yoga teacher bios

Jan Alexiou, RYT

Jan is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level who received her training from the late Esther Myers of Toronto. In addition, Jan has completed 92 hours training with Donna Farhi, and has studied with other national and local teachers. She has practiced yoga since 1984, holds a Master's degree in Public Health and has worked in the healthcare field for over twenty years.

Jan teaches small classes in her home studio where students can receive more individual attention and instruction in the use of the breath and body systems to create ease in movement and body awareness.

Individual therapeutic sessions to address a particular health issue are also available. Private sessions help the student develop a personal practice tailored to his/her needs to improve health, control symptoms, help recovery, or prevent further disability. She works with students with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, mild MS, back injury, joint replacements, anxiety, panic disorder, and depression.

She can be reached at her website: www.yogajanraleigh.com
Cheryl Andres

began practicing yoga in the 1970's. She holds a national certification in traditional yoga and has been teaching since 1996. She has completed specialty certification for Prenatal yoga with Gurmukh Khalas in LA, children's yoga with Shatka Kaur Khalsa in VA and Leah Kalish of Yoga Ed. Cheryl continues to seek more knowledge by attending teacher trainings. She has enjoyed studying under Rodney Yee, Ana Forrest, Doug Keller, JJ Gormley, Doug Swenson and Jenny Otto. Her most recent study has been with Judith Hanson Lasater. Cheryl became a Relax and Renew ® trainer in 2007. As a previously practicing Registerd Nurse and Childbirth Educator, and for the last 20 years Cheryl has been devoted to helping women prepare for birthing experience.

Prema Arasu

Prema has been practising yoga since 1996. She completed the teacher training program at the Sivananda ashram in Madurai, India.

Patience Armstrong, E-RYT500
Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor
Patience Armstrong is the founder and owner of the Artful Heart Yoga Studio and the North Raleigh School of Yoga.  She is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher and a Yoga Alliance registered teacher at the ERYT500 level.  Patience has spent over 600 hours studying directly with John Friend, Anusara’s founder, and was given the unique privilege of being mentored by him individually through her certification process, for which she will always be grateful. In addition, she has taken a full year to study and practice meditation with Paul Muller Ortega PhD, renowned tantric philosophy scholar. Her artistic nature is drawn to the creative and elegant quality of yoga postures while her analytical side loves solving the puzzle of yoga therapy. For Patience, the physical practice didn't come easily however, the spiritual and emotional benefits of yoga were immediate and deep. One of the many things she appreciates about Anusara yoga is that it respects individuality while it supports community. Patience's teaching emphasizes self-honoring, loving-kindness and aspiring to the highest that is within each of us.
Please contact ArtfulHeart Yoga for more information.
Tod Carley Trained at NC School of Yoga fall 07 at the 240 hour level and have been teaching for 2 years practicing for 6. I currently teach at my small home studio 3 days a week. My other primary influence is the Scaravelli/Esther Myers tradition. I do not teach a style or a form, I try to follow the inward guide and teach the individual student. Prices reasonable and slide; no drop ins, please call (h-919-431-0411; c-919-621-2013) or email todcarley@gmail.com to assure space and for class times.
Carol Bessette-Battle, RYT is a certified Integral Yoga Teacher who specializes in teaching yoga and meditation to a wide variety of students. She combines her background in therapeutic exercise and dance therapy with her yoga practice. She began training in Ananda yoga 30 years ago through the Self Realization Fellowship in California. She now uses a mix of yoga styles in her gentle and restorative yoga classes. Ms Battle is a member of the Yoga Alliance.
Kathryn Clarke, RYT Kathryn Clarke Kathryn Clarke, RYT has been practicing yoga since 2000 and teaching since 2003. She completed her 500-hour certification through the Esther Myers Yoga Teacher Training Program in February 2005 and is registered with Yoga Alliance. Her classes are gentle and well-balanced with emphasis on breathing and finding ease in the postures. Her students have shared that they feel more relaxed and centered, taller and more aware of their bodies, and just better overall after class. Currently, Kathryn teaches for Julie Rosier on Tuesday evenings at the Raleigh Friends Meeting House.
Claudia Conty

