Meet Our Teachers
Meet the independent yoga teachers, wellness practitioners, facilitators, and community leaders offering classes, workshops, and programs at Centered in Phoenix. To learn more or register for a class, contact the teacher directly using the information on this page. Each teacher manages their own schedule, registration, and payment.
Caroline Cucchiara, E-RYT 500
ccucchiara@hotmail.com
Caroline Cucchiara
E-RYT 500
Caroline Cucchiara (E-RYT 500) loves to bring the transformational power of yoga to life in each and every one of her classes. As she has been gifted by her wonderful teachers, she in turn hopes to guide her students toward a deeper understanding of themselves, helping them to see what they are and what they are not. Her favorite yoga teaching is neti neti tat tvam asi (not this, not that, that I am): answering that great riddle is the game of life. From her own practice, Caroline has come to understand that yoga is for our messiness, our awesome imperfectness – to not fix it, but to make it part of our wholeness again.
Caroline has studied and practiced in many of the established traditions of yoga and other Eastern disciplines, such as tai chi and qi gong. She uses what is of benefit in each of them to help her students find a practice that works for them as individuals. She loves watching her students build a quiet inner physical, mental, and emotional strength that draws out a deep inner peace and wisdom. Most of all, she LOVES to remind her students to breathe: a yoga pose will only take you so far, but a good breath keeps on giving. When you meet her, ask her about those breath reminders and her retirement plan. ;)
Sundays • 1-2:30p
$30/class or $80/month
To Register: jpgrpls@gmail.com | 602-421-0817
Drop-ins welcome!
Sensei Jason Graham
Aikido
North Phoenix Modern Aikido’s mission is to create an environment where students can grow and test themselves both physically and spiritually. Through the use of traditional martial art principles and philosophies, each student will learn about different aspects of themselves. Students will learn how to adapt to their environment and defend themselves in a variety of different situations. North Phoenix Modern Aikido specializes in teaching traditional japanese aikido techniques.
If you’re looking for a class with a strong sense of community, realistic self defense training, and a chance to grow spiritually, this class is for you!
Evon Hart
CYI 2003
communityyogaphoenix.com For a full schedule of Evon’s classes
Evon’s teaching is grounded, intelligent, and deeply experiential, combining careful attention to alignment and anatomy with an emphasis on breath, awareness, and the deeper teachings of yoga. Her major influences include Meg Byerlein and Erich Schiffmann. She brings warmth, humor, curiosity, and authentic connection to her students, creating classes that are both accessible and substantive. Her greatest passion is sparking and stoking excitement for yoga in every student she meets, inviting them to experience what the practice can reveal and heal.
In 1998, Evon transitioned from almost a decade of administrative work in New York into the study of wellness, completing an 800-hour massage training at the renowned Swedish Institute of Massage. After moving to Arizona in 2001, she began working as a massage therapist at Desert Song, Phoenix’s first yoga studio, where she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and became certified in 2003. She taught there for 19 years, until the studio closed. In 2023, she opened Community Yoga with incredible support from a crowdfunding campaign. Leading the studio was the highlight of her teaching career and a true joy. In 2026, she chose not to renew the lease and found a great fit in Jane Mayer, who will take Community Yoga forward as Centered. Evon will continue teaching at Centered until her move back to New York in 2027, where she looks forward to offering support for her aging mom, reuniting with lifelong friends, family, and her beloved ocean beaches of Long Island. She has an adult son, Sam, who studies geology in Flagstaff. She hopes to convince him there are cool rocks in NY, too.
Lauren Hill
PT, DPT, WCS, RYT, SC
Prenatal Yoga
Tuesdays • 4-5pm $20 drop in $72 monthly unlimited
Pay Lauren directly using Zelle lauren@rootedtherapyphx.com Venmo rootedtherapyphx or cash
Email lauren@rootedtherapyphx.com for a full schedule of classes.
Although an Arizona native, Lauren completed her undergraduate and graduate training in Dallas, TX. She graduated from UT Southwestern Medical Center with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2010. She obtained her board certification in pelvic health and started the pelvic health physical therapy program at a level 1 local hospital, where she was for the past 14 years working with women prenatal and postpartum as well as with other pelvic health issues and diagnoses. She currently treats pelvic health client as part of a private practice at Tatum and Shea.
Lauren started her yoga journey in grad school and quickly became invested in the practice as a form of physical and mental nourishment. She frequently integrates yoga poses and practices into her treatment sessions with clients. In 2020, she obtained her 200-hr yoga training certification through Urban Yoga in Phoenix. She then expanded her yoga therapy knowledge by completing a specific prenatal yoga teacher certification and yoga training focused on pelvic health.
When Lauren was pregnant, she frequently attended prenatal yoga classes. Through personal and professional experience, she knows how valuable yoga can be during the prenatal time. The pregnant body is ever-changing and pregnancy requires tremendous strength, stamina and flexibility. Yoga is a movement practice that can not only help support the physical demands of pregnancy but also serves as a space to process some of the emotional fluctuations of pregnancy, offering a time to clear the mind tune in. She has also seen first-hand how a consistent yoga practice can help to decrease pregnancy aches and pain as well as improve mood and sleep. Lauren cherished the time she spent in prenatal yoga when she was pregnant and aims to create the same welcoming, safe and connected space and experience that she received years ago.
Prenatal yoga classes with Lauren will focus on mobility and strength with a focus on poses as well as breathwork to help support the pregnant body, birth, and lay the foundation for postpartum healing. All trimesters are welcome. Modifications will be provided depending on trimester as well as any active aches or pains a student may be experiencing. It is recommended that you speak with your medical provider prior to starting a prenatal yoga practice.
Ellen Martinoni
CYI E-RYT 500
Mixed Level Yoga
Wednesdays • 9-10:15am
$20 Drop In
Pay Ellen directly using Zelle, Venmo or cash.
ellenmartinoni@aol.com
A strong class that offers modifications for various levels. Alignment and breath are the focus, leading to deeper levels of awareness along with a release of tension and stress. Some prior yoga experience is ideal.
Workshops with Ellen: The Practice
Last Sunday of each month • 10am-12pm • $20
Explore advanced poses in an extended class. The Practice started in the early 2000’s in the Anusara tradition and is an ongoing monthly class, taught alternately between Ellen and Angie.
Angie Santucci
CYI E-RYT 500
Mixed Level Flow Yoga
Fridays • 9-10:15am
$20 Drop In
Pay Angie directly using Zelle, Venmo, cash.
angiesantucci@gmail.com
The class is led using biomechanical alignment for optimal physical health. Angie includes music and flow to achieve meditation and mindfulness with movement, creating a space for clarity of heart and mind. Through the years of many yoga teaching experiences, working with medical professionals, athletes, and seniors, Angie understands the deep healing that occurs with a consistent yoga practice, so she strives to deliver classes that are safe and effective as well as fun and challenging.
Angie is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher and Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 YACEP. She began her yoga studies in 1996 at Arizona Art and Yoga with her most influential teacher, Desiree Rumbaugh, and has been teaching ever since. She furthered her studies with various styles of yoga throughout the country.
Workshops with Angie: The Practice
Last Sunday of each month • 10am-12pm • $20
Explore advanced poses in an extended class. The Practice started in the early 2000’s in the Anusara tradition and is an ongoing monthly class, taught alternately between Ellen and Angie.