Meet Your Teachers
Our Instructors
Every Instructor at Sanctuary is here because they believe in the transformative power of mindful movement and they’re committed to guiding you with skill and compassion.
The Team
Meet Your Instructors.
Our instructors bring decades of combined practice and genuine passion for helping you grow in your journey. Every instructor at Sanctuary is fully certified, continuously trained, and deeply committed to your development.
Founder and Owner
Heather Rems Korwin
I have been teaching heated power yoga for more than 25 years, and have been blessed to train, practice and work with many, many gifted and inspirational instructors. When my family and I moved from the Boston area — back to New Hartford, Connecticut, where I grew up — and the opportunity to open Sanctuary Power Yoga presented itself to me, it was literally a dream come true. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or have never tried yoga before, I personally invite you to join me for a class at Sanctuary Power Yoga. To breathe, sweat and experience transformation for yourself.
25+ yrs teaching
Matthew Mercure
In 2012, about three years after graduating, my college friend and I took a literature-inspired trip to Europe. After traveling throughout the U.K., Scotland, and France, I came home inspired to make two big changes in my life. Secondly, I wanted to start practicing yoga. I had always been intrigued by yoga, possibly inspired by my curiosity and personal resonance with the teachings of the Tao te Ching, Buddhism, and writers and poets with Eastern sensibilities in their work.
I searched ‘Yoga studios near me.’ Sanctuary Power Yoga was the closest — about 14 minutes away from home — and it just so happened the style of yoga fit perfectly with the type of practice I was looking for. Throughout the years, Sanctuary has always been a center that I’ve found myself returning to. Thirteen years after taking my first class — slipping and sliding on my hand me down mat — I am in awe and humbled by this ‘full-circle’ moment: the opportunity to share my passion of yoga with others at the studio where I started my own journey.
Andrew Carazza
Yoga holds a special place in my heart. For a long time, any sort of physical activity was really something I just never wanted a part of. After I graduated high school, I had no drivers license, no plans for college and no job. For about a year I stayed home alone — I developed anxiety, to the point where leaving my house was actually frightening to me. I became very depressed and gained weight. One day I decided that I had to do something, and began researching physical activities I could do without leaving my house.
I stumbled onto yoga and I began practicing in my room, with a towel as a mat. Not only did yoga help me get back in physical shape, but it also helped with my anxiety. I started to slowly creep out of my room and back into the world. Within months I had my drivers license and started college. I am now living and loving life — finding passion I never had before and practicing yoga! Yoga has inspired me to teach and I hope to share the gifts yoga has given me with others.
Lisa Shaia
Yoga has been a steady thread in my life since college — sometimes showing up as a physical challenge, sometimes as a way to heal, and always as a space to come home to myself. It’s helped me recover from surgery, manage emotions and feel better in my body and mind. As someone who’s been teaching children for over 20 years, I earned my yoga certification in 2018 with the goal of sharing mindfulness with younger generations.
My classes are filled with imaginative flows and playful energy to reconnect you with your inner child. Sanctuary has been my grounding space through all of life’s seasons and I’m grateful to be part of this vibrant community.
Susan Martin
I took my first yoga class in 2015 after being diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS. I used to be a runner, but with a drop foot, running was no longer an option. I always loved to be active, and my neurologist suggested starting a yoga practice. I was hooked! I love all types of yoga, but my favorite is power yoga in a heated room. I am also passionate about hiking and traveling.
I hope to teach my students to embrace any imperfections they have or think they have. This practice has kept my body strong and focused. My balance is better because of yoga. I hope to see you on your mats in my class or in the studio!
Amanda Soucier
I began practicing yoga in 2014. At the time I was very much into fitness and if I wasn’t at the gym, I was practicing yoga! I was attracted to the physical benefits such as increased flexibility, muscle strength and cardio. Once the pandemic hit, my yoga practice came to a halt until the summer of 2022. But when I resumed it, my yoga practice was different.
It began to be a practice of self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance. It has taught me to find ease, to notice the difference between sensation and struggle, to respond instead of react…on and off my mat. Yes, the physical benefits are still there, but they are no longer the priority for me. I look forward to seeing you on your mat htt where you too can discover what yoga can be for you — on and off your mat.
Jeremy Pinkham
My first glimpse of yoga was years ago, when I would watch my mom practice along with videotapes in the living room. At the time, I had no interest. As a Christmas gift, my sister gave me month’s pass to Sanctuary Power Yoga. I took my first class in January 2019, and since then, I have practiced almost everyday! As a full time carpenter by day, adding a daily yoga routine has helped in all areas of my life.
The combination of heat, stretch, strength and focus required by yoga has helped me with injury prevention and daily stress relief. Yoga has helped me strengthen my whole body to be more resilient and responsive. Knowing this secret, and realizing that yoga is also for men, who do ‘manly’ stuff all day, I decided to become a certified yoga teacher. I want to be able to teach others what has helped me so much, to pass on the message of ‘breath, sweat, transform’ no matter who you are.
Cherise Colombo
I enrolled in Sanctuary Power Yoga’s teacher training program with the intention to deepen my personal practice, push through limiting beliefs and broaden my mind. Soon after completion, I started teaching yoga classes and found I really enjoy guiding others through the magic that unfolds in the practice of movement, breath and focus.
My classes seek to connect students with their inner knowing and lead them towards discovering their own personal power and strengths. Yoga is my passion and I am devoted to a daily practice. Off the mat, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and baking, reading books, spending time outdoors on retreats and connecting with nature on walks and hikes.
Kathy
I’m passionate about helping students & teachers build practices that feel strong, sustainable, empowering & deeply connected to real life. I blend mindful movement, alignment, strength, presence & self-trust in a grounded & approachable way. I’ve created programs, outside of my regular classes, for teachers & students & I’m currently pursuing my personal training certification to continue expanding my knowledge of movement, strength, and wellness.
At the heart of everything I do is a passion for helping people feel well, live fully, connect deeply & elevate their lives from the inside out. I’m a book lover, lifelong learner, and a true Sagittarius.
Sara Osborne
After several years of having a sporadic relationship with yoga, I would say I truly began to practice in 2021. I started attending classes as a way to take better care of my mental health during a time of increased stress and anxiety. Yoga has been an essential part of personal growth and healing for me since I walked through those doors.
I wholeheartedly try to live the principals of yoga, in my practice and outside of the studio; especially when it comes to self-compassion and connection. I look forward to teaching and sharing something that has been so transformative for me with others.