Who We Are

“A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink.” -Gina Carey

Meet The Owners

We are so excited to be on this journey together. Peace Out Yoga has an exceptional team of yogis with a wide range of styles and yoga backgrounds. Come take a class and experience the rich variety of yoga in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Meg Pacella

  • Meg Pacella has spent ½ her life in San Diego, California and ½ her life here in Colorado.

    She received a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and found herself missing the ocean and moved back to San Diego shortly after college. In San Diego she attended National University where she earned her Master’s in Special Education and Elementary Education. While studying to be a teacher she began her yoga journey in San Diego where she completed her 200 hour Core Alliance teacher training, sculpt teacher training and level 2 vinyasa certifications at Core Power Yoga. Shortly after her certification was complete, she traveled the world with her husband David. Their travels took them to 37 countries and over 100 different cities. She stayed and immersed herself in different cultures around the world. In India they stayed at an Ashram where she learned various formats of yoga and received her certification in Ayurvedic Medicine. When returning to the United States she decided to pursue the Elementary Education path and worked as a Kindergarten teacher in Chicago, Illinois. She welcomed her first child, Guthrie in 2015 which brought her family back to Colorado to be closer to family. In 2017, they welcomed their 2nd child, Etta. While in Castle Rock, CO she has taught Special Education and 1st grade at Clear Sky Elementary. She hopes to bring her love for kids into Peace Out Yoga offering a variety of kid’s classes and workshops. She is a fitness enthusiast and hopes to also add in some fitness elements to the studio through sculpt classes, health workshops and programs.

Amanda Shefsick

  • Amanda Shefsick is a proud native of Colorado. She has spent the last 21 years living in Castle Rock raising her family with her husband Brad and two teenage children.

    Amanda Shefsick is a proud native of Colorado. She has spent the last 21 years living in Castle Rock raising her family with her husband Brad and two teenage children. She works as a reading specialist in Douglas County School District and has her Masters in Community Counseling. She has been practicing yoga for 24 years. Yoga has always been a practice she applies to her life as a way to find wholeness. Yoga is not just the practice on a mat, it has become a way of life for her. Amanda earned her 285 hour core alliance certification through Inner Connections Yoga Studio under the teachings of John and Jeanne Adams. She is excited to teach hatha inspired, restorative, yin and gentle yoga classes and create community workshops for both adults and children and pass on gratitude, kindness and love to bring the community together. The last year has created fear, anxiety and pain for so many. She wants to create a space that welcomes people in to feel safe, loved, hopeful and put back together.

Meet Our Team

Michelle Hettinger

Lead Instructor

  • Michelle is a seasoned instructor with a passion for yoga (her soul-mate workout) and fitness.

    Her unique energy and style allows her yogis to explore their practice in a creative, challenging and FUN asana playground.  Mother to two beautiful boys, Michelle uses the principles of yoga throughout her daily life.  She is Yoga Alliance Certified and currently finishing up her 500hr Certification, holds an Exercise Physiology degree and multiple PT & GFX Certifications.


    Favorite quote “Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything.  Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you so you can become who you were meant to be in the first place.” ~ unknown.

Char Burwell

Yoga Instructor

  • Charlene found yoga in 2010 after going through some trying times which left her feeling lost, out of balance and overwhelmed. When searching for direction in life, she felt “called” to yoga, at the time not knowing the spiritual component that yoga held.

    Yoga has helped her learn patience, flexibility in life, how to listen to her heart, how to let go, and self-love. As her body awareness improved and her connection to self deepened, she was able to experience the challenges of life with calmness, insight, and even joy.


    In 2021 Charlene finished her 285-hour yoga teacher training, working with the Himalayan Tradition. Her classes emphasize the importance of strength and flexibility, effort and ease, breath and awareness, connection with self, and infuses yoga philosophy to help empower students to find inspiration in their daily lives on and off the mat.


    Besides yoga, Char is a Registered Nurse and enjoys spending time with her husband, blended family of six children, two grandchildren, standup paddle boarding, and hiking with her dogs.