I have been teaching since August of 2008 and have been loving every moment of it. I am currently teaching at the Alexander Family YMCA downtown, O2 Fitness Clubs, Durant Park, CC & Co., and various other locations. You may read more by visiting my site at www.RaleighNCYoga.com
Philosphoy on yoga and life: Live, Breathe, Smile...
Susan Fenimore Susan earned her B.A. degree in Psychology and her M.S. in Therapeutic Recreation.
She earned her yoga teacher certification in 1995 through the Yoga Vedanta Science and Arts Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In addition she has also completed certification training with Esther Myers in 1997.
In 1999 she earned her certification in Acu-yoga with Michael Reed Gach. Susan's approach to yoga is gentle and individualized incorporating Eastern healing arts such as: Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and the Chakra system. Her speciality is teaching to beginner, intermediate adult, and senior adult students. Susan is also a certified Healing Touch Practitioner and a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist practicing at 140 Preston Executive Drive, Suite 100, in Cary where she also gives private yoga lessons and conducts small classes & workshops.
Patty Frey, RYT CPCC Patty Frey, RYT CPCC is a certified and registered yoga teacher with over 30 years of experience. She currently teaches Hatha Yoga, with an emphasis on mindfulness, in Burlington. Please see her website at www.pathfinderscoaching.com for further details.
Barbara Flagle, RYT Barbara Flagle is a registered Yoga Instructor as well as a Nationally Certified and State Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and LaStone Therapist. Barbara incorporates her love of yoga with her knowledge of the body, using various yoga styles to help students identify what their bodies and minds need to obtain better health, increased flexibility and life awareness.
Sharri Gaines, RYT is a graduate of the Asheville Yoga Center and has been teaching since 1998. Her style is influenced strongly by Iyenger, Anusara and Integral Yoga. Sharri presents a balanced approach to yoga that focuses on breath, flexibility, strength, balance and compassion. She is also a certified Reflexologist in private practice. You can contact her through her website: SharriGaines.com
Jody Khosla, RYT has been in the field of teaching and research since 1975. In addition to the study of humanities, fine arts and medical sciences, she has studied Yoga with several recognized teachers including, Erich Schiffman, Cora Wen and others. Her yoga roots stretch back to India, where she grew up with yoga
discipline. She studied and practiced yoga in a variety of meditative styles with great inspiring teachers. Her passion for yoga is reflected in her teaching approach, which focuses on a unique blend of ujjayi breathing, gentle and aligned concentrated movements with deep meditative
mindfulness. Currently, she is enrolled in NC school of yoga. I will be graduating in April 2003.
Susan Kilmon, RYT
Susan is a 500 Hour Certified Professional Level Kripalu Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Alliance. She is a member of KYTA the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, a professional association with over 2000 yoga teachers in over 30 countries. Susan is committed to her own personal growth educationally, spiritually, and professionally. She brings safety, compassion and support to her students. Susan is currently teaching at Sertoma Arts Center with Raleigh Parks and Recreation. Susan has been teaching Yoga since 1997.
Carol Krucoff, E-RYT 500
specializes in teaching Yoga to older adults and people with health challenges and offers private Yoga Therapy sessions at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham. She is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is certified in adapting yoga for people with heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses through Nischala Joy Devi's "Yoga of the Heart" program. Carol teaches classes in Durham and Chapel Hill, and is co-author, with her Duke Cardiologist husband, Mitchell Krucoff, of Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve and Prevent Common Ailments with Excercise. For more information visit her website: Healingmoves.com
Pashupati Steven Landau, MD, RYT has practiced yoga since 1971, training India, Jamaica, the United States. He has been teaching for 25 years in prisions, hospitals, mental health centers, schools, health food stores and yoga centers. Pashupati means, "he who controls the base propensities" and is one of the names of Hindu god Shiva. After becoming a 200 hour RYT, he was honored to be elected as a member of the Yoga Alliance Board of Directors. A practicing family physician, he is board certified, Family Medicine, he has given lectures on the medical aspects of yoga and meditation at various medical schools. A deciple of of Shirii Shirii Anandamurti, he has also studied with Peter Sage, (DaDa Vishvarupanada). Focus of teaching is the attainment of bliss and rendering of service to humanity. A master guitarist, music plays an important and magical part in his classes. He is also president of Amurt (Andna Marga Universal Relief Team) in the USA, and has traveled extensively to third-world countries rendering medical relief to hurricaine, earthquake and poverty-stricken victims. He has taught classes in Spanish and French. Happily married, with three wonderful grown children his "Marrige Tips" have saved many a marriage. "Do something concrete for suffering humanity," Baba told him. And so he does.
Claire McCullough, RYT

