Lucille Allen
Lucille has been practicing yoga since 1997 and went to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in 2008 and Tony Sanchez teacher training in 2013. She is RYT-200 certified. Lucille is also trained in Hot Pilates, Iron Hour and Yin. Lucille is co-owner of Sterling Hot Yoga in Mobile, Alabama. She has received training from nearly a dozen senior instructors from the Bishnu Gosh lineage of yoga. Lucille’s background includes work as a corporate communications director for high tech companies where she coached corporate executives on how to effectively communicate to their customers, shareholders and employees. She also holds a master’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis on instructional communication and leadership. Her unique combination of yoga knowledge, communication expertise, pedagogy and andragogy has allowed her to co-create and execute a strong and effective training program.
Jodi Orr
Jodi has been practicing yoga since 2006 and attended Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in 2008 and Tony Sanchez teacher training in 2013. Jodi is RYT-200 certified. She is owner of Sterling Hot Yoga in Lexington, Kentucky. She has received training from many senior teachers in the Bishnu Gosh lineage and represented the state of Kentucky in the 2009-2010 USA Asana Yoga Championship Regionals and Nationals. Jodi is trained in Inferno Hot Pilates, Yin, Vinyasa, Bikram Yoga and Iron Hour (yoga with weights). Jodi received a degree in Environmental Science with a focus on Environmental Communications while playing softball for Oregon State University. Transitioning from professional sport is how she found the healing aspects of yoga. Jodi has studied Business, Marketing and Managing with Graceland College Center for Professional Development. Jodi’s background includes work as an international and national professional athlete and coach in the sport of Softball. She has earned several championship rings including the Women’s Professional Softball League and the Europe Cup championship. Jodi has coached and mentored international clubs, national team staff as well as NCAA Division I and Division III programs. She has trained yoga teachers, athletes and coaches and has lead seminars in coaching, motivating and managing. At the Sterling Hot Yoga training, Jodi will share her knowledge of coaching, managing and motivating so that you can become the best yoga instructor you can be.
Debbie Vojik
Debbie has practiced yoga since 1999, is a graduate of the Spring 2006 Bikram Yoga Teacher Training program and is the owner of Baltimore Hot Yoga and Wellness in Baltimore, Maryland. She studied nursing at The University of Maryland at Baltimore, and has been a practicing nurse since 1993. In addition, Debbie graduated from the Maryland University of Integrative Health with a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. Debbie has a clinical understanding of how yoga benefits the body and her personal experience as a yoga instructor and studio owner has allowed her the opportunity to apply that understanding for years. Debbie teaches Bikram Yoga, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Meditation, Inferno Hot Pilates, Barre, and Vinyasa and Yoga Therapy. Debbie leads the Anatomy and Physiology elements of Sterling Teacher Training.
Colene Elridge, BA, MBA, Transylvania University, Sullivan University
Colene, better known as Coach Colene, is the coolest person you haven’t met. Let’s change that! She is a Success Coach living in Kentucky, and works with individuals and entrepreneurs to help them “Be More…” However they define the more. She leads her clients with head, heart and a little bit of humor to empower them to reach their goals. She is a Change Agent ready to help you change your life and live your dreams. Her career in Human Resources provided her with keen insights on how people work and thrive! She is passionate about sweet tea (with lemon), empowering others to grow, and laughing as much as possible. After practicing hot yoga for a year, Colene came on board at Sterling Hot Yoga Works in Lexington as a yoga advisor. Now almost a decade later, she has a wealth of knowledge about what makes teachers excel. From her experience working with teachers, staff, owners, and customers, to more than a decade working in Human Resources and conflict resolution, she brings a unique perspective to the Sterling Teacher Training. Colene has seen it all, and is ready to share her best practices in communication, managing conflict, and finding purpose with passion. She is excited to engage and challenge trainees to break through to be the best yoga teacher, and more importantly, person possible.
Aaron Pappas
Aaron’s journey to yoga began in 1996, when a friend showed him a few poses to help relieve stress. Since then his practice and life have evolved dramatically, as the tapestry of yoga has woven its way through his life. From losing over 50 pounds, to quitting smoking, to recovering from substance abuse, the eight limbs of yoga have been like a compass, there to guide him through various stages on his path. During this journey he has witnessed in himself and others the profound transformative effects that come from dedicating one’s body, mind and spirit to the discipline of an extensive yoga practice. He has grown in such positive ways from this practice that he feels it’s his obligation to share it with as many people as possible. Aaron received his first vinyasa yoga teachers certificate in June 2008 from his teacher Destiny Goldsberry. He became a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher by completing the Zuda Yoga teacher training program in September 2009, and has since become an E-RYT (experienced registered yoga teacher) by teaching over 1,500 hours. Along with vinyasa, Aaron has been teaching yin yoga since 2008. In the past few years his practice has drawn him to another passion, AcroYoga, which he became certified to teach in August 2012. Aaron is also a certified massage therapist with a primary focus on Thai yoga massage, which he learned during two trips to Thailand.
Jamie Testa, E-RYT. B.S., UC Davis
Jamie discovered yoga while a student at UC Davis, reliant on three-plus visits a week to the chiropractor to stave off debilitating headaches caused by multiple car accidents. After her first hot yoga class, she knew the practice would be part of a life-long journey. The practice challenged Jamie physically and mentally…some days it took all her will to go to class. After several months of consistent practice, the headaches were nearly gone. Her quality of life was significantly improved. In 2006, it was time to start giving back by teaching. Jamie attended the Bikram Yoga teacher training program in Spring that year. She taught for four years before she realize her dream of opening a studio in Vacaville, California in 2010. In 2012, Jamie joined forces with a long-time friend and fellow yogi to open a second studio in Davis, California. Jamie teaches Inferno Hot Pilates, Bikram yoga, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Vinyasa and meditation. Jamie is a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor with an E-RYT-500 Designation. Jamie is the Yoga Alliance lead instructor for Sterling Hot Yoga.
