Our Story

Llamaste was founded in 2014 in Brooklyn, New York by owner and founder, Bill Ades. Inspired by an afternoon with his children sketching out cartoons and fun characters, he came up with Llamaste. The brand was originally designed from a youthful perspective and to this day incorporates that same theme by creating classes and apparel for all ages. Our family yoga center is located centrally in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn at 525 Court Street. Here we strive to generate an atmosphere of fun, while creating an awareness for health and well-being. Llamaste's goal is to bring families together, spread conscious lifestyles, and create community!

Our Products

Our apparel and yoga gear are created from the very foundation of our brand-for family! We aim to provide safe, efficient, fun, and inclusive products for all ages. Almost all of our products are locally sourced from our home, right here in New York City! Our vision is to provide families with a brand that connects them straight to their practice and lifestyle. Our collections feature designs and gear for ages 2 - 100! Yoga is for everyone and Llamaste is here to make your practice as accessible and fun as possible!

Our Team

Leadership Team

Bill Ades, CEO, Teacher (E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, RCYT®, YACEP®, CIHC (Certified International Health Coach))

Bill Ades, the founder of Llamaste, is a 500 Hour RYT, having received his teacher’s certification through The Kaivalya Yoga Method Teachers Training Program and the American Yoga Academy.

After opening up his studio, as both a father and an integrative health coach, Bill saw there was a need to bring yoga into the lives of adults, but children as well. In 2019, he received his 30 hour certification in kid's yoga from Karma Kids Yoga located in New York City, and in 2022 completed his 90 hours of training through Kidding Around Yoga, followed by his RCYT certification.

Bill teaches yoga to adults and children of all ages and in addition to that is an accomplished artist who has exhibited his work throughout New York City with a degree from New York University as well as a certified international health coach (CIHC) through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where he uses his innovative skills and creative approach to help people through all walks of life discover their callings and realize their goals.

As a dedicated entrepreneur, he realized there was a need for other yoga teachers and enthusiasts to be able to transport their mats and other gear with comfort and so, he created a product line designed for specifically for that purpose along with the mission to donate portion of his company's proceeds to charities that benefit children and their well-being.

He currently lives in Brooklyn and offers yoga sessions out of Llamaste Family Yoga Center, in which he gears his focus toward families and children alike!

"Bill helped me overcome smoking and live a happier lifestyle, showing me that the key was inside me all along."

-Thumbtack, Jack M. of Brooklyn

Take a FREE online class with Bill HERE on our Youtube Channel.

Anna Lee, Studio Director, Teacher (E-RYT® 200, RPYT®, YACEP®)

Anna is our studio director and teaches a wide array of classes, which offer creative and comfortable movements, a way to embrace yourself and facilitate learning the unity of mind and body. Her approaches enable to live peaceful and balanced lives.

Anna's yoga practice focuses on women’s health and brain longevity. She received her certification from Yogi Hari’s Ashram-Sampoorna Yoga in Florida, Prenatal Yoga certification at Arhanta Yoga Ashrams, and studied Brain Longevity at Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF).

Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, she worked in marketing and public relations with multinational companies throughout Asia, America and Europe. She has also worked at tech startup companies in Silicon Valley.Outside of the studio, she works as a professional interpreter (Korean/English) in healthcare, education and advertising.

Our Teaching Staff

Emma Schechter, *Teacher (RYT**® 200*),

Emma is a RYT 200 and a New York State certified middle school teacher. She completed her 200 hour training at Abhaya Yoga in downtown Brooklyn. Emma began her yoga journey while in college as a way to deal with anxiety, but quickly found a lifetime love. Consistent yoga helped her to find balance and develop a love and respect for her own body.

In both her work as a yoga instructor and a special education teacher, Emma has found a deep passion in creating spaces and classes that are accessible to all. She enjoys teaching classes that challenge the body and mind in a safe and supportive environment.

Taylre Duarte, *Teacher (RYT**® 200*),

Taylre grew up in Canada before moving to France, New York City, the Catskills, and now back to Brooklyn, where she lives now. Through it all, yoga has been the common thread that has allowed her to find movement and grounding. She first started practicing in 2006, but it wasn’t until COVID hit and she got a break from weekly travel in her corporate job that she was able to get certified to teach, which has been a lifelong dream. Although she loves the physical elements of yoga, Taylre’s practice remains grounded in exploring the spiritual and emotional transformation and healing that comes from yoga. Taylre did her RYT 200 training through Yoga Vida in NYC and is looking forward to continuing in deepening her practice. Outside the studio, Taylre works full time in technology sales and loves traveling, trying new foods, hiking, and spending time with her husband, son, and puppy.

Netty Davit'ashvili, *Teacher (RYT**® 200*),

Netty was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and forged in Brooklyn. She is a designer who teaches yoga, with years of experience in personal asana and pranayama practice. Netty’s endless curiosity and a constant enthusiasm for exploration have always informed the creative process of design for her. As a teacher she has a gentle approach when it comes to yoga that teaches discipline through the lens of listening to the needs and wants of one's body. Through her practice, she has learned that the best results happen in life, when there is a good balance between effort and ease.

“Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is.”

Imbibing Richard Freeman’s quote into my ethos, I have made listening the key to my personal brand as a teacher.

I have a daily Hatha yoga practice and strongly believe that the best results happen in life and work, when there is a good balance between effort and grace.

Anita Kalaj, *Teacher (RYT**® 200*)

Anita grew up in Albania and moved to New York City in 2008 to attend NYU. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in cognitive neuroscience. Her very first yoga practice was at Prana Power Yoga where she also completed a 200-hour teacher training certification.

She has been teaching yoga since 2014 at various studios and private spaces. Fine-tuning the intuition to understand one’s own body and its connection to the mind was the best gift yoga gave her. She shares this insight and the joy of the practice with fellow yogis daily.

Dena Levitz, *Teacher (RYT**® 200), RCYT®*

Dena Levitz Always an athlete, Dena grew up competing in gymnastics, track and cheerleading. Yoga started as a workout that was much kinder on her body. But when she endured personal hardship -- losing her mom to cancer -- she started to see yoga as a much deeper, holistic practice that became a critical tool for healing. When she decided to make the leap to teaching yoga and mindfulness, Dena received her 200 hours certification through Tavoos Garden, in Siem Reap, Cambodia (which is very fitting as travel is a major passion). She later earned a specialized certification to teach yoga and mindfulness to kids via Little Flower Yoga, a leader in the field, and a certification to teach trauma-informed yoga through the nonprofit Exhale to Inhale.

Now her hope is to help students use yoga as a tool for empowerment and resilience and to make the practice available and approachable to all. Her classes are dynamic, yet playful, rooted in classic hatha while incorporating things that light her up, like Rocky quotes. Students love the energy and enthusiasm she brings to each session as well as her constant care for their well-being and enjoyment.

Dena regularly teaches with Sputnik Yoga (a pop-up yoga company that holds classes in unexpected locales like Grand Central Station and the immersive Van Gogh exhibit); Brooklyn-based studios YogaSole and Dou Yoga; and in schools around New York City. She also loves to teach yoga 1:1 for private clients or in corporate settings and once lived on a sustainable farm in a remote Costa Rican rainforest teaching yoga twice-daily to workers and guests from all over the world.

Qiana Roberts, Teacher (RYT® 200 Hatha Yoga), (RYT® 200 Kemetic Yoga)

Hello friends, my name is Qiana Roberts. I am a registered yoga teacher currently residing in Brooklyn,NY. I’ve been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and in 2019 I decided to begin the journey into leading instruction. After receiving my first 200hr RYT certification in Hatha Yoga, a traditional Indian style of yoga, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of diversity, culturally and economically, in the yoga spaces I was entering. This sent me on a journey,
searching to find my space and purpose within the yoga community. In this search I discovered Kemetic Yoga, an African centered yogic practice that provided not only the physical elements of my previous practice, but also immediately anchored me in a deeper ancestral and spiritual connection to the philosophy. I’ve been studying this ancient Egyptian practice since late 2020 and was blessed to receive my 200 RYT Kemetic Yoga certification
in July 2021.

I now use my practice as a way to show love to my community. I work with groups and businesses to offer workshops and sessions that bring healing. I also work with clients one-on-one to help them become stronger, more flexible, and connected to their bodies. Additionally, I offer free yoga to people who can't afford it, because I want to project the message that yoga is for everyone.

Yoga is a practice, never ending and constantly evolving. It goes beyond the asanas and spills into your everyday life, deepening your connection to Self and subsequently the world around you. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and unique insight with you all as we build a sacred community of love, healing, and connection.

Halley Gerstel, Teacher (RYT® 200, Children's and Family Yoga)

Halley Gerstel was born and raised in Brooklyn. She began her yoga journey in 2001 immediately after the attacks at the World Trade Center. Dealing with her own depression, fear and anxiety during this time, she dove head-first into working and practicing at the Park Slope Yoga Center. She fell in love with both the amazing teachers she had and the bright yoga light that began to shine in her life. Her passion as both a teacher and student is to help others discover and see the light that shines in all of us.

Halley (also known as Halogyn in the NYC dance scene, a name given to her by the graffiti artist Meres One) received her 200 hour yoga teacher training as a scholarship student at Yoga Works NYC and her 30 hour children’s yoga training from Karma Kids Yoga. She is also a certified Simonson Technique Dance Teacher. Currently Halley teaches movement and dance to students in a NYC DOE Pre-K for All program. She is grateful to have been an Arnhold Scholar receiving her Masters in Dance Education from Hunter College and a BFA in Dance and Education from Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Halley has formally performed and danced for Larry Keigwin Co., Doug Elkins and Dancers, Jody Sperling Time Lapse as well as with her mentor and teacher b-girl Rokafella and the Full Circle Crew. Halley is very excited to work with the youth and families at the Llamaste community!

