Bend Don't Break

Tyler Brent - Yoga and Fitness Manager

Tyler (she/her) is an experienced group fitness instructor as well as a 200-E-RYT yoga instructor with over 1,500 teaching hours under her belt. She’s been teaching yoga and fitness since 2017 and falls in love with instructing more each day. Tyler is DC Bouldering Project’s Yoga & Fitness Manager so you can almost always find her taking classes, teaching classes, and climbing. When Tyler isn’t at the gym, she’s probably singing Taylor Swift to her cat, reading in the sun, and/or mobilizing her community around what she’s passionate about – from social justice to karaoke to finding the best ramen in the DMV. 

Aaron Curtis

Aaron incorporates multiple styles of yoga into his classes. In a typical class – you can expect to build heat with music by artists like Fred Again and Chris Luno, guided tutorials for arm balances and inversions, and science based breathing techniques to support activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Whether you’re new to yoga or have a more advanced practice, Aaron strives to find modifications and options that meet each practitioner where they are.

Albert "AJ" Custard

Meet AJ, a dedicated and certified yoga teacher (RYT 200) and attorney from Washington, DC, who found solace and peace in yoga amidst life’s chaos. AJ’s inclusive Vinyasa classes blend creative breath sequences with elements of anime, empowering students to listen to their bodies and embrace self-care in a nurturing space. Join AJ for empowering yoga classes promoting self-exploration and diversity, cultivating a community of resilience and transformation. His classes also might have the best playlist 😉

Angel Gonzalez

Angel discovered yoga in college and was drawn to it because it provided a profound sense of clarity, guidance, and release during a difficult time. Angel teaches yoga because it can be a powerful avenue for self-exploration and discovery. He aims to bring awareness to sensations, thoughts, actions, and reactions to understand the habits and patterns we can cultivate to support clarity, compassion, friendship, inner peace, stability, and strength.

Angela Waddill

Angela (she/her) got certified right here at Bouldering Project last year, but she’s been part of the community much longer—as a dedicated member and lover of all things movement. Drawn to yoga for its calming, centering energy, she finds joy in getting lost in flow. You’ll rarely see her without her signature Beats (ask her for a playlist rec!), and when she’s not on the mat, she’s likely diving into a new hobby—anything from pottery to the banjo. You might also catch her slinging drinks at Dew Drop, her favorite neighborhood bar.

Casey Williams

Casey Williams has been a 200-hour registered yoga teacher since 2015. As a former competitive dancer and Crossfit athlete, Casey brings creativity and strength to her flows so that each class is unique and challenging. She believes yoga is for every body, and strives to make each class accessible, whether you’ve been practicing for years or stepping onto the mat for the first time. Casey lives in Washington, DC. 

Christian Torbett

Christian is a multisport athlete who grew up in East Tennessee, and was exposed to yoga at a young age. Just prior to moving to the DMV area, he completed his RYT200 instructor certification in hopes of sharing his passion with others.

Christian’s favorite aspects of being an instructor are showing up for others and fostering community. His classes range from upbeat and intense power vinyasa to mellow and restorative sequences, paired with music of all genres from pop hits and EDM to indie rock and lo-fi vibes. He ensures all classes are accessible to anyone regardless of experience by offering ample modifications and personal assistance.

In addition to yoga, Christian finds balance in his fitness lifestyle by incorporating swimming, biking, running, weightlifting, and outdoor activities like hiking and paddleboarding. Along with fitness, Christian enjoys cooking, being creative and spending time with friends and his dog, Sinatra.

Elle Sullivan

Elle Sullivan (she/her) ERYT-200, RYT-500, YACEP  teaches a variety of formats for students of all levels with the intention to honor every individual on their unique journey. With an emphasis on accessibility, practice on the mat is about chasing sensation rather than specific aesthetics. Elle believes the adventure of exploring strength and balance in our bodies and minds is rehearsal for our continued growth off of the yoga mat.

Denesia Rodgers

Born in beautiful Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Tobago, and raised in vibrant northern New Jersey, Denesia brings a unique blend of cultures and perspectives to her teaching. Denesia’s personal journey with yoga began in 2013 when she started practicing to help manage her lifelong struggle with scoliosis. Little did she know that this ancient practice would become her passion and source of healing. Yoga quickly became a transformative force in her life, nourishing her mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, Denesia welcomes you with open arms and a compassionate heart. Denesia encourages her students to embrace the idea that every body type is different and that yoga is accessible to anyone. She specializes in Prenatal, Postnatal, Hatha, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Yoga has been a considerable part of her path to healing, and sharing this practice with others has been her overall mission.

Felicia Taliaferro

Felicia “Fela” Taliaferro is a Yoga Therapist, Wellness Consultant, and more. She is a

passionate advocate for the transformative power of yoga. With nearly a decade of experience

guiding individuals of all shapes, backgrounds, and capacities on their yoga journeys, Fela has

become a beacon of healing and empowerment in the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and

Virginia) and internationally. Fela’s dedication to the art and science of yoga therapy is underscored by her academic achievements. She holds a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy from the prestigious Maryland University of Integrative Health. This integrative approach to yoga therapy involves harnessing

the ancient wisdom of yoga to address physical, emotional, and mental well-being, making it a

potent tool for holistic healing.

