Our Yoga & Wellness Teachers

Allison Modafferi

Allison fell in love with yoga while aspiring to balance out the intensity of living and working in NYC. Back in Charlotte, she pursued her first YTT certification in 2003 and began her teaching journey. Her ongoing studies have led her to in-depth explorations of Therapeutic alignment, Yoga philosophy, and Ayurvedic nutrition/digestive health. In 2024, she founded Alight Yoga. Ayurveda. Adventure. to support her Yoga community and to power Yoga spaces.

Allison's classes focus on integrating alignment to embody poses with stability and ease and to enhance breath and energy flow. She loves to share that "The alignment that keeps us safe also helps us heal AND go deeper."

The intricacies of alignment were hard won for Allison, though. When she first started yoga, a (not very nice) teacher told her she had no body awareness! Over the years, as her knowledge of poses grew, so did her awareness. She tended to understand alignment, conceptually, long before she was able to execute it, physically. As a result, she had to learn by breaking down poses into many parts and then putting them back together, methodically.

Or, as her Yoga philosophy teacher Douglas Brooks often says, “little by little, again and again”.

This slow process turned out to be a blessing, and Allison attributes her detailed alignment instructions to her curiosity and persistence in the pursuit of clarity. She also credits her ability to laugh at herself — and the sacred yet hilarious experience of embodiment — for making being a forever student fun.

Off the mat, Allison is a musician, theatre director, adventure guide, foodie, bird enthusiast, and passionate mountain mama. If you haven’t seen her in a while, check Belize.

Amanda Freels

Soulful Yoga Therapist & Inner Connection Guide

Originally from Morgantown, West Virginia, Amanda brings over a decade of experience and 1,500+ hours of yoga training to her work — including deep studies in yoga therapy, Ayurveda, trauma-informed practice, and healing-centered community care. Her style blends mindful flow, yin, breathwork, and meditation, all offered with presence, intention, and an open heart.

Amanda’s teaching is rooted in the belief that each of us holds an endless well of wisdom and possibility within. She intuitively crafts each class to meet the energy in the room, creating space for students to arrive exactly as they are. Her approach is soulful, therapeutic, and reverent — inviting deep listening and authentic transformation.

Trained through Yoga One, Budokon, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Y12SR, and the Shakti School, Amanda’s offerings are shaped by a diverse and rich foundation. She’s especially passionate about helping people reconnect with their bodies, hearts, and the sacred stillness that lives inside all of us.

Off the mat, Amanda enjoys solo home practices, guided studio flows, and time with her identical twin — who also lives in Charlotte. Before each class, she clears her energy so she can hold space with clarity and care.

“There is space here for you. Show up as you are.”

Andee Smith

Steady Presence & Stillness Guide

Andee found yoga during a freezing February in Chicago in 2001, drawn to a community room class more out of curiosity than expectation. What started as a convenient way to move quickly became a grounding ritual that traveled with her through cross-country moves, career shifts, and motherhood.

Now based in Charlotte for the past 18 years, Andee teaches Deep Stretch and Yin with warmth, intentionality, and a deep respect for what unfolds when we slow down. Her classes weave in breath and gentle meditation, creating space for students to check in — physically, mentally, and spiritually — and leave feeling open, present, and more at home in their bodies.

She especially loves the accessibility of Deep Stretch: “A seasoned athlete can practice right next to someone brand new, and both can walk away feeling challenged, grounded, and open-hearted.” To Andee, yoga is community. It’s safety. It’s belonging.

Trained through Be Yoga in Charlotte and additional Yin and Deep Stretch mentorships, Andee shares from a place of lived experience — offering steadiness, softness, and real connection in every class.

Angela Gala

Mindfulness & Meditation Teacher

Angela Gala is a longtime meditation teacher and the Senior Instructor at Charlotte Meditation. With 17 years of dedicated practice and over a decade of teaching experience, she offers mindfulness and mantra meditation rooted in clarity, compassion, and lived experience.

Before teaching, Angela led a high-profile career in event design and production — featured on the Today Show and quoted by ABCNews, MSNBC, and others. But it was in the midst of the fast-paced world of business and motherhood that she found the profound steadiness of meditation. Studying under Guru Ranjit, she began to experience a deeper calm, focus, and sense of joy — not by leaving life behind, but by showing up for it more fully.

Angela is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher and co-founder of Youth Meditation, a program that brings accessible, secular meditation practices to children and schools. She has shared mindfulness and laughter yoga in nonprofits, schools, corporations, and community studios, always with the belief that “we don’t have to quit life to find peace.”

Her classes are interactive, practical, and perspective-shifting — designed to help students uncover their own true knowing and meet life with grounded presence.

