Our Team
Morgan Hunt
Owner
Morgan Hunt is a passionate local business owner dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Tuscaloosa through holistic practices. As the owner of VeloCity Cycles, a beloved bicycle shop nestled in the heart of Tuscaloosa, Morgan has already made a significant impact on the local fitness scene.
Driven by her commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle, Morgan is expanding her horizons into the realm of mindfulness and yoga. Inspired by her personal journey, she is set to unveil Balancing Breath Yoga & Mindfulness Studio, a haven designed to foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Morgan's own transformative experience with yoga began five years ago, initially seeking solace in the practice to improve her sleep and breathing patterns. Over time, she witnessed profound changes in various aspects of her life. Not only did yoga enhance her mobility and alleviate anxiety, but it also provided her with a newfound sense of tranquility and resilience.
Fueled by her passion for yoga and breathwork, Morgan is driven by a singular vision: to empower individuals in Tuscaloosa to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. By creating a welcoming space where mindfulness and movement converge, she aspires to make these transformative practices accessible to all members of the community.
With her spirit and dedication to service, Morgan embodies the transformative power of holistic wellness and community engagement. Through VeloCity Cycles and Balancing Breath Yoga & Mindfulness Studio, she continues to enrich the lives of those around her, one breath at a time.
Our Teachers
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Lida Lewis
Lida is a student at the University of Alabama studying Psychology. She first began to practice yoga before high school for the physical benefits as an athlete, and she quickly discovered the positive effects yoga has on the mind. She loves the way yoga helps her feel both mentally and physically every time she practices, and she views yoga as a way to strengthen and take care of the body, calm the mind, and manage stress.
Since the field of Psychology and yoga complement one another well, Lida got her 200 hour yoga teacher certification (RYT 200) the summer of 2024 to be able to share the benefits of yoga with others and to deepen her practice. Try Lida’s classes for a fun, supportive environment where you will always leave feeling better about yourself!
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Madison Merkel
Madison is an actor who is pursuing an MFA in Acting at The University of Alabama. She views yoga as an exceptional method for staying grounded, present, and embodied, which is a perfect companion to the craft of acting.
Madison enjoys teaching yoga as a means of encouraging others to find creative and playful ways to move within their bodies. She was first introduced to yoga through a ballet class in high school and, after years of practicing on her own, decided to become certified (200 HR-RYT) in 2020. Since then, Madison has taught at various studios and gyms in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.
Madison holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Samford University and enjoys rock climbing and running. She’s also a dog mom and excited to marry her fiancé in August 2024!
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Silke Steg
Silke is a German-born yoga teacher. She was born in the 70s, grew up in the wild 80s, and, in the following years, worked, studied marketing, and started a family. Her love for yoga started after her 3rd child was born and she wanted something to relax her body and mind.
In 2010 she and her family moved to Kecskemét, Hungary. Since it was nearly impossible to follow along in a yoga class in Hungarian, she decided to learn everything about yoga herself and took part in her first yoga training. That was in 2012, and since then her love for yoga has never left. In 2015 she moved to the US and was lucky enough to study with many great teachers. That´s when she found her love for Restorative Yoga and when she moved back to Germany in 2021 she started to assist her teachers (Judith Hanson Lasater and Lizzie Lasater) at their trainings.
Now back in Tuscaloosa, you´ll find her on the mat sharing what she loves most, Restorative Yoga, a style of yoga to rejuvenate and heal the body. Further, she loves her “massage balls” either the little ones for Myofascial Release or the big Yamuna ones to stimulate the bone and help the body into a better alignment. Not to forget her love for the energy body, where you can explore ways to free up stuck energy to feel better.
RELAX, ROLL, and FREE UP YOUR ENERGY while practicing with Silke!
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Dianne Mancus
Yoga has been a major force in Dianne’s personal and professional development. She is interested in mental health, and the relationship between contemporary neural science nd ancient yogic knowledge.
In her own words, “Yoga helps me know and remember who I really am, regardless of others’ expectations and demands. Yoga has taught me to be grounded and content. Like everyone else, I’ve had ups and downs, perceived failures and successes, life challenges and crises. No matter the surface waves, I find stillness and peace through yoga practice.”
Dianne wants to share this life-changing gift with others. No matter where you are on the yoga journey, there is welcoming place for you in her classes and in her heart.
Dianne’s resume includes a personal yoga practice since 1966 and she became a certified yoga instructor in 2016. She is registered w th Yoga Alliance (RYT 500, eRYT200, RPYT, Prenatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra). She earned a doctorate in psychological education, with an emphasis in self-knowledge development. Dianne and her husband share yoga and “grand parenting” and are avid gardeners.
