Meet Our Team

Owner & Yoga Instructor

Kami is a passionate and experienced yoga instructor, as well as the owner of The Yoga Place. Having first joined the studio as a teacher, she now leads it with the same sense of community, warmth, and authenticity that first drew her in. Kami is also the owner of Aqua Om Paddle, where she blends yoga, paddleboarding, and nature-based experiences to create a holistic approach to well-being. Her teaching style is mindful and
grounding, encouraging students to explore the full potential of their bodies while cultivating inner peace.
With a deep love for nature and connection, Kami often guides classes and experiences outdoors, on the water, on the trail, and under the open sky, helping others rediscover a sense of freedom, balance, and joy.
When she’s not teaching, Kami can be found exploring the outdoors with her beagle, Lady. Her mission is to inspire others to step outside their comfort zones, reconnect with themselves, and experience all that the world has to offer both on and off the mat.

Founder & Yoga Instructor

Suzanne is the founder of The Yoga Place and continues to be a guiding presence within the community. She is a registered member of Yoga Alliance, holds a 500-hour yoga teacher certification from Yoga Life Institute, an additional 200 hours of Yoga Therapy training, and is a certified Life Coach through the International Coach Academy (ICA). Suzanne also earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University. Classically trained in yoga, Suzanne has dedicated her life to sharing its healing benefits with
students and clients. Her teaching is rooted in experience, wisdom, and a deep understanding of the mind-body connection. At The Yoga Place, Suzanne now leads and nurtures the meditation program, holding space for students to explore stillness, awareness, and inner peace. Through her guidance, she continues to inspire others to slow down, turn inward, and connect more deeply with themselves.

Studio Flow Manager & Instructor

Jai Saraswati’s journey with yoga began through dance. Returning to ballet during graduate school reawakened her love for movement and marked the beginning of her healing path. Her spiritual name, Jai
Saraswati—meaning “She who brings victory, harmony, prosperity, and peace to all by merging with divine wisdom and her highest self”—beautifully reflects the essence she brings to her practice and teaching. As Jai began teaching barre fitness and ballet, she discovered meditation and Kundalini Yoga, which opened
the door to deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth. With a background in art and music, she found that
creativity and mindfulness naturally intertwined, inspiring her to explore yoga, meditation, and holistic wellness as tools for transformation. Jai is a certified 200HR Kundalini Yoga Teacher as well as a 200HR Vinyasa Yoga Teacher. She is also a certified Soul-Purpose Life Coach and Yogic Women’s Circle Facilitator, offering supportive spaces for healing, empowerment, and connection. In her gentle yoga classes, Jai weaves movement, breath, and intention to create a nurturing environment for inner peace and personal growth. She is passionate about sharing yoga as a path to healing, authenticity, and divine connection.

Yoga Instructor

Diane has been a fitness professional for over 30 years and holds certification from the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Her experience includes teaching group fitness classes across Lehigh and Berks Counties and developing “Forever Fit” a specialized program for senior citizens in the Parkland School District. She also recently completed the “I am Ageless Now”; course for the active aging population. Diane has designed fitness programs for elementary and at-risk middle school students, coached Girls on Track, and competed in several sprint triathlons. Diane’s yoga classes feature a fusion style that incorporates Hatha principles to blend balance, strength, and flexibility. She believes yoga should be accessible to everyone and offers modifications to ensure success for all levels, from beginners to advanced participants. Her sessions include signature peppermint/eucalyptus aromatherapy and conclude with guided meditation. In addition to teaching at The Yoga Place, Down Under Sports & Fitness, and in private settings, Diane is a retired educator with a 38-year career who currently resides in Reading. She is an avid traveler and community volunteer who enjoys skiing, biking, paddleboarding, hiking, scuba diving, and pickleball. Diane also loves spending time with her family members including husband Dave, daughter Alexis and Golden Retriever, Mazie.

Yoga Instructor

She considers herself a lifelong student of yoga and finds great joy in sharing her passion for the mind-body-spirit journey. Her knowledge and practice have expanded over the past 18 years, beginning with her Yoga Teacher Certification in 2005. An artist at heart, she has dedicated her life to her craft as a studio jeweler. She brings this same creative mind and spirit into every class she teaches, offering a thoughtful and expressive approach to her practice. She looks forward to welcoming you into one of her classes and sharing her love of yoga.

Yoga Instructor

Kathleen is honored to share her practice with others. Yoga and the elements of nature have always been deeply healing for her. She took her first yoga class in 2007 and was instantly hooked. Over the years, she has practiced many different styles of yoga, including Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, and Flow. What consistently brought her back to her mat was the sense of community, breath, and the opportunity to practice in a space of non-judgment. In 2013, after undergoing surgery, Kathleen met her first yoga therapist, which marked a significant shift in her practice. From that point on, mindfulness and self-love became deeply intertwined with her movement. Spending time on her mat most days of the week taught her the importance of slowing down and truly listening to her body and heart. In 2023, Kathleen transitioned from student to teacher, completing her 200-hour trauma- informed yoga teacher training with Yoga Farm Ithaca. She was also fortunate to study with Karina Corina Benner of Wake Up Yoga. Kathleen has had the unique opportunity to teach in a variety of settings, including a barn, the open meadow, and traditional studio spaces. Meditation and mindfulness are often woven into her classes. Her trauma-informed teaching style allows students to feel safe, supported, and empowered to settle into poses in a way that feels right for their individual bodies. Outside of yoga, Kathleen works in counseling, specializing in mental health and addictions. She is currently working toward her LCSW certification and is considering pursuing a formal yoga therapy certification. Her happy place is beneath the trees, surrounded by fresh air and open sky—or in a cozy local coffee shop, connecting with others. Kathleen believes that human beings are made for community and that yoga is for every body. She invites her students to join her in learning how to settle into their bodies, expand their breath, and find a place of deep relaxation.

Yoga Instructor

She has been practicing yoga since 2005 and has been teaching at The Yoga Place since 2012. She received her Yoga Teacher Certification through the Yoga Life Institute and enjoys teaching Hatha and Sun Salutations classes. Her classes focus on building strength, flexibility, and breath awareness, with options and modifications offered to support every student. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bloomsburg University, a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Millersville University, and a Supervisory Special Education Certification from Penn State. She has spent her entire professional career working in the field of Special Education. Whether teaching or practicing, time on her yoga mat helps her find a sense of peace within herself.

Yoga Instructor

Ricarda has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years, with experience spanning group fitness instruction, personal training, and club management. She is a certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and holds a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification. She is passionate about continuing to learn and absorb new knowledge, and finds great fulfillment in helping others along their fitness and healthy living journeys. She is grateful or the opportunity to teach and share her love of fitness with others. Outside of her work, she enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling with her husband, as well as spending quiet time reading.