Triangle Yoga, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

All Triangle Yoga Instructors are available for private sessions.

Please email them if you are interested.

David Beadle, MFA, is a professional dancer, movement teacher, licensed massage therapist, and certified practitioner of Body-Mind Centering. Influenced and inspired by many years of study with outstanding teachers in somatics, meditation, Iyengar, Vinyasa, and Kripalu Yoga, he has been seeing private clients and teaching yoga in various settings since 1984.

David's teaching approaches asana mindfully, gently, and deeply. He is interested in helping students embody a unique blend of alignment, movement, and breathing principles. David's classes will enrich your yoga practice with insight, subtlety and depth. Shedding new light on the inner workings of the poses, his approach offers an embodied exploration of the transformative and creative potential of Hatha Yoga. David's students can gain new levels of awareness resulting in a radiance that is both clearly and profoundly experienced.

David is co-director of 'Yoga Body, Mind and Spirit' , a yoga teacher's training program in Chapel Hill, NC. email David

Tracy Bogart, E-R.Y.T., has yoga roots that stretch back to her Waldorf School kindergarden curriculum when she was introduced to Eurythmy (the art of speaking and singing through movements and gestures that are intended to reveal to the eye what language and music bring to the ears). Tracy's personal teaching style is directly connected to these roots. She creatively emphasizes the liquid- like coordination of breath and movement, along with the direct connection of expression of oneself through the heart and the body as a whole. When she teaches (not often these days) each class unravels a unique sequence of poses designed to unleash the movement of energy within, tap into the energy around the body, and connect with the infinite space outside the room. A yoga instructor for over 20yrs, Tracy's traditional teaching experience was adopted in Southern California where she lived, studied and practiced yoga in a variety of styles with teachers such as Erich Schiffmann, Chuck Miller, Maty Ezraty, Brian Kest, Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest and friend Robyn Shumacher. Looking for a way to continue studying with her teachers and stay close to home to raise her two daughters, Tracy opened Triangle Yoga. Through the years she has hosted over three dozen master teachers at the studio.

Tracy has been Co-founder and Director of Triangle Yoga since 1996. Prior to that time, yoga was not openly accessible in

'The Triangle', and it was difficult establishing classes for the public, so in 1992 she developed yoga programs in a number

of local gyms and fitness centers thus creating a new awareness for 'the practice' in the area. In addition to Tracy's teaching,

and managerial duties at the studio she has also taught yoga to the Men's Football and Women's Lacrosse teams at UNC

Chapel Hill and to students at the American Dance Festival in Durham. Tracy is certified as an Advanced Yoga Teacher

by the White Lotus Foundation, an Advanced Yoga Alliance Teacher, in Thai Yoga Therapy with Saul David Raye and has a

certificate of completion in Anatomy and Physiology with Carol Verner's 'Form & Flow' program. As senior teacher at Triangle

Yoga,Tracy recognizes how yoga profoundly transformed her life and gave it a purpose. Grateful for everything yoga has

given her, she is dedicated to sharing her enthusiasm for as long as she can through empowering newer students,

and motivating continuing students to keep their yoga practice authentic. email Tracy

Click here to see some of Tracy's press

Tracy is 60 yrs old. She has arthirtis of the left shoulder and right hip. Her arthritis is the result of injuries, NOT yoga.

Yoga has helped keep her body mobile. The following videos show Tracy's somewhat restricted practice before she had

arthroscopic surgery on her shoulder in August '07 and before she had her hip replacement surgery Feb 11, 08

(which unfortunately made her leg an inch longer). Tracy will continue to document her recovery in spite of the leg differential,

hopefully revealing THE HEALING POWER OF YOGA. Her left hip will be replaced in Oct 6, '08 in an effort to balance her legs.

More videos coming soon, we have over 150 practice sessions to choose from.

