Who is this for?
The call to teach is just the beginning. You completed your 200-hour training — and maybe you thought you’d feel ready to teach right away. But stepping in front of a room with confidence, clarity, and presence? That’s its own journey. And you don’t have to walk it alone.
At Detroit Yoga Lab, we believe the transition from trainee to teacher is sacred. It’s not about perfection — it’s about integration. Elevate + Embody is where knowledge becomes lived experience, and where you grow into the teacher only you can be.
This mentorship is an 8-week commitment designed for RYT-200 teachers who are ready to refine and elevate their teaching skills while building confidence and authenticity in their yoga teaching. Through personalized mentorship, you’ll learn to cue with clarity, sequence creative flows, lead grounding breathwork and meditation, and cultivate your own unique voice as a teacher. You’ll also connect deeply with a supportive, like-minded community, empowering you to move from theory to practice with confidence.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your teaching skills or discover your authentic style, this program is your next step in becoming the impactful yoga teacher you’re meant to be.
Why Choose Mentorship at DYL?
Our mentorship isn’t a checklist or a cookie-cutter syllabus.
It’s a personalized, real-world support system.
It’s weekly feedback, honest reflection, and steady guidance from teachers who care deeply.
It’s a place where your voice is nurtured — not rushed.
And it’s where your growth is rooted in community, not competition.
You’ll walk away with more than better cuing or stronger sequencing.
You’ll leave knowing who you are — and how to teach from that place with power and grace.
How it works + Whats Included:
Over eight weeks, you’ll move through a supportive, structured process that bridges the gap between theory and embodied teaching.
- Weekly in-studio mentorship meetings alongside lead teachers Kelsey Zinzi and Dana Johnson.
- Class observations and reflections
- Practice teaching with real-time feedback
- Supportive cohort learning with your fellow mentees
- Self-guided homework to deepen your skills
- Access to lead teachers throughout the program
What You’ll Practice & Refine:
- Sequencing with clarity and purpose
- Pranayama and meditation for the modern class
- Theming and messaging that speaks to the heart
- Authentic voice and confident presence
- Music and playlist design that enhances energy and rhythm
- Cueing breath-to-movement intelligently and intentionally
- Goal setting, ethics, and the business of teaching yoga
About Your Mentors:
Kelsey Zinzi is an ERYT-200 (currently enrolled in 300-hour training, yay!) and mentor with a grounding, empowering, and genuine approach. She helps new teachers refine their sequencing, sharpen their cueing, and discover their voice in a way that feels both supported and authentic. With Kelsey, mentees are encouraged to teach from who they are-not who they think they’re supposed to be.
Dana Johnson (ERYT-200) brings a steady, supportive presence to her mentorship, guiding new teachers to build confidence, embrace curiosity, and teach with authenticity. Drawing from years of practice and her training in Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin, Dana creates space for exploration–helping mentees feel both grounded in their knowledge and inspired to grow.
Testimonials:
The mentorship was genuinely supportive. It held space for my growth, offered clarity when I felt uncertain, and reminded me of the deeper ‘why’ behind my practice and desire to be a yoga instructor. If you’re looking for guidance and real, intentional support as you grow in your yoga teacher journey, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring the Elevate + Embody.
-Ryan
Working with Alexa and Kelsey in their yoga mentorship program was one of the most meaningful experiences of my entire yoga journey. Their guidance created a space where I felt truly seen, supported, and encouraged to grow – not just as a yoga teacher, but as a whole person.
The level of personalized and honest but loving feedback they offered was invaluable. They helped me refine my teaching skills with intention and from education: from cueing with clarity and confidence to sequencing with intention. They always made space for my questions, curiosities, and moments of self-doubt. I felt safe to explore, take creative risks, and show up as my authentic self.
Alexa and Kelsey also helped me deepen my relationship to yoga beyond the physical practice. Through our conversations, weekly journal prompts, and self-reflection guides, I began to integrate more of the philosophical and energetic aspects of yoga into my classes, which has brought so much more depth and meaning to how I show up as a teacher.
More than anything, this mentorship gave me the confidence to find and trust my voice. With their unwavering support and wisdom, I’ve stepped into my teaching with a greater sense of purpose, presence, and confidence. I’m so grateful for this experience and for the chance to learn from two teachers who truly embody the heart of this practice.
-Marissa
Joining this yoga mentor program was one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made in my teaching journey. Before starting, I struggled with confidence and often second-guessed myself when creating sequences or cueing students effectively. Through the guidance and support of my mentors (and mentee peers), I not only built a strong foundation in intelligent sequencing, but I also found my voice as a teacher.
-Karleen