hammock Yoga Certified
About Larissa
Larissa discovered yoga in 2021 and felt an immediate calling to the practice. She began with a Yoga 101 class at a local community center, which led her to a nearby studio where yoga quickly became a deeply grounding and transformative spiritual practice which helped to heal and transform her life. In late 2023, she found her way to The Mind-Body Connection Yoga Studio and immediately knew it was the perfect place to deepen her journey.
Before becoming a yoga instructor, Larissa spent 18 years teaching TK and Kindergarten, where she honed the skills of structure, adaptability, and meeting students where they are. These qualities seamlessly translate into her yoga teaching, allowing her to create classes that are both thoughtfully designed and adaptable to individual student needs.
I don't practice yoga, Yoga practices me."
~Kevala
Avalon Alva
RYT200, RPYT
Leads Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Trapeze, & Vinyasa Classes
Lineage & Training
Avalon completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through UCLA’s Yoga Leadership Program in 2019 after years of dedicated practice. Her training draws from the Ashtanga and Vinyasa traditions and is influenced by her mentor Dr. Du Soleil. Avalon’s foundation is also deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and the Self Realization Fellowship, where she developed a strong connection to pranayama, devotional practice, and the deeper philosophy of yoga.
Additional Trainings
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Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Certified
About Avalon
Avalon’s yoga journey began in childhood during visits to the Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades. The sanctuary's peaceful energy left a lasting impression, inspiring her spiritual path and later membership in the Self Realization Fellowship. Her physical yoga journey began with the disciplined practice of Ashtanga Yoga, where she discovered the profound healing power of breath-linked movement. This experience helped her process physical, mental, and spiritual trauma, ultimately leading her to pursue teacher training.
In addition to her certification, Avalon holds a Bachelor's degree in the Study of Religion and Philosophy from UCLA. Her classes blend strength, flow, and mindfulness, empowering students to connect with their bodies and inner wisdom through breath, movement, and presence.
“Yoga is a practice, not a performance”
~Avalon
Rita Gay
RYT200, Certified Pilates Instructor
Leads Mat and Barre Pilates Classes
Lineage & Training
Rita began her journey in 2011 and has trained extensively in multiple movement disciplines to support whole-body healing. She is certified in therapeutic yoga, classical mat Pilates, and STOTT Pilates, with additional training in Barre Bootcamp, Yoga Body Sculpt, and Ballet Barre Pilates. Her teaching approach blends mindful movement with body awareness and breathwork, creating a strong foundation for functional strength, mobility, and resilience.
Additional Trainings
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Classical Mat Pilates Certified
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STOTT Pilates Certified
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Barre Bootcamp
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Yoga Body Sculpt
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Ballet Barre Pilates
About Rita
With over a decade of teaching experience, Rita has guided countless students toward greater strength, balance, and well-being. Her classes are known for being thoughtful, accessible, and intentionally sequenced to meet a wide range of physical needs. She brings a warm, grounded presence and a deep respect for each student’s unique body and journey. Whether you're working with injury recovery, building core strength, or seeking a more mindful movement practice, Rita meets you where you are—with compassion and care.
“Yoga is a practice, not a performance”
~Avalon
Jessica Bruny
Sound Healer
Leads Sound Baths and Sound Healing & Meditation Classes.
Lineage & Training
Jessica’s training in sound healing includes studies in vibrational therapy, energy work, and meditative facilitation. She combines ancient practices with modern techniques using instruments like crystal singing bowls, chimes, and voice to create immersive soundscapes that support deep relaxation and inner healing. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed care and nervous system regulation.
Additional Trainings
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Sound Healing Certification
About Jessica
Jessica is a dedicated leader in wellness and mindfulness, committed to guiding individuals toward greater mental clarity and holistic well-being. Featured in the LA Times for turning her dreams into reality during the pandemic, she founded JessBeU, LLC to bring healing and empowerment to diverse communities. Jessica has partnered with California Health Collaborative to develop corporate wellness programs and has led transformative healing circles across California. With over a decade of experience in leadership and wellness, Jessica is a passionate speaker, facilitator, and practitioner, using her expertise to help individuals cultivate balance and resilience.
“Yoga is a practice, not a performance”
~Avalon