THE TEAM
ASHLEY JOHNSON | 200YT Since the start of my yoga journey, I have been rewiring the idea of contentment. In the past when I found myself in places I worked hard to be, a little voice inside of me would sneak in and whisper questions of purpose. For many years I’d sail through waves of uncertainty trying to put a label on my life in a way society deemed acceptable. Starting as a purely physical endeavor, I never would have expected my practice to challenge and reroute the trajectory of my life- past and present. Working my body into advanced asanas quickly turned into working my mind further into awareness and it has proven to be just as challenging… and frustrating and exciting … and most of all rewarding at the end of the day. I love to explore ways to teach whether it be through Dharma talk, a funky fun transition, or even finding stillness in unexpected places. My classes will give you space to dive into meditation through movement and breath, and I encourage every student to show up authentically and move through the practice in the way they need. I can’t wait to move and breathe with you.
CONNIE NESE | 500 RYT I began practicing yoga in 2016 as a way to improve my physical health, but quickly discovered its ability to bring healing and transformation from within. What started as curiosity soon became a passion. Three years later, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training and went on to earn my 300-hour certification in 2021. For me, yoga is more than movement on a mat- it's a practice that cultivates balance, mindfulness and resilience that carries into everyday life. I love sharing these tools with students of all ages and helping them discover the benefits yoga offers both physically and mentally. When I'm not teaching or practicing yoga, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends; sharing good food, conversation and laughter. I look forward to flowing together as a community, creating space for growth, connection and joy both on and off our mats.
DAWN MATTINGLY | 500RYT, REIKI II CERTIFIED Yoga has the power to transform you from who you are trying to be to who you truly are! Yoga is magic!! This has become my personal mantra. Before yoga I lived my life from the outside in, deriving my value from my perception of how I believed others saw me. I spent years trying to find that, “ahhh, this is where I belong” feeling, searching for authenticity. When I began my yoga practice I was looking for the physical benefits....little did I know I would get that and so much more! I once had a teacher say, “yoga is incremental” that the changes we experience happen slowly and are sometimes barely perceptible while they are taking place. Those increments lead to big change. THAT is the MAGIC of yoga! Yoga has become a way of life for me. It’s taught me how to live from the inside out, realizing I can only show up for others if I show up for myself. Understanding that in order to love and serve others we must accept and value ourselves. THAT is the MAGIC of yoga. I have watched beautiful transformation in so many of my fellow yogis. I have seen yoga bring comfort and healing to those in all forms of pain-be it physical or emotional. THAT is the MAGIC of yoga! My desire as a teacher is to provide students with the tools to help you both on and off your mat-to help you discover YOUR personal strength and authenticity, your MAGIC! When you come to class I ask that you be willing to step slightly out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, doing so with honor, self acceptance and love. Come to class with an open heart and mind, ready to discover something new....and most important be ready and willing to laugh! We are in this together, learning and evolving. Let’s discover the MAGIC of yoga together!!
FRAN DIDATO | 500RYT Frances Didato is a 500 RYT. Additionally, Frances has pursued additional training in Yin, Restorative Yoga and Anatomy. Frances focuses on the celebration of movement in the dance of yoga; exploration of movement to breath; and the embodiment of the physical self in both movement and stillness in finding one's self in time and space - simply: being here.
GINA URSETTI I 200CYT When I first began my yoga journey, I was seeking much more than just stretching. I yearned for something where I could fall in love myself as it was something that I lacked. The moment I stepped onto my mat, I found that it was a place where I could be authentically myself. No judgement, no pressure to be something that I’m not and overall just beaming with self love. As a teacher it is my goal to give that feeling back to others. I feel as though self love and self care are the most important practices we can do in our day to day lives. Whether it’s on or off the mat, we can take yoga everywhere we go. If you allow yourself to go deep enough into the body and listen to what it needs in that moment, you’re already participating in that beautiful practice. As a teacher I welcome all of my students to do what feels good for them. My overall goal is for everyone to walk out of class with contentment and a sense of ease. To bring gratitude towards yourself for where the practice took you while finding your own personal flow. Namaste.
