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.!

	Maggie Cohen, RYT A former competitive gymnast, Maggie fell in love with the athletic aspect of ashtanga yoga. She began her practice in 1998 with Kathy McNames at Yoga Vermont. After graduating from college, Maggie moved to Boston and studied slow flow with Barbara Benagh. Prior to moving to Wilmington, Maggie taught gymnastics and yoga around the Boston area. Whenever she has the opportunity, Maggie enjoys studying yin yoga and Buddhism with Sarah Powers.

	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 Larry started his ashtanga practice in 2001. Larry’s main interest had always been martial arts, in which he holds a 2nd Dan in Tae Kwon Do, certified by the Kukkiwon (governing body of TKD) in Seoul Korea. Larry raced bikes and did triatholons for years and after numerous injuries (including 4 surguries) he finally decided that his body needed a more user friendly activity. This is when he began practicing yoga on a serious level. Larry received his teacher certification through Doug Swenson in July 2002. Larry has been fortunate enough to complete a 5 Day training in Seattle, WA studying with ashtanga guru Pattabhi Jois , as well as Ashtanga teacher training with Tim Miller. He is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200 E-RYT level, and serves as Co-Director of the Wilmington Yoga Center teacher training program. Also he has trained with Manju Jois, David Garrigues, Sarah Powers, David Williams, Paul Griley, JJ Gromley, Twee Merrigan , Brian Kest and Simon Park. Larry hopes that he may bring joy to his practicioners by helping them reach the fullest depths of their practice.

	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.

	Katie Serino Katie Serino is a certified Pilates and Yogafit instructor who began practicing in 1998. She is attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington, pending a degree in exercise science. She currently enjoys sharing her professional practice and personal interests with others.

	Teresa Spanos Teresa Spanos has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for six years with dedication and discipline. Self-taught and well read, she completed teacher training with renowned Ashtangi David Swenson. She was also locally certified to teach Hatha Yoga. Ashtanga yoga is an intense, heat-generating form of yoga building strength, flexibility, and focus. The practice is based on a time-tested sequence of poses to align, heal and harmonize the body and mind.

	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.

	Krista Jorgensen Krista was introduced to yoga by a friend who gave her an old worn out copy of the Sivandanda Companion to Yoga; though immediately intrigued, it was years later that she barely made it through one of Kristin Cooper’s Power classes! Those first intense teachings proved to be a rock of stability and over the next few years she immersed herself more fully into the practice. She completed her yoga teacher training in 2003 and is registered through the Yoga Alliance. Krista has also studied at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and continues to be passionate about holistic health and nutrition. Krista’s love of ashtanga and power vinyasa give her an amazing sense of peace and bliss that she hopes to share with her students.

	Andrea Leac, RYT Andrea began her ashtanga practice in 1999, and completed her Teacher Training certification through the Wilmington Yoga Center. Andrea is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer through NSCA. She is also Pilates Reformer Certified, and is certified through the Pilates Certification Center. Andrea has a B.A. in Exercise Science and Community Health, and is currently working on her Master’s in Public Health through the University of Alabama Online. She incorporates her love for yoga and pilates in her everyday life and enjoys playing the flute, dancing, and working with children.

	William Rathbun William has been involved with yoga since first discovering Kundalini Yoga in college. In 2003 he completed yoga Teacher Certifications from Seaside Yoga and Doug Swenson and subsequently taught Astanga yoga at Seaside. He is a certified Breathwork Therapist and has training in Myofascial and Craniosacral Release. William carries his yoga practice into the world as a Hospice volunteer, middle school teacher, and parent to two wonderful teenagers. He is excited to be joining the community at Wilmington Yoga Center.

	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 Holli has always had an interest in philosophy, healing, and nurturing the body in holistic ways. Universal Principles of Alignment continue to unveil the uniqueness of Anusara yoga to her and how to align the physical body with stability and freedom. She studied Sociology and Social Work at Appalachian State University which created an appreciation for people in various communities and what they bring back into the world as a whole. She is now pursuing her Anusara Certification. She completed Immersion hours with Lila Pierce Brown, Sommer and Paul Sobin; and has also trained with Betsey Downing, Desiree Rumbaugh, and John Friend; and is grateful for all the wonderful teachers that inspire her practice as well as her teachings. Wilmington is her new home with her husband and two dogs. She loves to travel all over the world and is currently learning to surf. Her classes joyfully weave the Universal Principles of Alignment in a playful way that aligns 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.

	Amy Becker, RYT Amy Becker, Affiliated Anusara teacher, has been practicing yoga for 18 years and teaching for eleven. Former owner of Studio 1456 in Chicago, she brings her love of teaching to Wilmington. She began Anusara Yoga after meeting John Friend in 1996. Amy lead an enthusiastically engaging class that plays to students of multiple levels. Amy’s light hearted approach and joy filled presence allow the celebration of practicing Anusara yoga to cultivate a strong following of dedicated students.

	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.

Administrative Staff

	Tara Folton, RYT Retail Manager Tara Folton, RYT, is a registered 200hr Yoga Alliance teacher, receiving her certification from the Nosara Yoga Institute in the jungles of Costa Rica. She works as an Assistant for Kristin Cooper Gulak; and has assisted the 200hr Yoga Alliance Teacher Training, as well as Kristin’s Power Vinyasa Teacher Training. She also is the retail manager for the Wilmington Yoga Center’s Boutique. Her intention is to share her experiences to others that are on a path to find strength within, along with cultivating a sense of compassion, peace, & love through their yoga practice on the mat, and most importantly, off the mat! Many people have inspired and guided her along the way: Kristin Cooper Gulak, Yoganand Michael Carroll, Michelle Crittenden, and all the loving support from her friends and family, all to whom she is extremely honored and humbled by. Namaste!

	Aimee Jones - Marketing & Events Coordinator Aimée Jones has been practicing yoga since 2005 as a way to relax and decrease anxiety. She recently completed her Yoga Teacher Training from Wilmington Yoga Center and plans on continuing her yoga education. Aimée is also a Level II Reiki Practitioner under Dr. Barnsley Brown. Prior to moving to Wilmington, she lived in Jacksonville, Florida where she owned and performed with ImprovJacksonville Comedy Theatre, where she enjoyed flexing and stretching her funny bone. She also led Improv Corporate Training workshops for building marketing and teambuilding skills. Aimée’s marketing experience also includes an NPR/PBS affiliate, a start-up internet company and a start-up TV station in Florida. Aimée is from Chapel Hill and graduated with a BA in Communication from UNC-G.

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