Meet Our Yoga & Pilates Instructors

Our instructors are at the center of everything we do.

Each class at Lisa’s Yoga Studio in Branford, CT is guided with intention, clarity, and attention to how you actually feel in your body.

Whether you’re coming for hot yoga, mat pilates, or sculpt, our team is here to help you build strength, find your rhythm, and come back to yourself.

Every instructor brings their own energy to the room—but the goal is always the same:
to create a space that feels welcoming, supportive, and worth coming back to.

A woman with long brown hair sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat, smiling, in a room with a plain white wall.

Alex Moore Sopariwala

Alex is a seasoned Yoga teacher with ten years of experience, beginning her journey in her early twenties when she turned to Yoga for a more mindful way to live and move. Her classes blend intentional sequencing with breath centered movement, shaped by her ongoing studies in anatomy, philosophy, hands on assisting, and advanced postures. She believes Yoga builds strength, flexibility, and an open mind, and she is committed to helping students grow through the practice while enjoying life off the mat with her dog, her husband, and their travels.

A man practicing yoga outdoors on a grassy area, performing a side stretch pose with one arm extended upwards and the other supported on the ground, surrounded by green trees and bright sunlight.

Danny Monaco-Lliff

Danny’s lifelong love of movement, athletics, and personal growth eventually led him to yoga, which became a source of light during some of his most challenging seasons. After years of exploring meditation and spiritual practice, he committed fully to his path and earned his 200 hour YTT through Mystic Yoga Shala in 2025. As a teacher, Danny aims to empower others by helping them see their own greatness, whether he is leading yoga classes, mentoring at Into The Forest School, or connecting through the many activities he loves, from hiking and music to time spent with family and friends.

A woman with long hair and a big smile practicing yoga on a mat, sitting cross-legged with one foot resting on her thigh in a peaceful indoor setting.

Laura Craft

Laura is a 200 hour certified Yoga teacher with additional training in children’s Yoga, and she brings a warm, uplifting energy to every class she leads. She blends mindful breathwork, purposeful movement, and grounded strength to help students feel connected and empowered. Her passion is guiding others to align heart, mind, and spirit both on and off the mat.

A woman practicing yoga indoors, sitting cross-legged on a blue mat with her hands pressed together in a prayer position, smiling at the camera.

Alyssa L. Smith

Alyssa is a compassionate RYT 200 who discovered Yoga in 2021 while managing Type 2 Diabetes and quickly found its deeper mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. She teaches with a focus on safe alignment, mindful movement, and breath-centered awareness, creating a supportive space for every body and every soul. With a background in theater and a voice often described as a human sound bowl, Alyssa brings a gentle artistry to her classes through song, mantra, and soulful guidance.

Woman sitting on yoga mat in home gym, lifting light dumbbells and smiling

Lauren Tuppeny

Lauren Tuppeny brings a love of movement and continuous growth to her teaching. As a Mat Pilates instructor at Lisa’s Hot Yoga Studio she is focused on helping students build strength feel supported and enjoy the process of learning

A woman sitting on a black exercise table in a fitness or physical therapy room, smiling at the camera, with fitness equipment like foam rollers and exercise balls in the background.

Kristin Depalma

Kristin is a fully certified STOTT PILATES instructor with years of experience teaching reformer, mat, and apparatus Pilates. Her classes feature creative flows, smart sequencing, and thoughtful variation that keep workouts engaging and effective. She is also a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, supporting overall wellness through balanced movement and nutrition.

A woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a red zip-up jacket and black pants, sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat in a room with wooden flooring and a glass door behind her.

Ashley McNamara

Ashley McNamara is a 500 hour certified yoga teacher with advanced training and a passion for wellness and strength. She teaches dynamic vinyasa classes that are strong intentional and thoughtfully paced. Her classes combine solid alignment energizing music and uplifting cues that encourage confidence and presence. Ashley believes yoga should be accessible empowering and joyful and she strives to create a space where students can move freely let go of expectations and leave class feeling grounded energized and supported.

A woman with tattoos, sunglasses, and colorful pants dancing with arms raised in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.

Sierra Deandrea

Sierra discovered yoga in 2019 during her first hot yoga class and quickly found her connection to the practice. She earned her 200 hour RYT in 2022 and now teaches energizing, challenging classes that leave students feeling empowered and supported. Outside the studio, Sierra works as a pharmacy technician and enjoys hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and dancing at festivals.

