Kathy Donnelly, eRYT500, is the Director and Owner of the Yoga Center of Columbia and has been teaching since 1999. Kathy is a certified Anusara Teacher having studied extensively with John Friend and Suzie Hurley and completing 500 hours of study at WSYC. Kathy's teaching style is welcoming, nurturing and encourages transformation from the inside out.

Karl Ardo is a Certified Five Element Medical QiGong and Meditation Teacher - NQA Certified QiGong Clinical Therapist & Level III Advanced Instructor-Certified Zero Balancer. He has studied, practiced, and taught several types of Chinese disciplines including Medical QiGong, meditation and Tai Chi since 1974. In addition, Karl teaches advance QiGong Healing of others (hands off the body healing techniques) and provides private individual session in QiGong and Zero Balancing.

After receiving a BA in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University, Regina began studying Yoga. She completed a 200hr teacher training in Vinyasa flow, a 9 month Anusara Immersion and a 200 hr teacher training in Anusara Yoga. She has studied and apprenticed with many Anusara Certified teachers including: Suzie Hurley, Moses Brown, Kathy Donnelly, Kate Miller, Vivian Campagna, Maria Hamburger, as well as studying with philosopher Douglas Brooks and Olga Rasmussen. Regina blends her knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology and the five Universal Principles of Alignment with her gentle philosophy of self exploration. With her beautiful array of knowledge she creates a safe environment for her students to learn and explore the basics of a Yoga practice. Regina has worked with seniors, teens and beginners and has had the privilege of witnessing transformations of, not only strength, flexibility and balance but most of all, the improvements in the quality of life, of her students.

Darlene Bergener, RYT500, LMT, completed her 500 hr training through the Himalayan Institute in traditional Hatha Yoga and holds an additional 200 hr certification in prenatal and postnatal yoga through Colette Crawford of the Seattle Holistic Center. Darlene began her yoga journey in 1998 during her 12 year career as a mechanical engineer, turning to yoga to maintain her own health and sanity. As the benefits of yoga had such a profound effect on her, she knew she had to share it with others. With a strong knowledge of anatomy and a good sense of humor, Darlene encourages students to have fun while maximizing their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, learning yoga for life, not just in the classroom. Darlene is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with certification in prenatal and postnatal massage. Darlene and her husband live in Elkridge and are happily celebrating the birth of their first child, a beautiful baby girl!

www.yoga-massage.com

Karen Best, an ACE certified instructor, has over 22 years experience teaching fitness and movement. She was first introduced to Pilates in 1985 when she was majoring in jazz dance at the Philadelphia University of the Arts and has been teaching Pilates since 1997. She continues to study movement, Pilates and pedagogy so she can most clearly present proper, effective technique with her encouraging and enthusiastic teaching style.

Moses Brown believes that yoga should be a heart-opening experience that is supportive as well as empowering to the student. His teachings create an approach that is physically dynamic, mentally stimulating and therapeutic. Moses brings focus, concentration, and mindfulness to his classes, weaving them together with playfulness, joy and FUN!!

Bonnie received her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate at the Yoga Center of Columbia. She continues her studies and has completed teacher training courses in Therapeutics Yoga, Flow Yoga, and Children's Yoga. She has had the opportunity to study with numerous world renowned Yoga Masters. Her genuine enthusiasm, playfulness, and passion for yoga is contagious. Bonnie feels grateful for the opportunities to share the empowering and transformative gifts of yoga with ALL ages.

Cheryl Catranbone, E-RYT 500 and Certified Anusara Yoga® Teacher, has been studying and practicing yoga in earnest since 1993. A certified yoga teacher since 1996, Cheryl found her way into the family of Anusara Yoga in 2000. Cheryl continues to evolve in her practice and teaching by spending as much time as possible with her primary teacher, John Friend. With a deep focus on the Therapeutic aspects of yoga Cheryl is deeply rooted in the benefits of the Universal Principles of Alignment of Anusara Yoga. Cheryl is also a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Douglas Brooks. Cheryl shares her deep love and passion for yoga with genuine warmth, humor and joyful expression.

www.heartofgraceyoga.com

Liz Clark, YKT, RYT, is certified through YogaKids InternationalR, Radiant Child and The Yoga Center of Columbia. Liz teaches children's yoga as a tool for connecting physical strength, balance and flexibility to inner wisdom, self-control and personal power. She has taught in local schools, using yoga for early literacy intervention, testing preparation, and general health and fitness.