Toni Veruchi

Yoga Instructor

  • Toni feels honored to be part of the yoga community at Peace Out.

    In 1997 she took her first yoga class and practiced Bikram (Hot Yoga) for the following five years. In 2002 she enrolled in the teacher training program and became certified. During her 19 years teaching, she has taught Power, Bikram (Hot Yoga), Vinyasa Flow and Fusion. She has studied with world renowned yoga teachers that include Tias Little as well as Aadil Palkhivala -author of Fire of Love/Teaching the Essence of Yoga and founder of Purna Yoga.


    Teaching yoga is truly her passion. It is her desire to share the vastness of yoga with you. Yoga is about transformation and the joy is knowing that the journey is forever!

Allison McKean

Yoga Instructor

  • Allison, E-RYT 200, began practicing yoga in 2005 while playing collegiate softball.

    Yoga quickly became an everyday practice as she found it helped with her mental, spiritual and physical health. 


    Allison received her Masters of Science in Sports Science from The University of Edinburgh in 2014. While there she conducted a study on yoga and its physical benefits. Her study concluded that with only 6 weeks of yoga, twice a week, one can see improvements in flexibility, strength and balance. Upon graduating and returning home in 2014, Allison completed her 200-hour teacher training at Samadhi Yoga in Denver, CO. Allison currently teaches yoga and health at a local high school.


    As a teacher Allison is knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging and adds humor to her classes. Her goal is to bring physical and spiritual benefits to every class. In today’s world Allison strives to be a guide for unity, connectedness and expanded awareness. Allison is a Castle Rock native and shares her life with a wonderful partner and two beautiful children.n 2002 she enrolled in the teacher training program and became certified. During her 19 years teaching, she has taught Power, Bikram (Hot Yoga), Vinyasa Flow and Fusion. She has studied with world renowned yoga teachers that include Tias Little as well as Aadil Palkhivala -author of Fire of Love/Teaching the Essence of Yoga and founder of Purna Yoga.


    Teaching yoga is truly her passion. It is her desire to share the vastness of yoga with you. Yoga is about transformation and the joy is knowing that the journey is forever!

Julia Morehart

Yoga Instructor

  • Julia is a local special education teacher and a mother.

     Yoga became a part of her life in 2012 at a time where she was looking for a physical practice to improve her overall health, but found that yoga provided much more of a mental release, and a spiritual outlet. In seeking to deepen her practice, Julia completed her 285- hour training in 2021 at Inner Connections Yoga in Castle Rock and became an instructor.


    Julia takes a welcoming, non-judgmental approach to her classes. She brings a calm presence with the intent of guiding students (kids and grownups alike) to find balance, to practice with ease and effort, and to connect the mind with the body. Whether it’s a class for kids, a Vinyasa flow or a Gentle practice, Julia intends for each student to leave her classes feeling stronger, more open, and deeply relaxed.

Renee Mettler

Yoga Instructor

  • Renee (RYT-200) started practicing yoga as an adjunct to running, hiking, and skiing and as a way to connect with her, then, teenage daughter.

    She soon realized the intrinsic benefits of a regulated breath, relaxed nervous system, focused mind, and deeper awareness – within and beyond the physical body.


    In 2015, Renee completed ICY’s 285-hour Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and began teaching classes ranging from gentle to power vinyasa. As a K-12 educator and life-long-learner, she enjoys continued study – especially regarding the science behind the practice (i.e. How yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation reduce chronic stress and inflammation – allowing for healing of body and brain). Renee is also certified in Accessible Yoga – a teaching practice inclusive of all backgrounds, body types, ages, and abilities. She loves that yoga meets each of us exactly where we are. Renee strives to create a safe and healing space in which one can explore, balance, and expand breath awareness, strength, flexibility, and relaxation – in body, mind, and spirit. 1997 she took her first yoga class and practiced Bikram (Hot Yoga) for the following five years. In 2002 she enrolled in the teacher training program and became certified. During her 19 years teaching, she has taught Power, Bikram (Hot Yoga), Vinyasa Flow and Fusion. She has studied with world renowned yoga teachers that include Tias Little as well as Aadil Palkhivala -author of Fire of Love/Teaching the Essence of Yoga and founder of Purna Yoga.


