Founder & Owner of Body Karma Studio | Yoga Teacher, Mentor & Wellness Coach

Jessica's journey into wellness began in her early 20s when she discovered yoga while looking for relief from chronic headaches. What started as a way to feel better soon became something much more—a love of movement, mindfulness, and the connection that comes from sharing those experiences with others.

While working as a preschool teacher, Jessica earned her first fitness certification through Zumba Fitness. That first step sparked a passion for learning that eventually led to certifications in yoga, meditation, Mat Pilates, personal training, and a variety of specialized fitness programs.

In 2013, Jessica followed her passion and opened Body Karma Studio with a simple goal: to create a welcoming place where people could move, connect, and feel good about themselves. What began as a love of teaching has grown into a thriving wellness community built on the belief that movement should be enjoyable, wellness should be accessible, and everyone deserves to feel like they belong.

Over the years, Jessica has had the opportunity to work with people of all ages and abilities, both at the studio and throughout the community through partnerships with schools, churches, festivals, and local organizations. Her dedication to community service was recognized in 2016 when she received the Clinton Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year Award.

Today, Jessica's passion for wellness continues to evolve. Along with teaching, she mentors aspiring yoga instructors through Body Karma Studio's 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program, supports individuals through Life, Goal, and Wellness Coaching, and creates opportunities for connection and personal growth through wellness retreats and special experiences.

For Jessica, wellness has never been about achieving the perfect pose, following a rigid routine, or becoming someone you're not. It's about discovering what works for you, finding joy in movement, building meaningful connections, and making space for yourself along the way.

More than anything, Jessica loves bringing people together, watching them grow, and creating a community where everyone feels welcome, supported, and inspired to be themselves.

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

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.

Lisa is excited to share her love of movement and wellness through yoga. As a recently certified yoga instructor and an experienced physical therapist specializing in back and neck rehabilitation, she has spent her career helping people better understand and connect with their bodies.

Yoga has given Lisa another way to explore movement, strength, flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. She believes yoga should be accessible, supportive, and enjoyable, and loves creating a space where everyone feels comfortable listening to their body and practicing at their own pace.

Her hope is that students leave class feeling stronger, more connected, and a little more at ease—both in body and mind.

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.

Brittney believes yoga is about creating space to slow down, breathe, reconnect, and simply be present. Her approach to yoga is grounded in connection—to the body, to nature, to the breath, and to the world around us.

She has always been drawn to the magic and mystery of the natural world. Her love of astrology and the moon naturally finds its way into her life and her yoga practice. She loves following the lunar cycles, the changing seasons, and the energy they bring, often finding inspiration for her classes in what is happening in the sky and in nature.

Outside of yoga, Brittney is a mom to six boys and the owner of Hairworks Etc. in Clinton. She is a licensed cosmetologist who specializes in barbering and has spent years working closely with people and building connections within her community. She loves creating spaces where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and cared for.

Community and giving back are a big part of who Brittney is. She serves on three committees: her local Sustainability Committee, the Transfer Station Committee, and the Region 4 School District Sustainability Committee. She also loves volunteering, especially when she can support local youth. Her love for animals, nature, and the environment inspires her to stay involved and find ways to make a positive impact in her community.

For Brittney, yoga is another way to bring all of these things she loves together. She hopes her classes feel welcoming, grounding, and a little bit magical—a place where students can leave the outside world behind for a while, connect with themselves, and maybe even look up at the moon a little differently when they leave. 

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

Tania Abbatello is a certified NASM Nutrition Coach and Kundalini Yoga Practitioner, armed with a BS in Biology and extensive clinical experience in medical labs, hospitals, and dental clinics. Her journey through various health challenges has shaped her approach to wellness, emphasizing the power of self-discovery and inner listening.

Having faced misdiagnoses and inadequate treatments, Tania understands firsthand the importance of prevention over cure. She empowers her clients to take charge of their health, fostering both physical wellness and spiritual growth.

Her mission is clear: to help people heal themselves. After overcoming gut issues, mood disorders, and chronic pain—along with the pressures of motherhood and a challenging marriage—Tania realized the need to turn inward for true healing. She discovered that true health starts with listening to oneself, rather than relying solely on external validation.

Through deep research into nutrition, Tania found that a balanced internal environment is key to emotional and physical well-being. She now guides others in uncovering the root causes of their health issues, whether it's autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, or fatigue.

Join Tania on a transformative journey to reclaim your health, embrace self-acceptance, and unlock your full potential. It’s time to take control and heal from within!

Jeanette discovered yoga over 15 years ago when she was a mother of 2 small children. Looking for a way to keep her body moving and the ability to do exercise in her own living room on her own schedule she found yoga and fell in love with the movements and flow. Jeanette continued to do videos for years while the kids grew up. Once the kids were grown, she realized she needed something more spiritual and wanted to be a part of a community that supported her. She started attending classes at Body Karma Studio in the beginning of 2023 with the new student trial and fell in love with the community here. Enjoying the different classes and the overall supportive vibe, Jeanette decided to take the love for yoga a step further and dive deeper into the background, anatomy, asanas, and breathwork of yoga. Jess was starting a new class for Yoga Teacher Training in September 2024, and the timing could not have been more perfect. Jeanette completed her 200-hour instruction in August 2025. Jeanette strives to have a well-rounded class where everyone feels welcome and encouraged to explore the movement and the stillness of each pose on their terms with her guidance and support.

“Yoga is light, which once lit, will never dim.” B.K.S. Iyengar

Patti Litevich has been doing yoga for over 15 years and has always found that yoga helps keep her centered through all of her challenges in life. Most recently she has completed her dream of becoming a yoga instructor, by taking a 200-hour yoga teacher training program through Body Karma.  As a cancer survivor, she draws on her own healing journey to bring compassion, mindfulness, and authenticity to her teaching. Yoga and meditation became a pathway of strength, renewal, and peace in her life and she is passionate about sharing that same sense of empowerment with others. Through her classes, Patti hopes to inspire students to connect with their breath and their mind, body, & spirit.