Vani is a Roanoke native and has an extensive background in teaching Dance and the Arts with a B.A. in Dance and an M.A.L.S from Hollins University as well as a M.F.A. in Photo/Film from VCU. In 2008 she graduated from the Richmond, VA Integral Yoga® 200hr teacher training program taught by Nora ‘Vimala’ Pozzi. In 2012 she graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and is currently working in Acute Care at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. In 2019 she completed the 300hr Uttara Advanced Yoga Teacher training-and is certified as a 500 RYT through the National Yoga Alliance.

Vani has been practicing yoga for over 18 years and teaching for 12. She considers it a great blessing and honor to have been a part of the Uttara family since its inception in 2008! Vani has had the pleasure to explore a variety of teaching experiences including Integral, Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa/Power, Beginners and Hot Yoga classes. Whatever style she is teaching her instruction focuses on conscious use of the breath and bandhas, anatomical awareness, sensitivity to the energy body, cultivating compassion for ourselves and others, the body’s innate intelligence, and awareness of the mind to access the healing power of the here and now. She is a dancer at heart and enjoys working with organic movement throughout her class. “Stop acting so small. You are the Universe in Ecstatic motion."—Rumi.