Florida Yoga Teachers Association

We Are Dedicated to Yoga

FYTA Officers & Board Members

Vandana Dillon

By

FYTA President
E-RYT 200

Vandana Dillon is the founder of VandanaLife, a wellness platform weaving together yoga, sound healing, Reiki, and meditation to awaken inner peace and purpose. Through her grounded presence and soul-led teachings, she guides others back to their vitality, joy, and true nature.

Vandana is a devoted teacher and visionary guide in the healing arts. She is the founder of VandanaLife, a transformational platform devoted to the integration of Yoga, Sound Healing, Reiki, Meditation, and spiritual well-being. Her work bridges ancient wisdom with embodied modern practices. She creates immersive experiences that restore vitality, awaken consciousness, and nourish the soul.

Drawing from decades of study and service, Vandana leads retreats, trainings, and community events. These events inspire deep connection — to nature, to spirit, and to the self. Her teachings aren’t simply about technique; they are about remembering who we truly are and living from that radiant center. Through her grounded presence and uplifting spirit, Vandana empowers others to reclaim their joy, inner peace, and life’s true purpose.

Vandana is the President of the Florida Yoga Teachers Association.

Susan Wasserman

By

FYTA Treasurer
RYT 500, CAP
Susan has practiced yoga for over twenty-five years and is a registered yoga teacher at the 500 hour level.
She is an RYT 500 Treasurer at Florida Yoga Teachers Association

Susan’s stressful career as a CPA led her to the benefits of yoga. She reduced her work hours for her baby daughter, and in 2002, received her teacher’s certification from the Florida Institute for Integrated Yoga Studies (FIFIYS) in Tampa. Through FIFIYS, she has studied with internationally known teachers such as Nischala Joy Devi, creator of Yoga of the Heart, and the faculty from the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation in Bangalore, India. … » Learn More about Susan Wasserman

Wendy Santiago

By

Photo of Wendy Santiago.Wendy is the owner of Wendy Fit Yoga, Pilates and Personal Training Studio in Palm Harbor Florida. This studio is a certified 200 hour Teacher Training School since 2001. Wendy is also an RYT 500 hour yoga instructor. She fell in love with the practice of yoga in the early 80’s and began studying with Rodney Yee. She also sudied with Baron Baptiste, David Swenson and Beryl Bender Birch. Through these teachers, Wendy got her certifications in Ashtanga and Power Yoga. Her passion for health and wellness took her quickly to Clinical Rehab work. The demand for Yoga as a tool for injury prevention and rehabilitation inspired Wendy to continue her education in Iyengar in other words, methods for proper alignment. … » Learn More about Wendy Santiago

Barb Shimer

By

As a working mom and helping to raise two teenage girls in the late 80’s, my life was hectic to say the least. Additionally, my fire-fighter husband worked shift work so balancing school, homework, softball, dance, orchestra, etc. was taking a toll on my nerves. One evening I had had enough and shouted my inability to handle the stress. The kids looked at me as if I was a monster and my husband stood there aghast! He then took me aside and gently explained that these were things every mom and dad dealt with on a daily basis. The kids were good and I was good but I needed to get a grip, to find something that would encourage me to relax. … » Learn More about Barb Shimer