Our Teachers
John Salisbury
John is a master vinyasa teacher and teaches with undeniable technique, clear language, and warm laughter. He has been teaching Vinyasa Yoga since 2000, in which he has helped open multiple yoga studios, participated in several teacher-training programs, and currently teaches workshops throughout the country. Uniquely, John is the proud owner of two dogs and a cat. When John isn't teaching, his favorite thing to do is spend time with his son Ryder and golfing.
Anton Mackey
Anton believes the practice of yoga transforms us, by looking inward and creating a deeper connection to our soul we lead healthier happier lives. He loves reading about different traditions, religions and spiritual practices. Additionally, he dedicates time studying to deepen his understanding of the energetic and anatomical body. His personal spiritual practice is an ever expanding understanding of himself and his place in this amazing universe.
Anton blends a challenging feminine flow with masculine power and infuses spirituality insight designed to inspire students to reach their highest selves. Expect to move with the breath through mindful sequences and unique transitions while receiving detailed instruction on anatomical alignment. Prepare for core exercises, arm balances, inversions, deep stretches, hands on adjustments and insightful pointers aimed to strengthen your physical and spiritual practice.
Anton received his BS degree in anatomy and physiology from Arizona State University. He also earned a Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification and completed his 200-hour yoga certification through At One Yoga. Peace, Love and Kindness.
Courtney Fox
Courtney found Yoga about 10 years ago, and the practice has transformed her life both on and off the mat. As a former competitive gymnast, she understands the importance of balancing work & play. She views yoga as an ongoing journey and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and energy with others. Courtney believes the physical and spiritual practice is key to living a happy, vibrant life.
She earned her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification at Dave's Astanga Yoga and her 300-hour Certification at Modern Yoga Scottsdale. She has also completed training with master Ashtanga teachers such as David Swenson, Tim Miller, and Maty Ezraty. She constantly attends workshops and trainings to continue her education and grow as a teacher.
In her classes, she blends movement with breath and uses unique, mindful transitions and insightful alignment cues, while remaining playful and inspiring. Courtney strives to strengthen her students' spiritual and physical practice by focusing on the present. Her goal is to help others enhance their mind, body, and spirit through yoga so that they leave the mat feeling positive and ready to conquer anything.
Justine Levine
I started practicing yoga in 2002 on a whim, my roommate at the time had a 2 weeks for 20 and was going daily. At the time I had suffered a back injury and she thought it would help, she invited me and that was it, down the rabbit hole I went.
In my earlier years I was a competitive skateboarder, oddly enough yoga practice reminded me of skateboarding, the individuality, self expression and creativity. Needless to say I was hooked.
Through the years, 20 so far, yoga has always been a beacon of stability and pleasure, like most things the narrative shifts. But my love and dedication did not.
In 2010 I took my first teacher training, and have never stopped learning and absorbing this beautiful practice. It’s truly the thing that keeps me steady and happy and thirsty for more!
Dennis Abry
Dennis studied various styles of martial arts for two decades prior to taking his first yoga class at age 40. He primarily practices the Ashtanga Primary Series, but he also practices modern vinyasa. He completed David Swenson’s Ashtanga Primary Series teacher training and also earned his 200-hour yoga certification with John Salisbury.
Dennis respects the philosophical foundation of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras, but views human consciousness from a modern science perspective. He has taught psychology for 15 years and currently holds a residential faculty position at Scottsdale Community College. He earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Florida State University, a M.A. in education from the University of Illinois and is currently pursuing an M.A. in humanities (philosophy) at CSU-Dominguez Hills.
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Adam Maielua
If I could be anything I’d be a centaur. I see a smile in every moment. I see a laugh in every situation.
500 hour RYT with Dave Oliver. Full-time teaching for over 10 years.
Maybe we can learn from each other, maybe we can’t. But we can always have a good time!