PRE-SURGERY

Click here to see a video of;

Tracy practicing a Rhythmic Flow

Tracy practicing Balance Poses

Tracy's Practice May 27, '07

Tracy's Practice May 30, '07

Tracy's Practice May 31, '07

POST SURGERY

From this YouTube video with Tracy & Rebecca Drake,

first videotaped practice 3 weeks post surgery.

7 months post surgery...4 days prior to the 2nd hip replacement.

Hannah Byrum first studied yoga while living abroad at Galway Yoga Centre in Ireland.

This Sevananda-style school gave her a firm foundation in the practices of Asana,

Pranayama, Meditation and Yoga Nidra. While living in NYC, Hannah studied at Integral

Yoga and upon returning to Chapel Hill (her home town), she continued expanding

her studies through Yin Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Bikram Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga.

Hannah has completed a 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Ti Harmony, a

200 hour Anusara Teacher Training with Paul & Sommer Sobin, a Level 1 Teacher Training

and a Level 1 Therapy Traning with Anusara Yoga Founder John Friend. Her passion for yoga and her

desire to deepen her own practice brought her to numerous workshops with Angela Farmer and

Victor VanKooten, Gabriel Halpern, Seane Corn, Patty Townsend, Sarah Powers,

Todd Norian, and Paul Grilley. email Hannah

Scott Campbell took his first yoga class in Texas almost 35 years ago. Although fascinated by the experience, he detoured to L.A. for a career in acting, and amidst the craziness, explored the relationship between the mind, body, and the emotions. Seeking balance in his life, he returned to yoga some 7 years ago and used his practice to heal, ground, deepen, and expand what he learned as an actor. He is a student and teacher of Taoism and Tibetan Buddhism as well as Indian styles of yoga. His teaching reflects the eclectic mix of his background, using what works to help each student to uncover and move closer to their truth and the peace that eventually comes. email Scott

Margaret Chesson, PT, RYT graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in Physical Therapy in 1976.

She is a Certified Senior Strength Trainer with IWA and member of the International Association of

Yoga Therapists. She has worked most of her PT career in orthopedic or geriatric physical therapy,

working the past ten years at Carol Woods Retirement Center part time where she also teaches

senior gentle yoga classes. Her attraction to yoga was a natural extension of her interest in intersection

of western and eastern thought. She first trained with Ginger Garner, MPT, RYT, ATC, a long time physical

therapist and yoga teacher who specializes in chronic pain management. Most recently she successfully

completed the 220 hours of Yoga Teacher Training with Body, Mind and Spirit of Chapel Hill.

Margaret continues her studies as a candidate for the Professional Yoga Therapy Studies Certification, a

unique Yoga therapy program that is only offered to licensed health care professionals. She also credits

the nurturing and attentive tutelage from the instructors of Triangle Yoga with the development

of her own personal practice. It is Margaret's desire to share her enthusiasm for the health benefits

of yoga with every Body and reassure you that it is never too late and you are never too old to

begin the yogic exploration. With the ample aid of props and supports, her classes meet

you where you are and invite you to experience the benefits of merging the therapeutics

of movements of your own body and breath with the focus of your mind. email Margaret

Jeff Cobb is Tracy Bogart's business partner, and although Jeff is not a yoga teacher he is a dedicated yogi who has

spent the last 20 years practicing. Jeff balances his life between fatherhood, traveling extensively as an executive for a

large corporation, and carrying the honor of being one of Triangle Yoga's most advanced practitioners. It is Tracy and

Jeffs vision that Triangle Yoga be a sanctuary for anyone looking for peace in their lives.

Stacey Cutbush, R.Y.T, began her yogic path through dance. She was hooked on dancing by the time she could tie her shoes. So, conscious movement and breath have always been a lifeline for her, ultimately enabling a seamless transition to yoga in 1996. Since then, she has become an Ashtanga devotee, drawn both to the physical intensity and invigorating attention to the breath. Her study at the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Washington, D.C., ultimately prompted her to pursue a teaching path, and she has since completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training. Stacey has also completed a prenatal yoga teacher training; having embodied prenatal and

postnatal yoga, she knows that different life moments call for different yoga practices.

