About the Studio
The Studio
YDF Center is a yoga, dance and fitness studio in Tariffville, CT. Our focus is finding deeper joy, connection and community through movement. We offer classes in various styles of Yoga, Pilates, Belly Dance, Ballet Barre, Zumba, Hula Hoop and more!
Andrea McKay, Studio Owner and Teacher
Andrea is a dancer, teacher, lawyer and mom of 5. After more than a decade studying ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap dance, she moved to Los Angeles, California where she worked as a dance teacher and professional dancer in the award winning international dance company, the Sahlala Dancers. In 2008, she moved to Connecticut to pursue her college education and raise a family. Over the last seven years, she's been teaching the art of belly dance and hula hoop dancing to children and adults of all ages. She is thrilled to be sharing the joy of movement with the community.
Our Teachers
Laura Namnoun, Pilates Teacher
Laura Namnoun has been a Pilates Instructor since 2008. She has her BS in Dance and Masters in Education in Exercise Science from Springfield College. Laura teaches a classical format for her Mat Pilates classes and is well versed in working with all ages and fitness levels. She lives in East Granby with her husband and two children.
Rachel Hetzer, Yoga Teacher
Rachel Hetzer completed her yoga teacher training with Sacred Rivers Yoga (East Hartford, CT) in 2010 with a focus on therapeutic practice. It is her firm belief that all can benefit from an appropriate daily yoga practice. Many yoga poses and movements can be modified to meet individual needs, and everyone can benefit from deep breathing and meditative practice.
Over the years, her style has evolved and grown to include the influences of many styles of practice, especially Viniyoga, Iyengar yoga and Vinyasa flow. She also teaches specialized classes for Equestrians, Kids Yoga, Prenatal yoga, Yoga for Back Care and Chair Yoga.
For almost 20 years, Rachel has called Suffield, CT her hometown where she raised her two beautiful children. She is very rooted in her community through her work with the local school system and her love for local farms and businesses. She is a lover of the outdoors and nature, and she brings that love to her outdoor classes with a reverence towards the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Laura Fetzer, Yoga Teacher
Laura Fetzer is an experienced yoga teacher with over 400 hours of formal yoga teacher training and over 20 years of teaching experience. Yoga has been an essential part of her life, helping her to navigate through some major challenges and experiences on her journey.
Laura's formal training began with YogaFit early on and then moved on to the West Hartford Yoga Power Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training. Laura then opened her own studio in 2010, where she hosted and completed the Granby Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training with Ed Dailey and Laura Tyree, both students of Iyengar teacher, Rodney Yee. Laura continued her journey by training with Sarah Powers, Josh Summers and Heather Tidens for her Yin Yoga and Meditation Certification; and with John Odlum of Wisdom of the Earth for her Aromatherapy Certification. Laura is also a Level II Reiki Practitioner.
Laura grew up in Granby, Connecticut and has lived in the area all of her life. She is dedicated to sharing her love of yoga with everyone!
Kate McMahon, NIA and Pilates Instructor
Kate is excited to bring NIA and Pilates to YDF center! Kate started taking NIA and Pilates classes more than 20 years ago. What began as a health initiative became a life long passion to integrate body alignment based exercise into her daily life.
Kate loves the way dance based movements make her body and mind function better while moving through life with more joy! Dance was the inspiration behind Kate getting her BS in biology and Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Kate found that while practicing in the OT field, the common goal was to help individuals move with more defined function and ease based on their own unique abilities. Kate hopes to bring these same principals to her classes.
Kate has been certified to teach Pilates since 2001, recertifying to include Barre in 2014. Kate made getting certified to teach NIA a goal in 2022 and was thrilled to achieve this earlier in the year.
Kate lives with her husband, two very active boys ages 6 and 10, two wild pups and one very chill cat!
Kate feels so fortunate to be able to teach in such an inclusive and inspiring studio and is looking forward to moving with more of you in 2023 and beyond!
David Oliveira, Zumba Instructor
David is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Universidade Sao Caetano do Sul. He also holds a European Qualifications Frame level 5 in Nutrition from Chaw Academy and a Massage Therapy certification from Altierus Career College in Tampa. Over the past decade, David has specialized in a wide range of fitness disciplines, including Cycle, Mat Pilates, Pilates @reformer, Functional Training, Jump, Step, Yoga, Zumba Fitness, Boot Camp, Body Work, and various aerobic formats.
He is committed to staying up to date with the latest fitness trends and continuously expanding his knowledge to provide the best wellness experience for his clients. Now based in Western Massachusetts, David is thrilled to be back in the area and eager to share his passion and expertise with new clients and fitness enthusiasts. With his friendly and approachable demeanor, he strives to create a positive and motivating environment that fosters personal growth and overall well-being
Jossan E. Matos Pardo, Zumba Instructor
Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and now based in Springfield,MA, Jossan brings a vibrant blend of island energy and international rhythms to every Zumba class. After moving to Springfield, MA, in 2020, Jossan’s journey has been fueled by a passion for dance, fitness, and connecting with people through movement.
