Wilmington Yoga Center

Learn from Our Teachers
	Kristin Cooper Gulak, ERYT Kristin Cooper Gulak, ERYT, is a registered 500hr Yoga Alliance teacher. She works with students with cancer and HIV, and has worked privately with celebrity clients Ashley Judd, Katie Holmes, and the cast of Dawson’s Creek. Kristin is the director of the Wilmington Yoga Center, and travels as a teaching assistant and percussionist for renowned yoga teacher Shiva Rea. Kristin also assists the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health Teacher Trainings. She is the creator of Rhythmic Flow Yoga w/live drumming and leads workshops and international retreats with her percussionist husband, Loren Gulak- www.rhythmicflowyoga.com Her personal practice has been inspired and guided by an extraordinary group of human beings to whom she is extremely grateful, including: Bryan Kest, Shiva Rea, Teresa Spanos, Beryll Berch, Loren Gulak, Kevin Simpson, Gurumukh, and her loving family.

	Colleen Edgerton Colleen Edgerton comes to the WYC with a background in the medical field as a Surgical Technologist and the fitness industry as a personal trainer. Her current focus is group fitness classes, specializing in pilates and yoga. Colleen's classes are known to be athletic and fun!

	Stephanie Ellis - Studio Manager Having first discovered yoga in 1995 as a form of exercise and relaxation Stephanie continued to practice yoga for healing, health and self awareness. She decided to complete a yoga teacher training program in 2000. Since then she has continued to study yoga and teach in Wilmington, North Carolina. Stephanie teaches kids yoga, basic yoga, vinyasa/flow yoga and kundalini yoga. She loves teaching because of the transformation that one can find on the mat. "Yoga is union with the Devine that lives within each of us."

	Chanda Fiskin, RYT Chanda was first introduced to yoga in 1999 when she was living in Charleston working as a children's climbing instructor, coach and guide. In the spring of 2006, she got her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher certificate at the wilmington Yoga Center. Chanda teaches all ages and levels and especially enjoys her children's yoga classes. She has worked with children most of her life. The third in a family of seven children, a nanny for over twelve years and being a mother herself, Chanda knows the importancy of raising a happy, healthy and empowered child. "We as adults, parents and teachers need to invest in our children in positive ways, because they are the key to a better future. I cannot think of better way for me to do this than by using the Science of Yoga, which teaches from a place of love and trueth encouraging our kids to trust in themselves so that they can lead very confident and healthy lives".

	Donna Gardner Donna Gardner has been practicing yoga and Insight Meditation for over 20 years and is an experienced teacher. She holds a Masters Degree in Dance from New York University, and is an ACE certified personal trainer. In addition, she attended the Graduate School of Social Work at Boston University and recently completed Level I certification in Thai Yoga Bodywork. Whether you are new to practice, returning to it, or enjoying an ongoing practice, please join Donna for classes in which you will receive personal attention to your specific needs and abilities.

	Nancy Hayes, RYT Nancy is a certified and Yoga Alliance Registered yoga teacher at the 500 hour level (RYT) with over 25 years teaching experience. Since 1984, her primary focus of study has been in the Iyengar method. Nancy’s study of yoga is ongoing and includes teacher training with internationally known Yoga instructors throughout the country and includes course work at The Iyengar Institute of San Francisco, The Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY and Unity Woods Yoga, Bethesda, MD. Nancy combines a gentle approach to Yoga with more vigorous methods of practice for physical and mental harmony. Classes are tailored to meet the needs of individuals enrolled and suitable for men and women of all ages. Come prepared to: stretch, strengthen, smile and relax. Nancy teaches mornings at The Wilmington School of Ballet and morning and evenings at Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation. Contact Nancy for more details: 799-4601.email catasana@aol.com.

