Andrea Testa is the founder of FreeSpirit Yoga. Her dream was to open a yoga space where people can learn the many benefits of yoga, and on January 2, 2002 opened the doors. Though it was right after 9-11, the need proved great to calm the mind and body.
Andrea has studied and practiced Yoga since 1992 and received her teaching certification from the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara in 1998. She began her studies with Irene Holsters of The Long Beach Yoga Centre in 1992 until 1998. She then completed 2 modules of Iyengar training with Karin O'Bannon in 1999 and has also had the privilege to study with Steve Rogers, Shiva Rea, David Swensen, and Ana Forrest. Andrea has completed an addition 10 day training course with Erich Shiffman in 2004. Andrea has been teaching all of this yoga information since 1998 and teaches with enthusiasm and a concern for safety and most of all, FUN. Andrea is a Registered Yoga Teacher (500 hr.) with the Yoga Alliance.
Veronica Silva, RN,BSN, RYT500, has been practicing yoga for
13 years.
Sally Burns has been a dedicated practitioner and student of yoga since 1997 and a teacher since 2002 (Yoga Alliance registered). Her teaching style is influenced by the Ashtanga and Iyengar traditions. In each class Sally teaches, whether it is for beginners or advanced students, she emphasizes the union of mindful movement with the breath, as well as proper alignment. Sally provides a safe and supportive environment in which to explore the asanas and encourages her students to accept where they are while simultaneously challenging them to work to their fullest potential. She also encourages her students to cultivate inner peace while on the mat that they can then take out into the world with them, becoming an instrument for peace wherever they go. Sally studied with David Swenson in the Ashtanga tradition and Karin O'Bannon in the Iyengar tradition. In addition, she has taken many other teacher training workshops with notable teachers such as Saul David Raye, Max Strom and Angela Farmer, and continues to independently study yoga philosophy and therapeutics.
Andrea Morgan began teaching Yoga in 2007 and recently completed her 500 hour Professional Teacher Training through YogaWorks Los Angeles. She has studied with many wonderful teachers including Annie Carpenter, Lisa Walford, Joan Hyman, Steve Walther, Mia Togo and Kia Miller. The passion in these incredible teachers deeply instilled Andrea’s commitment to help other people dig deep to find their inner voice. In 1995 Andrea received her Master of Fine Arts in Classical Theatre from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program. It was in this program that she began practicing Yoga. As an actor she has worked in theaters all across the country and abroad before deciding to settle in Southern CA in 2001. Here she began teaching acting, voice and speech and directing plays. In 2006 her passion for Yoga became tantamount to performing arts it was quite clear that the next step was to become a yoga teacher. Her forte is Vinyasa Flow but she enjoys teaching many styles and levels. Her classes are rigorous and challenging and although she often uses her sense of humor to lighten the room she also encourages her students to focus on their breath to help them go inward to discover their individual strength physically, emotionally and philosophically.
Cassandra Vitale found her way to the yoga path through a series of events which brought her to FreeSpirit Yoga and her first ever yoga class with Laura Tree. She was instantly hooked on yoga and began exploring the philosophy on her own. She began working the desk at FreeSpirit Yoga in October of 2008 and slowly but surely became well aquainted with the ins and outs of the yoga studio, as well as the many wonderful teachers and their specially designed classes. After "graduating" to Peter's Ashtanga Prep class, she felt she was ready to deepen her practice by taking a Yoga Teacher Training course with Yogafit. In order to become certified with Yogafit, one must teach a series of free yoga classes as a way to give back to the community, so, Cassandra offered to sub classes at FreeSpirit Yoga in order to get her Seva hours. After receiving some positive feedback from students and Andrea, she was offered three classes at the studio. Because of her many years of experience in childcare and being a nanny, she now teaches toddler and baby yoga as well as a beginner's class. Currently, she is working on a Master's Degree in Anthropology. Her focus is on yoga communities in Long Beach. Her goal is to create a program that brings yoga to low-income and marginalized communities in the city. 
Lauren Jacobs is a joyful & encouraging Cloud Nine Yoga trained instructor, whose daily practice includes Hatha Yoga & Bhakti Yoga. Her first experience with yoga was in 1995 after years of competitive swimming had wreaked havoc on her body and spirit...her yogic journey grew steadily from there. Lauren will encourage you to delve deeper into your practice by placing an emphasis on breath awareness, spiritual & physical balance, and focusing on exercising compassion towards your own body, mind, & spirit. She is a Birth Doula and a Student Midwife with a passion for women's reproductive health. Lauren is also currently acquiring her 500 hour certification with Erika Faith of Cloud Nine Yoga.
