About Me

Shannon (Sati) Chmelar MS, RMHCI

You may know me as Sati — a mentor, educator, and psychotherapist committed to supporting your journey of healing and embodied growth. With over 20 years of extensive experience in yoga studies, Buddhist philosophy, and somatic practices, complemented by advanced training in mental health counseling, I bring a holistic approach to nurturing wellbeing across the psychological, physical, emotional, and relational dimensions of life.

My background includes a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling (University of Rochester), advanced study in yoga theory and practice, and immersion in Buddhist traditions. I’ve lived, studied, and taught around the world — from Nepal and Norway to Peru and India — and facilitated retreats, workshops, and programs in diverse settings. See more specifics about my journey below.

You might be drawn to contemplative practices, curious about the roots of yoga and Buddhism, or simply looking for space to breathe and reflect. Whether you're joining a retreat, an online course, or a one-on-one session, I invite you into a learning environment that is rigorous yet compassionate, rooted in deep study, and responsive to your lived experience.

If you’re looking for a facilitator who brings both scholarly insight and real-world application, you’ll find my offerings are designed for thoughtful adults navigating modern life. Together, we explore practices that are grounded, embodied, and deeply reflective.

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A woman sitting cross-legged on a rug in a Buddhist temple, with three large golden Buddha statues behind her and various religious items on an altar.
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A woman with short dark hair wearing a green dress, sitting cross-legged on a floral-patterned vintage sofa against a plain wall.
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A person practicing yoga in a downward dog pose with assistance from another person during a yoga class, with others sitting on mats in the background.
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A woman with short black hair sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat, gesturing with her right hand, in front of an orange wall.
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A woman practicing yoga in a child's pose outdoors with four children seated nearby, watching her. An older woman is sitting against a brick wall in the background.
A woman in a graduation gown and cap standing under a blossoming tree with pink and white flowers on a sunny day.
A woman practicing yoga indoors, seated on a yoga mat with one leg bent and the foot resting on the inner thigh, performing a seated spinal twist.
A group of people sitting on yoga mats in a cozy, rustic room with stone walls and artwork on the walls, engaged in a discussion or class.
A woman standing at a desk in front of a computer in a classroom, with a large projection screen displaying a presentation titled 'The Rhetorical Construction of Authentic Yoga: B.K.S. Iyengar’s Recasting of Patanjali’s Sutras', authored by Shannon C
A smiling woman with long dreadlocks wearing sunglasses, sitting next to four elderly men dressed in traditional Indian attire and painted with religious symbols, sitting outside near a stone structure and trees.
Group of tourists pose for a photo at Machu Picchu with terraced ruins and mountains in the background.
A group yoga class with women practicing yoga poses on pink mats indoors, with a woman instructor guiding them, in a rustic room with exposed wooden beams and white walls.
A woman leading a yoga class with students practicing seated poses in a sunlit room with wooden walls and large windows.
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Four women participating in a yoga or meditation class in a room with wooden floors and large windows. Two women are sitting cross-legged on mats in the foreground, while one is lying down and another is sitting in the background.
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Two women practicing yoga indoors. One woman is supporting the other in a balance pose on a yoga mat.
A group yoga class with people of various ages practicing yoga in a bright, rustic studio with wooden floors and ceiling, large windows, and natural light.
A group yoga class in a room with an orange wall and wooden floor, with one instructor leading the session while seated on a yoga mat and four participants sitting on mats facing her.
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Three women hiking together in a mountainous area with Machu Picchu ruins in the background, under a clear blue sky.
People practicing yoga in a wooden-floored, well-lit room with large windows and potted plants, performing various yoga poses.
A woman wearing a yellow beanie, sunglasses, denim jacket, and beige pants is standing near a fence with llamas behind it at a farm.
A woman sitting cross-legged on the floor leading a workshop or class, with participants seated facing her, in a room with wooden walls and large plants.
Group of women practicing meditation or mindfulness in a cozy indoor setting, sitting on cushions and mats, with papers, a notebook, and a singing bowl nearby.
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Group of women practicing yoga in a spacious room with wooden floors and beams, all in a side stretch pose.
A woman in a white tank top performing a complex yoga pose against a black background.
A person in a patterned shawl participating in a religious or cultural ritual with a decorated altar featuring a gold statue, flowers, and offerings.
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Group of people posing indoors, including a Buddhist monk, in front of colorful decorations and a tapestry, some holding papers or certificates.
Tourists listening to a guide in a historic Asian temple complex with white and yellow pagodas and ornate rooftops.
Group of people practicing yoga in a studio, some sitting on yoga mats, with two individuals assisting a participant in a seated forward bend pose, sunlight streaming in through windows, wooden floor, orange wall.
Three women walking along a paved path in a village surrounded by greenery, with buildings and terraced hills in the background.
A large group of people seated on yoga mats in a spacious room with a high wooden ceiling, sunlight streaming through windows, and artwork on the walls, participating in what appears to be a workshop or class.
