Meet The Team
Debbie Sheme ~ Wellness Director
Debbie Sheme is the owner and Wellness Director of the Pilates Yoga Loft in Saint Augustine, FL. She is very passionate about empowering clients with health and wellness at her studio located in Saint Augustine, Florida. She loves guest teaching at many locations in the US and being a mom will always be her greatest accomplishment. She is thrilled to take her mission of Freedom 2 Be You Yoga Retreats to around the world.
Debbie's Ballet, modern dance and Pilates background grew at the University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA in concentration in dance and choreography. She danced professionally for many years but now finds her greatest joy in teaching others. As an educator, Ms. Sheme draws on many years of experience! She traveled and studied internationally and received her first 200 Hour E-RYT certification with Yoga Energy School -Yoga Alliance in Greece. Debbie received her 300 E-RYT with Yoga Teacher Academy - Yoga Alliance in the state of California. Debbie is a 500 Hour E-RYT YACEP, and a RYS school with Yoga Alliance. She is the lead teacher trainer for the Pilates Yoga Loft 200HR teacher training certifications, continuing educations courses, and Aerial Yoga teacher trainer nationally with Yoga Alliance. Also, her studios in Saint Augustine is officially a RYS registered Yoga & Pilates schools with Yoga Alliance. Debbie is a certified Pilates instructor, Pilates Reformer teacher and holds certifications in Ayurveda Medicine, Yoga Therapy, Reiki Master, SUP Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Modern dance, Ballet and is a Wellness Advocate for the company doTerra. Debbie teaches Pilates at the Loft and also she guest teaches and offers YTT and master classes through out the United States. Debbie is grateful to call Saint Augustine, Florida her home. However traveling globally with her mission that yoga and holistic wellness changes lives is her soulful purpose with her Freedom 2 Be You Retreats.
Stephanie Crown ~
Food Director/Chef
Stephanie is a 200 hour ERYT with Yoga Alliance. She received her yoga certification in 2016 with Sanibel Pilates & Yoga. As a yoga instructor, Steph strives to help beginners in yoga feel comfortable in class, learn essential postures, and ensure a safe practice for everyone. Steph enjoys teaching Beach Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Vinyasa, Gentle Yoga, and Pilates Mat classes. Besides Stephanie completing her 200hr yoga teacher certification she holds Aerial Yoga Level I and II certifications and Pilates Mat & Reformer Certification with the Pilates Yoga Loft and Transcend Yoga.
Stephanie graduated Everglades University in Sarasota with a Bachelors of Science degree in Alternative Medicine. She is excited to share all of her knowledge about holistic health and wellness with her students. Stephanie is the head vegan chef for the Freedom 2 Be You health and wellness yoga retreats. Her vegan cuisine and talent in the culinary arts started at a young age. She has been a manager and head chef at several vegan cafes on Sanibel Island, FL, St. Armand’s Circle, FL and Sarasota, FL for many years. Stephanie brings lots of love to her clients with her amazing cooking and brings fun and positive energy to her classes.
She is excited to now be living in Saint Augustine Florida. Stephanie was awarded the first paid internship program at the Pilates Yoga Loft as the studio manager and full-time assistant working along side our wellness director Debbie Sheme. Stephanie looks forward to seeing you at our next upcoming retreat. Namaste!
Deborah Mule ~ Lead Message Therapist
Deborah relocated to St Augustine in 2010 after retiring from her full time career in medical marketing and communications for Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide located in Parsippany, New Jersey. She has worked as a part time massage therapist for over 15 years and is an active member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. Deborah is skilled in the following services and modalities: Therapeutic Swedish Deep Tissue Orthopedic Massage for Cervical Conditions, Low Back and Hip Pain Trigger Point Therapy Hot Stone Pregnancy Reiki Reflexology. Deborah is also a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Instructor completing a 200 hour teacher training in June 2018. Deborah, and her husband Philip who retired after serving 27 years in the military, love riding their motorcycle, the beach and living in St. Augustine. We welcome you to meet Deborah and her healing hands durning our Health and Wellness Freedom 2 Be You Retreats.
Edwin Uribe ~ Acupuncture and Contemporary Chinese Medicine
Edwin Uribe is a Licensed Acupuncture Physician who specializes in Traditional and Contemporary Chinese Medicine, as well as Sports and Orthopedic Acupuncture. Additionally, he specializes in Cupping, Tui na Massage, Moxibustion, Laser Therapy, Chinese Herbology, Diet Therapy and QI gong. Edwin graduated from Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine in 2014 and continued his education by studying under many seasoned practitioners thereafter. In 2017 he became a supervisor in the student clinic to help students transition into independent practice with the confidence and skills necessary to be successful. As a Colombian American, Edwin has always felt it as his mission to be a cultural ambassador in order to transmit the warmth, love, and compassion that we can share with one another when we are at our best, in order to create a caring community that will sustain us when, inevitably, we are not. Dr. Edwin loves helping all of the clients at the Pilates Yoga Loft located in Saint Augustine, FL. He is very much looking forward to sharing his passions with holistic wellness with all the guests attending the Freedom 2 Be You Retreats.
Tonya King ~ Guest Services
Tonya received her 200 Hour YTT in 2020 from Pilates Yoga Loft, an experience she is grateful for as it changed her life! She is currently working on more certifications. Tonya met Debbie many years ago while living in Pennsylvania. Debbie's love of yoga and teaching inspired her to begin her own journey with yoga. Tonya is dedicated to growing personally and professionally through the 'Freedom 2 Be You' retreats. Being a part of the retreat team combines her passion for helping others and her love of traveling. Tonya strives for each guest to be taken care of while they experience these amazing retreats! She looks forward to meeting you and your needs on the next retreat.
Macee Maddock ~ Media Marketing Manager
Macee Maddock is our “Media Marketing Manager.” She is a kind, brave and adventurous young woman. Macee met Debbie from a friend of a friend and took Debbie’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in January 2021 . When their two worlds collided, Macee knew she needed Debbie in her life - almost as much as she needed yoga! In 2020 Macee was diagnosed with breast cancer and she vows that yoga is a huge reason why she’s doing so well today. As Macee continues to grow in her yoga training, she wants to contribute to Debbie & ‘Freedom 2 Be You’ retreats by providing her social media/marketing/content skills. Macee is typically with a camera and/or an iPhone in her hand. She is a great multitasker, so even if she’s posting away, know she’s beyond grateful to be sharing a space with you. She will continue to heal & grow with our company.