About us

A Little About Us!

Nicole Deitrick

Nicole graduated from Heartwood 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training in 2015 with the intention of learning how to better run a small yoga studio in her day spa North River Body Therapies. A Licensed Massage Therapist since 1999, and a Certified Business and Life Coach since 2007, she became fascinated at looking yoga through the eyes of a massage therapist and how the heart of yoga and coaching are so similar.

Nicole's style of teaching is a blend of alignment and exploration, encouraging her students to find the place in their body where the pose feels good. She is very verbal with pose demonstrations, with a primary focus on getting you in and out of the pose. Nicole's class themes tend to have a thought provoking component based on real life examples, and she loves to honor the unique story of your body and what it has experienced up until now.

Margaret Vardaro

Margaret has become an essential part of the studio - not only does she keep up on the class schedules and teacher support, she’s also a delight with nurturing our students and helping to guide them on finding out how our studio can serve them best. She recently moved here from New York and is building her new life here in Florida. A life long book lover, you can find her working at the Library (we are fortunate to get her on her off days) where she brings out your inner artist in Community Craft projects. Margaret has been practicing yoga for more than a decade and we are hoping she will pursue becoming a yoga teacher as well.

Gretchen Von Cloedt RYT 200

Having a great passion for helping others discover the benefits of yoga, Gretchen loves to defy expectations and guide you through an all size inclusive practice. She loves to add abiance to her classes with incense and inspirational words. Whether it be beginner vinyasa flow, or relaxing restorative with lots of props, come do some "Stretchin' with Gretchen"

Sharon Thomas

Sharon has had the privilege of teaching Yoga since 2010. Her warm, authentic and lighthearted approach encourages students to practice honest exploration through the movement of Yoga. Sharon has a degree in creative writing from Eckerd College and loves to use language to guide students into their bodies and into their lives. She is dedicated to creating a meaningful experience that is safe, interesting and inspiring. Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” Come discover the movement of Yoga. Sharon is a Yoga Alliance registered E-RYT 200 and RYT 500.

" As a teacher I most enjoy guiding students to uncover more about themselves through the physical and internal quest for balance. I love the expression of self through the language and poses in Yoga. I love how there is such a large body of knowledge and I will be a student for the rest of my life because the more I learn about Yoga the more I want to learn. I appreciate how Yoga aims to integrate the mind, body and spirit together to encourage us to become the best version of ourselves. " ~Sharon

Jenny Greene

Jenny is an E-RYT 200, RYT 500, and YACEP yoga instructor who has been teaching since 2016. Her classes are rooted in the belief that yoga is for every body, every season of life, and every level of experience. She enjoys teaching Hatha, Flow, Gentle, Beginner, and philosophy-based classes, along with the occasional fun, creative offering that gives students space to explore, laugh, and not take themselves too seriously on the mat.

Jenny first came to yoga as a physical practice, looking for relief from the aches and wear that came from years of distance running and high-impact workouts. What began as a way to feel better in her body slowly became something much deeper. Through continued practice and study, yoga helped her reconnect with herself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Her love of yoga philosophy became a meaningful part of her life, shaping not only the way she teaches, but also the way she moves through the world. That journey of self-study, courage, and clarity eventually helped lead her back to a lifelong dream of writing and publishing a book.

In her teaching, Jenny blends thoughtful sequencing, accessible movement, breath awareness, and grounded philosophy in a way that feels supportive rather than intimidating. She has a special heart for students who may feel nervous, unsure, or hesitant to come to the mat for any reason. Whether teaching a gentle beginner class, a steady flow, or beach yoga under the open sky, Jenny aims to create an inclusive, nonjudgmental, and welcoming space where students can feel safe, capable, and connected — while still leaving room for a little fun along the way.

