The Florida Yoga Institute faculty is a team of energetic, committed, professional Yoginis representative of the spirit of the Yoga tradition. Our backgrounds and training are diverse as we are influenced by a variety of Yoga systems. We stand on the shoulders of ancient and contemporary Yoga giants. The strength of our program comes from the course's interdisciplinary direction. During each session, the foundational teacher training is enriched by the participation of guest instructors. Recently we welcomed Amy Weintraub author of Yoga for Depression, and long-time Kripalu Center senior level instructor Naresh (Ron King). Each intensive is taught primarily by the program founder and director and the following core of teachers.
Francesca Vanegas, ERYT
Francesca is the founder and program director of The Florida Yoga Institute and founder of Yes To Yoga. She enjoys exploring and teaching the mystery of yoga. She holds certifications in the Kripalu Yoga and Forrest Yoga systems. A certified graduate of Forrest Yoga's rigorous foundational and advanced training, she assists Ana Forrest at national conferences. A graduate of Kripalu's Spiritual Lifestyle Program, she studied extensively with master-level yogi Yoganand (Michael Carroll) from whom she learned deeper Yogic practices. Before embracing the calling of yoga, Francesca worked in the fields of marketing and public relations; and leadership/team development. She founded two boutique consulting companies. She began her career as a TV reporter/anchorwoman in Boston. Born in Rome, Italy, she grew up in both Italy and Colombia, South America and speaks Italian and Spanish fluently. She values personal development, deep introspection, and invites us to "give birth to yourself every day."
"My dad introduced me to yoga at age seven and today I live in the question that Patanjali asked 2000 years ago: "What is Yoga?". It continues to be a mystery.
Sondra Mitchell, ERYT
Sondra is a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and has over 15 years' experience teaching both adult and children's classes. She has a strong background in Iyengar yoga and also completed YogaAway's Viniyoga program. She is especially gifted assisting students with flexibility challenges. She ably evaluates each student's specific conditions, illnesses, or injuries, and supports students to modify poses through the skillful use of both modifications and props. Sondra also teaches restorative Yoga at and has created a self-massage program with tennis balls for stress relief. Sondra has an engaging sense of humor and infuses her classes with lightness. "Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously" is her motto. Sondra is a joy to be around!
Susan Carter
Susan Carter is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and has a B.S. degree in education. A yoga teacher since 2000, she has completed numerous teacher trainings at the Yoga Institute of Miami both with Bobbi Goldin and Ramanand Patel. She has completed several trainings at the Health & Harmony Center and has assisted in training teachers there. She is drawn to the Iyengar Yoga tradition and has studied with John Shumacher, Dean Lerner, Felicity Green, Rodney Yee, Angela Farmer and Victor van Kooten. Her enthusiasm and high energy encourage her students to explore and experience their bodies in a new and different way. Susan's gift to our program is her ability to infuse the room with her sense of joy and enthusiasm which lights a creative fire within us all.
Professor Roberto López-Rosado
Photo coming soon
We welcome Roberto López-Rosado as the newest member of our Institute. He is Florida Gulf Cost University's (FGCU's) Instructor and Coordinator of Gross Anatomy and Neuroscience, in the College of Health Professions. Roberto will deliver twenty hours of comprehensive anatomy/physiology (far exceeding Yoga Alliance standards). Professor López-Rosado has an impressive professional and educational background. For the past six years, he has taught graduate and undergraduate students at FGCU’s Department of Physical Therapy and Department of Occupational Therapy and guides master’s students’ theses. He holds several masters degrees in Physical Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Human Anatomy; and Medical Studies. One of his key projects includes the creation of an anatomy lab our trainees will be invited to visit. Known for his energetic teaching style and enthusiasm, Professor López-Rosado will teach Yoga Anatomy with comprehensive emphasis on the biomechanics of Yoga asana; an in-depth understanding of selected illnesses/pre-existing conditions, associated precautions/contraindications; and the impact of modifications and props on asana, and students’ bodies. Students enjoy Roberto's warmth approach and the frequent infusions of humor which not only make us laugh but also helps everyone remember complex principles of anatomy.
The Florida Yoga Institute's program far exceeds Yoga Alliance anatomy and physiology requirements. Our training provides more than 30 hours of instruction.