Certified in February 2024, Jossan has embraced Zumba as a universal language that unites individuals from all walks of life. Their classes are a fusion of Latin beats, Brazilian vibes, and a whole lot of joy, creating a space where everyone feels welcome and empowered.
Jossan’s dedication shines through in every session, inspiring others to embrace their inner dancer and leave the class smiling. Beyond teaching, Jossan is an advocate for inclusion, fun, and unity, showing that Zumba is more than just exercise—it’s a celebration of life!
Join Jossan for a class and experience the magic of movement.
Julie Ingalls, Yoga Teacher
Julie's yoga journey began thirteen years ago. At that first yoga class, she was unable to lie flat on the floor or find comfort in poses because of scoliosis until a kind and gentle teacher helped her through. With practice, her back and whole body began to feel better. Soon, Julie began to notice a huge difference in not only her body but in her mind and spirit as well. She began going to workshops and studying yoga more deeply.
Julie graduated from Journey of Yoga’s Teacher Training in 2015. Julie is a 200 hour E- RYT as well as a Thai Yoga Practitioner and Reiki Healer. Because of her personal experience, Julie's mission as a teacher is to help people in the ways that she has been helped. She relates especially to beginners and others working from the ground up.
Joann Eicher, Yoga Teacher
JoAnn is thrilled to join the YDF team. She is a 500 hour E-RYT registered with the YogaAlliance. She first stepped on the mat over 20 years ago. As JoAnn began to feel andunderstand the benefits of a yoga practice she was curious to explore further.
JoAnn completed her 200 YTT at Journey of Yoga in Simsbury. After teaching for 6 years she was eager to dive deeper into the practice and elevate her teaching skills. In 2021 she completed her 300 YTT with the Vesselify School of Yoga led by international teacher Amy Ippoliti and continues to study with Amy each year. JoAnn also had the opportunity to co-lead a YTT at Journey of Yoga, an amazing experience!
JoAnn brings to her class an alignment based approach to asana practice incorporating pranayama and meditation and some yogic philosophy. She is eager to share the life long benefits of yoga- See you on the mat!
Lesley Stephens, Yoga Teacher
Lesley attended her first yoga class in Edinburgh Scotland in 1983 – since then she has practiced in various studios, church basements and bedrooms along the way. She completed her 200hr. YTT at Journey of Yoga in 2016 and has been teaching since then.
Lesley strives to create yoga classes that are safe, informative and fun. She incorporates anatomy, yogic philosophy and wisdom. She infuses lightness into her classes and hopes to make yoga more accessible to those who need it most. Lesley feels privileged to be able to teach and is eternally grateful to all her teachers as she continues on her yoga journey. As a registered nurse working full time in an intense field of nursing, she uses yoga to bring balance, calm and joy into her life and the lives of others.
Emily Rosen, Yoga Teacher
Emily has been teaching yoga for more than 8 years and practicing for over 20. She was initially drawn to the many physical benefits of yoga – increased flexibility, balance and strength, but soon learned to appreciate how yoga helped her to slow down, be present, and truly understand and honor the mind-body connection. Emily’s classes are a blend of movement and stillness, strength and flexibility, breath and awareness. Each unique class inspires students to bring together body, mind and heart in the present moment, enhancing well-being on and off the mat.
Emily is a 200-hour Yoga Alliance-certified teacher, with advanced certifications in Trauma-Informed Yoga and Yoga for Diverse Abilities. Additionally, Emily is a certified mindfulness instructor, and enjoys teaching mindfulness and yoga in schools and corporate settings.
Angela Martin, Ballet & Jazz Teacher
Angela first started dancing at age six and by age 12 was assisting teaching. Her passion for teaching dance continued to grow and her desire to own and operate her own studio was sparked within her. With an education in various forms of dance: tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, gymnastics, lyrical and hip hop Angela was able to work for local studios, as well as, several Parks and Recreation departments in local towns. All of those experiences soon brought Angela on the path of her own studio. In 2008 Angela’s Studio of Dance, LLC was opened. Angela had the opportunity to work with students ages 3 through adult. The passion, dedication, drive and love for the studio was an amazing blessing in her life. In late 2020, with changes on the horizon, Angela began a new chapter in her life and that has brought her here to YDF.
Angela and her family live in the local area. They own and operate their family farm raising chickens and pigs. With a strong family focus in mind and the desire to mentor Angela is working as an Arts & Enrichment Teacher with BrightPath Child Care Center in Simsbury.
Angela said “Dance has been a way of life for me from childhood through to my adult years. Dance has always brought passion into my life in many forms. It allows me to balance all of who I am and all of who I hope to be.