Our Teachers & Staff

Lynn Olexy is the co-owner and operator of Downtown Yoga. She comes to the mat with over 30 years of experience in health and wellness and her B.S. in Exercise Science, Dance Education and Business. Her passion for fitness took a turn when she discovered yoga 15 years ago and realized that “beating her body up” was not necessary to achieve her goals. She has a long history in the Carroll County community of establishing and managing a successful yoga studio. She has her 200 hour yoga certification through Charm City under the guidance of Kim Manfredi and in 2019 completed her 500 hour CYT at Downtown Yoga through Yoga Works. Her classes are athletic yet authentic in her combination of flow with breath. Off the mat you will find her spending time with her family and 2 basset hounds, enjoying the outdoors or spending time at the beach. Her motto is…be kind to everyone along the way, as we all have our own stories.

Jamie Schneeman is the co-owner and operator of Downtown Yoga. She earned her BS in Exercise Science and Sports Coaching and obtained her MA in Administration. She began teaching group exercise in Westminster, and was trained by Kim Manfredi of Charm City Yoga in 2012. She earned her 200 hour CYT from Michelle Allen at Downtown Yoga in 2017 and in 2019 completed her 500 hour CYT through Yoga Works at Downtown Yoga. She enjoys teaching classes where you challenge and strengthen your physical and mental capabilities. Jamie, Chadd, and Lynn opened Downtown Yoga in 2016.

The herbal path led Amy to yoga. Her interest in nature-based healing brought her to MUIH, where she earned a Masters of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism. After studying the traditions of Ayurveda through plant medicine, Amy found herself drawn toward this ancient study and its relationship with yoga. Since then she has been trained in Prana Vinyasa yoga and is RYT-200. Amy has been guiding others on their yoga journeys since 2013 with traditionally-styled, all levels classes. Amy emphasizes that this is your journey- she is just the guide and provides suggestions. Classes are often nature-based and centered on creating a space for you to awaken self awareness in order to help you reconnect with all things: spirit, self, others, and the Earth. When Amy is not teaching yoga she is working as a clinical herbalist, Reiki practitioner, and herb farmer.

Amy is the mom of 2 boys and has been involved in group fitness for well over 16 years. She started her career as an elementary school teacher and then became a stay at home mom. Group exercise classes became a part of her everyday routine. In 2014 Amy decided to share her love of fitness and became an instructor. She is certified in both Les Mills Body Step and Soul Body Barre, as well as Barre Above. Amy loves the feeling working out gives her and sharing that feeling with others.

Brandi Kupchella comes to Downtown Yoga with over a decade of fitness experience and considers herself a Yogathlete. She has earned certifications in group fitness instruction, indoor cycling, Barre and is a women's fitness specialist. Brandi completed her 200HR YTT with Life Power Yoga in 2018 and her 300HR YTT in 2023 with the Jason Crandell Yoga Method. Brandi believes in the importance of connection within the practice of yoga: with your body, your mind, and the community around you. Her style IS athletic and challenging, but Brandi works with participants to teach them to use self-knowledge and moderation to make each practice work for them.

Brooke is a graduate of DTY’s 2023 200-hour teacher training program under the guidance of Chris Mapp. Brooke came to yoga after the death of her son and has often referred to yoga and DTY as “lifesaving”. Her classes offer up more than the physical practice of yoga, the mental and spiritual aspect are evident as soon as you step into the room. With a concentration in Yin Brooke believes that in order to evolve your physical practice you truly need to embrace the spiritual aspect of the practice both on and off the mat. In addition to Brooke’s teacher training, she is a health coach focusing on movement and nourishment, she teaches cooking classes (both private and public) and is an advocate for many local non-profits. When not on the mat you can find Brooke out in nature, often with her dog Lily and husband Ken.

Lead trainer Chris Mapp has been in the health and wellness industry since 2000. In addition to being a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, she teaches fitness classes of all kinds and is also a Professional bodybuilder. As an athlete, Chris understands the importance of flexibility and mobility to enhance athletic performance and has found yoga to be a welcome addition to her fitness routine. As a former massage therapist and personal trainer, her appreciation and fascination with the human body is evident in the way she teaches, while her passion for helping others find their best selves motivates her to keep growing as an educator.