Stacey's intention, both on and off her yoga mat, is healing for herself, for all people, and for the planet. In yoga, this requires

practicing deep respect and non-judgment toward ourselves and each other; always doing our best, knowing full well that

“our best” shifts from moment to moment; taking care of our bodies through safe yet dynamic exploration of our

possibilities and limitations; and certainly, having fun! email Stacey

Shawn D'Amore has spent her life dedicated to helping others,

but to help herself through life's struggles, she practices yoga.

She has been practicing for 18 years, experimenting with

different styles, but ultimately falling in love with Ashtanga.

With a gymnastics background, yoga was a natural progression.

From her teacher, (guru) Tim Miller, of the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Encinitas California, Shawn became a Certified Ashtanga Instructor. She also has had extensive training and inspiration, from Seane Corn, Rodney Yee, Matthew Sweeney, Ana Forrest, and Judith Lassiter.

Shawn's background is in health and healing studies. She is a licensed Esthetician and is trained in Ayurvedic Massage and Herbal Medicine. She has worked as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and a HHA (home health aid) working in nursing homes and hospitals. She also uses Yoga, as physical therapy, to successfully heal her friend who suffered a massive stroke.

Shawn believes that in order to heal yourself or others, you must look within. " Yoga has brought so much joy to my life and has created in me a peaceful spirit. It has healed my relationship with my body and my mind. It is my mission, to share this light and profound healing with others."

Shawn has recently moved the The Triangle from Southern California, to be close to her family and pursue her Yoga career. Her classes are aimed to bring breath and movement together as one. She encourages her students to get out of their heads and find what's within. "Everybody's body is different and has different needs. It's my job to help people discover their capabilities" Email Shawn

Molly Drake has been practicing yoga since 1973. Through studying, practicing, and teaching Iyengar yoga, she gained respect for the intensity and awareness that one brings to practice. In pursuit of her own authentic expression of the spirit of Hatha Yoga, Molly has explored and studied with many nationally known teachers and has particpated in dozens of workshops and teacher trainings. Particularly inspired by the teachings of Angela Farmer and Victor vanKooten, Molly now teaches in a gentle,

yet powerfully fluid, internal, open, and playful manner.

Her classes are not about rigid discipline or intense striving;

she teaches the poses as a means to explore and study

our inner selves. She sees yoga as being about the empowerment of our inner being through the vehicle of our personal body--an internal exploration, a journey, a continual unfolding and revelation of our true self. email Molly

Having discovered AERIAL DANCE five years ago, Rebecca performs and teaches this exotic new art form all over the country and private instruction is also available.

email Rebecca

Rebecca Drake fell in love with dance at an early age and has managed to live

her life devoted to creative movement. Her professional career as a dancer introduced her to yoga at The American Dance Festival, and it was there that she found her next calling through the innovative, yet physically challenging approach to yoga that was being taught by Tracy Bogart. She has studied with master teachers from all over the world, yet feels strongly influenced by Angela Farmer and Andrey Lappa. Rebecca gives new meaning to the word 'fluid' both physically and verbally. She emparts a relaxed effort in her teachings and is known for her poetic heart.

Click here for info about the Aerial Dance Session

View some photos from Rebecca's Aerial Class

View Rebecca's article in 'Fit Yoga'

Dr. Jay Dunbar began his Taijiquan studies in 1975 with Ruby Blaurock, and in 1976 he traveled to San Francisco to study with Chung and Kuo where he met Henry Look, his primary Yiquan teacher. In 1978 he began a discipleship with Jou, Tsung Hwa which was to span the next 20 years. Dr. Jay has also studied with Dr. John Painter, and taken workshops with many teachers, including Zhu, Tian Cai; Liang, Shouyu; Yang, Jwing Ming; Yang, Zhenduo; Shi, Zheng Zhong; Huang,

Chien-Liang; Susanna DeRosa, and Sam Masich.

