Our Leaders
Alison Adams – Founder
ERYT-500, YACEP
Alison Adams is an experienced power vinyasa yoga teacher with over 20,000 teaching hours and 20 years of dedicated practice. Her introduction to yoga happened by chance, yet she firmly believes that nothing in life is truly accidental. What started as an unexpected encounter has grown into a lifelong passion that integrates body, mind, and spirit. Alison draws inspiration from her greatest teachers—her three children, her husband, and life itself—who have taught her the values of presence, growth and love. These lessons are central to her teaching, where she creates a space that encourages students to explore, grow, and create their own path. Her classes are a blend of mindful alignment, playful exploration, and deep reflection, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome. Believing that yoga is for everybody, Alison works to make the practice accessible to all, regardless of experience or background. She empowers her students to connect with their own humanity, embrace the journey, and discover the transformative power of yoga both on and off the mat. For Alison, yoga goes beyond physical practice—it’s a way of life that brings continuous growth, joy, and discovery with each step and every breath.
Kristin Eddy
Being in love with life since her childhood in Western New York, Kristin Eddy has been intrigued by yoga for years. It wasn’t until she met Alison when she took her first yoga class at Homegrown Power Yoga in June 2017, that she experienced asana as she imagined it existed: authentic expression and powerful teaching in the context of a caring community. This sparked Kristin to cultivate a yoga practice, return to HPY day after day after day and explore the path of a deeper commitment to expand her knowledge and understanding of the many aspects of yoga. In May 2018 she completed the Kidding Around Yoga Teacher training and has been the yoga coach for her son’s hockey team. She completed her Level 1 training in the Catskills in July 2018 and stepped to the front of the room at HPY in September 2018. In June 2019 she spent a week at another yoga training in Costa Rica (bonus: her daughter joined her, and it included surfing!). From September to December 2021 Kristin completed the 200 hour Empowered Yoga certification (RYS 200 Yoga Alliance) with Reggie Hubbard and Leah Cullis. Kristin shares her love for yoga and her “life doesn’t get better by chance, it gets better by choice and change” attitude with everyone who spends time with her, on or off the mat. Kristin is a peaceful warrior who balances her yoga journey with her family, work and outdoor adventures.
Jennifer Lovelace
Jennifer took her first power yoga class with Alison in the cleared-out back office of a childcare center. She left the class feeling simultaneously exhausted and energized, and was immediately hooked on the physical practice. After a month of practicing once or twice a week, Jennifer quit the gym and began showing up every day. Through participating in Homegrown Power Yoga’s first 40-day program, Jennifer discovered the ease and sustainability possible in the practice, and the deep community that forms when people support one another in growth. After practicing at HPY for a little over a year, Alison suggested that Jennifer attend a week-long Level 1 program. The Level 1 seemed like an exciting (and scary) opportunity to challenge herself and deepen her personal practice, so she signed-up having no intention of ever actually leading a yoga class. Shortly before leaving for the training, Alison offered her the opportunity to co-lead a community class at HPY the day after her return from Level 1. She said “yes!” She said, “yes!” again when she was offered the to lead classes regularly at HPY. In addition to completing the Level One, Jennifer has completed an Assisting Course and a Power Yoga Instructor Credential Course. Outside of the yoga studio, Jennifer loves spending time with her family and friends, exploring new places, reading, knitting and all kinds of arts and crafts.
Becca Leslie
Becca started doing yoga through books and DVDs when she was 17! By the time she walked into her first heated power class with Alison in 2012, Becca thought she already knew it all... until she had her bottom handed to her! After that first eye-opening class, she returned a second time, and a third and soon became a consistent practitioner. She did her first teacher training at a local studio in 2015 and has worked multiple roles within yoga studios, including assisting, volunteering, concierge and management. She began teaching in early 2015 at a rock climbing gym and is so appreciative of her long-time students there. Becca's yoga community has been her rock and support system through some of the most challenging and empowering moves she has made in her adult life and supported her in the pursuit of new adventures. Outside of the Homegrown Power Yoga studio, Becca is pursuing a graduate degree in clinical mental health at Marymount University and works part-time in an outpatient mental health office. She's now an avid rock climber, loves to read, swim and aspires to live on the beach.
