Meet Our Team | grace tree yoga

Our Instructors

We are here to hold space for you wherever you are on your life and yoga journey. To assist you by providing inspiration, education, and tools to create a holistic balance between mind, body and spirit.

Alicia RYT500

My journey to become at yoga teacher began one fateful day when I decided to try a class at Grace Tree Yoga Studio. I had always been interested in yoga and decided it was time to venture out to find a studio (although to be fair, taking my practice had a lot more to do with finding a quiet space to practice that didn't involve getting a "Hot Wheels Massage" from my toddler during savanna). At Grace Tree, I recognized instantly that I had found something special. Yoga became a stepping stone into a new routine that filled my life with joy and wellness. I was inspired to become a teacher by the many great teachers I've ha the opportunity to share my practice with and I love sharing that experience for others. Come join me for a class!

I teach meditation-based classes as well as vinyasa flow. My classes are accessible to beginners and seasoned yogis alike! I am fascinated by the wisdom of yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda, and the pursuit of attaining balance. My classes are inspired by that wisdom and the lessons of so many rich yoga texts throughout history.
When I’m not practicing yoga, I enjoy running, drinking coffee, wine tasting, cooking and spending time with my family and friends. While I have a passion for traveling, the past several years I have spent more time at home with my wonderful husband Jared and our gregarious little boy Axel, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tanuja RYT500

I have been practicing yoga for almost all my adult life. I was never satisfied by the usual 9-5 jobs and always found myself missing my practice, so I pushed myself to get a teaching certificate to practice and help myself as well as others. I became certified at the Yoganjali School of Yoga as a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and have been teaching classes for over four years since then.
My practice starts with centering and breathing or pranayams and small muscle asanas that are followed by sun salutations and large muscle asanas, ending with a shavasana . I do not make fixed routines for my class—I prefer to go with the flow by watching my audience and responding to their needs. I truly believe that everyone can make a place and time for yoga in their life; it’s only a matter of discovering that connection between your mind and body.
Yoga has helped with my personal growth, in finding peace within myself and not worrying about what ifs & why nots and coming to terms with the fact that everyone has their own journeys. I like watching my students discover their own inner strength, balance, and growth as they practice with me. I love hearing from students how yoga has helped them improve their lives. I believe yoga is for all levels and that age should not be a limiting factor, which is why I teach different types of yoga for various age groups, including chair, hatha, and vinyasa yoga. I look forward to continuing this journey and helping myself and other yogis to optimize their potential. Namaste.

Britney RYT500 + Reiki Practitioner

My yoga journey began in 2013 when I started practicing at home. Later a friend suggested that I come with her to a class at Grace Tree. I am so grateful for that invitation and for the beautiful safe space Grace Tree has become for me. Yoga has helped me to find peace within and self acceptance. It's a passion of mine that continues to grow daily. My love for yoga inspired me to want to share what I had found with others so I earned my 200hr RYT through Grace Tree & White Lotus Home.
I believe in teaching yoga from the heart and I aim to help others practice self love and compassion; to focus on inviting positivity inward and loving your true self.
I am a wife to a supportive husband and mother of two teenage boys. I have lived in the Cincinnati area all of my life. I hope to meet you soon! Namaste!

Beverly E-RYT500

My yoga journey began in 1999, when I began exploring at a weekly class. Gradually, yoga
asana replaced a thirty year running practice, as knee injuries led me away from the solitude of the roads and onto my mat. I sampled yoga classes in many different places with a variety of teachers and teaching styles. Eventually, I enrolled in a weekend teacher training, yearning to share this wonderful practice with others. With one toe in the door of my yoga education, I ventured to offer a free class for staff at the school where I taught second grade. My students challenged me to continue to expand my knowledge. A highlight in my quest was taking Grace Tree’s first 200 hour teacher training. I completed 200 hour YTT in June 2013. In October of 2017, I attained my 500 hour YTT also at my yoga home, Grace Tree.

After 200 hour training, equipped with basic knowledge and confidence, I began teaching several weekly classes – one at my school, another at a small gym and another at Grace Tree. I love to read and learn about yoga. It has taken such an important place in my life. Yoga has fostered my growth intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Yoga keeps
me strong, grounded and allows me to help others. I want to practice yoga for the rest of my life.

In 2014, I retired after a long career teaching elementary school. Since, I have devoted extra time to personal practice and many hours to yoga teaching. I taught a mixed flow class and Chair Yoga class at a local gym for five years. At Liberty Center I led a Yoga Mindfulness class. In my neighborhood, I taught many classes in a friend’s home and switched to virtual yoga teaching during the pandemic. I teach private classes as well. Currently, I teach a mixed level mat class at Midpoint Library and chair yoga to the retired sisters at a convent in Cincinnati.
Most important to me though is my role in the GT yoga community. Over the past ten years, I have led and taken various classes at GT. Holding space for practice and taking care of
students is my top priority as a yoga teacher.

I welcome students to join me at GT on Wednesday at 6:30PM for “Head to Toe Yoga Flow” class. It is my pleasure and honor to lead this class and all are welcome. It is with continued dedication and gratitude that I teach at my true home-Grace Tree.