	Larry Hobbs, ERYT Since 2001 Larry has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of yoga, giving up a career of 32 years at the local DuPont plant to begin a full time teaching lifestyle in 2002. Larry’s path has lead him to study with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, also known as Guruji, founder of Ashtanga yoga. Larry has also studied with Pattabhi’s grandson Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore India. To further his studies Larry makes yearly visits to Crestone CO at Shakti Sharanam and studies with his US Ashtanga teacher Annie Pace, one of the few female Ashtanga teachers in the world certified by Guruji. Other notable and certified teachers with whom Larry has studied are Tim Miller, David Garrigues , Richard Freeman, and Kino Macgregor. There are so many more non-Ashtangi's with whom Larry has studied including Dharma Mittra, and he thanks them all for what they have given him through their knowledge and dedication of what it means to be a yogi. Larrry’s true love is Ashtanga Yoga. His hope is to one day be authorized by KPJAYI in Mysore India, by showing his dedication, character, and true yogic lifestyle. Through yearly visits back to Mysore, Larry continues his Ashtanga training with his Guru's guidance and Sharath’s. “I believe the fruit of your practice is in the effort and you should always give 100% on that given day. And just showing up to practice is 90% because you made the effort. You will always be challenged in my classes but in a compassionate way. You may even laugh if you have the time." I wish to thank Kristin Cooper Gulak and Loren Gulak of Wilmington Yoga Center for their trust my ability, and I am honored to have taught for them over the past years.” Check out Larry's website www.hanumanashtangayoga.com

	Laura Golden Laura’s very first Jivamukti yoga class in 1991 transformed her life by awakening the Divine Essence that rests within each and every one of us, patiently awaiting this moment. For this and all of the subsequent joy and expansion she has experienced through the various yogic disciplines, she is eternally grateful to the teachers who opened this door for her, and countless others, through their boundless devotion and ceaseless efforts: Deva Das (David Life) and Tripura Sundari (Sharon Gannon), founders of Jivamukti Yoga. Laura graduated the Jivamukti Teacher Training course in May 2001, the last time the year-long program was offered. She taught at the main Jivamukti center in New York City for several years, and has been a guest teacher at the centers in Munich, Germany, and Charleston, SC. Laura founded and directed Avatar Yoga Retreats, leading yoga retreats all over the world, until leaving New York in 2006.
	Ed Kopp Ed Kopp has been a professsional musician for 15 years. After receiving his BFA in Music from Ithaca College Ed has performed Nationally and Internationally on Guitar and Bass, has written music for commercials, scored a film soundtrack, has produced and arranged several artists, taught individual and group lessons for over ten years, is currently Musical Director for Caberet and Musical Director for Coastal Carolina Religious Science and performs his own original music locally.

	Rachael Crawford Goolsby A Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher. She co-founded Sangati Healing Arts, in Charlotte, NC from 2003-2006, before moving to Wilmington. Her first hint of yoga was as a child of 3, when her father showed her some elemental yoga poses. When Rachael turned 16 she began a daily hatha yoga practice with Richard Hittleman’s 28-Day Plan. At 18 she taught her first class, but didn’t teach regularly till she was 21. Rachael has studied many styles of yoga, including Ashtanga vinyassa, Power, and Bikram, but fell in love with Anusara in 2002, and now only teaches in that style, which was developed by John Friend. She met Douglas Brooks that same year, and began studying Tantric philosophy. She has a BFA in dance & choreography from VCU, in Richmond, VA. Her approach to yoga is through exploration of the infinite ways to weave our bodies with intelligence & intuition from the micro to the macro scale, deepening our understanding of our selves in the universe (and the universe within our selves). Rachael is thrilled to share the enriching, invigorating, and empowering gift of yoga.

