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About Prana

Not all movement serves the same purpose

We created Prana for people who want movement to feel supportive, not performative. We believe how something is taught matters just as much as what is taught, and that long-term well-being is built through consistency, care, and thoughtful progression.

Lee Rooney, the owner of Prana Yoga & Fitness in Lynchburg VA, wearing a black polo shirt
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Our Story

In 2020, during a time when many studios were closing, the opportunity came up to keep Prana alive rather than let it disappear. Lee, a long-time member, stepped up. The decision was simple but not easy. This space mattered to people, and it deserved to continue.

Since then, we’ve focused on preserving what matters while allowing the studio to evolve with care. Every change we’ve made has come from listening. Listening to teachers. Listening to students. Listening to what actually helps people feel stronger, steadier, and more at home in their bodies.

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What Guides Our Work

  • At Prana, classes are designed around specific outcomes like strength, mobility, regulation, or recovery, so nothing feels random or disconnected.

  • Yoga and Pilates form the foundation of what we teach, and we build from there thoughtfully. The goal isn’t to push limits for the sake of it, but to support movement long-term.

  • We encourage steady progress that adapts to real life, allowing people to build strength and resilience without feeling rushed or behind.

  • Care shapes the entire experience, from how classes are guided to how questions are answered. It’s present in the pace, the instruction, and the way people are welcomed.

Meet the Team

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    Lee Rooney

    Lee has practiced yoga for several years and completed his teacher training at Mandala Wellness in Lynchburg in 2019. He is passionate about supporting students of all levels and creating space for growth within each individual practice. Lee’s classes emphasize breath, mindfulness, and the connection between body and mind. He teaches gentle, beginner-friendly, restorative chair yoga, and power yoga.

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    Sam Sherbine

    Sam has been passionate about fitness and overall wellness from a young age through sports, yoga, and dance. She holds a degree in Exercise Science and is a certified exercise physiologist. Seeing how movement has positively shaped her own life inspired Sam to help others build confidence, strength, and joy through a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

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    Cayla Graham

    Cayla discovered yoga as a way to move more intuitively and reconnect with her body. Through her practice, she learned how to listen more closely, honor different seasons of life, and find calm through movement. Yoga has supported her strength and flexibility, but its greatest impact has been on her nervous system and mental clarity. Cayla is a Yoga Alliance 200-hour certified teacher and feels deeply grateful to guide others as they explore their own practice.

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    Sarah Anderson

    Sarah holds a degree in Exercise Science and is a certified exercise physiologist. She brings both knowledge and heart to every class she teaches, with a focus on helping students build confidence and rediscover joy in movement. Sarah strives to create a positive, welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. Yoga is her grounding space, and she loves sharing that sense of presence and ease with her students.

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    Hope Skinner

    Hope has been practicing yoga since 2018 and completed her 200-hour Vinyasa teacher training at FlyDog Yoga in 2025 under Eliza Whiteman. She is inspired by teachers who balance challenge with encouragement while creating a safe space to grow. Hope’s classes blend strength, alignment, mindful movement, balance, and playful exploration. Her goal is to create a welcoming environment where students can move intentionally, sweat a little, and have fun.

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    Lisa Jones

    Lisa began practicing yoga over a decade ago and quickly developed a consistent, dedicated practice through hot yoga. Her curiosity led her to explore multiple styles of yoga and fitness, eventually earning certifications in IHP and Bikram 26&2. Teaching during the studio’s transition through COVID shaped her early experience as an instructor. Lisa is committed to continual learning and values the shared growth that happens between students and teachers.

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    Kelli Alley

    Kelli brings energy, positivity, and intention to every class she teaches. With a background in personal training and a 200-hour yoga certification from India, she approaches fitness as a balance of strength, mindfulness, and overall well-being. Kelli’s classes focus on empowering students through movement while fostering a strong connection between body and mind.

