About us

Essential You Yoga aims to attract and retain experienced, intuitive, and passionate Yoga Teachers who have the desire to help you move closer to your best health and wellness, creating more space for your Sacred Self to Shine!

For over 20 years, Libby has walked the path of well-being, deeply immersed in the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Her personal journey fueled a mission to guide others towards uncovering their inner strength and finding peace within. As a Yoga Therapist and E-RYT 500 with over 6,000 hours of teaching experience, Libby combines her extensive knowledge with heartfelt compassion to create personalized programs that resonate deeply.

Since 2020, Libby has brought her expertise to the heart of healing at Moffitt Cancer Center's Integrative Medicine program. Witnessing the profound impact of these ancient practices on individuals navigating life's challenges, she crafts personalized sessions that seamlessly blend evidence-based approaches with her genuine care. Whether seeking stress relief, deeper self-understanding, or support during health journeys, Libby's gentle yet powerful guidance fosters a sense of belonging and inner strength.

Libby's classes offer modifications and variations, designed to help you connect with the energy and intention of the shapes of yoga so that you can best connect with your own inner wisdom and well-being!

500 hours Yoga Instructor

Amanda completed her 200 YTT with Lorena Saavedra Smith, E-RYT 500 at Hanaq Prana Yoga Studio in 2019 and in 2023 she completed her 300 YTT with Alexey Vyazovov, E-RYT 500 and Christiaan Virant, E-RYT 500 of Higher Yoga Academy.

Throughout the years, she has been honored to learn from many other wonderful teachers, they include: Yoganand Michael Carrol, Dr. Stephan Rinaldi of The University of Holistic Theology, Jessica Fleming, E-RYT 200 of Anjali Yoga, LeGrand Jones, RYT 500, Jennifer Leavy, E-RYT 500, IAYT, Jim Cooper, E-RYT 500, and Libby Creagh, RYT 500, IAYT.

Amanda uses a creative approach, with breath awareness and movement, to help the student achieve stillness and union on their journey within. She is known to intertwine her love of art, yoga, and meditation into her daily life as a student and a teacher.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Gina completed her 200-hour Teacher Training program in 2019 at Lorena Saavedra Smith School of Yoga in Tampa, FL. Her practice focuses on “going with the flow” and balancing a fast paced lifestyle with mindfulness.

Gina’s typical vinyasa incorporates breath awareness and chanting to help reconnect with our true self.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Gina was introduced to meditation over 20 years ago, which then became an anchor in her life. After graduating from Advanced Pranic Healing and Arhatic yoga with Master Del Pe, she continued her jnana yoga path while developing her career in commercial banking. As she searched for relief from scoliosis in the midst of pregnancy about 15 years ago, she fell in love with hatha yoga, as she found a space to nurture herself and the seeds of her growing family.

Gina is fully bilingual (English and Spanish) and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and an MBA from University of Puerto Rico and Interamerican University, respectively. She works as a VP in oneof the top 10 largest Banks in the US.

Gina loves camping and going on nature walks with her family. She’s happily married with her high school sweetheart and is a loving mother of two sweet kids, a kind dog, and flock of birds.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Originally from Damascus, Syria, Hiba walked into her first yoga class in Beirut, Lebanon in 2016, where she was working as a journalist. She had joined the class to regain strength and flexibility after a leg injury had her off her feet for a few months. But the healing Hiba experienced in her yoga practice extended beyond the physical, and she found herself frequently returning to the mat over the years to help feel more rooted and grounded - and to cope with symptoms of PTSD. In 2021, she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training with Chris Chavez in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hiba’s practice is dynamic, adapting to the needs of the class and focused on accessible, mindful and alignment-based movement. It’s an invitation to slow down from a hectic schedule, breathe deeply and move with the body, not against it.

Hiba is natively bilingual in English and Arabic, and a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. After a decade in journalism and filmmaking across the Middle East, Europe and parts of Latin America and the US, she now lives in Tampa with her husband. Hiba is continuing her education in yoga, and still works on the occasional documentary. She loves to cook and is happiest by the water.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Aspen is a retired Air Force veteran, wife, and mom who discovered yoga in 2008. After her retirement, yoga became a transformative practice that helped her alleviate stress, reduce chronic pain, and enhance her overall well-being. Her yoga journey has been deeply healing, offering a profound sense of connection and inner peace.