A group of people taking a selfie on a boat on a river during sunset in India, with buildings and boats in the background.
A bride and groom smiling in a historic church ceremony. The bride holds a bouquet, and the groom holds a paper. The church features medieval banners, a chandelier, and American and Italian flags.
A woman in a colorful dress standing in a grassy field with her arms outstretched and her face uplifted, with green trees and a blue sky in the background.
A woman smiling and waving with a white cloth in her hand, standing among a group of people at an indoor event.
A smiling woman with glasses wearing a beige knit hat, a brown fleece hoodie, and a navy jacket, standing in a park with trees and fallen autumn leaves.
Woman in a white dress feeding two sheep, one black and one white, on a paved surface outdoors with rocks and green grass in the background.
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Two hikers walk along a stone path surrounded by trees, with ancient ruins and mountains visible in the background.
Three women sitting inside a bus, with one woman wearing sunglasses looking back at the other two women, who are facing forward. The woman with sunglasses has short black hair, and the other women have long hair, one blonde and the other brown. The b
A group of ten people sitting around a table with snacks and drinks on a patio with potted plants, some holding books, smiling and looking up at the camera.
Group of religious pilgrims standing in front of a Hindu temple decorated with marigold garlands.
A woman sitting on a porch with a view of a snowy landscape, wooden railing, and cabin with red and black exterior walls, wearing a beanie, sweater, and hiking boots.
A man and a woman sharing a tender moment by the water with boats and buildings in the background.
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People attending a yoga or meditation class in a studio with wooden floors, stone accents, and colorful wall art.
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Three women practicing yoga in a wooden-paneled room with one woman performing a headstand while the other two sit on yoga mats.
A woman and man standing with bikes on a dirt trail in a lush green field, under a cloudy sky.
Woman practicing yoga on a mat, holding her legs with her arms in a pose on a wooden floor with natural light coming through windows.
A woman in a magenta coat and white skirt stands on a boat, looking through a small window in the wall.
A couple embraces by a lake with mountains in the background, reflected in the water.
A woman poses for a photo by a lake on a snowy, sunny day, with a photographer kneeling in front of her taking the picture.
A yoga class with five women practicing seated yoga poses on mats in a room with purple walls, wooden floors, and hanging round ceiling lights.
People participating in a yoga or meditation class in a spacious, wooden-ceiling room with sunlight streaming through windows.
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Silhouettes of a couple kissing on a rocky shoreline at sunset with calm lake water and a bright sky in the background.
A woman in black clothing performing a handstand or yoga pose on a wooden floor in front of a group of young monks in maroon robes, inside a colorful building with yellow and red walls.
A woman with short black hair and a patterned shawl sitting on a gray rug in a room with wood-paneled walls, surrounded by houseplants and flowers, speaking with her hands.
Three women practicing yoga against a plain yellow wall, with two women facing away from the camera and one woman facing the camera, all performing a yoga pose with arms extended upward and one arm crossing over the chest.
Black and white photo of a couple sitting at a table during a wedding reception, smiling and looking toward the camera. The man is in a suit and tie, and the woman is wearing a dress with a bouquet of flowers on the table.
A woman with short blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, a black coat, black boots, and a gray scarf, smiling and gesturing playfully with one hand while standing on a grassy area covered with fallen autumn leaves. Behind her are tall trees with vibrant o
A woman wearing a brown teddy coat, tan beanie, gray scarf, and gloves stands on snow near a frozen lake with a forested hill in the background.
A woman leading a meditation session in a room with an orange wall. Ten participants sit on cushions and mats listening; some have notebooks, water bottles, and phones.
A woman with short blonde hair, dressed in a yellow sweater, jeans, and beige heels, sitting on a blue armchair in a room with white walls and decorative shelves with plants.
A yoga class where an instructor adjusts a student's pose, with other students practicing in the background.
Young child sleeping on a hospital bed or similar surface, with a medical tube attached next to her head, suggesting she might be in a hospital or medical setting.
A woman with short blonde hair smiling in a selfie near a body of water during sunset, wearing a dark coat and a black and white checkered scarf.
A group of women sitting on the floor in front of a man who is seated at a low table, speaking in a room with yellow walls and several windows.
Group of smiling people on a bus, some making peace signs, wearing outdoor clothing and sunglasses, with sunlight streaming in through the windows.
Group of people indoors celebrating, some wearing robes and winter clothing, with a pizza on the table and a lively atmosphere.
A smiling woman with short blonde hair and sunglasses, wearing a light-colored blouse and carrying a yellow handbag, walking outdoors on a sidewalk during sunset.
A woman practicing yoga in a yoga studio, assisted by a man who is supporting her in a backbend pose. A third person is standing in the background observing.
People participating in a yoga or meditation class inside a wooden ceiling room with large windows, some students using yoga mats and others wrapped in blankets.
A woman with short gray hair, wearing a white blouse and black pants, stands behind a wooden podium with a laptop, gesturing as she speaks. To her right, a large projection screen displays a presentation slide titled 'The Belief in Authentic Yoga'. T
A woman kneeling by reflection pool with the white marble Taj Mahal in the background, on a partly cloudy day with some visitors visible.
A person in a red jacket and white hat hiking in a mountainous landscape with others in the distance, under a clear blue sky.

