Meet your Yoga Instructors
Cleveland Clinic Yoga Instructors all have training and experience with making yoga accessible to all participants. No matter what class you attend, you will find an instructor that is welcoming, patient, attentive, and capable of teaching to all different body types and levels of ability.
Judi Bar, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Judi is the Yoga Program Manager at Cleveland Clinic Wellness, where she has developed a fully inclusive style of yoga that allows each and every body the ability to practice yoga on their own terms. This "Come As You Are" style of yoga has helped patients with chronic pain, disease, and physical conditions to recieve the healing benefits of yoga. Judi has also further developed this gentle practice for those who feel intimidated by a traditional yoga class. This inclusive style is targeted at providing stress relief, and increasing resiliency. It is practiced throughout Cleveland Clinic, by both patients and employees.
Yoga Program Manager | CC School of Yoga Lead Instructor
Linda Baron, E-RYT 500
Linda teaches with inclusion, joy, and an emphasis on mindfulness. She guides her students to take an inward journey with yoga, discovering more about themselves, and honoring what truly brings them joy and gratitude. Linda's intention is to help each student to restore internal balance, as well as external balance, so that more peace can be felt each day, and every day!
Therapeutic | Wellness Levels 1 & 2
Cassandra Shofar, E-RYT 500
Cassandra graduated from her 500-hour teacher training, under Judi Bar, in March of 2016. She also received her Reiki Master certification in the spring of 2016. She teaches primarily a Hatha Yoga style, incorporating wellness yoga and many modifications to reach all of her students, no matter what level of yoga, if any, they currently practice. Cassandra loves connecting the mind and body, bringing relaxation, balance and mindfulness to her students' lives, and welcomes people of all levels to her classes. She focuses on breath work, meditation and alignment, and believes everyone, no matter what age, ailments or challenges, can benefit from yoga.
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional
Danielle Smeach, RYT 200
Danielle received her 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga. Danielle believes we all heal and grow through yoga and meditation. In her classes, Danielle focuses on how yoga masters the mind and spirit through simple body movements and breath work. She teaches yoga to students of all levels through grace and guidance. And encourages her students to become intentionally powerful with the strength they have inside themselves.
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional
Ashley Penman, RYT 200
Ashley graduated from the Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga in 2016. She began to practice yoga 15 years ago for the physical exercise but continues to practice for the emotional benefit.
"As a clinical social worker who counsels teens and adults, I go to yoga for self-care. I teach from a genuine place and seek to help students find what they need on their mat- relaxation, release, energy, joy. I believe the movement in yoga is important in building balance, strength, and flexibility. However, the breath is essential for growth and healing. I love to see students walk out feeling better than when they walked in."
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional
Sally Sherwin, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Sally believes that yoga is an adventure for everybody and every body. Her teaching style blends traditional and modern forms of yoga that create alignment in the body, breath, and mind to help build strengh, flexibility, and focus. Sally is passionate about helping partipants reduce stress, simplify, and reconnect to what truly inspires them!
CC School of Yoga Instructor | Therapeutic
Paula Brown, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Paula holds degrees in psychology and market research, and she has a strong background in music, education, and spirituality. All of these studies have informed her approach as a yoga instructor, enabling her to reach her students exactly where they are, and guide them through a yoga practice that meets their needs, and helps them to remember the wonderful truth and joy of who they really are.
CC School of Yoga Instructor
Carolyn Deming Glaviano, RYT 200
Carolyn received her 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga. She has practiced yoga personally for 20 years, many different styles in several countries around the world. In Carolyn’s classes you’ll find a deep breath and movement connection to calm the mind, rejuvenate the body and turn awareness inward. The body has a loud voice and it’s important to give it a space and time to be heard. Her classes are appropriate for all levels and utilize props while encouraging modifications specific to individuals.
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional
Laura Hogan, RYT 200
Laura graduated from the inaugural class of the Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga with a certification in Traditional and Wellness Yoga and has been teaching both. Laura has a strong background in the fitness industry with over 30 years of experience in dance, personal training and other fitness disciplines. Her love for teaching is palpable. She teaches with intent and joy and her students are the guiding energy to every yoga class. She shares and encourages her students of all levels to discover their inner strength while finding inner peace.
Wellness Levels 1 & 2
Therese Reymann Kerns, RYT 200
Therese is a Yoga Instructor and Intern with the Cleveland Clinic Yoga Program. She is a Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga, 200 level certified Yoga Instructor. In 2019 Therese received her certification from Duke in Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching. She is also a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
Therese’s life’s work is helping to empower people with disabilities and older adults. Yoga is an extension and continuation of this passion. “Because Wellness Yoga meets people where they are, it teaches people to be kind to themselves by building strength, flexibility, mindfulness and beneficial breathing techniques. Yoga has changed my life and I love assisting patients, staff and community me mbers in discovering that simple movements done mindfully can make all the difference.”
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional
Brittany Teems, RYT 200
Brittany grew up in the area and looked into starting yoga her freshman year of college finding she greatly enjoyed the stress relief yoga brought, which she in turn continued into adulthood. Since she was little she has always enjoyed helping others, using yoga as a wonderful avenue to do just that. In May 2018 she successfully completed her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Certification through Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga.
"I believe the mind body connection is a powerful thing. So think less, and just BE more. Let go and let the good flow in. Letting go allows you to begin to grow in so many amazing ways that your brain has no awareness of yet. Yoga has always helped me to adapt to change, center my life and acknowledge how precious the present moment is.
My purpose is to empower individuals to meet them where they are and find ways to experience a more balanced and healthy life. My classes are mindful, educational, and fun; as they challenge you to experience your own truth by peeling away the layers to reveal the light within. Namaste!"
Wellness Levels 1 & 2 | Traditional