Meet Our Instructors

Hello, and welcome to Instrumental Yoga! I've been a yoga teacher in Boston since 2011, and have a background in music as a composer and musician. Yoga is instrumental for maintaining your health and wellbeing. My mission is to make yoga available to anyone wanting to experience its powerful healing benefits for themselves! In 2007, I moved from California to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music. During that time, I developed chronic pain in my spine, arms, and hands. This pain was caused by repetitive stress, poor posture, and injuries I sustained during my younger days of skateboarding and snowboarding. Halfway through college, my pain was impacting my ability to play instruments. Seeking relief, I began to see a chiropractor twice a week to manage the pain. My physical challenges quickly escalated into mental and emotional barriers that left me questioning my pursuit of a life in music. My world had flipped so quickly that it left me feeling devastated. Eventually, I decided to try taking a few yoga classes. Within a few months of consistent practice, I no longer needed to see a chiropractor for pain management. Upon feeling and understanding the benefits, I quickly became dedicated to practicing yoga on a weekly basis. I knew I had to share my newfound passion for yoga with as many people as I could reach. After graduating, I went back to California for a nine-week training course to become a yoga instructor. I then promptly returned to Boston to teach yoga full-time from my home studio. Since then, I have been able to open my own studio and share my love of yoga with thousands of people from age five to eighty-five. I have seen firsthand the positive impact yoga has on physical, mental, and emotional issues, and it has only strengthened my belief in yoga's power. Today I offer this opportunity to you as an option to break through your limitations. I promise to provide you the highest level of instruction and support as I guide you on a pathway to your wellness goals. -Brian

My name is Lucas Lambert. I am an Energy Healer, and Living Coach for Restore The Balance Life. I also have been teaching yoga since 2012 for work on physical health and relationship with self. I specialize in helping people align with what makes them feel good. When I sit with clients, I match my frequency to theirs. I feel where people have resistance in their energy, (anger, fear, guilt, concern) and I help guide them to let go of that resistance to align their vibration with what feels good. I have a passion for guiding people to utilize their own power, to see that anything is possible.

Rachel Smiljanic is a 500-hr Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher (ERYT-500), a yoga therapist, meditation teacher, sound healer, & body worker. She was first drawn to yoga for it’s physical benefits, and further discovered that it benefits her mental, emotional, and energy bodies. “I love getting on my mat, and immersing myself in the movement and breath. Yoga, meditation, and breath are such a powerful tool of transformation that doesn't require anything external." In the past few years her passion has drawn her to teach more quieter & slower practices of restorative, yin, somatics, pranayama & deep sleep yoga nidra. Rachel has a talent for holding space for students in classes, workshops, day retreats, and private sessions, and has shared her many gifts throughout Boston, the UK, and Australia. “Life can be so busy, now more than ever, with extra stimulation to our frontal cortex with so much screen time & scrolling social media platforms. Society praises us for doing more, multi-tasking, and being busy. My work & passion has drawn me to hold space for students & clients to explore ways of slowing down, tuning in, & simply listening. Slowing down is not always easy but can be fruitful, insightful, and deeply healing.”   Rachel completed her 200-hr certificate in Cambridge UK with Bev Nolan & Rachel Moore, and her 300-hr at Down Under Yoga in Boston with Natasha Rizopoulos, Barbara Benagh, and beloved Ame Wren as her mentor. She also completed her 100-hr Yin & Meditation Training with Sarah & Ty Powers, and Restorative Training with Alex Brenna Mattews & Alex Bauermeister. Rachel blends time between teaching public classes and workshops, and runs a private practice in Jamaica Plain, MA in the corporate arena. When she’s not sharing her passion she is hugging trees, forest bathing, hiking, baking raw & gluten free sweet treats, or hanging out with her beloved Iggy’s - her Italian greyhounds Ted & Ada.  Connect with Rachel via www.rachelsspace.com Instagram: @rachels_space

-Meli is constantly evolving- Meli has been practicing Yoga Asanas for over 7 years. She began her intimate journey of studying yoga in 2023 when her world felt chaotic and unsteady, and chose to immerse herself deeply in the grounding life of a yogi. Since embarking on this journey, she has learned the power of consciousness. Melis' classes reflect the light that is within each of us. Her aim is to create a calming, and welcoming atmosphere for yogis of all levels. Whether you are looking to gain flexibility, strength, groundedness, or are simply looking for something new, Meli’s goal is to assist you in discovering purpose in your process through her class. For Meli, yoga is about community, meeting people where they are at in their personal journey, and creating a safe judgment free space.

My name is Julie Fay. I have spent the last 28 years as a flight attendant, which has allowed me to see the world and discover yoga in countless cultures and traditions. A longtime Jamaica Plain resident and dedicated yogi, I have been practicing for over 25 years, exploring many different styles, philosophies, and teachers along the way. I am Yoga Alliance certified in Yin and Acu-Yin, having completed my training in Ibiza, Spain with Kata von Doesselaar. My teaching is rooted in the Chinese philosophy and the 5 Element Theory, which bring depth and balance to every class. Yoga has been a constant source of grounding and renewal in my life, and sharing this practice with others is one of my greatest joys. I am passionate about creating classes that invite students to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves. When I am not teaching, you will often find me traveling, experimenting in the kitchen with my husband Steve, or walking my dog Nikki through the beautiful green spaces of Jamaica Plain.