Angela lives in Charlotte with her family and loves meditating on her screened-in porch. Her greatest joy is watching her own children grow up with these tools, knowing what a difference they make.

“Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces.” — Rumi

Anje Seufert

 Mindful Flow, Restorative & Therapeutic Guide

Charlotte native Anje Seufert is a lifelong wellness educator, somatic therapist, and yoga teacher with over 25 years of experience. Rooted in the therapeutic and wellness community, she brings deep care, creativity, and compassion to every class, workshop, and retreat she leads. Anje is a passionate advocate for mental health and inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels welcome and supported on their mat.

Her teaching blends breathwork, meditation, trauma-informed practices, and alignment-based movement to create personalized, mindful experiences. She guides students to explore joy, ease, and balance in their daily lives, showing that yoga is not only a practice—it’s an invitation to connect with yourself and the world around you.

Anje loves teaching outdoors, near water or in the mountains, and cherishes time with her family: two sons, Caiden and Tyler, a kitty named Rocco, and her dog, Lucy. A musician and singer, she often brings her love of music into her practice. For Anje, the ultimate goal of teaching is simple: she wants every student to feel better after leaving her class than when they arrived.

“Sky Above, Earth Below, Peace Within. Love is the highest form of energy. If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” — Meister Eckhart

Ayse Sutcu

Mindful Movement & Emotional Healing

Born and raised in Turkey, Ayse has called Charlotte home for over five years after living in Alaska and Texas. Her yoga journey began three years ago, and in that time, she’s found yoga to be a profound source of emotional healing, spiritual growth, and community.

Ayse’s teaching blends slow flow, mindful movement, power flow, and deep stretch — always rooted in breath, alignment, and meditation. Trained at Chakra Flow University with Victoria Martinez, she holds space for students to safely explore their edges, reconnect with their bodies, and find clarity amid life’s chaos.

For Ayse, yoga is “where movement becomes medicine” — a practice that brings strength in softness and stillness in the storm. She loves teaching because it allows her to share the gifts that yoga has given her: grounding, healing, and the deep joy of presence.

Outside the studio, Ayse enjoys hiking, road trips, good food, and quiet moments with her two cats, Pistachio and Freddie. A fun fact? She once drove the entire Alcan Highway roundtrip in Alaska — an adventure that shaped her love for connection and nature.

“Om mani padme hum” — The jewel is in the lotus. A beautiful reminder of compassion and awakening that guides her teaching and life.

Brianna Gorman

Deep Stretch & Flow-Focused Yoga Specialist

Brianna Gorman brings warmth, calm, and intention to every class she teaches. Based in Columbia, SC, she has been guiding students through mindful movement since 2019, specializing in Deep Stretch and Vinyasa. Her teaching reflects a dedication to helping students find space for release, restoration, and self-discovery.

Trained through WWC/Chakra Flow University, Brianna incorporates breathwork, mindful sequencing, and chakra-focused exploration to help students connect body, mind, and spirit. She believes in creating a safe and inviting space where all levels can feel supported as they move, breathe, and release tension. For Brianna, yoga is an invitation to be the peace in the middle of the chaos, cultivating stillness even amid life’s busyness.

Her classes are deeply influenced by nature; she finds inspiration whether she’s near a body of water, in the middle of the woods, or simply tuning into the rhythms of life around her. Brianna’s approach balances gentle guidance with playful curiosity, encouraging students to explore their edges while remaining grounded and present.

As a new mom, Brianna understands the importance of nurturing both body and mind, and she brings that empathetic energy into her teaching. She celebrates small victories, mindful breath, and the joy of returning to the mat as a personal sanctuary.

Brianna’s teaching is defined by her ability to hold space, invite reflection, and guide students toward both physical and emotional ease. Through Deep Stretch, Vinyasa, and mindful awareness, her classes help students reconnect with themselves, release tension, and move with intention.

Brooks Haislip

Embodied Alignment & Mindful Flow

Based in Charlotte, Brooks brings over 25 years of teaching experience and 30+ years of personal yoga practice to his classes. Trained at the Iyengar Institute in San Francisco and certified as an Anusara teacher, Brooks integrates mindful flow, embodied alignment, and nervous system therapies with sacred masculine/feminine embodiment practices.

Her teaching reflects a profound celebration of both oneness and uniqueness, inviting students into playful, creative exploration while awakening their inherent wholeness. As a longtime student of mindfulness meditation with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, Brooks weaves breath, awareness, and soulfulness throughout his offerings.

Brooks sees herself as a connector and awakener—holding space for each student’s unique journey to the divine spark within.

