Brandy

Brandy is the driving force behind Heart & Soul Yoga and The Local Wellness Foundation, dedicated to fostering a thriving community through yoga. As a passionate advocate for mental and emotional health, she empowers individuals through her impactful "Work-IN Workshop," equipping thousands with tools to manage stress and promote personal growth. Brandy makes yoga accessible to all, reaching veterans, children, seniors, LGBTQ groups, individuals with special needs, and families affected by suicide and cancer. Her expertise has earned recognition from organizations like the Los Angeles Mental Health Department and CalMHSA, and she prioritizes diversity and inclusion through partnerships with agencies such as Whittier Union High School District, HYC, Rio Hondo College, REACH, Regional Center, LGBTQ Center, and LA County Mental Health Department.

As a curator of wellness events and workshops, Brandy emphasizes mental health in our communities and advocates for diversity and inclusion. She has created a template for Meridian Yoga for mental health, offering evidence-based tools to address stress, depression, PTSD, and anxiety, transforming lives and redefining yoga's role in mental health care.

Brandy Teaches:

Meridian Yoga Therapy (MYT): A trauma-informed practice combining traditional yoga, meridian therapy, and Chinese medicine principles. Gentle movement, mindful breathing, and acupressure work together to support emotional and mental well-being. Suitable for all levels.

Adaptive Yoga: Tailored for caregivers, individuals with special needs, seniors, and corporate groups, this class incorporates breathwork, acupressure, and meditation for holistic well-being. As a regional vendor, this practice reflects a commitment to accessible, inclusive yoga for all.

Slow Flow: A gentle, breath-led practice linking movement and breath in a slower rhythm. Poses are held with intention, building body awareness while easing tension and calming the nervous system. Suitable for all levels.

With 20 years of experience in hatha and various other styles of all-levels yoga, Dahhee is a dedicated and passionate teacher committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for her students. Her classes are designed to empower individuals of all backgrounds and abilities, emphasizing mindfulness and body awareness.

She believes in the transformative power of yoga and strives to inspire her students to connect with their bodies, minds, and deep strength. Dahhee's classes offer a harmonious blend of strength and flexibility, encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of their own unique journey. 

Dahhee Teaches:

Sculpt: A dynamic blend of strength training and yoga using light weights and resistance movements alongside traditional poses. Designed for those over 40, this class builds muscle and flexibility while improving core strength, balance, and mobility.

Deep Stretch & Flow: A slower practice combining flowing movements with prolonged stretches to release tension and increase range of motion. Deep stretching is paired with mindful breathing to encourage relaxation and rejuvenation. Suitable for all levels.

Madi is dedicated to helping her students build strength, flexibility, and mental focus through intentional movement. Specializing in vinyasa yoga, her classes feature playful flows, soothing stretches, and energizing dynamic poses that challenge the body while calming the mind.

Known for curating upbeat, feel-good playlists, Madi creates an inviting atmosphere for every practice. Whether students come to the mat for fitness, clarity, or balance, her goal is for each person to leave feeling lighter than when they arrived.

Madi Teaches: 

Gentle Sculpt: A lower-intensity blend of light strength work and yoga, linking breath with movement in a fluid, accessible sequence. Builds strength and flexibility while maintaining a calm, mindful pace suitable for all levels.

With over 25 years of personal practice and two decades of global fitness experience — stretching from Barcelona to Boston — Ruthie brings a world of wisdom to the mat.

A Yoga Alliance-certified instructor since 2017, she uniquely fuses her academic background from UCLA and Harvard University to lead classes that bridge the gap between mindful movement and spiritual connection.

Ruthie's heart-centered sessions are more than just a workout; they are a sanctuary for self-care and healing. Through a blend of breathwork, strength, and meditative sound baths, she invites students of all levels to calm the mind, heal the body, and nourish the soul.

Ruthie Teaches:

Hatha Yoga: A gentle, heart-centered class blending postures, breathwork, and meditation. Focused on building balance, strength, and mindfulness in a supportive, welcoming environment for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Mercedes is a lifelong yoga practitioner and a former dancer. She simply cannot imagine life without movement! Her classes create a space to develop both physical and emotional resilience, often incorporating frequency-imprinted bracelets that enhance the practice and help mitigate life's little challenges.

An avid reader, Mercedes brings both insight and lightness to her classes. She can be found throughout Los Angeles at wellness events, spreading the word on the benefits of grounding.

Mercedes Teaches: 

Restorative Yin: A passive practice targeting the connective tissues, fascia, ligaments, tendons, and joints often untouched by active yoga. Postures are held for extended periods to release tension at a deeper level. All levels welcome.

Myofascia Release: A therapeutic class using tennis balls, breath, and gravity to relieve tension in the body’s connective tissue. Improves mobility and circulation while reducing soreness and pain. Challenging but immediate in its benefits. All levels welcome.

After completing more than 500 hours of teacher training in pursuit of a deeper connection with himself, Anthony discovered that true fulfillment often lies in life's simplest moments. That journey inspired a genuine appreciation for restorative yoga — a practice centered on patience, presence, and slowing down. 

In his classes, Anthony creates a welcoming space where students can release the stress of everyday life, reconnect with themselves, and cultivate a sense of gratitude. His intention is to guide others through a process of letting go, restoring balance, and rebuilding from within, helping each student leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and renewed.

Anthony Teaches: 

Restorative: A slow-paced, prop-supported practice designed to release physical and mental tension. Long-held postures encourage deep relaxation and nervous system recovery, closing with a guided meditation to integrate the practice’s benefits.

Melissa has over 6 years of personal yoga practice and a deep passion for community. Heart & Soul has been her home studio since she moved to Whittier two years ago, and she is honored to now share her practice with the community that welcomed her in. Her teaching style blends all-levels sequencing, breathwork, and meditation, rooted in the principles of sthira and sukha, balancing effort and ease to help students connect with the present moment.

Melissa was a member of Heart & Soul's 2026 Yoga Teacher Cohort, where she deepened her teaching through hands-on experience, peer feedback, and community-based classes. She's grateful to grow alongside fellow teachers and continues to be inspired by the connection found within the Heart & Soul community.

Melissa Teaches: 

Slow Flow: A gentle, breath-led practice linking movement and breath in a slower rhythm. Poses are held with intention, building body awareness while easing tension and calming the nervous system. Suitable for all levels.