Aspen is a graduate of Veterans Yoga Project Mindful Resilience Yoga Teacher Training, holding a 200-hour certification with Yoga Alliance. She is passionate about making yoga accessible for all, particularly beginners and veterans, and is dedicated to sharing the transformative and healing power of yoga with others.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Rhonda is a compassionate and nurturing yoga teacher certified by the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) and Yoga Alliance (RYT 200), with additional training as a Radiant Child Yoga instructor. 

Her caring, joyful nature creates a safe, supportive space that allows a deep connection with one's own inner wisdom, fostering confidence and resilience. 

With her many years working with children including in the public school system, she brings a profound understanding of their unique needs.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Michelle’s mindfulness practice led her into her yoga teacher training. Initially, she intended to use the training as a way to cultivate more physical awareness, proper alignment and breathing techniques to prepare her body for meditation. 

But, by the end of the journey she came to realize that her experience was too transformational not to share. After completing the initial 200-hours she immediately continued into an additional 300-hour training program. 

Through her mindfully curated classes Michelle hopes to guide her students to discover the confidence, inner peace and joy that yoga has given her.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Originally from Canada, Scott’s journey has taken him across the globe, immersing himself in different cultures and collecting rich life experiences along the way. His path to yoga began as a way to manage chronic back issues, but what he found was something much deeper. He found a transformative practice that offered healing not only to the body, but to the mind and spirit as well.

Scott finds true peace in a relaxed, welcoming space where movement and mindfulness intertwine, and where each breath becomes an anchor. His teaching and personal practice are rooted in the quieter, more introspective side of yoga such as gentle flows, yin yoga, and slow movement that invite stillness, self-reflection, and a deeper connection to the Self.

For Scott, yoga is never about the perfect pose. It is about presence, showing up exactly as you are, listening closely to your body, and honoring whatever you need in each moment. Through this lens, yoga becomes a journey of self-exploration, a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect, both on the mat and in life.

Scott has completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training and is currently wrapping up his 300-hour certification. His intention is to hold space that feels safe, authentic, and inclusive — where every student can come home to themselves.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Mariana’s journey into yoga began in 2008, as a way to manage the stress of her professional career. With a background in law from the Central University of Venezuela, she found a new calling in yoga, she quickly fell in love with the practice, however, a pre-existing spinal injury and subsequent surgery forced her to pause. She recovered and cautiously returned to her practice with even more determination —always listening to her body- and finding a profound connection with yoga. This process coincided with her experience of migratory grief, and during the pandemic, she embraced yoga as her core practice, finding in it a safe space and a unique refuge from which to navigate her challenges.

Her deep connection with yoga soon inspired her to pursue formal training, leading her to complete a 200-hour certification at The Lotus Pond Center for Yoga and Health. Dedicated to continuous learning, she is currently engaged in an advanced 300-hour program to deepen her knowledge and teaching practice.

Mariana’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that yoga is accessible to everyone. She advocates for a respectful and inclusive approach, encouraging each student to embark on their own journey of self-transformation and self-discovery.

Beyond the mat, Mariana is a proud mother of two and has two grandchildren. She enjoys spending time in nature, loves the sea, reading, and family time.

Her journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the healing power of yoga. Now, she aims to share the benefits she has experienced, so others may also enjoy yoga’s gifts.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Maria was born in Bogotá, Colombia and raised in California before planting roots in Florida over a decade ago. A devoted mother to her spirited 4-year-old daughter, they both find joy and grounding in intentional living and time spent in nature.

Her journey in healthcare began in 2017 when she became a registered nurse, later deepening her passion for holistic wellness through her own healing journey. This led her to become an Integrative Health Practitioner and coach, helping others find balance and vitality in body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga has been a steady part of Maria’s life for over five years—a sacred space for stillness, strength, and self-discovery. In 2024, she followed her calling to teach and became a certified yoga instructor.

Maria is passionate about community, healing, and holding space for others. Her classes reflect her nurturing, grounded energy and offer a blend of presence, peace, and play. She looks forward to welcoming you to your mat!

500 hours Yoga Instructor

I am an E-RYT 500, CYT 500, and Ayush Ministry YCB Levels 1–3 certified yoga educator, with over 9,500 hours of teaching experience and nearly two decades of personal practice.

