Leigh Ann Johnson
LMBT NC#11705, CNRT-M
When I was teaching Pilates to private clients and in small groups, I noticed that movement alone was not enough to help people get out of pain. In my own body I noticed that I had to work harder and harder to keep myself pain free. I eventually failed at keeping chronic pain at bay with movement only and started to expand my interests looking for something that worked. I found the Gyrotonic Expansion System® which appealed to my inner dancer and I found RedCord® which rapidly rewired the neuromuscular signal. I was starting to see benefits in my own body. I then made the decision to go to massage school and my world changed. I was introduced to the intricate workings of the musculoskeletal system and my way of thinking of movement shifted to include fascia, the connective tissue in the body. After massage school, I sought to fold all my modalities into one cohesive way of working with the body, to decrease chronic pain and discomfort and create greater ease in the body. I began to see that the movement practices that I liked and saw benefit with were either based on manipulating the nervous system in relationship to the muscles, or that it was focused on engaging and lengthening the fascia. My movement and massage world merged into an understanding of how to leverage the nervous system to reset muscle tone, and how to affect a change in the hydration level of the fascia for more support and integrity in the whole system. My curiosity is constantly expanding as I continue my exploration of the fascinating inner landscape of the body. I am currently studying Fascial Conduction with Libby Outlaw. More info at www.metaformmovement.com
LMBT NC#11705, CNRT-M
When I was teaching Pilates to private clients and in small groups, I noticed that movement alone was not enough to help people get out of pain. In my own body I noticed that I had to work harder and harder to keep myself pain free. I eventually failed at keeping chronic pain at bay with movement only and started to expand my interests looking for something that worked. I found the Gyrotonic Expansion System® which appealed to my inner dancer and I found RedCord® which rapidly rewired the neuromuscular signal. I was starting to see benefits in my own body. I then made the decision to go to massage school and my world changed. I was introduced to the intricate workings of the musculoskeletal system and my way of thinking of movement shifted to include fascia, the connective tissue in the body. After massage school, I sought to fold all my modalities into one cohesive way of working with the body, to decrease chronic pain and discomfort and create greater ease in the body. I began to see that the movement practices that I liked and saw benefit with were either based on manipulating the nervous system in relationship to the muscles, or that it was focused on engaging and lengthening the fascia. My movement and massage world merged into an understanding of how to leverage the nervous system to reset muscle tone, and how to affect a change in the hydration level of the fascia for more support and integrity in the whole system. My curiosity is constantly expanding as I continue my exploration of the fascinating inner landscape of the body. I am currently studying Fascial Conduction with Libby Outlaw. More info at www.metaformmovement.com
Alexandra DeSiato
Alexandra DeSiato (E-RYT 500) has been teaching movement classes since 2010. Drawn to Pilates and yoga to heal a running injury, she quickly found that having a stronger core and more powerful glutes meant faster and easier running—and fewer injuries overall. While her yoga practice began as a way to heal physically, over time it became much more, and she started to appreciate the way yoga worked in subtler ways on her attitude, spirit, and heart. Feeling her body change with age and with becoming a mom shifted Alexandra’s yoga focus to two primary areas: yoga for healthy aging and yoga for women seeking strength-building and re-connection postpartum. She partners with her mentor, Sage Rountree, on the former, and together they blog at lifelongyogapractice.com and have a book, Lifelong Yoga, forthcoming from North Atlantic Books. On the latter, she has co-created Whole Mama Yoga (wholemamayoga.com) with Lauren Sacks. Whole Mama Yoga offers prenatal, postnatal, and mama-focused classes, and is a Yoga Alliance-certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training program. Alexandra is available for private sessions. Contact her at yogainsaxapahaw@gmail.com or find out more at alexandradesiato.com.
