Meet Alyson

The science of Yoga is an ancient practice, gifted to us by many teachers over thousands of years. I’m honored to share what I’ve learned through more than 25 years of practice and 15 years of teaching, primarily under the Ashtanga and Dharma traditions. Please join us on the mat and explore these tools of transformation together in community!

Alyson Shade, Certified Yoga Instructor

Alyson Shade (she/her) has roots in the beautiful fields, rivers and valleys of Central PA. In 2008 she moved to Washington, DC and supported contracts with the Department of Defense, later pursuing her yoga teacher certification program. She transitioned from policy work into becoming a full-time yoga instructor, founding Realignment Studio as a haven for stressed-out DC professionals, activists, students and families.

For the first 5 years, Alyson taught an average of 20 classes per week at various spaces around the city: studios, churches, workplaces, gyms and federal buildings, to include the US Supreme Court. In 2017 she opened a brick-and-mortar yoga studio in the heart of Capitol Hill. During 2020 in the midst of the global pandemic, Alyson decided to end the lease on her studio space. She continues to teach special events and host retreats throughout the year.

As a registered teacher, Alyson is 200-& 500-hr certified in Vinyasa (Rolf Gates) and Hatha yogas (Yoga District), as well as trauma-informed yoga for veterans (Veterans Yoga Project). She studied meditation techniques from senior students of Sri Dharma Mittra and Ashtanga techniques from Marie Belle Perez Rivera. Alyson is certified in intuitive energy work (Christina Ambubuyog), completed coursework for executive coaching (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) and extensively studied Marshall Rosenberg’s work on nonviolent communication. She served as faculty on Capitol Hill Yoga’s certification program and later developed and led her own Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hr curriculum at Realignment Studio. Prior to owning her own studio, Alyson was Director of the Mind/Body Department at Results The Gym in Washington, DC. She has been interviewed for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Washingtonian Magazine and Hill Rag.

Alyson’s classes integrate effort and ease and have a meditative theme, encouraging students to keep their awareness within and explore intuitive connection through the body and breath.

A former bundle of anxiety and chaos, Alyson eventually developed a daily rhythm to support her self-care needs and has never felt better. Now she travels the country sharing her yoga, meditation and self-care strategy with students who are tired of being burnt out and are ready to find balance.

Summary

Experienced and passionate Certified Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500 & YACEP) with 15 years of teaching diverse styles of yoga to individuals and groups in both public and private sessions. As former studio owner developed and led 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Skilled in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, promotes community by connecting students through mindful movement, breathwork and meditation. Tailors sessions tostudent needs, able to respond to the energy of the class in the moment. Dedicated to a consistent yoga practice since 1998 with focused personal studies on Ashtanga and Dharma Yoga traditions.

Certifications

  • Yin Yoga, Yael Flusberg – 2018

  • 500hr Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga District – 2015

  • Certified Intuitive Energy Healer, Christina Ambubuyog – 2015

  • Yogahour Teacher Training, Darren Rhodes – 2013

  • Mindful Yoga Therapy, Veterans Yoga Project – 2012

  • 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, Rolf Gates – 2011

Leadership Experience

Studio Owner & Founder, Realignment Studio, Washington, DC (2017 – 2020)

  • Owned and operated a yoga studio on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Developed and executed 200-hour training certification curriculum. Authored strategic and continuity plans and standard operating procedures for business stability and growth. Managed marketing and communication to include phone, email, newsletters, meetings, networking events and social media. Trained and mentored a team of 35, established work schedules and conducted performance evaluations. Closed in 2020 due to local COVID restrictions.

Director, Mind/Body Department, Results The Gym, Washington, DC (2015 – 2017)

  • Managed a team of 25 members and a rotating schedule of 30 weekly classes to create a well-rounded department of yoga, Pilates, barre and ballet.

Teaching Experience

Weekly Classes & Monthly Workshops

  • Lovelock Healing Arts, Pensacola, FL, 2025 - Present

  • Your Pace Yoga Studio, Pace, FL, 2024 - Present

  • Cela Fitness Society, Pace, FL, 2025

  • Alyson Shade, Online Yoga, 2020 - 2024

  • Northern Dauphin County YMCA, Elizabethville, PA, 2021 - 2022

  • Realignment Studio (Studio Owner), Washington, DC, 2017 - 2020

  • St. Mark’s Yoga Center, Washington, DC, 2012 - 2017

  • Capitol Hill Yoga, Washington, DC, 2013 – 2017

  • Results The Gym (Director), Washington, DC, 2013 – 2017

  • Be Here Now Yoga, Washington, DC, 2016 – 2017

  • Georgetown Yoga, Washington, DC, 2013 – 2014

Workplace Wellness Clients

  • National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington, DC, 2013 – Present, online since 2020

  • United States Supreme Court, Washington, DC, 2013 - 2020

  • St. Coletta’s School of Greater Washington, Washington, DC, 2017 - 2020

  • Monitor 360, Washington, DC, 2016

  • GlobalGiving, Washington, DC, 2016

  • Charles River Associates, Washington, DC, 2015 – 2016

  • National Parks Conservation Association, Washington, DC, 2014 - 2016

Yoga Retreats

  • Winter Self-care Retreat, January 2017 - Fox Haven Organic Farm – Middletown, VA

  • Fall Self-care Retreat, October 2022 - River Mountain Retreat Center – Everett, PA

Continued Education

  • Yoga & Ayurveda Intensive, Patrick McCleaf & Sara Gruss – 2021

  • Yoga Studies & Nondualism Philosophy, Marie Belle Perez Rivera – 2016

  • Advanced Assists, HawaH & 405 Yoga – 2016

  • Science of the Private Lesson, Francesca Cervero – 2015

  • Intuition Mastery, Christina Ambubuyog – 2013

  • Executive Coaching, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching – 2012

Skills

  • Application of classical yoga teachings to modern environment

  • Chakra meditation and breathwork instruction

  • Class design and sequencing for varying levels of ability

  • Advanced verbal cueing and physical assists

  • Student assessment and progress tracking

  • Group facilitation and clear communication

  • Holistic health and wellness knowledge

Professional Affiliations

  • Registered Yoga School (Realignment Studio), Yoga Alliance

  • Registered Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), Yoga Alliance

  • Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), Yoga Alliance