JACY GUIDER | 200YT I received my 200-hr certification in June of 2022 at Shoshoni Yoga Ashram in Rollinsville, Colorado. I spent a month living in the mountains where I was able to connect with myself, learn what yoga means to me & discover how I can make a beautiful experience for other yogis. My classes are intentional in challenging the physical body and mind. I always remind my students that once they step on their mat, it's their own experience, so they should find what feels good in their body. You'll hear me say "come back to your breath", as I think it's the best way to connect the mind and body through a meditative movement. I also spend a good amount of time creating music playlists to get you into the best flow state possible. If you see me in the studio, say hi.
JAMIE WIANT I 200YT | REIKI II This is such a full circle moment for me! My yoga journey began with a patio yoga class in June 2020 with HARVEST. I found such a connection to the studio and real sense of being. I found that yoga provided me an outlet that I didn't have before. I found that as I continued I wanted to learn more, see more, and do more. I wanted to learn different poses, try new challenges, work through injuries and move my body in a way that made me feel confident. Above all of the physical aspects, I found a connection to spirituality that I never experienced or had before. HARVEST helped to cultivate that plus more. I am beyond blessed to have the ability to give back to the community that has given and continues to give me so much. I strive to provide an authentic class each and every time. I incorporate chakras, mudras and the Yama and Niyama's, along with real life experiences into each class and flow. My hope and goal is that every body and everybody takes what they need from class and leaves what they don't. This is your space, your time, and your practice... I am simply a guide along the way.
JEN GARLANDO 200 CYT Yoga became my path to reconnecting with myself through movement, and it quickly grew into a deep passion. I completed my 200-hour certification at Harvest, along with additional certifications in Restorative Yoga, Meditation, and Reiki. I enjoy teaching Vinyasa, particularly for beginners, as well as restorative classes. With my background in dance, I bring a unique perspective, focusing on the beauty of flowing movement and the importance of being present in your body. I strive to create a welcoming, supportive environment where students can connect with themselves through breath and movement. My classes incorporate somatic and trauma-informed practices, offering a gentle and inclusive experience. Outside of yoga, you'll find me always with coffee, attending dance performances, or drawing inspiration from art museums.
JESSICA LEGRAIR 200 CYT I've been practicing Yoga since March 2014, and certified since May 2023. Completed another round of yoga training in July 2026 - I just can't get enough! I'm also a certified aromatherapist and have an aromatherapeutic line called Harlow Shea - named after my second miscarriage...my favorite Jurassic Park quote is 'Life always finds a way' - Harlow Shea found a way. I enjoy formulating blends and products that are not only supportive mentally, physically and emotionally but smell divine. I am also an actress and have been in the industry since November 2015...maybe you've seen some of the commercials I've been in! I lived in Winston Salem and Greensboro for 3 years, then moved to Los Angeles where I lived for a little over 9 years...then made my way back to Akron in Summer of 2022. It's been one of the best decisions of my life to date. In life we can sometimes feel like we are taking steps backwards, but we're really setting ourselves up to catapult toward the greatness we're meant to experience. I offer love and compassion to myself, so I inherently give that to others. My hope is that you leave class feeling empowered, peaceful, and strong. Looking forward to meeting you and guiding you on your mat!
