Teachers | Akasha Movement

Who Holds the Room

You are not handing your body to a stranger here. These are the people who will know your name and meet you exactly where you are

Sky Swisa

Sky first found Yoga at the age 15, in Sivananda Yoga Center in Tel Aviv, Israel.
She is a movement facilitator, instructor for Dharma Yoga (trained directly with Sri Dharma Mittra, 500hr in Dharma Yoga Center), Hot Yoga, Vinyasa & Sculpt.

Sky teaches also breath work and meditation, and is passionate about the transformation it can bring to one’s life and the profound changes Yoga brings to stundents’ healing journey.

She is certified Holistic Health Coach and incorporates into her classes ancient wisdom from Ayurveda and TCM, that she discovered during her 10 years of life in China.

She also lived in Russia, Israel and Shanghai, China. Outside of teaching, she’s a mum of three kids and loves nature, beach, homemade food and holistic self care.

Nikole

Nikole’s warm energy and radiant smile make every class a welcoming space to move, breathe, and grow. Originally from Venezuela, she discovered yoga at 18 and later found it to be a powerful source of healing, helping her navigate life’s challenges, heal from trauma, and cultivate deeper self-awareness.

Inspired by her teacher, Xochitl Diva C., she pursued her 200-hour yoga training and later became a trauma-informed yoga and meditation teacher through Adi Shakti’s Soulwork School. Nikole is passionate about creating supportive and uplifting spaces where students feel empowered through self-choice, compassion, and transformation.

Come discover a deeper connection to self and practice finding peace in the present moment with Nikole every Tuesday at 7:00 pm for Heated Dharma Yoga.

Alisha Petak

Alisha draws from more than 20 years of dedicated study and teaching, offering a Vinyasa practice that blends strength, stability, focus, and mindful awareness.

Influenced by the many respected teachers she has trained with throughout her journey, Alisha creates a balanced experience that challenges and supports students while incorporating meditation and self-inquiry.

Her compassionate approach encourages each person to honor their intuition, explore their boundaries, and cultivate greater presence both on and off the mat.

Come experience Alisha’s thoughtful and empowering Vinyasa (Gentle / All Levels) class on Wednesdays at 9:00am.

Trevor Arthur

revor began his yoga practice sometime around 2010, in NYC, where he was living an anxious, depressed, and largely sedentary life as a graduate student in the humanities. After his first class, he immediately enjoyed a small taste of the yogic bliss (ananda) and became quickly hooked.

In the Summer of 2014 he met his teacher, Tim Miller, at the Ashtanga Yoga Center, in Encinitas. That Winter he relocated to San Diego, taking up a regular mysore practice with Tim and the many beautiful teachers at AYC. Over the years he’s benefitted in innumerable ways from the practice of yoga, which he enjoys sharing with others.

Through asana Trevor was led to explore the other limbs and practices of yoga and the Vedic sciences, including bhakti yoga. He’s led kirtan since 2018, and has hosted a bi-weekly kirtan at Yoga on State in Carlsbad since 2021.

Carrigan James

Carrigan draws from a diverse tapestry of yoga practices, including Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Since beginning her teaching journey, she has thoughtfully woven yoga philosophy, intelligent sequencing, and breath awareness into her classes, creating a welcoming and holistic experience for yogis of all levels.

Her teaching is rooted in self-realization and the belief that yoga helps us access a deeper awareness often lost in the pace of daily life. She invites students to move with intention, balance strength with softness, and release what they may be unknowingly holding.

Come discover a deeper connection to self and practice finding peace in the present moment with Carrigan for All Level Vinyasa Flow!

Certified Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative & Yoga Nidra Teacher

Heather Pugh

Heather's teaching draws from a blend of Vinyasa Flow, White Tantra, Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, breathwork, meditation, and yoga philosophy. Since 2016, she has thoughtfully woven these practices into her classes, creating a welcoming and holistic experience for students of all levels.

Having practiced yoga for over 20 years, Heather is deeply inspired by its ability to support the body, mind, and spirit through life's greatest challenges and joys. She is passionate about sharing the tools that have helped her feel stronger, more grounded, and connected, creating an uplifting space where students can explore their practice with curiosity and ease.

Come discover a deeper connection to self and practice finding peace in the present moment with Heather every Sunday at 10:30 am for All Level Vinyasa Flow.

Jessica Sheriff

You’ll notice Jessica right away—her energy is high, her presence uplifting, and her classes leave you feeling empowered and strong. With a background in dance and performance, she blends strength training, mobility-focused movement, and creative sequencing to keep you challenged and inspired.

Jessica teaches dynamic, music-driven workouts with or without weights and is certified with STRONG Nation. Born and raised in Fallbrook and now raising her own family here, she brings passion, purpose, and a deep love of movement to the space.

Her mission is simple: to help you move with intention, build confidence, and feel good from the inside out. Come practice with Jessica every Sunday at 9:00 am for Infrared Heated Sculpt.