A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling outdoors during daytime, wearing a navy sleeveless shirt and a necklace, with colorful umbrellas and chairs in the background.

Christie

Christie brings over 12 years of teaching experience and a passion for creating a welcoming, supportive space for students of all levels. Her classes combine thoughtful sequencing, approachable guidance, and a strong sense of community, helping students build confidence and deepen their practice. After graduating from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, she spent several years teaching in Washington DC before moving to Connecticut in 2023. She also works with Yoga Alliance and brings warmth, experience, and intention to every class.

A woman with curly blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black spaghetti strap top, at a social event with people in formal attire in the background.

Heather Theriault

Heather brings over 19 years of experience as a fitness instructor and trainer, with a passion for helping others build strength and confidence through movement. As a triathlete coach and certified in multiple formats including Pilates, strength training, HIIT, spin, and TRX, she brings a dynamic and well rounded approach to every class. Heather creates a motivating, supportive environment where students feel challenged and capable, and she is excited to bring her energy into this new Pilates fusion class.

A woman with curly dark hair smiling in a black long-sleeve top and light blue jeans, standing indoors near a white paneled wall.

Steph Accettullo

Steph discovered yoga and Pilates in 2023 and quickly developed a passion for movement and mindful training. She went on to complete her 500 hour Pilates certification and now brings an energetic, well-rounded approach to her classes. Steph loves combining strength, control, and flow, often pairing her sessions with thoughtfully curated playlists that keep the energy high. Outside the studio, she enjoys strength training, spin, hiking, and traveling.

Julia

Julia completed her training through the Merrithew Total Barre Program and began her teaching career within her hometown community. Since then, she has gained extensive experience teaching barre, Pilates, HIIT, and paddleboard fitness across Connecticut and Maryland.

Sydney

Sydney discovered Pilates while looking for a way to balance the demands of collegiate soccer, a rigorous academic course load, and the challenges of navigating college during COVID. What began as a way to manage stress quickly became a passion, helping her develop greater body awareness, strength, and confidence that carried over into every aspect of her life.

Sydney earned her Pilates certification through Body Karma Studio in Clinton and is currently pursuing her Barre certification through American Barre Technique. She brings an athletic approach to every class, creating workouts that are fun, challenging, and accessible for all fitness levels.

In addition to teaching Pilates, Sydney has over five years of experience coaching soccer, primarily working with young female athletes. She is passionate about fostering confidence, resilience, and empowerment, creating positive environments where athletes feel encouraged to challenge themselves. She carries this same philosophy into her Pilates classes, helping clients build strength while developing a deeper connection with their bodies.

Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to take your practice to the next level, Sydney strives to create an energetic and supportive space where everyone feels capable, challenged, and successful.

Outside the studio, you’ll find Sydney weightlifting, hiking, playing pickleball, or enjoying time outdoors—especially if it involves a relaxing swim and soaking up the sunshine.

Josie

Josie is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor with over 500 hours of teacher training. She has always valued health and wellness as essential parts of a balanced life. After discovering Pilates, she quickly fell in love with its ability to strengthen both the body and mind, and it has since become a cornerstone of her daily routine. She truly enjoys sharing her love of Pilates with others.

Throughout her training she’s touched on barre-inspired movements within Pilates, Josie is excited to blend the precision of Pilates with the energy of barre to create fun, challenging classes that help clients build strength, balance, and confidence.

What to expect from our instructors

  • beginner-friendly guidance in every class

  • clear instruction and modifications

  • support for all levels, from first class to consistent practice

  • a balance of challenge and approachability

  • a focus on building a routine you can stick to

Reserve Your Spot

Yoga and Pilates in Branford, CT

Lisa’s Yoga Studio offers hot yoga, mat pilates, and sculpt classes in Branford, Connecticut. Our instructors are experienced in working with beginners and regular practitioners alike, helping you build a routine that fits your life. whether you’re local to branford or coming from nearby shoreline communities, our studio is designed to feel approachable, consistent, and community-driven.

Visit Us

235 North Main Street
Branford, CT, 06405

Hours
Monday–Sunday
5am–8pm

Phone
203-738-9658