KOA YOGA
INSTRUCTORS
Jennifer Newby
Jennifer Newby is a 200hr RYT who studied at Yogi Hari’s Ashram in Miramar, Fl. Once believing that yoga was only for the young and flexible, yoga found Jen when she needed it the most. Meeting her exactly where she was and helping her to overcome major life obstacles. Jen teaches from a place of unifying the body, mind, and spirit. Her laid back teaching style encourages students to relax, let loose, and have fun while learning how to be kind and gentle with themselves. Jen is also a certified Y12SR leader. Bringing to the mat the unification of yoga with the 12 steps of recovery.
TERRY HOLDEN
Terry studied under Ellen MacKay (E-RYT) and Megan Hochheimer (RYT-200) of Karma Yoga in Valrico, Florida. She also studied under Jean Martin (E-RYT, RYT-500, RCYT) with Yoga Ed Institute I for specialized training in children’s yoga. Terry truly enjoys working with beginner and intermediate students, focusing on the foundations of yoga, healthy alignment, and helping others to experience the joy, peace, and calm that yoga can bring.
Terry believes that yoga can benefit everyone, no matter what their physical ability, age, or fitness level. She emphasizes listening to your body, proper breathing, stretching, and the non-competitive nature of yoga. Terry has been involved in teaching and mentoring for over twenty years. Prior to becoming a yoga instructor, she was a drug prevention/healthy living specialist working in Hillsborough County schools for nine years, and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for over twelve years. Terry is married and the mother of three daughters ages 16-25.
Here at Koa, Terry features on our schedule Tuesday and Thursday mornings bringing a balanced blend of morning stretches and warm-ups, gentle flow, and restore/renew poses. After class on Tuesday, enjoy a hot cup of the “Morning Blend of the Day!” The perfect way to start your day.
Amy Almskog
​Amy Almskog was introduced to yoga in her early adulthood, and it left a positive imprint on her. She has been practicing regularly since 2016, and when she retired in 2021, she decided to make the move to be a certified yoga teacher. She completed the 200-hour training program at Heartwood Yoga Institute and Retreat Center in Bradenton, which offered her an extremely unique experience that was coupled with a strong focus on Philosophy. She is excited to continue her education at the Institute and gain more specialized certifications in the future. Amy believes that yoga is for everyBODY, that the benefits go way beyond the mat, and that it can bring improvement not only to the body, but to the mind and the soul.
COLEEN MCGRATH
Coleen began practicing about 10 years ago after dealing with some difficult life changes and was
looking for something different. After taking a few classes at a local gym, she was hooked by the
continuous challenge and it became a new routine. After a few years of deepening her practice, she
knew she wanted to share this passion with everyone she could. Coleen completed her teacher training
at Yogani in Tampa, back in 2013/2014 at 8 months pregnant.
Coleen teaches a Vinyasa style based class. Coleen’s passion for Vinyasa flow style comes from the
“alive yet relaxed” feeling state that you will have by the time you finish class with her.
You can expect her class to incorporate a variety of music and aimed to accommodate different
experience levels so EVERYONE is welcome! Coleen wants everyone that joins her class to feel a strong
sense of community.
Coleen believes yoga provides so many benefits beyond just the physical. It’s about connection the
mind, body and spirit. Yoga is a great teacher for dealing with life’s moments.
DEB JOHNSON
In 2008 Deb Johnson began experimenting with yoga in Midlothian, VA. She moved to Tampa with her husband and 2 teen sons in 2018. Her passion for yoga was cultivated by the inspiring teachers at Karma Yoga. In 2020 she began the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. Upon completion in 2021 she became RYT-200 certified.
Deb loves energetic classes that focus on connecting breath with movement. She believes yoga helps us love and accept ourselves, just as we are. Yoga is a practice, it’s about you and your mat (our mats are a metaphor for our lives.) Roll out your mat, practice and surprise yourself with the joys of movement and self discovery.
ANDREW ALLEYNE
I have worked with the different styles and techniques in martial arts (kung fu, jujitsu, eagle claw, white crane, and capoeira). I strongly believe in self- culture through the practice of tai chi ; the balance coordination and the inner strength one achieves by practicing tai chi.
REBECCA NIPPER-GALVIN
Rebecca’s first introduction to yoga was in college and community classes offered on campus. After college, she practiced sporadically with DVDs. Later, when recovering from a car accident, Rebecca found a class designed for people with injuries at the local yoga studio in her town. It was like coming home. As much as her body needed to mend, her spirit needed it more.
With a desire to share what yoga had given her, Rebecca enrolled in a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program at Karma Yoga, in Litha, Florida. She believes that a slow, mindful practice helps one develop strength and stability in the body, mind, and spirit. Additionally, Rebecca has continued her studies to include Vedic Thai Yoga Bodywork and sees clients privately to share this practice.
In addition to her Yoga practice, Rebecca is an artist with a focus on nature-inspired watercolor paintings, and an active member of the Plant City Commons Community Garden. Rebecca lives in Plant City, Florida with her husband and four fur-babies.
CHRISTINA FONTANA
Christina Fontana
E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®
Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra certified teacher.
Keen to guide Yoga classes- to help find balance, build strength, flexibility and awareness amongst practitioners in a safe and supported environment.
Christina’s passion is to share the joy of yoga and the freedoms that bring to one’s mind and body. She encourages her students to use gratitude, kindness and social connection as part of their yoga practice. Her primary focus is alignment to prevent injury during Asana (physical posture), pranayama (breath work) and meditation as a bridge to promote a healthy, abundant life and an overall well-being that can be transferred from the yoga mat to the outside world.