Footprints on the Path

  • Psychotherapist and Educator currently based in Orlando, Florida

  • Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (RMHCI)

  • MS in Mental Health Counseling — University of Rochester

  • 20+ Years Teaching Yoga & Philosophy

  • Experienced International Facilitator & Retreat Leader — USA, Nepal, India, Norway, Sweden, Peru

  • Founder & Director, Vasudhaiva Institute (2011–2016) — Immersive study programs in yoga, Buddhism, meditation, and cultural immersion

  • Led 18 Retreats — including 14 in Nepal and India

  • Nearly 15 Years Living Abroad — Norway, Italy, Japan, and Nepal, plus extensive travel to 14+ additional countries

  • Completed Several Yoga Teacher Trainings — Diverse methodologies, rooted in Aṣṭāṅga Vinyāsa tradition

  • Certified Thai Yoga Massage Therapist & Teacher (2006–2012) — Completed 400+ hours of training in Thailand, licensed massage therapist in Florida

  • Dance & Performance Artist (1997–2005, 2011) — Produced 25 original works, collaborated on 11, received 8 commissions, and founded two arts organizations

  • Featured in lululemon National Campaign (2007)

How I Got Here: Education, Experience & Evolution

  • Teaching & Facilitation (2004–Present)

    I began teaching yoga āsana and philosophy in 2004 while living in Florida, and since then I’ve taught across the U.S. and internationally in Sweden, Norway, Nepal, Peru, and India. As of 2024, I’ve led 17 retreats — 14 of them in Nepal and India.

    A key aspect of my teaching has centered on philosophy and history. I’ve designed study programs that combine textual depth with accessible, engaging frameworks for contemporary learners. This includes modules for teacher trainings, workshops, and online courses exploring the history and philosophy of yoga, along with broader themes in Indian thought.

    From 2011 to 2016, I founded and directed Vasudhaiva Institute, an education company that led immersive retreats, tours, and study programs in the U.S. and Asia. These programs focused on Asian religions, contemplative practice, and cultural history, and were designed for adult learners seeking rigorous, compassionate, and culturally sensitive experiences. Vasudhaiva allowed students the opportunity to learn directly from Rinpoches, monks, nuns, scholars, archaeologists, and regional specialists.

    Today, I continue to lead retreats, online courses, classes and workshops in Florida and beyond.

  • Yoga Studies (2001–Present)

    My journey with yoga began in 2001 and quickly evolved into a disciplined, immersive practice within the Aṣṭāṅga Vinyāsa tradition. I maintained a committed Intermediate/Second Series practice and worked through parts of the Advanced/Third Series over several years. I completed multiple yoga teacher training programs in different methodologies, with a strong foundation in vinyāsa methdologies.

    Today, I continue to teach restorative and Aṣṭāṅga-informed vinyāsa classes, with an emphasis on sustainability and attunement.

    Some of my early and influential teachers included: Shri Hamilton-Hubbard, Stan Hubbard, Manju Jois, Basia Lipska Larsen, Jeff Lichty, Harmony Slater, Paul Dallaghan, David Swenson, Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Greg Nardi, Tim Feldmann, and Alexander Medin.

    In the realm of philosophy and history, I studied with Professor Nagaraja Rao, Francis Charet, Ph.D., and Seth Powell (Harvard Ph.D.). I continue to be influenced by the latest yoga scholarship.

    In 2007, I was featured in Lululemon’s national ad campaign in Yoga Journal Magazine.

  • I hold an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rochester, NY, where I was a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society. My graduate thesis critiqued several principles of constructivism through the lens of Buddhist Abhidharma, reflecting my lifelong commitment to integrating Eastern and Western psychological models.

