Meet Our Inspiring Grads Making an Impact in Their Communities
At Soma Yoga Institute, we are honored to see our graduates thrive, offering not just yoga but holistic wellness services that transform lives. These amazing individuals are integrating their yoga knowledge into diverse therapeutic approaches, becoming leaders in their communities. Whether you’re interested in yoga for personal growth or looking to embark on a professional journey, our graduates demonstrate the many possibilities that can unfold after completing your Yoga Teacher Training. We’re excited to introduce them and share how their experiences at Soma have shaped their paths.
Meet Elaine Santos: Yoga and Wellness Coaching for Stress Relief and Self-Compassion
Elaine Santos is a Certified Wellness Coach, Imagery Practitioner, and Yoga Teacher. She offers yoga classes, workshops, and one-on-one coaching programs. Her personal journey with yoga shifted when she discovered its true value for stress relief and self-compassion. Through her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Soma Yoga Institute, Elaine deepened her connection to the mind-body-spirit aspects of yoga. Now, this connection deeply influences her teaching and wellness coaching.
In her own words: “While immersed in this training, I experienced less anxiety and depression. I felt more connected to my spiritual self. My own practice was enriched, and I gained more confidence in teaching.”
One of Elaine’s signature offerings is her Stress Relief Package. It includes three deeply relaxing, one-on-one imagery sessions designed to help you access your inner guide, restore your vital energy, and cultivate harmony in the body and mind. Whether you’re new to guided imagery or have been practicing for years, these virtual sessions are a wonderful addition to your self-care and wellness routine.
Learn more about Elaine’s offerings:
Elaine’s Stress Relief Package
Meet Jarod: Integrating Yoga and Therapy for Holistic Healing
Jarod is a master’s level clinician certified in EMDR, yoga (RYT 200), and qigong/tai chi. Using these diverse modalities to support clients in achieving personal growth and meaningful change. Through his work, Jarod focuses on the mind-body-spirit connection, helping individuals leverage their internal resources and develop their potential. His therapeutic approach integrates yoga and body practices, allowing clients to explore both physical and emotional healing.
His experience with Soma Yoga Institute’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training helped him incorporate therapeutic yoga into his practice. He particularly appreciated the focus on the musculoskeletal system and how to teach yoga to different demographics.
Says the graduate in his own his own words: “The dynamic curriculum and the fantastic teachers were easily my favorite parts of the training. I now know that yoga, like the qi arts in TCM, is both scientific and artful, a way to open up the whole of human life to a person. I’m inspired to use yoga as a tool for personal development and to help others access its benefits.”
Additionally, Jarod works with clients who seek holistic healing. He offers a blend of body-based practices, EMDR, and traditional therapeutic approaches to help them find balance, purpose, and resilience.
Learn more about Jarod’s offerings:
Jarod’s Therapy & Yoga
Meet Bre: Personal Development and Holistic Wellness
Bre, a graduate of the 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training, combines yoga with personal development tools such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Through her Soma training, Bre deepened her knowledge of anatomy and alignment, which has allowed her to create well-rounded programs that support both physical and mental transformation.
In her own words: “The training gave me the confidence to teach and help people relax. The community and live training sessions were a life-changing experience that I now incorporate into my personal development coaching.”
Bre offers tools like the Best Self Bundle, as well as private coaching sessions to help clients reprogram limiting beliefs and become the best version of themselves.
Check out Bre’s services:
Bre’s Wellness Coaching
Meet Emily Kraus – Bachniak: Yoga for Hypermobility and Pain Relief
Emily Kraus – Bachniak, a Therapeutic Yoga Instructor, specializes in helping individuals with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and chronic pain through slow, mindful yoga sessions. Emily’s experience at Soma Yoga Institute enhanced her understanding of alignment principles, which she now integrates into her teaching to help clients safely navigate their physical limitations and build strength.
Says the graduate in her own words: “The alignment principles helped me develop asana in my body and made me better at explaining poses to others. I am so grateful for this experience.”
