Mer has practiced yoga and the healing arts since she was 16. She is a healer, dancer and songbird and has been influenced by the Sri Vidya lineage of Tantra and wide range of teachers from Ana Forrest and Shiva Rae to Alberto Villoldo.

Her style is fluid and strong and allows space for spiritual access. She creates a steady groove through breath and beats, where one can dissolve into the field of oneness, while meeting their own unique needs. Alone, together.

Alyssa is a 500-hour E-RYT, nurse, and founder of Tortuga Yoga School. Her classes blend the strength and fluidity of vinyasa with the dynamic energy of Rocket Yoga, creating challenging, mindful practices that invite students to move, breathe, and grow.

With a background that bridges yoga, nursing, and holistic wellness, Alyssa brings both compassion and intention to her teaching. She believes yoga is about more than what happens on the mat; it’s a practice of building strength, resilience, and a deeper connection to ourselves and the present moment. Expect creative sequencing, fresh playlists, purposeful movement, and a balance of effort and ease in every class.

Ben is a certified yoga teacher through Modo Yoga International. He completed his Modo 300-hour teacher training at the Montreal studio, plus 200-hour distance learning in 2015. In 2017, he completed his Flow training with Dina Tsouluhas. Ben is energetic and fun, and he brings that vitality to his Hot 60 and Flow classes.

Cari is a graduate of Embra Studio’s YTT program and a national board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC). She teaches beginners yoga and yin and is passionate about meditation and breathing as ways to both find energy and relax. She likes to read, cook, exercise, and spend time with friends and family. Originally from Puerto Rico, she lives in Covington.

After over 20 years of teaching movement Carmen remains curious about the connections of breath to body and brain. She has been teaching at Embra since 2013 and loves the community. In her classes you'll gain a deep awareness of your body and notice how breath and movement can shift your mindset and patterns in your brain. "Ease through Effort" is her favorite quote and something she strives to bring to every class.

Carmen works with individuals privately and believes in the positive effects of movement for mental health. Her specialties include: Trauma-Informed Yoga, Pilates Mat and Reformer, working with students with low back pain, deep core including pelvic floor, slow flow and restorative yoga, meditation and breathwork.

For nearly two decades, Carolyn’s practice has been a steady, evolving conversation with the breath—a daily return to the mat that has deepened into a lifelong study of yoga’s philosophy and science. Her teaching weaves together diverse styles and techniques, from alignment-based Hatha and dynamic Ashtanga to powerful Baptiste, creating classes that feel both grounded and fresh while remaining rooted in tradition and deep respect for the practice.

Carolyn’s classes are high-energy, high-intensity, and high-vibration, inviting students to meet their edge with a confident smile. Beneath the dynamic movement lies a deep reverence for yoga’s traditional teachings: the practice is not simply about building strength and flexibility, but about peeling back layers and creating space to discover ourselves.

Dakota earned their 200 Hour Training at Embra through the Tortuga Yoga School and is currently in their 300 Hour Training through Yoga Medicine. Dakota has also completed training in Cardio/Strength, Barre, and Aerial Yoga. Their classes are energetic, powerful, and as their students say, “a vibe.”

Dakota is a dedicated teacher both on and off the mat. Not only are they a teacher at Embra, but also a teacher of tiny humans and a college instructor. Outside of teaching, they are an avid coffee drinker and traveler. Catch them for a power Hot Flow or a vibing Barre class!

Fiona earned her 200 Hour YTT at Embra Studio and has taught here since 2022. Her teaching style holds space for all yogis to challenge themselves, explore their intuition, and invite playfulness into their practice. Fiona likes to offer a safe space to connect breath to movement, build strength, and cultivate a practice rooted in presence.

In addition to her passion for hot yoga, Fiona loves being outdoors, going on long walks, and weight training. When she's not in the hot room, you can often find her at a bookstore, thrifting, reading a good book, or sipping a coffee.

Hailey has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and completed her teacher training at Embra in 2021. Vinyasa flow classes are her favorite to teach and she loves to provide a well rounded practice with great music. She also recently started teaching Barre. She believes yoga is for everybody and loves the community at Embra!

