Jessica began her wellness journey in her early 20s, discovering yoga as a way to ease chronic headaches and finding joy in the connection of group classes. While teaching preschool, she earned her first fitness certification with Zumba Fitness and continued expanding her expertise with specialized Zumba trainings, yoga and meditation certifications, and a personal training certificate.

In 2013, she opened Body Karma Studio with the mission of sharing the benefits of yoga, mindfulness, and healthy living with her community. Since then, Jessica has had the privilege of working with people of all ages and abilities—both in the studio and through off-site classes for schools, churches, festivals, and her well-loved summer yoga sessions at Hammonasset.

Jessica is now focused on growing the Body Karma Studio community even further by training future instructors through a comprehensive 200-hour yoga teacher training program. Her dedication to service extends beyond the studio; in 2016, she was honored with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award for her volunteer work.

Outside of teaching, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband Joel, her step-daughters Emma and Abby, and her wheaten terrier puppy, Sully.

Martha began her yoga journey more than 15 years ago at the encouragement of her mother, who already understood the power of a consistent practice. Though she attended her first class simply to appease her mom, she left inspired—and eager to return. What began as a reluctant visit quickly grew into a dedicated weekly practice.

Over the years, Martha explored many styles of yoga and fell increasingly in love with the balance it brought to her life. The physical practice countered long hours at a desk, while the spiritual aspect reminded her to slow down, breathe, and give herself permission to take up space. Her time on the mat became a much-needed anchor in a hectic world.

Encouraged by Jess, owner of Body Karma Studio, along with her parents, Martha completed her 200-Hour Certified Yoga Instructor Training at Body Karma Studio. Now, she’s excited to share her passion for the practice. Drawing inspiration from the teachers who have guided her, Martha creates classes that flow intentionally, build strength and flexibility, and support proper breathing and alignment. Her goal is to cultivate a welcoming, judgment-free environment where students feel safe to explore their potential—free of comparison and guided only by their own inner limits.

“Yoga is a powerful vehicle for change. As you build strength, you start to believe in your own potential.” — Tanya Cruikshank
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

Nancy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Body Karma Studio in August 2024. Through her studies, she discovered that yoga touches every part of life, offering a profound sense of connection to the world around her. While she began with physical postures, she quickly realized the true heart of yoga lies in breath, gratitude, presence, and peace.

Nancy is passionate about creating a space where students feel safe, seen, and valued. Her intention is to foster a welcoming environment where everyone can show up exactly as they are and feel comfortable exploring their practice.

Off the mat, Nancy offers Reiki treatments in the healing room above the studio and hosts meditation events that support relaxation and inner awareness. She is also a proud mom of three young adults and loves spending time with them as they follow their own paths.

Nancy looks forward to practicing with you and helping you experience the transformative connection of mind, body, and spirit.

Leslie discovered yoga 10 years ago when her daughter encouraged her to give it a try. Nervous but willing, she attended her first class at Body Karma Studio—and quickly realized there was nothing to fear. She was instantly hooked. Yoga became her sanctuary, a place to release daily stress, quiet her mind, and reconnect with herself.

In August 2024, Leslie completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training to deepen her understanding of the practice she had grown to love.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, she now weaves yoga, meditation, and breathwork into her sessions, helping children find calm, focus, and confidence. Yoga has become a guiding force in her life, teaching her patience, compassion, and the importance of loving herself fully.

Leslie is excited to share her passion for yoga with others and aims to create a warm, nurturing environment where students feel supported, welcomed, and free to grow at their own pace.

Kris has worked in the fitness and wellness field for more than 15 years, beginning her journey as a personal trainer and fitness instructor before shifting her focus to inner core strength, balance, flexibility, and centering. She is deeply committed to nurturing the connection between body, mind, and spirit, and designs her classes to support this harmony through intentional movement and mindful breathing.

In addition to teaching at Body Karma Studio, Kris offers wellness coaching and teaches Zumba in the Old Saybrook community. Whether in class or in coaching sessions, she helps clients build core strength from the inside out—developing stability, resilience, and confidence.

Kris is also a lifelong lover of dance and is currently studying tap and ballet, bringing joy, rhythm, and creativity into everything she does.

After a lifetime of navigating medical challenges that made regular exercise difficult, Brita discovered yoga as a place of consistency, comfort, and joy. She cherishes the way yoga allows each person to move at their own pace and honors every individual’s strengths and struggles. This inclusivity is what inspires her most—creating space for everyone to feel supported on their mat or in their chair.

Brita graduated from Body Karma Studio’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program in 2021 and is grateful every day for the opportunity to guide others in a practice that has meant so much to her.

Find your way to your mat (or chair), and let’s explore what you can do—together.

Kate has been a dedicated fitness professional for over 20 years, bringing passion, experience, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive. For the past six years, she has served as the Group Exercise & Wellness Director, instructor, and Personal Trainer at the Valley Shore YMCA. She also teaches for Privé Swiss Fitness and several Senior Centers across the Shoreline community.