Christina Taalla
Christina's appreciation of mindful movement started with a career in competitive gymnastics. From there, she went on to obtain her BS in Kinesiology (ASU) & spent many years teaching in the Pilates industry. In 2016, she took her first yoga class as a way to complement heavy amounts of daily strength training. Reminiscent of the feeling & clarity gymnastics always gave her, yoga eventually took over as her daily practice & she completed her 200hour training through Sumits in 2019 and later her 300hour through Modern Yoga. Christina loves to combine her love of alignment, anatomy & creativity through her sequencing & provide space for students' personal exploration and discovery. She knows the power the practice holds to transform physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually & enjoys observing students' own personal transformations. In her spare time, she enjoys experiencing & expanding her knowledge of various Yoga methodologies, traveling, and spending time with her 2 daughters.
Emma Pigeon
Emma has been regularly practicing yoga since 2016, when she found herself in a hot yoga class slightly by accident. The improved strength and flexibility paired with better stress management and body awareness kept drawing her back. She loves the way yoga takes her out of her head and into her body, which is what she aims to share with her students.
She completed her 200-hour training locally in Scottsdale in 2018 and an additional 300-hours of training in northern India in 2020. She teaches vinyasa style classes with a focus on alignment and creative sequencing. Her goal is for her students to feel good, learn something new, and have fun doing it. Emma believes in always remaining a student, so you can find her participating in workshops, continued education, and attending classes.
Desiree Grobstein
Desiree Grobstein, B.S., E-RYT, LMT Desiree fell in love with yoga as a teenager and began teaching in 2006 while working as a Child Life Specialist in Pediatrics. Her classes are always different, challenging, and packed with fun and fantastic music. She encourage students to stay present and dig deep. Coined saying- “Let your light shine so bright it inspires the world around you!” When she is not teaching, Desiree loves to spend time with her daughter, husband, and two dogs. She can be seen regularly rollerblading around town, listening to audiobooks and obsessively drinking coffee at LGO.
Favorite Quotes-
Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Dr. Seuss
Teisha Metz
Bentley Fazi
I Like many others, Bentley’s yoga journey began as a place to stretch and strengthen her body. She quickly fell in love with the practice, as she initially was able to witness the physical benefits first-hand. Over time, the less noticeable internal shifts slowly began to take shape as she dove deeper into her practice. A consistent practice over a few years culminated in a strong desire to gain more knowledge, insight, and appreciation for what the practice was giving her. In 2016, she left her full time job and completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training through Modern Yoga.
Her teachings incorporate elements of patience, understanding, and acceptance, but always including elements of challenge. She believes that our mats are a place for continual growth and that growth finds itself in those brief moments when you question yourself, “can I do it?” Bentley strives to cultivate an environment fueled with opportunities for self-discovery. A place to come as you are and take what you need. Incorporating unique sequencing and energizing flows are her peak passion, but ultimately creating that safe space for her students just to be, carry the most value and gratitude.
Donny Starkins
As a former Division I baseball player, Donny found yoga while searching for pain relief. He had eight knee operations during his playing career, and his mom, a dedicated yogi, continually encouraged him to join her for class. Finally, after much persuasion, he let go of pride and ego and tried his first class. He realized practicing yoga profoundly benefited not just the body, but also the mind and soul. Donny views yoga as one of biggest gifts in his life. He loves to share his passion and knowledge. He strives to teach a class that leaves you feeling inspired, aligned and present.
Donny has studied under Seane Corn, Rod Stryker, John Salisbury, Anton Mackey, Dave Oliver, Cheryl Oliver and Jenn Chiarelli. When he isn’t practicing or teaching, Donny enjoys spending quality time with family, friends and of course his dog, Roxy.
Angella Tortorici
Through her own life’s journey Angella found herself on her mat in need of a change. “Yoga is 100% my church on and off my mat” It teaches us to relate better to ourselves on a deeper level in order to relate to what is happening outside of our human bodies in a more gentle way. To reconnect to that place of love within. After all the healing and transformation it has brought her she knew that she had to share this gift. She leads her classes heart first, full of love. Breathe and dance inspired fluid vinyasa flow that will get you out of your head and into a space of feeling more with loving hands on adjustments. (If you don’t want to be touched, that’s cool , we can still be friends;) Angella completed her 200hr YTT at Dave’s Ashtanga in 2014 and then completed an additional 600 hours at The Spirit of Yoga in 2016. She is also certified in Yin, and Yoga Nidra. She is also a Certified Holistic Wellness and Nutrition Coach. When not teaching or practicing yoga you can find her canoodling with her rescue pup Kala.
