Marina
Marina Bourantonis is a master yoga teacher, injury rehabilitation specialist, and the visionary behind Thavma Yoga. Her journey didn’t begin on a mat—it began in recovery.
After suffering three major car accidents and years of chronic physical pain, Marina was forced to reevaluate everything she knew about yoga and movement. Traditional practices no longer supported her body. She needed a method that wasn’t just spiritual—it had to be intelligent, safe, and aligned with the body’s true mechanics.
In the process of healing herself, she created the ThavmaMethod™—a powerful fusion of functional alignment, strength-building movement, and precision-focused yoga. The method challenges the body without compromising the joints and empowers students to sculpt a strong, resilient physique while maintaining long-term mobility and wellness.
As word of her method spread, Marina began training young and professional athletes, many of whom came to her to prevent injury, improve performance, or rehabilitate post-injury. These athletes weren’t looking for shortcuts—they needed something smarter.
That’s when she developed the Phoenix Method™: a sport-specific, alignment-based yoga system designed to meet the demands of performance athletes and active bodies alike. It delivers targeted strength, stretch, and mental grit while supporting joint longevity and enhancing recovery.
Today, Marina leads retreats in Greece, teaches teacher trainings, and continues to evolve Thavma’s methods to support people in feeling strong, looking fit, and moving well—for life.
Lindsey Hilton
With over 15 years of classical ballet training, Lindsey has always enjoyed an active lifestyle. She originally joined the Thavma family in 2014 as a student and fell in love with the sense of community within the studio, and the healing benefits of functional movement. Thavma provides an environment of like minded people with individual sets of goals. In 2020, she joined the Thavma Teacher Training program so she could share her love of yoga with the rest of the community.
Shelley
Shelley took her first ever yoga class at ThaVma in October of 2014 and was immediately hooked by the challenge, healing benefits and family feel of ThaVma Yoga. As a former long distance runner, each ThaVma class provided physical healing from aches and pains as well as mental peace to work through the illness and grief of her father’s terminal illness.
In 2016 and 2017, she completed ThaVma’s first 26+2 and ThaVma Method teacher training and has enjoyed helping members find stress and pain relief in each class. You’ll often find her practicing next to her teenager daughter who has experienced the benfits of a strengthening Thavma Yoga practice on the tennis courts.
Farah
Farah started practicing at Thavma Yoga in June 2014. It was the first time she ever tried yoga, and a neck injury due to a recent car accident compelled her to try it out. After several months of practicing and committing to a 60 day challenge, the pain in her neck from a herniated disc had subsided and she was hooked! She fell in love with the Thavma Method classes and wanted to be a part of this special place. She was in the first Thavma Teacher Training with Marina in Fall of 2015 and began teaching in 2016. Farah practiced and taught yoga throughout her two pregnancies in 2016-2017 and in 2019 and has two beautiful, healthy little girls, Jocelyn and Eleanor. She also works professionally as a television producer for PBS. There’s never a dull moment for Farah as she juggles life as a mom, producer and yoga instructor, which all have their unique challenges and joys. According to Farah, “My life is so busy, but yoga keeps me grounded. Staying healthy for my girls and professional life is so important and I’m thankful to have a supportive community with Thavma Yoga.
Taylor
Hi my name is Taylor , I am 250 hour RYT trained through thavma premium hot yoga training . Currently I’m leading classes at both Sarasota and Lakewood locations.
I love working out and keeping active it helps me to stay healthy and feel great!
When I found hot yoga I was not feeling so well! other exercise regimes I tried I realized long term would be taxing on my joints. I wanted to feel youthful strong and flexible without the pain.. knowing that the consistency of what I did everyday would matter in the end.I began researching low impact workouts And came across hot yoga. Taking a friend with me I was hooked after my first class!
Erin Zaller
A long-time resident of Sarasota for over 25 years, Erin has been a dedicated practitioner at ThaVma Yoga for the past decade. Completing ThaVma teacher training in March of 2023, the journey into teaching blends a passion for yoga with a professional background in Communications, backed by a degree from the University of Florida. With over 16 years of experience in the Tech/Digital consulting space and recognition as a “40 under 40” awardee by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2022, Erin brings a unique perspective to every class. Having also spent three seasons as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader, there’s an infectious energy and enthusiasm that fuels each session, helping students cultivate strength, focus, and balance.