MARISSA EISENBREI 300 RYT
MEGAN DAVIS I 500YT, LISW I love to teach! I love to hold space, especially for women, teens and children. A clinical social worker turned yogi, my mission is to share yoga and mindfulness as resources toward healing from anxiety, grief and trauma (self included!). I have extensive training around trauma-informed yoga and facilitate trainings for yoga instructors, counselors and educators on teaching yoga and mindfulness practices through this lens.My teaching style is rooted in the elements, moving between earth, water and fire as we flow, breathe, release and connect. Music fuels my classes; don't be surprised if we end up singing, laughing or crying together...those are the cornerstones of true connection anyway, right. In every class, with any age yogi, my goal is always to create space for students to take ownership over their own experience and find moments to just BE. My intention in this crazy beautiful life is to be a conduit of change; I truly believe that each of us has the capacity for resilience and grace, if given the opportunity to uncover it. When I am not teaching or practicing yoga, you can find me with my kiddos, obsessing over the perfect yoga playlist, warming up my coffee for the 20th time or chasing the sunshine.
SOPHIA STEVENSON | 200RYT I started practicing yoga my sophomore year of high school, as a way to get back into activity after having a history of serious injuries sustained from cheerleading & gymnastics. Yoga gave me a more gentle outlet for recovery while also challenging my body & my mind. After my first class I was hooked, and started practicing daily. I took my 200 Hr Teacher Training in the Summer of 2017, graduating just days before moving into college. I am currently a Junior at Kent State University where I am studying Marketing & Entrepreneurship. I have a passion for teaching yoga & for encouraging body positivity. My goal is to make everyone feel welcome and open to explore their practice regardless of body shape, beliefs, or predispositions. My teaching style is fiery and fun. Outside of teaching yoga you’ll find me working retail, singing, modeling, hiking, or hanging with some friends. Love & Light.
SARAH WAITE | 200RYT For the last five years I have been actively teaching yoga, but my journey, like so many others, started long before teaching. Back in college yoga served as my escape from life. Every time I stepped onto my mat I began to slowly trust that this was a safe space for me. And more importantly, I began to trust that my body was a safe space. Over the years I built trust and love in myself and I knew that I had to share this feeling with others. Since dedicating my life calling to yoga and wellness I have gone on to obtain my 200 hour training and have taken an additional 100+ hours of continuing education. My continuing education includes restorative yoga, trauma informed yoga, forest bathing, Thai Massage, hands on assists, chair yoga, stretching and flexibility training, Barre, and aerial yoga. Outside of yoga my other passion in life is bringing people into nature. I run my own business, YouBloom, where I offer outdoor programs and work with different parks systems such as the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park to offer trauma minded nature based programs. Each of us comes from the natural world and I believe it is our immense honor to care for this planet. Whether you join me in nature or in a studio practice every program is designed to foster an appreciation for nature. If I am not practicing yoga or leading people on outdoor adventures, I'm probably still outside! I love to hike, camp, paddle, climb, birdwatch- anything that gets me in nature! I'm often found on these adventures with my wonderful husband. When we aren't outside I love to cuddle my little kitty, Lady and hunker down with an embroidery project and a true crime (or cooking) show.
CYNTHIA SOMMERS | RYT500 | REIKI II - SUB TEACHER I started practicing yoga during my undergrad at The University of Akron - I fell off my practice when buying our first home, starting grad school, and the beginning of the pandemic. I re-started practicing from home in late 2020 and everything just *clicked*. Yoga helped me in so many ways during that time and beyond and allowed me to really dive into my practice. I completed my 200hour training in early 2022 and completed my 300hr training at the end of 2023. I love teaching allllll types of yoga; power, yin, restorative, beginners, workshops, special topics... you name it. I'm also pursuing an additional 200hr training in Katonah Yoga which is weaved through so much of the way I approach teaching. In my "other" life, I am a Research Associate, a PhD student in Sociology, a huge reader, a wife, and a cat mom. I'm so happy to be here and I'll see you around!
ERIN LAMONICA | 500RYT I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training in spring of 2020 and began teaching right away. Since then I’ve taught online, in-person, indoors and outside. Ive taught multiple styles of classes over the years, but I don’t have a favorite style to teach or take. I enjoy a wide variety in my personal yoga practice and you’ll find that reflected in the classes I teach. I’ve continued to study yoga and completed my 300 hour in December of 2021. I welcomed our first child in 2022 and our second a couple of months ago. You might surprised how often I reflect back on yogic teachings when I am managing the stress, joy, and everything in between that comes with parenting a toddler and a newborn! I look forward to continuing to share my yoga practice with the community.