Dr. Jay graduated summa cum laude from Colgate, received an M.A. in English Literature from Duke, and a Ph.D. in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1991. He has served as judge and referee in numerous tournaments and the Taiji Legacy since 1989, and has developed tournament rules for form competitions that encourage interaction between judges and competitors, and for push-hands intended to foster and reward good Taijiquan. He was technical editor of Tai Chi for Dummies, and contributed the foreword to Exploring Tai Chi, by John Loupos. He has presented workshops at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, The American Dance Festival, the Guang Ping Annual Conventions, Qigong, Yi Jing divination, Straight Sword, Chen, Wu/Hao styles of Taijiquan, and has team-taught over 40 intensives in the traditional 88-movement San Shou. Jay is Director and Founder of The Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School in Chapel Hill, NC. email Dr. Jay

Kristen Engles is a recent graduate of the YogaWorks/Triangle Yoga Teacher Training Program, but her yoga journey began

over eight years ago while searching to find balance and serenity in her life. During those years she practiced an array of Hatha

Yoga styles and loved them all. As a self-proclaimed “student of life” Kristen explains her experience in the teacher training as,

“the time where I stopped JUST practicing yoga and STARTED LIVING YOGA.” Pulling from her own life’s experiences and

personal journey she hopes to inspire others to embark on his/her own path towards joyful living.

As a teacher, Kristen intends to share the benefits of yoga with the community and encourage being present on and off the mat.

She embraces finding the physical edge of one’s asana practice, by building a strong foundation of the physical body through alignment and anatomy. It is with such care and consideration, Kristen aims to guide students, through their own practice,

so they can enjoy the benefits of opening the body. Kristen intends to make yoga more accessible for everyone and

provide students with a safe, mindful yoga practice aimed at opening the body, heart and mind.

Dara Fort's first yoga class brought new-found physical and mental awakenings for her.

Being a competetive gymnast and dancer for years, yoga was a refreshingly non-competitive way to

feed her body while nurtring her soul. She found a sense of balance between having always pushed her edge

and learning to be where she was in a moment. Through this balance Dara began to realize yoga's ripple effect

within herself and within her community. Her relationships became stronger, her grip on life was softer and her

appreciation for the connectedness of the universe was finally realized. After a year of practice Dara decided she

wanted to teach. She wanted to spread the word, to share the gifts of this practice that others may not have experienced.

Erich Shiffmann was one of her first inspirations to teach and take her personal practice further. She became a certified

Level 1 and Level 2 Yoga Instructor and continued her education by attending classes and workshops. Over the next few

years Dara's life and learning was enriched further by teacher trainings and the births of my her daughters. Dara's favorite

"gurus" are David Swenson, Beryl Bender Birch, Ana Forrest, Doug Swenson and Seane Corn. Over the last nine years of teaching, Dara has learned more about life and people through the giving and recieving of this practice than any book,

teacher or formal education could ever provide. It has been a strong, continuous thread that has weaved itself into her

life and connected her to others...and for this, she is thankful for yoga. Email Dara

Amy Gorely has been teaching at Triangle Yoga since 2001.

She was attracted to yoga out of her lifelong love of movement and dance,

and began practicing yoga in 1994 as a way to overcome a dance injury.

Amy was amazed with the healing and calmness that could be cultivated

through yoga. She is a graduate of the Teacher Training Intensive at the

White Lotus Foundation, and has completed trainings in Prenatal

Yoga, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and Therapeutic Yoga.

Amy brings a lightness and sense of humor to all of her classes. She aims to create a safe atmosphere in class where students are encouraged to work within their own limits and to practice mindfully in a way that nurtures her/his own body, mind and soul. She views yoga as a tool to explore and open the body, mind and spirit, and practices Vipassana Medita-tion which she credits for keeping her (fairly) sane. When not teaching, she is using her yoga practice to help her with the journey of being a new mom.

email Amy

Check out Amy's Prental Class!