You might find her practicing in nature, especially near water, or embracing her playful spirit (once nicknamed “hummingbirdmonkey”).

“Wake up. Slow down. Connect.”

Carrie Wren

Trauma-Informed & Therapeutic Yoga

A native North Carolinian, Carrie brings over 15 years of teaching experience and a decade of leading international yoga retreats. With thousands of hours of training — including trauma-informed yoga, meditation, and advanced Thai yoga therapy — her classes offer a safe, welcoming space where challenge meets kindness.

Carrie’s teaching centers on honoring each body as it is and helping students cultivate presence, self-awareness, and genuine connection to their practice. Whether guiding flow, yin, deep stretch, or yoga nidra, she encourages students to explore movement that feels good and supports well-being.

Her favorite places to practice are wherever her retreats take her, from beaches in Thailand to rooftops in Morocco and vineyards in Italy. Off the mat, Carrie enjoys reading and cuddling with her 80-pound “lap dog” and coaching individuals and teams to increase presence, impact, and joy.

“When feeling urgent, you must slow down.” — Mark Nepo

Chelsea Carr

Alignment & Breathwork Specialist

Chelsea found yoga through online classes in her home state of Florida, and what started as a curiosity quickly became a lifelong love. After a few years in the lush Pacific Northwest, she and her family relocated to Charlotte, where she completed her teacher training in 2024 with Victoria at WWC.

Chelsea teaches vinyasa flow, chakra-inspired sequences, and deep stretch classes that tune into the unique energy of the room. Her approach is alignment-based and infused with breathwork, and she always makes space to connect with students before or after class — because to her, community matters just as much as movement.

What she loves most about yoga is how accessible it truly is: “Anyone can practice, and everyone can feel better after class.” Teaching has deepened her understanding of yoga’s science and alignment, and she’s passionate about helping students “find what feels good” in their own bodies.

When she’s not teaching, Chelsea provides one-on-one therapy for kids on the spectrum, and she loves practicing outdoors or in a cozy hot studio.

Courtney Gendron

Accessible Yoga Ambassador | Mindfulness & Soundbath Guide

Courtney Gendron (she/her/hers) calls Charlotte home, though her yoga journey began in Philadelphia through modern dance warm-ups. A passionate advocate for accessibility in yoga, Courtney’s goal is to make yoga available to those who might not otherwise practice. She completed her 200-hour RYT in the Tantra Lineage in 2017 and a 300-hour Teacher Training focused on social justice in 2021. She is also certified in Mindfulness Meditation, Soundbath facilitation, and is an intuitive healer trained in Reiki.

Courtney teaches Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa, Power, and Rocket classes, often integrating breathwork, meditation, and chakra-focused practices to cultivate presence and holistic wellbeing. Her teaching is guided by a commitment to inclusivity, social justice, and creating spaces where students feel supported and empowered, no matter their experience level.

Off the mat, Courtney wears many hats—swim team coach, nonprofit president, small business owner—and brings the same dedication and care to her community work as she does to her yoga teaching. She believes yoga is a living, evolving practice that can meet every student where they are, fostering connection, balance, and transformation.

Dilek Incoglu

Dedicated Wellness Guide

Originally from Turkey, Dilek has called Charlotte home for 20 years. After a two-decade career in corporate banking, she followed her heart into yoga, Pilates, breathwork, and sound healing — discovering a passion for teaching accessible movement that engages body, mind, and breath.

Trained through Yoga Alliance International’s Paramgati Institute in Hong Kong, with extensive certifications in Pilates, Oxygen Advantage breathing, mindfulness, and sound healing, Dilek’s classes are alignment-based and deeply mindful. She loves using props to support each student’s unique body, fostering strength, flexibility, and presence.

Beyond yoga, Dilek facilitates transformative sound baths — a magic blend of gongs, singing bowls, drums, and intention that opens space for deep relaxation, energy balancing, and vibration shifts.

Her teaching is rooted in the belief that “movement is meditation,” offering students tools to improve physical and emotional wellness with care and intention.

Dilek continues to learn and grow as a lifelong student, embracing every moment of connection and discovery.

“Pure mind sees a pure world.”

Elizabeth Ames

Mindful Movement & Social Justice–Inspired Yoga

Elizabeth Ames (she/her) discovered yoga as a sanctuary, a place to return to herself while navigating the intensity of her work as a civil rights attorney. What began as a personal refuge soon became a calling to share yoga as a practice of healing, connection, and freedom.

