Our team.
Jenn Risio
Jenn has been cultivating her yoga practice for over 25 years, which began in a Cleveland, Ohio, gym in 1997, where she instantly fell in love! Life’s journey and ebbs and flows brought her to a much-needed yearlong immersion of yoga and mindfulness on a path to truth, self-love, forgiveness, compassion, strength, and peace.
She completed her YTT in 2009 at Grace School of Yoga in Jamestown, RI, with her teacher/mentor Judy Mclaine studying the teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra. Her roots as a teacher began in Newport, RI, teaching Power Vinyasa, Restorative, and Vinyasa Flow. Her Vinyasa flow style is an eclectic fusion of so many teachers she has studied with over the years, to honor some: Sri Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rae, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman, Elena Brower, Sean Corne, Wade Morrisette, MC YOGI, Kathryn Budig, Janet Stone, Jason Crandall and many more.
Jenn continues to be captivated by the inner peace and love she experiences as a teacher and in her own personal practice. Teaching is her lifelong passion! Her classes are creative and fun. She guides students to find grace and stillness, strength and agility while igniting breath and movement as one. She believes yoga should encircle freedom, grace, and laughter on and off the mat. Jennifer’s classes encompass a powerful flow, emphasizing strength and lightness, allowing the mind to relax and the heart to shine!
In addition, Jenn is the owner of The Studio in Mattapoisett, MA. She is a Reiki Master Teacher (RMT) whose energy healing is sprinkled into ALL her classes! She studied under the tutelage of Reiki Master Teacher Reinette Fournier of Tenth Gate Yoga in Portsmouth, RI, completing her Reiki Master teacher certification in 2015. She now leads Reiki Teacher Training(s) at The Studio in Mattapoisett. Jenn is also a Certified Pilates Instructor (CPI).
Deb Fraine
Deb has been practicing yoga for 20 years and is a registered member of Yoga Alliance having completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Donna Pagliarani at the Dharma Connection in Sandwich, MA. “As a yoga instructor my goal is to integrate my knowledge as an outpatient orthopedic occupational therapist into my yoga classes by helping to prevent injury with sequences that stretch and strengthen the core, neck, back, shoulders, quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, shoulders, wrists and hands.”
Joey Machado
Joey received his 200-hour training certification from Kripalu four years ago where he studied with Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman, and Shiva Rea. Joey’s passion is allowing yoga to be accessible no matter the circumstance. He teaches Kripalu yoga, gentle, moderate, power and chair yoga. He is also certified as a personal trainer by the American College of Sports Medicine. He has been successfully training people for more than 11 years.
Joelene Marinone
Joelene has been practicing yoga for 27 years and teaching yoga for 20 years. She has trained in Reiki ll, energy medicine traditions, and many different types of yoga such as Kundalini, Iyengar, Anusara, Restorative, and Yin, all of which add to her teaching and understanding of embodiment. Joelene believes that yoga truly is a healing practice of mind/body and a wonderful way to spend time with yourself.
Jo Norton
Jo is a life lone fitness enthusiast. She is retired from her corporate role as Global VP of HR and now fully devotes herself to sharing her passion for fitness. Jo has spent years studying body movement., weight training, Pilates. yoga and barre. She has her certification in Pilates and functional aging, and has completed coursework in Physiology and Anatomy UMASS Amherst.
Linda Vivino
With 30 years of yoga practice, Linda has been profoundly guided and inspired by many beloved teachers in the tri-town community. She believes that a fulfilling and enjoyable life is rooted in her yoga practice, stating, “If you own your breath, no one can steal your peace.”
In 2020, Linda received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Providence with David Vendetti of the Yoga Liberation Front. This program equipped her with invaluable teaching skills and emphasized the importance of personal practice, mindfulness, and self-awareness. In 2023, she furthered her education by completing Jason Crandell’s “The Art of Teaching Beginners.” Most recently, in 2024, she completed “Chair Yoga for Everyone: Learn to Practice and Teach” with Jivana Heyman, Rodrigo Souza, Melissa Shah, Karen James & Jacquie ‘Sunny’ Barbee.
Since 2022, Linda has been teaching weekly at the Studio in Mattapoisett, where she strives to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere for all—from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Her sequences are both creative and thoughtful, reflecting her belief that yoga is a personal journey that should be challenging yet nurturing. Linda’s goal is to empower her students to listen to their bodies, explore their limits, and cultivate a lifelong practice that brings them joy and clarity.
