Chanda Ross Clements 

Why yoga?

Yoga for me has been a beautiful journey of not just increased health but also a deeper knowledge of who I am.  With this knowledge, my ability to navigate in life and all of its beautiful twists and turns has developed with more understanding and compassion. Yoga is more than a practice, for me it is my lifestyle.

What is my favorite characteristic about me?

I'm a mother of 3 beautiful kids, and I am an identical twin...I'm a caregiver!

If I weren't here, where would I be?

This is a hard one...oh the places I'd go! France on a biking tour...where one bikes the countryside 😊

What I'd like to most convey in my yoga classes?

I'd like for practitioners to feel they've gone on a beautiful journey, like a mini self vacation. Transformed for the moment into such presence they come out feeling renewed. 

Credentials:

I've completed two 200 hour teacher trainings through Adventure club at Rubber Soul, 2012 then 2014... that's how much I loved it! I completed my 500hr RYT Therapeutic yoga teacher training in 2021! 

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Raquel Durden

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Why Yoga?

Raquel "Raqi" (pronounced Rocky) began her yoga practice in 2007 and received her 500-hour yoga certification through the Himalayan Institute and her 200-hr yoga teacher training certification through Rubber Soul's Adventure Club.  Additionally, she has completed the Warriors at Ease Level 2 Trauma Sensitive Yoga certification and earned a certificate of training in Holistic Nutrition.  Her teaching style leans toward gentle yoga with a strength emphasis. Her hope for practitioners is to find an enhanced ease and breath both on and off their yoga mats. Raqi wears many hats:  retired U.S. Army combat veteran, cancer survivor, mostly vegan, mom, wife, small group leader, prayer warrior, dog lover, full-time "encourager"... and she's been seen juggling on her yoga mat.  She enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband-Dave, walking her dog-Radar, visiting family & friends, & considers herself a lifelong learner. 

What's your favorite characteristic about yourself? 

I’m an ENCOURAGER!  

 

 If you weren't here, where would you be? 

Easy…The Breakwater Cottage—our family’s restored cottage that is walking distance from Lake Michigan’s Breakwater Lighthouse in Manitowoc, WI.  

 What is it you most want to share in your class? 

A worthy and intentional hatha timeout from everything to discover our many connections and abilities, and to be thankful in the present moment. 

Credentials. 

I’ve completed my 200hr YTT, numerous Yin Workshops (7.5hrs resident & 5hr DVD) and completed my 500hr YTT certification through the Himalayan Institute . Additionally, I am Group Fitness Instructor, Indoor Cycle Instructor, and First Aid/CPR/AED qualified. 

 Who’s next???

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Susan Bleyle

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Why yoga?  

Yoga, to me, is the perfect package that exercises the body, mind, and spirit. I began yoga years ago for the physical benefits of strength and flexibility but I have stayed with it because of the joy and balance it brings to all aspects of my life. I also love that I can practice yoga any time and any where. I never travel without my yoga mat!

What's your favorite characteristic about yourself?

 I'm a language learner. Feel free to ask me sometime about the languages I speak--or at least try to!

If you weren't here, where would you be?  

At my parents' summer place on Clearwater Lake, Maine. The family dock is my favorite yoga studio in the world! 

What is it you most want to share in your class?  

I love Sally Kempton's quote: "The very heart of yoga practice is Abhyasa--steady effort in the direction you want to go." I want my students to feel and believe that it never matters if our bodies ever attain any particular physical shape, but it does matter that we keep breathing and moving into our practice. 

Credentials.  

I completed my 200-hour training with the Spring 2016 Adventure Club at Rubber Soul. I also have a 20-year practice under my belt giving me lots of yoga life-experience!

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Brenda Lain

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Why yoga?

I found yoga through a friend while living in PA in 2000, and I enjoyed it.  But what kept me returning to it time and again was the practice not only changed my body, it changed my life.  I discovered I was able to cope better with the stresses of my life and became more connected with what was really important.  I learned to let go of the minutiae that was holding me down.

 

What is my favorite characteristic about me?

I love to cook and sharing my table with family and friends is one of my greatest pleasures.  

 

If I weren't here, where would I be?

I would be living on a pristine river somewhere, with my children and grandchildren living just up the road.

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What I'd like to most convey in my yoga classes?

