A Bit About Me

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Hello there. I’m Serena Jetelina—a lifelong student of life, the body, and the unseen. I’m a Certified Spanda Yoga Movement Therapist, a 500-hour Certified Yoga Instructor, and a Certified Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, with a Master’s in Learning Design. I’m endlessly curious about existence, human behavior, and the intricate relationship between the corporeal and the incorporeal—how our inner and outer worlds reflect, inform, and shape one another.

The work I do is a synergistic blend of mind & body modalities meant to foster and build meaningful opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.

Art + Science

In my therapeutic work, I offer highly individualized sessions rooted in the principles of yoga therapy, meditation, contemplation, play, biomechanics, and movement. Each session is a journey through past, present, and future, drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities to support deep exploration and healing. My intention is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can better understand themselves, recover from injury, foster connection, and move toward the life they envision. One of the greatest gifts I offer is my open, grounded presence—an invitation for insight, self-trust, and transformation to naturally unfold. I often incorporate gentle ceremonial elements, such as tea ceremony, to enrich the contemplative experience.

In my consulting work, I support wellness and yoga professionals in designing meaningful, memorable learning experiences—whether online or in person. Drawing from research-based educational theory, I help write, structure, and develop training content that is student-centered, inclusive, and accessible. I specialize in translating the expertise of my clients into impactful, engaging offerings that feel relevant and useful to their audiences. I also advise on curriculum design, delivery methods, user experience, and technology—ensuring that each element supports, rather than hinders, the learning journey.

Experience + Knowledge

I've been immersed in the wellness and yoga field for nearly a decade, with an even longer history of practicing and teaching yoga. As a former content producer for Yoga International and the Himalayan Institute, I've had the privilege of working alongside and learning from some of the most respected yoga instructors in the country.

Before stepping into the wellness world, my background in small business consulting gave me hands-on experience across all facets of business—marketing, product development, design, engineering, operations, and overall management—as I helped entrepreneurs launch and grow their dream ventures.

Today, I continue to bridge these two worlds in my role as Head of Yoga International, where I lead with an integrated perspective that honors both the business of yoga and the timeless wisdom teachings I hold close.

I hold a Master of Science in Education, as well as dual undergraduate degrees in International Business and Entrepreneurship.

Play

My hobbies include making paper and art, wandering the great outdoors, writing, perusing art galleries, playing music, following healthtech trends, and taking care of my growing indoor botanical garden. One of my favorite things to do is watch the dance between light and shadow, preferably with a cup of tea.

I once produced and hosted a podcast—Women Seekers and Leaders—a passion project that highlights women in the pursuit of truth through spirituality, philosophy, science, religion, art, and overall self-discovery. 

You can find some classes and meditations with me on Yoga International.

If you’d like to collaborate, please write to me!

Qualifications

 

Certifications

Degrees

  • Masters of Science in Education - Purdue University

    • Focus: Learning Design and Technology

  • Bachelors of Business Administration - Baylor University

    • Major: International Business

    • Major: Entrepreneurship

    • Minor: Marketing

Continued Education Training

  • The Way of Cha Dao with Global Tea Hut

  • Mindfulness Mentor Training Program with Tara Brach and Banyan (formerly Cloud Sangha)

  • Therapeutic Vinyasa Design and Myofascial Activation for Orthopedic Concern with Dr. Jaime Stover-Schmitt

  • iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation

  • 50 Hour Yin Yoga Training with Bernie Clark

  • Yoga History and Philosophy with Doug Keller

  • The Vital Psoas with JoAnn Staugaard-Jones

  • Trauma Informed Yoga with Sean Feit Oakes

  • Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Children with Jennifer Cohen Harper

  • Working with the Pain of Abandonment with NICABM

  • The Yamas and Niyamas with Deborah Adele

  • Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Tiffany Cruikshank

  • The Art and Flow of Yin with Paulie Zink

  • Yoga Anatomy Training with Tiffany Cruikshank

  • The Four Desires with Rod Stryker

  • School of Metaphysics Dreamschool Dream Interpretation

  • The Art and Science of Raja Yoga (Meditation) with Ananda Yoga Center

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn

  • Life Coach Training with Martha Beck

What My Clients Say

Serena is truly the best! This was my first time trying yoga therapy and I couldn’t have had a better first experience. Serena eased my nerves right away with her professionalism and warmth. By using the practices prescribed during my sessions, I have incorporated helpful ways to reflect, cope, and process my experiences into my everyday life. I’ve learned about my mind, body, and heart through this work. What I enjoy most about Serena’s yoga therapy sessions is her supportive, warm, and encouraging demeanor — while always allowing for plenty of space for introspection.

— Alison

I really enjoyed my time working with Serena in Yoga Therapy. We worked through so many deep things with the combination of movement and meaningful conversations, that I hadn’t been able to uncover on my own. So many of the things we worked on together are still part of my every day life now even over a year later! My time with her gave me some wonderful tangible tools to use as well as new perspectives and thought patterns for my daily life. I’m so grateful for the time we spent working together and the lasting positive impact it’s had on my life!

— Patricia

Serena is an empathic yoga therapist who supports your health and wellness by evaluating your body and mind. She supports your personal goals and gives you manageable steps to help move toward meeting those goals.

— Ryanne

Serena put together a yoga class for the morning of my wedding and I felt an overwhelming sense of support and tranquility as I embarked on the most important day of my life. Serena delivered all I wanted and more in our yoga session, and the day would not have been as peaceful without her.

— Caitlin

Serena is a fantastic instructor. She is outgoing, engaging and extremely talented. She is very knowledgable on the subject matter and creates challenging sessions that are tailored to your skill level. I highly recommend her.

— Chris

Serena’s energy is a shining light, and she is able to hold the focus of the room so well that a shield-like veil is formed, allowing each of her students to fully concentrate on themselves.

— Adam

Serena has a gift for creating a safe, compassionate, and supportive space to explore practices that can help both in the moment and when you do them on your own later. She listened when I needed to share and helped me find movements that felt nurturing and relaxing. She also helped me to prioritize what needed to be addressed first.

— Samantha

Serena is a star. As a yoga instructor, I'm extremely picky about my yoga. Serena goes above and BEYOND teaching yoga. I was engaged, sweaty, and felt enLIGHTened after working with her. Serena is the perfect combination of knowing her asana, cheerleader sweetness and tough love edge pusher.

— Kimberly