Beth Thomas, E-RYT, Co-Owner and Creative Director:
I took my first yoga class in 2000 and instantly knew my life had changed. Not only did I feel stronger and leaner, but more importantly my temperament became more peaceful and my attitude more compassionate.  In 2003, after Hurricane Isabel, I spent time living and studying at the Satchiananda Ashram In Yogaville, VA where I received my RYT 200 certification. As I began to teach, it still felt as if something was missing in my practice.  In 2004 I took my first training with Baron Baptiste and knew I had come home.  The Power Vinyasa style of yoga resonates with me deeply and I began intensive training with Baron until I received my certification as a Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga teacher in 2006. I love the power and strength of the Baptiste sequence, and its interweaving of spirituality feeds my soul.  Since moving to Charleston in 2006, I have been blessed to be able to share these teachings with so many, and love to see the transformations on and off the mat.  As the only certified Baptiste instructor in SC, I am excited to share my journey with you through Charleston Power Yoga! I  continue to train with Baron whenever possible, to grow my own flow, and also travel with him as part of the Baptiste assisting team.  Check out my classes for a dynamic blend of strength, sweat, flexibility and balance that will take you to your edge, and sometimes even to your knees!

Sarah Finn, RYT, Co-Owner and Creative Director:
Yoga found me… in a heap of sweat with tight hips, hamstrings, shallow breath, and lots of bad habits to boot! The practice then took me on quite a ride and gently became my dear friend on some days and my own worst enemy on others.  Whatever the mat brings I honor, breath through, and keep on moving.  After the profound change that yoga had on my life, I knew it was my gift to share and guide others in their own practice and help them explore self-expression in the form of movement. This led me off my own mat and into a teacher training several years ago. Since then I have been privileged to move and guide many yogis through their own practices. My bodies’ energy and my minds creative nature help’s me to lead energetic and mindfully challenging classes based on Power Vinyasa Yoga principles. The yoga practice is so rooted in my Being that I truly feel the flow as I move on and off my mat and into my daily practices. The yoga practice to me is about being fluid and organic in all our thoughts and actions...in essence to unify our yoga practice with our life practice.
The compassion and life lessons we learn on the mat are our tools to bring with us and to share. Like my life off the mat, my classes incorporate good vibrations, fun music, lightness, balance, and a no worries attitude.  I have a BA in psychology and have completed my 230 hr level Yoga Alliance Certification through Red Stone Yoga in Power Vinyasa Yoga. Since then I have been blessed and honored to study, train, and practice with so many amazing teachers...to name a few of my influences: Baron Baptiste, Stephanie Keach, Doug Swenson, Rolf Gates, Andrey Lappa, Chandra Om, Simon Park, Kristin Cooper-Gulak, and, Shiva Rea.  ~See you on the mat~  

Ashley Kennedy, E-RYT:
I first practiced yoga as a student at Washington and Lee University in a P.E. course titled "Modern Dance", which consisted of free movement and stretching.   We spent a few minutes near the end of each class sitting with the soles of our feet together.   One day I realized that each time I exhaled my knees would drop closer to the floor.   I later learned that this posture has a name (baddha konasana) and that I was actually practicing yoga. I returned to yoga in 2002 at the suggestion of a roommate, and after my first 60-minute class I felt strongly that it was a practice worth pursuing.   All of my life I had studied dance and enjoyed athletics, but yoga brought me to the doorstep of so much unexplored physical potential.   Yoga has also opened my eyes (as well as my heart and mind) to the opportunity we each have to live a present and purposeful life.   I have been so fortunate to spend time in the presence of great yoga teachers such as Erich Schiffman, Dana Flynn, John Friend, Doug Swenson, Baron Baptiste, Stephanie Keach and Saul David Raye, but I count among my influences philosophers Paul Williams, Ram Das and Stuart Wilde, countless musicians, poets, artists, children, adults and the experience of day-to-day life on this planet.   I have been teaching yoga since 2003 and continue to be humbly grateful for every chance I have to share what I’ve learned so far with others. 

