About Us

Our Mission

Higher Ground Recovery & Yoga’s mission is to create a vibrant yoga community where everyone can feel connected, grow in their yoga practice, and find liberation.

Higher Ground Studio is dedicated to providing community space for individuals to embrace yoga as a tool for personal growth, empowerment, and connection.

Our trauma-sensitive recovery yoga program mission supports personal and collective healing through yoga to individuals and communities that have been impacted by trauma and/or substance use disorder.

Meet the Team

  • Cheryl Spera

    Founder, Studio & Facility TSY Recovery Instructor

  • Molly McCollum

    Social Media & Studio Manager, Studio Instructor

  • Nina Wong

    Program Coordinator, Facility TSY Recovery Instructor

  • Laura Coogan

    Facility TSY Recovery Instructor

  • Barney McGale

    Facility TSY Recovery Instructor

  • Danielle Neathery

    Facility TSY Recovery Instructor

  • Linda Greer

    Instructor

  • Robyn Dooley

    Instructor

  • Blaire Cain

    Instructor

  • Alexis Sennett

    Instructor

  • Tina Mathis

    Instructor

  • Sarah Ilvento

    Instructor

  • Dana Saff

    Studio Assistant

 Trauma-Informed

Higher Ground embraces the following SAMHSA’s six key principles of a trauma-informed approach in all we do (SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma, 2014):

  1. Safety:  Physical and psychological safety. 

  2. Trustworthiness and Transparency:  Honesty, respect, and transparency create a healthy foundation for the recovery process.

  3. Peer Support:  Establishes safety and hope, building trust, enhancing collaboration, serving as models of recovery and healing, and maximizing a sense of empowerment.

  4. Collaboration and Mutuality:  Healing happens in relationships and the meaningful sharing of power and decision-making. 

  5. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice:  The experience of having a voice and choice is validated and new skills developed. 

  6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues:  The organization actively moves past cultural stereotypes and biases, offers gender-responsive services, leverages the healing value of traditional cultural connections, and recognizes and addresses historical trauma.