Jana Burkhardt
Jana's love for yoga began at an early age when it was a tool to improve her figure skating career. Fourteen years later after hanging up her boots, she played golf competitively at Catawba College, in Salisbury, NC. Post-college she enjoys running half-marathons with her canine running buddy, Sadie.
Jana is a RYT- 200 certified instructor. Yoga for athletes and sharing yoga with new practitioners is a passion. In addition to teaching yoga, she is a middle school science and math teacher at Rolesville Middle School.
Jana is a RYT- 200 certified instructor. Yoga for athletes and sharing yoga with new practitioners is a passion. In addition to teaching yoga, she is a middle school science and math teacher at Rolesville Middle School.
Beth Casey
Beth has been in the fitness industry for 20 years. Before this time she was a middle school teacher. During her time in the fitness world she has taught a variety of group fitness classes, managed two group fitness programs and has been a personal trainer and running coach. She discovered yoga in 2001 and it quickly became a big part of her life. After several years of practice and training, she received her RYT-200 in 2012. Since 2012 her yoga practice and training has grown to include yoga as therapy. She is also a certified as a Yoga For Warriors instructor working with our veterans and others that may find yoga to help with PTSD or other trauma and mental health issues. She aspires for those taking her classes to feel successful and well-balanced in mind, body and spirit!
Beth is an avid runner and cyclist and loves to spend time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Favorite Buddha quote: “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”
Beth is an avid runner and cyclist and loves to spend time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Favorite Buddha quote: “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”
Clarissa Coley
Clarissa Coley is a wife and mom of two beautiful daughters. Her love of yoga began when she became a stay at home mom after having her second daughter. Her second daughter was born two months early and after a long NICU stay finally came home. Clarissa had spent the previous ten years as an elementary school teacher and was now at home with a toddler and fussy baby. She was needing something to ground her and root her in the present moments. She YouTubed a yoga class and her yoga journey began. ‘Come as you are’ is the mindset she had that first day and has continued with that mindset to this day. The comfort and peace of knowing yoga meets you where you are in that moment is the heart behind her practice. Six years after starting her at home practice, she completed her 200 hour teacher training and began teaching yoga right away. Since 2018, Clarissa not only became a certified yoga teacher but also became certified in spin, TRX, TRX yoga, and yoga shred. Clarissa and her family just moved to Wake Forest in April 2022 after living in Utah for 15 years. She is loving exploring this new home and is excited to get plugged in to the community here.
Michele Doiron
Michele’s journey with yoga began early in 2007 with a basic weekly practice, which then grew into a passion. Exploring more classes with different teachers opened diverse avenues with every teacher having their own style and delivery. Her first Vinyasa class was the hook. She soon realized that “the body moved like a song” in flow classes. That passion turned into a desire to not only deepen her own practice, but to get her certification and teach others. She received her RYT 200 certification in June, 2010 from Ann Richardson’s Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga in Virginia Beach, and her RYT 500 certification in December, 2013 from Kathy Donnelly’s Yoga Center of Columbia. In addition, she got certified through Ann Hunt of Evolve Yoga & Wellness in California, MD to become a Certified Pranassage Practitioner. She teaches all types of classes, but her true love is Vinyasa combined with fun music that allows students to experience their practice inside and out, allowing a calming effect while having fun and challenging the body. “Teaching others is equally as rewarding as my own practice on the mat. Yoga brings to me a sense of pause in my life, a reminder to slow down and breathe, and a feeling of satisfaction knowing I am always challenging my body and mind. What a gift this practice is!”
Michele enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and dog. Being a true lover of all things sun, water, and sand, her favorite vacations are spent in tropical settings on the beach.
Michele enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and dog. Being a true lover of all things sun, water, and sand, her favorite vacations are spent in tropical settings on the beach.
Jess Fass
Yoga is a practice and that’s exactly how it should be treated. Each time you show up on your mat, assess yourself exactly where you’re at with no judgement.
Jess has been teaching for over 7 years. having been trained in the Baptiste style. She believes that yoga is for every body. Her knowledge of the yoga asanas allows students of all levels to enjoy a class that leaves them feeling lighter and more open. No matter where you’re at in your physical body, Jess can help guide you to expand your range of motion, open your mind, and expand your self-awareness.
Jess has received her 200 hour YTT from Diane Cevallos of Charlotte Family Yoga Center. In addition, she holds her 85 hour PYTT (prenatal yoga) certification.
Jess has been teaching for over 7 years. having been trained in the Baptiste style. She believes that yoga is for every body. Her knowledge of the yoga asanas allows students of all levels to enjoy a class that leaves them feeling lighter and more open. No matter where you’re at in your physical body, Jess can help guide you to expand your range of motion, open your mind, and expand your self-awareness.