Jennifer Roberts, Teacher (RYT® 200, Children's and Family Yoga)

Jennifer is a Harlem based yoga instructor, actor and educator. Since moving to the city in 2019, she’s had the opportunity to teach students of all different ages and experience levels. She earned her 200 hr teacher training through Uplifted Yoga in 2020. In 2021, she graduated from The New School with her BA in theater and dance.

As an instructor, she aims to cultivate a sense of shared belonging amongst her students. She wants her students to feel at home in both their body and mind. She focuses on building connection and community in each and every class. Jennifer is excited to join the Llamaste team!

Our Video Library

In addition to providing in person classes of all levels, Llamaste features an extensive video library which includes various styles of yoga, meditation and exciting yoga tips. Visit our channel and practice along with your favorite teachers both from our studio and abroad. Practice with us online HERE.

Opal Rose, Teacher (RYT® 200, Children's and Family Yoga)

Opal Rose is a NYC based yoga instructor and music performance artist with over 7 years of teaching experience.

She believes in the connection between the flow of music and yoga movement, which heavily influences her personal and teaching practice. She can’t wait to explore yoga movement with Llamaste yogis!

Her intention is to you guide you by honoring your body's boundaries, navigating your emotions through deep breathing, & showing up as the best version of yourself no matter what level practitioner you are.

Opal received her second 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification by YogaWorks in June 2019. Her teaching is also influenced by a 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training by Aura Wellness Center and a 20 Hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training by Yokid Organization.

Take a FREE online yoga class with Opal HERE on our Youtube channel.

Jenna Roth, Teacher (RYT® 200)

Jenna is a 200 Hour RYT. She recently spent two months in Bali to advance her yoga practice and teaching method, diving deep within in order to provide the best for her students. Jenna's mission as a teacher is to serve as a guide, inspiration, and resource. She motivate students to discover their full potentials by encouraging exploration of their personal journeys throughout communal or individual practice. She aims to create a safe environment which fosters students to find freedom, opportunity, choice, connection, and balance in each suggested movement. Jenna is dedicated to delivering well-planned, creative, and challenging, yet nurturing, sequences. She lives and teaches yoga as a life path and holistic journey; one which guides students to live a peaceful, happy, and fulfilled life. Jenna aspires to help her students evolve and grow on and off the mat by providing meditation for the mind, movement for the body, and love for the heart.

Take a FREE online yoga class with Jenna HERE on our Youtube channel.

Gabriela Guevara, Teacher *(RYT**® 200*),

Gabriela Guevara found her passion for Yoga seven years ago while attending an intensive dance training program at Broadway Dance Center. Her intentions were to work on her flexibility and relaxing her muscles from hours of strenuous practices, but what she gained was so much more. Yoga had become a catalyst for expanding her spiritual practice, an outlet to release any emotional tensions or stresses of daily life. As her practice in Yoga deepened so did her spiritual journey in life. It helped to give her a deeper understanding of who she is and which path was meant for her in this lifetime. As a teacher, Gabriela hopes to continue to deepen her practice by leading others in theirs, not only by connecting the mind to the body but by connecting the body to the soul.

Take a FREE online yoga class HERE with Gabriela on our Youtube channel.

Grayson Mills, *Teacher (**RYT® 200*)

I moved to New York to pursue a career in Musical Theater, and that is still a huge part of me. But for my first few years, I got very caught up in the hustle and bustle of New York itself and the auditioning life. I spent a lot of my time worrying about making rent and what I looked like, what people thought of me, getting a gig etc. Last year, my partner of 4 years was diagnosed with cancer and everything changed. I became so aware of how unhappy I was day to day and how life is too short to be living that way. I thought about what I really loved in my life and one of the biggest things in my mind was my regular yoga practice. While he was going through the treatments, I would go to yoga every morning before accompanying him, and I realized that how grateful I was for my practice and how I wanted to help other people on their yoga journey.

I went to Bali for an intensive completion of my 200 hr certification and returned to CT for his recovery and was able to begin teaching in the very place that inspired me to teach. Once my partner was better we returned to NYC where I got a job at Tangerine Yoga and received my children’s certification at Kidding Around Yoga. I teach an Ashtanga based Vinyasa flow focused on using each and every breath to deepen into the alignment of the pose. I have an interest in creative sequencing while still maintaining a steady and accessible flow with enough challenges to keep any level of personal practice engaged and focused.

For Children’s Yoga Classes I use a series of tools like songs, games, and partner activities that incorporate yoga poses and yoga philosophy while having a lot of FUN. Every class also has 5 minutes of meditation and a lesson on why and how we meditate, and 5 minutes of deep relaxation or savasana at the end of class. My goal is that they have a positive experience with yoga and eventually learn how to calm their minds and bodies on their own with the skills they develop in the classroom.

Take a FREE online yoga class with Grayson HERE on our Youtube channel.

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