KARINA BARAHONA | 200E-RYT | 500CYT | REIKI II | AERIAL YOGA CERT first took a yoga class back when I was a freshman in college when looking for a way to get healthy. I floated in and out of practice trying to find a movement style that I enjoyed. Barre was my first love. And it was because of the attention to form and the hands on corrections that I became interested in learning about bodies and how they move. I decided to go through my yoga teacher training in the summer of 2018 in Spain. It was an intensive, fully immersive experience, and I do not regret it. I practice to seek out the enjoyment that movement brings not only to my body, but my mind as well. I love an appropriate challenge to the body, one that feels so good to overcome but it doesn't hold you back. I then, by complete accident, took a Yin class and knew that I had to learn more about this style. I decided to dedicate 300 hours to learning about Yin, meridians of the body, and myofascial release.My movement classes can range from challenging and sweaty to slow and effortless, to extremely relaxed. I love the different varieties I teach because I think there’s more than one way to move and oftentimes our bodies go through phases that call for certain movements. I am a licensed skydiver, have two cats and am trying to learn how to love cooking.
RACHEL SCHMIDT I 200RYT | REIKI LEVEL I I was born and raised in NE Ohio, and despite the weather I actually love it here. Haha! I need lots of plants and greenery in my life (inside and out) and this is it, baby! I have to start by saying, growing up is confusing for everyone I think and I struggled with body image and self confidence for a long time. It seemed like I could always give to others what I couldn’t give to myself. I began Massage Therapy school at age 18 and slowly started to build those self care habits that lead me to nurture myself, too. Not long after, my sister introduced me to restorative yoga. The amount of clarity that bubbled up for me during those quiet evenings after a long days work were both insightful and astounding. The road to self love was a long one to say the least, which required a lot of self affirmation, but yoga and massage therapy helped me to move through trauma and self destructive thought patterns and finally into a direction of healing. I turned to yoga because it helps take away some of the heaviness in life. Yoga reminds me to breath deeper and be in the present moment when life gets away from us. I hope I can share that with my future students! I love what I do. I started my own Massage Therapy practice in Fairlawn, called ‘Body Positive Massage Therapy’ and it is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. I have a lot of hobbies that bring me great joy in my life. Drawing and wood burning designs are some of my favorites! I play guitar, piano, ukulele and sing in a music duo with my partner, Steve, called ‘Rocks and Roots’. We like to play country and rock covers when we’re not playing our own original folk/rock tunes! You’ll usually find us playing on the sunset rock at Kendal Ledges or The Nature Realm in the summer, and various local wineries near our home town of Ravenna, OH.
ANTONIA JACKSON | 500RYT Antonia is a Registered 200 Hour Yoga Teacher and Level II Reiki Practitioner. It is her passion for fitness, energy, and people that drives her commitment to lifelong learning and serving. Through her offerings it is her goal to inspire all to vibrate higher and make room to experience life as their highest self.
NICI MUNYER | 200YT | YOGA TO LIFE COACH CERTIFIED | STUDIO OWNER I’m a self-proclaimed vision and goals junkie. Self-development workshops, books and podcasts are my jam. I feel most alive when I’m living in alignment with my goals and core values, but watching others do it is what really lights me up. The idea for HARVEST was born from a passion and desire to help others create the life they want. My dream for HARVEST is for us to serve as a catalyst for women: To be a space where opportunities, resources and tools can be gained. For us to hold space for women to unapologetically be themselves and most importantly, to empower women to fully step into who they are meant to be. Most days you will find me at the studio working the front desk or behind the scenes. But in my off time I enjoy walking in nature, spending time with friends and family or my favorite way- at home with my husband and our two dogs.