Kristin Schneider
Ashten Wheeler
Ashten believes that the fundamentals of a strong yoga practice will benefit every aspect of your life on and off of the mat. Starting her practice as a little kiddo with her mom, it was evident she always belonged in the studio. Growing up as a competitive gymnast, she fell into the practice of yoga heavily when she realized her physical body was slowly getting broken down. Shortly after her time as a gymnast was done, she turned to yoga to heal her body and quiet her mind. It quickly became evident that the practice was so much more than physical and she wanted to gain as much knowledge as she could find.
She began practicing at At One Yoga and took her yoga teacher training in 2017 with John shortly after Modern opened. The idea is to move the body so that stillness becomes seamless, so that movement becomes meditation, and so that a room of strangers can become family. With Ashten’s degree in human anatomy and physiology, she creates a space for functional movement with deep intention. Each practice is moved through with purpose!
Isabelle Clarke
Isabelle began her love, study, and practice of yoga over 30 years ago, as well as exploring and studying meditation, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, the energy body and Eastern philosophies
She began teaching yoga 19 years ago after completing her 200hr teacher training program in 2002. After taking a yin workshop from Paul Grilley in 2004, Isabelle immediately fell in love with yin yoga as a way of deepening her yoga practice and quickly discovered the physical, energetic, mental, and emotional benefits of this practice. That began her deep study of yin yoga, the meridians, the energy body, and the Chinese 5 Element Theory.
Isabelle has been teaching yin yoga since 2005. She is also a recent graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. Her teaching emphasis is on creating and developing a foundation for her students to live and apply their yoga practice in all areas of life..inspiring them to discover their own unique abilities and strengths. Her passion for yoga is reflected in her classes and workshops where she creates an environment that is supportive, loving, fun, energizing, and peaceful! Isabelle’s classes make yoga accessible yet challenging to everyone, where students can find a joyful and loving connection to their breath, to conscious movement, and to the highest in themselves and in others.
Adrian Lesoing
My yoga journey began in January 2014. I developed a daily practice, which taught me to observe my thoughts. I quickly realized that I felt the most alive when I was on my yoga mat. This practice is like magic. Yoga has helped me overcome depression, and has awakened a deep passion I have for helping others. I received my 200hr yoga teacher certification in September 2014 at Yoga to the People in Tempe, AZ. In July 2018 I received my 300 hr yoga certification with John Salisbury at Modern Yoga in Scottsdale, AZ. Each time I teach yoga or meditation I feel great gratitude and fulfillment. My goal is to guide the practitioner through an energetic sequence that challenges them mentally and physical and allows them to tap into the best version of themselves. Outside of yoga I am a photographer, mommy to two fur babies, and spend time outdoors hiking and paddleboarding. I am very passionate about what I do and I look forward to my continued growth as an instructor.
Peter Bugg
Peter Bugg began his yoga practice in 2013, and completed his 200 hour yoga teacher training at Modern Yoga in 2017. He teaches around the valley and his personal practice includes mysore, ashtanga and vinyasa classes.
Donna Torres
Jeanne Staron
Teisha started her yoga journey 10 years ago as a way to keep moving her body. She started dancing at the age of two and continued through her life. Yoga is a way for her to continue challenging her body and strengthen her mind. She completed her 200hr and 300hr yoga teacher training at Modern Yoga. Along with that, she also did David Swenson’s Primary Series training when he visited Modern YogaTeisha has been teaching ballet for 21 years and loves working with the kids. As a ballet teacher, she bring focus to alignment in her yoga classes.
Kelly Goana
Kelly has been practicing yoga since 2011. With a background in social work, she was quickly drawn to the healing benefits of the practice. She completed her 200 hour training in 2014 and went on to complete her 300 hour training in 2016. Kelly enjoys teaching many different modalities of yoga across the valley, including private sessions and small groups. She is privileged and honored to contribute her time and experience to yoga teacher trainings as well. She is continually taking workshops and classes to improve her knowledge of yoga.