Stephanie RYT200

I took my first yoga class many years ago when my job offered fitness classes during our lunch hour. The instructor, also my co-worker, taught classes at Grace Tree, which is how I first became familiar with the studio. Fast forward a few years, and I was living in West Chester right down the road! I decided to sign up for the new student pass in May 2021, and knew right away I had found something special. As my love for yoga grew, I knew that I wanted to deepen my knowledge of the practice itself. It seemed like a no-brainer to enroll in the Yoga Teacher Training offered right at the studio through White Lotus Home. I graduated in March 2023 with my RYT-200 certification, still not knowing whether I would teach. But as fate would have it, I had the opportunity to begin teaching at the same studio I had come to love as a student. Now you can find me at GTY as a student and also an instructor! Please join me for Nourish Yin + Restore on Sunday evenings and enjoy an hour of self-care and grounding before the hustle and bustle of the week begins!

Jen RYT500

My wellness journey began when I first started practicing yoga after a lower back injury in 2010. From the moment I started, I noticed an amazing improvement in not only my flexibility, but also my anxiety, the quality of my breath, the way I reacted to things and how I viewed myself as well as the world around me. Since then, I have faced many physical and emotional challenges, including loss and grief, and surviving a cancerous sarcoma tumor in 2017. Yoga kept me going and it gave me reassurance to trust the process, to be in the present moment, and to be grateful for all that life has given me.

In April of 2018, I became a yoga teacher through Grace Tree's yoga teacher training progam, White Lotus hOMe with Kim Dawes, and I have been teaching and coordinating yoga events ever since. In 2018, I became the brand ambassador for the Wanderlust yoga festival, as well as the Cincinnati lead coordinator for events and social media for The Beauty Boost, a community for women to come together and seek empowerment and wellness through fitness, retreats, and events. In December of 2018, I joined the Grace Tree steward team, becoming studio manager and creative director. As a yoga teacher, I want to bring yoga into the lives of others to help them heal and find peace, find hope where they may feel hopeless, and to regain their personal power.
I teach vinyasa flow, vinyasa to yin, and lead guided meditations. I also have a strong interest in kundalini yoga and the subtle body energies. I love hosting events and traveling. I would love to travel more often, and I am welcoming any opportunities to do so!
When I'm not practicing or teaching yoga, I am also a designer and artist, a writer, and a photographer. Visually and creatively driven, I enjoy weaving creativity into just about everything that I do. I am obsessed with astrology, enjoy hiking and camping adventures, wandering the woods and exploring a quiet beach. I am fascinated by crystals and rocks, plant life and animal friends, and essential oils. You can also find me cooking up your favorite meals, making them vegan and delicious! I truly believe in the healing power of community.

Aditha RYT200

Even though I am relatively new to my yoga journey, the amount of transformation I have experienced through yoga has been immeasurable. I began a more consistent yoga practice a few years ago during optometry school as a way to make time for myself. Shortly after graduating from school, I realized I wanted to deepen my yoga practice further and decided to embark on my 200 hour teacher training journey at Grace Tree with Kim Dawes with White Lotus Home. While I originally wanted to learn how to be a teacher to learn more about asana, my teacher training ended up teaching me so much more about myself and the world. I became very inspired by the yamas and niyamas, the teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, the significance of chanting mantras, the movement of energy in our bodies, and so much more. While teaching, I hope to introduce a world beyond asana to my students while maintaining an environment of love and authenticity.

When I am not at Grace Tree, you can find me listening to Taylor Swift, reading a book, or spending time with my loved ones. I look forward to sharing my yoga journey with you!

Kim E-RYT500 + Reiki Practitioner

Kim Dawes, spiritual name Ambika, is an E-RYT500, Reiki Master-Attuned and Saraswati Yoga School 300hr graduate. Kim is a fun-loving, passionate and free-spirited yoga teacher inspired to share the gift of yoga after many years of reaping its benefits.

Kim has a passion for integrating the many principles and history of yoga into her classes to all levels and walks of life. Her intention is to offer classes in a positive environment to allow for growth from the inside and out, while encouraging and empowering students to embrace the holistic benefits of the practice - a balance within the body, mind and spirit!
Kim has taught many styles of classes over the years including: beginners yoga, vinyasa, yin with reiki, restorative and teen meditation. In her classes, she will guide you to turn your attention inward, set purposeful intentions, and get to know your True Self, while accepting exactly where you are in the moment, the only place life exists. Kim will incorporate themes, essential oils, stories, music, readings and quotes all aligned with the ancient teachings of yoga to help her students build a deeper practice.

Kim teaches from her heart with grace and acceptance. She truly believes there's a place for yoga in everyone's life. Her hope and commitment is that yoga is more & more accessible to all and to continually offer yoga in a sustainable and meaningful way! A consistent yoga practice can help build a better you, thus one beautiful soul at a time…a better world!

Laura RYT200

I have been practicing yoga on and off since 2010. For me, yoga is about reconnecting mind, body and soul. Dealing with anxiety, depression and ADHD, Yin, Yoga Nidra & Restorative have a special place in my heart for helping me not only to reconnect, but to slow down and establish calm, I became a yoga teacher to help everyone cultivate their calm through the mind + body + soul connection. Hope to meet you on the mat!

