Amelia Reiser 

Maya Nenova

Maya’s journey began in Europe where she found yoga during her first
year at University. Curiosity and the love of study led her to degrees in
Finance, Visual Arts, and an MBA. Yoga enchanted her with the first
class and has always been there for her through her academic years.
Maya spend many years building a career in European Project Management; she
 spent years on humanitarian projects in her homeland and in the EU.
Realizing her love of helping people could be channeled through yoga,
Maya left the corporate world and moved to the United States
Some of her additional education is Yin Yoga Teacher Training,
Accessible Yoga Training, among numerous others. Maya is a National 

Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach through Emory’s certificate program. 

Maya devotes her career full-time to sharing the gift of yoga.

Amelia Reiser, a native of Norman, OK, attended The University of Georgia and completed a BFA in Dance Performance in 2011. Finding her new home in Atlanta, Amelia began practicing yoga as an approach to manage anxiety and to strengthen her dance performance skills. Finding herself interested to know more about the ancient history of yoga, better understand the connection of body mind spirit, and deepen her knowledge of anatomy, she decided to pursue teacher training. Amelia completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification in Pranakriya Yoga in 2014. She completed additional training in Yin Yoga in 2016 and Trauma Informed Yoga in 2017. Amelia received her 500 hour Yoga Alliance certification in 2022 from Tough Love Yoga in Atlanta, GA.

Amelia is greatly influenced by her late mother, Dr. Joan Phillips PhD, LMFT, LPC, ART-BC, who worked primarily as an art therapist and crisis counselor, and instilled in her at a young age the importance of community care and outreach. After her mother’s passing in 2017, Amelia felt called to carry on her mother's legacy in her own way and began working with Centering Youth at the Department of Juvenile Justice.  

In addition to guiding yoga classes with Centering Youth and at various studios, Amelia continues to work as a professional contemporary dance maker and performer.

Vladimir Tchakarov

Vladimir Tchakarov, MA, ERYT-500, YACEP, is a director of teacher training for the 200 and 300-hour programs at the Pranakriya School of Yoga Healing Arts. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Vladimir practiced martial arts from an early age and was exposed to both meditation and yoga by his parents. He dove deeply into the Kripalu yoga tradition after meeting his long-time teacher and mentor Yoganand Michael Carrol in 2009.  

In addition to his 15 years of professional experience teaching yoga, Vladimir holds a master’s degree in the study of Indian Tantric and Buddhist history and philosophy and is an adjunct professor at GSU. He has also devoted years of work to Centering Youth’s trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga methodology with Atlanta youth. Vladimir is passionate about helping students experience the power, depth, and healing potential of yoga while fostering self-awareness and agency. 

Jennifer Frisco-Bartl

I found yoga more than 20 years ago when I wandered into a lunchtime class, and it has shaped how I see people and possibilities ever since. Over the years, my practice has become less about perfect poses and more about connection, resilience, and learning to breathe when life feels heavy.

Today, I have the privilege of sharing yoga with adolescents in juvenile detention—young people whose strength and courage inspire me every single day. My approach is about creating a safe space where they can move, rest, and remember their own power. Together we explore ways to release stress, build resilience, and discover moments of calm, even in hard places.

I believe yoga isn’t about fitness—it’s about belonging to yourself. In my classes, there’s no “right way” to move. My classes focus on resilience over perfection—less about poses, more about breathing, belonging, and remembering your own power. We laugh sometimes, we sit quietly sometimes, and we practice listening to what our bodies and hearts need.

Deidre Scott

Deidre Scott is a dedicated yoga instructor and professional therapist with over ten years of teaching experience. Deidre was initially trained by Dr. Naima Lewis with Hyer Dynamic Inc in Atlanta, Ga. As a person of color, Deidre brings a unique and compassionate perspective to her practice. She is trained in trauma-informed yoga, allowing her to support clients with sensitivity and care, particularly in healing from trauma. Additionally, Deidre holds SilverSneakers training, which enables her to effectively work with older adults to enhance their mobility and well-being. She has worked with the women’s trauma units, geriatrics units, detox units, and men’s units at various mental health facilities, bringing a wealth of experience and a holistic approach to her practice. Her approach blends mindfulness, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to holistic well-being.