    In 2019, I co-authored a conference paper with professor Martha Cheng, Ph.D. (Rollins College), analyzing the rhetoric of B.K.S. Iyengar. The year before, in 2018, I served on the yoga research advisory council for a study led by psychology professor Jonna Kwiatkowski, Ph.D. (Mars Hill University), which examined aesthetics in the yoga experience.

    My undergraduate education was rooted in progressive pedagogy—beginning at Bennington College, where I concentrated on contemporary dance and choreography, and later at Goddard College, where I focused my studies on Asian religions, yoga history, and contemplative studies. My undergraduate thesis focused on the problematic distinction of “authentic yoga.”

  • Therapy (2023–Present)

    My path to becoming a therapist began through sustained study and practice in yoga, Buddhism, and philosophy—traditions that investigate the nature of the mind, the roots of suffering, and the possibilities for transformation.

    I’m continually inspired by the rich dialogue and integrative potential between meditation, embodied practice, and psychotherapy—a convergence that is both intellectually meaningful and personally grounding.

    I am now a psychotherapist and Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern based in Florida. I earned my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rochester, where I was awarded a merit scholarship. Prior to that, I completed foundational psychology coursework at UC Berkeley Extension.

    During graduate training, I completed a clinical internship at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center in Rochester, NY, working with a diverse community and gaining experience in providing compassionate, culturally responsive care. My thesis explored the relationship between knowledge, suffering, and transformation through a critical analysis of constructivist psychology, viewed through the lens of Buddhist Abhidharma philosophy.

    Since graduating, I’ve continued to build clinical experience in private practice settings, supporting adults, teens, and couples navigating anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

  • Buddhist Studies (2009–Present)

    I’ve been a dedicated student of Buddhist philosophy and psychology for many years, primarily within the Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna (Tibetan) traditions. I’ve traveled to Nepal multiple times (2009, 2012–2015), including a full year of residence in 2012–2013.

    During that time, I studied Madhyamaka philosophy under Khenpo Ngawang Jorden at the International Buddhist Academy and attended numerous lectures on Buddhist thought and history at Rangjung Yeshe Institute.

    Some of the teachers and translators who have most inspired my path include Christian Bernert, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, and Lama Tsultrim Allione. I’ve also received in-person teachings from Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche, Ngawang Tenzin, Thupten Gongphel, and Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.

  • My interest in somatic intelligence and ancient healing traditions led me to study Thai Yoga Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2006, I completed over 400 hours of training, including:

    • A 360-hour Thai Massage Teacher Training Program at ITM School with Chongkol “John” Setthakorn

    • Additional training at Sunshine School with Rinraya “Ohm” Pankosol

    I also received certifications in Thai Herbal Compress, Thai Foot Reflexology, and a fiery, rhythmic method called Feet of Fire Massage.

    When I returned to the U.S., I attended the Florida School of Massage Therapy and Hydrotherapy in Gainesville. I earned my national certification and Florida state licensure in 2008 and practiced as a licensed massage therapist until I moved to Asia in 2012.

  • Dance & Performance (1997–2005, 2011)

    Before yoga, there was dance. I began studying ballet in my teens under Stephen Shaw in Tokyo and later dove deeply into modern and postmodern forms at Bennington College, where I trained with Dana Reitz, Sara Rudner, Peggy Florin, Terry Creach, and Susan Sgorbati.

    From 1997 to 2005, I created 25 original performance works and collaborated on 11 more. My work was often multimedia, ritualistic, and cathartic — a reflection of my search for integration between movement, story, and spirit. I received eight commissions during that time and also created platforms to support other artists.

    I founded Dance Composers Umbrella (DCbrella) — a collaborative presenting organization — and later, LIVEncounters, a grant-funded performance series hosted at Spiller Vincenty Gallery. In 2011, I produced my final piece to date, Rokpa, and taught a special course titled “Performance as Spiritual Practice” for MFA Dance students at Jacksonville University.

“Our human life is precious because it offers the opportunity to wake up from the sleep of ignorance.”

— Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

The Quiet Circle

Where ancient insight meets modern inquiry

Once a month, I share a direct transmission from my heart to your home, including:

  • The Wisdom Glossary: Deep-dives into the definitions of Yogic, Buddhist, and therapeutic terms

  • Modern Inquiry: Monthly journal prompts to help you bridge ancient philosophy with your lived experience

  • Personal Notes: Reflections on my life and practice

  • Event Updates: Be the first to know about courses, workshops, and retreats

A Quiet Space In Your Inbox In an era of fleeting social media feeds and noisy algorithms, I believe in the slow, intentional connection of a letter. The Quiet Circle is a space designed to bypass the digital noise and return to what is real.