Teachers

Meet Your Teachers

Allie Zuber

Allie is a yoga teacher and Co-creator of Leela Yoga. Allie started practicing yoga in 2011 and began teaching in 2018. Allie values her family & friends above all else and is a mother to twin girls, Betty & Faye. She loves the sun, coffee, nature, creativity, and watching people connect as a community. Allie's class offers a balanced, gentle flow, honoring the breath and softening into the body. You can join Allie on the mat for a Yin style, slow flow, or Big Easy (Leela Restore) class.

Brittnee Castille

Brittnee is a 500-hour yoga teacher and mama of two who guides students back home to their bodies. Her classes blend intentional breathwork, meditation, and slow, embodied movement to support nervous system regulation and deep connection. She teaches with lightness and curiosity, reminding students that yoga is less about performance and more about presence — an invitation to come as you are, soften, and listen inward. Rooted in the rhythms of nature and everyday life, Brittnee's teaching creates space to slow down, breathe deeply, and return to what's true.

Jonas Griffin

Jonas Griffin (BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing; Master of Arts in Teaching; 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher) is a 10th grade English teacher and person in recovery who sees the mat as a sacred space to turn pain into purpose and reconnect with joy. His classes blend mindful movement, humor, and heart—inviting students to breathe, laugh, and maybe even cry as they dance with their own idea of a Higher Self or Higher Power. Whether through creative expression or quiet stillness, Jonas believes yoga helps us remember who we really are, what really matters, and how much we're capable of healing and offering to the world.

Andrew Linton

Yoga, for me, maintaining its course over 14 uninterrupted years has been an integrative practice of self-regulation. The more I practice, the more I embrace living in the present moment, slowing down, remaining calm in stressful situations, and keeping my body in healthy shape. Yoga also assists in keeping me in tune with myself as I age physically and mentally. As a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), my goal is to help my community discover the fruits of yoga practice.

Bryce Moore

I'm Bryce, a Dutchtown native & Southern A&M University Alumni. I was first introduced to yoga back in 2020, shortly after I began my sobriety journey. I completed yoga teacher training in 2023 and began teaching shortly after. Yoga has been an important part of my sobriety and overall health & wellness journey. I have also completed trainings in Hot 26, Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery and Recovery Yoga. I aim to create a welcoming space where all can experience the benefits of yoga for mind, body and spirit. Hope to see you on the mat soon!

Marina Pereira

Originally from Moscow, Russia, I have called Baton Rouge home since 1999. I have been practicing yoga since 2011 and am RYT-200 certified. I began teaching yoga in 2020, and I truly enjoy sharing both the physical and mental benefits of yoga. My classes are rooted in Vinyasa flow with an emphasis on breath, alignment, and mindful movement. I emphasize safe and accessible sequencing that supports strength, balance, and flexibility, and I incorporate breathwork (pranayama) and meditation to promote inner calm, mental clarity, and overall well-being. The focus is on connecting to self through a mindful, fulfilling practice that nurtures body, mind, and spirit.

Rachel Veron

Rachel Veron, RYT 200 / Vinyasa & prenatal yoga teacher / Join me in building a lifelong yoga practice — one rooted not in perfection, but presence. Rooted in equal parts curiosity, reverence, and humor, my classes offer space to move, breathe, and belong — for every body, at every season. I teach thoughtful vinyasa, blending modern movement with timeless philosophy, personalized for your practice. Outside the studio, I'm a small-business owner, jazz lover, and mom of one human and many houseplants. I also teach classes and workshops in the community wherever people gather with open hearts.

Angelina Chauvin

Hi everyone, I am Angelina Chauvin! My yoga story is not unlike many in the way that I found yoga at a difficult time and it helped me find peace. I did my first hot yoga class after many life transitions left me feeling defeated. When I completed my first class, I remember how strong I felt for the first time in a long time; I knew I wanted to do this class forever. After many years of practice, I finally got my 200 hr certification in 2025. I am so excited to be able to now teach the class that brought me so much joy and peace, in hopes to pass it along to others. Can't wait to see you all on the mat!

Rikki Hegwood

Hi, I'm Rikki. Some call me Red Rikki. I've practiced yoga on and off since 2010, but it wasn't until I moved to Baton Rouge in 2023 that I found my true home at Leela Yoga. I completed my 200-hour YTT at Leela in 2025 — and Leela truly feels like home. With a master's degree in social work, I love finding ways to blend my background with yoga, creating spaces where people can connect with themselves and each other. In my classes, we flow with intention, linking breath to movement and inviting in a sense of lightness — maybe even joy. My hope is that you leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more open, and a little more like yourself.

Anne LeBlanc

Anne Berry LeBlanc is a recent December 2025 graduate of the YTT program at Leela Yoga Studio. She has been dedicated to her practice for over ten years and is ready to share what she has learned from so many amazing teachers around Baton Rouge. Helping people feel strong and relaxed is what I hope to accomplish in every class. So if you like a fast paced flow followed by a long relaxing savasana this class is for you. Please join me, Namaste.

Tayler Lichti

With over 20 years of personal practice and 6 years of teaching experience, Taylor brings both depth and playfulness to the mat. She specializes in Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra, weaving together mindful movement, breathwork, and guided relaxation to help students reconnect with their inner stillness. Her classes invite students to explore their practice with curiosity and compassion, balancing effort with ease. Outside the studio, she continues to study and share the transformative tools of yoga as a path to presence and peace.