Carrington Jackson, RYT, took the first steps along her yogic path in Denver, Colorado in1994.

Her journey began with Bikram Yoga and after a few years, she found herself drawn to the strength and

beauty of Vinyasa style yoga, including Ashtanga, Power & Flow. After attending a two hour class with Seane Corn,

Carrington realized that yoga was much bigger than just a personal endeavor. But rather it was a way to bring peace to

those around her, and ultimately to bring peace and healing to the world.Carrington registered with the Yoga Alliance as a

200 hour level teacher in 2005 and uses her own experience with her practice to help deepen and encourage the practice of

her students. Carrington’s commitment to her students encourages a strong internal body, mind, & spirit awareness as well as

core strength and grace. She believes that listening to the body’s own wisdom is an integral part of yoga. A few teachers who

have influenced Carrington’s personal and teaching practices are Seane Corn, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Chuck Miller,

Maty Ezraty, Shiva Rea and Tracy Bogart. email Carrington

Click here to see pictures from Carrington's Postnatal Yoga class.

Deborah Klinger began studying yoga in Los Angeles in 1985 with Billy Porter. Around the same time, she apprenticed

with Bess Gatewood, creator of a stretch and alignment technique based on the premise that the body holds different emotional issues in specific muscle groups. After Billy's death in 1988, Deborah focused on teaching the stretch technique. She also went on to become a licensed psychotherapist and was additionally certified as an eating disorders specialist. Deborah has studied a variety of disciplines with many teachers including teachers including Gurutej Khalsa, Brian Kest, Chuck Miller & Maty Ezraty, Rod Stryker, Todd Norian, and Tracy Bogart, all of whom inform her eclectic teaching style. A firm believer in the body-mind emotion-spirit connection, she is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner. email Deborah and visit her web site.

Danielle Koppel found yoga through transcendental meditation when she was in High School, and practiced for many years before becoming a yoga instructor. She recently completed her first Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Program with Sommer & Paul Sobin, trained in San Francisco with Eva Kastel (a contributing writer for the Yoga Journal), Astrid Kastenberg and Brendan McCall (currently lecturing on Movement at the Yale Drama School), and also studied guided meditation and creative visualization at the Cal Arts in Valencia. Danielle's classes are characterized by a contemplative yoga practice followed by an extended relaxation period involving a guided meditation. She hopes to help her students cool their minds, warm their bodies, and find balance within. Trained at the Winston Salem School of the Arts in Opera, Danielle is also an internationally

known plus-size model and Size Acceptance speaker. Her discussion of healthy body images and eating disorders, entitled "Beauty Knows No Pain," has been well received throughout the county, particularly at college and

university Body Image Awareness Weeks. email Danielle

Eireann Leigh appreciates a generous amount of yoga with this dish of life...
It would seem the two were made for one another. Perhaps they are from the same beautiful place. Because her practice is everpresent, through various forms and incarnations, Eireann especially loves how yoga is always available for all of us. From the roots of the artist's perspective throughout her life, Eireann delved into the world of art therapy (among other modalities) journeying towards the within. And just like creative expression can be necessary for contentment; Yoga too, can be magic. Whether as outlet or process, enjoying the experience of amazing lessons and wonderful transformations which is life, Eireann continues the unfoldment. Eireann first found yoga in an old book in 1997, and then forever through practice and within classes in 2001. Eventually such a rewarding practice led her to graciously take Ti Harmony's Yoga Teacher Training beginning in 2007 which spurred yet more avenues of yogic relishing & study. Sharing the infinitely healing, empowering and inspiring gifts of yoga with others, she enjoys teaching an array of classes for those from various walks of life.

Visit Eireann's web site and email Eireann.