Chrissy Niper started practicing yoga in 2014 to rehabilitate a game-changing soccer injury. It was then that she began to fall in love with yoga. Her competitive side wanted to learn all the cool poses, but her heart fell in love with getting to who she was deep down inside. Over the years her practice has evolved, and her competitiveness was replaced with a desire to show others what they were capable of. Chrissy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through Downtown Yoga in 2017 and her 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training through Asheville Yoga Center in 2021.

Colleen practices yoga because she can’t hide when stepping onto the mat. It allows her to be vulnerable and empowered at the same time. She learns something that can be integrated into her life off the mat and it often allows her to find balance in chaotic times. Yoga brings her back to who she want to be and who she is working on becoming. The connection and energy Colleen feels with her students inspires her every time she teaches. She is in awe of their presence and commitment to showing up, which is often the hardest part, and is deeply honored that they allow her to be part of their journey. The highlight of teaching for Colleen is the transformation that occurs; every class is unique and everyone contributes to the flow, feel and rhythm creating an authentic unique experience, creating space for change. Teaching all that is related to mind and body has been her passion for 3-decades. Colleen is RYT-200 hour certified, a 600-hour trained Massage Therapist and certified Group Fitness instructor. Colleen is a firm believer in the saying by Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do one thing that scares you every day” and she feels yoga embodies this expression every time we step onto our mat, allowing us the opportunity to melt away the layers of armor we wear in hopes of finding our true selves. Namaste!

Elizabeth Spicer has been involved with dance for the past Thirty-seven years as a student, professional, and teacher. She owned her own studio for 15 years of that.  She taught dance, gymnastics, and fitness at various studios in PA and Maryland. Elizabeth attended Slippery Rock University and Towson University majoring in dance and exercise science. Elizabeth has studied numerous times at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Showstopper Dance conventions, and has attended master classes with the New York City Ballet. She took classes and trained with the following choreographers including Mark Taylor, Dance Alloy, David Howard, Frank Hatchett, Chio, and Jackie Bird. She has certifications to teach various fitness classes including aqua fitness, barre, barre interval, barre kickboxing, yoga, group exercise, Pilates, cycling, body pump, resistance training, silver sneakers, silver sneaker yoga, chair yoga, strong by Zumba, warrior strength, warrior strength of kids, and La Blast for kids. She currently teaches fitness classes at Gettysburg Performance Gym, Life in Balance yoga studio and at her home.  Elizabeth expanded her education, receiving a bachelor's in psychology and master's in healthcare administration. She participated in Leader of Impact for American Heart Association and has led the heart walks for American Heart Association. She also completed the leadership series through the Hanover Chamber of Commerce. She will be starting her doctorate in mind body medicine in the spring of 2025.  She currently is the manager of cardiac services for UPMC Hanover. Elizabeth will be performing at the local dancing with the stars in January 2025 at the Gettysburg Majestic theatre. When not working or teaching, you will find Elizabeth on the sidelines cheering on her four children Liliana, Aubrielle, Catalina, and Gunnar with their sports, dance, rodeos, and various other activities. Elizabeth also enjoys spending time with her husband and family traveling.

Gina discovered yoga shortly after graduating college almost 20 years ago. She has always been an extremely active person. After experiencing repeated injuries from high impact workouts, she began looking for alternate ways to exercise. It only took one yoga class and she was obsessed! She found yoga to be fulfilling on so many levels. It was challenging yet calming, and she left feeling like a million bucks every single time. Her injuries became way less frequent and she never had to convince herself to attend a class. This was the “love-love” relationship with exercise she never knew existed. She believes you should not have to dread working out, instead you should discover a way you enjoy moving your body. One of her favorite yoga teachers once told her “Choose Joy!” and she has been living life by that motto ever since. After 20 years on the mat, Gina had a desire to dig deeper and expand her knowledge of yoga. She completed her 200-hour yoga certification through Westminster Downtown Yoga under the guidance of Chris Mapp. She immersed herself in the philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga. This in-depth education changed her life on and off the mat in ways that she didn’t think was possible. She believes the mind body connection that yoga helps you discover is invaluable. Through yoga, Gina hopes to help others experience that enlightenment as they pursue their truest form of joy. Gina’s approach to yoga is rooted in the benefits of the physical practice while maintaining the vitality of the mental and emotional gain. She focuses on the balance between strength and flexibility, effort, and ease. She encourages you to challenge yourself to find your edge while truly listening to your body and honoring where you are in your practice. In her classes you can expect to move, sweat, breathe, self-reflect, de-stress and become a stronger person inside and out.