    Teaching yoga is truly her passion. It is her desire to share the vastness of yoga with you. Yoga is about transformation and the joy is knowing that the journey is forever!

Lindi Holden

Yoga Instructor

  • Yoga has been apart of Lindi’s life since college. She first tried yoga as a different form of exercise from her normal routine and has been practicing ever since.

    Lindi’s practice has helped her grow stronger and more flexible, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires her to live each moment more mindfully.


    She believes yoga should be noncompetitive, rooted in mindfulness, and inclusive of all bodies, ages and abilities.  


    Lindi has also earned a certification in Yin Yoga and has experience teaching PiYo and bootcamp. 

Michele Suriano

Yoga Instructor

  • Michele began her yoga journey in 2008 when friends recommended the practice to increase strength and flexibility in balance.

    Yoga has helped her learn to listen to her body, manage stress, and so much more. In her desire to share the gift of yoga she received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2018 and continues to deepen her personal practice with additional training and teaching via Zoom and in-person.


    Michele enjoys the depth of experience when connecting breath to movement in challenging postures as a true meditation in movement. Her joy is infectious, and you’ll connect to your highest self with the blessings of yoga and the Peace Out Yoga community.

Amber LaRusso

Yoga Instructor

  • Amber is a 200 hour RYT (working towards 500 RYT) with 5 years of experience teaching in the Boston area.

    She teaches the principles of vinyasa and yin yoga with an emphasis on meditation and pranayama to create a mindful experience allowing room for the whole self to be engaged in each student’s practice. Amber is passionate about creating an environment which encourages her students to initiate their practice from a place of acceptance and compassion, inviting them to explore the subtle body and to take the transformational qualities of their practice with them into their daily life.

Kelli Delp

Yoga Instructor

  • Kelli, is both a Certified AFAA Group Fitness Instructor and Registered Yoga Alliance yoga teacher.

    Kelli came to yoga as a way to regain clarity after dealing with complicated grief. Yoga helped her learn presence, compassion, self-love, and sparked self-discovery within.


    Kelli was born and raised in small town Oklahoma. After moving to Colorado in 2013, she began taking group fitness classes and in 2019, began her instructor journey.


    Her classes range from deeply restorative to a strong athletic flowing practice. She has a commitment to mental health awareness and perceives each person as a whole on and off the mat.


    Kelli is drawn to a spiritual way of living and mind body connection. Her goal is to help her students find and maintain a peaceful mind and body with breathwork and movement. She loves when her students find empowerment from within and believes that yoga can truly change your life if you allow your body to surrender and let go of everything that does not serve you in your practice.


    In addition to teaching yoga, Kelli is a full-time Associate Director of client training. She enjoys traveling the world with her husband, Justin, hanging out with her French Bulldog, Magnolia, hiking, or reading a good book. Her favorite place is her sister’s ranch, and she loves a good margarita. Kelli has studied Muay Thai in Thailand and loves embracing other cultures.he teaches the principles of vinyasa and yin yoga with an emphasis on meditation and pranayama to create a mindful experience allowing room for the whole self to be engaged in each student’s practice. Amber is passionate about creating an environment which encourages her students to initiate their practice from a place of acceptance and compassion, inviting them to explore the subtle body and to take the transformational qualities of their practice with them into their daily life.

Amanda Kanaber

Yoga Instructor

  • I found yoga in 2009. As a (then) foster mom of teen boys, yoga became my place of calm in the storm that was my crazy, broken and busy life.