Elizabeth’s classes are heart-centered spaces where breath and movement guide students toward presence, grounding, and self-discovery. With a focus on accessibility, she believes yoga is for every body, and she gently encourages students to honor their unique experience on the mat. Her teaching is infused with compassion and curiosity, inviting practitioners to cultivate resilience, self-trust, and ease both in practice and in life.

Rooted in her dedication to justice and community care, Elizabeth sees yoga as more than movement—it is a practice of listening deeply: to our bodies, to our breath, and to one another. She loves weaving mindfulness and gentle awareness into class, reminding students that slowing down is not only allowed but deeply powerful.

Outside of the studio, Elizabeth finds joy in hiking and camping with her husband, teaching her cat new tricks, and cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs. She carries her lighthearted spirit, her passion for advocacy, and her reverence for connection into every class she guides

Fauna Moore

Anatomy & Ashtanga Specialist

Charlotte native Fauna Moore, LMBT, ERYT-500, has been teaching yoga since 2010 with a rich background rooted in both practice and science. She has studied in Mysore, India — the birthplace of Ashtanga — and trained with notable teachers like Sharath and Saraswati Jois, as well as Angela Jamison.

With over 22 years as a licensed massage therapist and thousands of hours studying human anatomy (including cadaver labs and fascia-focused work), Fauna brings a unique depth to her teaching. Her classes emphasize breath, bandha, and drishti to regulate the nervous system through rhythmic, mindful movement.

Fauna’s offerings include Ashtanga, restorative yoga, and anatomy-focused workshops. Outside the studio, she enjoys biking, birding, cooking vegetarian meals, and traveling with her husband to study anatomy, architecture, philosophy, and yoga.

She warmly invites all to “come get cozy with yourself” in her classes — spaces where students are empowered to feel strong, connected, and fully alive.

Genevieve Scott

Prenatal, Yin & Vinyasa Guide

Born and raised in New Jersey, Genevieve now calls Davidson home. Fifteen years ago, as a busy and stressed-out music student, she was invited to a yoga class by a caring friend—and though hesitant at first, she quickly discovered the power of being present with her body and breath. Since completing her 200-hour YTT in 2020, along with prenatal and Yin certifications, Genevieve has been guiding students with compassion, accessibility, and mindfulness.

Drawing from her background as a music therapist, her classes invite exploration, self-awareness, and a grounded connection to the body. Whether through trauma-informed practices, meditation, or gentle flows, she meets each student where they are, creating space for curiosity, release, and growth.

Off the mat, you might find Genevieve baking sourdough, tackling adventurous hikes, or playing Chopin on her piano—sometimes even bringing an instrument into savasana. Her greatest joy comes from seeing students connect to themselves, carry practice into their daily lives, and return with stories of how yoga has touched them.

“Inhale, exhale—and find your own rhythm.”

Grace Millsap

Tantra & Himalayan Yoga | Restorative Flow | Science-Inspired

Grace Millsap (she/they) teaches yoga rooted in a unique blend of science, social justice, and ancient yogic wisdom. Based in Charlotte, NC (Catawba and Sugaree land), Grace brings a background in nutrition, genetics, and neuroscience research from UNC-Chapel Hill into their classes, creating a thoughtful bridge between modern science and the timeless teachings of Tantra and the Himalayan traditions of Sri Vidya.

Since completing their first yoga teacher training in 2013, Grace has embraced yoga as a powerful toolkit for navigating life’s complexities with grace and joy. They honor yoga as a lifelong study—embracing evolution, unlearning, and healing along the way. Grace’s teaching style is infused with intention, restorative flow, and a quest for magic in everyday moments.

Also a licensed massage therapist, Grace offers bodywork that complements their holistic approach to wellness. Outside of teaching, you might find them immersed in books, exploring animal facts, planning their next taco meal, or simply enjoying the natural rhythms of the world around them.



Grace’s classes invite students into a space of safety, self-love, and liberation—anchored by a strong commitment to social justice and authentic connection. They believe deeply that yoga is not just movement but a living practice that supports our highest truths and helps us navigate the twists and turns of life with resilience and heart.

Haley Ben David

Prenatal & Mindful Movement Specialist

With 15 years of personal practice and five years teaching, Haley offers Vinyasa, prenatal, and postnatal yoga classes that gently challenge the body while calming the mind. Trained at Skanda Yoga Studio in Miami and certified as a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher through the Dolphin Method, she emphasizes breathwork and alignment-based movement in her classes.

Haley loves sharing wellness beyond the mat through yoga, meditation, and community workshops. She’s passionate about supporting students’ transformations, knowing yoga’s positive impact extends into everyday life.

When she’s not teaching, Haley enjoys practicing outdoors and exploring new places in Charlotte. Always open to recommendations for fun spots and good eats!

