Our Front Desk Crew
Our front desk crew is fantastic!
They provide a welcoming experience through a warm check-in process and support each yogi’s questions about membership, access, and studio flow.
Tara Moon
Favorite Yoga Posture: Vrkasana (Tree Pose)
Off the Mat: She teaches fifth-grade and experiments with gluten-free cooking!
What's Up: She was in a band and an a capella group in college! Hit her up for all things Taylor Swift or musical theatre.
Trip to Yoga: Tara began practicing yoga in high school, and since rediscovered it many times! She loves finding peace and community through breath and movement, and is so grateful to have found such a lovely place to deepen her practice in DC.
Hayley Moniz
Favorite Yoga Posture: Natarajasana (Dancer)
Off the Mat: She loves to crochet!
What's Up: She adores her two pups, Molly and Jax, and will absolutely show you pictures of them.
Trip to Yoga: As a former gymnast-turned-dancer and retired college softball player, Hayley turned to yoga after college as a space to find community and enjoy her workouts again.
Natalia Cote Muñoz
Favorite Yoga Posture: Any spinal twist
Off the Mat: She spends time with her two wooly shibas, and will shamelessly plug their insta whenever she can (it’s @bearfoxbros, btw).
What’s Up: She grew up in Mexico City and is in constant search for good tacos in the DMV.
Trip to Yoga: Natalia is newer in her yoga journey, and has done it on and off for years. She was most disciplined the first year of the pandemic where she managed to do daily morning and night yoga for over a year. Yoga provides her a nice space to decompress and live in the present. She’s excited to get back into it and connect with the community.
Morgan Cromer-Ruiz
Favorite Yoga Posture: Paryottanasana (Pyramid Pose)
Off the Mat: Backpacking, trying new recipes (send recommendations!), and walking her retired sled dog, Hippo!
What’s Up: Morgan is often hosting a dinner party and looking for a good excuse to visit the beach.
Trip to Yoga: Although she has practiced on and off over the years, Morgan considers herself a beginner. To her, yoga is a great way to prioritize her mental and physical health and she looks forward to continuing her journey with yoga at Up Dog.
Shahnaz Ghahremani
Favorite Yoga Posture: Bhujangasana (Cobra)
Off the Mat: She enjoys anything outdoorsy, active, and creative. She's usually off hiking, biking, playing volleyball, cooking, or buying another plant to add to her collection.
What's Up: She loves traveling around the world and getting to know new cultures and new ethnic foods.
Trip to Yoga: Shahnaz has been practicing yoga on and off for about 8 years. She loves to get her sweat on, clear her mind through movement, and connect with other fellow yogis!
Hannah Olsen (she/her)
Favorite Yoga Posture: Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
Off the Mat: She loves to explore new parks and farmers markets!
What’s Up: She has visited 27 museums in DC and is always on the hunt for a new exhibit to check out.
Trip to Yoga: Hannah has practiced yoga on and off for years, taking classes on the beach in Florida, in Guatemala, on the Mall and now in Shaw. She is looking forward to forming a deeper connection to her yoga practice through Up Dog Yoga Community and getting to know more of her neighbors.
Ashley Train
Favorite Yoga Posture: Eka Pada Galavasana (Extended Crow)
Off the Mat: She enthusiastically tries out different activities, from weaving to Muay Thai. Tell her your go-to hobby!
What’s Up: She loves testing recipes and cooking - if there’s a kitchen, that’s where she’ll be.
Trip to Yoga: Ashley joined the yoga community to connect with not only herself but also with the global population. After moving to Nottingham, England to pursue her Master’s Degree, Ashley quickly began searching for balance and serenity to offset the vigor associated with researching human rights violations within the global fashion industry. She joined a meditation center first, and her asana practice slowly developed as a way to unwind from the day. Over the years Ashley spent time traveling and visiting different studios and ashrams throughout South East Asia, finding beauty and inspiration within the variations of styles. To Ashley, yoga is a lifestyle, an ongoing practice of the eight limbs, a commitment to love yourself and your macro environment. It is a journey of patience, listening, and following that little voice within that says “let’s try.”
Danielle Iuliani (she/her)
Favorite Yoga Posture: Bhujangasana (Cobra)
Off the Mat: She loves reading, taking long walks through the city, and trying new recipes (feel free to send any gluten free options her way!).
What’s Up: She recently moved from NYC and is in search of the best pizza in the DMV!
Trip to Yoga: Danielle found her way to yoga after being sent home from college during the pandemic (we all started doing YouTube workout videos in 2020, right?) The consistency of yoga practice provided her with a comforting routine, a place where she could find peace amongst the chaos of “unprecedented times.” Even as her surroundings continued to change with four major moves in four years, practicing yoga continued to serve as a gentile reminder to stay grounded and centered.
Lauren Hofstra
Favorite Yoga Posture: Dekasana (Airplane Pose)
Off the Mat: Lauren enjoys all things outside and staying active! She loves to hike, mountain bike, camp, and enjoys sharing outside spaces with friends!
What’s Up: Catch her trying to find the best margarita and chips and guac combo in DC!
Trip to Yoga: Like many, Lauren discovered Yoga as a Covid-hobby and has been slowly improving her practice ever since. Practicing yoga from the deserts of Utah to the mountains of Montana and now in the cityscape of DC, she’s grateful for the grounding effect yoga brings into her life, helping her find peace and balance in life.
Want to join the front desk crew?
Front desk yogis may volunteer to support the studio 3 consecutive hours per week in exchange for unlimited classes, discounts on workshops and special events, discounts on merchandise, and participation in events.
Duties include checking yogis into class, signing new yogis into Up Dog, light studio cleaning (sweeping, vacuuming, counter wiping, mirror cleaning, etc.).
We ask that yogis maintain a 6-month commitment.