Freddie Montgomery

Freddie (he/him) is a breath-led, alignment-focused yoga practitioner in DC, originally from Miami, FL. He loves exploring how engaged postures and pranayama can release tension and deepen awareness. As a recovering marathoner with scoliosis and tight hips, yoga has become a sanctuary for reconnecting with his body and navigating life with more ease. His eccentric, Gemini-influenced flows, fire playlists, and grounded, restorative guidance will keep students on their toes and guide them to meet stress, anxiety, and uncertainty with a steadier breath and a softer heart. His 200-hour YTT certification was obtained with Albina Rippy, Chris Parkinson, and Julia Romano at Bouldering Project and VIDA Fitness.

Griffen Saul

Griffen (he/him) is a devoted practitioner and teacher of yoga. He completed his 200 hour YTT with Flow Yoga in Washington, D.C. with the support of numerous respected teachers from diverse lineages. He is deeply passionate about holding space to foster individual and community healing, as well as cultivate strength and power in the mind, body, and soul. In Griffen’s class, you can expect to practice various pranayama techniques to connect with your breath, explore playful movement. and move towards developing a more loving, compassionate relationship with yourself. Off the mat, you can find Griffen rock climbing, hiking, or gardening.

Jackie Powell

Jackie has been teaching yoga to all ages and abilities (0 – 100+!) since 2013. She is trained in power and alignment flow yoga and adapts her knowledge of movement and mindfulness to meet students where they are in their practice. In her personal practice, Jackie loves exploring new movements and poses and encourages her students to do the same. While she loves to challenge herself and others to find new edges in their physical practice, she is keenly aware that the physical yoga practice is a means to greater self awareness and self actualization. Jackie’s intention is for every student to find a deeper and more compassionate connection to themselves, physically and emotionally.

Jesica Thavarajah

Jesica started teaching yoga in 2019 to expand her own practice and to support trauma healing in the humanitarian/aid space. Her teaching style is based on philosophies and practices from around the world which focus on building a sense of inner peace. She is also an avid student of neuroscience and somatics which she weaves in to the practice. Her classes focus on breathwork and mind-body connection as a way to build strength and mental and physical endurance. Her favorite parts of teaching are watching growing practices and the peace in the room after savasana

Jess Gioe

Jess Gioe is an E-RYT 200 who has led students through 4000+ hours of practice since receiving her certification in 2017.  Jess brings her love for a variety of traditions including rocket vinyasa, prana flow, and mindfulness meditation to her classes. Coming from a perspective of managing chronic pain, Jess prioritizes joint health and progressive depth in her creative sequencing while cultivating an environment for students to challenge themselves. She strives to hold space for an experience that is meditative yet playful, welcoming yet disciplined, and challenging yet restoring. Expect a breath-focused class set to a vibey soundtrack with plenty of multi-level options provided through strengthening flows and deep stretches.

Kris King

A lifelong student, Kris first came to yoga in 2012 and has continued her practice and study over the past decade as a way to explore and rekindle a loving relationship with her body, mind, and spirit. Kris graduated from the Swastha Yoga International 200 Hour Teacher Training in 2022 and the Past Tense DC Yoga Immersion Program in 2023. Her classes combine joyful movement with energetic breathwork (as well the occasional dance party or two). Off the mat, Kris is also a writer, creative teaching artist, and nonprofit administrator and you can find her facilitating creative and movement based programming in and around the DMV area.

Kate Keefer

Kate is a yoga and fitness teacher and  loves being able to build strength both physically and mentally, through all forms of movement. She teaches yoga, hitt, and restorative classes. If you enjoy EDM, strength based coaching, and some dad jokes – Kate’s class is for you!

Mahima Gupta

Mahima is a certified 200-hr yoga instructor. Mahima first came to yoga for the physical benefits hoping to become more fit. As her body became stronger and healthier, she soon discovered that her yoga mat was a place to find a sense of contentment, self awareness and mind body connection. When Mahima is not on her mat, you can find her painting, outside in the sun,  or baking!

Marissa Cole

Marissa (she/her) is both a dedicated student and teacher of Yoga. Coming from a 250-hour YTT program that fuses many different types of yoga philosophy with traditional vinyasa practice, Marissa is excited to work with DCBP members of all different yoga backgrounds and experience levels! She’s especially excited about using yoga as a way to help people strengthen their body for other physical activities they’re passionate about like climbing, running, and weight lifting, etc. Her personal journey with yoga has helped her to find a way to challenge herself both physically and mentally while acknowledging that progress is found in the smallest of moments, including failure. Outside of the classroom, you can find Marissa experimenting with new cooking/baking recipes, hiking, or buying more plants to feed her obsession.

Sarah-Jane Nunes

Pele took her 200-hour yoga teacher training after informally teaching yoga to her cohort throughout the Peace Corps. Since then, she has been teaching classes in gardens and at different studios in DC. As both a health care provider and yoga teacher, Pele is always focused on encouraging bodily awareness and good body mechanics with students. Her classes are creative, flowy, and invite mindfulness. As an avid rock climber, Pele is a fan of shoulder openers, hands-on back adjustments, and hip mobility. Pele enjoys inventing new dishes with whatever she has in the fridge, gardening, and biking.

Yasmeena Nolan

Yasmeena is a certified instructor in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. She believes that “joy, movement, and vulnerability come together to create play — an overlooked but essential part of humanhood.” In her class you’ll experience creative sequences, funky transitions, and variations for all different levels. Her classes provide lots of room to explore and be curious, so you can truly make your practice your own. She aims to share yoga in a way that empowers others to explore without judgment and find pleasure in the process of doing it. Getting to design alt-indie playlists to flow to is just an added bonus!