Haley took her first hot yoga class in 2009 and was hooked from day one. When she decided to attend a 500 hr teacher training in Canada in 2014, she had no idea how much it would change her life. Haley continues to be inspired each and every day by fellow teachers and the dedication of the students that practice. Since her first training in 2014, she has continued to dedicate herself to learning. She completed her Vinyasa Flow training in 2015, Children’s training in 2016 and Prenatal training in 2018. When not at the studios, Haley can be found spending time with her family and exploring new places.

Ian Timothy Forsgren is an E-RYT 200 and certified Pilates instructor who has been guiding mindful movement throughout the tri-state area since 2010. 

His background as a dancer, theatre maker, and musician informs the explorative and adaptive nature of his classes.  

He believes that by sharing mindful moments, we can unite and empower all humans to discover the healing power we all have within ourselves.

Jasmine received her 200 hour yoga training in 2022 at Embra Studio. She fell in love with her yoga practice and the positive impact it made in her everyday life. Since then, she’s been dedicated to learning how to hold a space for others to experience the powerful healing of yoga.

Jenna earned her 200 Hour Training at Embra through the Tortuga Yoga School. Her flows are rooted in Vinyasa yoga while also embracing opportunities to sink into poses and find comfort in stillness. One of her favorite parts of teaching is creating an intentional playlist, setting the tone of class by balancing a mix of energizing and relaxing jams.

Off the mat, she is an independently licensed social worker specializing in emotion regulation and certified in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Two core values of social work that shape her yoga practice are recognizing the dignity and worth of the person and the importance of human relationships. They weave seamlessly into guiding classes by meeting individuals where they are and providing a communal space for yogis to find growth and connection.

Josie is a 200-hour RYT with over six years of experience leading energizing, empowering vinyasa yoga classes. Known for her fast-paced yet intentional teaching style, Josie encourages students to connect breath with movement while exploring what feels best for their unique bodies.

In her classes, yogis can expect a dynamic and strength-building flow that challenges both the body and mind. Each class is thoughtfully designed to cultivate balance, flexibility, and endurance while fostering mindfulness and a sense of ease. With an emphasis on cultivating personal awareness, Josie creates a welcoming space where students of all levels can feel empowered to grow in their practice.

Whether you're looking to build strength, find your flow, or simply reconnect with yourself, Josie's classes will take you on an invigorating journey toward self-discovery and growth. Join Josie on the mat and get ready to move, breathe, and leave feeling refreshed and inspired!

Kristy completed her 200-hour teacher training in March 2020 and before that was a long-time Embra student and even worked the front desk. She instructs all types of classes including Hot Flow, Yin, Iron Hour, Vin to Yin, and hops in whenever needed! Outside of yoga, you can find her running, fostering dogs, and cheering on Xavier’s basketball team.

Leslie’s yoga training includes 200 YTT in Ashtanga Yoga, 300 YTT in Rocket Yoga, and certifications in Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and Mindfulness. She completed her 500 YTT at Modo Yoga Nicaragua and currently teaches hot yoga and workshops for Embra Yoga Cincinnati.

She also leads a yoga studies program for The University of Cincinnati. When it comes to teaching, Leslie’s goal is to help students use yoga to stay connected both spiritually and physically on and off their mats.

Pilar is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) with a background in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine, and currently works with industrial athletes. She is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), and Certified Pilates Instructor. 

Pilar has been teaching since 2011 and brings a deep understanding of the human body and movement practices. She specializes in working with adults with pain, injuries, and chronic conditions. In her classes and private sessions, curiosity is encouraged. While Pilar has studied and trained in various styles of yoga, exploring the depth of its foundations is where she shines.

Sember has been teaching yoga since 2013 and holds 2 200-hour yoga certifications, including Baptiste Power Yoga.  Her style is a fun and dynamic Vinyasa that combines breathwork and mindfulness with functional strength-building poses, balance, and focus.  Her classes are for everyone, no matter their level of practice. When she isn’t teaching yoga, she loves to spend time with her family and doggies, hike, work out, play Maj, and travel.

Shelly’s yoga style is a faster-paced vinyasa flow. She is 500-hour yoga and meditation certified, but you can also join her for Pilates or barre. She loves her planks and core-building exercises! Shelly enjoys spending time with family and traveling in her spare time.