Our Teachers

In 2015 John opened the first dedicated yoga studio in Amherst County, Mindful Mountain Yoga, with a weekly selection of classes from several teachers. The studio works with local elementary schools, offers yoga to intellectually disabled day support programs, and supports employee wellness programs with local employers.

He is a professor of yoga at UVA, Charlottesville, VA, and teaches for Charlottesville Parks & Rec. John has led yoga presentations at Floyd Yoga Jam, a 4 day festival and at Festy, a music festival. Before moving to Virginia in 2010, John was proprietor of a small studio, Yoga On Main, in Mt Kisco, NY; he also instructed yoga at the VA Hospital in Montrose, NY in 2006. John graduated from a year long, 200 hour certified yoga teacher training at The Breathing Project, in NYC in 2008.

Learning to assess many life situations that people bring into yoga class, John worked 4 years as rehab assistant both with in-hospital and outpatient physical therapy, 4 years as ICU nursing assistant and hospital support for patients with mental health challenges including suicide ideation, addiction withdrawal, and dementias. John’s studies include a two year Respiratory Therapy program and 1 year EMT certification.

John has practiced weekly sitting meditation and participated in several week-long meditation retreats at Chung Yen Monastery, Carmel, NY. That was also when he trained several years as a marathon runner, finishing ahead of 30,000 other runners in the NYC Marathon, in both 1997 and 1998.

Studying Oriental energy practices led to a year-long Qi Gong instruction from Daria Fain (senior student of Mantak Chia, healer and Tai Chi master) in 2005; John received a Reiki healing certification in 2004. He continues to learn an understanding of body and mind through movement and mindfulness to promote personal health.

Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Media Coordinator

Mary is receiving her 200hr certification from Mindful Mountain Yoga, a breath based yoga practice. She received special training in Chair Yoga focused on helping people develop strength, flexibility, balance and confidence in their own abilities.

Mary is also a trained massage therapist

Mary’s interest in connecting with and assisting women in their journey stems from her own journey as a single mother of two. She believes in easier access to holistic mindful care for women’s body, mind and spirit.

Mary’s passion for community connection has her producing our televised yoga classes. She is interviewer and cameraperson for our field outreach program.

Erin became a certified Yoga Teacher in 2017. Teaching yoga as a way to help people discover their basic goodness and strength. There is plenty of room for creativity and a sense of humor is a bonus. 

” I want people to do yoga at any age, each person creating a better self to help build a better world. ”

Nancy Mehlich

Yoga Teacher, Public school teacher

Nancy is receiving her 200hr certification from Mindful Mountain Yoga, a breath based yoga practice. She received special training in Chair Yoga focused on helping people develop strength, flexibility, balance and confidence in their own abilities.

Her personal yoga practice includes artistic expression. She enjoys teaching group classes and individual private classes.

Mack McLellan

Meditation Teacher, Private school teacher

Mack is receiving his 200hr certification from Mindful Mountain Yoga, a breath based yoga practice, combining mindful meditation and yoga, focused on helping people develop strength, flexibility, balance and confidence in their own abilities.

He values being a youth mentor for kids and young adults of color.