Alexandra DeSiato (E-RYT 500) has been teaching movement classes since 2010. Drawn to Pilates and yoga to heal a running injury, she quickly found that having a stronger core and more powerful glutes meant faster and easier running—and fewer injuries overall. While her yoga practice began as a way to heal physically, over time it became much more, and she started to appreciate the way yoga worked in subtler ways on her attitude, spirit, and heart. Feeling her body change with age and with becoming a mom shifted Alexandra’s yoga focus to two primary areas: yoga for healthy aging and yoga for women seeking strength-building and re-connection postpartum. She partners with her mentor, Sage Rountree, on the former, and together they blog at lifelongyogapractice.com and have a book, Lifelong Yoga, forthcoming from North Atlantic Books. On the latter, she has co-created Whole Mama Yoga (wholemamayoga.com) with Lauren Sacks. Whole Mama Yoga offers prenatal, postnatal, and mama-focused classes, and is a Yoga Alliance-certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training program. Alexandra is available for private sessions. Contact her at yogainsaxapahaw@gmail.com or find out more at alexandradesiato.com.
Frank Apodaca
Frank Apodaca Sensei began his Aikido training in November 1985 at San Diego Aikikai under the direction of T. K. Chiba, 8th Dan, Shihan (Master Instructor). In 1987, he was accepted into Chiba Sensei’s Kenshusei program and as an Uchi Deshi (live-in student). This is an intensive and comprehensive Aikido instructor’s training program which includes Aikido, Iaido (Japanese Sword Drawing), Traditional Wooden Sword and Knife, and intensive Meditation. During this training, he progressed to the rank of sandan (3rd. dan) and received his Fukushidoin certification (assistant instructor) in December 1990. After additional years of committed study, he was promoted to yondan (4th dan) and certified as Shidoin (instructor) in February 1994.
Upon completing his apprenticeship in December 1994, he moved to Portland, Oregon to teach Aikido full-time as the Chief Instructor at Multnomah Aikikai. In January 2000, Apodaca Sensei was promoted to godan (5th dan). In October 2000, he moved to the mid-michigan area where he founded and taught at Mid-Michigan Aikikai. In April of 2008 he was promoted to Rokudan (6th dan). In August of 2010, he moved to North Carolina founding Deep River Aikikai in Pittsboro and enjoys living and working near his children: Marcus and Isabella.
Frank is a 6th Degree Black Belt, Shihan (Master Level Instructor) and a NASM - Certified Personal Trainer. Recently Frank was promoted by Doshu (current head of world Aikido in Japan) for the title of Shihan (Master Level Instructor), by the Birankai - North American Shihankai (the organizational master teacher members).
Contact him with any questions:
www.deepriveraikikai.com
apodaca.frank@yahoo.com
919.638.5117
Frank Apodaca Sensei began his Aikido training in November 1985 at San Diego Aikikai under the direction of T. K. Chiba, 8th Dan, Shihan (Master Instructor). In 1987, he was accepted into Chiba Sensei’s Kenshusei program and as an Uchi Deshi (live-in student). This is an intensive and comprehensive Aikido instructor’s training program which includes Aikido, Iaido (Japanese Sword Drawing), Traditional Wooden Sword and Knife, and intensive Meditation. During this training, he progressed to the rank of sandan (3rd. dan) and received his Fukushidoin certification (assistant instructor) in December 1990. After additional years of committed study, he was promoted to yondan (4th dan) and certified as Shidoin (instructor) in February 1994.
Upon completing his apprenticeship in December 1994, he moved to Portland, Oregon to teach Aikido full-time as the Chief Instructor at Multnomah Aikikai. In January 2000, Apodaca Sensei was promoted to godan (5th dan). In October 2000, he moved to the mid-michigan area where he founded and taught at Mid-Michigan Aikikai. In April of 2008 he was promoted to Rokudan (6th dan). In August of 2010, he moved to North Carolina founding Deep River Aikikai in Pittsboro and enjoys living and working near his children: Marcus and Isabella.
Frank is a 6th Degree Black Belt, Shihan (Master Level Instructor) and a NASM - Certified Personal Trainer. Recently Frank was promoted by Doshu (current head of world Aikido in Japan) for the title of Shihan (Master Level Instructor), by the Birankai - North American Shihankai (the organizational master teacher members).
