Teachers

Jackie Houde

Jackie; owner of The Yoga Nook; grew up in Quincy, MA and has lived in Central MA for the past 12 years.  She earned her Masters + Degree in Teaching Elementary and Special Education at Northeastern University in 2012.  After graduating, Jackie began her career as a special education teacher; teaching for both the Boston and Worcester Public Schools.  Although she loved her students and teaching dearly, her role was stressful and began to take a toll on her both physically and mentally.  After 9 years of teaching, she made the decision to leave the public school system to follow her dream of opening her own yoga studio.

In 2017, Jackie was in the midst of her teaching career and was searching for something to help her manage her increasing anxiety, OCD, and decompress from the stress of the school day.  She signed up for a 6 week “Intro to Yoga” course at a local studio and immediately fell in love with the yoga practice. The deep connection she felt to her body, calmness she gained through focused breath work, and the safety she felt in a nonjudgemental environment was exactly what had been missing in her life.  Jackie's yoga practice has been essential in managing her anxiety on a daily basis. This, along with her passion of teaching, inspired her to become a yoga teacher so she can help others access the expansive benefits of yoga.  Jackie earned her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Certification at Hot Power Yoga Center in Worcester in May 2023, Restorative Yoga Certification at Revolution Community Yoga in September 2023 and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She recently earned her Reiki I & II certifications in April 2024.

Off the mat, Jackie's 4 year old daughter, husband, dog (Kemba) and cat (Roxie) are her world. She loves to create art, go to the beach and attend as many concerts as possible!

Kerry Pinkham

Kerry has been practicing Yoga and Ayurveda since 2017.  Originally, it was dance that connected Kerry to movement.   While in college, as a Therapeutic Recreation major, Kerry also discovered the enjoyment of creating experiences for people.  She continues to look for ways to create experiences for people with varying backgrounds, experiences that help individuals tap into their authentic self and the community around them.  Fast forward through real life where Kerry has spent over 20 years working in business, she became a Yoga Instructor to reconnect with herself and that passion for bringing meaningful experiences to individuals wherever they may be on their path.  Kerry loves designing the yoga flows of movement that feel good in the body and encouraging the practitioners to arrive as they are and flow in their own way.  More recently, Kerry completed a 650 hour certification program to become an Ayurvedic Health Consultant.  Ayurveda, the world’s oldest medical system, connects an individual to the natural paths towards finding balance in the body, mind, sense and soul.  Through Ayurvedic practices and Yogic philosophies, Kerry continues to evolve her approach towards balance, and aims to do the same those seeking holistic living.

Ayla Sinclair

Hi I’m Ayla Lynette. I am so happy you’re here. My teaching style is trauma informed and focused on making every yogi feel secure and confident in their movement and body. After all we move the poses to fit our bodies NOT our bodies to fit the poses.

I myself am a retired collegiate athlete who struggled with my own relationship with body image and exercise post-grad. Yoga has been a pillar of my mental health and movement, and I now cannot imagine my daily routine without it. Come hang out among the other wildflowers flow and be free with me. 

My classes focus on connecting breath and movement. Whether you are a yogi looking for a physical challenge or someone looking to use yoga as a more restorative part of your fitness routine my classes will accommodate your needs. I regularly use props and offer variations for every body type, which allows you to chose your own yoga adventure throughout the flow! I am honored to be your guide, but at the end of the day I just want you to find what works for you!

If you ever worry about not being being strong enough or flexible enough just know Im a yoga teacher and I can barely touch my toes so there is a place for everyone here!

Lisa Teong

Lisa Teong has been a devoted practitioner of yoga for years.

Her journey began with the physical practice but ended up finding that yoga is so much more! 

For her it became a very deep spiritual and healing practice. Helping her to find clarity of mind and a deeper connection to her body. 

She earned her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate in 2023 so she can share this practice with others!

Along with practicing yoga, she also nurtures her soul by hiking, gardening and creating art inspired by nature.

Lisa started practicing yoga to help alleviate back pain and immediately fell in love with it.  Realizing the physical and emotional benefits of the practice, she decided to pursue her teaching certification. In May 2020, Lisa received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Central Mass Yoga in West Boylston and is registered with Yoga Alliance. She is also certified in Yoga Warriors International, a movement based program for those suffering from PTSD. Lisa completed her Reiki I and Reiki II studies with Mandi Garrison and has studied Yoga for Osteoporosis with Cindy Brown.  In June 2024, she earned her 30-hour Yin Yoga Certificate with Theresa Murphy at Revolution Yoga in Acton.  Currently, Lisa recently obtained her 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Theresa Murphy and Cindy Boulter at Revolution Yoga and is now a 500-hour RYT.

Asha Holmes

Asha became interested in yoga years ago after graduating from college and being surrounded by many yoga studios. She became a dedicated practitioner through Peloton during the pandemic. She recently completed her 200-hour teacher training and is excited to share her practice. To Asha, yoga is a way of life and much more than just physical movement. She regularly meditates and moves through life as mindfully as possible. She wanted to become a yoga teacher to deepen her knowledge and to demonstrate that yoga is not just for one type of person, welcoming others who look like her into the community by being an example. Asha loves to practice vinyasa and slow flow yoga with encouraging mindful movement.

When not practicing or teaching yoga, Asha is a freelance photo stylist and loves her job. She describes it as “making pretty sets or outfits, and a photographer takes photos of them”. She loves pasta, iced lattes, and wine. When not working, you can find her shopping or looking for local fests, festivals, and markets to attend with her little one.