Bala Shala Instructors
Bala Shala instructors do more than just teach yoga, they nurture, inspire, mentor and guide children to be the best that they can. They share a common belief in our mission, a love of children, and a passion for helping them thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Staci Bina, founder- Bala Shala
Staci stepped onto her mat for the first time in 2003 and the journey instantly began. Knowing that there was a place where the mind, body and spirit can come together changed it all. A place where she could be present in this very perfect moment without fear or judgement. She wanted more and wanted to share her passion with others.
Staci has over 10000 hours of teacher training for all ages including:
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Hatha Yoga Teacher Training- Institute of Progressive Therapies
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Ashtanga Primary Series Teacher Training- Ashtanga Yoga Center
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Ashtanga Second Series Teacher Training- Ashtanga Yoga Center
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Kids Yoga Teacher Training- Karma Kids Yoga
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Teen Yoga Teacher Training- Karma Kids Yoga
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Mindful Schools Teacher Training
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Kasper Focus Breath-Work Coach
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Mindful Schools Training
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The Chopra Center’s Meditation Instructor Certification
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and is currently in a Neuroscience Certificate Program at Penn
She has been teaching adults since 2007 and children since 2011.
It has been a long time dream for Staci to create a space where babies, kids, teens, moms, dads and EVERYONE can come together and share the gift of yoga!
She lives in Laguna Beach with her husband Tim and their children, Baylie and Cash.
Alyssa Linkletter
Alyssa is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, with additional certifications in teaching kids yoga and experience working with children of all ages, from pre-K through high school. She has a B.A. in sociology from TCU - which is where she was fortunate to have stumbled into her first first yoga class!
As a perpetual student, she has pursued and completed further education and certifications in holistic psychology, with an emphasis in mindfulness and expressive arts. Her holistic psychology background ignited her passion for mindful movement-based practices - including qigong, dance, and especially deepened her passion for yoga.
She looks forward to meeting you and supporting your children as they bloom and grow!
Emily Hosie
Emily 200hour yoga works R.Y.T and 95 hour Wee Yogis R.C.Y.T began her yoga journey in 2009. Emily is a kid at heart and believes our greatest natural resource is in the minds of our children. She loves to teach kids around the world and has explored teaching with Small World Yoga, Nashville. Wee Yogis touring group, Sausalito CA and Bala Shala, Laguna Beach CA. Emily's classes are heart first! She fuses yoga poses, music, and mindfulness to help you connect to your true self. Following your arrow and dancing your worries away. You will be sure to leave feeling more love than ever before.
Makenna Zur Schmiede
Makenna is from Laguna Beach, CA. She earned her 200-hr YTT from Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in NYC and her certification to teach children’s yoga from Karma Kids Yoga, also based in NYC. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Purchase College, SUNY.
Makenna is the co-star of the Bala Shala videos and YouTube channel and has been working with Staci since 2015. Because of her acting training, Makenna’s yoga classes for kids heavily emphasize imagination and adventure. She believes that the most important job of a yoga teacher is to create a safe environment to be you. An observer of the class would see quite a bit of silliness and fun, meant to focus an expanding mind.
“If you’re not having fun, the kids aren’t having fun—so go wild and make believe you are their leader through adventure!”
Cassidy Morgan
Cassidy Morgan is currently a student at University of California, San Diego studying Human Development. She began working at Bala Shala in the summer of 2020 and has loved very minute of it. She was first exposed to the practice of yoga in elementary school but truly grew to love it during high school. In her free time Cassidy enjoys acting, playing ultimate frisbee, and exploring the outdoors.
