Our teachers are are the heartbeat of Half Moon Yoga.
They’re more than instructors- they’re the ones who greet you by name, hold space for your growth, and create the sense of belonging our community is known for. Each teacher brings their own unique wisdom, kindness, and personality, forming a family that you instantly feel a part of.
Lauren Bentley
Lauren is the owner of our Medina and Richfield locations- a 500 hour Trauma Certified Yoga Teacher and a 200 hour Mindfulness Teacher. She also has certifications in Access Bars, Gene Keys, Somatic Healing, Sound Healing, Breathwork, Reiki Master, Personal Training and Group Fitness Instruction.
Lauren has always loved the therapeutic benefits that movement offers and has used this idea of creating home in the body as her main focus for her work. Lauren offers a wide variety of classes like Hot Vinyasa, All levels, Restorative, Yin, Meditation and Sound Baths. She knows the importance of finding equal parts of pushing the body as well as resting the body. Lauren loves to help her students and clients heal their nervous systems, heal trauma and find safe and sacred space within.
You can access her wide variety of classes in studio along with private sessions where she uses Mindfulness Mentoring along with breath and movement for a more compassionate and gentle approach to healing. Lauren is also available for private access bar treatments, gene key readings, sound baths, breathwork and yoga.
Join Lauren in studio for a public class, for a private healing session, in our Yoga Teacher Training Programs or even on a destination yoga retreat!
Follow Lauren on Instagram @iamlaurenbentley.
Veronica Correa
Veronica is a dedicated yoga teacher with over a decade of personal practice and five years of teaching experience across various yoga styles. Her journey in the health and wellness industry has been enriching and she is passionate about guiding others towards empowerment, peace, and confidence on and off their yoga mats.
In addition to teaching yoga, Veronica facilitates cacao circles, creating sacred space for participants to connect deeply with themselves and the loving essence of their hearts. This practice is close to her heart and she cherishes the transformative experience it offers. Veronica incorporates sound bath and meditation into her offerings to promote optimal healing benefits and relaxation.
Veronica’s approach is rooted in positivity and a genuine desire to support others on their wellness journey. Wether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner Veronica can assist you in achieving balance and holistic wellbeing.
Michelle Charvat
Hi, I’m Michelle, a passionate yoga teacher dedicated to helping others find balance, strength, and inner peace through movement and mindfulness. My journey with yoga began many years ago when I discovered its incredible power to heal both body and mind. I have been working in the field of wellness throughout my career, as a Reiki Master Practitioner.
I completed my 200-hour CYT training at Half Moon Yoga and specialize in Yin and Restorative styles with Trauma Informed teaching. My classes are designed to be inclusive, empowering, and accessible to all levels, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner.
Beyond the physical practice, I emphasize breathwork, meditation, and the mind-body connection to cultivate a deeper sense of well-being. My goal is to create a welcoming space where students can explore their practice, grow in confidence, and carry the benefits of yoga into their daily lives.
I’d love to practice with you! Join me for a class and let’s flow together.
Sam Grey
Sam Grey is a certified yoga teacher and personal trainer from Medina, OH. Practicing since 2010, teaching since 2018, and training since 2021, Sam brings a well-rounded and knowledgeable passion for movement rooted in reverence and fun. She brings energy, strength, and boldness to the mat and strength training, and a peaceful, nurturing safety and softness to meditation and gentle practices.
Beyond yoga and the gym, Sam enjoys time outdoors and sharing life with her three children and their cat, sipping black coffee, and serving the yoga community as the Vice President of Elevate Akron.
Purandev Kaur
Purandev Kaur is a bestselling author, a speaker, and a thought leader who
helps people answer life’s biggest questions. She is an attuned Spiritual
Channel who brings through the energy of Gaia (the spirit of Mother
Earth), as well as other Ascended Masters and Archangels. Having 5 years
of experience channeling publicly, Purandev now teaches others to open up
to their own intuition, gifts, and abilities through her one-of-a-kind Art of
Channeling Program.
Purandev weaves together her experiences from multiple modalities to
support people in embodying their highest self. She is a credentialed Art
Therapist, a Kundalini Yoga teacher, a Reiki Master, an Akashic Records
Consultant, and a Sophia Circle facilitator. She has led numerous healing
retreats, workshops, and classes.