Jess has received her 200 hour YTT from Diane Cevallos of Charlotte Family Yoga Center. In addition, she holds her 85 hour PYTT (prenatal yoga) certification.
Samantha Henderson
Born and raised on Long Island, but have settled my roots in beautiful North Carolina. I moved here in 2018 with my husband and our loveable dog Toby. We fell in love with this state because of the access to the mountains and the friendly air of North Carolinians. I am an adventure seeker, health food advocate, and a rookie gardener. My love for yoga stemmed from my desire to help others find a safe place on their mats to center and ground themselves. Outside of teaching yoga, I work for a start-up where I help support family farmers across the US.
Marissa Jones
Marissa has always had a passion for health and wellness. She grew up engaging in a variety of sports such as gymnastics, cheerleading, volleyball, and track. Over the years of this continuous movement, she found yoga as a way to slow and balance her mind and body. As a Recreational Therapist in the mental health field, she recognized that her clients were struggling to find that same balance in mind and body. In 2019, Marissa obtained her RYT-200 at Glow Yoga in Clayton, NC under the guidance of Tiffany Pridgen with the intent of learning how to teach her clients a way to find a sense of self-purpose, self-love, and strength. She continues to work full time as a recreational therapist and shares these benefits of yoga with her clients everyday. Marissa’s passion to share yoga has continued to grow and she is excited to join the Unwined on White team.
Outside of her yoga practice, you can find Marissa with her 2 year-old Golden Retriever, Piper, exploring local breweries, parks, and hiking trails. She also enjoys biking, volleyball, traveling, and competitive game nights with friends.
Outside of her yoga practice, you can find Marissa with her 2 year-old Golden Retriever, Piper, exploring local breweries, parks, and hiking trails. She also enjoys biking, volleyball, traveling, and competitive game nights with friends.
Kirsten Larson
Kirsten has been teaching group fitness classes for 31 years. While she loves teaching a variety of classes, she is most passionate about teaching yoga. She fell in love with yoga about 20 years ago at a time when she had chronic pain from compressed discs in her lower back. Through her yoga practice she was able to find relief from the pain and from that point on was a true believer in the vast benefits of yoga. In 2002, she was certified through YogaFit. In 2017, she received her Yoga for Athletes certification with Sage Rountree, an internationally recognized in yoga for athletes. In 2018, she completed her 200 hour yoga certification with Carolina Yoga Company. Kirsten is grateful for the opportunity to teach yoga to people of all ages and abilities. Teaching yoga to athletes is of particular interest as she knows yoga is such an important component of an overall training program. Kirsten is a certified yoga, cycle and group fitness instructor.
Joey Marion
Joey is a North Carolina native growing up in the northwestern part of the state. He began his yogic path fourteen years ago studying with his dear friend and teacher Amy Johnson. He began teaching under her instruction and in 2015 made it official by completing his RYT-200. Joey enjoys all the practices of yoga for their ability to balance the mind, body, and spirit. His personal philosophy for practice involves tapping into childhood energy in which all things are possible and understanding that asana practice is a conversation with the body. When exploring the asanas, he feels we should play as children do and not get caught up in the pressures of pseudo perfection. Joey completed his RYT-500 in 2021 and is currently directing his energy toward Bhakti, the yoga of devotion. When not practicing yoga, Joey is a physical therapist, educator, and former dancer. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Education at NCSU and loves teaching anatomy and physiology. In his spare time, he enjoys wine, pottery, and hiking. Joey is thrilled to be part of the Wake Forest and Unwined communities! ~ mā kashchid duḥkha bhāgbhavet ~
Donna Miller
Donna Miller had always been told that yoga would find her when the time was right. In the spring of 2015, Donna completed LifePower Yoga teacher training in Rochester Hills, MI. She became a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and began her journey of connecting breath, body, and movement and sharing her passion with others! Donna believes that yoga will meet you where you are- it’s an endless practice and journey!
Donna finds joy in her yoga practice every day! She also enjoys running, weight training, kickboxing, and long walks in the sunshine! She is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and is dedicated to health and wellness for all!
When she's not on her yoga mat, you'll find Donna at the beach or out and about supporting small businesses! In fact, she puts her passion into action by organizing our monthly Sip & Shops!
Donna finds joy in her yoga practice every day! She also enjoys running, weight training, kickboxing, and long walks in the sunshine! She is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and is dedicated to health and wellness for all!
