
OUR TEAM
MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM
"There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people. " Lailah Gifty Akita
Our team of amazing instructors have a minimum of 200 hours of training before guiding our community in their yoga practice.
Donna
Mahoney
Owner & Instructor
I began my yoga journey over 18 years ago. As a busy mother, wife, and career woman, my hour of yoga practice several times a week at my local YMCA was the respite and self-care I deeply craved. It was a magical hour to calm my mind, move my body and connect with something greater than myself. I completely fell in love with yoga and I dreamed of teaching yoga and owning a studio as part of my retirement plan. In 2017, my dreams fast tracked and soon I found myself immersed in yoga training. I trusted the signs the universe sent my way and, in my intuition, and a decade sooner than I thought possible, with great love and dedication, I opened my own studio, The Yoga Loft, in Howard, WI in January 2018. I am E-RYT 200 and began teaching vinyasa, restorative, and yin and have over 1000 teaching hours that includes studio classes, private sessions, community practice, international and domestic yoga retreats and more.
I continue to grow and learn about mind, body and soul healing. Through the years I have been on a personal self-healing journey and through modalities like sound healing and reiki I was able to deeply heal myself. In turn, I feel part of my purpose is to create a safe space where the community gathers on their own personal healing journey through their yoga practice.
With a certificate in mindfulness and as a Master Reiki Practitioner, I channel energy, combined with my empathic abilities, and experience from my own journey and experience as a Yoga Instructor to help others on their journey. I am passionate about creating a sacred space combining spirituality, softness, strength, and loving acceptance, to tap into our innate healing power and allow individuals to transform into a version of themselves that embodies their highest truth. Channeling loving and healing energy, allowing you to be seen, safe and never judged. Intuitively I may incorporate Tibetan or Crystal singing bowls, and oracle card readings to my offerings.
E-RYT 200, YACEP, Mindfulness Certification, Reiki Master, Sound Therapy Practitioner
Amanda
Yoga Instructor | RYT 200
Namaste to all of you! I am Amanda McAllister and my passion for yoga began in 2004 when I took my first class. I have practiced many forms of yoga throughout my yoga journey including Power Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, and even Aerial yoga! All forms of yoga are unique and have been beneficial to my mind and body. One of the reasons I love yoga so much is I am constantly learning new things about myself and others. As a second grade teacher and mom, I find that yoga keeps me grounded in my everyday life. I enjoy sharing yoga with others, especially with my students in my classroom and often think of yoga as my hobby! Due to my love of yoga, I decided to take the plunge and become a certified yoga instructor in 2015 to deepen my own yoga practice and have the ability to share yoga with others. Obtaining my CYT 200 hour certification with Empower Yoga in Appleton was an amazing experience. Since then, I have been teaching Power Vinyasa, gentle, slow flow and kids’ yoga classes. Join me for a class that will challenge your mind, body and spirit. My intention when I teach is to lead you through a thought provoking practice that will give you tools that you can take off your mat to guide your everyday life. I'm excited to share my love of yoga with you!
Ari
Yoga Instructor | CYT 200
Hey I'm Ari - a midwest yoga practitioner and guide. (:
My intention is to share teachings of self love, acceptance and growth. Radical heart opening is a specialty.
Off the mat ; I love caring + nurturing my bunny, Robert, and Kitten, Leo.
Walking, baking, eating cookies and light reading is enjoyable and fun for me (:
A fun fact about me is I am a rising Gemini.
