About Us

About Namaste Yoga

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More Than a Yoga Studio

Welcome to Namaste Yoga, a place where the heart of yoga's ancient traditions pulses with modern innovation, and every visit is more than just a practice -- it's an experience. Nestled in the desert paradise of North Scottsdale, Namaste Yoga is not just about striking poses under the warmth of infrared heat; it's about striking a balance in life.

Explore the Experience

Meet Our Yoga Teachers

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Ashley Aakre

Teacher + Founder

With a deep passion for yoga that spans a lifetime, she honed her craft in Bali, Indonesia, studying both Ashtanga and Vinyasa under the guidance of world-class instructors. Her dedication led her to further her training in the U.S., where she earned her Yin Yoga certification, and continues to study today, expanding her holistic approach to wellness.

A serial entrepreneur at heart, Ashley's drive to create meaningful, immersive experiences led her to open Namaste Yoga in North Scottsdale. With a commitment to elevating the practice and fostering a vibrant, community-centered space, she has crafted a studio where the ancient roots of yoga are balanced with modern technology, creating the world's first Cinematic Infrared Yoga studio. A place where every student feels inspired, empowered, and deeply connected. Off the mat, Ashley embraces a life full of adventure and connection. She enjoys traveling, cooking, horseback riding, and hiking, but most of all, cherishes time spent with her five children and two grandchildren at her North Scottsdale ranch—where the beauty of nature and the warmth of family create a truly irreplaceable sanctuary.

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Nicki Lemmon

Yoga Teacher

Nicki is an experienced yoga instructor with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a passion for understanding human movement. Originally from Minnesota, she has worked with a diverse range of students, from children and seniors to professional athletes. With her deep knowledge of biomechanics and anatomy, Nicki designs mindful, effective practices that are accessible to all skill levels, helping her students move with purpose and awareness. When she’s not on the mat, Nicki enjoys spending quality time with her two dogs and her son, savoring life’s simple joys.

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Jess Bright

Yoga Teacher

Jess is a certified yoga teacher and wellness enthusiast with over seven years of experience guiding others on their yoga journeys. She discovered the transformative power of yoga in 1999, and ever since, has been dedicated to sharing its profound benefits with students of all backgrounds. Jess believes that yoga is for everyone, and she is passionate about creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space where her students can explore their practice at their own pace. Beyond the mat, Jess embraces a life full of adventure, from exploring the great outdoors to cooking nourishing meals for friends and family. A lover of travel and mindful living, she finds joy in staying present, grounded, and connected to the world around her.

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Charles Petzold

Yoga Teacher

Charles discovered yoga several years after his time in the U.S. Coast Guard, seeking a sustainable and challenging physical activity. He quickly fell in love with the practice, finding its balance of effort and release a grounding anchor during challenging times, especially the transition to civilian life. A profound realization of yoga's vital role in his well-being during the pandemic led him to deepen his practice and pursue teaching.

Becoming a yoga teacher has unexpectedly connected Charles with others through meaningful conversations and shared moments of breath and movement. He approaches teaching with immense gratitude and reverence, constantly reminded of the transformative power of yoga and the beautiful connections it fosters within the community.

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Avery Dahl

Yoga Teacher

Avery grew up as a dancer and when her dance journey came to a close, she discovered a new path, one that invited her inward. Through yoga, Avery found not only movement, but also a connection to breath, presence, and spirituality. Now, her practice is part of her everyday life, grounding and guiding her on and off the mat. As a teacher, Avery shares this passion through dynamic Vinyasa flows, and energizing Mat Pilates classes. Her goal is to create spaces where others can feel strong, empowered, and deeply connected to themselves. When she’s not teaching, Avery is expressing her creativity as a DJ and music producer, or finding inspiration outdoors, whether that’s traveling to new places, exploring nature, or immersing herself in new cultures and experiences.

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Steven Yu

Yoga Teacher

Yoga found Steven during a pivotal time in his life as he navigated the physical and mental challenges of sports-related injuries. Initially drawn to the therapeutic benefits of asana and pranayama, he soon discovered that yoga was not just a tool for recovery but an essential part of his overall well-being. Through dedicated practice and patience, Steven uncovered the deeper layers of yoga, recognizing it as a necessity rather than a mere pursuit.

