As the founder of St. Petersburg Yoga, Chris Acosta began a daily practice almost 30 years ago while in a full body brace (for 4 years and 23 hours a day) to first heal his extreme scoliosis.  The degree of scoliosis consisted of two curvatures with the largest at almost 50 degrees, multiple herniated discs, pinched nerves and spinal arthritis.   Freed from the severe pain, deformation of the body, and armed with these successes, he focused on the greater liberations in which Yoga was originally designed.

Due to his hands on experience, Chris has become one of the area’s most admired and prolific instructors.  Mr. Acosta was showcased in, “Best [Yoga Instructor] of the Tampa Bay” by DuPont Registries (July 2007).   He is known as a teacher's teacher and has taught tens of thousands of classes over his career.  Although Chris primarily instructs one-on-one, he also teaches a large number of group classes, corporate classes, workshops, lectures, retreats and is the primary instructor of St. Petersburg Yoga’s 200 and 500 level certifications offered in the Yoga Teacher Training Programs.

Mr. Acosta aspires to demonstrate the true power of authentic Yoga and the amazing abilities it has to transform any area that binds and limits, from the pain and handicaps of the body to the mental traps that cause seemingly inescapable cycles of suffering. Chris holds an E-RYT 500 educator level certification from Yoga Alliance and is also honored to be a part of the distinguished faculty at the Omega Institute in New York.

Known for developing Yoga Traction Therapy, he instructs from many influences:  Iyengar, Therapeutic, Restorative, Ashtanga, Power, Vinyasa, Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Sutras, Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita. He specializes with the injured and very beginner to the intermediate and most advanced students. Chris's open group classes are geared to accommodating

all levels. 

Melanie completed her 200-Hour RYT Training with St. Petersburg Yoga, which was a gift that led her into following her dreams of becoming a teacher.

Her strong practices include Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga.  After sustaining a neck injury, Melanie realized she would like to help others who encounter similar circumstances.  She has since broadened her practice to incorporate a Gentle Restorative approach as well.

I began practicing Yoga daily in 1996, and every day I look forward to the overall well being that Yoga brings into my life.  As is the case for many yogis, Yoga has inspired my way of living. When family and friends started asking me to lead Yoga sessions for them, I felt honored and exhilarated to have the opportunity and responsibility to share my love of Yoga. In the last few years, everything aligned beautifully for me to enroll in a Yoga teacher training program to deepen my practice and my understanding of Yoga.

Gail's classes are suitable for all ages and all abilities.  From athletes with tight muscles to mature bodies with physical challenges, she can help you listen and learn how to live in your own body.  In her Restorative 1-2, Iyengar/Vinyasa classes, Gail blends yoga postures for the upper and lower body with core work in a gentle, flowing sequence.  As a spin and core instructor for several years now, she knows these yoga sequences are excellent for athletes seeking to restore imbalances. 

Gail brings a lifelong passion for movement and health to St. Petersburg Yoga. Having lived many years as a "super-mom" while trying to be a "super-everything", she found Restorative Yoga relieved anxiety and muscle tension.  She also learned how to heal her own imbalances by nurturing a relaxed mind and connecting to the subtle body.

My slow flow classes mix a blend of stress relieving breath work, energizing strong postures and tension releasing flexibility postures. Many of my classes also incorporate traction therapy and creative use of the yoga swing for building core strength and harnessing the benefits of hanging upside down in full inversion.

As an active triathlete, I also work with endurance athletes, teaching the benefits of muscular balance: muscles strong enough to do the action and long enough to cover the distance faster, without injury.

Jill is a registered Yoga Alliance Teacher at the 500-Hour level.

My style of class includes Vinyasa (movement) to warm the body moving smoothly into strength and balance practice and finishing with cooling asana on the mat and savasana.