    In 2018 I earned my 200 hr RYT and have additional certifications in yin and hot yoga. I love the presence it takes working on inversions and the discipline to be still in Yin. When I’m not yoga-ing I’m a preschool speech therapist. My passion is sharing a mix of challenge, presence and laughter with my students.She teaches the principles of vinyasa and yin yoga with an emphasis on meditation and pranayama to create a mindful experience allowing room for the whole self to be engaged in each student’s practice. Amber is passionate about creating an environment which encourages her students to initiate their practice from a place of acceptance and compassion, inviting them to explore the subtle body and to take the transformational qualities of their practice with them into their daily life.

Mandy Irons

Yoga Instructor

  • Mandy is also a Colorado native, having grown up right here in the Monument/Castle Rock area.

    Having obtained her degree in Anthropology at CSU, and has returned to Castle Rock to raise her now two teenage boys. She has a passion for adventure and enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, camping and trips to the ocean. Mandy’s curiosity of the connection between nature and the human experience led her to spend many years in academia and personal adventures studying anthropology, archaeology and the humanities. Mandy is also an avid painter and artist.


    Mandy’s quest to enhance the connection of mind, body and spirit within the human experience led her to obtain her 200 YTT certification in 2019. Since that time, she has been a member of the yoga and wellness community as a women’s wellness team leader, offering yoga instruction and unique events combining outdoor adventures, yoga and artistic experiences.


    Her goal is to seek a deeper connection through the practice of yoga and to share this energy with her students and greater community with hopes of evoking emotion, passion and a quest for self-exploration. We enjoy having Mandy as a team member here at Peace Out Yoga and her offerings as a teacher of hot and balance, yin and restorative yoga.

Kristin Schooler

Yoga Instructor

  • After years struggling with migraines, pain, and neuropathy, Kristin found the practice of yoga to be transformative in her healing journey.

    This led to Kristin completing yoga teacher training to learn as much about yoga as possible. Kristin is equally drawn to the science and the spirituality of yoga, and she is passionate about sharing yoga with others looking to achieve a deeper sense of self, more body awareness, better health, and profound peace in their lives.


     Kristin’s teachings are soulful, intuitive, and very energetic in nature, balancing the subtle bodies and calming the mind. Kristin is encouraging, poetic, and creative. Kristin has a teaching style that highly emphasizes the mind and body connection, and how it applies to our modern lives for more awareness, balance, flexibility, and connection.


    ​Kristin always has her nose in a book and is always excited to share what she is learning at the moment, whether it’s regarding the ancient wisdom of yoga, philosophy, women’s studies, energy healing, etc. She is conscious of creating a yoga environment with every person in mind.


     Kristin is currently studying to become a Certified Nutrition oach & a Certified Health 


    & Wellness Coach

Liz Hochstetler

Yoga Instructor

  • Liz has been teaching yoga classes, since she got certified in Denver 8 years ago. She is a mom of 2 boys that are 5 and 8 years old.

    Liz has been teaching yoga classes, since she got certified in Denver 8 years ago. She is a mom of 2 boys that are 5 and 8 years old. Her passion is helping others with their health and fitness and is a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer. She loves the practice of yoga, because it is truly a form of art to her, and she loves guiding others, as well as witnessing the light yoga ignites in everyone on and off their mats! Liz is so happy and excited to be back to teaching in person and becoming a part of this amazing community at Peace Out!

Beryl Fanslow

Yoga Instructor

  • Beryl came to her mat in 2005 where she found a peaceful reprieve from the stressors of life.

    As an E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance certified instructor and continuing education provider with over 10 years of experience, she strives to create an open and safe environment where each student can explore their physical, spiritual, and mental practice of yoga. She encourages each student to find the physical and mental fortitude to develop a more mindful practice through a focus on alignment, safety, logical sequencing, and strength. There is always room to grow on and off the mat, and that growth can be found in the details of our yoga practice.




    Beryl completed her first 200 hour Teaching Training program in 2012, and her 300 hour Advanced Teacher Training program in 2017. Outside of yoga, Beryl is a musician and a mom. She loves spending time outside with her wife and son, hiking and exploring beautiful Colorado.

