Meet Our Llama Leaders
Danielle LaSorsa RYT 200
Danielle is the founder of the Jolly Llama Yoga Studio. She has been practicing for two years and is RYT-200, Trauma & Addiction, and Barre certified.
During the summer of 2016, her practice was hindered by back pain. After a trip to the Dr. something was detected in her abdomen. After many appointments, endless scans, and a few biopsies later, extensive surgery was imminent. A large mass was removed and recovery began. Without her practice she wouldn’t be where she is today. She was able to center herself and persevere through every scary appointment and scan and biopsy. She used her breath to remain calm when cancer was talked about as a possibility. The Doctors remarked on her quick (reasonably) recovery. Through this experience she learned she was stronger than she thought, and she wanted to help others. Danielle started her journey wanting to simply create a fun yoga studio, and while that still holds true, she wants to use this opportunity to create a lifeline for those who might need it, create a community of support and love. She wants the jolly Llama to to be a space to focus, reflect, and enjoy life to its fullest.
Jackie Maloney E-RYT 200
further her education and have fun doing so. Her journey has brought her to the Jolly Llama
Jess Kennedy E RYT 200
Jess has a passion for yoga and kindness. She designs her classes for people to rediscover and explore their true selves. Her style is a flow mix for all levels because she feels that life is challenging in itself and as long as you show up, you are doing your best. She is certified in adult and children’s yoga and also addiction and trauma-trained.
Gabrielle LeBlanc E-RYT 200, YACEP
Linda Yu RYT 200
The practice of opening the mind, and aligning the physical body and spirit can be a humbling journey of greater awareness –both within one’s self and in context to the world. Linda strives to strengthen the awareness and the relationship between the body, mind and breath with her students. She believes that a yoga practice can be beneficial to begin for anyone and at any age. She draws from her experience as a fitness/health instructor of the past 15 years as well as her background in dance and music to generate flowing movement and postures in strong but balanced practices. She has been practicing and teaching yoga for the past 10 years. An avid equestrian, she spends her “extra” free time outside working with her ex-race horse, Cherokee Native.
Jennifer Walsh RYT 200
Sheila Masterson
Sheila was a yoga skeptic. Then a friend invited her to take a class.
Practicing helped Sheila through a tumultuous time in her life. She fell in love with the flow of the practice and the calm she felt leaving class.
A decade later, in 2015, she completed her 250-hour teacher training program with Yoga Life Institute and a 15-hour Mindful Resilience Teacher Training with the Veterans Yoga Project.
Sheila’s practice allowed her to stay healthy while training for her first half-marathon and many subsequent races. She experienced the healing that yoga and mindfulness can bring out into everyday life and is thrilled to bring that healing and joy to others.
Kayla Flynn
Kayla was first introduced to yoga and barre after graduating from college in 2010. She discovered that moving her body in a new way not only helped her body transform but help her restore mental focus and clarity. She enjoyed trying different classes and techniques and completed her barre certification in April 2015 and has been instructing ever since. Her goal is to create a positive and fun atmosphere while motivating her students to challenge themselves. Kayla is a Special Education Teacher and she is excited to bring her passion for teaching, and dedication to health and fitness to Jolly Llama!
Kathleen McAllister
Mallory Spener RYT 200
Mallory has been practicing yoga for about 3 years. She received her 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certification from Enso in March 2017. Her style of teaching tends to be a slow flow inspired mix of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. Mallory teaches a variety of yoga classes, from relaxing candlelight flow yoga and aerial, to hot power and sculpt yoga. She likes to focus on the importance of conscious breathing and awareness of sensations in any pose. Her goal is for students to feel present and curious as they tend to their unique mind, body, and spirit so that they can feel more integrated both on and off their mat. Mallory loves to spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors, travel, attend concerts, go to the movies, and read yoga related books. She has 3 wonderful cats and 2 loving dogs. Mallory loves yoga because it is a holistic practice the positively affects all areas of her life: mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and social. It helps her to stay mindful and grateful in her daily routine.
Joanna McGowan RYT 200
Joanna has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She began with prenatal yoga as a gentle way to stay in shape during pregnancy and quickly became hooked on the calmness and strength she found in the practice. After successfully using yoga as a method of calming and grounding with her children – in particular her oldest son who is severely affected by autism – she wanted to share the benefits of yoga, in particular with populations who might not otherwise have access. She completed her 200 hour teaching training at Enso in Media, PA, focusing on all-level vinyasa flow.
In addition to yoga, Joanna is passionate about nontoxic living, essential oils, and healthy Paleo recipes which she writes about on her website HolisticallyWhole.com.
Joanna believes one’s yoga practice is deeply personal, and hopes to share the message that yoga is achievable and beneficial for everyone. She is very excited to be part of the Jolly Llama family!
Rachael Alexaki RYT 200
Rachael stepped into her first yoga class four years ago to help ‘stretch’ her body after doing years of running, Cross-fit, and high intensity workouts. She quickly realized yoga not only improved her physical health, but also helped improve her mental and emotional health. She found herself better able to cope with the daily stresses of being a critical care nurse by creating an inner calmness and a greater connection to life. Rachael is a certified 200 RYT in a Baptiste style yoga. She likes to approach her classes with a sense of humor, and encourages people to find their ‘edge’ with an emphasis on proper body alignment. She also has a passion for animals and volunteers as a foster for Adopt a Boxer Rescue.
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