A shala built on tradition - and belonging

Denise Cavaliere

A South Florida resident of 45 years, Denise began her yoga journey 28 years ago with Bikram Yoga, then deepened it into a devoted home practice while raising her family. She earned her teaching certification through Native Yoga Center's training in 2012 and completed her 500-hour certification in the philosophy of Ashtanga Vinyasa in 2015. Since then, she has continued to expand her expertise through a wide range of continuing education courses, including Thai Yoga Massage, Mindfulness & Yin Yoga, Sound Healing and Sanskrit language training, among many others.  She believes in a lifelong commitment to the traditions of yoga. "The connection to, and transformation of, my students has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life - second only to my family."

Maddie Sloan

Originally from North Carolina, Maddie discovered yoga in 2017 and earned her 200-hour certification from Asheville Yoga Center in 2019, relocating to South Florida in 2022. With a background in aerial dance and Pilates, yoga remains her primary practice. She came for the physical fitness and stayed for "the breathwork and the benefits that continue well beyond the physical." Teaching since 2019, she practices all eight limbs of yoga and treasures the mutual growth she shares with her students.

Amy Albury

Amy has taught at Shanti since it opened in 2016, having completed her 200-hour teacher training with Denise at Native Yoga Center in 2012. She's also a certified personal trainer, a Connected Warriors instructor, and a Silver Sneakers provider. She knows that "with a consistent and disciplined practice of exercise and yoga, the body will respond accordingly." Teaching is an honor for Amy, who sees her students as her teachers. As she puts it: "Yoga, like life, is a journey… love yourself well."

Kristi Thomaston 

Kristi discovered yoga in 2006 and completed her 200-hour teacher training through West Hartford Yoga.   Her WHY Power Yoga training blended elements of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Forrest, Kripalu, and Bikram Yoga into a thoughtful and accessible practice designed for all levels.

Since then, Kristi has continued to deepen both her personal practice and teaching through additional trainings and workshops, including the Prison Yoga Project trauma-informed training with James Fox, Yoga and Injury studies, adjustment clinics, and other continuing education opportunities.

Kristi and her husband, Mike, are the owners of  Degree Wellness Palm Beach Gardens, where they are passionate about helping others on their wellness journeys. 

Kristi has also been a criminal defense attorney since 2003, bringing compassion, resilience, and advocacy into every aspect of her work.

Maryjo Samaritano 

Erin Lonas

Erin Lonas has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over 20 years and has held her 200 RYT certification for nearly a decade. She was originally drawn to Ashtanga yoga for its discipline, and her practice has evolved over the years as she's moved through different life stages. While she began practicing yoga for its physical benefits, it has since become essential to balancing the demands of work, raising a child, and navigating the transition into mid-life. Erin recently earned an additional certification in Yin Yoga and loves incorporating slow, breath-focused work and functional stretching into her classes to help students stay active for a lifetime. What brings Erin the most joy is connecting with her students and helping them find a sense of calm they can carry off the mat.