CRISTINA'S PHOTOS ARE COMING!

Cristina Lincoln stepped into her heart through Anusara Yoga during a class at Namaste Yoga Center in Cary in 2004. Originally from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Cristina came to North Carolina in 2001 after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Cristina has been practicing Yoga for 5 years and is eternally grateful for the life transformation she has undergone through the practice. It was through her practice that Cristina realized her passion in life was not to work for Corporate America, but to follow her heart's calling of spreading the light of Yoga to others. A Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance through the Asheville Yoga Center, she is currently working towards Anusara-Inspired status through the Triangle Anusara Teacher Training Institute with Lila Brown and Paul & Sommer Sobin. Cristina is devoted to broadening her understanding and practice of Yoga so she can fulfill her passion to serve as an inspiration to others in their journey towards unveiling the light that shines within their hearts. When she's not standing on her hands or teaching, you can find Cristina enjoying life outdoors or reading a good book in the company of her husband David.

Cornelia Lynch, R.Y.T., has been practicing Yoga for thirteen years and is certified to teach Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. In 2004, she completed the Road to Om, an Advanced Teacher Training workshop at Om Yoga in New York. She has studied with many wonderful teachers and continues to do so. Teaching since 2001, her class emphasis is on correct alignment with a balance between ease and effort, while listening to and honoring the body. Cornelia has been an avid athlete and outdoor enthusiast throughout her life.

As a young mother, she played tennis, skied, swam, and kept up with her lacrosse/hockey/golf playing husband and three athletic children. She enjoyed the physicality and the camaraderie of sports, but a bout of tennis elbow, along with chronic neck pain led her to explore more therapeutic forms of exercise. In 1996, after several suggestions from a good friend and the urging from two sisters who are dancers, she took her first yoga class and knew she was home. Her first experience with yoga was with an Iyengar instructor in East Norwich, Long Island. Elizabeth Sheffield’s attention to form was so absorbing and inspirational that Cornelia was led to further her yoga studies. About the same time Yoga Zone opened a branch on Long Island and the gifted Yogi Raj, Alan Finger, taught master classes there each week. The creativity of Vinyasa Yoga and an introduction to the Science of Ayurveda provided a broader foundation. Adding the spiritually intense and rigorous practice of Kundalini to her studies helped awaken a desire to share the benefits of yoga with others. And attending workshops in Yoga therapy with Gary Kraftsow, founder of the American Viniyoga Institute, strengthened a resolve to focus on a restorative and healing practice. Cornelia’s personal style is a blend of these various disciplines. Each class attempts to infuse insight along with the transformational and philosophical aspects of yoga so that all can experience its beauty and joy. Email Cornelia

Mike Lyons, R.Y.T., was introduced to yoga through an Iyengar class with Eddy Modestini 17 years ago in Amherst Massachusetts. At the time, his 'yoga' was about rock climbing, telemark skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and playing music. In 2000, Mike rediscovered yoga at Triangle yoga in one of Tracys classes. "As I watched Tracy move through the practice and as she guided me into a variety of asanas, it all just seemed to speak to me and I new that I had found my path". He has been studying and practicing yoga ever since. He credits Tracy and the other fine teachers at Triangle Yoga for allowing his practice to blossom. Mike's style of yoga has evolved from a variety of traditions, combined with his background as a musician and an adventure-athlete. He has completed David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Shiva Rea's Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, and recently returned from a 200 hour Yoga Alliance recognized teacher training. Influencial teachers have been Eric Schiffman, Chuck Miller, Maty Ezraty, Donna Fahri, KP Khalsa, Duncan Wong and Renee Diamand. Mike currently teaches yoga to the Women's Lacrosse Team at UNC Chapel Hill. email Mike