Andy Sigle
After spending 30 years in the corporate telecommunications industry, Andy entered the next phase of his work-life focusing on our Fairfax County community. Graduating from the Leadership Fairfax program in 2014, Andy switched gears in 2015 and embarked on a series of volunteer and part-time employment opportunities in the community including time with Cornerstones, Reston Association, Southgate Community Center, South Lakes High School, Reston Historic Trust and The Reston Chorale. A proud recipient of the 2018 Best of Reston award, he currently works part-time at Dogwood Elementary School as a Family Liaison and at Lake Anne Brew House as a brewer and bartender. Andy began practicing yoga on a regular basis at Homegrown Power Yoga with his wife and daughter in 2017. He completed his Level 1 yoga teacher training in February 2019, and led his first class at HPY in May 2019. He completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training certification in October 2024 with The Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy. Per Andy, "Building community, connecting with other humans, is so important and there are many ways to do it; practicing yoga at HPY is definitely one of them!"
Stephanie Butler
Welcome! My name is Steph and I am a “Homegrown” Reston native, growing up right here in Reston! Seahawks are BEST! After starting a new life path, I was looking for something to heal my mind, body, and spirit. Not finding a place where I felt seen and supported, I stuck with my regular gym routine. Until I saw an ad for Homegrown Power Yoga, noting HPY as a small local woman owned business. I thought to myself “I will give this local a go”. I first stepped into HPY on a cold Saturday morning in November of 2017. I WAS NERVOUS! Greeted by Alison’s infectious smile and spirit, I thought “this could be what I need”. After Alison’s immediate warm and inviting greeting, and a room full of welcoming students, I knew I was where I wanted and needed to be. The feeling of deep connection to the community at HPY was immediate. After my first class (where I vividly remember not being able to get my foot in my hand for dancer and wanting to cry and walk out), I canceled my gym membership. I never felt so seen, alive, and aware of my body and being. I have been practicing consistently and happily at HPY ever since! The practice has deeply changed my life on and off the mat and transformed how I meet myself and life daily. Just prior to COVID I was called to step in front of the room to share my passion for this life changing and life saving practice. My leader training has included Level 1: Journey Into Power where I earned my Power Yoga Instructor credential, and Level 2: The Sannyasin’s Journey. Through my practice, training, and shadowing the amazing leaders at HPY I have grown and continue to grow my practice of leading and being a leader in the community. I am grateful to be a part of this accepting and safe community where I can share my love and commitment to the practice and to the HPY community. Outside of HPY I am mother of 2 amazing young adults and 2 fur babies. In addition to yoga, I enjoy reading, watching documentaries, tie dying, being in the woods of Reston, and playing a round of golf (at Reston National of course!). See you on the mat!
Diane Rickman
Hello All! My name is Diane and I’ve practiced Yoga for 12 years, with over 1500 classes taught and 150+ hours of hands-on assisting. I am a certified 1200-hour instructor, with targeted trainings to include Art of Assisting; Power Vinyasa Teacher; Social Impact Leader; Cue Tips; Teacher Tune Ups that keeps me in this work. My yoga practice is my life work, my soul work, and my anchor in sobriety. I remember vividly taking my first power yoga class in early February 2012—that decision, that experience would alter my life in such profound ways that I am nothing short of a miracle to have survived as long as I did, pushing through and navigating relationships and life’s ups and downs. When I started my practice, my health was in terrible—extremely overweight; candidate for hypertension medication; very reactive; relied on co-dependent relationships; trying to control every aspect of my life—kids and career and drinking—I was exhausted. Throughout my life, I could not feel my body, name what I was feeling, know what to do—I was in a death spiral. My yoga practice served to awaken my body, open my heart, and empower my purpose, which is to use my voice to help others see the possibilities in life’s gifts and miracles. For many years, I had no idea what was meant by the cue “feel your body”—teachers would call that out all the damn time and I’m like, what the hell does that mean? I was numb and moving through life in my head—pretty miserable for me, especially my kids. Thankfully, I am not the same human I was 12 years ago—a 180-degree transformation that continues to awaken me to this life, this body, creating the life I want to live! Pretty amazing and forever grateful! My passion for this practice and my life purpose is to share the magic of yoga—it’s not rainbow and unicorns, but hard work and is so, so worth the investment of self and time. We all need this work and my aim to help each student explore the connection to the physical body, to understanding that yoga is not about the poses (really), but more about learning who we are and how we show up; to be willing to move the ego aside and see what is right and true—true up in life, see there is another way through the dis-ease we feel, to not get caught in the wave, rather how to ride the waves life presents.