Cathy (sub)
Yoga Instructor | CYT 200
I am so excited to share my passion for Yoga with you! My name is Cathy, I am a 200HR Certified Yoga Teacher and a NETA Certified Personal Trainer giving me ample knowledge of the human body and how to effectively teach a yoga class to my participants. I have been teaching in the Green Bay community for over 30 years starting at the YMCA then onto Western Racquet, bCentered Pilates Studio, the Yoga Hut, and most recently at Ironwood Yoga in Sister Bay. I am very anxious to start my new chapter teaching all of you at The Yoga Loft. I continued my Yoga Journey even during the pandemic "shutdowns" by consistently uploading videos to my YouTube Channel and teaching via Zoom. Without Yoga in my life, I am not sure how I would have survived. I am convinced the daily practice of yoga is essential to anyone's overall health and well-being, soothing the mind, activating the body, and calming the soul with each and every practice. And the beauty is that yoga is for all ages, and all body types! I teach to my class as I would want to be taught, both with demos and effective verbal cues. I have taught Yin Yoga, Chair Yoga, Booty Yoga, Power Vinyasa Yoga, Slow Flow Yoga, and Beginner Yoga Workshops and look forward to sharing this knowledge with you. Namaste my friends. Cathy
Emmie
Yoga Instructor | RYT 200
I have always been an individual who loved to try new experiences, highly motivated, driven by attaining a goal and eager to stay fit. After years of, for lack of a better term, beating on my body with weight training, running, etc I decided I was going to take up yoga. On that day, my life changed! Who knew mindfully breathing and moving could be so rewarding. I still remember the feeling I had after leaving my first class: pure bliss, nothing but a smile. From that day on I knew I wanted to spread the joy of yoga! It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, it’s hard work, but that is just another reason to love it. Flexible? You don’t need to be flexible, I’m not! But yoga has increased my flexibility day by day and provided the workout I always strive for.
Wanting more, I decided to pursue my RYT 200 Yoga Alliance teacher training. This course changed my life for the better. It reminds me that it is okay to slow down, take time for myself, and if you fell off the wagon for a day get back on, tomorrow is a new beginning!
Erin(sub)
Yoga Instructor | RYT 500
At a time in my life when I couldn’t control what was happening, I found yoga. It allowed me to effectively control the way that I responded to life’s uncontrollable situations, thereby finding my own personal power. Described as upbeat and vivacious, I am motivated to offer empowering and transformative yoga practices to students in need of movement and relaxation. Leading students through thoughtfully curated yoga flows, I hope to share my bubbly and energetic personality with the goal of leaving students feeling uplifted while also refreshed. I am incredibly grateful to have studied for 500 hours under the guidance of Debbie Williamson and Wild Abundant Life and to have received certification in Restorative, Power and Senior Yogas. My passion for Yin Yoga was recently deepened by studying directly with Bernie Clark. As a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, I strive to provide a supportive, judgment-free space for students to safely explore their individual yoga practices. Committed to bringing deep relaxation into the lives of my students, I also specialize in Yoga Nidra as well as other forms of Guided Meditation. Finally, as a passionate explorer, I have recently hiked the 1200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail in my home-state of Wisconsin, travel internationally as often as possible and have led a yoga retreat abroad. “Practicing yoga is a privilege. And with this privilege comes a duty to be kind, to share a smile, and to offer the yoga from the mat into the rest of your life.” Maty Ezraty
Hunter (sub)
Yoga Instructor | CYT 200
I was never athletic growing up, but once I started college I found that I needed something to help ground me and relieve stress. During that time I fell in love with yoga. Yoga is an outlet that allows me to honor my body by adjusting my practice based on how I am feeling that day. For me yoga is not about just rolling out my mat and moving through a flow; but rather a way of life. Through yoga I’ve learned to slow down, breathe and walk through my daily life in a different manner.
I became certified in July of 2021 in beautiful Costa Rica. As an instructor I love creating challenging, dynamic, and nourishing flows that allow yogis to move their bodies without judgment or expectation. I strive to create an environment that allows students to drop out of their minds and into their bodies, truly moving through their practice as they need.
Jenn (sub)
Yoga Instructor | RYT 200
I live in pursuit of the perpetual challenge and I capitalize on the gifts with which I have been blessed. I have been blessed to be a good teacher, communicator, leader, mentor and friend. I live in a constant state of energy and have been classified as the “energizer bunny” as I keep going and going. My classes are filled with energy and positivity.
I want people to focus on what they like about themselves. If you focus on the attributes that you like about yourself, you will focus on your energy to create more appreciation for yourself and others. I stared doing yoga for just that reason, I wanted to like myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have always struggled with self-image and confidence internally. Yoga has helped me to accept, live and breathe, embracing ALL OF ME!
I will always be generous with praise and quick to smile when you come to class. I can lighten your spirit and celebrate every achievement with you, and I will bring out the positivity in all situations.
It is good to be alive, life is fun, and no matter what the setbacks, we must never lose our sense of gratitude. I am thankful for yoga in my life and I hope to share my teaching gift with each class.