Ariel Spurlock

Yoga Instructor

Bre Smith

Yoga Instructor

  • Sat Nam Beloved, my name is Bre—gratitude embodier, nature lover, kundalini yoga facilitator.

    Bre is 500 hr certified in Kundalini Yoga through Yoga Farm Ithaca’s trauma informed programs, and has been a practitioner and student of yoga since 2011. 


    She’s passionate about exploring and sharing modalities that connect us deeper to our soul’s essence, our communities, and mama earth. These modalities include kundalini yoga, Ayurveda, lunar & womb wisdom, sound healing, ecstatic dance, and the heart opening plant medicine—sacred cacao.


    During her gratitude infused offerings, she enjoys weaving mantra, breath work, meditation, kriyas, and curated playlists to co-create containers that encourage freedom of expression, playfulness, honoring the rapture of being alive (through all our ebbs and flows), and tapping deeper into the beauty, the magic that is YOU—Your own unique frequency—Your SAT NAM—all through the power of your own voice, movement, mind, intention, and energy.


    Outside of yoga, you can find her planting her bare feet on the earth, submerging herself in rivers, soaking up the sun, playing with instruments and sound bowls, and/or singing and dancing with loved ones.

Melissa Snell

Yoga Instructor

  • Missy was born and raised in New York, but has spent the last 10 years exploring the Country and living in multiple states.

    In 2012, she began her yoga journey as a means to find stress relief for her and her friends during finals week at a University in Los Angeles. After graduation, she pursued teaching to friends and family members, finding that yoga was more than just a means of exercise. Yoga became a way of life and a Friend to guide her. 


    Her practice evolved and expanded while having children, encompassing prenatal yoga, and then yoga for kids. In 2020, Missy received her 500 RYT and opened a Private Yoga Studio in the California desert, offering Yin Yoga, Adaptive Yoga for clients with Cerebral Palsy, Chair Yoga, Vinyasa in the Park, Yoga Nidra, Yoga for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and virtual yoga classes during the pandemic.


    Besides her yoga career, Missy was an archaeologist in the California desert, working with the local indigenous populations. She has a heart for people and cultures, drawing on that passion during yoga practice to honor who we are, where we’ve come from, and how to move forward in grace and light and love.


    When she’s not obsessing over asana’s or bones, Missy is a Mom to three young boys, and a wife to the raddest Dad. They enjoy hiking, playing music, and anticipating life’s next adventures!

Nicole McCormick  (she/her)

Yoga Instructor

  • Nicole first found yoga as a high schooler at her local library. Over her years of practice, Nicole has found that yoga prepares us to embrace life with an open heart, mind, and body.

    Nicole started training as a yoga teacher in 2019 and has a passion for continued learning in yoga and beyond. She is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and has completed additional training in Katonah yoga. Nicole teaches a grounding practice that encourages engagement in support of expansion in the body, breath, and mind. Students can expect a class with intentional instruction and the invitation to make the practice one’s own. Nicole especially enjoys offering yoga to those seeking a practice that supports active recovery and a settling of the nervous system. 




    Nicole is a Nurse Practitioner with 15 years of healthcare experience. She lives in Castle Pines with her husband, daughter, two cats, and two dogs. Off the mat she enjoys strength training, hiking, and reading


     


Rachel Reed

Yoga Instructor

  • Rachel is thrilled to join the talented instructors at Peace Out Yoga and continue to grow with the community at the studio.

    Rachel completed her studies in yoga and earned her 200 hrs CYT at Simply Yoga in her hometown of Fort Wayne, IN. Rachel began to explore yoga more in college as a healthy form of movement for her mind and body. Rachel attended Loyola University Chicago and earned her Bachelor of Science in International Studies and French, then spent the next four years in the Army. She was blessed to travel around the world, and serve in the illustrious 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. NC. When she's not at the studio, Rachel enjoys reading and going on walks with her Husband, Michael, and two dogs. As a new inhabitant of Colorado, Rachel loves hearing your recommendations for fun local attractions and the best place to find a Bloody Mary! Let her know your pick next time you take her class! 


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