Sue Burden

After stepping away from the 9-to-5 corporate world and embracing Florida’s sunshine-filled lifestyle, I found myself adjusting to the freedom of living each day without a structured agenda. Having practiced yoga for more than 20 years, I began to wonder if teaching might be the next chapter of my journey. In March 2023, I attended a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Heartwood Yoga Institute. I quickly fell in love with the learning process and continued my education, eventually completing my 500-hour certification. As I began practicing and teaching within my 55+ community, I discovered my true passion: serving the actively aging population. Supporting students in maintaining strength, mobility, balance, and overall well-being became my focus and purpose. As I spread my wings and explored opportunities at other studios and wellness centers, I joined A Little Twisted Yoga, where I began teaching Chair Yoga and later expanded into Gentle & All Levels Yoga and Yoga Sculpt classes. My curiosity and love of movement inspired me to continue learning beyond traditional yoga. I became a certified Pilates and Aqua Yoga instructor and remain committed to ongoing education, always seeking new ways to enhance my classes and better serve my students.

“Helping active adults move better, feel stronger, and live with greater balance—one breath, one movement, and one class at a time.”

Carol Klein

Born in Manhattan, Carol has been exposed to the finest dance and yoga training. A certified dance educator, she also holds certifications in Sampoorna, Hatha Yoga, Basi Mat Pilates, Zumba, and Aqua Zumba. While living at an Ashram and training with her Guru Sri Yogi Hari, she became enchanted with metabolic Sampoorna Yoga. When she discovered adding this format, it cured her hypothyroidism. Carol’s Basi Mat Pilates certification is based on the original works of Joseph Pilates and she is passionate about her core practice which she discovered at a young age as part of her dance training in NY. Carol has performed for NY Jets and NJ Nets halftime show but her most rewarding accomplishment was owning her dance and yoga center in NY for 33 years inspiriting thousands of students! Currently working for Fitness Pro Travel, she also teaches at several super clubs in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Emily Carr-Osborne

Emily studied and practiced yoga for 20 years. Her background includes such styles as: Hatha, Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Arial, Chair, and Ashtanga Yoga. She enjoyed studying with Baron Baptiste and Beryl Bender Birch and also studied Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore, India with Patabi Joyce. She completed Level 1 and 2 Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Fit and then finished her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Heartwood Yoga in Bradenton. Emily is also certified elementary teacher (K-6), with a Bachelor's in Art Education and a Master's in Elementary Education from Lesley University. She has taught at North River Body Therapies since 2015 and is honored to be a teacher at their new yoga studio, A Little Twisted Yoga Studio!!

Sherry Brucker

Hi, my name is Sherry, I want to teach and share with my

students how to grow/age gracefully, by keeping our bodies

moving. Motion heals…as we stretch, build strength & stamina. My focus is to MOVE each day, teach proper alignment, improve flexibility, balance, posture, strengthen, lengthen & flow ~ while having FUN.

I am certified in: Vinyasa & Hatha YOGA RYT 200, Mat Pilates, Chair Yoga, Masterclass in Fitness & Health.

Judi Betush

Through a comfortable and welcoming approach, I aim to guide students through the dynamic, breath-driven movement of Vinyasa yoga, where intelligent sequencing becomes an unbroken thread of poses. My practice, as a student for many years and now a teacher, is rooted in fluidity, strength, balance, and challenge for the taking. Whether you are new to yoga, or practicing routinely, my sequences offer simple to complex poses allowing You to build your yoga foundation, release your potential and explore your practice. I combine glowing vinyasa with restorative poses, inspiring the body and soothing the mind. I look forward to guiding you on the mat, one mindful flow at a time.

Travis Ray RYT 200 & Reiki Master

"I am passionate about teaching in a calm and soothing manner, creating an environment that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation. My classes often incorporate props to ensure all students can find comfort and stability in their practice. I specialize in Iyengar based styles, focusing on alignment and precision. Each session I create a serene atmosphere with candles, incense, bowls complimented by a carefully curated playlist designed to soothe your soul. To empower my students, I use power-through cards adding a unique and inspiring touch to every class. Join m e for a holistic yoga experience that nurtures both body and mind."

About us!