Hi, I’m Stephanie Alexandra - the heart behind Novandra Yoga. Yoga has been my constant companion for over 15 years, the one practice I’ve never left; or should I say that has never left me. It’s helped me through lower back pain, stress, and the ups and downs of life. I love teaching yoga because it’s more than just movement. It’s transformation, healing, and a way of living. My mission is to help you feel new in your body and mind, and to give you a brave, strong start on your yoga journey.
For many years, my life looked successful on the outside but felt exhausting on the inside. I worked in a high-pressure, high-performance job that demanded long hours, constant travel, and endless deadlines. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of purpose. My body hurt, my mind was overwhelmed, and I felt disconnected from myself.
But the corporate world wasn't the only place I lost myself. When I became a mother, life shifted in ways I hadn't anticipated. And I missed the woman I'd been before. Her freedom, her rhythm, her quiet sense of self. That grief softened with time. But the mental load didn't. The endless thinking about everyone else. The appointments, the invisible work of holding everything together while still showing up everywhere else that needed me. I kept trying to become more efficient, as if I could optimize my way back to feeling okay. I couldn't. Because you can give everything you have to the people you love and still end up a stranger to yourself. What I needed wasn't a better system. It was permission to come back to me.
Yoga entered my life as a quiet refuge. At first, it was simply a way to survive the stress, but on the mat, something shifted. I found space to breathe. I released long-stored emotions. My lower back pain began to heal. Slowly, yoga became more than exercise: it became a constant companion, helping me return to myself, again and again.
After more than 15 years of personal practice, I reached a turning point. I realized the part of my corporate career I loved most was the people — listening, supporting, helping them grow. The numbers and deadlines had lost their meaning, but the human connection never did. That’s when I decided to change direction and follow the one practice that had always been there for me: yoga.
In November 2024, I completed my 200-hour certification in Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, something I’d dreamed of for years. Becoming a teacher felt like a natural evolution of my own healing. I am passionate about guiding beginners, because I know how powerful a true foundation can be. Too often “beginner” classes rush through poses, leaving students unsure and disconnected. My approach is different: I slow things down, explain, and give you space to feel each movement in your own body.
Looking ahead, I’m continuing to deepen my studies in yoga therapy, lower-back care, burnout prevention, stress management, Yin and Restorative Yoga, meditation, and spirituality. My goal is to offer not just poses but tools for lasting transformation — to help you feel at home in your body, steady in your mind, and inspired in your life.
That’s why I created Novandra Yoga. “Nova” is derived from the latin word "Novus" meaning new while “andra” represents bravery and strength. Together they symbolize the fresh, courageous start available to all of us. No matter where you’re starting from, no matter what stage of life you’re in, transformation is possible. I’m living proof.
Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or ready to deepen your practice, I’d be honored to guide you. At Novandra Yoga, you’ll find a welcoming space to slow down, breathe deeply, and discover your own strength.