Janice Williams

Mindful Flow & Social-Emotional Learning

Janice brings over 30 years of personal practice and nearly five years of teaching experience to her classes, weaving in breathwork, mindfulness, chanting, and gentle movement rooted in monthly themes. Certified through Breathe for Change, her training bridges yoga, philosophy, and social-emotional learning — reflecting her deep commitment to nurturing both inner and outer connection.

A lifelong musician and educator, Janice also teaches piano and voice. Whether she’s guiding mindful flows or sharing music, she offers her presence with intention, love, and care.

Janice’s classes invite students to experience the full integration of mind, body, and spirit — always in a calm, welcoming space, indoors or under the sky.

Off the mat, you’ll find her cooking, traveling, and spending time with the people she loves most.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu — “May all beings be happy and free.”

Jeffrey Shoaf

Therapeutic Yoga, Yin, Pranayama & Restorative Guide

Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Jeffrey Shoaf is a deeply experienced yoga teacher, therapist, and bodywork specialist with over 23 years of practice. As an E-RYT 500, Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist, Certified International Yoga Therapist, and Buteyko Breath Method Coach, Jeffrey brings a wealth of knowledge, heart, and precision to every class.

His teaching emphasizes therapeutic, restorative, and breath-centered practices designed to calm the nervous system, release tension, and reconnect students with their bodies. Drawing on decades of experience, he creates accessible, mindful experiences for all bodies and all levels. For Jeffrey, yoga isn’t just about poses—it’s about understanding that “our issues are in our tissues” and using movement, breath, and meditation to restore balance and ease.

Outside the studio, Jeffrey enjoys practicing in nature and bringing the wisdom of his personal journey—including years as an over-the-road truck driver—into his classes. His ultimate joy is helping others experience the calming, healing effects of yoga in ways that are simple, accessible, and profoundly transformative.

“Our issues are in our tissues, and yoga is a path to release, restore, and reconnect.”

Jenn Shull

Restorative & Trauma-Informed Yoga

Jenn is deeply committed to creating nurturing, transformative spaces where students can heal, process, and release. With over eight years of teaching experience and more than a decade as an Alignment Coach, she weaves somatic safety, emotional awareness, and breath into every practice.

Her offerings are grounded in trauma-informed principles, shaped by studies in Yin Yoga, breathwork, Shaking Medicine, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, and Deep Stretch. Jenn invites students to slow down and reconnect — not just to their physical bodies, but to their emotional, energetic, and spiritual layers as well.

Originally drawn to high-intensity practices, Jenn discovered that what she truly needed was deep rest and regulation. Her classes now offer just that: a soft landing place in a fast-paced world, where healing unfolds through presence and permission.

Jenn trained in her 200-hr YTT through a Rasika group led by Allison, and continues to support students both in-studio and (possibly) through livestream offerings.

Outside the studio, Jenn is a proud Yooper (from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — yes, it’s a thing!) and lives by the mantra: Simple. Sustainable. Joyful.

Julie Rauschenplat

Julie is passionate about reproductive health and justice, and improving maternal mortality and morbidity rates. She is a Certified Professional Midwife, RYT, RPYT (Prenatal Yoga Center Certified), Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and a Spinning Babies®Certified Parent Educator.

Katie Sutton & Josh Vogt

Sound Healing & Meditation Guides

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Katie Sutton and Josh Vogt are a husband-and-wife duo and the founders of Zen Within Academy, an online and in-person community supporting awakening souls through retreats, one-on-one sessions, classes, and sound healing workshops. With over 11 years of experience in sound healing, they blend meditation, energy work, and music to create transformative experiences that help participants slow down, release what no longer serves them, and connect with their inner peace.

Katie and Josh bring trauma-informed, mindful guidance to their sessions, using breathwork, meditation, and energy healing alongside the vibrational power of sound. Their shared journey, from yoga and meditation to healing careers, fuels their passion for creating safe, nurturing containers where students can feel supported, restored, and truly heard.

“The connection between our bodies and the universal energies around us—and the ability yoga gives us to slow down and be present—is at the heart of our practice. You’ve got to feel it to heal it!”

Kelly Haas

Yoga Therapy & Women’s Health

Kelly Haas is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Licensed Massage & Bodyworker, and long-time teacher passionate about helping people feel better in their bodies. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in adaptive, therapeutic, and alignment-based practices that meet students exactly where they are — whether working with injury, aging conditions, or women’s health.

Her extensive training includes certifications in Anusara Yoga, Osteoporosis Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, and Buff Bones. Kelly is especially gifted at supporting older populations and guiding students toward sustainable healing through breath, movement, and presence.

