Rachael Croll - Salty Buddha Founder & Owner/Instructor
Rachael is the heart and soul behind Salty Buddha. A former corporate finance professional, she left the corporate world behind to follow a calling rooted in wellness and authentic living. Blending her deep love for nature with the healing power of movement and mindfulness, Rachael has built Salty Buddha as a sanctuary for connection—both on land and water.
Now, with over a decade of teaching experience, she guides students through a variety of offerings including vinyasa, restorative, and her signature stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga classes.
Her classes are grounded in breath, balance, and joy, often infused with Reiki, meditation, and the natural rhythms of the tide. Rachael’s approach is down-to-earth, inclusive, and rooted in a deep respect for the elements—creating space for transformation, both inside and out.
Carly Burdick - Reiki + Yoga Instructor
Carly is a certified Reiki Master and Women’s Guidance Facilitator who is excited to guide you through a transformative session that promotes balance, relaxation, and well-being. With a deep passion and curiosity for energy healing, Carly immersed herself in the ancient practice of Reiki, a transformative modality that channels universal life force energy. As a Reiki Master, her purpose is to facilitate healing on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. She believes in the innate power within each of us to find balance and harmony, and her classes, workshops, and private sessions are designed to unlock that potential, fostering a profound sense of peace and renewal. Carly teaches a weekly Restorative Yoga w/ Reiki class, monthly Reiki workshops, and Reiki trainings and certifications at Salty Buddha.
Jessica Powers - Studio, Beach & SUP Yoga Instructor
Jessica’s yoga journey began over a decade ago with a Baron Baptiste DVD she picked up at a yard sale—and she's been hooked ever since. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery, her practice shifted, teaching her to slow down and truly listen to her body. She brings this gentle wisdom—and a lighthearted attitude—into every class.
Jessica is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where every body feels safe to move, breathe, and explore. She weaves the philosophy of the 8 limbs of yoga into her teaching, using physical practice as a gateway to inner peace and personal power.
For the past three years, she’s also brought yoga and mindfulness into her middle school classroom, firmly believing that with enough breath and movement, anyone can find calm.
Tammi McCoy - Studio & Beach Yoga Instructor
Originally from Kansas City, Tammi has called the island home for the past four years. She began her yoga journey in 2013, initially drawn to the physical strength and fitness benefits of a power yoga practice. Over time, she discovered a deeper connection to the grounding, therapeutic aspects of yoga that truly began to resonate with her.
In 2020, Tammi completed her yoga teacher training through Power Core Yoga, deepening her commitment to the practice and to sharing it with others. Her classes reflect this journey—blending strength and mindfulness with the natural beauty of the beach. Tammi’s teaching is both empowering and grounding, offering students a space to connect with themselves and the elements around them.
Vicki Cusack - Studio Yoga & SUP Yoga Instructor
Vicki is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and certified SUP Yoga Instructor with deep roots in the Bradenton area. Having grown up paddling the local waters since high school, she brings a strong connection to the natural world into her teaching—especially on the water.
Her yoga journey began in 2008 with a class at her local gym. What started as a fitness practice soon unfolded into something much more. Over the years, practicing with inspiring teachers helped her discover yoga’s true depth—a transformative experience for the mind, body, and soul.
In May 2024, Vicki completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at InnerSea Yoga Academy in Uvita, Costa Rica. Under the guidance of Courtney Fletcher and her expansive teaching team, Vicki experienced a new sense of calm and inner peace. That same year, she earned her SUP Yoga certification with Rachael Croll, founder of Salty Buddha Paddle & Yoga Co., bringing her yoga journey full circle—back to the waters she’s always loved.
Vicki’s classes are grounded in authenticity, community, and connection. She teaches with a heartfelt desire to share yoga’s wisdom and help others find their own path. As one of her favorite quotes reminds us:
“Truth is One, paths are many.” – Sri Gurudev
Lo Waite - Studio Yoga Instructor
Lo began practicing yoga over a decade ago as a compliment to her training as a competitive triathlete, duathlete, and long-distance runner. As her practice evolved, she discovered that the mind-body connection through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness brought greater well-being to her life. A compassionate teacher, she strives to create a space for her students to feel free to explore, learn, and meet their practice exactly where they are. She teaches that yoga is for everyone and developing a greater sense of self-awareness provides benefit even off the mat. Experienced in teaching many styles of yoga including Gentle, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow levels 1 and 2, Yin, and Prenatal, she has also helped lead 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher trainings.
Jae Lux - Studio Yoga Instructor
Jackie Grosser - Studio Yoga Instructor
Jackie’s long-time passion for yoga led her to complete her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2019. Her classes are rooted in creating a welcoming, inclusive space where students are encouraged to move and breathe in a way that feels authentic to their bodies and minds.
With a focus on mindfulness and guided meditation, Jackie weaves practices into her classes that support emotional well-being and offer tools for navigating life’s challenges. She enjoys teaching Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra—each offering a unique doorway into presence and self-discovery.
Jackie has also fallen in love with the power of sound. Recently certified in Integral Sound Healing, she integrates sound into her offerings to help others drop into deep states of relaxation and inner healing.
Lisa Weingartner - Studio Yoga Instructor
Lisa returned to her yoga practice in 2017 after spending several years immersed in high-intensity workouts like kickboxing, spin, and HIIT classes. As a thriving corporate executive with a fast-paced lifestyle, her fitness routines naturally reflected that same intensity. However, her first yoga class in years was a turning point. During the final savasana, she experienced a profound sense of peace and calm—something completely unfamiliar in her daily life. From that moment, Lisa committed herself to yoga, finding it to be the balance she had been missing. Her passion for the practice grew, inspiring her to share its transformative benefits with others. In 2020, Lisa earned her RYT-200 certification and now teaches power vinyasa and yoga nidra. Join her on the mat and experience the journey to balance and serenity!
Aliyah Hurt - Yoga Instructor
Aliyah discovered yoga in 2021 while navigating her own healing journey after experiencing sexual trauma. Drawn to the practice for its grounding and restorative qualities, yoga quickly became a vital part of her path toward wholeness.
With a Master’s degree in Evidence-Based Intervention from the University of Oxford, Aliyah brings a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach to her teaching. Her classes blend Hatha and Vinyasa styles, with an emphasis on empowerment, presence, and radical kindness—creating a safe space for students to reconnect with their bodies and breath.