Owner/Founder

SAMI’S CLASSES: All styles CLASS VIBE: Sober clubbing meets Ironman training

Sami has been teaching yoga since the young age of 16. She began practicing as part of healing an eating disorder and chronic illness, and the healing benefits of the practice were quickly revealed to her. She has thousands of hours of teaching experience under her belt, has certified over 75 yoga instructors with her trainings, and has taught in more than dozen countries worldwide. She is a mother of two, a wife, and a farmer and homesteader. Sami has a Master's and a Bachelor's degree, both in Alternative Holistic Medicine. She did not grow up dancing, but dance and group fitness found her in adulthood, and she is so glad that it did.

ROB’S CLASSES: Hot Hatha CLASS VIBE: Contemplative & challenging

Rob is a husband, dad and yoga fanatic. A native Philadelphian who recently moved to Brunswick, Rob fell in love with the 26&2 after being introduced to the series in Ithaca, New York way back in 2000. In 2020, Rob received his teaching certification from Blue Moon Yoga in Fresno, California under the tutelage of Abria Joseph and Britney Easton. Rob truly believes his purpose in this life is to share the therapeutic practices of yoga with as many people as possible. When he’s not in the studio sweating, you can usually find Rob cooking meals, gardening or hiking the Maine woods with his family.

KAT’S CLASSES: Hot Vinyasa CLASS VIBE: Welcoming and playful

Kat is an experienced yoga teacher (500 hr RYT) who has been teaching powerful vinyasa classes for a decade in New England and at events and retreats all over the world. Her classes are based on fun, creative flows while paying close attention to safe alignment and intentional sequencing. Kat loves to make yoga fun and approachable while building strength and resilience! Outside of yoga, Kat is an online business marketing coach for wellness entrepreneurs who lives in Portland with her fiancé, baby boy, and French Bulldog.

RACHEL’S CLASSES: Uprise & Step Up CLASS VIBE: Sweet and flows, confidence building

Rachel began dancing at the age of four. In 2023 she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training under the mentorship of Sami, owner and founder of  Uprise, obtaining her Buti certification in 2024. Rachel’s diverse range of dance styles include hip hop, contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, swing, and African. She was a member of a modern company and competed in national collegiate competitions. She is a lover of all things movement and delights in teaching hip hop. She is currently a student of Innate Traditions, a  postpartum care certificate program. It is her mission to be a support resource for those traveling the path of motherhood. Most proudly—- she is a mama, wife, sister, daughter, and friend.  She lives in Casco with her husband, her son and their doggie.

HEATHER’S CLASSES: Warm Yin CLASS VIBE: Healing and relaxing

Heather Zachau was introduced to yoga at an early age by her mother in the 1970s. She rediscovered yoga in 2010, which changed her life. She wants to take that knowledge she has learned personally to all of her students to ensure they understand the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. She completed her 200-hour yoga certification at Boston Yoga School in 2016. She has finished her 95-hour RCYT training from Childlight Yoga, 500-hour training with the Yin Yoga School, Restorative Training, Aerial Yoga Teacher training, and Level 1 Sound Practitioner training. Recently, she completed her Level 1 & 2 Reiki certification. Currently, she teaches yin and aerial yoga, breathing techniques and mindfulness for the sports teams in local area high schools and in the private and public sectors.

Heather continues to be an avid biker, hiker, skier, traveler and outdoor enthusiast too! She and her husband recently bought a farm in Pownal, so farming is the next big adventure to come!

AMANDA’S CLASSES: Uprise CLASS VIBE: Your legs are burning but you’re laughing

After nearly a decade of feeling disconnected from her body due to severe depression and anxiety, Amanda took her first Buti class with Uprise founder, Sami, and was instantly hooked. The beat driven, somatic practice ignited a blazing fire within her that inspired a deep connection to self and restored a sense of confidence that had been sorely missing. Soon after, she completed Guiding Light Yoga Teacher Training with Sami in 2023 and went on to complete the Buti Movement Teacher Training in 2024. Amanda owns Abura Skin Care in Portland and is an incredible skin care formulator and body worker. She is dog mom to honorary studio dog, Chloe.

OLIVIA’S CLASSES: Uplift CLASS VIBE: Nurturing and challenging

With a long-standing love for fitness, Olivia focused on running and weightlifting. However, it was through Uprise that she discovered relief from her chronic back pain, which had previously seemed untreatable. Olivia completed her Buti certification in 2024, began a mentorship with Sami, and began teaching Uprise and Uplift classes. In addition to her fitness journey, Olivia is an Architectural Designer and artist. Uprise came into her life during a period of creative stagnation, sparking a renewed artistic inspiration both on the mat and on canvas. Olivia lives in Bowdoin with her fiancé, and two cats.

ANNE’S CLASSES: Hot Vinyasa & Uplift CLASS VIBE: Playful and holistic

Anne began practicing yoga in 2017, being drawn to yoga’s healing potential after multiple abdominal surgeries left her with unexpected physical and mental trauma. Ultimately, Anne fell in love with the mental clarity, physical strength, and personal community yoga offers. In June 2024, she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training and soon after finished a Balance Body barre certification. She is passionate about music and excited to offer thoughtfully designed and accessible classes focusing on connecting breath and movement.

Off her mat, Anne has a degree in biology and chemical ecology. She is a mother of one and a co-owner of a mental fitness/executive coaching business with her husband. She loves growing and cooking food, dancing, hiking, fishing, and exploring the outdoors.

ANNIE’S CLASSES: Soma Flow CLASS VIBE: Sultry with a dose of nervous system regulation

With a background in behavioral psychology, Anne curates somatic healing spaces to explore the mind body connection. As a mother of two, she knows the power of movement to be a tool for mental wellness, empowerment, and nervous system regulation. Her passion for facilitating somatic experiences has been further amplified through her experience as a certified doula, childbirth educator and integrative trauma practitioner. Trained in Kundalini yoga (200 hr) and Buti yoga, Anne’s classes provide the experience of coming home to the body. Anne lives in New Gloucester with her husband, children and two dogs.

Owner/Founder

Ben has been a student of yoga, and specifically the Hatha/26 practice, for decades. He completed his teacher training with Sami in 2020. A lifelong athlete, he is passionate about how discipline and dedication can be fundamental in healing the body.