About Us

Our Story

Welcome to Root to Rise Yoga. I began my Yoga Journey back in 2010. I attended my first yoga class and never looked back. I decided to take my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2014. I finished my training in 2015, and became a Registered Yoga Teacher. I also took a leap of faith and purchased a Yoga Studio in Amherst in 2015. I successfully ran the studio for 6 years. With the effects of the pandemic in 2020, I decided to let go of the yoga studio, and shifted gears. After some rest and reflection, I decided to take a fresh approach to the business of Yoga, and open Root to Rise Yoga. Based on a need that I see in our community, I have made it my mission to make Yoga accessible and inclusive for all, helping people find a sense of peace, healing, and wellbeing. I believe learning is a life time commitment, and I continue to study Yoga actively. I believe teaching Yoga is my calling, and I am excited to share my practice with you all.

Julie Ripley-Gould E-RYT YACEP

Our Teachers

Julie Ripley-Gould E-RYT, YACEP Owner/Operator

Julie began her Yoga Journey in 2010, when she took her first Yoga Class. From there, she practiced regularly until 2015, when she completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. Since then, Julie has taken training in Healing Sound, Yoga Nidra, Prenatal Yoga, Alignment and Anatomy, Yin and Restorative Yoga, as well as Trauma Informed Yoga. Julie enjoys teaching her friends at the Bridge Adult Service Centre: both mat and Chair Yoga. She believes that Yoga is for everybody, and strives to make Yoga accessible to all.

Sherry Smith RYT

Sherry Smith- E-RYT, 200 hrs YTT certified in the Ashtanga and Interdisciplinary yoga; 100 hrs Restorative and Yin yoga; Prenatal yoga, Somatic movement, Yoga Nidra, Art and Yoga with Hari Kirin; Reiki Master and certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner. Sherry has been teaching yoga for over 20 years and has shared her passion for the practice by teaching from her heart. She has a love for offering healing yoga which is a practice of slow and mindful movement for a deeper inner connection and awareness. Sherry is a believer of living life at your fullest potential, to practice yoga everyday on and off the mat, and to continue to learn always. Bring yoga onto your mat and then allow it to unfold into your life.

Jennifer Poulos RYT

Jennifer began her yoga journey over 20 years ago. Fortunate to have had many wonderful, knowledgeable and wise instructors along the way, she was inspired to become a yoga teacher herself. In May 2025, she completed a 200 hour Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga Teacher training program with, ‘Live Your Yoga Flow’. Jennifer believes we have such a vibrant yoga community in Amherst! The benefits of the mind-body-spirit connection are endless and to share a practice with others is always a gift she’s grateful for. ❤️🪷

Stephanie Allen RYT, BSc, RMT, LAc

Renee Pilgrim R.Ac R.TCMP

Renee is offering treatments from our location at 26 Industrial Park Drive Amherst www.reneepilgrim.com

Renee’s Yin Yoga classes explore the Acupuncture Meridians and Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In clinic, Renee practices a holistic system of medicine using all modalities; diet therapy, gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, herbs and exercise. She also has an ability to cover a range of heath care needs; hormone & emotional regulation, headaches, insomnia, shoulder, hip & low back pain, digestive disorders and more.

Since 2009 Renee has practiced Acupunture in Toronto; studied,
Newfoundland; homeland & now Amherst; new LOVE!