Melinda, RYT 500 and certified Body Balance Yoga® therapy teacher, brings a rich background in gentle and therapeutic yoga to her students. An educator for 35+ years, including teaching at Loyola University Maryland since 2000, she began her own yoga practice in 2004 in a therapeutic class when seeking help for a debilitating disease. Also certified to teach yoga therapy by Nischala Joy Devi in Yoga of the Heart®, by Lakshmi Voelker in Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™, and by Jacci Reynolds in Pranakriya™ Prenatal Yoga, Melinda continues to study weekly with her mentor, Jenny Otto, founder of Body Balance Yoga®. Melinda teaches how to incorporate yoga into everyday life and wants her students to know that anyone can do yoga and benefit from the never-ending possibilities that it offers.

www.ucandoyoga.com

Linda San Gabriel began practicing yoga in 1989 and teaching in 1996. She credits Maxine Tobias as her first yoga teacher when she opened Maxine's book "Stretch and Relax" and has, in essence, never closed that book. Linda apprenticed with John Schumacher and studied with the Iyengars in India and in the US. She travels to study with Iyengar teachers around the world several times each year. Linda believes that the essence of yoga can be found in diligent work that is accompanied by laughter. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics.

Inspired by her teachers from a variety of traditions, Julia Greiwe-Martínez, RYT 200, infuses her classes with a blend of challenge and playfulness to assist her students on the path of discovery and well-being. A High School World Language teacher, Julia has a passion for teaching and learning, and also draws from a background in massage therapy and the healing arts. Currently she is pursuing a 500 hour yoga certification.

Jeri calls both Columbia and QiGong home. Deepening her personal QiGong practice of 16 years, Jeri has been teaching QiGong privately to interested clients. She's delighted for the opportunity to expand her love of QiGong, now with the special emphasis on Women's Health. Jeri is a cooperative health care professional, blending Biodynamic Cranial Sacral, Energy Balancing and Flower-Nature Essences most recently studying the ancient art of Apitherapy, to deepen her understanding and appreciation of the hive. Jeri practices Treatment Free Beekeeping providing a chemical free environment for bees at her home.

Jeanne Holden began her yoga journey searching for peace of mind and discovered complete joy. A student for ten years under owner/director Kathy Donnelly, Jeanne is a 2007 graduate of the Columbia YTT program. Her approach to teaching emphasizes proper alignment techniques. She encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of the body as it unfolds within the yoga practice using breath and mind awareness. Jeanne brings enthusiastic spirit to class and enjoys having fun with her students.

Katie Huber, RYT, RCYT, began her study of yoga in 1999 and has explored various styles of yoga. Katie feels we are never too old or young to begin practicing yoga. In 2007 Katie became certified to teach Itsy Bitsy Yoga® and has shared yoga with infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents. Katie has studied Yoga Kids® programs for pre-teens and teens. In 2010, Katie graduated from The Yoga Center of Columbia's teacher training program. Katie has two daughters and enjoys practicing yoga with them.

Bita’s approach to yoga is intelligent, playful, and heart-based. She emphasizes awareness, the breath, core principles, alignment, and integrating both movement and stillness to access our true nature. Cultivating a sacred space to open the body, free the mind, and connect with spirit, she aspires to ignite the magic of our existence and the bliss of living this presence.

Bita can appreciate all of the stress we accumulate in our fast-paced lifestyles. Her intention is to offer down to earth techniques and ways to incorporate them into our daily lives to help minimize stress, heal our bodies, and focus our minds. Practicing and teaching yoga open our hearts, minds, bodies and spirit. Self-transformation and awakening within has guided Bita to teach from a place of love, respect and integrity.

Debbie Jensen-Grubb, Registered Yoga Teacher 500 hours with Yoga Alliance (RYT500), member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, graduate of TYC's Teachers Training program, and a Registered Nurse. Debbie focuses her years of training on how yoga can heal the body through a therapeutic approach to injuries and chronic illnesses. She supports the development of her students' own awakening of body/mind awareness through poses, breath, meditation, and relaxation. Debbie is a senior teacher at The Yoga Center of Columbia.

www.theyogateacher.net

Susan Kain, RYT/200, has been working in the fitness industry since 1992 and is a Certified Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise. She became Pilates certified through the Physical Mind Institute in 2000 and yoga certified in 2001. Her clients range in age from 3 to 93! Susan has studied many yoga styles such as Iyengar, Kripalu, Integrative, Kundalini, Jivamukti, Bikram and is Radiant Child certified with Shakta Khalsa. She's been most fortunate to study with wonderful and renowned yoga instructors such as Rodney Yee, Erich Schiffman, Baron Baptiste, Beryl Bender Birch, Sharon Gannon, Roger Cole, David Swenson and the Yoga Center's own Bob Glickstein! Her Pilates training has continued over the years with Stott Pilates, Peak Pilates and Leslee Bender. The most recent addition to Susan's certifications include Lifestyle and Weight Management consulting. In 2006, Susan was one of the recipients of Maryland's 2006 Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise award.

