Pierre Couvillion - Director and Founder; Ayurveda, Massage and Yoga Lead Trainer

Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500, NAMA Certified Ayurveda Practitioner, NCBTMB Board Certified Bodywork and Massage Therapist, Sanskrit and Yoga Philosophy Teacher. Pierre is the founder and director of Santosha School.  He began training in natural health care in 1992, working full time in the field in 2000; and has instructed at more than 100 schools in the US, Mexico and Canada, including the Ayurvedic Institute.

He holds certifications in: Ayurveda, Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Ashtanga Yoga, Synergy (Hot) Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Viniyoga, Craniosacral Therapy, Ayurveda Massage, Acupressure (Marma), Barefoot Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Tui Na, Sanskrit, and is a devotee of the Self-Realization Fellowship of Paramahansa Yogananda.  Pierre also teaches Sanskrit and helps students develop a personal connection to texts like the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita.

Pierre does his best to continue the luminous work of his incredible teachers: Paramahansa Yogananda (yoga meditation); Dr. Vasant Lad (Ayurveda); Dr. Barry Green (BodyMind therapy, natural health care trainer); Tim Miller (ashtanga yoga);  Kathy Green (viniyoga); Bataan Faiago and Chris Luth (t'ai chi ch'uan); Peri Ness (synergy hot yoga); Myriam Machado Baker (anusara yoga); Ray Castellino (birth and prenatal trauma); Edward Spencer (ashiatsu); the Acupressure Institute (oriental bodywork); Marshall Rosenberg (NVC); Kanta Masters and Dennis Holz (spiritual growth Source seminars)

Pierre does his very best to make spiritual living, which can seem difficult and esoteric, instead become simple, loving and practical.  He is working to create a 4 year degree in natural health care so that young people may some day have a real profession in it. 

Pierre meets the established requirements for education and experience and is registered with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, the Yoga Alliance, and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the national organizations for these health disciplines.  You can learn more about these organizations at: NAMA , Yoga Alliance , NCBTMB

Pierre is available for video/voice Ayurveda consultations and coaching. He is also in Indy several times a year for in person work.  For these consults, schedule directly with him at pcouvy@gmail.com

Kathy Busto Mickel - Lead Yoga Teacher Trainer, Yoga RYT500, E-RYT500

Kathy brings decades of experience in personal development, and a career in the development of others, to her role as the school's academic dean and Teacher Trainer.  She is also a devoted student of Paramansa Yogananda and a yoga instructor.  She finds joy in the inner practices of yoga and brings those practices to her classes, retreats and life.

Melissa Moran - Yoga Teacher RYT500, mentor teacher

Melissa first began yoga as a way to relieve the stresses of a hectic life.  Following several years of regular practice at Santosha, she is now continuing her yoga learning through the teacher training program.  Melissa enjoys the welcoming community at Santosha, and looks forward to sharing her love of the practice as she begins to teach.

Christopher Caudill - Yoga Teacher RYT200

Christopher came to be a spiritual seeker through the physical asana practice of Ashtanga Yoga. He is grateful to have been guided to the practice of yoga which has brought balance and discipline into his life. He enjoys hiking, travel, gardening, drawing and painting.

Brian Kent - Yoga Teacher RYT200

Brian is new into yoga, beginning his practice in August 2019.  He loves the universality of yoga as well as its holistic benefits across the five koshas.  He finds joy and stillness while exploring the more subtle components of yoga.  To balance himself from his job as an accountant at Ernst & Young LLP, Brian enjoys being outside, reading, listening to music and staying active by backpacking, hiking, biking and skiing as he travels across the world.

Shiela Dimof - Lead Yoga Teacher Trainer, Massage Therapist, Ayurveda Panchakarma Therapist, Yoga RYT500, E-RYT500, NCBTMB, CMT

Shiela has found a special home at Santosha as a yoga teacher and massage therapist.  She draws from her background of living at a meditation retreat center, training in bodywork, and her fascination with Ayurveda.  Her classes carry a nurturing, gentle and joyful feeling.

Blythe Potter - Yoga Teacher RYT500, BAS, LE, CMT, BCTMB - owner Bargersville, IN branch online here

Blythe was first introduced to yoga by her favorite English teacher in high school whom she continues to be inspired by today.  She learned to lead a basic yoga flow while studying dance at Ball State University but realized that her previous training and practice was insufficient during her first level one class Santosha.  Captivated by the lifestyle and educational opportunities at Santosha School, she needed this curriculum to be a part of her personal and professional life. 

Deanna Sapp - Yoga Teacher RYT500 - owner San Miguel de Allende, MX branch online here

Deanna is a passionate athlete, dancer, and ambassador to the beauty of San Miguel. Come enjoy a sweaty workout with her in Indy or Mexico. Sign up for a longer trip to Mexico and be inspired..