Yurie Choe
Yurie first started practicing yoga by following her mom to classes in 2017 before going off to Virginia Tech for college, where she discovered the world of hot yoga. She interned at In Balance Yoga and was motivated by her mentors to embark on the Kunga 200-hour YTT. Yoga became her first true love—the first thing she immersed herself in so deeply, appreciated, and now can’t imagine a life without. The practice keeps her aware, healthy, grounded, curious, and connected. Since completing her training during COVID, she began teaching immediately as a substitute when some teachers were unable to safely be in the studio. She not only taught the Barkan Method of hot yoga, which emphasized discipline and focus, but also vinyasa, where she could lead students to explore creative new shapes and have fun. After moving back from San Francisco, she sought a studio that was community-focused and, of course, offered hot yoga—and she found Homegrown Power Yoga. After her first class, she knew immediately that she wanted to teach there. Alison took her under her wing, they worked together to refine cueing, learn the HPY way, and collaborate during the Friday community classes. Outside of the studio, Yurie loves spending time with her family, boyfriend (and his dog, whom she claims as her own), and friends. She enjoys Pilates, long walks, traveling, eating sushi, and skincare.
Em Bougher
Em took her first yoga class at age three and immediately fell in love! Em's passion for joyful movement has taken her in different directions, with the first eighteen years of her life spent training and dancing with Ballet Pensacola in her hometown of Pensacola, Florida. After retiring from ballet, Em rediscovered her childhood love of yoga. Yoga was a pivotal part of her young adulthood, and allowed her to feel at home in her body for the first time in many years. She studied yoga with the Shanti Garudasana 200 RYT Yoga School at William & Mary, intending to deepen her practice and learn to share the gifts of yoga with others. Em has several years of experience teaching a variety of yoga styles, including yin yoga, gentle yoga for seniors, yoga sculpt, and vinyasa yoga. Em also has a passion for the intersection of mental health and yoga, and has experience teaching yoga in a mental residential treatment facility setting. When Em isn’t teaching yoga, she is most likely out for a run with friends, playing with her dog, Sprout, or trying a new recipe with her husband!
Sonja Richmond Mixon
Sonja lives by the Maya Angelou quote “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Sonja has spent most of her life caring for others as a Physician of Internal Medicine and Hospice. The art of giving has always been a true compass to her heart. Sonja soon realized that giving love and compassion to herself is important as well. The practice of yoga has embraced Sonja on and off the mat, personally through life’s triumphs and obstacles, as well as professionally as she navigates care for those at end of life. Over the past 20 years, Sonja has advanced her passion and practice of yoga. She is a certified and registered yoga leader (RYS 200 Yoga Alliance), has additionally earned her training certifications in Yin Yoga and Ayurveda. Sonja integrates her medical and yoga knowledge, offering restorative experiences that incorporate breathwork, meditation and movement for her patients, families, and practitioners from all walks of life. Sonja’s unique blend of skills allows her to practice comprehensive and compassionate care, creating an atmosphere of whole being. Thank you, Alison and Homegrown Power Yoga, for creating a space of intentional love, warm energy and safety for all to be free and seen!
Susan Proulx
Hi, I’m Susan, I was first introduced to yoga in college and continued practicing regularly at home by way of videos and podcasts for many years. After moving to Herndon, I happened upon a class led by Alison at a local brewery and soon after began taking her classes in a number of locations. Homegrown Power Yoga has become my yoga home. With no hesitation I signed up for teacher training with the intention to gain a better understanding of yoga. I hoped to offer more than “It's just great, I love it” when I was asked why I practice. In the process of teacher training I found a voice, and I am excited to share yoga as a class leader. Graduate of Homegrown Power Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training and Yoga Alliance member. I am so fortunate to have great mentors helping me along the way. Outside the studio I am a mom to an adult son, and 2 rescued cats, Bonnie and Clyde. I am often found walking and biking on local trails.
