Our Team
Kim Vanacore
Nickname: I go by Kim, Kimmy, Kimberly or Mama Kim (to my daughters friends)
Besides being the owner of Radiant, what other hats do you wear? Besides owning and managing Radiant Yoga I am mother to 4 amazing daughters.
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is my church, my therapy and my gym. It is my time to slow down, contemplate, pray, connect to my source within, listen for guidance, let go of my anxiety, take care of my body, release toxins and so much more. The practice is so necessary and important in my life that I do not teach by choice. It is the one thing I do absolutely for me and is a necessary requirement in my life. It’s made me a better person in countless ways.
Favorite yoga pose: Tough question because so many feel good in my body. A few of my favorites are Triangle, Humble Warrior, Balancing Half Moon, Bear, Prasarita and a few more. I love fun, creative flows where I get out of my head & move fluidly to the music & through the poses.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: The PEOPLE...hands down!! I love, love, love our community (teachers, students & front desk staff). We have a very kind and loving community, very easy going. I consider many in our community my closest friends. I’m grateful that my work place is also my happy place!
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: Complete acceptance of who they are. I want Radiant to be a place students look forward to coming to and a place they grow, learn to love themselves and make deep and lasting connections with other like minded humans.
Andrew Santos
Nickname: Drew, Drewdog (that one is kind of new)
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? I work as a Civil Engineer outside of yoga.
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is essentially a lifestyle to me. It brings balance to every part of my life.
Favorite yoga pose: Extended Side Angle
What’s on your yoga playlist: Electronica, Dance, Pop, 90s Rock, Folk
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: I love the community, the environment, and the space it provides.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: My students are welcome to feel any way they need to. Show up as you are.
Website/social media: IG: Drewusantos | Spotify: AndrewSantos
Angeline Kang
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mom
What does yoga mean to you: Connection
Favorite yoga pose: Child’s pose
What’s on your yoga playlist: Cool
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: Rad community
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: Boost in alertness
Website/social media: none
Becca Breining
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mother, Interior Design, Lifestyle, Health & Wellness business owner and coach.
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is a self centered practice. Its a journey to my inner most self. Its practicing presence and observing who I am on and off my mat.
Favorite yoga pose: My favorite passive pose is rag doll and my favorite active pose is half moon.
What’s on your yoga playlist: Anything that makes your body want to move, because I believe the lyrics pull us out and our ability to move intuitively pulls us in.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: The people. They show up. The space always feels welcome and inclusive never exclusive.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: The yoga high! I want people to leave feeling something. As teachers it’s our job to nudge, not judge. I love that this practice allows our students to listen to their bodies, to push when they feel pulled and rest when they feel that’s best. We never know what will be stirred up when we move our bodies.
Website/social media: Beccabreining.com. IG/Spotify:Becca Breining
Blake Mason
Nickname: Blakey or Blakester
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? I own Solfire Yoga in Sacramento. I’m also very active in the AA community.
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga connects me to my breath, body and quiets the chatter in my mind so I can better relate to love and appreciate everything in my life more authentically.
Favorite yoga pose: Dancer
What’s on your yoga playlist: everything!
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: the community and the heat! The students here bring it and the owner is amazing.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: grounded and inspired
Website/Spotify/social media: @Blakemasonyoga
Carissa Drummond
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear?
sister, daughter, auntie, wife, mom, school teacher
What does yoga mean to you: For me, yoga is relationship and peace. It's where I go when I need to reconnect and realign; it's the home I return to again and again.
Favorite yoga pose: Downdog and half moon
What’s on your yoga playlist: It changes all the time!
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: It was the first studio I landed when I found my yoga practice; I love its community, its passion, and its teachers! The students at Radiant are what I most appreciate though -- their love, enthusiasm, and commitment is amazing!
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: I want people to leave my classes feeling energized, reconnected, playful, and curious. My hope is that they are not only ready for their day and their yoga practice off the mat, but also grounded, supported, and joyful in their bodies, breath, heart, mind, and spirit.
Social media/Spotify: IG @lovecariski / Spotify: lovecariski
Courtney Colato
Nickname: CrazyCoCo
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Momma bear, hair stylist, dancer, climber, traveler and adventurer!
What does yoga mean to you: It is a reminder of our very life force in expressive motion. Nothing in life is stagnant down to every atom of existence. This practice encompasses all the ups and downs, movement and stillness and full connection to all that is!
Favorite yoga pose: Handstand
What’s on your yoga playlist: I have danced and traveled my entire life so my music is always a mixed bag of inspirational jams that remind me of that.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: I love how committed people are to their practices here at Radiant! The community from student to owner is kind, welcoming and embodies that warm feeling you get with close family and friends. Plus that heated room is just awesome!
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: My hope is that people feel they have reached a better understanding and connection with themselves and had some fun along the way. I'm a bit of a jokester so enjoying some laughs with everyone brings me great joy!
Website/social media: Travelingyogini.com
IG: @the.traveling.yogini / SoundCloud: Courtney Colato
Emily Robinson
Nickname: Emmy
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Writer, Mom, Mortgage Gig, Animal Rescue Mom
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga to me is space, settling in, compassion and connection
Favorite yoga pose: Balancing half moon
What’s on your yoga playlist: Ryx, Fred Again, Odezza, Anything I feel deep in my core, The cleanest versions of music my teen boys send me, lots of covers
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: Radiant Yoga has become a home for me. I have learned so much in my years at Radiant. I continue to learn from the students and our teaching team. Most of all I find connection, a real space to feel and move.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: I want those who attend my classes to feel they always have a safe place to land. Recently a student told me they felt 50% sweat and 50% love. If you leave feeling this, I am good with it.