Karley
Yoga Instructor | RYT 500
I fell in love with yoga in high school and have not stopped practicing since. I am now a 500-hour certified yoga instructor. I received my 200-hour certification in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Then I received my 300-hour certification in Rishikesh, India. I have spent the last year traveling the world, meeting new people and tasting amazing food. Eventually, I found my way back home to Wisconsin. I enjoy spending time in nature- I especially enjoy the forest areas and the lakes that Wisconsin has to offer.
Krissy
Yoga Instructor | E-RYT 200
Krissy Zegers found yoga over 20 years ago when in college trying to find a 1 credit class that was going to be fun. Well, that was just the beginning! Krissy completed that first yoga training in 2003. Completing her first 200-hour training in 2008, and shortly after, her second. Since then, she has spent time deepening her knowledge and attended training in various aspects of yoga.
Krissy is an energy worker, Yoga and Life Coach and Core Functional Fitness Instructor as well. She likes to blend energy and functionality in the asana practice to help people discover what is possible in their bodies. She loves working with people that are a little intimidated by all the handstands and pretzel bends to find a practice that works for their bodies.
Melissa
Yoga Instructor | RYT 200
I started practicing yoga 10 years ago. My love, respect, and understanding for yoga deepened over the last 5 years as I became in tune with the healing effects yoga has on my body emotionally and physically.
Restorative yoga and a gentle slow yoga flow was recommended to me by my Ayurvedic practitioner as part of my emotional and physical healing journey. Restorative yoga taught me how to listen to my body and led to a release of deeply stored emotions affecting my physical health. I believe our bodies hold on to emotions and store them deep in our bodies until we acknowledge them and release them. I believe in the power yoga has on releasing emotional pain and stress, reducing anxiety, and improving overall wellness.
I am passionate about the mind - body - spirit connection and the energy within all of us. My personal journey has led me to a holistic healing approach working with an Ayurvedic practitioner, Reiki practitioner, Sound healing, and Shamanic healing.
My yoga certifications include a 200 hour yoga teacher and Yoga Body Bootcamp certifications through Grace Under Fire Yoga, a 40 hour Trauma Informed certification through My Vinyasa Practice, and a 95 hour children’s yoga teacher certification with a trauma informed focus through Yoga Ed. I am in the process of completing my 300 hour yoga teacher certification through My Vinyasa Practice. I also received my Reiki Master Training through Arise Balanced Wellness.
My goal is for every student at all levels of experience to feel welcome and comfortable by providing a safe, nurturing space. I enjoy teaching a variety of classes including Restorative, All Levels, and Gentle All Levels. The learner in me is constantly seeking to learn more and expand what I offer within my classes. As a reiki practitioner I also enjoy combining energy healing and yoga.
I look forward to sharing my gifts with you!
Sarah
Yoga Instructor | CYT 200
Sarah has been teaching yoga since 2001, starting at the YMCA in Green Bay, then at a YMCA in the Los Angeles area as the Health and Fitness Director while also teaching at a local studio, then in the suburbs of Chicago, where she taught at many area studios, businesses, sports teams, private clients & events, and was a Lululemon Ambassador for 4 years. Sarah has several yoga certifications, including studying with Beth Shaw (2002) and Rolf Gates (2012) and is also a certified mat pilates instructor and Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga instructor as well. Sarah loves a yoga practice that is flowy, intentional, fun, and free. She believes that your yoga practice is just that-it is YOURS-and there is no right or wrong way to practice your yoga! Sarah feels that yoga should be a celebration; an opportunity to move through all the sticky grippies in our lives that hold us back or weigh us down… that ultimately our yoga mats are a place where we can and should feel strong, confident, beautiful, graceful, empowered, and enough.
Sarah is a mom of 3, wife, friend, sister, daughter, yogini, chooser of happiness, celebrator of the beautiful simple moments, and always a student! She loves mindful movement, being outdoors, cooking, laughing, spending time with family & friends, reading, and being on or near the water. What inspires Sarah most is guiding students on their mats in mindful movements that help them find peace, strength, love, and their own unique shine in the world off their mats as well. Sarah is so excited to practice with you and can’t wait to see you on your mat!