TEACHERS
theo lints
Theo is a healer in his natural state, embodying strength, compassion, and wisdom. As a yoga instructor and reiki practitioner, he creates spaces where students feel supported, empowered, and safe to explore their own healing journeys.
His path has been shaped by decades of service and teaching. For 10 years, Theo served as a Blackhawk crew chief in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of sergeant and guiding others as a physical trainer. He later became a helicopter pilot and instructor, continuing his lifelong role as a teacher. Over the past two decades, he has taught martial arts, sword fighting, and personal training — always committed to helping others grow in body, mind, and spirit.
Theo’s own journey of healing opened his heart and mind to what lies beyond this realm. Shedding the cloak of toxic masculinity that followed him through much of his adult life, he now embodies the divine masculine — holding space for spirituality, vulnerability, and strength. His work exemplifies what it means to recognize and accept old patterns, heal from trauma, and embrace new beginnings within the soul, mind, and heart.
An adventurous spirit, Theo has traveled and lived all over the world, bringing a global perspective to his teaching. As a future counselor focused on trauma-informed healing, he integrates wisdom from his experiences with compassion for those he serves.
Today, as co-owner of The Heart Center for Awakening, Theo is dedicated to building community, guiding students through yoga and reiki, and supporting the collective journey of healing and awakening.
ki imperial
Kristina (aka Ki) first began her yoga journey in Philadelphia in 2014 with the goal of losing weight. The practice quickly changed her whole understanding of the human experience and the majestic design of the human body.
She quit her job as a chemist to pursue spiritual work and has been studying various forms of healing energy modalities since. In NYC, Ki became a 200-RYT under the lineage of Iyengar, Baptiste, Cyndi Lee, and more. She studied the chakras in Rishikesh, India, where she found healing and began studies in mysticism. She began in the yoga room as an assistant, using hands-on assistance to help students with form and alignment. Now, she continues to study the body and different massage forms, such as CFT and Thai massage. Ki utilizes healing arts through mediums like touch, sound, and food. She loves cooking mindful meals for retreats, practicing Qi Gong in the forest, and co-creating music for joy and healing.
doris vanderhyde
Doris discovered the transformative power of yoga 25 years ago at a small Kripalu yoga studio in New York City and immediately fell in love with the practice. The profound connection she felt to her body and spirit ignited a deep passion that eventually led to her completion of The Heart Center's 200-hr YTT program in 2022 and 50-hr Yin training in 2023.
Doris is also a clinical social worker and EMDR therapist, specializing in trauma and anxiety, and she's certified in Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery and is a certified Trauma Informed Somatic Yin Yoga Teacher. Her background in therapy brings a unique perspective to her yoga teaching, allowing her to create a safe and supportive space for her students to embark on their own paths of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment through the practice.
In her classes, Doris incorporates elements that go beyond the physical asanas — emphasizing pranayama, meditation & teachings of yogic philosophy. Through her compassionate guidance, students are encouraged to explore the depths of their being, fostering a sense of balance and well-being. With her extensive background as a therapist, Doris creates a safe and nurturing environment for her students to support their practice and growth, both on & off the mat. Additionally, Doris often leads workshops and class series here at The Heart Center. For more information: https://consciousmoments.net/workshops.
rachel rawlings
Rachel’s yoga journey began in 2000. Since then, it has been a constant in her life, grounding and guiding her through a world of constant change. It is her joy to serve others in the community who may desire to discover the deep wisdom and healing yoga offers.
Rachel’s style is influenced by her teachers, committed practice, and dedicated studies. In her classes, she encourages the use of props to support the body, the breath to set the rhythm, and one's inner wisdom to guide their practice. All experience levels are welcome.
She's completed 200-hr trauma-informed YTT, and supplementary Yin, Restorative, Pranayama, and Yoga Nidra trainings, and she continues regular, ongoing studies of yogic principles with her mentor and other teachers. Rachel is a lifelong PNW’er and mom to three adult kids and a nine-year-old rescue dog. Beyond the mat, she is a student of yoga philosophy and the ancient lineages of astrology. She is a practicing astrologer, primarily in the Hellenistic and Persian traditions, an editor, and reiki master practitioner in the Usui Holy Fire lineage. Learn more at astrologyrhapsody.com and kismetediting.com.
christine johnson
Christine (she/her) began her yoga journey in Vermont through some friends who taught at a local studio. With this community, she explored yoga as a physical, mental, and spiritual practice. Over time, her experience with yoga continued to expand and her practice has evolved to be a means by which she connects to the present and mindfully navigates the journey of life.
She completed her 200-hr YTT in 2025 at the University of Washington while she was a graduate student. She focuses on Vinyasa practices, with pranayama techniques, meditation, and trauma-informed methods. Her goal as an instructor is to create welcoming and creative spaces for students to freely explore their bodies and minds and deepen their own practice.