Claire McCullough has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaches individual and partner yoga. She has taught beginning yoga at Meredith College in Raleigh, as well as classes for breast cancer patients and survivors at Rex Cancer Center. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher and graduated from the NC School of Yoga.

Subhash Mittal
Subhash Mittal		 Subhash received his yoga certification in 1996 from the Satchidananda Institute in VA. Subsequently he has obtained certification in Cardiac Yoga, Stress Management and Prenatal Yoga from the same Institute. In his classes, Subhash combines the elements of physical posture (asana), breathing, meditation, relaxation and an understanding of yoga philosophy so the students can experience the benefits of yoga which go deeper than just pure phyical well-being. He keeps his classes safe, non-competitive and joyful. For a detailed bio, please visit his website. For detailed instructions on many of the commonly practiced poses and breathing techniques, including pictures and some videos, visit his blog here.
Jessica Mollet, RYT Jessica Mollet Jessica is a certified Sivananda Yoga Teacher and uses aspects of Integral and Kripalu styles in her yoga classes. Her class focuses on the inward path of yoga - integrating breath with movement to stay present, listening to and respecting the body intelligence and maintaining a positive, non-judgmental mindset. For more information, visit www.breathingmountain.com/instructor.htm
Sharon Norton, RYT is organizer of Yoga in the Park. She is certified in Integral Yoga (1990) and is also certified in Cardiac Yoga Therapy thru Integral Yoga Instititute and the University of Virginia (1992). She has taught yoga for Healthworks at Wake Medical Hospital in Raleigh since 1999
Maria Pramaggiore, RYT Maria is a 2008 graduate of the North Carolina School of Yoga and has completed additional training in prenatal and restorative yoga.
Charlotte Ranz, E-RYT500 offers yoga to all ages and all sizes at the Red Elephant Yoga Studio in Fuquay Varina, NC. She has been practicing yoga since 1995 and teaching since 2000. Charlotte is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT500), having received her teacher training from Esther Myers. She also has studied Nuad Boran for Yoga and Bodywork, and Acu-Yoga with Michael Gach. Charlotte is a member of the International Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. For class schedule or information about scheduling a private session, visit her website Red Elephant Yoga
Julie Rosier, RYT
Julie Rosier		 Julie Rosier has been practicing yoga since 1992 and has been teaching yoga full time since 1997. She received her Yoga Instructor’s Certification through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health of Lenox, Massachusetts. She is a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She is also a Certified Acu-Yoga Instructor through the Acupressure Institute of Berkeley, California. In addition to her Kripalu certification, Julie completed the North Carolina Esther Myers Teacher Training Program in the summer of 2000 and is the mentor and organizer for the current training. A long-time student of Esther Myers, Relaxed Hatha yoga with an emphasis on finding the breath and being in the body for students of all fitness levels. Yoga With Julie
Peggy Selby, RYT is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance; APYC certified and founder of Discover Yoga. Peggy is committed to sharing her compassion and love for yoga with others. Focusing on alignment and breath while encouraging the use of props; Peggy brings her intuitive and spontaneous teaching methods to her yoga classes where her approach to teaching is compassionate and heart centered. Peggy has been practicing Vinyasa and Iyengar style yoga since 2001 and has taught a variety of classes for different levels. Peggy's long-time personal practice includes Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Anusara. Peggy is also Certified in Water Yoga and has attained her First Degree level of the Reiki method of natural healing.

