“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
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.
Glenda McCarty
Ph.D., RYT-200
Yoga has been a daily part of my life for over 12 years, and my practice has helped me grow mentally and physically stronger, improve flexibility, and be courageous, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live each moment more relaxed, mindful, and peaceful.
My family and I moved to Dunwoody in 2021 and shortly after our move I found Sunny Street Yoga. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every class, instructors, and my time as a student at the studio. Now, I am excited to offer yoga classes here. In my classes, I love to accommodate all individual needs and make yoga accessible for all.
I completed my RYT-200 from Asheville Yoga Center in 2019 and continue to learn and grow from yoga classes, workshops, and other yogis.
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.
Jenni Gruher
RYT-200
Yoga simply began as a physical workout for me. I kept coming back to the mat because my body was getting stronger. The more I felt and experienced the inner journey and the mind-body-spirit union that yoga offers, the more I was able to understand how transformative this practice is.
I completed my 200 hr. YTT training with Dorje Yoga. I also combined my love and passion for kids and yoga and became a certified kids yoga teacher through Kidding Around Yoga. My intention through each class adults and kids alike is to leave my students feeling inspired and empowered, and full of gratitude, peace, calm, love, joy, connection, balance, and fun! This practice has so much healing and love to offer if you are open to receiving it. I am reminded through yoga to live life in the present, mindfully, one breath at a time.
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-200, YACEP
I discovered Yoga in 2006. At that time I was overweight and felt terrible, my health was not good and I was looking for a more meaningful life. My first yoga class was Bikram Yoga. I practiced it for about 3 years every single day, and very quickly, the daily practice became an important part of my life.
I was ready for the next challenge. In 2009 I tried Ashtanga Yoga. In 2013, I took my 200-hour yoga teacher training and earned my RYT-200 credential. From that moment on I never stop studying and learning more about Ashtanga, anatomy, movement and the mental benefits of yoga. I’ve trained with leading yoga, anatomy, and philosophy teachers including David William, David Robinson, Taylor Hunt, Tymi Howard Bender, and Kino MacGregor.
For me Yoga is about the balance between strength and flexibility, exertion, and release. My classes combine both strength and mobility work in an Ashtanga Vinyasa style. Expect to move, sweat, and breathe. I am a dynamic and also very compassionate teacher with a true regard for my students’ healing. I love to encourage self-empowerment and self–awareness in them.
I hope to meet you on the mat soon!
Namaste
Olivia Shoffner
RYT-200
Olivia has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 2. She earned her 200 hour YTT via The Uplifted Online Yoga Teacher Trainings with Brett Larkin. Her practice has evolved from an Ashtanga based flow to a more meditative, healing, and patient companion. For the last 10 years, her focus has turned more inward, as she has truly started practicing with her breath and listening more to her body.
She brings certain elements of her learnings to the mat. The practices of meditation, pranayama, and asana are all parts of her current practice. She has a sacred morning routine, which can involve essential oils, journaling, and understanding messages revealed to her by an oracle card deck. She has recently been working more with the Divine Feminine, her intuition and energy, and building small, sustainable habits that will help her continue to create the life she wants.
Olivia has participated in yoga retreats and workshops, reiki sessions, women’s circles, moon clubs, and continues to be a student as well as a teacher. She lives with her husband, Joe, and her 8 year old son, Henry. She enjoys volunteering with her family in the community via Pebble Tossers and cheering on her son as he continues his second year in soccer with the United Futbol Academy in Norcross.
Shilpa Krishnan
Ph.D., RYT-200
Shilpa grew up practicing yoga and principles of yoga in Mumbai, India. Shilpa is trained as a physical therapist and has a PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. She believes that yoga benefits everybody regardless of sex, age, ethnicity/race, or abilities and intentionally curates her classes for all. Shilpa received her yoga teacher training certification from Peachtree Yoga Center.
Stacy Joslin
RYT-500, FMCHC, CCWS, MBA
Hi. I’m Stacy, owner of Sunny Street Yoga. I’m a mom, partner, wellness advocate, yogi, and 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. 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!
Teni Butler
RYT-200
I received my RYT-200 training at Asheville Yoga Center under the direction of Stephanie Keach. Yoga helps me maintain some sense of balance and centeredness in the chaos of what modern day life looks like – health, home, job, family, laundry… the list goes on! I love sharing yoga with others who have the same goals of finding space and grace to move through life a little more calmly and clearly. Yoga is an incredible way to bring ourselves back into our bodies and to cultivate gratitude and compassion for ourselves so that we can begin to extend that gratitude and compassion to others around us. I look forward to sharing what I have learned through my yoga journey, and I hope to continuing learning with and from those who practice with me how to face the world with more ease and grace.