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Justice Burns
Justice was born and raised here in Tuscaloosa. Before she was introduced to yoga, she fell in love with meditating. She enjoys reading, running with her dog, going to the gym, and being around loved ones.
Justice is a Creative Registered Yoga Teacher, who has been practicing yoga since 2019 and decided to share her love and passion by teaching yoga since 2023. Her resume includes a RYT 200 certification with Yoga Alliance and a Certification with Aura Wellness Center in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
She posses in-depth knowledge about breathing techniques and postures, with passion for the spiritual elements of yoga teaching.
She is committed to helping students of all ages and backgrounds unearth their healthiest selves and discover inner peace.
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Emma Grace Cullop
Emma Grace Cullop is a junior at the University of Alabama (UA) studying Nutrition. She earned her 200-hour RYT certification nearly four years ago, and yoga has been a significant part of her life ever since. Emma's goal is to guide her students towards strength, flexibility, and balance both on and off the mat. Her classes are known for being challenging, blending elements of heat, power, and dynamic movement. With her high-energy flows, she empowers students to push beyond their physical and mental limits. Emma is excited to share her practice with others.
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Sierra Morris
Sierra is a passionate Mental Performance Coach and athlete dedicated to breaking mental and physical barriers and supporting others to be the best they can be. She first developed her own yoga and meditation practice while playing semi-professional rugby, and soon felt the benefits of the low-impact training and mindfulness on her performance. Transitioning out of her rugby career and into running, yoga and meditation prove to be essential to Sierra's training plans. Whether she's training for her next marathon or trail race, yoga and meditation help her enjoy every step of the way, staying injury-free and present-focused.
With a Master's degree in Sport and Performance Psychology and training as a Master Resilience Trainer, Sierra is focused on highlighting mental skills and techniques crucial to optimal performance. She hopes to bridge the gap between physical and mental performance with self-awareness and mindfulness practices in the studio or with you out on the roads and trails.
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Laura Gadilhe
Laura thought she was going to be a school teacher for the rest of her life.
Laura attended a 9 month long Yoga Teacher Training. The training cracked her heart wide open. She completed her 200hr YTT and Childrens YTT in November of 2018.
January 1, 2019 Laura decided to quit her job to pursue a full time career in teaching Yoga. This decision came very easily for Laura because it felt true to her heart.
Fast forward to 2020, Laura's life turned upside down once again as it did for many that year. Reiki came into Laura's life in 2019, but little did she know it would return. June of 2020, Laura received a Reiki session that opened her eyes to a gift she had forgotten as a child. By September of 2020, Laura was certified in Reiki 1 and 2. Yoga cracked her heart open, but Reiki awakened her heart, body, mind, and soul.
No matter what style of yoga Laura is teaching or the Reiki session she offers, she will create a safe place for you to be you. We are all on this journey of life together. Together we can be present, share, and listen to each other and allow space for all to shine.
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Amy Hutchinson
Meet Amy, whose yoga journey began as a triathlete, when she discovered that yoga was her secret weapon. This revelation led her to dive headfirst into yoga, a practice she has consistently embraced for over 20 years. Amy continues to compete as an Ironman triathlete and adventure racer and credits yoga for keeping her injury-free and resilient.
Amy's experiences as a former personal trainer, researcher, and Professor at the University of Alabama are woven into her teaching style. She aims to demystify tricky poses and make even the most complex concepts as easy as child's pose. She aims for every class to include creative sequences, alignment tips, modifications, and a breath work focus that will leave you feeling like a zen master.
Balancing her professional life, athletic pursuits, and motherhood, Amy's greatest skill is persisting through challenging situations without taking herself too seriously. She brings these qualities to her yoga instruction, approaching each class with empathy and patience.
Amy firmly believes in the transformative power of yoga to build strength, flexibility, and the ability to keep calm and carry on. Join Amy for a class in a supportive and inclusive community where students can flourish.
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Kateri Smith
Kateri is a chemical engineering major and MBA candidate at the University of Alabama. She grew up practicing yoga alongside her mom with DVDs in their living room and developed her own practice as a high school cross-country runner to build strength and recover from injuries. Over time, she discovered yoga wasn’t just for physical recovery, but a way to strengthen both her body and mind. She found herself leaving each class feeling more grounded and ready to take on assignments, work, training, and life with a refreshed, positive mindset. After completing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at ū4ic Yoga in Birmingham, AL, Kateri now leads dynamic, strength-focused classes designed to help students feel balanced, resilient, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.