Manching Tom
Born in China and grew up in California, Manching was teaching in New York for 20+ years before relocating to Florida.
After retiring from an extensive career as a ballet dancer, she found her passion in yoga while recovering from a major ankle injury. Upon discovering Thavma Yoga Studio during one of her visits to Florida in 2018, she was immediately drawn to the beautiful studio with a team of amazing instructors, and ultimately fulfilled her dream of completing the most incredible teacher training with Marina while learning about alignment-base yoga and immersing in this transformative journey. Manching believes that every student is unique with individual strength and growth potential, and her goal is to inspire, guide and support each student’s journey to mind-body health and wellness.
Pattie LeBlanc
Hello! My name is Pattie LeBlanc. I am originally from NH, but my full time job allowed me to become a snowbird in 2015. I started at the Lakewood Ranch ThaVma studio that winter. I had never done hot yoga but loved the idea of the warm room! After doing a 30 day challenge I was amazed at the strength and flexibility I gained. I was hooked. I have always been active in fitness and exercise of one kind or another. I am a nationally certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor and worked at the University of New Hampshire Campus Recreation for 20 years, as well as other NH gyms in my area. I am also a certified running coach with the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). Personally I have run 3 marathons, and too many half marathons and other races to count. Helping others achieve their fitness goals is something I enjoy doing. I live in Florida full time now, so signing up for the Teacher Training was something I knew I would do eventually. I hope to see you in class and help you along your fitness journey.
Crystal Stephan
Originally from the hills of West Virginia, I found my way to sunny Sarasota, where I met my husband, Joe, and we’re blessed with three amazing children. After the birth of my third, sudden hip pain led me to the ThaVma Phoenix Method—and it changed everything.
What began as a search for relief became a journey of healing, awareness, and strength. Following a full hip replacement, I completed both the 26+2 and ThaVma Method Teacher Trainings, which helped me recover and grow beyond the physical.
Now, I’m passionate about helping others find the same balance and transformation—guiding students to move with intention and connect body, mind, and soul. Namaste.
Jana Buckbrauer
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Nataly Nusbaumer
Hi my name is Nataly, I am a certified yoga instructor trained through Thavma Premium Hot Yoga. I am passionate about guiding students toward balance, strength, and mindful living both on and off the mat.
I love working out and keeping active—it helps me feel strong, healthy, and centered!
When I found hot yoga, I was searching for something more than just a workout. Other fitness routines left me feeling depleted, but yoga gave me energy, focus, and a deeper connection with myself. The combination of breath, balance, and movement transformed my body and mind. After my very first class, I knew I had discovered a lifelong practice.
Today, I bring that same passion to every class I teach, giving attention to every student and every detail—so that each person leaves feeling empowered, supported, and renewed.
Rhonda Frances
After a long career as a human resource executive throughout the Midwest, I pivoted to Thavma Yoga teacher training in 2024. While learning anatomy was not easy, the in-depth understanding of the postures that I gained was very impactful.
•Alignment (thanks to Marina)
•Strength & Smiles
Outside of studio time, I enjoy pickelball, golf, photography, gift giving, building Lego icons (with my grandson) and of course having fun with family and friends!My best advice regarding yoga is simple, keep coming back!
Vivian Gloria
Vivian is a 400-hour certified yoga instructor who completed her first 200-hour RYT training in Miami in 2017, followed by another 200 hours of Hot Yoga training with Marina at Thavma Yoga. Inspired by Marina’s anatomy-based approach to the 26–2 style, she weaves that depth into her own teaching. Born in Canada, her diverse upbringing across East Africa and South America gave her a deep appreciation for culture, people, and connection. A mother of three, Vivian has carried yoga with her through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, deepening her studies in children’s and prenatal yoga along the way.
Students are drawn to her soothing voice, curated music, and the warm, thoughtful atmosphere she creates—making her classes both welcoming and transformative.