MEET OUR TEAM
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Co-Founder + Managing Partner
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of PureFire Yoga, Michael brings his experience as an entrepreneur and his passion for yoga to the studio's operations. A recovered attorney, Michael has spent his career starting, managing and turning around businesses in software, ecommerce, hospitality and investment industries.
Together with Marcus, Michael helped transform PureFire from a vision into the vibrant community it is today. Michael doesn't just work behind the scenes - you'll often find him on the mat alongside his wife Aleta Margolis, and occasionally with their two yoga teacher daughters, Isabel and Mira. Michael’s presence at PureFire embodies the studio's belief that yoga is a practice that brings people together.
Michael’s yoga practice began when he was in his 40s. He was experiencing pain in his back, neck, and feet, and discovered the power of yoga to strengthen his body and mind. He’s grateful for the way yoga makes him stronger physically and mentally, and makes him more patient, calm and centered.
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Co-Founder + Teacher
Local to the DMV, Marcus found his way to yoga through an unlikely path - as a Division I football player at Towson University. After years of practicing while training for the NFL, he discovered that the same intensity, focus, and team mindset that served him on the field translated perfectly to the yoga mat. That realization led him to start teaching in 2009, and ultimately to founding PureFire Yoga with Mike in 2018.
Drawing from his background as a team captain and years of teaching experience, Marcus creates an environment where every student can discover their strength. His classes blend the physicality of the Baptiste Journey Into Power sequence with the mindfulness he's cultivated through years of practice. When he's not teaching or managing PureFire, Marcus stays grounded through family time and his own training practice - living his belief that the yoga practice is for everyone who's open to it, they just need the right teacher.
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Lead Teacher
A former Division I softball player for Fordham University, Nicole brings her deep understanding of athletics and movement to every class she teaches at PureFire. Her journey through professional sports - working with the New York Yankees and Shape Magazine - evolved into a comprehensive approach to wellness as she became certified as a Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach, completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Powerflow Yoga, and earned her 300-hour certification with Claire Diab through the American Academy of Yoga.
Drawing from her experience developing Fusion-style classes and training teachers, Nicole creates unique sequences that blend yoga, conditioning, and mindfulness. Her classes speak especially to athletes looking to increase flexibility, build strength, and quiet the mind, though she welcomes students of all abilities. At the heart of her teaching is a simple philosophy: the best life is one of balance - hard work and rest, movement and stillness, strength and flexibility.
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Christina Hong
RETREAT DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR
Christina brings her Masters in Psychology to her teaching. Her classes are both mindfulness centered and technical, and you can hear ambient, world, and electronic music in her classes.
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David Allen
INSTRUCTOR
Professional bodywork and masseuse specialist David Allen brings technical alignment and athleticism to his Hot Pilates classes. You can often hear electronic, dance, and world music in his classes.
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Jenny Verdery
INSTRUCTOR
Jenny is a lifelong athlete who loves bringing an alignment focus to her music-driven classes. She loves playing top 40, rock and alternative music in her classes.
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Shivani Barto
INSTRUCTOR
Trained in Rishikesh, India, Shivani’s classes are athletic and mindfulness-centered. She loves to play ambient and electronic music in her classes.
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Morganne Goddard
INSTRUCTOR
Baptiste trained and certified, Morganne’s classes are both music-driven and technical. You can hear a mix of pop, rock, r&b, and world in her classes.
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Tracy Simmons
INSTRUCTOR
With more than a decade of experience, Tracy’s classes are both athletic and alignment-focused. You can hear world, top 40, and ambient music in her classes.
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Lauren Mills Leighton
INSTRUCTOR
Aerial yogi Lauren balances mindfulness and precision in her athletic classes. You can hear pop, r&b, ambient, and her own special sound effects in her playful, light-hearted classes.
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Rosalyn Velez
INSTRUCTOR
With a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and Health promotion, Rosalyn uses her expertise to create both an athletic and mindful practice. You can often hear world, r&b, and dance music in her classes.
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Lisa Ai
INSTRUCTOR
Specializing in hands-on assists, Lisa’s classes are athletic and technical focused. You can hear electronic, classical, jazz, and world music in her class.
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Chase Mulholland Green
INSTRUCTOR
Golf, basketball, and lacrosse player, Chase M. Green brings athleticism and dynamic movement to her classes. You can expect to flow to top 40, electronic, and dance music when practicing with her.
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Andrea Jarrell
INSTRUCTOR
Award-winning author and proud graduate of PureFire’s inaugural 200HR Yoga Teacher Training, Andrea is passionate about powerful, dynamic movement. Whether you're here to build strength, find your edge, or simply sweat it out, Andrea’s got you covered. She’ll meet you on the mat!
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Ted Spear
INSTRUCTOR
He jumped into our YTT program with the kind of courage that commands attention and now he’s graduated, ready to bring his vibrant energy and bold personality to the mat! Fresh from the University of Maryland, Ted sees yoga as a creative outlet, seamlessly blending his love for music into every class. (Fun fact: he’s also a DJ by night!)
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Heather Lucas
INSTRUCTOR
Over the past three decades, she’s had the joy of teaching nearly every age, from toddlers to adults, across a wide range of subjects. She’s co-directed theater groups for hearing-impaired children, coached running clubs for elementary school girls, raised four kids, and traveled the world. Now, she’s trainied in both Power Yoga and BURN and is channeling those experiences into sharing her love of strength, movement, and mindfulness with this amazing community.
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Melissa Timmons
INSTRUCTOR
She’s been practicing yoga for over two decades and is thrilled to share her love of the hot room with others. Her classes focus on strong technique and athleticism, creating a space where challenge meets intention.
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Jill Abulencia
INSTRUCTOR
This is Jill! She’s been practicing yoga for the past eight years and recently graduated from PureFire’s YTT. She’s excited to share her practice with this amazing community! Fun fact: her very first hot yoga class was with Marcus and she didn’t even realize it was hot yoga… but I’ve loved it ever since!
COMMUNITY VOICE
