“People aren’t your most important asset. They’re your only asset.”
One of the best people leaders I’ve ever worked with
Sunny Street’s faculty is comprised of a diverse family of individuals with unique areas of expertise, backgrounds and styles, all sharing a deep connection to yoga and a genuine caring for their students. Read on to learn more about these fabulous folks with whom we are lucky indeed to be working.
Alison Gurevich
E-RYT-500, YACEP
Alison is based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has received additional specialized trained in teaching meditation, yoga for seniors, chair yoga, aerial yoga (level 2), and yoga for osteoporosis (the Fishman sequence). She loves working with people at all ages and stages of life to explore what and where yoga can bring them, and is passionate about the balance of yang (power/vinyasa) with yin in both her teaching and personal practice.
She began practicing yoga as a teenager in Florida, and thirty years later can regularly be found on her mat and at trainings, yoga festivals, and events, continuing to grow her practice and seeking the best to share with others. In addition to regularly teaching a variety of traditional yoga classes, Alison also offers weekend yoga retreats, class series, and a wide variety of workshops on everything from head stands to mala making and meditation.
The one-of-a-kind malas she offers can be found at @alikatcreations and www.alikatcreations.com.
Blake Podeszwa
RYT-200
I began my yoga journey in 2018 as a way to “get back out there” after a 5 year relationship had ended. Little did I know what the practice had in store for me! A Sunday flow and meditation class was the start to what would be my holistic healing. In those early days a self competitive nature drove my desire to master poses and be a “good yogi.” As anyone just starting out can attest, yogic poses are extremely challenging. It was in physical practice that emotions began to surface, ranging from unsettling anger to intense joy. Though I couldn’t see it at the time, the introspective nature of those physical postures were helping peel back a lifetime of Samskaras one by one. Over time I began making decisions that better served me in all aspects of life.
Yoga served as exercise, therapy, and meditation, impacting my overall well-being and bringing balance. I’m so thankful for the teachers who inspired me and shared wisdom that kept bringing me back to my mat again and again.
Yoga means Union, and the interconnectedness of this integrative practice encompasses physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. It addresses the WHOLE person. That’s what I want to bring to my students. Teachings to open their bodies, hearts and minds in a way that brings balance and peace to their lives.
Elissa Day
E-RYT 200
Elissa began her yoga practice in 1990. Her first introduction to yoga was with the Iyengar style which focused on alignment. As she progressed, she was drawn to a Vinyasa flow where she felt more comfortable. Gradually gaining strength and a true passion she found a real direction in her practice which allowed her to find physical strength and mental awareness.
In May 2021 she completed her 200-Hour Vinyasa Yoga teacher training. Currently she is able to combine all her skills to make the practice of yoga accessible to all her students.
From 1999 to 2016 Elissa was a Massage Therapist in Northern California. During this time, she was able continue her training in workshops including Ayurveda, Reiki, Huna principles and Lomi Lomi massage.
Elissa’s personal interest include baking, cycling, hiking, photography and travel.
Hamad Shirazi
M.S.Ed.
Hamad Shirazi is a wellness consultant and fitness coach. He leads individuals toward optimal health and performance by focusing on body-mind intelligence and a balanced lifestyle. Hamad earned a B.S.Ed. in Exercise & Sport Science from the University of Georgia and a M.S.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami. Additionally, he is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer and trained by the C.H.E.K Institute as a Holistic Lifestyle Coach. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University.
Hamad’s personal experience includes healing from traumatic experiences and overcoming health challenges; while his professional experience spans over ten years of results with clients and leadership roles with wellness centers. He has hosted classes, workshops, events and retreats to educate, inspire, and empower the community. Hamad prioritizes spiritual, mental, and physical integration with the goal of helping individuals become the healthiest and strongest version of themselves.
Kim Hamilton
RYT-200
I am a yoga instructor and holistic health coach based in the Atlanta area. Growing up as a severe asthmatic and being frequently hospitalized throughout childhood gave me a deep appreciation for pranayama and how yoga is centered around the breath.
At the age of 3 I began dancing where I learned early on the importance of cultivating a mind/body connection and remaining physically fit through exercise and proper nutrition. One central aspect of yoga and meditation that has always appealed to me is how the mind and body come together to create mindful action on and off the mat in daily life.
I completed my 200hr yoga teacher training certification at Peachtree Yoga where I learned the history of pranayama, practical & subtle anatomy, and yoga philosophy. I received my nutrition specialist certification through ACE Education. I use these tools, along with my BFA in Theatre and Performance Studies to create thoughtful yoga sequences and calming breath work practices to a variety of different students.