Some of Purandev’s greatest passions include supporting people in opening
up to their intuitive gifts, as well as bridging the gap between spirituality
and mental health. With her background in art therapy and counseling,
coupled with the wisdom of her lived experiences, Purandev creates a safe
and sacred container in which everyone is welcomed, honored, and held in
a space of unconditional love.
Jamie Kemp
Jamie started her yoga journey in 2007 while living in London. From the very first class, she felt an immediate connection and homecoming in the practice! As a native of NJ, Jamie has practiced throughout the northeast and anywhere she travels! Jamie received her 200-hour certificate in 2019 from Roots Yoga in Wadsworth, OH. She also has a restorative teacher training specialty from Anne Ondrey; Level I Reiki certification through SHINE Akron; and trained in Yin Yoga with Tracy Reinhart.
“To me, yoga is… a daily practice of intention, balance, and serenity.
My goal when I am teaching is… to empower and equip others to live a healthy, mindful life.
My favorite thing about yoga is… the beautiful harmony and positivity fostered within the yoga community. I love learning more about different traditions and collaborating with like-minded people.
When I’m not on my mat, you can find me… spending time with my husband and three children, ideally in nature.”
Follow Jamie @jamiedangelokemp.
Matthew Litvin
My name is Matthew, I have been educating myself over the past five years on many interesting and evolving avenue’s of longevity. My worldly day to day keeps me outside myself as I’m sure most of us can relate. Three years ago(2019) I was recommended by a great friend to introduce a yoga practice to heighten conscious mind and body connectivity. I walked into Half Moon Yoga in Medina Ohio, the first class I ever stepped into was Hot Power. I jumped in head first, it broke me down but taught me so many lessons in ways that opened my eyes and what was learned about my ability to move in space and time with confidence. From there the interest,dedication, and vitality grew exponentially. 2022 I completed my 200hr Teacher Training from Flex Yoga in Wooster, special thanks to them for refining my direction to lead my own practice. Im grateful to start my teaching experience at Half Moon Yoga where my dedication was established and was led by many great teachers there. Yoga is a movement practice with many limbs, there is no limit and no endgame. Its design is to retain value and create powerful investment with oneself with every practice. “The only worthy object of all our efforts is a flourishing life”-Epictetus.
Melanie Locher
Physical fitness has always been a part of Melanie’s life, from gymnastics and cheerleading, to
jazzercise and pilates, but it wasn’t until 2008, when she began practicing vinyasa yoga, connecting movement with breath that she found her true love.
Melanie is a 500 hour certified yoga instructor, registered with Yoga Alliance. She trained in the style of Baron Baptiste and received her 200 hour RYT certification in Power Vinyasa Yoga from Yoga Lounge & Barre, Hudson Ohio, in 2018. She recently obtained her Advanced Training through
Yoga108: School of Yoga with Tracy Rhinehart, and continues to seek out various trainings to enhance her knowledge as a lifelong student.
Melanie holds a Trauma Informed Yoga Certification, as well as certifications in Yin, Restorative, and Embodied Slow Flow Yoga. She has trained with the Center for Sound Therapy, and is a Reiki Master Practitioner.
Melanie’s classes create a sense of calm, as well as mindful movement connecting with breath. Her intention is to allow you to experience your practice where you are and support your needs as you develop both on and off your mat.
Heather Mummert
I have been a regular student at Half Moon Yoga for 5+ years and will have my 200 HR RYT from HMY! It’s an absolute dream of mine to teach in my home studio.
I live in Medina with my husband, Drew, our Daughter, Ayla, and French Bulldog, Maggie.
We love the community here! You can catch us enjoying the parks, and taking advantage of all the events, shopping and great food in the square.
Yoga has taught me to make time for myself and to create peace within. Peace starts within the home. My vision as a yoga instructor is to help you create peace within so your love will be a ripple effect within your home and community.
I am passionate about creating a yoga space for all. I encourage others to meet themselves right where they are and focusing on the present moment. By moving breath to movement, I invite students to tap into their strength and embrace their power.
As a Partner and a Parent with full time responsibilities yoga has become a consistent ritual for my self care, self expression and stress management.
I look forward to sharing my passion for yoga and growing a community with you. See you in class!
Maria Pokersnik-Iannetta
I’m certified yoga instructor, reiki practitioner, youth leader, boy mom, dog mama, ocean lover, and eternal student of life.
For the several years, l’ve had the beautiful opportunity to lead youth in yoga and mindfulness, holding space for the next generation to grow into grounded, self-aware, heart-led humans. Teaching kids has become one of my greatest joys — their openness, curiosity, and pure energy remind me daily why I started this path.