Howie Shareff DDS LVCYT Howie has been a student of Julie Rosier RYT for over 10 years. As a dentist and athlete, he found that yoga helped him deal with the strains of career, sports and arthritis. In 2007 he created a beginner’s DVD (“You Call This Yoga”) with Julie to teach anyone how to practice yoga anywhere. Since then, he has received certification to teach “Chair Yoga” and is in the process of being certified as a Corporate Wellness Coach. He has retired from dentistry and currently teaches senior citizens, baby boomers, and young adults at a variety of sites, including The Heritage, Beth Meyer Synagogue and the Women’s Shelter in Raleigh. Howie has published articles on chair yoga and wellness. Visit his website www.youcallthisyoga.com for information and free lesson modules.
Judith Valerie, M.A. , RYT Is an educator with 27 years of teaching experience in Britain and the United States. She has been practicing yoga since 1977 and teaching since 1979. Yoga teaching has been her professional livelihood since moving to Raleigh, NC in 1990.

The first 13 years of Judith's yoga education were in the Iyengar tradition. In addition, Judith is certified through White Lotus Foundation (CA, 1988) and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (MA, 1991) In 2002, she recieved her 500 hour professional level teaching certification from Kripalu. Her studies continue to inform and deepen her understanding of the poses. Judith has also completed month-long residential programs at Satchidananda Yoga Center (VA) and a three-week intensive in Greece with Angela Farmer and Victor van Kooten.

Judith continues her professional development as a yoga teacher by attending additional workshops and training in a variety of styles.
Ann Baker Ward, RYT, SYT Has practiced yoga for several years and is a certified teacher in Integral and Accu-yoga. She has studied with Annie King, Esther Myers, Michael Gach (Acu-yoga) and Structural Yoga Therapy under Mukunda Stiles.
Cynthia Widnes, RYT

is a Kripalu certified yoga instructor who appreciates the diversity of teaching vigorous vinyasa as well as gentle yoga classes.  Her intuitive approach of teaching fluid classes that are both fun and instructional for her students is a result of 20 years experience as an ACE certified group fitness instructor.  Cindy explored yoga for years before beginning serious study of Kripalu yoga with Joy Doherty in 1990. This overwhelmingly positive experience inspired Cindy to attain a 200-hour teacher training certification at the Kripalu month long intensive. She is currently pursuing her 500-hour level certification.  Cindy strives to assist her students into gaining a deeper knowledge of themselves through asana, pranyama and an internal practice of stilling the mind. Cindy is inspired by the belief that individual peace and self-awareness can help promote world peace.

For private instruction, contact Cindy at cgwidnes@yahoo.com.

Carolyn Wilcox, RYT is a certified hatha yoga instructor with a speciality in Iyengar style yoga, pranayama, and meditation. She obtained certification through the Temple of Kriya in Chicago, IL
Graham Williams, RYT is an engaging teacher of Iyengar Yoga, Graham has instructed children, teens and adults in Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina. She has practiced Iyengar Yoga for over 12 years and is passionate about empowering her students to enjoy the positive and emotional benefits yoga has brought to her. In 2004, she completed a scoliosis teacher training in California with Elise Browning Miller, and has assisted Elise with many workshops, as well as conducted her own scoliosis workshops. She has also completed fouryear-long teacher trainings with Certified Iyengar Teacher Cindy Dollar in Asheville, NC. Graham recently passed her first assessment in the Iyengar method.
 
She made her first trip to Pune, India in October 2007 where she studied with the Iyengars. Graham enhanced her own practice as well as that for her students. For more information about her scoliosis training go to www.yogaforscoliosis.com. Graham teaches weekly privates and classes in Raleigh, NC.