	Tara Blackburn Tara attended her first yoga class 2 years ago and immediately loved the feelings of relaxation and mental clarity she would have at the end of each savasana. This led her to the beautiful beaches of Nosara, Costa Rica where she received her 200 hour teaching certification with Don and Amba Stapleton. Tara returned to Wilmington focused on sharing and spreading the compassion and inner contentment that yoga brings to its practitioners. Inspired by Kristin Cooper Gulak and by the yoga community as a whole, Tara believes that being truly flexible means having an open heart and an adaptable mind as well as a limber body. "Like a tree, we have to find our roots, only then can we bend in the wind"

	Mary Barwick Mary's formal yoga training began at Kripalu Yoga Ashram where she briefly lived and studied Bodywork (1989). Next she obtained her license in Massage Therapy from the Florida School of Massage and Hydrotherapy in Gainesville Florida (1991). In 1994 she continued her studies and became a Phoenix Rising certified Yoga Therapist. She practiced massage and yoga therapy in Blowing Rock, North Carolina 1991-1995 and started the first Yoga program at Appalachian Statue University in Boone, NC. In 1997 Mary finished her post graduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and became a licensed Physical Therapist. Since 1997 Mary has settled in Wilmington where she continues to teach yoga, practice massage therapy, and works full time as a physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic setting. In the past 10 years Mary has continued her education taking and teaching courses (yoga, anatomy, injury prevention, manual therapy skills) for both the local medical and yoga communities Her main focus recently has been integrating yoga as clinical tool to assist patients with therapy goals as well teaching yoga participants the importance of understanding basic anatomy / physiology and injury prevention.

	Troy Pierce Percussionist Troy Pierce has been drumming for over 15 years. He received his training in music at the N.C. School of the Arts and the Manhattan School of Music. Since 1990, Troy has performed and recorded with a diverse group of accomplished artists including local flamenco guitarist, Paco Strickland, New York City's Kinetic Drums Ensemble, and the Josh Dodes Band whose recent credits include a run on VH-1's "Band On the Run" television series. An avid teacher, Troy has taught numerous clinics and has conducted private lessons since 1996 for students of all ages.

	Heather Till, RYT,CYT Heather Till, certified Yoga Therapist , began practicing yoga in 1993. She holds a BS in Psychology, is certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy & in the Pilates Method of body conditioning. Heather’s classes are gentle and slow paced, encouraging students to develop a deeper sense of body/mind awareness. She specializes in pre & postnatal yoga, extra gentle yoga for chronic health conditions and one-on-one yoga therapy sessions. Although not currently teaching at the Wilmington Yoga Center, Heather holds classes and private sessions in Wilmington and can be reached through her website on our links page.

	Adrianne Kuczowski, MSW, RYT Adrianne lived in New York State until relocating to North Carolina in 1996. She has been a yoga practitioner since 1998 and graduated from Wilmington Yoga Center in Feb. 2005 with a certification to teach basic yoga. She is a member of Yoga Alliance. Her husband, Joseph, is also a certified yoga teacher. Their son, Michael, lives in New Jersey. Adrianne graduated from Fordham University in New York City with a Masters Degree in social work. Before moving to North Carolina, Adrianne was an adjunct faculty member in the Social Science Dept of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York and worked as a social worker and therapist. She loves her family and friends. She takes delight in long walks on the beach with her husband and cocker spaniel, Sparky. She also enjoys bicycling. She'll be the first to tell you that yoga has been a spiritual journey and wonderful gift in her life.

	Jeannie Moreland Layton Jeannie started her yoga teacher training with Doug Swenson in 2002, and continued her training at Seaside Yoga. She received her teaching certification in 2003. By day Jeannie is a financial assistant and feels fortunate to be able to balance that life by teaching yoga. She feels blessed to also have the opportunity to not only teach adults but to also have the honor of teaching teenagers; a group who absorb the practice and bring light and joy to her life.