Emily offers both online and in-person sessions, guiding her clients through personalized yoga practices to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Learn more about Emily’s services:
Emily’s Virtual Yoga Studio
Meet Danielle Vaccaro: Therapeutic Yoga for Chronic Pain
Danielle Vaccaro is a graduate of the 200-Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training at Soma Yoga Institute in Hawaii, where she gained a therapeutic mindset that has been instrumental in her work with chronic pain. With her extensive background in Exercise Physiology and personal experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Danielle combines her knowledge to offer holistic movement and yoga programs that support those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other chronic conditions. Soma’s training equipped her with tools to help clients manage pain and restore balance to their nervous systems.
In her own words: “The safe, supportive space created during the training helped me feel confident to guide others. Now, I use what I learned to empower people dealing with chronic pain to improve their quality of life.”
Danielle offers 1:1 coaching, virtual classes, and group programs specifically tailored to individuals with chronic conditions.
Learn more about Danielle’s work:
Danielle’s Movement Program
Meet Linda: Executive Coaching with a Therapeutic Yoga Twist
Linda integrates therapeutic yoga and executive coaching to help women in leadership positions achieve professional and personal balance. As a graduate of the 200-Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training at Soma Yoga Institute, Linda fell in love with Yoga Nidra and restorative yoga, which she now incorporates into her coaching sessions. Her training at Soma taught her how to help clients reconnect with their bodies and minds, making her coaching approach truly holistic.
In her own words: “The knowledge I gained in restorative yoga and yoga philosophy was transformative. It helps me guide clients to align their physical and mental development, allowing them to thrive in both work and life.”
Linda offers transcendental executive coaching and therapeutic yoga to women, blending business, body, and mind in her practice.
Discover Linda’s Executive Coaching:
Executive Coaching for Women
Meet Jackie Jones: Art Therapy, Yoga, and Holistic Wellness
Jackie Jones, owner of Flourish Momentum, uses a blend of art therapy, yoga, and energy healing to offer holistic wellness services. As a graduate of the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Soma, Jackie gained a strong foundation in alignment and therapeutic principles, which she now uses to guide clients dealing with chronic pain and trauma.
In her own words: “The alignment focus in the training was perfect for me. It not only helped me practice and teach safer yoga but also enhanced my ability to connect yoga with healing modalities.”
Jackie provides therapeutic wellness programs for both individuals and groups, focusing on holistic support for chronic conditions.
Learn more about Jackie’s work:
Flourish Momentum
Meet Melanie: Creating Peaceful and Restorative Yoga Spaces
Melanie, a graduate of our 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training, specializes in gentle and restorative yoga asanas. Her classes are designed to help students relax, de-stress, and reconnect with their bodies. Through Soma Yoga Institute’s training, Melanie gained a deeper understanding of the therapeutic side of yoga, which she now brings to her teaching, ensuring her classes are accessible to all.
In her own words: “Learning about all the limbs of yoga transformed me and my journey. The training helped me find new ways to manage anxiety through asanas and breath work, which I now share with my students.”
Melanie also offers tailored corporate wellness sessions and private 1:1 classes, helping individuals build strength, flexibility, and balance.
Learn more about Melanie’s offerings:
Melanie’s Corporate Yoga Program
Meet Alyssa Martinez: Gut Health and Empowerment Holistic Coaching for Wome
Alyssa Martinez, a Certified Health & Life Coach and Yoga Teacher, focuses on improving women’s gut health and energy through intuitive eating and holistic practices. As a graduate of our Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training at Soma Yoga Institute expanded her understanding of chakras and anatomy, allowing her to integrate these concepts into her health coaching practice.
In her own words: “Learning about the physical and emotional ties between anatomy and chakras was fascinating. This training has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and now I’m using what I’ve learned to help others.”
Alyssa offers personalized coaching programs to help women improve their digestive health, energy, and overall well-being.
Learn more about Alyssa’s coaching:
Alyssa’s Holistic Wellness Coaching
What’s Your Next Step?
After completing a Yoga Teacher Training, your path can unfold in many exciting directions. Whether you’re looking to teach, deepen your personal practice, or integrate yoga into other wellness services, our graduates are shining examples of the endless possibilities.
