We’re just a little bit proud of our excellent, highly credentialed, experienced, fun, and friendly teachers. Did we say we’re a little bit proud?

Helena McLoughlin
Sanne Mahieu
Jen Accristo
Joni Yabut
Kelsey Lyons
Aina Che
Maya Atlasov
Liana Cohen
Celine Bakan
Nadja Villegas
ElizaBeth Alexander
Evangeline Ventura
Lindsey Sharpe
Nikki Wong
Misha Krepon
Elena Milyukova

helena mcLoughlin
yoga | crave owner

Helena was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. In 1990 she moved to Mountain View, fell in love with the Bay Area, and made it her permanent home. For the past 13 years she has taught fitness and yoga classes in various capacities throughout the peninsula. Helena completed her 500hr yoga teacher training with Yoga Source, Los Gatos and in 2020 completed a meditation teacher training with Ananda. Her approach to teaching yoga is to encourage students to connect with how poses feel in their bodies as opposed to how they look. Opening the doors of Crave Yoga allowed her to bring her love of yoga, meditation and the healing arts all under one roof — “Realizing this dream and sharing it in a city I call home has been my greatest honor and privilege”.

sanne mahieu
yoga | crave studio manager

Sanne has been practicing yoga for more than 10 years and started teaching in 2017 after finishing her first (3-year) Yoga Teacher Training. Always looking to strengthen her capabilities as a teacher, she completed a second Yoga Teacher Training on the LYT Yoga method, developed by a physical therapist, bringing a deeper understanding of anatomy to her teaching. The focus of her classes, whether a faster-paced vinyasa flow or a slower, gentler sequence, is to help students move functionally, creating a balance between stability (moving with control) and mobility (moving with ease), so you leave your mat feeling strong and adaptable in everyday life. 

Sanne is originally from the Netherlands, and relocated to the Bay Area in 2021 for a grand adventure! In her free time, she likes to run, hike, have a beer with friends, and of course, explore everything in this beautiful new area that she lives in!

jen accristo
yoga | meditation | healing

Jen began her exploration of yoga in 1999 when preparing for the natural birth of her son, and after years of personal practice, became 200 hour RYT certified in 2019 through Peacebank Yoga. Jen has 15 years of personal and group fitness training experience, is a women's life coach, Reiki practitioner, trained at the Shamanic Academy under Rose Cole studying Guided Energy Medicine, holds a Black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu, is a plant medicine ceremony integration counselor, has certifications in breathwork, guided energy medicine, craniosacral massage, and is mindful meditation and sound healing guide. 

Jen’s goal is to be a healing presence for all those she practices with, and her classes are imbued with a welcoming vibe which creates an anchored space for spiritual communion with self and energetic reset from the stresses of life. She brings elements into her Yoga teaching from her years of holding space for others in her own holistic practice, touching on breath work, meditation, mindful movement, energy work, and sound healing. These elements all aid in regulating the nervous system, releasing stress and tension from the mind and body, encourage a flow of positive neurochemistry, bringing about a sense of well-being, grounding, and lightness. Jen considers it her life path to be of service, and has a deep love of stewarding the sacred work of holding space for yogic practice. Her wish is for each student to leave class feeling peaceful, centered, and for this serenity to expand into every area of life.

joni yabut
yoga

Joni Y. started practicing yoga in 2011 in an effort to bring more mindfulness and reflection to her fitness and daily routine. She completed the 200 Hour RYT training in vinyasa/yin at Yoga @ Cindy’s in 2019 and has taught a variety of vinyasa, gentle & mindful flow, and yin/yang classes. Her style focuses on mobility for optimal functionality, therapeutic movement to release tension, and meditative breathwork to develop body awareness. In addition to teaching yoga, Joni has been teaching dance for over a decade to all ages, primarily youth, and brings that expertise and same fun spirit to each of her yoga classes. She encourages students to let go of judgment, invite compassionate curiosity, and find lightness & strength both on and off the mat.

kelsey lyons
yoga

Kelsey found yoga in her late teens after trying, what felt like everything, to heal from chronic pain and illness. Yoga was Kelsey’s doorway into deep and profound healing. Five years later, thanks to yoga, meditation and reiki, she is free from all chronic pain and illness. Kelsey’s life mission is to share these invaluable tools with the yoga community and beyond. 