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    Amy Talmadge

    Amy discovered yoga during a stressful period of her life while balancing college and family health challenges. With a background in endurance sports, yoga taught her how to slow down, listen to her body, and find mental clarity. She completed her training at Glenmore Yoga Institute and has since taught yoga, personal training, and swimming. Amy brings a thoughtful, experience-informed approach to her teaching.

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    Lizz Meeks

    Lizz has a professional background in dance and musical theatre, which strongly influences her teaching style. She later trained in Pilates reformer and barre, creating classes that blend cardio, strength, stretch, and intentional movement. Lizz is passionate about helping students build strength and confidence while supporting them through every stage of their fitness journey.

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    Cherry Gonzalez

    Cherry believes deeply in doing what brings joy, and movement plays a central role in her life. A student at CVCC and employee at L3Harris, she is always eager to learn and grow. Discovering the impact of fitness on her own health and well-being inspired Cherry to encourage others to move, feel strong, and become their happiest selves.

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    Sarah

    Sarah came to yoga after years as a competitive athlete and multiple knee surgeries left her living with chronic pain. What began as a Bikram yoga class for weight loss became a transformative practice that helped her heal and feel strong again. Inspired by her own experience, Sarah became an instructor to support others on their path toward greater strength, mobility, and confidence.

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    Amanda K.

    Amanda has a background as a certified personal trainer and bootcamp instructor. After a major injury, she discovered Pilates and found it to be both physically restorative and mentally grounding. Pilates became an essential part of her recovery and ongoing wellness, and she now enjoys helping others experience the same strength, balance, and stress relief through mindful movement.

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    Tabitha

    Tabitha has practiced yoga for over 15 years and taught for more than a decade. She found yoga during a time of physical stress, autoimmune challenges, and a demanding corporate career, and it quickly became her anchor. Yoga has supported her through life’s many transitions, and she now focuses on creating classes that cultivate mindfulness, peace, and joy. Tabitha believes yoga should be grounding, supportive, and accessible—both on and off the mat.

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    Anna S.

    Anna is a lifelong fitness enthusiast who fell in love with Pilates through reformer training. Her appreciation for Pilates deepened during pregnancy, when it became a powerful tool for pain relief and strength. Certified in Human Reformer Pilates, Anna teaches with a mindful, controlled approach that emphasizes strength, stability, and confidence. She aims to create a supportive space where students can challenge themselves and celebrate what their bodies can do.

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    Audra

    Audra has been teaching group fitness for over 15 years, beginning with beginner yoga and quickly discovering a love for guiding others through movement and breath. She completed her 200-hour Vinyasa training through Cyndi Lee’s OM Yoga methodology and has taught a wide range of formats including Barre, HIIT, and SilverSneakers. Audra focuses on creating inclusive, supportive classes that build strength, balance, and calm—on and off the mat.

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    Ashley

    Ashley is from Lynchburg but grew up in Souther CA. She moved back in 2011 to be close to family. She’s been in the fitness industry since 2016 and has taught at various places around Lynchburg. Her first certifications are PiYO, CiZE, TRX, and Inferno Hot Pilates. She’s a certified NASM Personal Trainer and now a Holistic Nutrition Therapist Practitioner (NTP). Ashley balances all this while being a mom, wife, and a freelance makeup artist.

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    Shelley

    I teach creative alignment and strength based vinyasa classes. Classes connect breath with movement to create a moving meditation. This helps calm the mind and encourages students to tune in to their bodies. I hope to cultivate inner wisdom, peace and joy throughout the practice. Let’s find joy in movement together!

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    Julia Cannon

    Julia found her way to Bikram yoga several years ago and knew during her first class that it would change her life. Her practice continues to grow, increasing her well-being, clarity, and awareness in her life. Julia is currently studying Ayurveda and plans to become an Ayurvedic doctor, practitioner, and teacher someday. A Lynchburg native, former athlete, and lover of dance and the arts, Julia is so grateful and excited to teach yoga!