Based in Charlotte, Kelly offers private yoga therapy, bodywork, and teaches workshops and trainings around the world. She’s also lived and taught internationally, including a chapter in Costa Rica where she ran a yoga retreat center surrounded by nature.

Her approach is simple: Yoga is for all of us. Through this work, Kelly offers tools to help you reconnect, restore, and reclaim your well-being.

Kimberly Stitt

Mindfulness & Radical Self-Love Guide

Kimberly Stitt, originally from Mitchellville, Maryland, has called Charlotte home since 2006 after graduating from Johnson C. Smith University. Her yoga journey has been one of both study and service, with over 300 certified hours from Chakra Flow University and an initial 200-hour BIPOC-focused training that shaped her commitment to inclusivity and representation in yoga spaces.

At the heart of Kimberly’s teaching is an invitation to pause, breathe, and honor the present moment. She guides students into deeper awareness of their bodies and minds, weaving mindfulness practices with conscious breathing to cultivate both inner stillness and vitality. Her classes are designed to be accessible to all, with special care for diverse body sizes, lived experiences, and abilities. In her words, yoga is for every body — and she makes it her mission to ensure that students feel safe, supported, and celebrated exactly as they are.

Kimberly’s teaching emphasizes radical self-love, a practice that extends far beyond the mat. Through her gentle guidance and mindful sequencing, she creates space for students to let go of judgment, rediscover acceptance, and reconnect with the wholeness that is already within them.

Whether guiding a grounding flow or a restorative practice, Kimberly offers her classes as sanctuaries for well-being, compassion, and connection. Her approach reminds students that yoga is not about achieving a pose but about experiencing presence, healing, and the joy of simply being.

Kimberly is known for creating inclusive spaces that honor diversity, celebrate self-love, and center mindfulness as a pathway to healing and wholeness.

Liz Kriz

Holistic Yoga & Healing Arts Guide

Liz’s journey with yoga began before she could even put words to it. At just three years old, she sat quietly at the back of her mom’s yoga class—absorbing the rhythm of breath and movement, and unknowingly beginning a lifelong relationship with practices that nurture the body, mind, and spirit. What started as a childhood memory has blossomed into her life’s work: weaving together yoga and holistic healing to create spaces of connection and harmony.

A California native now rooted in the South, Liz finds joy in the simple, sacred moments of life—a soft cat’s purr, the glow of the moon, a cup of tea shared with a friend. Her studies and travels have deepened her understanding of diverse healing traditions, giving her a toolkit of practices she now shares with her community. Through yoga, energy work, and mindful rituals, Liz invites students to slow down, soften, and reconnect with their innate wholeness.

For Liz, teaching is not about perfecting poses but about creating sanctuary—spaces where students feel safe to breathe, release, and remember their own inner wisdom. She believes that healing happens in relationship: with ourselves, with one another, and with the natural world around us.

At Palestra, Liz is honored to share her heart through Holistic Harmony, offering practices that gently guide students home to themselves.

Mark Jenkins

Mindful Movement & Philosophy

Originally from Boston, Mark now calls Charlotte home. His yoga journey began 17 years ago after a mountain biking injury left him with permanent metal in his body. What started as a tool for flexibility became a deep, ongoing exploration of the physical, mental, and spiritual gifts of the practice.

Mark completed his training through Chakra Flow University at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. At Palestra, he teaches Empower — a strong, purposeful class — while also offering slower flows and deep stretch sessions elsewhere. His teaching weaves together breathwork, meditation, chanting, and moments of philosophical reflection, inviting students to not only move, but to awaken.

He sees yoga as a way to serve, a practice that helps others connect with themselves while continuing to guide his own spiritual path. Mark especially loves helping students move through limitations, discover joy in their bodies, and find stillness in motion.

You can usually find him practicing outdoors — in his own backyard, near waterfalls, or atop mountain trails. He also loves growing vegetables, talking philosophy, and embracing the beauty of simple, connected living.

“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu – May all beings everywhere be happy and free.”

Martha Blanchard

 Functional Anatomy & Alignment Guide

Martha Laquidara-Blanchard (500E-RYT) began her yoga journey in 2009 and has been dedicated to deep study and teaching ever since. With certifications in Therapeutic Yoga and Advanced Vinyasa Flow from The Asheville Yoga Center, and advanced Unity Yoga training from BE Yoga, Martha blends tradition, anatomy expertise, and a heart-centered approach into every class.

Her teaching is intuitive yet grounded, weaving healthy breathing, functional alignment, and balanced energy flow into an experience that welcomes both beginners and seasoned practitioners. She has studied with some of the most respected teachers in yoga, and her descriptive cueing helps students create more space in their bodies and clarity in their minds.