In 2019 Heather received her 200hr RYT, along with her Advanced 500hr RYT certification through Yoga Alliance. Trained in New York City, she received her certification as a Yoga 4 Cancer Instructor in 2019. She is passionate and energetic about sharing the benefits of yoga while making a difference to the health and well-being of others. She aims to provide students with the ability to quiet their minds and open their hearts while mindfully introducing a yoga practice that is skillful, intelligent, and enjoyable. She focuses on intelligent yoga, which is a practice that is not just physically safe but also conducive to emotional and spiritual growth. She wants them to benefit from the sense of relaxation and stress relief that yoga can provide. She gracefully weaves a mixed level flow in her teachings. Her classes cover beginner asanas, sun salutations, standing poses, hip openers, twists, back bends, and basic inversions. Her students can build a strong base while gaining flexibility, strength, and stamina. As a teacher, she expresses herself in a way that makes her students feels safe, confident, and accepted exactly as they are. Judgement and self-criticism are left at the door and she strives to create a supportive community that is inclusive and compassionate for all. Her professional career in clinical research has helped transfer her caring and compassionate attributes from her patients to her students. Her favorite thing to do is to spend quality time with family and friends. By spreading kindness on and off the mat, she nurtures her students in discovering their abilities to be in tune with their body, mind, and spirit.

Ka’ren Murchie is a 200 hr RYT yoga teacher as well as an artist, veteran art educator and lifelong learner. Ka’ren has over two decades of experience in creative expression and mindful movement. She has the unique skill of blending her background in visual arts with the transformative power of yoga. She offers classes that nurture both inner awareness and creative flow. Her teaching style emphasizes intuitive movement, breathwork, and the integration of body, mind, and spirit. Whether guiding a yoga session, facilitating an art-centered workshop, or merging the two, Ka’ren creates safe, soulful, imaginative spaces for exploration, healing, and self-discovery.

Kristen has always loved physical activity. She discovered yoga while in treatment for her breast cancer diagnosis in 2011 and fell in love with all aspects of it. The movement, breathwork, and mindfulness help her to stay grounded on and off the mat. Already an educator in the middle school sector, her love for adolescents and her passion for teaching led her to Downtown Yoga's 200-hour teacher training in 2022. She received her certification and hopes to help others (at every age) enjoy the benefits of a regular yoga practice.

Kristin has actively been instructing classes for over 20 years. Athletics have always been a passion of hers through her school years and she decided to start as a group fitness instructor at the age of 18. She loves good food, good music, and good wine! She also loves to show her passion for a healthy lifestyle to her two children. She is a certified Les Mills Bodycombat instructor, and she teaches freestyle yoga and cardio conditioning.  She recently took a newfound passion in cycling, and is super excited to share her passion for the bike with others.  She feels at home when she can bring her passion and drive to her students to create a killer class!  She is looking forward to teaching to the amazing community at DTY.

Laura has been teaching cycle since 2002 at various clubs in Westminster, Annapolis, and Baltimore. Her fitness certifications include Reebok Cycle, AFAA Cycle, Barre, and Group Ex. She loves teaching freestyle classes that include HIIT, Tabatas, Powerzone, and endurance training. These classes allow her to focus on members different fitness goals, offer a challenging workout and an awesome calorie burn! Coaching you with motivational music and creating a workout that fits your style, will have you coming back for more! Bringing the outdoor ride indoors. #yougotthis

Marie Triplett is a fun loving, light-hearted yoga teacher who enjoys creating space for her students to engage in a playful and joyful exploration of this physical and spiritual practice. Expect to laugh, sweat, be inspired, and challenged in equal measure. Marie’s mission is to provide a well-balanced class that helps her students find tools through yoga that can transcend beyond the mat. Marie found yoga in 2002 and after practicing a variety of styles of yoga for more than 10 years, she trained in Baltimore, MD under the guidance of Kim Manfredi, founder of Charm City Yoga in the 200 and 500 hour teacher training programs. Additionally, she has taken workshops with many leaders in the yoga world to include Kathryn Budig, Dharma Mittra, and Rodney Yee. As an avid food lover, she is also passionate about sharing delicious recipes and the spirit of family through her blog.

