who will guide you?

HELLO!  I’m Tess Wolf and I feel blessed to be at Numa Yoga with you!

I was gratefully introduced to yoga in 2006 while teaching 7th grade “gifted” students, raising three beautiful busy daughters, and trying to stay authentic to myself despite the stress of a busy life.  Yoga was a Godsend then, and it has continued to guide me in staying healthy in body, mind, and spirit these last 18 years of practice!  

After retiring from my public-school teaching career, I knew I wanted to share my love of yoga with others.  In 2021, I became RYT-200 certified through “Breathe for Change,” San Franciso, CA where I also became certified as a Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator.   Over the past few years, I have been teaching community classes, private clients, at yoga events, and at some gym facilities in the area.   Just recently, I completed a 50-hour continuing education course from the “Institute of Yoga Sports Science.”  It has opened my eyes to new ways of sequencing a flow from the “bottom up” to maximize safe and healthy use of our muscles, tendons, and bones.

In my classes, I like to suggest a variety of options for yogis so that they can make asanas fit their bodies best.  To add to the joy of practice, I use a mix of older and more modern music, some with lyrics and some, perhaps, with just the sounds of nature.  I enjoy teaching all levels of students and a variety of class types: heated power flow, a slower restorative flow, and beginners.   As a teacher, my greatest joy in life has always been meeting & getting to know a beautiful assortment of people, from the squirrelly 7th grader to the 70-year old learning the benefits of yoga for the first time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you!

When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga, I enjoy outings with my husband, hiking with my crazy Golden Retriever, finding ways to spend time with my three precious adult daughters & friends, cooking, reading, or just enjoying the birds in my backyard. (All the while reminding myself to “Just breathe; it’s all good!”)

Yoga is one of the biggest gifts in my life and it's a great joy to be able to offer this gift to as many people as I can. 

I started yoga as a hobby and escape from the overwhelmed life of an immigrant PhD student and soon it became an integral part of my life, a guiding light, helping me find my way back to myself. My yoga practice initially began entirely at home, using accessible online sources. I cherished how it helped me cut through worldly distractions, deepening my connection to my inner world. As I progressed, I found my way into yoga studios, where I expanded my practice, pushed my perceived limits with supportive guidance, and discovered the transformative power of a loving yoga community.

After years of practicing yoga and exploring various other healing modalities, I found the courage to leave a misaligned career as a biotech research scientist and pursue my calling as a life coach and yoga instructor to gradually build a life that resonates more deeply with my soul. 

My passion lies in empowering others to also pursue their heart desires and passions and find their unique power and expression through connecting to deeper parts of themselves. To guide them find inner and outer harmony, both on and off the mat. 

My teaching style is rooted in Power Vinyasa from my 200hr YTT at Be Yoga Oakmont, but I also love to incorporate softer practices like restorative and yin yoga. I integrate music into my classes to synchronize movement with breath rhythm, enhancing the practice experience. Meditation is another integral component in my classes, strengthening the mind-body connection and fostering presence in the moment. Occasionally, I draw inspiration from astrology and lunar cycles to align my classes with the universe's natural flow, offering fresh perspectives on life. 

Central to all my sessions is the focus on the breath—the fuel for mind-body-spirit connection. 

Above all, my sessions are about your journey to connect, listen to, and nurture your body, with me as your supportive guide. I feel incredibly grateful to begin my teaching journey here at Numa, a community overflowing with love and support.

Off the mat, I find joy in spending time with family and friends, exploring nature with my husband and dog, traveling, dancing at music festivals, playing music, and exploring new ideas for personal growth.

 I started doing yoga in high school, practicing mostly at home with videos and DVDs, in 2003 I discovered a love for hot yoga at a local studio and also developed a deeper connection to the breathwork and meditation.  After years of personal practice, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2021.

My classes are a blend of somatic breathwork, meditation, and spiritual practice, often weaving in astrology and intuitive guidance. 

As a certified Yoga instructor, Reiki master practitioner, and certified life coach, I integrate holistic and spiritual wellness with my background in traditional psychology; I hold a B.A. in Psychology and have over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working mostly with addiction, criminal justice advocacy, and Existential/Humanistic counseling. 

Beyond the mat, I’m also passionate about tarot card reading, making artisan jewelry and spending time with my daughter, family and friends.