OUR TEACHERS
Jennifer Davis began practicing yoga several years ago after the birth of her second child, as a form of exercise and stress relief. As a former dancer, the postures and alignment of yoga were appealing, as well as how good it was for building muscle strength. As an Eastern Religious Studies major in college, the spiritual aspects of yoga philosophy were familiar, but the practice of yoga deepened Jennifer’s understanding of the union of movement and breath, and how turning the focus inward through breath and meditation can truly make you a better person when you interact with others (friends, family members, strangers) off the mat!
Jennifer has attended workshops by David Williams and Doug Swenson. She is beginning an intensive teacher training program in March with Maya Breuer in the Kripalu hatha yoga tradition. Jennifer’s classes blend different styles of yoga including Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow for an invigorating hour of salutations and asanas (standing, seated, and balance postures), as well as a relaxing, guided meditation.
April Woody, ERYT
After a life-long struggle with not only weight, but also anxiety and persistent mild depression, the gift of yoga came into my life and began to set me free. Little did I know at the time that this freedom is actually the definition of yoga (“the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”). After some months of asana, the experiential learning offered by the practice began to settle into my bones, my psyche, my daily life, as bit by bit I shed the fear-based perspectives of my previous life and embraced the limitless potential offered by the yogic lifestyle. Now, years later, I understand and appreciate the unifying nature of the practice – from the undeniable potential of a unified mind, body, and spirit within the individual, to the rippling effect of this idea of union into the world around us.
When the opportunity to transition from student to teacher was presented to me, I accepted and sought my 200-hour certification from the Shambhava School of Yoga. I have continued and will continue to expand my knowledge of the many intricacies of the craft through various workshops, dedicated study, and personal practice. What a gift this journey has been!
I look forward to continuing to share this path with others, as we all learn together, experiencing as one the union inherent to the craft.
In 2001, Sue received a yoga workbook as a gift, started moving through postures in the comfort of home, and developed a simple twenty minute practice. A year later when life tilted into realms of grief and sorrow, Sue drew on these simple postures and focused breathing to enter unfamiliar inner landscapes of life. Experiencing the profound benefits of yoga, Sue attended several weeklong programs at Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox, MA. (Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation, Frank Boccio; Insight Meditation & Yoga, Larry Rosenberg & Matthew Daniell; Aging Gracefully with Yoga, Sudha Carolyn Lundeen). In 2007 Sue became certified as a Kripalu Yoga Teacher after completing a program of 200-hours of intensive training.
Sue Julian, KYT
Erin Clark, RYT
Erin Clark has been practicing yoga for several years and received her 200-hour teacher training through Kim Manfredi at Charm City Yoga in Baltimore, Maryland in 2007. Erin finds balance and focus through her yoga practice, and she strives to share these fruits of the practice with her students. Erin teaches students to create space and mindfulness in their lives through a practice that seeks to unite the breath, body, and mind.
I was inspired to teach yoga to complement my physical therapy practice. However, as I learned about yoga philosophy and the use of yoga as a tool to health, wellness and inner peace, I quickly learned and experienced that yoga involves much more than the physical body. I received my 500 hour yoga teacher certification and my professional yoga therapist certification through Integrative Yoga
Therapy. Using a multidimensional approach, and using a full range of yoga tools to aid in the journey of healing, I focus on teaching therapeutic yoga for a variety of needs and conditions of the whole person, the body, mind and spirit. I have received additional training in ayurveda and therapeutic children's yoga, and have received Yoga of the Heart Cardiac and Cancer Certification It is my desire to teach an integrative class that helps create health, wellness, and wholeness in all individuals, of all ages.
Lori Magana, PT, RYT
THE FOLDED LEAF 1009 BRIDGE RD. 304-344-YOGA
Jennifer Davis, RYT
Susan Spangler, RYT
At the suggestion of her physicians, Susan began practicing yoga five years ago as a way to manage her fibromyalgia and stress.
“I was [and still am] a victim of what Buddhists and yogis call ‘monkey mind.’ My mind is constantly working in overdrive. I found that yoga was the one way for me to slow down the chatter. In addition, the physicality of the yoga experience provides much relief for my condition.”
Susan originally started taking Ashtanga classes at the YMCA with Dan Connery. She eventually developed a home practice as well, which includes both yoga and meditation. Last year she completed an intensive 200-hour teacher training program with Maya Breuer in the Kripalu Hatha Yoga tradition.
Formerly an administrator at the University of Charleston, Susan’s background is in child and adult education. She is currently completing her dissertation as part of the requirements for her PhD in education. She also serves as editor for three nationwide K-12 school health and curriculum publications. Susan resides in Charleston with two beautiful daughters, Katelyn and Madelyn
Formerly an administrator at the University of Charleston, Susan’s background is in child and adult education. She is currently completing her dissertation as part of the requirements for her PhD in education. She also serves as editor for three nationwide K-12 school health and curriculum publications. Susan resides in Charleston with two beautiful daughters, Katelyn and Madelyn
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My name is Johnna Darnell. I have been practicing Yoga since 2001 and Pilates since 2005. I am a 200 hr RYT, certified in Hatha Yoga in the
Kripalu tradition. I am also certified in Sport Yoga, Spencer Mat Pilates, and I am a Holistic Stress Management Specialist. I have recently completed a certification in Reformer 1 with Balanced Body
University. I am in the process of completing a full certification with the Reformer.
I originally became interested in Yoga primarily for how it made me feel. Never had I done any type of exercise that brought me clarity of mind and left me centered. I continued to practice and teach Yoga for many years. I took a Pilates class offered at a local Yoga studio and discovered that afterwards I felt happy and vibrant. I felt that mind/body connection that I had been experiencing in my Yoga practice. I had the opportunity to become certified in Mat Pilates. I simply wanted to know more about the method and to understand it in more detail. Yoga and Pilates have become a wonderful outlet for me to continue to study as an adult. Not only have both methods given me a stronger, more flexible body, they have transformed my mind and enhanced the quality of my life tremendously.
I enjoy creating classes that fuse the practices (Yoga and Pilates) together as much as teaching both methods purely. The most important
thing to me is creating a safe, consistent, and inspiring practice for my students that will create a lifetime of good health.