Contact him with any questions:
www.deepriveraikikai.com
apodaca.frank@yahoo.com
919.638.5117
Janice Durand
Janice Marie Durand is a NC Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist #1349 and Certified Somatic Therapist with a private bodywork practice outside Hillsborough, NC. She has guided movement and embodiment classes for over 20 years, including Gentle Energy Yoga, T’ai Chi, Chi Gong and Moving Meditation practices. Her passion and intention is to empower students to listen to their body’s internal rhythms and wisdom. She is the founder and Director of Tree of Life Center which offers professional development & Continuing Education for bodyworkers specializing in 'whole brain,' experiential learning thru Energy healing and Wellness classes since 1999.
Her clients say: "In Janice's energy yoga classes, I have discovered a supportive space to explore my body on many levels and layers. These classes are a beautiful integration of yoga and other energetic movement practices. Janice offers gentle guidance and modifications for students of every level. Her classes have been a very valuable addition for deepening my personal yoga practice and my own healing journey. I am so grateful for these offerings!” -- MJ
www.TreeofLifeCenterNC.com jmdchi@mindspring.com
Janice Marie Durand is a NC Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist #1349 and Certified Somatic Therapist with a private bodywork practice outside Hillsborough, NC. She has guided movement and embodiment classes for over 20 years, including Gentle Energy Yoga, T’ai Chi, Chi Gong and Moving Meditation practices. Her passion and intention is to empower students to listen to their body’s internal rhythms and wisdom. She is the founder and Director of Tree of Life Center which offers professional development & Continuing Education for bodyworkers specializing in 'whole brain,' experiential learning thru Energy healing and Wellness classes since 1999.
Her clients say: "In Janice's energy yoga classes, I have discovered a supportive space to explore my body on many levels and layers. These classes are a beautiful integration of yoga and other energetic movement practices. Janice offers gentle guidance and modifications for students of every level. Her classes have been a very valuable addition for deepening my personal yoga practice and my own healing journey. I am so grateful for these offerings!” -- MJ
www.TreeofLifeCenterNC.com jmdchi@mindspring.com
Eleanor Dillon
Eleanor grew up running, biking, and swimming regularly. She first came to yoga as a way to improve her breathing, but soon found it was the perfect expression of what she enjoyed most about exercise: meditation through movement and also connection with the divine. Since then, yoga has been a constant through many life changes, including and perhaps most significantly, through a twin pregnancy and the subsequent recovery. The mind body spirit connection and the ability to breathe and meditate through difficulties and challenges are invaluable teachings. She is humbly aware that she will forever be a student with the desire and ability to learn more, even as she shares teaching with others.
Her classes encourage self expression and a spirit of gratitude, joy, love, healing and personal strength. She teaches a warming and invigorating class with emphasis on breath, intention, core strength, and balance, as well as listening to and honoring your body. She hopes to leave students feeling relaxed and uplifted.
She was certified through Yogaworks in the summer of 2012 and her teaching style has been influenced by Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa flow. She is grateful to all the teachers who've inspired her over the years, especially to Alexandra DeSiato for her kindness and encouragement and Hollie Sue Mann for her passion, intensity and beautiful chanting.
In her spare time you can find Eleanor doing henna art, fairy hair, reflexology, creating delicious plant based desserts, or sharing time and a laugh with her husband, friends, or darling twin girls.
Learn more at www.hand-over-heals.com
Eleanor grew up running, biking, and swimming regularly. She first came to yoga as a way to improve her breathing, but soon found it was the perfect expression of what she enjoyed most about exercise: meditation through movement and also connection with the divine. Since then, yoga has been a constant through many life changes, including and perhaps most significantly, through a twin pregnancy and the subsequent recovery. The mind body spirit connection and the ability to breathe and meditate through difficulties and challenges are invaluable teachings. She is humbly aware that she will forever be a student with the desire and ability to learn more, even as she shares teaching with others.