A retired professional ballet dancer, Martha understands the body’s need for both precision and compassion. Her classes are informed by decades of movement study, her Sanskrit training, and her ongoing exploration of how yoga postures support functional movement.

When she’s not on the mat, you’ll likely find Martha gardening, reading, writing, or spending time with her family and her black lab, Tucker.

“Yoga is my passion, and it is my calling to share the practice. I teach from the heart and only what I know — with the hope that we all fall in love with yoga together.”

Mia Lovens

Prenatal, Power & Vinyasa Guide

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Mia Lovens has been immersed in yoga for over 18 years, blending a lifetime of home practice with years of studio teaching. She began practicing in 2008 during college, spent nearly a decade in Bikram-style yoga, and has since explored a variety of traditions. Her journey through seminary and completion of a Master of Divinity in 2020 deepened her spiritual connection, which she now brings into every class. Mia completed her 200-hour YTT at Charlotte Yoga (2022), her 85-hour Prenatal Yoga certification with Lily Dwyer Begg (2023), and her 300-hour training at Asheville Yoga Center (2024).

Mia teaches vinyasa, power, and prenatal yoga with a trauma-informed and spiritually grounded lens. Her classes weave alignment-based asana, breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness, encouraging students to cultivate curiosity, resilience, and awareness while moving with choice and intention. She creates a space that is both grounding and uplifting, inviting students to connect with their breath, discover their inner rhythm, and experience the lightness and freedom of movement.

Off the mat, Mia enjoys early morning moments before dawn, savasana with the rising sun, exploring the mountains, reading maps, solving sudoku, and engaging in curious conversation. Her philosophy is simple: yoga can help you feel a little lighter, freer, and more present in your life.

“Aham Prema”—I am divine love.

Patti Kryzanowski

Vinyasa & Trauma-Informed Yoga

Patti came to yoga to support her surfing — but stayed for the healing. What began as a way to strengthen her body became a pathway into presence, self-connection, and transformation. Over the past 27 years, yoga has been her anchor, guide, and joyful companion.

Certified through My Vinyasa Practice and trained in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Foundations of Yoga Therapy, Patti teaches a range of styles including mindful and power vinyasa, gentle flow, restorative yoga, and Yoga Nidra. She’s currently completing her 300-hour training with the vision of becoming a Yoga Therapist.

Patti’s classes blend mindfulness, breath, and alignment with a grounded, heart-centered approach. Whether you're moving, resting, or breathing — she hopes you feel her deep love for the practice and for the shared energy that comes when we gather together.

Originally from Charleston, SC, Patti spent over a decade as the Director of the Folly Beach Wahine Classic, a nonprofit all-girls surf contest that celebrated empowerment through community and sport.

Yoga meets you where you are, Patti says. And when you're ready, it leads you back home to yourself.

Rey Culler

Sound Bath & Vibrational Healing Guide

For Rey, sound has always been a pathway to presence—a bridge between the outer world and the inner self. Her journey with sound baths began as a personal practice of deep listening, rest, and release, and quickly grew into a calling to share this healing modality with others.

Rey believes that sound is medicine. Through the vibrations of crystal bowls, chimes, and other instruments, she guides students into states of deep rest where the nervous system can soften, the heart can open, and the body can begin to restore itself. Her sessions invite participants to let go of daily noise and sink into stillness, offering both grounding and expansion in equal measure.

Originally drawn to yoga and mindfulness as tools for connection and care, Rey discovered that sound baths offered another dimension of healing—one that bypasses words and directly speaks to the body, mind, and spirit. At Palestra, she is grateful to share this work in a community that values sanctuary, kindness, and presence.

Whether you are seeking deep relaxation, energetic release, or simply a moment to breathe, Rey’s offerings create a safe and nurturing space to listen inward and reconnect with your own rhythm.

Sarah O'Connor

Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Specialist

Sarah is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with over 90 hours of advanced training in Prenatal, Postnatal Core, and Baby & Me Yoga. A mother of two girls, Sarah brings lived wisdom, gentle strength, and deep empathy to every class she leads.

Her teaching supports women through the profound transitions of pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. Whether guiding a grounding prenatal flow, a restorative postnatal class, or a joyful Baby & Me session, Sarah creates space for students to connect with their breath, their bodies, and one another.

She believes yoga is not just about movement — it’s about belonging. Through her classes, she helps moms build their “village,” feel seen in their experiences, and reclaim space for self-care. Her approach is both informed and intuitive, weaving knowledge, compassion, and a lighthearted sense of joy.

