Meet Our Poughkeepsie Teachers

Amy Frances (she/her) can’t call to memory her first yoga class, but she remembers what she’d been looking for when she found it . . . Church. As a child growing up in the Catholic Church, that became her first connection to collective consciousness (not that she was aware of it at the time). As a yoga student, Amy connected to that same feeling of being deeply grounded, weightless and liberated, all while being in community.  

“I want to bring people into the asana practice so they might be introduced to themselves, and an entirely new world around them. My inner landscape has changed dramatically, and therefore my relationship to the external, simply by showing up to breathe. It feels important to share that great shifts can occur by becoming aware of your breath and choosing ease, choosing grace.”

Amy has completed two 200hr teacher certifications at Vera Yoga in New York City, and the Newburgh Yoga Shala.

Instagram:

@crumbswithfranny 

 Arianna is a dance teacher, freelance dancer, singer, and a passionate creator born, raised and currently residing in Pleasant Valley, NY. Arianna teaches at the local dance studio. She loves working with children and is grateful for how much they have taught her about life and herself. In 2019, she received a BA in Dance from Hunter College and shortly after studied at a professional dance training program with the Limon Dance Company. Her love for yoga started while she was in college and grew through the pandemic years.

She has a passion for reading and learning about ancient scripture and yogic philosophy. In her free time, Arianna enjoys going on solo hikes as a way to connect deeper to nature. She finds profound meaning in putting oneself in unconventional situations, an example being spending time barefoot in the pouring rain. Arianna loves to connect with new humans through teaching and hopes to inspire others to connect with their bodies and their minds in a deeper way; “To stay connected to the present moment, and to lead with love.” Arianna believes that yoga is for everybody and everyBODY and aims to create a safe and inclusive space for all people to practice the art of yoga.   

She has completed both her 200 Hour and Yin & Restorative with Stone Wave Yoga’s Teacher Training Programs

Instagram:

@arnesandnoble

Bridget is a firm believer that yoga is for all bodies and everybody. She discovered yoga at first as part of a fitness routine, but quickly began to realize the great emotional, spiritual, and mental benefits of her yoga practice. Bridget completed her 200-hour and 300-hour teacher trainings as well as Yin/Restorative training through Stone Wave Yoga. In addition, she has completed a 100-hour training through YogaFaith. Bridget is an Occupational Therapist working with children. She specializes in working with children with different sensory processing needs and has training in teaching yoga to children with diverse needs through Asanas for Autism and Special Needs. Off the mat, Bridget spends much of her free time in nature, spending as much time outside hiking or kayaking as possible. She is also an animal lover and “dog mom” to her doxie mix Josie. 

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” ― B.K.S Iyengar

Instagram: 

@BridgetMarrineYoga

Courtney is a certified 200 hour yoga teacher with a side certification in Hot 26. She has been an athlete all her life and has been practicing yoga for 10 years. She loves the peace of mind that yoga brings and also the physical challenge of pushing beyond limits. Yoga has brought a sense of self love and care, confidence, and strength to her- she hopes to bring that to you in class.

Off the mat, you can catch her as an account manager for a fashion software startup or browsing the newest reads at the local bookstore.

Instagram:

@loveyouwongtime

 Jessica Sarrantonio has practiced Yoga on and off for about 13 years. After returning to Yoga in 2020 to successfully manage her neck and back pain, Jessica decided to pursue her 200 YTT at Stone Wave Yoga to learn how to spread the wealth of Yoga. She completed her 200 hour certification and then her 100 hour Hot 26 certification. She is a Sensei ranking as a San Dan 3rd Degree Black Belt. Outside of the Yoga Studio she can be found lifting and running. Jessica is a Tourism Operations Manager at Dutchess Tourism and enjoys learning and sharing about the amazing attractions and sites in the Hudson Valley. She is passionate about sustainable living for self, earth, and others. As an India enthusiast who has lived, worked, and travelled extensively throughout India. In 2025 she led a 2-week immersive Yoga Yatra (Journey) to India. Jessica is pursuing her 100 hour Yoga Philosophy certification with the Yoga Philosophy Institute. 

Instagram:

@behumandoyoga

 Hi! I’m Kara Prichard and I’m an RYT-500 and certified Yin and Restorative yoga teacher. I started practicing yoga during my senior year of college and I immediately fell in love with it. I took my first teacher training program soon after I started practicing and there is nothing I love more than sharing yoga with others. I hope to offer space for students to challenge themselves in their yoga practice, as well as offer space to slow down and embrace stillness. Off the mat, you can find me in the mountains hiking. 

Instagram:

@karaaadise

Hi! I am Kate, the founder of Rooted Yoga & Rooted Yoga Poughkeepsie! I am a ERYT - 200 /RYT- 500 and have a deep love for vinyasa, yin/restorative, Hot-26 and Hot Pilates. I found yoga when I was in a very dark place at 17 and I am forever thankful for yoga saving me. I've practiced for 15+ years and decided to start sharing the magic of yoga to others in 2019. I love a challenging class that helps guide you gently out of your comfy zone but also a juicy yin/restorative to help melt away your day.

If I'm not in the studio, you can find me traveling the world, outside or eating some delicious food!

Instagram:

@katelynn_bee 

My love for yoga began 18 years ago with a simple DVD. Over the years, my practice remained mostly at home, but my connection to yoga deepened. Through every chapter of life, yoga—my mat, my breath—was there to guide me, and at times, carry me through.

About four years ago, I stepped into something entirely new—something I never imagined myself doing: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Boxing. Mornings began with yoga, evenings ended with these dynamic practices. I fell in love with it all. My warm-ups and cool-downs were rooted in Asanas. It became clear—yoga was a part of me.

This new passion opened the door for me to pursue a long-held dream: to teach.

Yoga has brought calm to many of my storms. My hope is that, by sharing this beautiful practice (along with other forms of self care )  it can do the same for others—while always honoring its roots.

Instagram:

@MadNat05

I have been an active person my whole life, enjoying sports like tennis, cycling and running. It was about 15 years ago that I first became a fitness instructor, teaching Pilates as a way to increase core strength and help prevent injury. The focus on breath and the therapeutic benefits of movement was a natural conduit to yoga. I have been teaching yoga every since gaining my 200 hour YTT in 2023, and I continue to teach Pilates as well as traditional vinyasa and the Hot 26 series. When I am not on the mat, I am either on a court, walking my dog, or hiking in this gorgeous area we call home.

Instagram:

@savynavi