The year was 2006. Freshly graduated from high school, Stephanie was first initiated to yoga through a DVD. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to introduce the basics of asana and complemented Stephanie’s blooming interest in eastern and esoteric arts and philosophies. After sporadic commitment to her yoga practice, it would be another eight years before she finally took an in-person class and discovered the enriching benefits of real instruction. This was the moment that yoga became more than just a movement exercise, but an integrative way of life. In 2016, Stephanie traveled to Costa Rica to be immersed in a 200 hour yoga teacher training. In July 2016, she formed Sasaphras Yoga and independently began to offer Hatha yoga classes around the Lake George area of the Adirondack mountains. Stephanie offers a creative blend of asana and introspection in her classes, guiding and encouraging students to broaden their yoga beyond the mat. She is also certified to teach SUP yoga and hopes to someday expand her offerings to the water! Currently, Stephanie is in training toward her 500 hour yoga teacher certification.

When Stephanie isn’t teaching or practicing yoga, she can be found creating. Driven by an inherent need to make things, Stephanie is also a working artist and muralist with Bachelor’s degrees in Studio Art and Art History. Some of her public work can be seen around the Glens Falls area and she is continuing to expand her artistic offerings and portfolio.

A devoted gardener, Stephanie enjoys tending to her large garden of organic vegetables, flowers, and honeybees nestled against the edge of the forest. Much of her creative inspiration comes from living so deep in nature where every tree, rock, and breath of wind hums with life and magic. This reverence for animism is sprinkled throughout her artwork, poetry, and yoga instruction.

An avid live music enthusiast, Stephanie loves dancing at concerts and traveling all over the world to see her favorite bands. She is also a passionate and free-flowing hula hoop dancer and certified Hoop Love Coach. Hooping is one of her favorite ways to cultivate and express joy and in the future she hopes to increase her movement based offerings by sharing this circle magic with others.

Stephanie lives in the Warrensburg area with her husband, son, two dogs, and cat.