Payge McMahon completed her 200-hour YogaWorks teacher training in Koh Phangan, Thailand. As a professional adventure athlete, she began her intensive yoga practice in 2006 to increase her flexibility and focus for rock climbing, canyoning and mountaineering. In return, yoga gave her so much more, adding to her endurance, concentration and strength. She has since climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, The Andes in Peru and Mt. Fuji in Japan. When in the country, she has taken on private students and continues to study yoga, favoring the styles of Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Iyengar. Payge is a writer with a niche in adventure sports, fitness and travel. She favors mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoning, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, cycling. paragliding and trekking. email Payge

Sabine Mead is a certified yoga instructor with nearly ten years of teaching experience. She has an BA in Kinesiology, Dance and Poetry. Sabine danced professionally for 10 years and her extensive knowledge of modern dance and movement improvisation brings an eclectic, fluid and creative style that focuses on alignment and opening energy channels in the body. Sabine has pursued trainings with, and has been influenced by, master teachers Erich Schiffman, Shiva Rea, Judith Lassiter, Angela Farmer, Victor VanKooten and Tracy Bogart. For many years she devoted her teaching skills to Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga and Restorative Yoga, but has recently shifted her focus and expertise to 'Continuum' with teacher Emilie Conrad. Sabine is fascinated by how awareness is cultivated through fluid movement, stillness, sound, and vibration and recently completed an in debth Yoga Teacher Training course in Yoga-Body-Mind Centering. email Sabine

Becca Moss Kratky, RYT discovered the practice of yoga in 1997 and began teaching in 2002. Since that first day on the mat she has been interested and curious as to how this practice can support and open the physical body, how the mind can be trained to slow down, and how the spirit can be nourished. This ancient system is a valuable tool for health & happiness that begins with the simplicity of the breath. Becca has completed a 200hour teacher training with Lisa Clark & David Beadle based on the Body-Mind Centering and embodiment principles of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen as well as a 48hour Vinyasa Flow teacher training with Shiva Rea. She is grateful for her first teacher, Ti Harmony and would also like to thank the following teachers for their positive influences over the years: Erich Shiffman, Donna Farhi, Gabriel Halpern, Shiva Rea, Patty Townsend, Angela Farmer, and Victor van Kooten. After practicing massage therapy for close to a decade, Becca is now exploring the joys & challenges of motherhood as well as sharing this precious gift of yoga with others. email Becca

Brian O'Grady found yoga thirteen years ago, was certified at the Asheville Yoga Center and began teaching regularly in 2002. His focus on proper alignment, knowledge of pose variations, and use of props make his classes easy enough for beginners or students with limited ability, while challenging enough for more advanced students. Brian teaches asana as an essential tool for mindfulness, while physical strength, balance and flexibility are the welcome byproducts of the practice. Becoming skilled at pausing we learn to touch the happiness, peace and joy within each of us; we find health, strength and become resources for others. Brian has taught students of all ages and abilities. Before teaching yoga Brian developed affordable housing and holds an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. Brian and his wife Julia are raising their two children. email Brian

Jen Serio, MSW began practicing yoga in 1992 and was instantly entranced with yoga as a path to the vitality and flexibility she enjoyed as a child. After the typical initiation of being distracted by the progress of other students and frustrated by her own limitations, she came to understand the most beneficial aspect of a daily yoga practice: opening to the mindful, observant and present self in awe of the subtle sensations lying dormant under the surface of a pose. After intensive study of several traditions and gifted teachers near and far, Jen began teaching in 1999. While forever influenced by Iyengar, especially the focus on alignment and presence, Jen’s teaching also reflects the creativity and energy of contemporaries like Shiva Rea. In 2001, she completed the Interdisciplinary Yoga 200-hour teacher training at the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica—an approach integrating somatic and yogic traditions with the intent on exploring the infinite possibilities of energy in combination with movement and awareness in each moment. Most recently, Jen is inspired by Paul Grilley’s approach in honoring how anatomically unique we are, how this informs our practice, and our reasons—sometimes therapeutic—for choosing an asana to explore.

