Brad Fischeris an Emerald Isle resident who owns and operates Oceanshore Design, an architectural design business. He is a Kripalu trained yoga instructor and has been practicing yoga for over 10 years, After becoming PADI certified scuba diver in 1978, he has enjoyed many years of underwater exploration. An avid sailor, kayaker, and wind surfer, Brad’s love of the water started very early in his native home, Virginia Beach. Brad specializes in teaching yoga for scuba divers, and surfers. To help bring regular guys into the world of yoga and stress management, he teaches Yoga Blend where he unites Kripalu Yoga with the use of a yoga stick.
Cheryl LeClair E-RYT200 completed Wilmington Yoga Center’s 200 hour teacher training program in 2007. Since then Cheryl has completed Duke Integrative Medicine's Yoga for Seniors Therapist training program and is certified to teach trauma-sensitive yoga through the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Center. In addition, Cheryl has completed advanced training in iRest® yoga nidra with Richard Miller PhD of the Integrative Restoration Institute and is currently working on her Level 3 certification. Cheryl teaches iRest and yoga at Camp Lejeune for Lejeune Naval Hospital’s “Back on Track” program for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cheryl was selected for the February 2011“Hero Spotlight” by the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury “DCoE in Action” publication for her work at Camp Lejeune. She received the “Service Over Self” award for 2011 from the Jacksonville Rotary for her work with returning service members.
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Michelle Thornell, now a retired law enforcement officer, began practicing Yoga in 2001
while searching for stress relief from her job. She began teaching yoga in 2003 and continued her studies with Master Purna yoga teacher Aadil Palkhivala, Tias Little and Meridith Musick. She continues to study with Master Purna yoga teacher Aadil Palkhivala to this day. Her classes and workshops are adapted to the level of the students and their needs. Michelle is a RYT200 with a wealth of knowledge on safe alignment for asana and is known for her sense of humor while presenting. There is always room for learning and laughter in Michelle’s classes!
Valerie Baltzer is an E-RYT500 yoga instructor, teaching yoga, pilates, personal and group fitness since 2005. Valerie mentored under the guidance of Beverly Burt of Kai Yoga Arts in Albany, Georgia and continues her yoga studies with world-renowned teachers including Judith Lasater, Cora Wen, Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Doug Swenson. Certified in Level I Thai Yoga Massage through Soma Veda, she integrates adjustments and modifications to every practice. Valerie is Director Transcending Yoga Teacher Training Program and Co-founder of Kai Yoga Teacher Training School, leading teacher trainings, workshops and playshops in North Carolina and Georgia.