Her classes encourage self expression and a spirit of gratitude, joy, love, healing and personal strength. She teaches a warming and invigorating class with emphasis on breath, intention, core strength, and balance, as well as listening to and honoring your body. She hopes to leave students feeling relaxed and uplifted.
She was certified through Yogaworks in the summer of 2012 and her teaching style has been influenced by Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa flow. She is grateful to all the teachers who've inspired her over the years, especially to Alexandra DeSiato for her kindness and encouragement and Hollie Sue Mann for her passion, intensity and beautiful chanting.
In her spare time you can find Eleanor doing henna art, fairy hair, reflexology, creating delicious plant based desserts, or sharing time and a laugh with her husband, friends, or darling twin girls.
Learn more at www.hand-over-heals.com
Murielle Elizéon
Murielle has practiced yoga (Iyengar, Hatha yoga, Flow) and meditation for more than 10 years. As a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher, she has taught yoga in the context of dance companies and artistic projects to both amateurs and professionals for many years. She formalized her education in 2015 at Global Breath Studio in Durham and is now a 200h-certified yoga teacher.
Through a precise, progressive exploration of asanas (postures) and breathing, we will honor our individual condition in a conscious and playful way. Mindful Yoga brings the moment-to-moment awareness of the body and mind into focus. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned yoga practitioner, this class will help you touch your "beginner's mind" through kindness and awakened curiosity and improve your general well-being.
Visit Murielle's website.
Murielle has practiced yoga (Iyengar, Hatha yoga, Flow) and meditation for more than 10 years. As a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher, she has taught yoga in the context of dance companies and artistic projects to both amateurs and professionals for many years. She formalized her education in 2015 at Global Breath Studio in Durham and is now a 200h-certified yoga teacher.
Through a precise, progressive exploration of asanas (postures) and breathing, we will honor our individual condition in a conscious and playful way. Mindful Yoga brings the moment-to-moment awareness of the body and mind into focus. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned yoga practitioner, this class will help you touch your "beginner's mind" through kindness and awakened curiosity and improve your general well-being.
Visit Murielle's website.
Marie Allred
As a 3rd-generational healer, Marie Allred has a natural affinity for connecting with the spiritual world, especially through a divine connection with nature - animals, plants, water, earth, wind & astrology all play an integral part in orchestrating the healing of others.
With a passion for self-development and spiritual growth, Marie strives to help others feel rejuvenated, aware and appreciative of life while ridding the subconscious of anxieties, fears and self-destructive patterns that have been long ingrained by modern society.
Through studies in Shamanic Healing, Reiki, Meditation & Mindfulness, Aromatherapy and Plant Medicine, and as an intuitive healer, Marie possesses a unique arsenal of healing methods and practices in order to effectively serve a wide variety of healing needs. She has studied Peruvian Shamanism under a student of psychologist Alberto Villoldo - a leading figure in contemporary shamanism, and continues to pursue opportunities to grow spiritually and intellectually to better facilitate her community’s healing needs.
As a 3rd-generational healer, Marie Allred has a natural affinity for connecting with the spiritual world, especially through a divine connection with nature - animals, plants, water, earth, wind & astrology all play an integral part in orchestrating the healing of others.
With a passion for self-development and spiritual growth, Marie strives to help others feel rejuvenated, aware and appreciative of life while ridding the subconscious of anxieties, fears and self-destructive patterns that have been long ingrained by modern society.
Through studies in Shamanic Healing, Reiki, Meditation & Mindfulness, Aromatherapy and Plant Medicine, and as an intuitive healer, Marie possesses a unique arsenal of healing methods and practices in order to effectively serve a wide variety of healing needs. She has studied Peruvian Shamanism under a student of psychologist Alberto Villoldo - a leading figure in contemporary shamanism, and continues to pursue opportunities to grow spiritually and intellectually to better facilitate her community’s healing needs.