A psychotherapist in mental health and addiction,

Jen encourages mindfulness, stress reduction,

self-care and authentic expression on and off the mat.

Her eclectic practice leads students through uncommon sequences—she oftenasks students to smile, be playful and to explore the vast frontier of their yoga instinct. Inspired by nature and people, she remains humbled by what she continues to learn from her students: yogaasana practice is more of a presence than a pose. email Jen

Stephen Sheikhli is a graduate of the YogaWorks 200-hour

Teacher Training program that was hosted by Triangle Yoga

in July 2008. A marathon runner for several years, Stephen

initially began taking yoga classes at his local gym in search

of some flexibility. But after picking up a copy of Light on Yoga,

he saw there was much more to yoga than just moving through

postures and he soon became hooked. Stephen studies and

practices various styles of Hatha Yoga and regularly attends

Hot Yoga (Bikram Yoga) classes in Raleigh. email Stephen

Visit Sommer & Paul's Web Site.

Visit the Anusara Yoga Practice Gallery.

Read all about our Anusara Yoga Classes.

Sommer and Paul Sobin are both Certified Anusara Yoga Instructors having trained extensively with founder of Anusara Yoga, John Friend.

Their teaching is an invitation to awaken to the goodness of life through the exquisite practice of Anusara Yoga that also encompasses the study of philosophy, meditation and breath work. Sommer and Paul also bring insight and experience from years of energetic healing work into their classrooms and private sessions. Their precise eye for dynamic alignment and with the vision of honoring the sacred in each person creates a supportive atmosphere for students of all levels and all walks of life to feel welcome to the gift of yoga.
Their classes and workshops are spiced with challenge, creativity and inspiration. They are co-directors of the Triangle Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Institute, they co- lead Immersions Programs, Workshops, Retreats and lead Yoga Teacher Trainings locally and nationally. When not on the

mat Sommer and Paul enjoy traveling the world, spending time at the beach whenever possible and indulging in fine teas and chocolates with friends

and family! email Sommer & Paul

Rebecca Sornson has her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certifification through Sivananda Yoga. She is extensively trained in Anusara Yoga, Viniyoga and Craniosacral Therapy. Her yoga classes are playful and nurturing. As a way of connecting to our shared history and universal humanity, Rebecca inspires creativity and appreciation for one's body often using visualizations or myth to go deeper inside.

She enjoys working with all ages...even teens! email Rebecca

Gwynn Sullivan

Gwynn Sullivan, RN, MSN has returned to teaching at Triangle Yoga where she originally taught Yoga Therapy for people dealing with chronic illness and caregivers. Currently, her teaching focus is on synthesizing a contemplative process with yoga practices.

Gwynn is a certified yoga instructor through the Integral Yoga Institute and has endeavored in countless yoga trainings over the past twenty five years. Her main teachers are Angela Farmer and Nischala Devi as well as Roshi Joan Halifax.

In addition to working full time with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (www.caringinfo.org), she serves as faculty at the Upaya Institute for the "Being With Dying: Contemplative Care at the End-of-Life Professional Training" (www.upaya.org).

The proceeds from Gwynn's yoga classes are being donated to Partnering for Children, a national campaign to raise awareness about compassionate, family-centered healthcare for children with life-threatening conditions (www.partneringforchildren.org).

Email Gwynn

Morris Arthur, creator of Triangle Yoga's database, 'Mula Bandha'.

'Mula Bandha' The application of Mula Bandha means drawing up the muscles of the perineum only, although difficult, practice contracting and relaxing the whole of the pelvic floor until muscle tone is gained. The importance of Mula Bandha is the foundation for core strength in the body.On a psychic level, the contraction of Mula Bandha also activates the base chakra, muladhara. This is the chakra for spiritual awakening and earth energy, and its activation can lead to rapid

progress in the spiritual aspects of yoga when the energy released is channelled in the right direction.