Raquel Diaz - Yoga Teacher RYT200

I joined Santrosha looking to connect with my spiritual self, to turn down the noise in my mind and release the physical pressure of  a challenging life. I prayed to Jesus to help me find find a place where I could do both; and then I signed up for the life style class and felt in love with Ayurveda and the practice of the 8 limbs of yoga. I also remember how to breathe. I hope to share my experiences and what I have learned from wonderful trainers with those that are open to a relaxing and well grounded life. 

Yo llegué a Santosha buscando conectarme con mi parte espiritual y disminuir el ruido en mi mente y la presión física de una vida llena de desafíos. Le rece a Jesús que me ayudara a encontrar un lugar donde pudiera hacer las dos cosas; y entonces me inscribí en las clases de estilo de vida y me enamoré de Ayurveda y las 8 Rama’s del yoga. Además de recordar como respirar. Espero compartir mis experiencias y lo que he aprendido de maravillosos entrenadores con aquellos que estén abiertos a tener una vida más relajada y estable.

Allie Burns - Yoga Teacher RYT200

Allie started practicing yoga right after college as a way to be active. From the beginning she was curious about the spiritual aspects of yoga. Fast-forward to 2016 at a yoga festival in Hawaii:  She had a transformational meditation experience that tapped into her energetic layer, and it left her wanting more.  After coming home to Indianapolis, she was led to Santosha for meditation and found the teacher training as the next step on her personal growth journey.  She enjoys using meditation and chanting to connect with the Divine and is excited to see where this education will lead!

Dr. Shona Craig - Yoga Teacher RYT500, Dr. Physical Therapy

Yoga has been a part of Shona’s entire life on and off the mat. She has explored many types of yoga, meditation, energy work, bodywork (Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Manual Lymphatic Drainage), and spiritual practices. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy licensed in New York and Washington offering yoga therapy as a component of her physical therapy practice. She is a board certified women’s health clinical specialist and a certified lymphedema therapist. Currently she enjoys practicing Iyengar yoga and has studied with many senior Iyengar teachers. She loves developing a deeper understanding of the human being on the physical, emotional, intellectual, intuitive, and spiritual levels.

April Couvillion - Yoga Teacher RYT200, LMT

April is a physical therapist by training, and also brings years of dance training to her massage practice and yoga teaching. She loves thai massage, acupressure and playing music.

Jo Robinson - Yoga RYT500, E-RYT200

Jo’s zeal for yoga is matched by her passion for music, cats and sharing laughter with family and friends.  When she met Pierre and began practicing at Santosha, Jo knew she had found her spiritual home.   “It’s never too late to follow your heart and dreams”.  She has done just that in becoming a yoga instructor at 57 and delights in being a loving den mother to the teacher trainees. 

Kim Dunham - Yoga Teacher RYT200, travel planner

I got into yoga for relaxation and it just clicked with me. I love how grounded it helps me feel. Meditation and sound bowls are a daily part of my vibe, woven into both my life and my classes. ✨🕉️

Libby Kramer - Yoga Teacher RYT200, professional dancer

Libby brings a deep passion for movement and mindfulness. With a background in various dance forms, Libby offers a dynamic, expressive approach to yoga practice. She is dedicated to guiding students on their journeys, infusing grace from dance and introspection from yoga into each class

Pedra Sage - Yoga Teacher RYT200

Pedra has evolved into an encouraging and warm instructor. She has practiced since 2002. Her knowledge of the mind-body-spirit relationship has deepened through her interest in gardening, painting, and devotional meditation. As the owner of Sage Garden Designs, she creates beautiful places in nature to be inspired. Look for her periodic plant walks on the Santosha schedule! 

Pedra holds an RYT-200 Yoga Teacher Certification, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, is a certified arborist and horticulturist, and uses nature to commune with spirit. A devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda and Kriyaban as of 2014, Pedra views yoga as a way of life!  She invites you to share peace, joy and exercise with her as you practice this ancient science that is rooted in the divine.

Lacy Pearson - Yoga Teacher RYT200

Lacy has been a spiritual seeker her whole life and drawn to the path of yoga in 2000. After years of consistent physical practice, she completed her first teacher training in 2013. She came to Santosha last year looking for spiritual community and a deeper dive into the.teachings of yoga. She is enjoying the opportunity to teach what she loves while simultaneously being a student.

Theresa Nucciarone - Yoga Teacher in training

I have been on a deep spiritual journey for the past six years. At the beginning of this journey I was introduced to Ayurveda, which was what brought me to Santosha in 2021. But what made me stay and start the teacher training program was the loving, caring, and deeply supportive community. I look forward to growing with our community as I explore and share the practice of yoga in its many forms.