I’d like everyone to experience the joy, energy, and transformation the practice of yoga offers, and I feel it is my job to try to promote these qualities.

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Credentials:

I received my first 25hr certification in 2005 in Pittsburgh,PA through Yoga Fit.  Between 2006 and 2007 I became 200 hr Power Yoga certified in Tulum, Mexico through Amazing Yoga, a Baron Baptiste affiliate.  In 2012 I opened Eastern Shore Yoga studio in Easton, MD with 3 other yoga instructors.  Although I moved to NC in 2014, I am happy to say “ESY” is still going strong.

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Maleah Fretwell

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Why Yoga?

I started doing yoga strictly as a form of exercise.  But, the longer I practiced the more I realized. it's so much more than the physical practice. Yoga has brought me to appreciate my curvy figure and embrace my age. 

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What is my favorite characteristic about me?

My sense of humor!

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If I weren't here, where would I be?

Greece for sure!

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What I'd like to most convey in my yoga class?

That yoga is for every "Body".  I like a slower pace so we can really focus on the breath and be able to settle into the pose before moving on...to really connect to the body. 

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Credentials:

Two 200 hour teacher trainings Adventure Club. CPR certified. 

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Kim Young

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Why Yoga?

I had practiced yoga for many years, but when my boy/girl twin children were 15

years old, I truly began to appreciate the peace, tranquility and harmony that

yoga brought me. After waiting until the children graduated from high school, I

began pursuing my yoga teacher training at The Asheville Yoga Center.

 

What’s my favorite characteristic about myself?

I hope my caring, giving nature and positive outlook help make the world a better

place.

 

If I weren’t here, where would I be?

Turks and Caicos, Utah (skiing), or Europe.

 

What I’d like to most convey in my yoga classes?

I guide practitioners through a calming yet energizing practice, connecting mind,

body, and breath. My goal is for everyone to have a well-rounded experience and

I strive to be sensitive to the various levels and needs of practitioners. I enjoy

sharing the numerous health benefits and grounding effect of yoga, and hope

participants leave the class with more of a sense of being in the present moment.

 

Credentials:

After completing my 200hr YTT in 2019 and my 500hr YTT in 2021, both through

The Asheville Yoga Center, I feel fortunate to be a part of the LIBY community.

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Morgan Elayne

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Why yoga?

Yoga for me has helped smooch with anxiety and depression. Meditation is my go to for sanity. Not only has yoga helped me with my mental state, but has improved how I feel in my body. I have scoliosis and thanks to yoga I experience little to no back pain.  Movement and breath work is definitely the best medicine. Yoga has transformed me into the best version of myself and continues to do so daily. 

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What is my favorite characteristic about me? 

I feel as though I'm easy to relate to and extremely understanding and accepting of everyone. My heart is so big and warm for all beings. 

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If I weren't here, where would I be?

I'm happy to be here and couldn't ask for a better place. I love the studio, this practice, my loved ones, and this life.

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What I'd like to most convey in my yoga classes: 

I'd like for practitioners to recognize the light within themselves and others. I also like to emphasize knowing where you are personally in your body and that everyone's beautifully unique. 

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Credentials: 

I completed my 200 hour teacher training through the yoga and Ayurveda center. I have also earned credentials in chair. yoga and restorative yoga. I am registered with yoga alliance. 

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Mel Berzack

 

Why yoga? 

Great question – never imagined me doing YOGA –I started doing a vigorous yoga every day- encouraged by an employee. It took some time but my body and then my entire mind set changed – all for the best. I could not imagine Yoga not being an integral part of my life.

What is my favorite characteristic about me?

I like me – I hope this is conveyed , in a positive way, to everyone who crosses my path in life

 

If I weren't here, where would I be? 

I love the bush- perhaps that is where I would be in Southern Africa– but always coming back to my amazing wife and family

What I'd like to most convey in my yoga classes?

Yoga is for everyone! It is that elusive fountain of life – but like all good things, it requires patience and perseverance to reap the great benefits of Yoga

Credentials: 

I received all my Yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center. I did 200 hour and followed up a few years later with 300 hour therapy based. I have E-RYT 200, RYT 300 and YACEP (Continuing education provider) credential with Yoga Alliance. I also spent two sessions at Ashram in Northern India and a ten day course at Iyengar Institute in Darmsala , India. 

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