Allison Zimmerman, RYT:
Allison has been teaching Yoga in the Charleston since 2003. After her first 200 hour yoga teacher certification she was inspired to learn more about yoga and the philosophy of yoga. She was introduced to the Jivamukti Yoga method by Andrea Boyd and Jeffrey Cohen in 2004. She studied and completed the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher training in 2008. She offers many thanks to them for being such a positive inspiration and introducing her to so many beautiful beings. She has continued to study with David Life, Sharon Gannon, Manorama, Dharma Mittra, Doug Swenson and many others. Allison's interest and enthusiasm for the infinite philosophy of yoga is what fuels both her practice and teaching.

Caitlin Craig Hunt, RYT
Simply, I believe in yoga. Yoga makes us better people on every level, or rather, reveals the best person already living within each of us. I discovered yoga ten years ago while attending the College of Charleston and immediately knew I had found something that resonated with me on a deep level. Walking out of that first class, I felt more like ME than ever before. Since then, I have established a strong personal practice, read all kinds of literature on yogic philosophy, methodology and anatomy, practiced with many teachers, taken classes and workshops in various schools of yoga and ultimately, earned a 200-hour teacher’s certification in 2007 locally. I can’t get enough of it. With steady practice, I have become more confident in my ability to handle any situation this life has to offer, more connected and responsive to the world around me and more comfortable in my own skin. I’m grateful to have the rest of my life to continue the process and share this journey with others. Teaching yoga is one of my great joys and I am so honored to belong to this warm, inspiring community!

Jessica Kenny, RYT
Yoga frees me. It has helped me (and continues to help me) drop the unnecessary bags of crap I choose to carry with me, to free my arms to love myself and the wonderful people in my life. After getting my B.A. in English and Communications in 2007, I stepped into my first yoga class and left feeling lighter, more aware and full of shifted energy. When I found my first heated power yoga class, it was all over. Up until that point in my life, I had lived imprisoned and weighed down by constant anxiety and self-judgment. Though the practice’s intrinsic compassionate yet challenging nature was very unfamiliar, it unleashed me. With yoga, I feel strong, I feel beautiful and I feel love. I learn to let go and laugh even harder. I recently received my RYT-200 through MBody Yoga Teacher Certification Program. Through the inspiration of my teacher, Mark White, as well as my other amazing influences, I am constantly growing and unlearning. When I moved from Boston to Charleston in 2009, finding a yoga studio to call home took precedence to finding a job. I am so grateful and excited to begin my journey as a teacher as an apprentice at CPY, teaching its Community Class. In my classes, you will experience a challenging yet freeing physical practice, filled with laughter, spirit and compassion. I can't wait to meet you.

Alycia Kozak, RYT:
It’s been 10 years since my first yoga class! I was told by a close friend that the practice changed his life, and at that time I didn’t realize what an amazing impact it would have on mine. I maintain a yoga practice for the joy, the calm, the challenge and the endless inspiration. It continues to teach me that falling is ok, that laughing in a quiet moment is totally acceptable and that taking a breathe before moving forward helps me to find balance. I love that there are no boundaries or rules, just a limitless opportunity to evolve and grow ... Like when sticking a new posture for the first time or being able to balance on a really unsteady day. 10 years later, I still find yoga to be a practice of discovery; there is always something new to learn and someone to be inspired by!
My desire to teach is owed to my very first yoga teacher who took my fast moving New York state of mind and slowed it way down. His happiness, technique, dedication and warmth inspired me to share the practice. I wanted other people to feel the way I felt when I stepped out of his class –which was physically stronger and emotionally lighter. In 2009, I began teaching Vinyasa Yoga-and with every class I teach- it is my hope to challenge each person to find your individual edge, maybe break some boundaries  -and to also find a collective rhythm as a class-sharing our personal goals, motivations and practice with one another.