biography

Kelli Russell

Kelli began practicing yoga in 2003, falling instantly in love with the art of linking beautiful, strong postures with breath while staying in the present moment, elevating consciousness. Influenced by master yogis Bryan Kest and Beryl Bender-Birch, Kelli teaches Vinyasa Flow with Power Yoga and Ashtanga influences. Through attention to proper alignment, connecting ujjayi breath with movement and engaging the bandhas (the body’s energy locks), she will help guide you to achieve long, lean muscles, strength, flexibility, openness, stamina and energy while cultivating equanimity, mental clarity and awareness.

From the beginning practitioner to the advanced athlete, Kelli helps her students achieve a deeper practice with her engaging, challenging and supportive style.

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 to 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) 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). Kelli is also trained in Thai Yoga Therapy, 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.