Kate began her career in Boston, MA, shortly after her children were born. She joined Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women—an urban fitness organization with four metro-Boston locations—as a part-time instructor. Her talent and leadership quickly propelled her into the role of Group Fitness Director for two of their busiest clubs in Cambridge’s Porter Square and Boston’s Back Bay. Over the next five years, she gained extensive experience managing large-scale group exercise programs before returning to her home state of Connecticut.

“I absolutely LOVE what I do. My goal as an instructor is to deliver classes that are safe, effective, challenging, and fun—while meeting each participant exactly where they are on their fitness journey. Making fitness part of your daily routine takes effort and dedication. If I can make it enjoyable and empowering, I can help people commit to a healthier lifestyle.”

In 2017, Kate was selected as a Master Trainer for Savvier Fitness in their Tabata Bootcamp and Tabata GX programs. Her impressive list of certifications includes AFAA Group Fitness, NASM Personal Training, 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Peak Pilates Mat 1, Tai Ji Quan—Moving for Better Balance (Tai Chi), Barre Above, Yoga 1 and 2, LES MILLS BodyPump, MOSSA Group Strength, Urban Rebounding, and many more.

Kate brings energy, expertise, and heartfelt encouragement to every class—and she’s passionate about helping each student reach their personal best.

MaryBeth has been a lifelong fitness enthusiast, but she became a devoted yogi later in life. At age 50, she accepted a friend’s invitation to try a yoga class—and was instantly hooked. After years of high-impact, high-energy workouts, she found that yoga brought a much-needed sense of balance, flexibility, and grounding to both her body and mind. Practicing mindfulness on and off the mat has been transformative, helping her navigate the demands of work and the pressures of life as a single mom.

After five years of dedicated practice, MaryBeth felt called to deepen her understanding and share the benefits she’d experienced. She found Jess and Body Karma Studio and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2023. She is thrilled to be part of the Body Karma family and excited to guide students as they discover the joy, clarity, and balance that yoga can bring.

MaryBeth aims to offer well-balanced classes that challenge the body while providing a much-needed mental reset from everyday stress—helping each student step off the mat feeling renewed and empowered.

Nancy believes deeply in the power of mindful movement to support wellness in both body and spirit. With a strong foundation in Hatha Yoga and a passion for holistic fitness, she designs classes that thoughtfully blend traditional yoga philosophy with modern approaches to strength, balance, and self-care.

Her teaching style is supportive, creative, and adaptable. Whether she’s guiding breathwork and meditation, offering alignment-focused cues, or providing personalized modifications, Nancy strives to ensure every student feels safe, included, and empowered in their practice. As a certified fitness instructor trained in safe equipment use and injury prevention, she brings an added layer of expertise—creating effective, individualized sessions that meet students exactly where they are.

A lifelong learner, Nancy continues to expand her knowledge of yoga, mindfulness, and movement so she can offer fresh, meaningful insights to her students. Her mission is simple: to inspire healthier living—mind, body, and spirit—through practices that build strength, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace.

Stephanie has been practicing yoga for most of her life and teaching for over a decade. She began instructing to empower young women, helping them cultivate confidence, autonomy, and a deeper mind-body connection. Today, she brings that same passion to students of all ages and backgrounds, guiding everyone to experience the benefits of yoga.

Stephanie’s instruction is both body-mechanics informed and trauma-sensitive, helping students tap into their natural ability to move, breathe, be still, and adapt. With a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a background in personal training, she brings a unique and comprehensive understanding of the body, making movement both engaging and fun.

Yoga has been transformative in Stephanie’s own life—supporting her through the rehabilitation of a fractured back and reinforcing that mindset precedes physical progress. Her approach focuses on body preservation, mindfulness, and personalized guidance, always meeting students exactly where they are on their journey.

Liz began her yoga practice a few years ago to improve strength and flexibility, and over time, yoga has become her primary fitness focus. She recently completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Body Karma Studio in Clinton, CT, under the guidance of Jessica Demers.

As a longtime nurse, Liz has experienced firsthand how the mindfulness of yoga—particularly breathwork—can reduce stress and enhance focus. She is especially passionate about the mind-body connection and how intentional movement and breathing support overall well-being.

Liz loves practicing in a nonjudgmental environment, where the emphasis is on accessibility rather than perfection, and she looks forward to sharing this approach with her students.

Marjorie has always been devoted to living a grounded, spiritual, and connected life. Her life’s work centers on helping others feel whole, inspired, and supported—whether through her roles as a youth counselor, community builder, artist, or essential oil educator. Drawn to holistic practices from an early age, it’s no surprise that yoga eventually found its way into her world. After taking her first class with Jess at Body Karma, she was immediately hooked.

Despite being new to yoga at the time, Marjorie followed her intuition and enrolled in the 200-hour teacher training—an experience that transformed her path and deepened her passion for helping others. She meets students exactly where they are, honoring individuality and creating a welcoming space for growth and self-connection.

When she’s not teaching, Marjorie enjoys spending time with loved ones, being outdoors, gardening, and creating.

“We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through.” —Peter DeVries