When she's not on her yoga mat, you'll find Donna at the beach or out and about supporting small businesses! In fact, she puts her passion into action by organizing our monthly Sip & Shops!
Katie Semon
Katie's passion for yoga started in 2017 after quickly realizing it was something she needed as an important part of her mental health routine. Wanting to share her passion for self care with others, she completed the 200HR Yoga Teacher Training at Midtown Yoga in 2020. She is a stay-at-home mom of two kids and has been married to her supportive husband since 2008. When Katie is not doing yoga, you can find her sharing essential oil tips or spending time around the pool with her friends and extended family.
Kristen Taber
Kristen Taber fell in love with yoga in 2007 during her time at NC State University. She received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification under teacher Silvia Mordini of Alchemy of Yoga school in August 2021. Kristen is based in Warrenton, North Carolina and is excited to share Yoga with her community! Kristen loves the outdoors and splashing around in the water, and is a certified Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga Teacher. She also enjoys incorporating singing bowls into practice and in November 2021 was certified through the Gopali Singing Bowl Center in St. Pete, Florida in Tibetan singing bowl theory, history and healing
techniques. Follow her at @CosmosisYoga on Instagram and Facebook.
techniques. Follow her at @CosmosisYoga on Instagram and Facebook.
Brooke Sessoms
Brooke has been practicing yoga for over a decade, but her passion for the practice began in 2014, through Lifepower’s Vinyasa Yoga. As a Mom of two young children, yoga became a vehicle to challenge her mind and body as well as ignite her soul. Through yoga and meditation, she found self-love and relief from anxiety. Brooke obtained her 200 HR YTT through Lifepower Yoga. She is trained Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Yin. Her desire is to share her passion and inspire others to live yoga on and off the mat. "Just breathe and be present, that is yoga."
Monica Massey
Monica has been involved in the fitness wellness yoga world teaching since 2007.
She completed the 200 hour RYT Prana Vinyasa Yoga training in June 2013 with her mentor and teacher Carson Westerlund at Evolve Movement Cameron Village Raleigh, NC.
She has participated in trainings and workshops with Shiva Rea, Simon Park, Maria Garre, Coral Brown, Kathryn Budig and worked with many talented amazing yogis in the Triangle area.
She enjoys all types of fitness activities. And has completed certifications through Schwin Indoor Cycling, Group Fitness and Personal Training.
Monica enjoys being mom to her three children and two pups. She and her husband, Jon, love hiking and trying classes at new yoga studios when traveling near and far.
She has hopes to plan and lead retreats as well as grow her lifestyle/wellness social media blog pages in this upcoming year!
She absolutely is thrilled to practice with everyone at Unwined!
She completed the 200 hour RYT Prana Vinyasa Yoga training in June 2013 with her mentor and teacher Carson Westerlund at Evolve Movement Cameron Village Raleigh, NC.
She has participated in trainings and workshops with Shiva Rea, Simon Park, Maria Garre, Coral Brown, Kathryn Budig and worked with many talented amazing yogis in the Triangle area.
She enjoys all types of fitness activities. And has completed certifications through Schwin Indoor Cycling, Group Fitness and Personal Training.
Monica enjoys being mom to her three children and two pups. She and her husband, Jon, love hiking and trying classes at new yoga studios when traveling near and far.
She has hopes to plan and lead retreats as well as grow her lifestyle/wellness social media blog pages in this upcoming year!
She absolutely is thrilled to practice with everyone at Unwined!
Tiffany Carnes
Tiffany began her yoga journey in 2008 originally seeking new fitness challenges. The total balance of mind, body and spirit she began to experience motivated her to pursue teacher training so she could share the love she had unintentionally found. In December 2014, Tiffany completed her 200 hour certification with Wilmington Yoga Center at 9 months pregnant. This helped her to realize her true passion for teaching special populations such as prenatal, trauma sensitive, seniors, kids, etc. Whatever the need, it is her hope that every student leaves feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to accept all of life's blessings and challenges. Tiffany believes yoga is for everyone. Come as you are!
Kiah Ruffin
My name is Kiah Ruffin and I am from Wake Forest, North Carolina. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC. During my tenure I played Softball, Cheered, threw Javelin and was a member of a campus Dance Troupe (Talented in Motion). Fitness and health have always been important aspects of my adolescent life and I have molded the habits I created into my adult routine. As a full-time graduate student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, I worked in the Campus Gym where my passion for living a healthy lifestyle grew. Since then, Pilates has kept my workouts both challenging and consistent enough to where I look forward to my next class. In my free time I like to make music, dance and try to find all of the hidden treasures and restaurants Raleigh has to offer!