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Chris Altrichter

Yoga Teacher

Chris discovered yoga in his 20s and found it to be a transformative practice for uniting mind, body, and spirit. After moving from Atlanta, GA to Arizona in 2018, he began teaching vinyasa yoga and now leads classes across the Valley. Alongside teaching, Chris and his wife, Brandi, run Atman Healing Services out of their home in Cave Creek, a wellness space where ancient Amazonian medicines meet modern biohacking technologies. When he’s not teaching, Chris can be found with his three children, his dog, ball python, and bearded dragon. As a family, they immerse themselves in nature; paddle boarding rivers, hiking to waterfalls, and camping beneath the stars. Chris approaches life as a living ceremony. Whether guiding a men’s circle, offering ceremonial hand-poke tattoos, or moving through daily routines like pumping gas or grocery shopping, he embodies the belief that LIFE IS A CEREMONY!

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Yasi Alemzadeh

Yoga Teacher

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Melanie Nyland

Yoga Teacher

Melanie Nyland is a graduate of Chapman University's College of Performing Arts (COPA), holding a degree in Dance with a minor in Chemistry. With extensive experience in Pilates instruction since the age of 16, she completed her Pilates teacher certification in June 2018 and Barre and HIIT certs in November of 2024. Melanie possesses a strong background in human anatomy, injury prevention, somatic practices, and dance kinesiology. Transitioning from collegiate dance after four years, she now focuses on the benefits and applications of core mobility training. Having personally overcome injuries of her own, through mobility training, Pilates, and functional movement, Melanie has enhanced her athletic performance significantly and is excited to help her students do the same.

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Gabby Nielsen

Yoga Teacher

She has been teaching yoga since May 2022 and is trained across multiple formats, allowing her to create well-rounded and accessible classes for students of all levels. Originally from Michigan, she spent many years in California, living in both San Francisco and San Diego, before moving to Phoenix in October 2021. She is passionate about sharing the practice of yoga and enjoys engaging in thoughtful conversations about its philosophy and benefits. Beyond the studio, she values time spent reading, cooking creative meals with her cat close on her heels, and enjoys the open road in her Tacoma.

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Miguel Torres

Yoga Teacher

Born and raised in Arizona, Miguel's journey into teaching began with a Yoga Sculpt certification during a time when movement became more than just exercise, it became a way to reconnect, heal, and return to himself. Today, he primarily teaches heated mat Pilates and sculpt-style strength classes, blending intentional movement, strength, and music. Guided by the mantra movement is medicine, he holds space for people to show up exactly as they are, move with purpose, and leave class feeling stronger, clearer, and more connected than when they arrived.

Brands We Carry

Our Core Values

The Pillars of Our Practice

At Namaste Yoga, we're guided by core values that shape our unique approach to yoga and wellness. These values aren't just principles -- they're the essence of our every interaction, class and community event.

Hospitality

Hospitality

We believe in going beyond the expected, creating a welcoming and special atmosphere for every member. Our studio is your sanctuary, where each experience is crafted with care, attention to detail and a member-first ethos.

Community

Community

Yoga is a journey best shared. At Namaste Yoga, we cherish the connections made on and off the mat. We're dedicated to building a community of like-minded individuals who find joy, support and friendship in our shared spaces.

Balance

Balance

Life is full of dualities. At Namaste Yoga, we embrace this, finding harmony between tradition and innovation, personal reflection & communal joy. Our approach reflects this balance, offering a space for everyone, regardless of where they are in their yoga journey.

Immersion

Immersion

From the moment you step into Namaste Yoga, we invite you into a world of immersive experiences. Our classes, designed with both ancient wisdom and modern technology, are crafted to transport, center and refresh you, providing an escape from the everyday into the extraordinary.

Mission

Our Mission

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    Elevating Your Yoga Experience

    At Namaste Yoga, we are dedicated to providing a space for yoga enthusiasts of all levels to immerse themselves in truly meaningful personal and community-building experiences. Our unique fusion of ancient yoga traditions with innovative practices offers a harmonious balance that caters to the body, mind and spirit.

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    Our Promise to You

    Namaste Yoga is more than a place to practice yoga -- it's a community where you are seen, supported and inspired. Our commitment to excellence, from our state-of-the-art facilities to our compassionate and skilled instructors, ensures that every class is an opportunity for growth, connection and transformation.

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    Your Journey Begins Here

    We invite you to explore the transformative power of cinematic infrared hot yoga and to discover the difference a committed, caring community can make. Welcome to Namaste Yoga – where every day provides opportunities to leave your worries at the door and move toward balance, wellness and a deeper connection with yourself and those around you.