Kelsey is a yoga teacher, meditation teacher, reiki master, holistic healer, and lifelong student at heart. In her classes she focuses on fostering loving kindness for all the parts of ourselves. She believes love is at the core of healing and that each of us is already whole. It is through the power of love that we come into divine remembrance of the innate wholeness of the innate healing that lives always within each and every soul.

aina che
yoga

Meet Aina Che, a seasoned yoga educator whose passion extends far beyond the physical realm. For Aina, yoga is not just a series of postures; it’s a profound journey towards wholeness, self-discovery, peace, and balance. With a deep understanding that yoga is a way of living life fully and presently, Aina’s teaching style is loving, joyful, and present.

Aina (E-RYT500, RPYT, RCYT, and YACE) creates a nurturing space for her students and clients to explore their personal physical and spiritual practices. She firmly believes that yoga Asanas serve as a powerful tool to focus the mind on the present moment, enabling clarity and self-awareness. Aina’s teaching approach is mindful and attentive, ensuring that each student receives individualized guidance in a safe, loving, and joyful environment.

Aina also has a deep calling to teach people with all needs, embracing inclusivity and diversity in her classes. Her teaching style is characterized by its loving presence, joyful energy, and mindful guidance. She understands that yoga is more than just a physical practice; it’s a gateway to inner stillness, love, and unwavering focus. Through her gentle yet profound guidance, Aina empowers her students to embrace the holistic essence of yoga, guiding them on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and profound inner peace.

maya atlasov
prenatal yoga

Maya is a California native, but a world traveler at heart. Her yoga journey began at the age of 9 years young. At 18, Maya left the comfort of the Bay Area to study yoga in India where she received her first 200hr Hatha Yoga certification from Sivananda Ashram. She continued on to study Yin yoga, childrens yoga, and prenatal yoga. In 2018, Maya discovered the world of Doulahood and became a DONA certified Doula. She then received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Reichman University. In August 2022, Maya moved back to the Bay Area and is excited to share her love of the yogic path as well as her long hugs to the Crave community.

Liana Cohen
yoga

Like many yoga practitioners, Liana first fell in love with the asana side of yoga. Having never been an “athlete,” she enjoyed surprising herself with what she could do and found there really is power in her body! As she delved deeper into the spiritual practice, Liana discovered the healing effects yoga has on the mind. In 2015, Liana became a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) in Portland, Oregon. She believes we are all capable of any pose with practice, and feels privileged to show people what they can do when they give themselves permission. Liana has taught a range of yoga classes including gentle, flow, pre-natal, and mommy and baby, but her favorite is creatively-sequenced, challenging power vinyasa. When she isn't practicing in the studio, Liana loves hiking among the redwoods with her husband and two kids.

celine bakan
yoga

Originally from France, Celine and her husband moved to California nine years ago. Without a work visa, the first year was a very difficult time until someone told her that she had a Groupon coupon for yoga classes—and voila! That’s how it all started for Celine. She enrolled in classes, volunteered at the studio front desk and when she finally received a green card, she was offered the front desk manager position. Fast forward to 2017, Celine turned her passion for yoga into teaching classes with a desire to expand her experience and dive deeper into her practice. “I deeply enjoy sharing knowledge and guiding students. And while my previous yoga studio recently closed, I am thrilled to start teaching at Crave Yoga”. Celine, we are thrilled to have you!

nadja villegas
yoga | meditation

Nadja is a wellness and holistic coach, TCM and Acupuncture Masters student, Yoga Alliance certified E-RYT and RPYT with over 1000 hours of advance training and a YACEP. She specializes in Yin Yoga, Gentle and Restorative, Meditation (Certified CTTA), Breathwork, and functional yoga for mobility. She integrates multiple aspects of yoga including Pranayama, Mudra, Meditation and Trauma Sensitive Yoga to help her students transform physically and mentally. Off the mat, Nadja enjoys drinking tea, gardening, and spending quality time with her two hairless cats.

elizabeth alexander
reiki | energy medicine

ElizaBeth (she/her) has been studying the Healing Arts for over a decade, and holds over ten certifications and apprenticeships in Reiki, Somatics and Energy Medicine. She is a Reiki Master and Integrative Somatic Practitioner, and creates spaces for people to feel free to be themselves.

Born and raised in California on Ohlone lands, ElizaBeth comes from mixed European ancestry with Scottish, English, Polish and Southern French/German roots. She is incredibly grateful to her ancestors, guides and her Healing Arts teachers and mentors, in particular Amber Lee, Heather McCall, Cyndi Dale, and the late Jada Delaney.  