Kaylee Grodzki
Kaylee began her yoga journey in high school, where a gym requirement unexpectedly sparked a lifelong passion. She quickly discovered how powerful the practice was—not just for her physical body, but for her self-esteem and mental clarity. In 2012, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and soon after fell in love with Barre, recognizing how seamlessly it complemented her yoga practice.
In 2015, Kaylee moved to Chattanooga, TN with two dreams: to climb and to open a yoga and Barre studio with her now-husband, Cody. She went on to complete her 300-hour certification under the guidance of her mentor and dear friend, Dolly Kaupp, with a focus on ceremony and inner work. After seven inspiring years of running a successful studio, Kaylee returned to her roots in Massachusetts to be closer to family, closing that chapter to focus on leading teacher trainings and retreats across the country.
Now settled in Mattapoisett, Kaylee continues to teach with depth, compassion, and creativity. With over 10,000 teaching hours and experience mentoring hundreds of teacher trainees, she is passionate about building community, embracing the seasons, and sharing collaborative, joyful movement.
Sara DaCosta
Sara has been an educator in some capacity throughout her life. Initially, she began her professional career as an educator and administrator in residential and public schools. Eventually, her path shifted and she became certified in Pretzel Kids Yoga in 2018. The following year she began her 200 hour level training through Yoga Alliance International completing her certification in 2020. Since then she has taught yoga in a variety of settings and studios. Sara holds a certification in both Reiki I and Reiki II infused with Bio Scalar Energy and is actively taking continual energy courses. In 2021 she received her certificate of Trauma – Sensitive Mindfulness with David Treleaven. She is also trained in sound healing and has a great appreciation of vibration and frequency. Sara brings awareness to the mind, body and spirit throughout her practice and continues to learn and grow each time she is on the mat.
Donny Rudnick
Donny’s yoga practice was cultivated for nearly 30 years before eventually completing his 200 hour YTT training at the School of Yoga New Bedford in 2023. A retired business entrepreneur, he discovered yoga and yogurt in college 50 years ago.
After taking a long break to start his business and family, Donny rediscovered yoga, to complement his swimming while recovering from 1993 back surgery.
His yoga foundation was established and nurtured by a wonderful Kripalu-trained teacher for over a decade. Subsequently, Donny has practiced extensively with Iyenger, Vinyasa, Sva Ha, Form, and Animal Flow-trained teachers. His YTT program included exposure to Yin, Restorative, Chakras, anatomy, and yoga history.
With his love of yoga and passion for helping others, Donny’s classes will bring you through a gradual warm-up, to classical postures and a closing savasana. All done with purposeful movement, to discover your inner strength and confidence, while creating balance and a calming mind.
His compassion, tenderness, and lightheartedness will have you feeling renewed and refreshed.
A lifelong resident of the area, he has been married to his supportive wife, Susan, for 47 years. They have two adult daughters and three granddaughters. His other passions include sailing, paddle boarding, traveling, and appreciating nature.
Shawn Sweet
As a former dancer, fitness has allowed Shawn to stay connected to her roots while inspiring others to find a love for their physical health.
Shawn taught aerobics in the early 90’s while also completing a Personal Trainer certification program. Since then ,she’s obtained certifications in Pilates, Barre, Yoga, Zumba, Life Coaching, Vegan Nutrition, Meditation, Breathwork, Reiki, EFT, Sound Healing and Health & Wellness.
Shawn’s goal is to motivate her students to find the best version of themselves. Her motto is, “Health is Wealth.”
Lindsay Days
Lindsay is a 200 hr certified Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master and certified in Sound Healing from Sva Ha Synergy of Sound Training Academy. She graduated University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a B.F.A. in Art Education. By day she is a paraprofessional at a local middle school and at night she teaches paint classes in New Bedford. She loves to share her passion for yoga and sound with students of all ages. Lindsay lives in New Bedford with her two cats. She is an avid gardener and enjoys spending time in nature.
Melissa Teves
Melissa has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. It was not until a car accident in
2015, however, that she realized the incredible benefits of yoga. A regular practice,
coupled with meditation, helped her heal physically, mentally, and emotionally, once
again finding that mind-body connection that was lost. She obtained her 200-hour
certification from Raffa Yoga in Cranston, RI in 2017. She decided to incorporate her
experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and further her education. She
completed the 300-hour Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga training from the
Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy in 2023. She also holds certifications in
Aerial Yoga, Children’s Yoga and is a Reiki Master. She is continuously looking to
expand her knowledge through workshops, retreats, and trainings. Her goal is to give
students a well-rounded class that incorporates breath work, strengthening, balance
and joint protection so that they may enjoy yoga for many years to come!