Abby Chestnut: The other co-owner of The Rock Hill Yoga Center, Abby was introduced to yoga through Carol Leonard. Abby, being a runner, realized that in order to achieve her maximum performance running, some stretching and calming of the mind were needed. She has been regularly attending yoga classes for many years, and she has been teaching since 2004. Abby's students love to take her classes because her classes are varied and challenging, but fun. The students say, "Abby is always a surprise. No two classes are ever the same!" Abby is a mother of a son and daughter, and is married to her supportive husband, David. Abby has trained under David Swenson and Stephanie Keach, recieving a Vinyasa Flow teacher certification in June, 2005 from the Asheville Yoga Center. In March, 2006 she completed her 220-hour instructor certification training in Charlotte, NC with the Bodhi Tree's En Yoga Teacher Training Program. She's also attended many continuing education workshops. Abby has loved incorporating all she has learned in her classes. She believes that practicing yoga is empowering. Abby's email is abby@therockhillyogacenter.com.
Barbara James: What started as a quest for a leaner body turned into much more when Barbara was introduced to yoga. After nearly 20 years of aerobics and Jazzercise, she tried yoga in 2001; much to her surprise she began to see changes taking place—better balance, more strength, increased flexibility and best of all, peace of mind. Barbara began teaching yoga late in 2004, and received her vinyasa flow certification under Stephanie Keach of the Asheville Yoga Center in 2005. In 2006, she completed her 220-hour teacher certification from the Bodhi Tree's En Yoga Teacher Training program in Charlotte, NC and registered with the Yoga Alliance. Barbara’s teaching style incorporates the energy of her Jazzercise past, an attention to the present moment, and an awareness of the breath. Barbara is inspired by Erich Schiffmann, Angela Farmer, Rolf Gates and all the teachers and students with whom she works. “The beauty of yoga is that in practicing, we are constantly uncovering our true nature, and in doing so, the line between our practice on the mat and our life off the mat begins to blur-- our lives and our yoga practice become one."
Our Teachers:
The Rock Hill Yoga Center
Carol Leonard: Co-owner of The Rock Hill Yoga Center and loving every minute of it! Married to her high school sweetheart, Carol is a devoted wife and mother of two children whom she adores! As Carol says, "The idea to open a yoga center was not just a vision, it was because I believe so deeply in yoga's positive effects on the mind and body. Because I have the support of my family, it seemed like a natural evolution to offer yoga in our community. I believe everyone should be practicing some form of yoga." Carol was brought up in a "holistic" home with her parents practicing yoga regularly. Carol and her brothers followed suit and the entire family incorporates yoga as they continue on their "journey" of life. Carol has had the opportunity to practice under the guidance of David Swenson, Baron Baptiste, Rod Stryker, Seane Corn, Tias Little and Betsy Downing. She loves to teach all levels of yoga, loves to immerse herself in her own practice and is thrilled that she is able to offer yoga to one and all. "This is a wonderful center with great yoga instructors. We all care about our students and are constantly striving to learn more ways to offer interesting and fun classes. The process of yoga is this fantastic path of mind, body and breath. And, we have created a true "holistic" center by enhancing our space with a facial aesthetician and massage therapist." It is really plain and simple...Carol just loves yoga and The Rock Hill Yoga Center!
For any questions related to the center, you may reach Carol by email at carol@therockhillyogacenter.com.
Our Substitutes
Shannon Peterson: Originally from California, Shannon has been drawn to yoga and a healthy lifestyle for many years. She received her yoga teaching certification from En Yoga in Charlotte in March, 2006, and furthered her training under Erich Schiffmann in June, 2006 in California. She loves all styles of yoga, but particularly enjoys the linkage of movement and breath of vinyasa flow, and is inspired by Seane Corne, Shiva Rea and Erich Schiffmann. Shannon’s goal in teaching is to encourage self-awareness and self-acceptance while leading students through an invigorating yoga practice, and to give students the tools to move through life with an open, clear body and a calm, steady mind. She currently teaches yoga in Mooresville, NC.
Ann Wellborn: Ann's interest and practice of yoga started in 2000, looking to yoga as a means to rehabilitate her back and manage her chronic pain. "I came solely for the asana practice. Today, I still love my asana practice but I am drawn to my mat for all that yoga offers: the strength and flexibility, the breath, the mindfulness, and the peace that it brings to my life." Ann has completed a 230 hour power vinyasa certification through Redstone Yoga and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She has studied extensively with Dolly Stavros, and participated in yoga workshops with Kimberly Wilson and Rolf Gates. "It is a gift and an honor to share yoga and my love of yoga with others. I hope to one day bring yoga to those without access or means to practice. It is my dream that through yoga I can help individuals and groups find a way to peace, compassion, and acceptance for the self and for all. Yoga helps me to be and create the change that I want to see in the world."
"There is no wealth greater than the health of the body." --Old Testament
Kris Lawson: Kris believes that one of Yoga's most fascinating and powerful aspects is its ability, through the practitioner's discipline, to remind us of things we already know, but have managed to forget due to the societal complexities and personal struggles of life. Yoga is not a spectator sport...it must be practiced to be understood. With practice comes discipline, and through discipline comes understanding. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach at the Rock Hill Yoga Center.
Sara Cain
Sara’s yoga journey started in 1999 during her first class with Grace Morales of Charlotte Yoga. She quickly realized that yoga teaches lessons to live a balanced, healthy, peaceful life. Her desire is to share this with her students. She is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level and has been teaching in Charlotte and Fort Mill since 2002. She has a background teaching Power, Vinyasa, Yin, Prenatal, and kids yoga. Her style is positive, empowering, and she encourages students to grow by finding peace at their edge. Sara’s primary teachers are: Grace Morales of Charlotte Yoga, Stephanie Keach of the Asheville Yoga Center, Rolf Gates and YogaFit. She has attended numerous workshops with instructors like Paul Grilley, Desiree Rumbaugh, Seane Corn, and Bryan Kest. She also works full time in the corporate world in Human Resources.
Betsey Williams: Betsey began her yoga practice in about 2003 at the advice of her Reiki teacher and to complement a Tai Chi practice. It did not take long for yoga to become more than a physical practice, but a way of life. "Through daily practice both on and off of the mat I have noticed a shift in the way that I am able to handle situations as they arise during my day," Betsey says. When Betsey was introduced to Anusara Yoga in 2007 it was an "'Aha' moment and I immediately started to look for an Anusara teacher." She is currently studying with Sarah Faircloth (the first teacher in N.C. to become Anusara certified) at Sangati Healing Arts to pursue an Anusara Teacher Certification. She has had the privilege of studying with John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, and Sianna Sherman. 
