Kristin Haraldsdottir, PhD
Owner, teacher
Kristin hails from Akureyri, Iceland, and her classes are rooted in the life-changing experience that a rigorous physical and sweaty practice can have on emotion regulation and confidence. After a successful career as a rower and coach, she earned her MS and PhD in exercise physiology. After decades of high intensity training and performance in sport and academia, Kristin established a regular yoga practice and transformed her approach to her own physical and mental health. She is excited to bring her share her teaching of a highly physical and mental practice to the Hudson Valley at Lava.
IG: @kharaldsdottir
Halle Becker
Teacher
Halle is a master teacher with over 20 years of experience in hot yoga studios in New York City, and was one of the original instructors at SoulCycle. She was voted NYC’s favorite hot yoga teacher, and has a devoted following around the world. She teaches from the parts of her life that have needed healing and spiritual examination, and thus leads a class that is rigorous and sweaty, and keeps it very real. After decades in NYC, Halle now calls the Hudson Valley home and is excited to bring her energy and teaching to the Lava community.
IG: @hallehomegirl
Emily DeForest
Studio manager, Teacher
Emily DeForest is so excited to be teaching at LAVA! Certified in Power Vinyasa and Traditional Hot, Emily taught in the city for 3 years before moving to Hudson last fall. Having practiced yoga for 10 years, Emily’s classes are intended to build strength, lengthen muscles, and leave you feeling centered and ALIVE! She can’t wait to meet you on the mat.
IG: @em_deforest
Kristel Estrella
Teacher
Kristel is an avid yoga practitioner with 400 hours of yoga teacher training and over a decade of dedicated practice. Her journey from being a lifelong athlete led her to yoga, where she discovered the holistic approach to well-being. Kristel's classes focus on creating a calm environment to cultivate inner peace while building physical and mental strength. She recently relocated from NYC to the Hudson Valley and is excited to share her passion for yoga with the Lava community.
Victoria Emanuela
Teacher
Victoria Emanuela is a passionate explorer of the human experience, dedicated to guiding others into the depths of self-discovery. As an author, educator, thanatologist, and multi-certified practitioner with over a decade of expertise in trauma-informed somatic healing and practical mindfulness, her journey has been one of continuous inquiry into what brings us home to ourselves, especially during times of profound change.
Amanda Huggins
Teacher
Amanda is a Holistic Anxiety Coach, Intuitive healer, author, and certified yoga instructor with 500+ hours of training. Her yoga practice and teaching career began long over a decade ago in Los Angeles, but she's been happily back on the East Coast since 2020 and splits her time between Catskill and NYC. Whether she's teaching yoga, talking with a coaching client, or holding an energy healing session, Amanda takes an integrative approach to all of her work: "start with the body, work with the mind, and tune in to the soul." Her yoga classes are alignment-focused, soulful, sweaty, and creative. More than anything, Amanda wants her students to feel comfortable, safe, and empowered - both on the mat, and off. She can't wait to meet you!
Jenny Bachar
Teacher
Jenny has been a yoga instructor for over nine years. She holds a 200hr YTT certificate and is certified through Yoga Alliance. She is comfortable teaching every style of yoga, all levels of yoga, and people of all ages. On top of her yoga training, she is also a dance instructor and dog walker. Jenny has a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, as well as an Associate degree in Dance and Applied Science. Jenny’s extensive background in movement makes for a more methodical way of teaching. She considers movement medicine and structures her classes accordingly. Her goal is to guide you through and to each asana (pose) with intention using, your breath. This technique helps prevent injuries both on and off the yoga mat. She lives to share her knowledge and hopes to see you in class!
Lauren Ferguson
Teacher
Lauren has been inspiring others to pursue their optimal life through healthy strategies for the past 11 years. She has a career in the corporate wellness space and is currently working with Calm, the mindfulness app. She holds a degree in Exercise Science and Psychology, is a 200hr Yoga teacher, and has taught in New York City studios Y7 and SurfSetNYC. Now living in Athens, she is excited to become part of the Lava community!
