our guides
Ellen Eilers
owner, founder
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
My first introduction to yoga was at a community college in Cleveland in 2005. From there, I spent some time dabbling until I fell in love in 2013.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Yoga changed my life, and I wanted to share that experience with others. My passion has always been creating a welcoming space where people can feel seen, supported, and empowered—whether they’re coming to move, heal, grow, or simply breathe. That’s ultimately what inspired me to open Zen Yoga Studio.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Genuine. Compassionate. Eccentric.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
I love spending time outdoors, exploring nature with my dogs, supporting other local businesses, and finding ways to build community here in Clintonville.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I opened Zen Yoga Studio in 2019—and somehow survived opening a yoga studio right before a global pandemic! Oh, and Zen is just one of my 4 dogs…
Zen Eilers
canine co-owner
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
One day I wandered into the studio, claimed a mat, and realized I had found my true calling: welcoming humans, supervising savasana, and demonstrating flawless downward dog.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I may not teach poses, but I teach presence. My specialties include staying calm, breathing deeply, and reminding everyone to enjoy the little things — like sunbeams, slow moments, and treats.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Loyal. Chill. Welcoming.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Spending time with my human.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I’m older than the studio! I was born in Feburary 2012 and Zen Yoga was born in July 2019!!
Suzanne Brown
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I found yoga after an overuse injury left me unable to move how I wanted to. Yoga became my outlet for movement and got me to slow down a bit.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I did yoga teacher training because wanted to deepen my own practice and really did not intend to teach. Once I started teaching in YTT though, I loved it and never stopped.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
I asked: “inclusive”, “creative”, “dependable”.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Outside the studio, I really enjoy sewing and walking my dog.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I did gymnastics growing up which definitely gives me a leg up on my arm balances.
Meredith Cecil
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I first discovered yoga around 18 years old. I would watch YouTube videos and practice in my room. From there I started trying different studios around the city. Yoga has always been a place to find harmony within my mind and body.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Yoga has had such a profound impact on my physical and mental health. After about 3 years of consistent practice, I knew I wanted to be able to offer this kind of healing to my community.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Headstrong, silly, and grounded
What’s something you love outside the studio?
My cats and camping
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
My front tooth is fake lol
Joanie Delph
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I first found Yoga at 17 years old taking a Kundalini class with a high school friend.
I really gave into Yoga though when some friends from work were all going to a new beginners course for Ashtanga and I was invited. Within three sessions I felt the changes in my spirit, and I have never looked back.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
A couple of my well seasoned teachers kept pushing me to become a teacher because of the way I loved the Ashtanga practice. I finally gave in! It feels good to share what I love.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Willful, compassionate, willing.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
I love growing food in my backyard. Love good friends. Love walking in the woods.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I sell food off my back porch once a week to a group of friends who roped me into it.🤪
Beth Dornbusch
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I found yoga while searching for a way to feel more strong and grounded, and it quickly became more than just movement—it became a way to reconnect, reset, and find balance.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was inspired to teach so I could share that experience and create a space where students feel supported, capable, and at ease in their bodies. My classes are approachable, warm, and grounded, with an emphasis on moving in a way that feels right for you.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
My friends would describe me as calm, warm and genuine.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Outside of the studio, I enjoy running, camping, and hiking—anything that keeps me active and connected to the outdoors.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
Fun fact: I used to live in Amarillo, TX near the Cadillac Ranch.
Zoe Karstadt
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I found yoga because I was looking for a new movement practice.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I wanted to deepen my understanding of practice.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
My friends would describe me as goofy, caring, and creative.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Outside the studio I love embroidering thrifted clothes.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
Most people wouldn’t guess that I have three cats.
Andy King
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I stumbled into it as an elective while at OSU. Thought the practice was really provocative and stuck with it!
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was encouraged to try by those around me who saw something I didn’t at the time.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
You’d have to ask them!
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Anything involving getting my hands in the dirt.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I have two published novels under a secret name.
Sally Walsh Roberts
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
Yoga found me at a time when I was looking for a deeper connection to myself. What started as movement became a lifelong practice of coming back to my breath, my body, and the present moment.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I wanted to share what I had experienced through yoga and create a space where people could explore themselves without judgment. I love watching students discover their own strength, confidence, and voice through the practice.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Grounded, curious, and playful.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
I love continuing to learn—whether that’s studying movement and mindfulness, exploring new ways of moving, or simply spending time with the people I love and enjoying the moments that make life feel full.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I genuinely love the process of learning something new. I’m always curious about how things work, especially when it comes to the body, movement, and the many different ways we can experience our practice.
Monica Lewis
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
My yoga journey began through the people around me. Friends introduced me to the practice, and from that first experience, I knew it was something special worth holding onto.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My greatest inspiration was the desire to create a safe, inclusive space where everyone feels welcome on the mat — regardless of where they are in their journey. Yoga has the power to meet people exactly where they are, and I wanted to be a part of making that accessible to all.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Adventurous, kind, and active. Three words that feel true to who I am both on and off the mat.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Some of my most cherished moments happen outside the studio, simply spending quality time with the people I love most.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I have climbed Mount Rainier — twice! It takes grit, patience, and mental strength, which honestly mirrors everything I love about yoga.
John Horan
instructor
Bio
How did you first find yoga?
I first found yoga through… The Beatles! When George Harrison went to India in 1967, I was fascinated, and decided I wanted to know more about yoga. It took awhile.
What inspried you to become a teacher?
I just felt drawn to be a teacher when I went to a class and the instructor had a flat tire and couldn’t make it. We had a roomful of people and I just looked around and said “well, I’ll try my best”. And that was it; I was hooked.
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Three words: Bright, energetic, eclectic.
What’s something you love outside the studio?
Outside of Zen, I love running and thinking and learning, especially about what comes next.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
Fun Fact: I was in a movie. “Fresh Horses” starring Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy, filmed around Cincinnati. I played Andrew’s growth, small part, got cut out but you can see me for about 30 seconds in one scene at the beginning. I also got paid about half of what I was making in a year at the time…