Website/social: emilyrobinsonwrites.com,
IG & Spotify: @With_love_emmy
Kailey Heron
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Wife, sister, daughter, friend, and pet parent
What does yoga mean to you: Space to practice listening to & working with my body and mind. It’s where I feel safe to tend my mental health and cultivate more compassion for myself and others
Favorite yoga pose: Savasana for R&R. Dancer pose for when I need to celebrate.
What’s on your yoga playlist: I experiment with new-to-me tracks, but I also like to use familiar songs with a steady rhythm that keep time with the way vinyasa moves.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: The community and the friendships I’ve made have been a huge gift.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: My goal is to support people with unhooking from life’s demands and feeling more balanced. No matter what’s going on in your life, when you’re on your mat, I want you to feel empowered to think and move in ways that feel aligned to you. Over time, I hope that feeling of empowerment finds its way further and further into your life off the mat.
Website/Social: kaileydoesyoga@gmail.com, IG: : @kaileydoesyoga
Leslie Evans
Nickname: Les, Leso, Morely and a few others I just can’t share on a professional website .. lol!
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mom of two, Plant-based cook.
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is not just about putting my body into shapes on my mat; yoga is about living my life ethically with love, peace and acceptance.
Favorite yoga pose: Dragon Fly Twist, half moon and Savasana
What’s on your yoga playlist: awesome music from all genres (except country).
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: The teachers and community are awesome!
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: I want them to feel accepted and welcome exactly as they are.
Website/social: IG: lesliemaeyogi
Spotify: LeslieMaeEvans
Website: Plantbasedyogini.com (coming soon!)
Samantha Rasi
Nickname: Sammycakes
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mommy to three boys and 3 dogs, wife to my hubby, Ballet teacher, Pilates instructor, writer, House chef & keeper lol
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is my home away from home. It's where I can let go and be free to move any way I like. Yoga is like my happy dance.
Favorite yoga pose: Half-moon. I love the different ways to get into this pose. I like that it challenges my balance. High Skandasana makes me feel kind of like a bada** though. Lol
What’s on your yoga playlist: I love instrumental music that has a good beat. Also a beautiful classical piece like Moon light Sonata.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: Radiant yoga is a beautiful community to teach for. The students are gracious and grateful. Kim is a very kind spirit and she makes me feel like I’m home when I come to teach. It is very welcoming.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: When students leave my class my hope is that they feel rejuvenated and fresh. I hope they have a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for what comes next in their day.
Website/social: yoga.dance.flow.com,
IG:@sammy.cakes.yoga, Spotify: Samantha Mason Rasi
Steph Birch
Nickname: Stephy, Mama Birch, Birch, Loverbutt haha!
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mama, homeschool teacher, photographer, & newbie bee keeper.
What does yoga mean to you: Connection, a prayer. Sacred service.
Favorite yoga pose: Any pose that makes me feel like I’m dancing on the mat. Also, savasana to let it all go.
What’s on your yoga playlist: I love a good beat! You’ll hear a mix of disco/house, country, clean hip-hop, & instrumental. I like music to match the intention throughout parts of the class.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: The people, the warm & welcoming feeling & the team. I love working for Kim. She loves & supports all of us — our gifts, growth, & goals.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: I pray people feel connected and inspired to use this practice to fill up their cups and give back to the world around them.
Website/social: stephbirch.com, IG & Spotify: @stephynow
Stephanie Marie
Nickname: StephMarie
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mom, daughter, sister, lover, fighter…all the things. I am human!
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is sanity. Yoga is freedom. Yoga is flow. Yoga is a big exhale for my mind, body and soul. Yoga is a place to drop my shoulders and open my heart.
Favorite yoga pose: Handstand…such a wonderful feeling. You have to be ALL IN!!
What’s on your yoga playlist: All genres. I love music!! Oftentimes music communicates the words that are hard for me to find.
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: Radiant Yoga is the strongest community and I have worked in several. Whenever I am teaching or practicing at Radiant, I level up. High tide rises all the ships. Radiant you are disciplined, diligent and strong in all the ways.
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: At peace with who they are and where they are. Safe! Free! Strong!!
Website/social media: Www.stephmarieyogini.com, @Steph.Marie.yogini, Spotify: nsd2009
Shanna Farnsworth
Nickname: Shanna Banana
Besides yoga teacher, what other hats do you wear? Mom X 5, wife, mini-entrepreneur
What does yoga mean to you: Yoga is connection of breath and body. A way to mindfully explore playful movement.
Favorite yoga pose: Balancing Half Moon
What’s on your yoga playlist: Mac Miller, Hozier, Odessa, smooth techno, a little rap, acoustic covers, and some silence
What do you love about Radiant Yoga: I love the caliber of teaching at Radiant. I can always count on a great class, any time of day!
What do you want people to feel leaving your class: I want people to feel like they tried something different and were guided down a new path successfully!
Website/social media: yogashanna.com (http://.yogashanna.com) @yogashanna