Malyssa Heart

Malyssa's work is rooted in healing, connection, and the transformative power of presence. Through sound healing, Kundalini practices, somatic awareness, and grief support, she creates nurturing spaces where students can slow down, reconnect, and restore.

Inspired by her own journey through loss and healing, Malyssa brings a compassionate, heart-centered approach to every gathering, honoring both the challenges we carry and the resilience within us. She believes healing begins when we feel safe enough to soften, listen, and return to ourselves.

Come experience deep rest, nervous system renewal, and the healing vibrations of sound with Malyssa every Thursday at 7:00 pm for Sound Healing.

Sound Healer, Trauma-Informed Kundalini Instructor, Somatic Practitioner

Ashley Nurse

Meet our wellness provider, Ashley Nurse. (Licensed Massage Therapist, Fitness Trainer, Wellness Coach). Ashley brings an added layer of care to the studio, supporting recovery, relaxation, and mindful movement beyond the mat.

With over 20 years of experience in therapeutic bodywork, she helps clients restore balance through therapeutic, sports, and deep tissue massage. Ashley is also a fitness trainer and mother of four, blending healing, strength, and encouragement in her approach to whole-body wellness.

She integrates into the community through wellness coaching, offering strength training workshops, semi-private weight lifting sessions, and Yoga Sculpt classes focused on intelligent, supportive movement.

Come experience her work through a massage session, Sculpt class, or join her for Functional Strength Training every Monday from 6:00 am, designed to help you move better, lift safely, and build real strength with confidence.

Brandi Gartland

Brandi’s teaching is rooted in Restorative Yoga, Iyengar-inspired alignment, Hatha yoga, Kundalini Yoga, breathwork, and somatic awareness.

Her yoga journey began over twenty years ago in Berkeley, where an injury shifted her from more vigorous styles into the grounding wisdom of slower practice. Since then, she has woven trauma-informed care, nervous system awareness, and mind–body healing into her teaching, creating a safe and supportive space for students of all levels.

Through Kundalini Yoga, Breathwork, and Somatic Coaching, she continues to deepen her focus on healing and presence. Brandi believes yoga is a space to slow down, soften, and reconnect, offering a soft landing at the end of the week and a return to inner steadiness.

Come connect more deeply with yourself and find stillness with Brandi on Sundays at 5:30 pm for Restorative Yoga.

Trauma-Informed Facilitator, Certified in Kundalini Yoga, Pause Breathwork & Somatic Coaching

Myriah Dickey

Myriah draws from the dynamic flow of Vinyasa yoga, blending mindful movement, breath awareness, and the wisdom of yoga philosophy into her teachings.

What began as a community college elective quickly grew into a deep devotion, and she has been practicing consistently for over 12 years. Through yoga, Myriah found discipline and a space to show up for herself in ways she never had before. Her physical practice led her to yoga philosophy, which continues to inspire her daily to live with kindness and compassion for herself and others. She believes yoga is a unique opportunity to quiet the noise of everyday life, connect with the breath, and carry the lessons learned on the mat into the world.

Come discover a deeper connection to self with Myriah every Wednesday evening for Heated Vinyasa Yoga!

Natalie DiMambro

Natalie brings over 25 years of personal practice and 15 years of teaching experience to her classes, blending the wisdom of yoga with modern psychological insight. A recent Fallbrook resident, she believes yoga is an individual seeker’s journey practiced together, and her intention is to guide students through movement and breath toward a calm, grounded place of center.

With a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, Natalie weaves yogic philosophy, self-awareness, and breathwork into her teaching, creating an accessible and meaningful experience for students of all levels.

Come discover a deeper connection to self and practice finding peace in the present moment with Natalie every Saturday at 9:30 am for All Levels Vinyasa Flow, featuring a sound bath savasana and weekly inspiration to carry into your weekend.

E-RYT 500, M.A. Psychology

Ryan Sherman

Ryan’s warmth, kindness, and uplifting energy are felt from the moment you meet him. A Southern California native, he has spent the past 15 years exploring and practicing a variety of healing traditions, including Hatha, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa Yoga, as well as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, pranayama, meditation, and music.

Ryan's teaching bridges ancient wisdom with modern life, blending traditional practices with self-expression to create a space for both structure and flow. Deeply inspired by the power of breath, he believes it is one of our greatest tools for healing, presence, and connection.

Through intentional movement and mindful breathing, he encourages students to let go, reconnect, and experience the peace, freedom, love, and unity that exist within us all.

Come discover a deeper connection to self and practice finding peace in the present moment with Ryan every Monday at 9:00 am for All Level Vinyasa Yoga.

The teacher we haven't met yet

Some of the best teachers here started as students, on a mat in the back of the room.

If you carry a practice worth sharing, in movement or anything close to it, there is room for it here.

Tell us who you are and what you teach. We read every one.