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Gia Two semesters of Hatha Yoga at Hofstra University in 1987 was the beginning of this delightfully surprising journey. Gia started teaching yoga in 1999 and began her yoga training in 2002.  With over 2000 hours of teaching and over 800 hours of yoga training, Gia's unique career background and degrees in Human Development and Education enable her to deliver yoga in a practical and meaningful way that keeps her students coming back for more. Gia's style is a vinyasa-based mix that blends meditation and longer Yin-holds infused with generous helpings of power-flow sequences. She encourages students to become their own best teacher by listening to their body's natural dynamic movement- while the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist  in her embraces the philosophy that "it's ALL right"

Patti Since my first yoga class I was hooked!  Yoga made sense to my body.  As I have deepened my practice, yoga has come to make sense to my breath and my life.  I began teaching as a way to share my love for yoga.  Shortly thereafter I began the 230 hour teacher training program at Asheville Yoga Center with Stephanie Keach. The next step on my journey has been the opening of Heart Center Yoga.  I have studied a variety of yoga styles~ vinyasa flow, anusara, ashtanga, power yoga and yin~ all of which influence my teaching.  My style blends vinyasa flow with a healthy dose of deep stretching and frequent reminders to listen to your body.  I also like to throw in bits of yogic philosophy~ for me this is a blend of Christian teachings and Eastern philosophy that can bring deeper meaning to asana.

Amy began taking yoga classes in 1986 from Hickory teacher Hilda Propst, who taught in the Sivananda tradition. She continued classes with her for 12 years and began to broaden her studies with Iyengar style classes in Asheville and Kripalu style classes in Charlotte. In 2000, she was introduced to Anusara yoga, and has studied extensively with certified Anusara teachers, including its founder, John Friend.  Amy began teaching yoga in the Hickory area in 1996.  Her classes draw on the many styles of yoga she has studied and are a blend of slow warm up stretches, practice of specific asanas with careful attention to alignment, and linking postures together in flowing sequences (vinyasa).  The Tuesday evening  class includes full backbends and inversions and is best suited for the student with some yoga experience.

Susan has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years (before it was the "cool" thing to do).  She has studied locally with Alice Gillesen and Gia Maxson.  Susan is also a Lamaze certified childbirth educator and a certified doula.  She feels the power of the mind/body connection in childbirth strongly parallels the practice of yoga.  This concept led Susan to earn special certification in prenatal/postpartum yoga from Stephanie Keach at Asheville Yoga Center.  In May, 2008, she completed a 230-hour intensive course leading to Yoga Alliance Certification.  This program has further broadened Susan's eclectic style of yoga.  She prefers a gentle approach to yoga, making her classes accessible to every-BODY.

Renee Practicing since 1996, teaching since 2004. Still so much to learn and explore.  My intention is to find the unique pulse of each class, and work with the physical and energetic rhythm of that moment.