Savannah Guarino

Hello beautiful souls, my name is Savannah Guarino and I'm the brow/ yoga junkie. I started my yoga journey when I was twelve years old and have been practicing for 13 years. At the age of 18 I was diagnosed with scoliosis, which consists of two curves in my spine. I was supposed to have surgery to fix it, but I chose to try yoga therapy instead and completely healed my spine! I look forward to teaching you everything I know about scoliosis through clear communication of safe alignment and sequencing to assist in healing your spine and improving your posture. I can't wait to meet you & start your yoga journey to heal your body & mind!

Caroline Charbonnet

Hey y'all! My name is Caroline and I am originally from New Orleans, LA. I moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and have been here ever since. I have practiced yoga personally for 7 years, and I will receive my 200 RYT in early 2024. I can't wait to continue my practice teaching at Leela. When I'm not at the studio, I'm an elementary teacher, and I live with my husband and our goldendoodle Moose. Can't wait to see you on the mat!

Natalie Lenard

Natalie at first didn't know how to describe her teaching, wanting to say 'I just teach yoga,' while thinking that may sound too monochrome of an answer. She decided that might not be a bad thing. She wants students to show up and see what happens. She goes into class with a plan, but may deviate from it depending on the energy of the moment. Expect to be challenged, and to learn and investigate the biomechanics of the postures with her, as well as build confidence and familiarity with your mind-body spectrum. Be prepared to be in the moment, 'you are never going to get this moment again.' Her favorite pose as of late is Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana.

Yue Liu

Hi, Yogis! This is Yue, and I have a question for you: Why are you practicing yoga? Everyone's answer could be different, but the ultimate goal is the same - knowledge of the Self. I'm a university professor, a father, an entrepreneur, and a yoga practitioner. I have practiced different styles of yoga for over ten years. Now I am a certified yoga instructor (Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200). I love teaching Vinyasa, Hatha, and Power yoga, where each movement flows with the breath to create a dynamic and meditative sequence. Join me in exploring the vast benefits of yoga, body, mind and soul, on the path toward happiness and enlightenment in this beautiful and sometimes crazy life. See you on the mat!

Jackie Hunt

Jackie is a recent RYT-200 graduate who is passionate about creating fun, welcoming, and accessible yoga experiences for students of all levels. She began her personal yoga journey in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the way yoga cultivates strength, balance, mindfulness, and self-connection both on and off the mat.

A 2025 graduate of Louisiana State University with a background in Public Relations and Health Sciences, Jackie brings an educational and community-centered approach to her teaching. Her classes feature creative, engaging sequences that encourage students to explore mindful movement with curiosity while building confidence, mobility, and strength.

Susan DeMers

I love working with beginners focusing on proper alignment which is key to a successful practice. It’s not about how you look, we will focus on how you feel. Having practiced yoga for 20 years, I still often attend a basics class myself. It never hurts to come back to the basics! This class will focus on a slow intentional step by step process into the postures. We leave our ego at the door and step into the studio with the intention of listening to our bodies and doing the best we can. No judgement. My wish for you is that you feel better after attending my class and will take that feeling off the mat to enjoy your day and share with others. I just recently finished my 200 hour yoga teacher training at Leela Yoga so I’m a beginner too. I will be doing the best I can just like you. Hoping we can learn together and that I can share my knowledge in a helpful way. Namaste 🙏

Leslie Emden

Originally a small town Mississippi native, I’ve called Baton Rouge home since following my heart here in 2012. Most of my life has been dedicated to being a caregiver. I am a mother to four people and seven animals! I’m not sure what I’m doing with my life, if not facilitating the growth of others! I have dabbled in yoga and different types of movement related activities for as long as I can remember. I began practicing yoga seriously and with intention near the end of 2017 as part of my healing journey. Through yoga, in all aspects of the practice and lifestyle, I found multifaceted healing. I became stronger physically and mentally. I found a sense of gratitude and absolution that had never been present in my life before. I learned to BE PRESENT. I received my 200 hr certification in 2019 and am so blessed to have had the opportunity to boost my training with Leela’s bridge program during Fall 2021. I enjoy teaching fast paced, high energy classes that remind you of how powerful you are, but I am absolutely able to meet you where you are in your practice and find what works for you. I’m still learning too. We can grow together as we flow together.

Ellen Ogden

Ellen has been gratefully practicing yoga intermittently since high school, where she was deeply and indelibly impressed and fortunate to be taught hatha yoga as her PE elective by a seasoned and sprightly 75+ instructor. Her yoga focus took a hyper focus after discovering jivamukti and ashtanga yoga at Leela in 2020, and quickly became a stable point amidst despondent COVID times, sporadic work, and a knee surgery. She has been teaching everywhere she lives since training with Leela in 2021, where she received her 200 hour certification. In 2024 she trained in Austin at an intensive with David Swenson to teach Ashtanga Primary — partly because she loves Ashtanga, and partly because the solar eclipse was happening: both were magical. She believes yoga is a way to enrich all areas of your life, and in the importance of not making an asana of yourself by making physical practice life's preeminent focus. She is constantly continuing her yoga training and education through practice, teaching, courses, and embedding the ethos of connectivity, mindfulness, and love into her artwork and community work.

Carmen Runkle

Carmen Runkle, RYT, is a Breaux Bridge native with Honduran roots. She is a pet mom to an Aussie named Lewis and a cat named Theodore, and she welcomed her first daughter in May 2025. By day, she works as a tech professional.

She completed her 200-hour training at Leela in 2025. Carmen started practicing yoga in college in 2015 and found in it an anchor through every season of change. A self-described type A, she is drawn to the philosophy and spirituality of yoga. When perfectionism creeps in, surrender and aparigraha are her life rafts.

Her vinyasa slow flow classes create moments of slowness and intention. She enjoys sharing her latest readings and nuggets of wisdom from traditional texts. Her hope is that each class is an invitation to create stillness, promote clarity, and cultivate connection with your truest self.