(828) 374-6190 hello@aashritakamath.com 584 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC Open today 6am–9pm
The Lantern & Lotus teaching team gathered in the studio
Our Teachers

The people behind the practice

Home/Our Teachers
A Great Studio Is Its Teachers

Warm, qualified and genuinely glad you came

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Every teacher at Lantern & Lotus is a registered instructor who keeps learning — and who will remember your name, your goals and the knee you mentioned last week. Here are the people you’ll meet on the mat.

Aashrita Kamath, Founder & Lead Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Aashrita Kamath

Founder & Lead Teacher · E-RYT 500

Aashrita opened the studio in 2014 and still teaches the 6:30 sunrise flow. Trained in Mysore and Chicago, she leads our teacher training and believes the hardest pose is simply showing up.

Lena Okafor, Studio Director & Slow Flow Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Lena Okafor

Studio Director & Slow Flow · RYT 300

Lena keeps the whole studio running and teaches the gentle classes new students love. Patient, funny and endlessly encouraging — she’s probably the first voice you’ll hear.

Marcus Bell, Vinyasa & Power Yoga Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Marcus Bell

Vinyasa & Power Yoga · RYT 500

A former distance runner, Marcus teaches our strongest flows with crisp cues and a steady drumbeat of encouragement. Expect to sweat — and to leave taller.

Priya Nair, Yin & Restorative Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Priya Nair

Yin & Restorative · RYT 200, YACEP

Priya’s candlelit Yin classes are the stuff of neighborhood legend. A yoga therapist by training, she specializes in stress, sleep and gentle recovery.

Daniel Reyes, Meditation & Breathwork Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Daniel Reyes

Meditation & Breathwork · RYT 200

Daniel leads our midday meditation and breathwork, making stillness feel accessible rather than mysterious. Ten minutes with him and your shoulders drop an inch.

Sophie Lindqvist, Prenatal & Family Yoga Teacher at Lantern & Lotus

Sophie Lindqvist

Prenatal & Family Yoga · RPYT

A registered prenatal teacher and mother of two, Sophie guides pregnancy, postpartum and weekend family classes with warmth and a well-timed sense of humor.

Theo Alvarez, Licensed Massage Therapist at Lantern & Lotus

Theo Alvarez

Licensed Massage Therapist · NC LMT

Theo runs our bodywork suite with deep-tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage. Students swear by his post-Yin sessions — booked out weeks ahead for a reason.

Thinking of teaching one day? Our Yoga Alliance 200-hour training runs each autumn, led by Aashrita. Learn about teacher training or get in touch.

Come Practice With Us

Meet them on the mat

Your first class is free. Pick a time that suits you and we’ll introduce you to the teacher before you begin.

See the Schedule Call (828) 374-6190