SHANTI YOGA STUDIO
LEADERSHIP
Natasha Blevins, owner of Shanti Yoga Studio, began practicing yoga in 2015. Originally approaching the practice as another workout modality. She quickly realized there was so much more to the practice than just moving the body and lengthening the muscles. She knew from an early point that she wanted to be certified to teach one day. Natasha continued to practice over the next few years, often practicing on her own with no teacher to guide her. After a weightlifting injury, she was quick to want to return to the mat and continue her journey.
In 2020, the opportunity arose for Natasha to finally get her teaching certification. After completion of her certification in 2021, she joined the team at Shanti Yoga and continued to grow in her practice as a student and as a teacher. In the years since graduating, yoga has helped Natasha to manage multiple hardships using the tools of the practice. Having a deep passions for the practice and knowing how valuable it is, Natasha knew she wanted to own her own studio one day. Taking over as owner of Shanti Yoga felt like a natural next step when the opportunity presented itself.
Natasha is known for leading strong classes with compassion and a little lightheartedness. She believes in guiding her students to safely meet their goals and discover their limitless abilities. Having experienced multiple injuries throughout her yoga journey, Natasha is especially attuned to ensuring students use correct alignment and also honor their bodies and where they are at the time of practicing. One of her favorite phrases is, “Listen to your body and provide it with what it needs today, whether that’s strength or compassion.”
Yoga has been a place of grounding and growth for Natasha and her mission is to provide the same for her students. She recognizes how much yoga has helped her to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually over the years and desires to bring that same gift to others.
MENTOR
Sissy Castillo was introduced to yoga in 2014 at a pivotal moment in her life, helping her transform from a path of self-destruction to one of growth. Under the guidance of her teacher, Sissy discovered yoga’s healing power, which helped her build healthy habits to cope with personal struggles regarding mental, emotional and physical health.
In 2020, during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic, Sissy accepted ownership of Shanti Yoga, feeling a strong calling to make a positive impact and support others through challenging times. She's committed over 10 years to her own practice and studies, and the last 8 years to sharing yoga in Myrtle Beach and inspiring positive change in her hometown community.
During her tenure as owner, Sissy served as a mentor to Natasha; having brought her on as a teacher not long after she took ownership of the studio. Helping to guide her in her growth as a practitioner but also as an individual. She helped to prepare Natasha for her eventual transition into ownership of Shanti while also helping her to move through both physical and mental limitations in her personal practice. Sissy played an integral role in making Shanti what it is today and helping to build the community. Her dedication to the practice of yoga has touched many lives over the years and will continue to do so through the teachers she's trained.