	Holli Terrell-Cavalluzzi, RYT Anusara Inspired It wasn't until Holli co-owned a business with her husband that she discovered the science and healing aspects of yoga. After eight years of hard work and long days, Holli realized that a yoga practice helped create a space that eased the daily stressors of her life and helped her reconnect to her spirit. In 2004 she received her Hatha Yoga teaching certificate in Raleigh, NC. It was after practicing with Lila Pierce Brown that she became inspired by the elegant system of Anusara Yoga. In 2005 Holli and her husband sold their business and took a sabbatical from daily work. They traveled across country for two and a half months in a camper with their two dogs. The trip was transformative. As their trip neared its end they made the decision to move to Wilmington, NC. With the assistance of Sommer and Paul Sobin, Holli continued her immersion into Anusara. She studied with many skilled Anusara teachers throughout the country and completed John Friends Level 1 teacher training program. She is registered with Yoga Alliance, has completed 400 hours of study in Anusara Yoga and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University. Holli will complete Thai Yoga training with Jonas Westring in October. Holli teaches spiritually oriented and life affirming Anusara-Inspired classes which integrate the Universal Principles of Alignment. Emphasis is placed on creating a steady foundation in the poses and supporting growth in the practice. Her discovery and joy within Anusara Yoga continues to guide her teaching on and off the yoga mat through her love and connection to the community. s with each individuals infinite potential.

	Noelle Whittington, RYT A Wilmington native with a background in dance, which led her to Pilates and later, to Yoga. In college she began practicing Yoga as a reprieve from the strict discipline of dance and has been in love ever since. A graduate of the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, Noelle now teaches Vinyasa Yoga, Anusara-Inspired Yoga, Mat Pilates, and recently was certified on the Pilates Reformer. In her teaching, Noelle hopes to empower others to find their own voice through Yoga, and to bolster their strength and alignment in their practice through Pilates. Noelle is honored to share her journey with her students, who are always the best teachers. She will always encourage others to let go, have fun, and "dance like nobody's watching".

	Valeria Balogh, RYT Valeria began studying yoga in 1999 while living in Tucson, AZ working as an ACE certified personal trainer. She completed Wilmington Yoga Center's 200 Hour Teacher Training in 2005, and works as a private yoga teacher in and around Lake Waccamaw, NC. Valeria enjoys the challenge of designing a yoga practice to fit each individual and encourages everyone to open their lives to the practice of Yoga. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Western Carolina University, and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Building Preservation & Restoration from Belmont Technical College in Ohio. Valeria enjoys travel, the great outdoors, and working with mixed media arts.

	Audra Smith, RYT Audra Smith found balance, strength and piece of mind through her yoga practice. Inspired by the compassionate and socially aware individuals she met within the yoga community, she spent a season participating in the spiritual lifestyle program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. The life changing experiences there lead her to want to teach yoga. She immediately enrolled in the fledgling yoga teacher training program at the WYC in 2003. A registered yoga alliance teacher, Audra has a firm belief in yoga’s benefits on and off the mat and she finds deep satisfaction sharing them with others. Amazing influences in her life have included Bhagavan Das, Yoganand Michael Carroll, Kristin Cooper Gulak, Donna Gardner, music, the mountains, the beach and her family.

	Heather Wilson Heather Wilson first discovered yoga through the pages of a tattered guidebook she found at a second-hand bookshop in high school. She attended her first yoga class in 1994 as a student at UNC-Chapel Hill and was immediately hooked. She credits yoga and meditation for getting her through life's challenges. An advocate for women and a DONA-trained doula, she teaches pre and post-natal yoga at the Wilmington Yoga Center. She received her yoga teacher training at Seaside Yoga and the Asheville Yoga Center. When she’s not at the Wilmington Yoga Center, Heather can be found at the Cameron Art Museum, where she writes grants and fundraises for the museum.

