As the founder of St. Petersburg Yoga, Chris Acosta began a daily practice almost 30 ago while in a full body brace (for 4 years and for 23 hrs a day) to first heal his extreme scoliosis (2 curvatures with largest almost 50 degrees), multiple herniated discs, pinched nerves and spinal arthritis. Freed from the severe pain, deformation of the body, and armed with those successes, he focused on the greater liberations that Yoga was designed for.

He has gone on to becoming one of the area’s most popular and prolific instructors. Mr. Acosta was showcased in “Best [Yoga Instructor] of the Tampa Bay” by DuPont Registries (July 2007). He is known as a teachers teacher and has taught tens of thousands of classes over his career, though Chris primarily instructs one on one, he also teaches a large number of group classes, corporate, workshops, lectures, retreats, and is the primary instructor of St. Petersburg Yoga’s 200 and 500 level Yoga Teacher Trainings.

Mr. Acosta’s primarily loves to demonstrate the true power of authentic Yoga to transform any area that binds and limits, from the pain and handicaps of the body or the mental traps and seemingly inescapably cycles of suffering.
Chris holds an E- RYT 500 educator level certification from Yoga Alliance and is also honored to be part of the distinguished faculty at the Omega Institute in New York. He developed Yoga Traction Therapy. He instructs from many influences: Iyengar, Therapeutic, Restorative, Ashtanga, Power, Vinyasa, Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation, Yoga philosophy; Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita. He specializes in the injured and very beginner to intermediate through to the most advanced. Chris's open group classes are (All Levels)

Julie Heppe

Julie is the Manager of St. Petersburg Yoga and teaches private, group & corporate classes for all levels.

She is a Temple of Kriya Yoga Ashram graduate and a lover of yoga, meditation and philosophy.

Beginning her yoga career in Chicago after working for years in the event planning business; she has been teaching yoga full time for the last 10 years to a full spectrum of students.

Julie has found an eclectic style all her own. She draws on Iyengar, Kripalu, Viniyoga & Kriya Yoga methods that are accessible to everyone. You will enjoy the restorative, rejuvenating practice of yoga and meditation and leave with a sense of peace and well-being.

Julie is currently studying to become a Swami (Yogic Priest) in the Kriya Yoga Seminary program.

Laura began practicing yoga in 1999 after her podiatrist recommended it to heal a running injury. Not only did it heal her running injury, it healed her mind and her heart as well.

Originally from Chicago, Laura relocated to St. Petersburg in 2004 with her Fiancé. After spending several years working in Social Work, Laura realized her passions lay elsewhere. A year long battle with a health issue that precluded her from driving  helped  her  realize she needed to pursue a career in line with her values and passions.

I began practicing Yoga daily in 1996, and every day I look forward to the overall well being that Yoga brings into my life. As is the case for many yogis, Yoga has inspired my way of living. So, when family and friends started asking me to lead Yoga sessions for them, I felt honored and exhilarated to have the opportunity and responsibility to share my love of Yoga with them. In the last few years, everything aligned beautifully for me to enroll in a Yoga teacher training program to deepen my practice and my understanding of Yoga.

Balancing mind, body and spirit empower those that are suffering to feel whole and free. The tools you'll learn in her class will help you create a new, fun and positive life, no matter your level. Most importantly, learn how to heal by releasing self judgment and perfectionism.

Monday	6:00-7:00 PM	Restorative Iyengar Level I & II
Wednesday	6:00-7:10 PM	Restorative Iyengar Level I & II

My style of class includes Vinyasa (movement) to warm the body moving smoothly into strength and balance practice and finishing with cooling asana on the mat and savasana.

I have found that by focusing on the breath through every pose and moving with each breath I discover new insights and openings into the incredible strength and awareness of my body. I am honored to assist my students in exploring their true strength and ability through their yoga practice.

Influenced by both Ashtanga strength and Iyengar precision, I aim to help my students help themselves be developing awareness of their bodies - in addition to teaching the meditative value of stilling the mind and quieting the nervous system.

My beach yoga classes are a more organic style - incorporated flowing movements with the natural surroundings of gulf breezes, sunset skies and the soft supporting base of sand under foot.

I am honored to be representing St. Petersburg Yoga and joyful to share my knowledge with all who enter my classroom.

Jill is a 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Instructor and graduate of St. Petersburg Yogi Teacher Training. She is also a certified USA Triathlon Coach.