about us
Our Story
Casita is a cozy yoga and wellness studio serving our community from the heart of Murray Hill. Since we opened in 2018, our goal has been to embody the heart of yoga by providing people from all walks of life a safe and nurturing foundation for self discovery, healing, and transformation. We incorporate both traditional and modern wisdom into our teaching in an effort to help each student develop a mind/body practice that will sustain them for years to come.
Our environment is never competitive or rooted in perfectionism. We believe your yoga practice is meant to meet you exactly where you are. The name Casita was chosen because we aim to make this space feel like your home away from home - a place where you feel at ease being authentically yourself, and where you are able to experience a true sense of community and belonging.
Casita Yoga Studio was brought to life by owner/founder Katie Helow, a Jacksonville native and a resident of Murray Hill. Feeling deeply inspired after completing 500 hours of yoga teacher training and ready to make a big change in her life, she walked past a small vacant storefront on Edgewood Avenue and thought, "This is going to be a yoga studio." Approximately one year and several uphill battles later, Casita came to be.
Meet your instructors
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie is a Jacksonville native and long-time student of yoga. She first experienced the practice at age 14 when she accompanied her mother to class, and was left feeling incredibly relaxed and grounded. She returned to yoga periodically over the next 18 years whenever she needed help reconnecting with herself, adapting to change, or sooth
Katie is a Jacksonville native and long-time student of yoga. She first experienced the practice at age 14 when she accompanied her mother to class, and was left feeling incredibly relaxed and grounded. She returned to yoga periodically over the next 18 years whenever she needed help reconnecting with herself, adapting to change, or soothing her anxiety or depression. In 2016 she entered into Regenerative Living School's 200hr yoga teacher training. Upon completion, she immediately dove into the 300hr advanced course. It was during these trainings that Katie gained a deeper understanding of yoga as a way of life and a newfound desire to share her knowledge through teaching.
Katie's classes are moderately-paced and methodical, emphasizing each student's ability to adapt their practice to fit their needs. She considers yoga to be a form of activism in which we better ourselves on the path toward bettering the world. She is also a lifelong musician, songwriter, and overall arts enthusiast. Katie enjoys awkward humor, long conversations with her sisters, and alone time with her asocial cat Logan.
Melissa, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Melissa is a mom of 2 who was born and raised in Colombia and moved to the United States in 2005. She attended her first yoga class at a gym, fell in love with the practice, and started a spiritual search along with it. In 2014 she got her 200-hr certification in Sivananda yoga in India and in 2017 she completed her 300-hr certification i
Melissa is a mom of 2 who was born and raised in Colombia and moved to the United States in 2005. She attended her first yoga class at a gym, fell in love with the practice, and started a spiritual search along with it. In 2014 she got her 200-hr certification in Sivananda yoga in India and in 2017 she completed her 300-hr certification in an Ashtanga inspired training. She is also certified in 1st level aerial yoga. Melissa enjoys reading, traveling, running, doing functional workouts and spending time with her family.
Melissa teaches an organically-sequenced vinyasa flow that incorporates strengthening exercises in addition to traditional Sivananda and Ashtanga postures. She leans towards an intermediate to advanced practice, always offering different options for all. Expect to break a sweat during class, and to feel empowered and refreshed when you leave! You can catch Meli on the mat Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm teaching Athletic Flow.
Mallory, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Katie, Owner/Founder, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Mallory, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Mallory is a lifelong Floridian. She moved to Jacksonville in 2012 to attend UNF and now she is a cozy Murray Hill resident.
Mallory’s first experience with yoga asana was in high school but she really fell in love with the physical and spiritual aspects during college. She was a member of Krishna Club which introduced her to the practic
Mallory is a lifelong Floridian. She moved to Jacksonville in 2012 to attend UNF and now she is a cozy Murray Hill resident.
Mallory’s first experience with yoga asana was in high school but she really fell in love with the physical and spiritual aspects during college. She was a member of Krishna Club which introduced her to the practice of kirtan and chanting meditation. She has furthered her studies with Tara Rawson of Regenerative Living School, completing 500 hours of YTT and continuing her education with Tara in Live Oak as often as possible.
Mallory teaches an Ashtanga-inspired vinyasa flow focused on breath, engagement and steady gaze.
Mallory is farm manager at White Harvest Farms on Moncrief. In her free time she likes to study ayurveda and vedic astrology as well as practice fermentation, ceramics and home gardening.
Ephie, LMT (she/they)
Ephie, LMT (she/they)
Mallory, CYT 500hr (she/her)
Ephie is a Sacred Space Creator based in Jacksonville Florida.
In 2020 in preparation to finalize their military career, Ephie embarked on the journey to become a Licensed Massage Therapist as an extension of modalities offered to support those looking to take a holistic approach to their physical and mental health.
Ephie’s Therapeutic Bod
Ephie is a Sacred Space Creator based in Jacksonville Florida.
In 2020 in preparation to finalize their military career, Ephie embarked on the journey to become a Licensed Massage Therapist as an extension of modalities offered to support those looking to take a holistic approach to their physical and mental health.
Ephie’s Therapeutic Bodywork sessions are catered to your specific needs, using a combination of intuition and drawing techniques from Traditional Thai massage, Swedish Massage, Usui Reiki and NMT.
Breath work is incorporated in our sessions as a means to aid in calming the mind and better connect you with your physical body.
One can experience anything from a therapeutic session that can assist in alleviating physical discomfort to a transcendental relaxing experience.
Contact Ephie at (904)217-5259 to learn more and book your appointment!
Rhonda, LMT (she/her)
Ephie, LMT (she/they)
Rhonda, LMT (she/her)
Rhonda began her anatomy studies in 2001 at Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia. As a long time yoga practitioner and teacher she immersed herself deeper into physiology at the Florida School of Advanced Bodywork in Jacksonville, Florida, where she received her LMT degree. Rhonda's specialties include therapeutic massage, blend
Rhonda began her anatomy studies in 2001 at Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia. As a long time yoga practitioner and teacher she immersed herself deeper into physiology at the Florida School of Advanced Bodywork in Jacksonville, Florida, where she received her LMT degree. Rhonda's specialties include therapeutic massage, blending Swedish relaxation and clinical structural therapies, aiming to balance the nervous system by bringing the body into its natural state.
Contact Rhonda at (904)434-6374 to learn more and book your appointment!