Our Front Desk Crew

Our front desk crew is fantastic!

They provide a welcoming experience through a warm check-in process and support each yogi’s questions about membership, access, and studio flow.

Want to join the front desk crew?

Front desk yogis may volunteer to support the studio 3 hours per week in exchange for unlimited classes, discounts on workshops and special events, discounts on merchandise, and participation in events.

Duties include checking yogis into class, signing new yogis into Up Dog, light studio cleaning (sweeping, vacuuming, counter wiping, mirror cleaning, etc.).

We ask that yogis maintain a 6-month commitment.

Morgan Cromer-Ruiz

Favorite Yoga Posture: Paryottanasana (Pyramid Pose)

Off the Mat: Backpacking, trying new recipes (send recommendations!), and walking her retired sled dog, Hippo!

What’s Up: Morgan is often hosting a dinner party and looking for a good excuse to visit the beach. 

Trip to Yoga: Although she has practiced on and off over the years, Morgan considers herself a beginner. To her, yoga is a great way to prioritize her mental and physical health and she looks forward to continuing her journey with yoga at Up Dog. 

Shahnaz Ghahremani

Favorite Yoga Posture: Bhujangasana (Cobra)

Off the Mat: She enjoys anything outdoorsy, active, and creative. She's usually off hiking, biking, playing volleyball, cooking, or buying another plant to add to her collection. 

What's Up: She loves traveling around the world and getting to know new cultures and new ethnic foods.

Trip to Yoga: Shahnaz has been practicing yoga on and off for about 8 years. She loves to get her sweat on, clear her mind through movement, and connect with other fellow yogis!

Lindsay Cribbs

Favorite Yoga Posture: Downward Facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) 

Off the Mat: She loves to cook and bake, and is always looking forward to the Sunday Farmers market. 

What’s Up: She just moved from South Carolina to DC for a Masters degree at American University! 

Trip to Yoga: Lindsay has been practicing yoga her entire life. Being able to connect with her body and mind through my practice has created an incredible shift in her day-to-day life. She’s excited to continue her journey on the mat in DC, traveling from the east coast in South Carolina to the west coast in San Francisco and back!

Ashley Train

Favorite Yoga Posture: Eka Pada Galavasana (Extended Crow)

Off the Mat: She enthusiastically tries out different activities, from weaving to Muay Thai. Tell her your go-to hobby!  

What’s Up: She loves testing recipes and cooking - if there’s a kitchen, that’s where she’ll be. 

Trip to Yoga: Ashley joined the yoga community to connect with not only herself but also with the global population. After moving to Nottingham, England to pursue her Master’s Degree, Ashley quickly began searching for balance and serenity to offset the vigor associated with researching human rights violations within the global fashion industry. She joined a meditation center first, and her asana practice slowly developed as a way to unwind from the day. Over the years Ashley spent time traveling and visiting different studios and ashrams throughout South East Asia, finding beauty and inspiration within the variations of styles. To Ashley, yoga is a lifestyle, an ongoing practice of the eight limbs, a commitment to love yourself and your macro environment. It is a journey of patience, listening, and following that little voice within that says “let’s try.” 

Emma Conover

Favorite Yoga Posture: Virabhadrasana C (Warrior III)

Off the Mat: You might find her trying new recipes, planning her next trip, and thrifting for treasures for her home.

What’s Up: Emma loves to try new restaurants & is always looking for recommendations!! 

Trip to Yoga: Emma started her yoga journey recently as a way to get moving, spend time with herself, and build community after making the move to DC.

SJ Vaughan

Favorite Yoga Posture: Fallen Triangle (Patita Tarasana) or Star (Utthita Tadasana)

Off the Mat: Avid drag queen enthusiast

What’s Up: She spends most of her time loving on her rescue, Posie, and other pets around DC. You can follow along @sjvaughan_

Trip to Yoga: SJ began taking yoga seriously after years of high intensity training burnout. She is excited to continue to grow and loves how inclusive and welcoming the Up Dog Yoga Community is! 

Lila Kiron

Favorite Yoga Posture: Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Butterfly) - she loves the way it sounds 

Off the Mat: Lila can often be found roaming around the city. She loves to spend time outdoors; hiking, walking, swimming, playing fetch with her dog, Bear, or having a bbq with friends. 

What’s Up: Lila loves to explore and experience new places. She loves listening to, telling, and writing stories. 

Trip to Yoga: Lila started doing yoga during COVID to start and end her day by rejuvenating and relaxing her mind and body. Since then, Lila has fallen in love with the routine, challenge, and progression of the practice. She can’t imagine her life without it and is grateful for all the connections she has made throughout her yoga journey. 

Michael Farmer-Fonseca

Favorite Yoga Posture: Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand)

Off the Mat: Michael is a strength and conditioning coach, and loves being active and pursuing good health. He has a son named Arlo and a dog named Snape. His wife is Anna Farmer-Fonseca and is the absolute love of his life. 

What’s Up: Michael is trying to practice my guitar regularly and conquer his fear of performing in front of others. 

Trip to Yoga: Michael very competitive in most things, but Yoga has always felt like a haven for nurturing his body regardless of how he perform. Michael has practiced off and on for years, and has found that when he practices regularly, his body is happier and healthier.

Emily Garvey

Favorite Yoga Posture: Natarajasana (Dancer) - It's nostalgic to her Cheerleading days

Off the Mat: She works in consulting, loves to cook, travel, enjoy concerts, and lounge with her Great Dane mutt, Harper. 

What's Up: She loves music and is always looking to be put on to something or someone new!

Trip to Yoga: Emily has been practicing on and off for 10 years. Rediscovering yoga's mental and physical benefits have allowed Emily to fall in love with it again. It keeps her sane! She is consistently bewildered about how different her balance really can be at 6AM vs. 6PM!

Jane Peterson

Favorite Yoga Posture: Utthan Pristhasana (Lizard Pose) We love a hip opener !

Off the Mat: Jane can be found coaching at the Ice Rink, Dance Studio & Art Studio encouraging creative movement and confident expression among her students.

What's Up: Jane loves to sip on caffeinated beverages and take pathologically long walks to dissect her Spotify Discover Weekly Playlists.

Trip to Yoga: She is a lifelong mover and shaker who loves to explore new outlets for movement! She has a recent interest in breathwork and practices yoga with the intention of strengthening her mind-body connection.

Tara Moon

Favorite Yoga Posture: Vrkasana (Tree Pose)

Off the Mat: She teaches fifth-grade and experiments with gluten-free cooking!

What's Up: She was in a band and an a capella group in college! Hit her up for all things Taylor Swift or musical theatre.

Trip to Yoga: Tara began practicing yoga in high school, and since rediscovered it many times! She loves finding peace and community through breath and movement, and is so grateful to have found such a lovely place to deepen her practice in DC.