Our team.
Sharon Gordon
Sharon Gordon - Founder of Sanctuary Yoga & Wellness
As a certified yoga therapist and dedicated student of the Himalayan tradition and Ayurveda, I created Sanctuary Yoga & Wellness with a vision: to offer a space that honors the science of Yoga, respects its deep-rooted traditions, and goes beyond fleeting trends. In a wellness landscape often shaped by commercialization, my goal is to preserve the integrity of this ancient practice while making it accessible and relevant for modern seekers.
Sanctuary was born from a deep, personal need for balance in an increasingly chaotic world. When I became a mom, I was struck by a profound sense of helplessness and overwhelm—especially witnessing the divisiveness and violence in our world. I wanted to take meaningful action, to create a space where people could reconnect—not just with themselves, but with each other, in a way that felt grounded in peace, human connection, and shared healing. Building Sanctuary has been my way of planting seeds of goodness, resilience, and hope, trusting in the ripple effect of even the smallest acts of presence and care.
At Sanctuary, I strive to create an environment where authenticity, learning, and community thrive. Our offerings—ranging from daily yoga and meditation classes to workshops, lectures, and guest speaker events—are designed to support personal growth, nervous system regulation, and holistic well-being. Whether through movement, breath, or inner reflection, my mission is to help others cultivate balance, resilience, and a true connection to self.
Sanctuary is more than a studio—it is a space where the science, philosophy, and tradition of Yoga are honored, where seekers can explore their practice with integrity, and where healing unfolds naturally and intentionally. It is my way of turning helplessness into purpose, and creating a place where we can all take part in something larger than ourselves
Michelle Blanchette
I was introduced to Yoga via a Hot Yoga Studio in the Los Angeles area in 2001 and have never looked back. After 10 years of committed practice and the introduction to Vinyasa yoga, I soon realized that all forms of yoga (mindful breathing and movement) made me better at everything I did, from swimming, biking and kayaking, to being a better solo-preneur, mentor, family member and friend. I received my 200 RYT from the Kripalu School of Yoga in 2013 fulfilling the next step in my journey. In 2015, I joined my immense love for mentoring, stress reduction, yoga and essential oils to begin my business 4 the REST of US where I provide heart led transformational coaching, doTERRA essential oils education, and mindful & healing practices (breath work, various yoga modalities, meditation, reiki, sound healing, energy healing, chakra balancing etc.) to help all those interested calm their nervous system, heal and optimize their fascial network, find alignment, clarity and deep remembering of who they are to be in this lifetime.
I am passionate about helping people manage their stress, reach their goals and find their true self. I strongly believe that we are our own experts, however, sometimes our best efforts get blocked by self-doubt and the loud noises of life that get in our way on our paths to our greatness; our deepest passions; our true north and purpose. There are many paths to get to those answers, however, my focus is on compassionate techniques to quiet the mind, calm the heart, release negative energy & call positive energy to cultivate alignment, peace and strength in the body.
Kristina Lafiosca
Kristina loves yoga. She has been teaching for over a decade, and practicing longer. Through discipline and consistency, Kristina has found yoga to be profoundly healing to her mind, body, soul, and heart. Kristina weaves compassion, experience, and yogic philosophy throughout all of her classes. She believes that yoga is for any person who wishes to try. You’ll enjoy working with Kristina if you’re dedicated to learning the full practice of yoga, both asana (the physical poses) and the ethical and spiritual guidelines it offers.
Kailey Donovan
Kailey is a yoga instructor who believes in the power of breath and movement to create balance and mindfulness. Her classes are designed to feel like a moving meditation, where each inhale and exhale guides the flow of movement. With a focus on connecting breath to action, Kailey incorporates functional movement exercises that build strength, mobility, and awareness in the body.
Her teaching style is intentional yet fluid, offering a practice that leaves students feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected to themselves. Kailey’s goal is to help each student find clarity, focus, and a sense of inner peace on and off the mat. Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Kailey invites you to explore movement with mindfulness and leave her classes feeling renewed and empowered.
Aimee DeRoehn
I’m so happy you found me, yogi! My name is Aimee DeRoehn. I’m a longtime Vinyasa flow Teacher, Master Reiki Healer/Teacher, and Intuitive Life/Trauma coach.
Even after 20 yrs of teaching yoga, I still come alive teaching a down dog. I cheer students on like no other. I want you to feel good about yourself- On and off the mat.
Ironically, my own way to yoga didn’t come naturally or easily. I was the last kid picked in gym class, super uncoordinated, awkward, and socially intimidated by group fitness. I thought exercise and fitness might be for everyone BUT me. As a teen, I found a connection to Tae-Kwon-Do, & later, I found “home” in weight training, running, and boxing. Indeed, I struggled with the lat-pulldown bar, but in time squatted 400lbs, aced a speed bag, and ran miles twice daily. Until the day I couldn’t. Life changing events took me down. I felt lost & to overwhelmed to know how to navigate. Far worse, I couldn’t exercise. All that strength and empowerment didn’t seem to match grief, exhaustion, & deep vulnerability. I couldn’t shrug off, bounce back, or bench press my way out of such pain.
Desperate to move and calm my anxious mind, I crawled to a yoga mat. I knew absolutely nothing about it, but I felt slightly better. I kept practicing. I made my mat my discipline, a foundation even as my world kept coming apart. I began to put myself back together inside.
I made yoga a daily practice & eventually, my way back. I didn’t just change physically. I found the strength and courage to go within and examine how yoga could assist PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, and panic. I grieved a lot. I also began coaching myself through each day, wrote myself a guide, read & researched all I could on yoga, long before training and teaching with the best of THE best. My children were my WHY in all of that time, & kept me anchored to a yoga journey of self-healing that gave me access not only to strength, flexibility, but a new narrative. It brought me real healing, broader perspective, self-compassion, deeper insights, and wisdom in what began from only pain.
Through yoga, I came to know genuine joy, hope, and a real belly laugh with my kids at the dinner table. My path helped me to know it started with me but was meant for many. I learned my callings & original story only filled me with unique depth as a teacher.
It makes teaching YOU next level sacred, & more humbling!! Blessed to train with Baron Baptiste & the BPYI team, Seane Corn, and Phoenix Rising. Only doubly blessed to find refuge in the heart, & teachings of Claire Este McDonald, Brandon Compagnone, and Seane Corn & encouraged to uncover my own voice and style.
When I am not teaching, I just like to be with my family the absolute most & with my first new grandchildren. I hope my yoga, meditations and Reiki are where you too can find a refuge for your human spirit & fill your own cup. Come simply to just breathe easier, move your body, be inspired, and kinder to yourself. Then, return to your world just a little better than I found you & bring your “good self” back to others.