biography

Kelli Russell

Kelli began practicing yoga in 2003, falling instantly in love with the art of linking beautiful, strong postures with the breath while staying in the present moment, elevating consciousness. Kelli teaches Vinyasa Flow with Power/Ashtanga influences, and its perfect counterpart, Yin Yoga, a meditative, deep, intense stretch of the connective tissues. Her active classes will help you achieve long, lean muscles, strength, stamina and flexibility; her Yin classes will help you improve the flexibility of your joints, open blockages and improve internal health. No matter the style, Kelli will help you deepen your practice, unleash your energy and discover a greater sense of well-being.

Kelli holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Leaving the field of counseling behind, Kelli found the transformative properties of yoga to be immediately effective in elevating the body, mind and spirit; providing the medium for people evolve.

Kelli obtained state and national registration/certification as a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) with the Yoga Alliance and a YISMT (Yoga Instructor Somatics Movement Therapist) from the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy in Encinitas, California. She has completed workshops with Ashtanga Master Yogis David Swenson (of Austin, TX), Matthew Sweeney (of Australia), Bryan Kest (of Santa Monica, CA) and John Salisbury (of Scottsdale, AZ), Yin Yoga and Meditation workshop with Donna Helm-Yost (of Phoenix, AZ) and additional classes with Tim Miller (of Encinitas, CA) and Roger Cole (of Del Mar, CA). Kelli is also trained in Thai Yoga, a deeply healing and powerful combination of rhythmic massage, acupressure, deep stretching and gentle twisting aimed at stimulating the flow of healing energies within the body, opening blocked areas.

*Special thanks to my teacher Alicia Beale for enriching my asanas with mental awareness and spirituality.