ElizaBeth, also known as Beth, has a successful career in physical fitness that complements her Healing Arts Practices. She has degrees from U.C. Santa Barbara, holds more than 13 health and fitness certifications, and has been featured on national media including The Today Show and Shape. Her speciality and passion is exploring where the physical meets the subtle, bringing together her knowledge of physical anatomy and kinesiology with subtle energy and somatic practices. People report both immediate and long-lasting changes from experiences facilitated by ElizaBeth — and are made to feel welcome and at ease with both the playfulness and lightheartedness that she brings.

evangeline “vangie” ventura
restorative yoga

Evangeline “Vangie “ Ventura, completed the 200 hour Avalon Yoga teacher program in the fall of 2016. She specializes in teaching traditional Restorative Yoga classes, as well as her signature class that combines traditional yoga asanas with a strong Yin element along with functional physical therapy rehab exercises (Yang). She’s a California board certified physical therapist practicing in outpatient orthopedics clinics since 2002. Vangie's love of Restorative Yoga developed under her teacher, Janya Wongsopa, whose classes were a portal to experiences of profound meditative and blissful states. Nothing is more fulfilling for her than sharing the practice of Restorative Yoga for students to experience for themselves the healing power of a well regulated and balanced sympathetic (yang) and parasympathetic (yin) nervous systems.

Lindsey Sharpe
yoga

Lindsey’s yoga journey began as an outlet for stress relief as a graduate student in Austin, TX. She instantly fell in love with the opportunity yoga provides to connect with our breath, the euphoria of getting upside down, and perhaps most of all, the incredible communities that are built along the way. By creating a dedicated space to reflect and recalibrate body and mind, Lindsey believes yoga can be a transformative tool to feel like our best selves in all areas of life.

Lindsey has practiced yoga for over 10 years, while teaching for the last five years. With a foundation in power yoga and secondary training in the physical-therapy-informed LYT style of yoga, you can expect her classes to blend fun, challenging, and grounding elements. Her goal is to help students move with more strength, control, and ease - and for each student to leave each class feeling better than when they walked in.

nikki wong
yoga

Nikki first discovered yoga in 2002 when her co-worker suggested it would help with her carpal tunnel syndrome. Since then, yoga has supported her through many life changes including multiple pregnancies, losing her jobs, chronic pain, multiple surgeries and rare diseases of cancer and tarlov cysts. Yoga helped her stay grounded, resilient and present through all the difficult situations. She’s witnessed how the power of yoga transformed her life and believes yoga is for everyone no matter your age, ability or circumstance. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching various yoga styles, you’ll find her sequences are a combination of traditional yoga postures that are often paired with functional movements, isometrics and other creative methods aimed to provide as many opportunities to connect to your body and move in various angles in order to keep your body strong, supple and functioning well.

misha krepon
yoga

Misha believes that yoga can be playful yet profound. She provides students with the opportunity to explore and find a deeper sense of calmness and clarity. In a supportive and fun environment, Misha focuses on the breath, strengthening the body, flexibility and balance. She ends each class with a deeply relaxing final rest. Misha’s intention is that each student leaves feeling better than when they walked in. 

Misha has been practicing yoga for 30 years and received her teacher training certification in the Himalayas in India. Also, she is certified as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor.

elena milyukova
yoga

Elena was introduced to the fascinating world of yoga 15 years ago. During summer vacation Elena's daughter Stacy took yoga classes at Foothill College. Stacy enjoyed yoga classes and demonstrated her proficiency in yoga, which invoked Elena's interest in yoga. She remembers herself looking at the asana pictures in books and on-line and thinking, "Wow! I want to perform these beautiful poses too."

Elena started practicing yoga poses from yoga books and later took classes at local yoga studios. She studied the whole spectrum of yoga art - philosophy, pranayama, chanting, and meditation. When she realized passion to share her knowledge and love for yoga, she graduated from the Avalon Teacher Training program in Palo Alto. Later, she enrolled in a Sufi school and learned Sufi meditation techniques to help improve her classes. After more than 10 years of teaching Elena is well-known and loved by many students in the Bay Area. 

Elena lives in Cupertino, California with her family, loving husband Andrey and two beautiful daughters. She feels much love for them as they support her in this path. Elena has a Master's in Computer Science from Russia and Degree in Accounting which she received in the United States. She also loves horses and rides several times a week.