Yoga found me in a season of transformation, and it became a sanctuary — a place where I could breathe, heal, and come home to myself.
As a mother to two amazing boys and three sweet dogs, l’ve learned how important it is to stay rooted in love, patience, and presence. My life is full — wild and beautiful — and yoga is the thread that weaves it all together.
When I’m not on the mat, you’ll find exploring the outdoors, or soaking in the magic of the ocean. Nature is my reset button and my inspiration — it’s where I feel most aligned, alive, and at peace.
My teaching style is nurturing, intuitive, and heart-centered. Whether I’m guiding a youth class or holding space for one-on-one healing sessions, my intention is always the same: to help you fall in love with your own energy, move with intention, and live with an open heart.
Let’s breathe, move, and grow – together.
Melanie Schwieterman
Melanie is a 200 RYT, and also practices in Medina as a Clinical Counselor. Melanie fell in love with yoga around a decade ago, and has spent these years exploring and loving the versatility and variety that yoga can offer. Mel likes to focus on you being the expert of your body during a flow, and also provide a killer playlist to help you get out of your mind. When not on her mat, Mel likes to spend time with her people, either doing something active, or reading on the couch.
Keni Scherbinski
Originally from Michigan, Keni Leigh Scherbinski grew up camping, backpacking, hiking, swimming & kayaking in rivers and lakes, and has carried those passions into adulthood.
An avid cyclist and bikepacker, Keni Leigh finds joy in sharing her love for nature and outdoor hobbies with others. There is no place more healing than outside in Nature.
Keni Leigh has been practicing yoga at home since 2001, she was introduced to yoga by her older sister’s yoga books, and Mom’s yoga VHS tapes. It wasn’t until 2024 that Keni Leigh actually stepped foot in an actual yoga studio. Her first class was Hot yoga with Heather Dayton, and she fell in love with the energetic class setting.
Living in Medina, Keni Leigh then found HMY and immediately felt the supportive embrace of community.
Keni Leigh is a CYT 200, trained in under Lauren Bentley & Amber Netherton.
Keni Leigh is also certified in Shinrin Yoku (the art of Japanese Forest Therapy) and Reiki II both through SHINEakron trained under Cortney Martinelli.
Jacki Sullivan
Jacki has always loved helping others on their wellness journey – holding out a hand when needed so becoming an instructor was a perfect opportunity for her to put her love for others into action! She got her 200hr RYT in March of ‘24 which was trauma informed. In addition also has a certification in sculpt and Reiki II. Through yoga, she is able to tap into strengths and weaknesses to embody and embrace the power within herself.
Jacki has always believed that movement is medicine, but there is beauty in the silent, still moments of life too. Yoga has brought her inward to see there is way more to yoga than meets the eye! The community, clarity, and pure bliss she has found, not only in herself, but all around has made her appreciate living in a whole different way! Yoga has shown her that when you go inward and practice what you perch to be your true authentic self, you become unstoppable, limitless, and shine pure love/compassion.
Lisa Turner
For as long as I can remember, I have loved bodies in motion. As a young girl, it manifested itself in ballet, studying under two exceptional teachers, Marguerite Duncan and Nancy Arcury of the North Coast Ballet Company (formerly known as The Cleveland Civic Ballet Company, Cleveland’s first professional ballet company). Yoga found me years after dancing had ended. I knew I had an inner calling but was unaware as to what was calling me. Yoga finds most of us when we are in need of change and transformation and I was no different. When I stepped into my first yoga class with Jane Ruddy, I knew life had set a new path in motion. I studied with Jane for a few years building the foundation of my yoga practice. But it was a move to Medina and finding Joanie Andrews of Half Moon Yoga that elevated my practice to new depths of awareness, philosophy and brought new challenges to my physical practice. On and off the mat my practice has flourished over the last several years at Half Moon. As a born seeker, I constantly strive to expand my knowledge and learn. The Russian Ballet technique ingrained as a dancer carries over into my individual yoga practice and teaching. I aspire to bring awareness to alignment, breath, musicality, and sequencing in each class. As an avid astrologer and student of astrology, my classes mirror the energy of the cosmos while rocking out to music ranging from: Zen, Classical, Oldies, Disco, Pop, Rock and Alternative Artists.
Follow Lisa @astroyogi_cle.
hmyoga.org 