She aims to design her classes to be accessible to all experience levels, abilities, and bodies. Ultimately, she strives to invite and foster community, cultivate mindfulness, and bring in peace and tranquility through yoga.
abbie carr
Abbie is a community worker, youth advocate and educator, and student of life! Completing her 200 hour and Yin training at the Heart Center, Abbie brings a unique blend of yogic philosophy, dynamic sequences, and a warm, welcoming energy to her classes.
Her journey with yoga began at a young age, but it wasn't until after graduating college during the pandemic that she fully embraced the practice. Burnt out from her work in activism and academia, yoga became a grounding tool in her daily life- a way to reconnect with herself and those around her.
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In her classes, Abbie strives to create an inclusive and safe space where practitioners of all bodies and abilities feel both challenged and nourished- encouraging students to explore the mind-body union in a way that feels authentic and joyful.
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devon little
​Devon is a mover, facilitator, and healer. She currently serves as a therapist and social artist, facilitating experiences that deepen connection to oneself and to others. Devon's work has always been embodied in nature, valuing the wisdom of our intuition, sensations, and emotions. She believes that dance/movement is a birthright, and one of the most potent and ancient medicines we have for personal integration and community health. When it comes to leading intuitive dance classes, she takes inspiration from many teachings, particularly the 5Rhythms practice, somatic approaches to wellness, and her own experiences as a mover.
simone bruyère fraser
Simone Bruyère Fraser teaches and mentors yogis in training at the University of Washington. Simone earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and dance from the University of Washington, and a Master’s of Science in Communications and Business from Ithaca College and Cornell University. Her background includes being a member of a ballet company in New York, as well as various other dance forms, working as an actress in LA, NY, and Washington State, voiceover for books on Amazon, film/TV production and casting, a certification in Energy Healing under the training of African Shaman Jude Unegbu, and a yoga teacher certification from the University of Washington, under the mentorship of Ashwini Sadekar, trained in Hrishikesh, India.
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Yoga brings everything beautifully together and Simone feels deep gratitude for the privilege to have trained with such profound teachers, healers, and mentors, and hopes to continue to learn and share while practicing alongside others. www.simonebruyerefraser.com
jonathan resuello​
Ever since Jonathan incorporated yoga into his life, his physical health has flourished. He values yoga over all other forms of physical discipline as a personal trainer who has benefited from all types of exercise. The most alluring element of yoga is that it evolves into so much more. Cliches notwithstanding, there are spiritual and mental gains that become accessible as one progresses through their personal journey and examinations of the practice.
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For Jonathan, it was the meditation component that completely transformed his life. He hopes to bring to the community the same enthusiasm and prosperity that yoga has brought to him. His class will build on your physical strength and push your mental resilience to a better you!
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michaela
brazington
Michaela loves guiding students into a connective experience of their mind, body, and spirit. She enjoys teaching strengthening vinyasa flows, that range from sweaty to spiritual and everywhere in between. On the other end of the spectrum, she loves to guide students into slow, delicious experiences in their body that allow them to take deep breaths and remember the magic that happens in the stillness of life.
You also may see her offering yin yoga classes, yoga nidra, and other opportunities to explore the subtle/energetic body through guided meditation. Expect to explore the edges, find deep moments of relaxation, connect to your inner power and peace, and leave class feeling reconnected to the human experience.
polina naumova
Polina has been practicing yoga for over a decade. She has been teaching for about five years and loves introducing people to the practice for the benefit of mindfulness, mind-body connection, and an occasional good sweat, if that is what the body desires.
Polina’s classes focus on finding a meditative mind-body state through Vinyasa flows that utilize Ashtanga and Iyengar styles of yoga. She believes that yoga is accessible to everyone, and she builds her classes to be inclusive.
Polina holds a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Public Health, and applies the whole person approach of yoga methodology to her work and life.
anna riggs
Anna was born and raised in Wenatchee, WA, and moved to the Seattle area at 30 years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences in January 2020.
She took her first yoga class at 14 at Children’s Hospital in Seattle and felt the healing effects almost immediately, then established a regular practice by age 24. Since then, she's managed a yoga studio and practiced yoga all over the spectrum, from hot vinyasa, to laughing, and goat yoga.
After ten years of practicing yoga, she felt her next step was to teach. In November 2025, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Restorative.
When Anna's not practicing or learning more about yoga, she's reading, painting, and spending time with her husband and three dogs.
shabadrang
bhandana
Shabadrang Bhandana's journey started in 2003 when she took her first reiki training and soon after started practicing Vinyasa yoga. In 2007, she graduated from Frog Lotus Yoga in MA, with 200-hour Hatha & Vinyasa training. Over the years, she has taken many training courses such as Supper Health Yoga for Addiction Recovery, 200-hour Himalayan Kundalini Yoga, and Masters in Ayurveda & Integrated Medicine. She has traveled to various countries for trainings and as a Kirtani for events with Yogi Amandeep. You can find her full list of trainings on www.awakenselfcare.com.
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Shabadrang distinguishes herself from other yoga instructors through a unique and compassionate approach. Providing modification, non-judgemental environment, and empowering the inner guide with-in the student.