Debi RYT200

I first began practicing Yoga, mainly as a form of low impact exercise, in 2004. Yes – to DVDs. I found it to be a wonderful way to ‘slow down’ and give myself some ‘me time’ as a busy, corporate working mother. My practice was sporadic for several years, although I loved the exercise aspect. In 2012, my practice began blossoming into a more centered means to reduce stress and anxiety. I purposely began devoting more time to the exercise and breathing aspects, and I began to learn about mindfulness and being present at an extremely hectic, over-worked time in my life.

I first arrived at Grace Tree in 2014, where I started my journey into learning that Yoga is so much more than any of the classes I had experienced before. I looked forward to my mat time … almost needed my mat time … to slow my thoughts and breathing, take control of my thought patterns, and embrace the amazing, supportive community around me.

When my youngest left for college, I knew it was time to devote more time and energy to learning even more about this profound thing called Yoga; I entered 200- hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2024, quit the corporate world :), and graduated YTT in
2025!

I am thrilled to be guiding participants through practices that help gain, maintain or perhaps re-gain both mobility and strength, while clearing their mind, focusing on their breath, and uplifting and celebrating the unique, wonderful self that resides in every one of us.

My other passions outside of Yoga include my family, houseplants (I have A
LOT), gardening, meditation, spending time in the woods, reading and loving on our 2 dogs.

I look forward to practicing with you!
Namaste,
Debi

Jackie RYT500

I've dabbled in yoga over the past 15 years as part of my broader fitness journey, enrolling in my first yoga class at an aerial fitness studio (shout out to Femme Fatale Dayton — whoop!).

After the pandemic closures, I realized much of my time was being consumed by streaming shows and, admittedly, a possibly unhealthy obsession with learning cocktail mixology. In an effort to reconnect with movement and mindfulness, I began exploring different fitness classes — and it was yoga that truly stuck. There was something about the peace, clarity, and groundedness I felt after each flow that kept drawing me back.

After around a year of regular practice, one of my fabulous instructors encouraged me to explore Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). I completed my RYT200 certification in February 2025 through White Lotus hOMe at the beautiful GraceTree Yoga Studio 💜.

I originally joined YTT to deepen my understanding of asanas (I mean, Prasarita Padottanasana — what?!), and to explore the physical impact of yoga on the body. But what I discovered was so much more. YTT expanded my view of yoga as a holistic lifestyle — a practice that nurtures mind, body, and spirit.

In my personal practice, I gravitate toward powerful vinyasa flows, and I’m most inspired by the steady progress I feel in strength, balance, and flexibility. As a new instructor, my goal is to help others find that same sense of peace, connection, and inner strength that yoga has brought to me (and continues to deliver!).

GraceTree is such a special community, and I’m so excited to guide you through a practice that supports both release and renewal — on and off the mat.

McKenzie 200RYT

Hello, I’m McKenzie and I am so honored to be a part of this beautiful community at Grace Tree. My yoga journey began in 2020, while caring for my beloved Nana. It was in those quiet, sacred moments of devotion that I discovered yoga, a practice that became my anchor and source of peace. Yoga provided me with not only a means of coping but a pathway to personal growth, inner healing, and profound transformation. Through this practice, I found sanctuary amidst the chaos of life - something I’ve been fortunate enough to share with others ever since.

As I deepened my practice, yoga guided me to my true calling - teaching. I am grateful to have received my 200-hour teaching certification through White Lotus HOMe, under the guidance of the incredible Kim Dawes and Britney Rudolph. I couldn’t have asked for better teachers and am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity and experience to embark on that transformative journey. My mission is simple yet powerful - to create spaces that empower, uplift, and inspire. Through yoga, I hope to offer tools for personal transformation, helping each person rise above their limiting beliefs and step into their full potential.

My class, Root to Rise, is designed to help you tap into the power of self-love and acceptance. This gentle vinyasa flow, deeply rooted in the wisdom of yogic philosophy, encourages you to honor your own unique journey and move at your own pace. With each posture, you’ll find the space to reconnect with your true self, nurture your mental well-being, and cultivate a love that starts from within. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the mat, Root to Rise offers something for everybody.

I aim to create a welcoming environment where you can let go and grow, free from comparison or judgment. A place of belonging, where each individual’s journey is met with kindness, respect, and encouragement. Yoga is a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing, and I am deeply grateful to be part of your journey - helping you find balance, strength, and peace as you uncover the limitless potential within yourself.

Charli RYT500

Charli Erin Littleton is deeply passionate about holistic wellness, with a focus on yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. She earned her yoga teaching certifications through the Cincinnati Yoga School and White Lotus Home at Grace Tree, and has been sharing her love of yoga with others since 2021. Charli is continuing her journey in mind-body healing and conscious living by studying to become an Ayurvedic Coach through The Shakti School.

Charli strives to build a community of yogis who feel confident and comfortable in their own bodies. In her classes, you will explore the connection between breath and movement to unlock a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you.