Meet Our Team

Sophie Schnitzlein, Founder

E-RYT 500, E-RYT 200, RCYT

Sophie Schnitzlein, founder of the Adaptive Yoga Resource, is a leading pioneer in Adaptive Wellness. She holds a RYT-500 certification, along with RYT 200, and C-RYT credentials, demonstrating her commitment to both the art and science of yoga. 

Sophie's dedication to making a meaningful impact is reflected in her extensive teaching experience, where she has shared her expertise with diverse communities. She has dedicated over 5,000 hours to crafting customized wellness curricula, bringing the transformative power of yoga to hospitals, group homes, therapeutic boarding schools, therapy offices, and public schools. Her work has touched the lives of countless individuals, offering them a sense of autonomy, empowerment, and celebration through the vast practices of yoga.

One of Sophie's notable achievements is her research on Emotional Regulation through Adventure Activities in collaboration with therapeutic boarding schools. Her work in this field was recognized and showcased at the Carolinas Psychology Conference, marking her as a forward-thinker in the realm of holistic well-being.

Every day, Sophie's passion shines through her initiative, "The Adaptive Yoga Resource," where she continues to empower individuals by providing them with the tools from the expansive and adaptive practice of yoga. Sophie has been featured on ABC News Localish, Carolinas Psychology Conference, Jade Yoga, The Field of Dreams, Wolven, Parkbench News, and Yoloah.

Shanna Mckenna

M.Ed, YTT

Shanna holds a masters degree in special education from the university of Delaware and is so excited to share inclusive and adaptive yoga with you all. Through her undergraduate education, Shanna studied elementary education with a concentration in middle school english. Shanna is now a certified Community Inclusion Wellness Instructor for Special Needs as of January 2023. She has always had a passion for teaching, working with students, and wellness. AYR and the practice of inclusion and adaptive yoga is a way for Shanna to pursue all her different passions. Throughout life, Shanna has always believed it is everyone's greatest purpose to live their most healthy, happy, and meaningful life. AYR encourages all individuals to better their confidence and self-esteem, strengthen both physical and mental wellness, all through the beautiful practice of yoga. She is very eager to begin working with you all!

Daira Farrell

200 CYT, MBS Level 1 Adaptive Yoga Training

Daira discovered yoga in 2016 in a Fine Arts Classroom of the elementary school where she was a special education teacher at the time. It was the Art teacher who created an after school club as a wellness initiative for teachers and staff.  Her curiosity blossomed and she started attending group yoga classes. This was the start of her yogic journey that carried her through her mother’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent paralyzing illness. 

In 2020 as a result of the pandemic Daira resigned from her tenured position as a special education teacher to focus on raising her young family and to heal after the loss of her mother. During this time she enrolled in 200-hour yoga teacher training with My Vinyasa Practice with the intention to deepen her personal practice while gaining the necessary knowledge to share the many benefits of yoga with others. She became interested in adaptive yoga, which led her to Mathew Sanford, creator of Mind Body Solutions. Daira participated in Level 1 Adaptive Yoga Teacher Training with MBS in the fall of 2021. She is also trained in trauma informed yoga, is a current student at YOGA4 SENIORS and continues her studies in yoga for children and yoga for anxiety.

Daira’s playful nature encourages individuals to live more comfortably in their sole human experience through her commitment to celebrating her students’  unique abilities and talents. As a former special education teacher Daira possesses the knowledge and awareness of the wide range of considerations when offering yoga to every BODY. She hopes to cultivate a space that makes yoga accessible to all by embodying a practice of self acceptance and inclusivity. She is committed to listening and sees herself as a lifelong learner. 

 Daira is also a mother of 3, wife, former Elementary Special Education teacher for over a decade, Nature lover and a para-athlete volunteer in her free time. 

“Yoga plays no favorites” - Mathew Sanford

Ally Vincci

CYT 500

Ally was drawn to yoga when she realized it was about much more than just poses. She wanted to explore yogic philosophy and sciences to connect deeper with herself and the world around her. She’s a 500 Hour certified Yoga Instructor with certifications in Prenatal Yoga, Baby & Me, Postnatal Yoga, Kids Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Rope Wall & Slings, and Ayurveda.

She loves to share yoga with anyone who wants to learn and is passionate about making the practice adaptive and accessible to each individual. Allybelieves that true yoga isn't about being able to do some wild-crazy pose, it's about connecting with our breath, mind and bodies to live life in the present moment with joy and peace.

Ally is also a Doula and has a passion for supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.