Mac McKnight
Mac took her first yoga class with her mom at Inner Power Yoga when she was in middle school and vowed never to do yoga again. “I’m not flexible enough!” was her key takeaway. It wasn’t until years later that Mac decided to practice yoga again during graduate school; this time, she practiced hot power yoga at In Balance Yoga in Blacksburg, Virginia, to “get more in shape and release stress.” However, at that time, she treated yoga as just a physical practice, and the underlying feelings of not being flexible enough, strong enough, or good enough persisted. Fast forward another five years, and Mac has established a regular yoga practice at Homegrown Power Yoga. And wow! What a difference consistency has made! Yoga has allowed her to directly experience herself in ways that she never thought possible and take action toward a way of being that makes life worth living. Constantly discovering new aspects of the practice, seeing how everything connects to the whole, experiencing the universe, and finally feeling that this life is enough drives her passion. And when she forgets her why, she simply begins again. Mac is so grateful for the HPY community for creating a safe space of self-exploration and change. She is excited to continue practicing alongside everyone and is honored to lead them through their own practice. Mac’s why is: “Wake up. Do good. Let go.” See you on the mat!
Jhosselin Rocha
Jhosselin’s bio is coming soon!
Mika Skibinsky
Mika's first exposure to yoga was watching Rodney Yee VHS tapes with her mom when she was super young, but she didn't really understand the appeal of yoga until trying it for herself in college at Georgetown's Hoyasana club. Coming from a background in classical ballet, she found that the transition from ballet poses to yoga asana felt natural and loved the inclusive, non-competitive community of yoga. She realized that yoga was more than just a way to move her body, but also a way to ground herself throughout the chaos in her academic, professional, and personal life. At a certain point, yoga changed the way she walked through life--making her more present, open, and accepting of herself and others. Eventually, she decided to deepen and evolve her practice by attending the RYT 200 Yoga Alliance course at Bali Yoga Ashram in Indonesia, where she immersed herself in daily meditation, breathwork, yoga philosophy, ayurvedic lifestyle, and Ashtanga and Vinyasa flows. After returning to NoVA and recalling the warm and welcome atmosphere at Homegrown Power Yoga, she happily returned to continue her practice with the HPY community. Outside of the studio, she likes getting crafty with pottery and crochet, going to concerts, learning to roller skate, and cuddling with her two cats at home.
Vanessa Veiock
Vanessa’s yoga journey started when she giggled through the VHS yoga video her high school cross country coach played on days before meets. She liked to be on the move and believed yoga was too slow-paced for her. In college, she started dabbling a little bit more, coming to the practice for some much-needed grounding. It took another handful of years before she committed to a regular practice and started her first 200-hour teacher training with Noell Clark in San Jose, California in 2015. A lifelong teacher, Vanessa started leading yoga classes when school was out at local studios, the public libraries, at several schools, and at middle school camp near Yosemite National Park. Pretty soon, Vanessa was leading 500 elementary school students during Tranquil Tuesday assemblies, working on her 500-hour training with Hannah Muse and Kenny Graham in Santa Cruz, and taking Adamantine training with James Miller. In 2016, Vanessa moved to Fairfax where she taught fifth graders by day, yoga classes by night, and founded a yoga summer camp for middle schoolers. By 2018, Vanessa’s family moved to San Luis Obispo, California where they started their family. Vanessa transitioned to teaching adult programming for new parents, and eventually started leading perinatal yoga classes after completing her prenatal yoga training with Hannah Muse at Mount Madonna. When Vanessa’s family moved to Reston in 2023, she started looking for a new yoga home. The day she walked into HPY, she knew she found just the place. HPY was welcoming and the classes weren’t just challenging, they were fun, too — a perfect balance of playfulness, presence, and heat! Vanessa teaches yoga at Children’s House Montessori school where both of her son’s attend school. She’s currently editing an anthology of stories on matrescence and pursuing a Master of Social Work at GMU and literally loves running through the forest in the spaces in between.