Based in Charlotte, Sarah completed her foundational training at Yoga One and received her prenatal certifications from The Prenatal Yoga Center of NYC.

“Connecting moms to their village and giving them space in their minds and bodies” is my why, she says — and it shows in every class she teaches.

Susan Hughes

Therapeutic Yoga Specialist

With over 15 years of experience and more than a decade of teaching, Susan Hughes brings a deeply supportive, grounding presence to every class. She specializes in Therapeutic Yoga, guiding students to reconnect with their bodies, trust their inner wisdom, and honor their own unique needs.

For Susan, yoga isn’t about fitting into a pose—it’s about making the practice fit you. Through compassionate and empowering guidance, she creates a space where movement becomes a pathway to feeling strong, capable, and truly at home in yourself.

Her classes—whether Vinyasa, Gentle, Power, Slow Flow, or Therapeutic—are infused with anatomical awareness, alignment-based cuing, and a trauma-informed approach. She draws on her advanced 300-hour Therapeutic Yoga training to help students move in ways that feel safe, intentional, and nourishing.

A native Charlottean, Susan finds joy in practicing and teaching in community—whether in a studio, in a park, or at a special event. She is inspired by the deep knowing of self that yoga cultivates and loves sharing the joy, connection, and growth her own practice has brought her.

“And the journey of who we were born to be never ends. It's limitless, eternal. We don't arrive – we grow.” ~ Mark Nepo

Tiffany Cubacub

Ashtanga half series Instructor & Reiki Practitioner

Tiffany Cubacub, based in North Carolina, is a devoted lover of movement, breath, sound, and art. A 500-hour certified yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner, Tiffany’s classes balance strength, fluidity, and stillness, guiding students to connect with their breath, body, and inner harmony. Her practice spans Ashtanga, mindful flow, and Yin yoga, enriched by studies in yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, Vedic chanting, and energy healing.

Tiffany believes yoga is a path for deep connection, both within oneself and with the natural world. She brings a life-long curiosity and devotion to her teaching, blending breathwork, meditation, visualization, and restorative guidance to create space for presence, self-discovery, and liberation. Off the mat, she can be found immersed in nature, crafting herbal remedies, or creating plant-based delights through her business, Cakey Organics.

“My why is to witness and be of service—to guide individuals back to their breath, where they can find acceptance, surrender, and ultimately, freedom.”

Tracy Edmondson

 Mindful Flow & Breathwork Guide

Originally from New York but proud to call Charlotte home for nearly three decades, Tracy Edmondson brings warmth, presence, and a deep sense of care to her teaching. With over 20 years of personal practice and 2½ years of teaching experience, she leads Mindful Flow, Empower, and Deep Stretch classes at Palestra, and is also certified in Yin, Restorative, and Breathwork, along with Reiki Levels 1 & 2.

Tracy weaves breathwork and meditation into almost every class, anchoring her students in the present moment and inviting them to move mindfully. She encourages listening deeply to the body and trusting its cues, helping students feel empowered, safe, and supported on the mat.

For Tracy, yoga began as a way to balance running and the demands of motherhood, but it soon became a journey of self-discovery. Her greatest joy is guiding others to that same sense of connection, whether in a serene studio or practicing outdoors surrounded by the sounds of nature.

An advocate for creating safe, welcoming spaces, including for the LGBTQIA+ community, Tracy’s classes are about more than poses; they’re about finding yourself, honoring your truth, and moving in ways that feel right for you.

“In the end, I want my heart to be covered in stretch marks.” – Andrea Gibson

Wendy Swanson

Soulful Slow Flow & Mindfulness Guide

Wendy Swanson, L.Ac, E-RYT500, brings over three decades of yoga experience to her classes — rooted in breath, presence, and wholehearted living. A longtime teacher, licensed acupuncturist, published writer, and former studio owner, Wendy creates spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to return to themselves.

Her yoga journey began in 1993 as a way to ease tension in body and mind. Since then, she has completed 500 hours of yoga training through Kripalu, led international retreats, and cultivated a vibrant private acupuncture practice in Charlotte. She’s currently deepening her mindfulness work through training with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.

Wendy teaches slow flow vinyasa, yin, restorative, deep stretch, pranayama, and meditation — often weaving them together in soulful, breath-focused classes that balance depth with lightness. Her teaching reflects a deep reverence for the whole of yoga, not just movement, but a path toward healing, wholeness, and love.

A breast cancer survivor and plane crash survivor (yes, really), Wendy’s connection to these practices is personal and profound. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, daughter, and joyful flat-coated retriever, and loves walking, writing, and being in the woods.

“Live from the heart.”