I began practicing yoga between 2000 and 2004 for personal well-being, and over the years, it became my anchor—helping me navigate health challenges and stay grounded—before evolving into a professional journey.

My training spans esteemed institutions and teachers, including Shammi’s Yogalaya, Rishikul Yogshala, Arogya Yogshala, Yoga Guru India, and the prestigious Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) Pune, established by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar. I have also trained extensively in Rishikesh, Mysore, and Pune, and with contemporary teachers at Yoga Mandala Delhi, blending traditional depth with modern perspectives.

I guide students through a thoughtful fusion of Hatha, Vinyasa, Power, Yin–Yang, Iyengar, and Restorative yoga, emphasizing alignment, breath, and mindful intention over extreme flexibility. I offer transformative, immersive experiences that are precise, soulful, and uniquely my own—rooted in deep understanding rather than physical feats, leaving students grounded, centered, and renewed.

200 hours Yoga Instructor

Katie became RYT-200 hour certified with a focus in trauma at Essential You Yoga in 2026 after more than a decade of practice. She has learned from countless teachers in many cities across the country, and strives to create intentional, thoughtful, and cohesive flows, drawing inspiration from poetry, nature, and yoga philosophy.

Katie initially fell in love with the physical challenge of the asanas but continually comes back to her mat for the restorative, gentle aspects of Hatha yoga. Her favorite elements of a class are juicy stretches, an emphasis on pranayama, a moment of challenge or balance, and a deeply restorative savasana. Katie wants students to leave feeling energetically lighter and physically looser. She is guided to help you facilitate your own healing journey.

Katie was first introduced to yoga in 2015 in what seemed a natural progression from many years of ballet classes, having grown up dancing competitively with a cousin who owned a dance studio. Movement had always had a vital role in her life, but yoga was the first time she had experienced the intentional connection between breathing and moving the body. This began to relieve decades of anxiety, depression and PTSD, and continuous practice supported her in ways that traditional health methods could not. She has also experienced first hand relief from scoliosis and sciatic nerve pain.

Katie moved to Tampa with her boyfriend and dogs in 2021 after a decade in Chicago (by way of Atlanta, North Carolina, Ohio, Boston, London and Las Vegas). In her spare time, she can be found cuddling with her rescue dogs or trying a new recipe.

Are you a stressed, working professional living in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, looking to find a moment of peace in your busy life, AND want to quickly improve your health at the same time?

Well then get your 3 Weeks of Unlimited Yoga for $55 and rediscover peace and vitality!

The best part is, if you’re brand new to yoga or don’t have a yoga mat, no problem, we got you covered.

And if you don’t feel great at the end of your 3 Weeks of Unlimited classes, we’ll do two things for you: we'll give you...

We’ll do this for you because we believe the solution to a happier, healthier, more prosperous world starts with me and you, shining from the inside out!

Because we have tons of happy, long-term students of all ages, we’re confident you’ll experience the same delight.

We keep the class sizes limited, and classes fill up fast, so click the button to get your spot and be part of a global movement towards wellness, balance and prosperity.

Offer available for a limited time.

Offer subject to change without prior notice.

This Offer is only for new, non-members of Essential You Yoga.

Sunday
9am - 9:45 > Mindful Meditation
10am - 11am > Vinyasa Flow

Monday
8:30am - 9:30am > Hatha Yoga
6pm - 7pm > Gentle Yoga
7:15-8:30 pm > Kundalini

Tuesday
6:30am -7:15am > Flow & Rise
12 noon - 12:45pm > Midday Flow
6pm - 7pm > Vinyasa Flow
7:15pm - 8:15pm > Mindful Movement

Wednesday
8:30am - 9:30am > Hatha Yoga
6pm - 7pm > Flow to Stillness
7:15-8:30 pm > Foundational Yoga

Thursday
6:30am -7:15am > Flow & Rise
12 noon - 12:45pm > Midday Flow
6pm - 7:15pm > Mantra Flow
7:30pm - 8:30pm > Restorative Yoga

Friday
8:30am - 9:30am > Vinyasa Flow
10:00am - 11:00am > Chair Yoga

Saturday
10am - 11am > Hatha Yoga

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