Our Instructors, Trainers & Facilitators
Sandra Roshonda Thomas
Sandra Roshonda Thomas (Roshonda) is an experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance (YA), which acknowledges completion of a yoga teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS) and she holds a YACEP with YA as a continuing education provider where she hosts workshops, trainings and writes curriculum. She has over 2200 hours of teaching experience documented on top of her hours of training through YA. Her ashtanga yoga training of the past five years under Taylor Hunt is beyond those hours as she has mentored other ashtangi’s and taught workshops, hosted workshops and facilitated mysore classes. Roshonda has been teaching other fitness formats for over 19 years.
She is a combat vet who is still active duty who has a passion for helping veterans and specializes in trauma work. She is the Founder, Owner and Creator of Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa. She currently works through a veterans trauma yoga program and has held credentials with US Army and Civilian as a Sexual Assault/ Sexual Response Coordinator-DSACCP-I.
She is a published author and has hit amazons best sellers list with her 2024 book: Sandstorm Sunshine: When Life Isn’t What You Waited For. She recently authored and self-published a 90 day series for a journey to joy for 2025. Her 2025 series of books are available on Amazon.
Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa is now hosting Yoga Teacher Training and Reformer Trainings.
She is trained and certified to teach all the modalities at the Shala and trained and certified to provide the SPA services alongside the staff.
Steve Thomas
Steve Thomas, B.A., is a retired Army combat vet. He specializes in teaching classes on weapons safety. He is certified in Refuse To Be A Victim courses, and other national recognized safety and weapons courses. He is TRX certified, Mat Pilates, Pilates Reformer and Stretch Coach certified. He is certified in infrared therapies.
He joins the team bringing organizational skills, marketing management and experience with small and mid-tier business management of 13 plus years.
Steve will host and volunteer teach veteran classes, mat pilates, pilates reformer, and restorative yoga. He will coach and support wellness clients by request.
Darla Davis DuTilly
Darla is a E-RYT 500 hour registered yoga teacher (E-500 RYT) who’s passionate about helping women—especially over 40 to feel strong, grounded, and more at home in their bodies. With years of experience guiding mindful movement, breathwork, and soulful self-care, she creates welcoming spaces where you can show up just as you are. Darla is creative in ways to bring in chakra energies through colorful dynamics in her classes. Her genuine smile and attention to detail in her interactions make her an amazing teacher and mentor.
Her teaching blends traditional yoga training with intuition, offering a down-to-earth, heart-centered approach that supports a student through every season of life.
When she isn't on the mat, you’ll likely find her playing with clay in the pottery studio, spending time with her family, or soaking up inspiration for her next creative project.
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Darla is one of our lead teachers at the Shala and will teach restorative classes, specialty workshops for women, gentle flow classes, yoga sculpt and other yoga modalities. She will additionally assist in managing social media and Canva publications.
We are grateful for her leadership, mentorship and creative spirit.
Jason Wise
Jason comes to us as a Hatha experienced Yoga Teacher. Rooted in his passion for the outdoors and connecting with nature, he is a wealth of knowledge not only in yoga, but in agriculture as well.
Jason has taught Hatha classes, Kripalu and other yoga modalities which has allowed him to explore Thai therapies and other eastern traditions bringing a fresh perspective to our Shala.
Joining our team as a experienced yoga teacher, Jason is teaching hot yoga classes, gentle yoga for all levels and will assist in workshops and trainings at Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa.
Welcome Jason :)
Isabelle Baker (Izzi)
Meet Isabelle Baker, BA
Meditation Teacher- MTT-200; MTC-300
Isabelle, also known as Izzi Meditates, is a Mindfulness Meditation Practitioner. With a background in education, outreach, and meditation, her journey with mindfulness began over six years ago as a personal passion that blossomed into a meaningful practice.
Izzi received training from Mindful Schools, completing 300 hours in the Mindful Schools Teaching Certification Programs to teach mindfulness to children in grades K-12. In addition to offering in-person and virtual mindfulness sessions, she has also taught the Kindness Curriculum at local private schools.
Izzi has been featured in podcasts and magazines. She is the creator of Mommy and Me Meditation and the author of The Mindfulness In Me and the Journeyed Path.
Izzi will bring several mindfulness programs to Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa and we look forward to her partnership. Welcome Izzi :)
Alyssa Bolin
Alyssa is a woman with many talents. She has a heart of gold and is able to do so much for our growing business as she is helping manage the day to day operations, social media content and being a steward of the yoga community.