For years I’ve been teaching yoga and meditation for corporations such as Kaiser Permanente, Excellence in Exercise, and a number of different studios in the Atlanta area. It elates me to help performance artists warm up before a show or unwind afterward. It brings me great joy when students express how much my teachings have enhanced their art, their work, and their daily lives.
I’ve devoted my energy to these credentials because of my lifelong passion for helping people live their healthiest lives. I want to evoke a positive, peaceful feeling that motivates people to take charge of their health and become the very best version of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
My favorite classes to teach are based on personal requests of the students. So if someone requests to learn a specific pose or focus on a particular body part or is working on overcoming an injury, or wants a mental focus, I enjoy tailoring the sequence towards their needs. If a student has a specific problem they want addressed, I make sure to integrate that into the class. I always offer quotes and mindful suggestions that reflect yoga philosophy so they can integrate into their work in their daily life. All my classes no matter how active or passive they may be are centered around the breath, so every flow becomes moving meditation.
Lilian Leone
E-RYT-500, YACEP
Embark on a transformative journey with Lilian Leone, an internationally certified yoga teacher dedicated to holistic well-being.
In 2006, I discovered the profound impact of yoga when seeking a meaningful change in my life. Overcoming personal challenges, I initially embraced Bikram Yoga, and within three years, the daily practice became an integral part of my
lifestyle. Yearning for a new challenge, I delved into Ashtanga Yoga in 2009, marking the beginning of a continuous journey of growth. In 2013, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training, earning the
RYT-200 credential, and have since obtained my E-RYT 500 certification through additional teaching and training. My passion for Ashtanga, anatomy, movement, and the mental benefits of yoga has led me to study under renowned teachers such as David William, David Robinson, Taylor Hunt, Tymi Howard Bender, and Kino MacGregor.
For me, yoga is the art of harmonizing strength with flexibility, exertion with release. My classes blend Ashtanga Vinyasa with a focus on both strength and mobility, promising a session where you’ll move, sweat, and breathe. As a dynamic and compassionate teacher, I am deeply invested in your healing journey. My teaching philosophy centers around fostering self-empowerment and self-awareness in every student.
Join me on the mat, and let’s cultivate a harmonious balance of mind, body, and spirit together.
Namaste
2,000+ teaching hours
10,000+ self practice hours
Stacy Joslin
E-RYT 200 / RYT-500 / YACEP, NBC-HWC, FMCHC, CCWS, MBA
Hi. I’m Stacy, owner of Sunny Street Yoga. I’m a mom, partner, wellness advocate, yogi, and longtime corporate warrior.
I’m a proud Pittsburgh native, and came to Atlanta in 2018 after having lived and worked in several states, most notably New Jersey and South Florida. I’ve spent the last 20+ years in strategic operations and consulting with large-scale corporations (hence the moving), and a few years ago decided to make a long-overdue left turn into wellness. I first earned certification as a functional medicine health coach, (FMCHC) and began my coaching business prior to becoming a yoga teacher. I’ve recently added certifications as both a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Corporate Wellness Specialist to that list in order to better help individuals nurture their overall wellbeing and to support companies in nurturing their colleagues. I offer coaching and consulting under the entity SweetPea Wellbeing, as well as through Sunny Street.
From the yoga side of things, I completed my 500-hour certification from Asheville Yoga Center, and am also certified as a mindfulness practitioner with Mindful Leader and a trauma-informed yoga teacher with the Veteran’s Yoga Project. I love supporting my clients’ mind-body-spirit wellness as both a yoga teacher and wellbeing coach, and am happy to be able to combine all of these elements in Sunny Street.
The amazing faculty and I would love to see you at Sunny Street Yoga and get to know you better. Feel free to explore the site to learn more about us, our classes and our culture.
See you on the mat!
Mechelle Tunstall
RYT-200
Mechelle grew up in London, England. She made her way to the United States with her mum and younger brother, when she was 12. Always involved in a sport of some sort, Mechelle loved to move. Her official movement studies began at the University of Houston, in Texas. Intrigued by the power of movement, she switched her major from biochemistry to dance, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. From Texas, to Arizona, and then the Bay Area, Mechelle has performed and choreographed, while concurrently working as a paralegal.
In 2016, Mechelle moved to Georgia, continuing her dance career. That same year, she became part of the CorePower Yoga community as a studio experience team member and her love of yoga began. She completed her 200-hour RYT in 2017, and has been exploring yoga ever since. She shares her love of movement with her daughter. Their curiosity has led them to teaching family yoga classes, kids’ movement classes and parties.
When Mechelle is not teaching, she is enjoying life with her family. Sharing her passion for yoga, dance, reading, and film with her kiddo. Rarely can they be found still. Almost always together, and almost always moving.