Tom Kight , Ph.D.,is a registered yoga teacher, clinical psychologist, meditation teacher and founder of the Zen Community of Columbia. His yoga arises directly out of an inquiry into the connections between our inner and outer lives and thus emphasizes alignment, flow, beauty, constant mindfulness and courageous living.

Jessica Koch is a certified Five Element Medical QiGong instructor. She began studying QiGong shortly after her introduction to the benefits of meditation over ten years ago. She continues to study and explore the healing effects of qi through energy balancing modalities such as Zero Balancing and External Qi Healing. She enjoys providing the opportunity for others to experience healing in both the classroom and one-on-one sessions.

Melissa Lindon approaches yoga as an opportunity to find relaxation and balance in a busy life, cultivate flexibility of body and mind, and reconnect to our innate joy. A 2004 graduate of The Yoga Center's Teacher Training program, she completed 500 hours of study (RYT 500) at Golden Heart Yoga. Also a professional flutist, Melissa enjoys teaching others to listen to and be in tune with their bodies, and to breathe deeply. She seeks to make yoga practical and fun, and her teaching style is compassionate and light-hearted.

www.melissalindon.com

Lucy Lomax is a Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher and E-RYT 500. She credits yoga with keeping her balanced in a frenetic world. She retired early as a financial policy analyst to be a yoga teacher and has been teaching since 1999. Believing that yoga is a metaphor for life, she teaches the importance of moving from a position of strength and inner wisdom of the body/mind. Lucy infuses her teaching with a sense of lightheartedness and enthusiasm.

Debbie Martin, RYT 500 took her first yoga class in 1977 to help her mend physically and emotionally after a serious accident. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and is a graduate of Willow Street's Yoga Teacher Training in the Anusara Tradition. Debbie has studied with Master Yogi John Friend and Sr. Anusara teachers Suzie Hurley and Moses Brown. She is currently studying with Master Yogi Rod Stryker. Her teaching style uniquely blends Anusara and ParaYoga styles. Debbie believes yoga can provide a pathway to a healthier mind, body and spirit, bringing more joy to the journey of life. She has a lust for life and infuses her classes with passion, caring and humor.

Susanne Meyer , RYT200, is a teacher of traditional Hatha Yoga. Susanne started her yoga journey in 1992 under the guidance of Bob Glickstein and has studied with many senior teachers, such as Donna Farhi, John Friend, and Jamie Turner Alison. In addition, Susanne is a nationally certified massage therapist and as such brings a solid knowledge of anatomy to her classes.

Colleen Palmateer is a certified yoga teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Colleen is passionate about sharing yoga with others to help them relieve pain and live more joyfully. Her students learn good alignment, healthy breathing techniques, and how to relax. They also develop a greater awareness of the body-mind connection. In her classes they laugh, open their bodies, and find peace and rest. Colleen wants to engage her students with the idea of having a strong body, sound mind, and open heart.

She has studied extensively with Jamie Allison and Doug Keller.

www.newspirityoga.com

Christine Ruane is a MD State, and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, specializing in soft tissue mobilization and efficient movement mechanics, to reduce pain, and increase your range of movement. She has worked in the Columbia and Baltimore areas in the field of bodywork for the last 11 years, earning her degree from The Baltimore School of Massage in 2001. Chris is an active member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Her specialties include Swedish, Deep Tissue, & Myofascial Massage, Infant Massage Instruction, Prenatal Massage, Heated Stone, and Sports Massage. In addition to bodywork, Chris holds certifications in Pilates Mat & Tower Instruction through Powerhouse Pilates, and a mentorship under Master Pilates Trainer Michele Brodsky, a 200 hour Yoga Instruction through the Yoga Center of Columbia, and QiGong Instruction with Supreme Science.

A lifelong passion for movement, fitness, dance, and music drives Chris's research in the field. Her background as an athlete, dancer, and musician have taught invaluable life lessons about dealing with pain, and the physical limitations caused by repetitive movement. She continues to study the human body in, and out of the classroom, and is currently working on furthering her education with Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Zero Balancing, and Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification. Her approach is compassionate, and her number one priority is her client's well being.

www.unwindmassageandwellness.com

Rimmi Singh, Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (RYT200). Rimmi has been practicing yoga since 1996 and been teaching for over 8 years. She has studied with senior Iyengar teachers such as John Schumacher, Roger Cole and Bob Glickstein. She is a dedicated teacher bringing enthusiasm and compassion to her classes, and instilling them with playfulness and Zen!