Melissa found yoga while she was a student at UMBC in 2016 and has had a daily practice ever since. Learning yoga in a classroom lecture setting, there alongside a physical practice helped her understand the benefits of each pose and how to move with her breath from the very beginning of her practice. As a teacher, Melissa’s focus is on helping her students cultivate and develop a deep connection between their mind and body in order to better understand themselves. Her wish for the world is to see everyone find true happiness, no matter what it looks like for them. By teaching yoga, she hopes to help people let go of their fear of judgement so they can step into a life that is truly fulfilling for them. The Downtown Yoga community has inspired her by creating a sense of acceptance for everyone to truly be themselves while moving around on their mats. Melissa grew up in Westminster and currently lives in Westminster. She is a 500hr RYT, and at UMBC she studied anatomy and physiology extensively in order to better understand how our bodies function. She is passionate about both learning and teaching — Melissa is also an English foreign language teacher and is always teaching herself another language (currently Arabic!).

Yoga has been a part of Melissa’s life for 16 years. Yoga has taught this mother of three how to be more flexible and mindful both on and off the mat, as well as how to find forgiveness for herself as a human. Melissa’s motto is “Yoga is a practice, not perfection!” Working with Well Advantage of Sykesville, MD, Melissa began teaching onsite at corporations to facilitate healthier, happier employees. She enjoyed teaching at Toyota, Wachovia and The Baltimore National Aquarium. She went on to complete her 200 RYT with Leslie Coombs at Avalon Yoga Studio of Catonsville, MD. She is forever grateful to all of her teachers along the way, in the studio and life. In her classes she offers the foundation for the student to explore and challenge their personal expression of yoga while joining the breath with movement.

Michelle is a mother of 4 with over 20 years experience in group fitness. Besides studying Interdisciplinary Studies at UMBC, she holds multiple certifications in Barre and Les Mills programming. Michelle remains fueled and inspired by the positive impact she has on the participants in the classes she leads, as well as our community.

Rebecca Ballantine began practicing yoga at the age of nineteen to add flexibility and relaxation into her workout routines. Learning more about the incredible benefits of yoga; both physically and mentally, she began incorporating it more into her regular fitness schedule. In 2017, Rebecca embarked on her yoga journey to obtain her 200-RYT certification through Charm City yoga/YogaWorks at Downtown Yoga in Westminster, MD. She continued her educational yoga journey in 2019 to complete her advanced 500hr RYT certification through yoga works, hosted by Downtown yoga. She has additional training in Restorative yoga and Yin yoga. Rebecca believes that we are forever students, always learning! Rebecca provides a holistic approach to yoga; as she is also a registered nurse, and will provide a caring and safe environment to ensure that everyone has a fantastic practice. Rebecca has a loving yet joyful disposition, welcoming to all. “Escaping onto my mat provides me a sense of belonging and purpose, along with personal time to challenge my body and mind.”

Sam Yingling has been practicing yoga for over 12 years, and in 2022 committed to practicing daily for an entire year. She quickly saw amazing benefits in her mind, body, and spirit; and heard a whisper from her intuition that guiding others in the yoga practice would be part of her story. She enrolled in Downtown Yoga’s 200 Hour teacher training, completing the program in May 2023. As someone who has dealt with depression and anxiety since adolescence, yoga has given her a sense of well being and peace that nothing else ever has, and she is thus very passionate about sharing the mental health benefits of yoga. She encourages everyone to come exactly as they are to the mat, and provides a judgment free space for a dynamic and fun physical practice and mental respite. In her free time, you can likely find Sam sitting on her deck with a good book, gardening, or hanging out with her husband and two sons, just enjoying the simple things in life.