	Christina Enneking, 200RYT is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance, receiving her instructor certification in 2008 from the Wilmington Yoga Center. Christina is a long-time devotee to yoga, actively practicing since the mid-1990s and continuing to expose herself to different styles, instructors and influences of yoga. She has practiced and absorbed tips with many yoga gurus across the globe, including Saul David Raye, Erich Shiffman, Scott Blossom, Kyra Ryder, Jan Hutchins “Hutch”, Tamal Dodge, Donna Gardner, and Kristin Cooper-Gulak … and considers her own style to include many nuggets from her teachers as well as what holds truest to her heart, vinyasa flow. Christina loves to provide the gifts of yoga to others, including such specialty sessions as kids’ yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga for athletes and the corporate world. Christina’s golden nugget of wisdom to yoga newbies is to embrace yoga for its ability to provide balance: balance of mind, body & spirit. Throughout your journey, be open to the amazing balance of love, compassion and strength that will greet you – these gifts will encompass and enrich your life! Namaste.

	Stephanie McKenzie Stephanie brings to her yoga class a life long love of the art and science of movement and self reflection. Affectionately called Goo by her friends, she brings a light hearted approach to yoga that will work your body and tickle your soul. Clear instructions coupled with sincere encouragement, Goo will help you find that place of comfortable strength and relaxed effort. A recent graduate of the WYC Teacher Training program, Goo is inspired to share her love and understanding of yoga with anyone and anybody.

	Jamie Annette Jamie Annette is a certified Mat Pilates instructor. She’s always had an interest in health and wellness and feels fortunate to be able to share this with others through teaching. She believes that practicing both pilates and yoga bring balance and energy to your life. She strongly believes in the principle of “listening to your body.” Jamie has lived in Wilmington for 3 years with her husband and 3 dogs. They like to run the Wrightsville Beach loop, taking in the beautiful scenery and fresh salty air. Jamie also enjoys relaxing at the beach with a good book, sketching and traveling. She hopes to encourage others to bring balance, energy and peace to their lives through pilates.
	Karin Kassab, 200RYT Karin fell in love with yoga in 2005 during a study abroad adventure surfing and studying in Australia. She was lucky enough to befriend some of the beautiful and inspiring instructors at Peace Yoga. She is forever grateful for that experience as it’s been a love affair ever since. Soon after her return to the U.S. Karin received her instructor certification in 2007 from the Wilmington Yoga Center and is now a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance. She is also in graduate school for Clinical Psychology with a special concentration in Substance Abuse Treatment. She now splits her time between her two loves, yoga and psychology. Accordingly, her intention is to share her knowledge and help others on their path to love and strengthen their emotional, physical, and spiritual self. Her practice and path on and off the mat have been inspired by a group of awesome individuals including: Kristin Cooper Gulak, Tara Folton, the Peace Yoga family, Jack Kornfeld, her loving family, and the ocean.
Administrative Staff

	Tara Folton, RYT Director Assistant Tara Folton, RYT, is a registered 200hr Yoga Alliance teacher, receiving her certification from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica in 2006. She works as an Assistant for Kristin Cooper-Gulak, and is the Senior Assistant for the Kunga Journeys Service Based Programs. She assists the Kunga Yoga 200hr Teacher Trainings, Kunga Vinyasa Advanced Teacher Trainings and Rhythmic Flow Yoga with Live Drumming workshops. Tara has been dedicated to her practice for many years, along with her passion of traveling the world. In the past two years, Tara had the opportunity of working and volunteering with orphans from Rwanda, India, Nicaragua and Jamaica. Inspired from these experiences, her intention is to share with others that are on a path to create change, taking their practice off the mat, locally and globally. Tara has had the opportunity to study and practice with Don and Amba Stapleton, Hilary Garivaltis, Yoganand Michael Carroll, and Kristin Cooper-Gulak. Her studies have included Ayurveda, Advanced Pranayam, Thai Yoga Training with Jonas Westring, as well as Thai Massage at Namo Chiang Mai, Thailand. Many people have inspired and guided her along the way and have been some of her greatest teachers: Kristin Cooper-Gulak, Michelle Crittenden, the Mizero Children of Rwanda, the beautiful girls of the Home of Hope Orphanage in Kerala, India. She is grateful for all the loving support from her family and friends.

Wilmington Yoga Center
Wilmington, North Carolina
910-350-0234