Shakti Yoga Instructors
ALL OF OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE CERTIFIED YOGA TEACHERS, COMMITTED TO OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE AS CONSCIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE.
Sofia Artola
Sofia Artola began her journey in 2000, and has since dedicated her time to explore, learn and share her experiences of the practice. She opened Shakti Yoga Studio in 2005, with a vision to offer a peaceful, happy and relaxed space for all to come and practice.
Sofia has studied with world renowned teachers, in ashrams both in the US and abroad, traveled to Nepal and India to explore the true essence of yoga and on to Thailand, where she studied Thai yoga massage. She has graduated from Sai Ayurvedic College and Wellness Center with an Associate degree on Vedic studies. She’s dedication her practice as an Ayurvedic consultant and practitioner, as well as health, lifestyle and food, COACH, and helping clients reconnect to their true way of being, through simple connections, and guidance, & finding tools for a re-connection to their heart and way of happiness
For Sofia, the joys of teaching have been in witnessing the progression of someone in their practice, to see and experience the change in their attitude towards life, changes in their body, & the connection that she has with every single person that comes to the studio. For Sofia’s students, the laughter found in her classes is equal to the challenge of the practice. Both are resounding, clear, and complete.
Tara McCabe
Tara began exploring yoga in 2001 as she was beginning a journey into motherhood. Practicing pranayama, asana, and meditation proved to be helpful in creating a joyful experience through this life’s transformation. She began teaching pre-natal and kids yoga in 2007 and joined the Shakti family in 2008. Tara teaches moderate flow, flow, and kids yoga.
She is also devoted to monthly kirtans at Shakti. She has completed two 200 hour trainings. The first under the guidance of Yogi Hari in Sampoorna Yoga and her second training with Ruslan Kleytman in the Yogic arts System specializing in Krama Vinyasa. In 2009, Tara brought together her two passions of yoga and her love for the ocean and founded Key West Paddle Board Yoga, known as Lazy Dog PaddleYoga today. She leads full moon meditations and conducts 20 hour ACE accredited PaddleYoga Certification trainings monthly.
All of Tara’s classes begin with chanting and pranayama, and are followed by a playful flow sequence. Tara encourages her yogis to practice with humor, non judgement and compassion.
Marlene Koeing
The Buddha said, The mind is a restless monkey. Marlene's path through life has been an endeavor to still and calm that monkey, through her creative, spiritual and yoga practices. She grew up in a house full of artists and so the gift of making art has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. As an undergraduate, she studied philosophy, focusing primarily on the teachings of the Buddha and Hindu traditions.
On repeated travels to India and Nepal over the years, visiting numerous Ashrams, monasteries and yoga retreats, her understanding of these traditions has deepened and this has allowed her art work to be infused with their richness.
While living in New York City as a young adult, Marlene began her investigation into the world of yoga. Here she was able to sample a variety of different schools of yoga from Iyengar to Jiva Munkti to Ashtanga, with countless gifted instructors. In 2004, Marlene moved to San Francisco and there came under the instruction of Barbra Weichman, a talented senior Iyengar teacher, who's 50 year+ practice and wisdom brought Marlene's own practice to a new depth.
Upon returning to Key West, Marlene has been lucky enough to be welcomed into the Shakti Yoga family. She completed her 200 hour Krama vinyasa teacher training with Ruslan Kleytman in 2011. She now sees her practice as fully informed by her life as an artist and student of eastern philosophy and spirituality. She brings this creativity and spirituality along with a wide variety of information from all schools of yoga to each and every one of her classes.
Svetlana
Yoga has been part of Svetlana’s life for over 10 years, guiding her through growth and change. Originally from Slovakia, She has called Key West home for 20 years.
She completed her teacher training at Shakti Yoga Key West and earned her Yin Yoga Certification.
Grace was born on Silva Spirit Farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island, after some initial hesitancy in emerging from the birth canal. After the midwife pushed her back in and brought her out, one shoulder at a time, they knew then she held a purpose.
Growing up on an idyllic farm, Grace nursed runt animals in her doll cribs, stuffed pine cones in her pockets, and was home schooled. Although she came up against her fair share of struggles when attempting to adapt to the outside world, these challenges were necessary to find the strength to expose her true power: her heart.
Grace has since trained and honed her practice in India, in Western Massachusetts at Kripalu, and received certification in Kundalini Yoga and Reiki at Tenth Gate School of Yoga in Portsmouth RI, as well as in Vinyasa Yoga.
Grace has shared her gifts in the recovery community throughout Massachusetts, taught at locally owned studios, and also held private and group yoga and sound healings.
She now brings all of these experiences and treasures to share in Key west, intuitively cultivating each class with intention. Being born on the first day of libra she offers balance, connection and unity.