Carla Howe Ruffo aims to spread joy and connection with others through a holistic approach to sustainable health and wellness. She is the owner of Potion Place Yoga + Botanicals, a dream she's held since the third grade.

On the yoga mat, Carla specializes in vinyasa and gentle flow classes that incorporate meditation and breathwork--and that are accessible for anyone whether an experienced yogi or just beginning a yoga journey. Off the mat, she cultivates well-being through her botanicals line. She mixes essential oils to evoke feelings of calm, joy, energy, and coziness. She grows organic herbs such as lavender, sage, and chamomile to create wellness products like eye pillows, teas, and bath salts, supporting an overall self-care approach to every day.

Carla, a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, first found yoga in the late 1990’s through Rodney Yee’s instructional videos. Decades later, after her father’s passing and a chronic health diagnosis, she found a steady practice in Morgantown, West Virginia, that ultimately led her to Suncrest Yoga’s teacher training program under Nicole Yost Ross—a journey that changed her life through routine practice, strong friendships, and her 200-hr teaching credential! In 2024, her yoga dreams came full circle when she studied under Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee to earn her 300-hour advanced yoga teaching credential.

Outside of Potion Place, Carla swims regularly, works with a team of education experts, and enjoys quality time with her husband, friends, family, and pets. She is an avid reader of mysteries and loves walking outdoors especially when snow is falling.

A 500‑hour Registered Yoga Teacher represents a deep commitment to the study and embodiment of yoga. According to Yoga Alliance standards, this designation means the teacher has completed both a foundational 200‑hour training and an additional 300 hours of advanced study, totaling 500 hours of formal education in topics such as asana, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, subtle body systems, yoga history, and teaching methodology. This level of training goes far beyond learning poses — it cultivates the ability to teach with nuance, adapt practices for different bodies, understand therapeutic applications, and guide students safely and skillfully. Many RYT 500 teachers also develop strong skills in sequencing, hands‑on assists, trauma‑informed approaches, and the philosophical roots of yoga.

Being a RYT 500 is an indication that the teacher has invested in advanced, comprehensive training and has developed a mature, integrated understanding of yoga as both a physical and spiritual discipline. It reflects dedication, depth, and a commitment to lifelong learning — qualities that shape a teacher who can hold space with confidence, clarity, and compassion.