Alyssa is an apprentice under the owner, Sandra Roshonda Thomas. She is working on her 200 Yoga Teacher Training certification and is diligently working on her teaching skills to start in person classes in 2026.
Alyssa is drive, self-aware and embodies the acumen of the yogic life. She understands the principles of Pantanjali’s first yoga sutra- Atha Yoga Nushasanam; and we begin again yoga. Alyssa strives for excellence and is determined to get on her mat everyday.
Her dedication to making herself better is seen by her peers in the yoga teacher program and to the community. We are excited to have you at the Shala- Alyssa; we and can’t wait to have you teaching classes.
Keep practicing and see you on the mat.
Sarah Andrus
Meet Sarah Andrus
Sarah has a BA in French and is a Geriatric nurse in a long term care and rehab facility. She also serves as an Assistant Director of Nursing. She has served as a homeschool co-op teacher and was a goat dairy farmer for 25 years.
Sarah will bring Craniosacral Therapy to Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa as well as Yoga classes. She will also assist in yoga teacher training as she has experience in multiple modalities.
You can book your therapy time with Sarah on MINDBODY and see her on the yoga schedule as well.
Welcome Sarah.
Barbie Babcock
Barbie B, 200-YTT
Barbie has been a yoga practitioner for over 20 years. Her practice has deepened her spirituality, mentally and physically and she loves sharing the peace and personal growth she has experienced being a yogi with others.
Barbie specializes in focusing on bringing the connection of movement with breath, enticing the mind and body to be energized yet relaxed. This will improve focus, strength, flexibility and balance. She also weaves in meditation giving a practitioner a holistic experience.
Barbie is joining our online team and will be able to assist in workshops and our yoga teacher trainings when she is available. She enjoys photography, creating art in her barn studio, cooking, gardening and reading.
So happy to have you Barbie!
Megan Xifos
Megan Xifos
Megan is the owner of Code Name Crossfit.
Megan comes to us with a wealth of fitness knowledge. She will continue to facilitate wellness activities for us and to help us as we partner with the community and move forward in growing as a business.
Megan specializes in connecting with athletes and helping with all things related to fitness and body alignment. Megan understands recovery and what the body needs to build and maintain health.
So happy to have you Megan. Megan helps with recovery class, sauna, infrared therapies and compression therapies. She also facilitates restorative yoga classes.
Denise Heisler
Denise is joining the team! WHOOOHOOO
She has been a RN since 2016 and is a college professor at ECPI. Denise has been a certified Doula and a birth educator since 2022. Along with her Doula training, she is trained in “dancing for birth” which is a way to get moms moving!
She is an experienced latin dance instructor and a women’s drum circle facilitator.
Denise will teach dance classes at Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa. She will facilitate prenatal yoga classes and restorative classes.
We are excited to have your energy Denise! Welcome to the team.
Shan Beaste
Shan is a registered yoga teacher under Energy Medicine Yoga. She did her 200 yoga teacher training focusing on not only movement, but on energy alignment in the body.
Shan comes to us as a certified Biofield Tuning practitioner specializing in nervous system regulation, anxiety reduction, and physical recovery through sound-based therapeutic techniques. With a foundation in Energy Medicine Yoga, years of professional practice in Costa Rica, and a background as a singer and musician, her work blends precision sound therapy with a holistic, nature-informed approach to healing.
Shan has availability already listed on MINDBODY under Biofield Tuning, Sonic Meridian Body Flush and more. Go sign up and book with her.
Dixie Aiken
Dixie Aiken possesses a Master’s degree in Community Counseling and is recognized as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional.
Dixie established North Acre Life Enhancement to support individuals who are not in crisis but seek additional assistance in maintaining their emotional well-being with decades of training. Her mission is to help those aiming for positive life changes or simply striving to live their best lives, utilizing a blend of traditional and natural approaches.
Dixie is qualified as a Level 2 Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner, Reiki and Sound Therapy and has a certificate in Kids Yoga.
Welcome Dixie!
Master Thunder Lane
Master Thunder Lane is a Ninth degree black belt in the t’ien shan p’ai System and specializes in Tai Chi. He is a Level-1 Qigong Instructor from the Supreme Science Qigong Center. He is a certified dive master and rescue diver through PADI.
Thunder is 200 HR certified Yoga Teacher through YogaFit and YaxYoga Concepts and has been teaching yoga and different yoga modalities for decades.
Thunder will bring the knowledge of martial arts, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness into his classes at Culpeper Yoga Shala and Spa.
He will share a healing connection between breath, movement and mindfulness that will bring stillness & peace into your life.
He is currently seeking other certifications and will assist with workshops when available.
Welcome Thunder!