About Us
SUN SEA AIR yoga & wellness
Founded by a family of sadhakas (sincere yoga practitioners), SUN SEA AIR Yoga & Wellness is a small, neighborhood boutique studio, dedicated to serving good practices to everyday people. We are located in the Pegasus Plaza on 49th Street South in Gulfport, Florida. We are an eclectic studio offering modern wellness practices, rooted in ancient traditions, from around the globe. Our aim is to make yoga accessible for everyBODY. We strive to be the alchemist that helps guide you back home to YourSelf.
Deanne Caputo
Deanne turned to yoga for deep healing after a debilitating back injury in 2001. She became passionate to help spread the word about this nutrimental practice and began teaching in 2004.
She’s no stranger to the taxing effects of the stress-response, because prior to her work as a yoga teacher, she spent many years in the fast-paced entertainment industry directing and producing live television. Perhaps this is how she is able to turn skeptics and naysayers into self-loving yogis! Students have said that her teaching style is the perfect combination of gentleness, spirituality, and motivation.
She is a 500+ hour YT and has been on the faculty of several teacher trainings, including the lead instructor and co-creator of 200 & 300 HR yoga teacher trainings. In 2015 she completed a Masters Certification in Digestion and Nutrition focusing on digestive pathology disorders, and holds consultant certifications in Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Food & Nutrition, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. She has reverence and respect for our veterans and first responders, and is a Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery Teacher for the Veterans Yoga Project. She has been trained in several styles and modalities, including Meditation, Pre/Post Natal, Reiki, and Thai-Yoga Bodywork.
She has been fortunate enough to be inspired by numerous talented contemporary teachers and peers, but gives great pranams to Shiva Rea, Dr. Vasant Lad, Maria Garre, and John Immel for being her greatest influences and for their generous sharing of knowledge and wisdom.
In her classes you can expect the healing power of breath, intelligent movement, energetic alignment, and a lot of heart and soul.
Lia Johnson-Baker
With 12 years of dedicated practice, Lia brings a wealth of experience to her yoga teaching. Her expertise spans functional movement, vinyasa, rocket yoga, and yoga nidra, offering a well-rounded approach that meets diverse needs. Her certifications include; 200 Hour Rocket Yoga with Davina Davidson, 200 hour High Vibration Living and Functional Movement with Jessica Mihm, and Yoga Nidra Freedom In Stillness with Annie Okerlin.
Lia creates classes that are not only challenging, but also deeply restorative, blending dynamic flows with calming techniques. Lia's goal is to guide you towards greater flexibility, strength, and inner peace, helping you connect more profoundly with your practice and yourself. Join Lia on the mat to explore, grow, and transform in a supporative and inpiring environment.
Ekaterina Kardash
Ekaterina, with her extensive experience and dedication to yoga and balanced living, embodies a holistic approach to personal well-being and self-discovery. Her 20+ years of personal practice and study with various yoga schools underscore her deep commitment to understanding and teaching diverse yoga styles and techniques.
Her practice spans several forms of yoga and QiGong, each contributing uniquely to her students' journeys:
- Yin Yoga - By incorporating Yin Yoga, Ekaterina helps students cultivate patience and mindfulness, addressing both physical and emotional layers of stress.
- Vinyasa Yoga - Ekaterina’s Vinyasa classes challenge students to synchronize their breath with their movements, encouraging a deeper connection between mind and body.
- Hatha Yoga -Through Hatha Yoga, Ekaterina introduces her students to fundamental techniques and principles.
- QiGong - A practice rooted in Chinese medicine, integrates physical movement, breath control, and meditation to promote the flow of vital energy (Qi) through the body. By teaching QiGong, Ekaterina helps her students cultivate a sense of inner harmony and vitality.
Ekaterina’s approach is deeply rooted in creating an environment that values authenticity, inclusivity, and equality. She strives to make her classes accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience level. Her teaching philosophy encourages each student to embark on their personal journey toward well-being, recognizing that every individual’s path is unique.
Her holistic approach not only supports physical fitness but also fosters emotional resilience and mental clarity, helping individuals lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.
Christopher Palumbo
Christopher is a 500-hour RYT, certified in Vinyasa flow and Anusara Inspired (alignment-based yoga). He has been influenced by embodied vinyasa styles in Los Angeles and has mentored for many years with leading teachers of yoga4men. Studying with the late Sally Kempton, Christopher is a daily meditator and teacher in the Siddha Tradition. He has lived all over and loves to travel! He continues to work as a Marketer and Digital Strategist after a long career at leading retailers and service companies. He understands the difficulties of finding balance in life. His classes are focused on aligning all the elements of the body and mind, and is an inspiration for uniting men through the practice of yoga.
Dave Caputo
Dave earned his 200 hour yoga teacher training certification with High Vibration Living & Functional Movement in 2023, after having worked in the corporate world for over 30 years. With a more evolved perspective on how yoga has benefitted him in all aspects of his life, Dave chose to open the studio to help bring the benefits of yoga to Everyday People. Having been on the periphery of the yoga world for many years, his immersion into the practice helped him to better understand how to cope with the everyday stressors of life, but also how to approach life with a more mindful & grateful perspective.
Dave manages the operations of the studio and is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment, with a desire to grow the studio into a place that offers something for everyone.
Pictured with Dave is Charlie. When he's not outside enjoying nature, he is perched with a chew on a yoga mat.