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.”
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.”
Nicole Nudelman
Originally from Illinois, Nicole moved to Wake Forest in 2021 and quickly made it her home. By day, she works as a CPA, but her true passion lies in movement. Whether she's running or cycling along the greenway, Nicole embraces an active lifestyle. Her journey into yoga began during her college years, where she found both peace and strength on the mat. Later, while training for her first marathon, an injury led her to discover Pilates—a practice that allowed her to truly understand and appreciate how her body works.
Through Pilates, Nicole not only deepened her understanding of her own body, but she learned about common movement dysfunctions, and how to combat them, as well as the critical role a strong core plays in overall health and performance.
Nicole's transformative experience with Pilates inspired her to pursue teaching, and she is currently in the process of earning her comprehensive Pilates certification through Balanced Body.
Her goal as a Pilates instructor is to create a practice that is accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience, and she is dedicated to meeting her students exactly where they are in their own journey. Nicole’s classes are designed to empower, challenge, and bring balance to both body and mind.
Through Pilates, Nicole not only deepened her understanding of her own body, but she learned about common movement dysfunctions, and how to combat them, as well as the critical role a strong core plays in overall health and performance.
Nicole's transformative experience with Pilates inspired her to pursue teaching, and she is currently in the process of earning her comprehensive Pilates certification through Balanced Body.
Her goal as a Pilates instructor is to create a practice that is accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience, and she is dedicated to meeting her students exactly where they are in their own journey. Nicole’s classes are designed to empower, challenge, and bring balance to both body and mind.
Caitlin Skiles
Caitlin and her husband enjoy traveling, spending time with their cats, and bird watching. Outside of the studio, she can be found playing video games, reading, or listening to podcasts.
Caitlin was exposed to yoga as a teen, when her mother became an instructor. She watched as students gained flexibility and balance after only a few sessions. In her own practice she finds that focus and breath in yoga relieves her stress and balances her mental health. The physical and mental part of yoga allows her to leave the world outside the mat/studio.
She holds a YogaFit certification as well as training for Trauma-Informed Yoga through Yoga Medicine.
Caitlin was exposed to yoga as a teen, when her mother became an instructor. She watched as students gained flexibility and balance after only a few sessions. In her own practice she finds that focus and breath in yoga relieves her stress and balances her mental health. The physical and mental part of yoga allows her to leave the world outside the mat/studio.
She holds a YogaFit certification as well as training for Trauma-Informed Yoga through Yoga Medicine.
Kathleen "Kat" Donaghy
Kat began practicing yoga in 2004, during my mid 20s. Taking the time to calm her mind and “stretch” herself mentally and physically changed her life. Gaining body, mind, and breath awareness has had a tremendous impact on her depression.
She is an elementary educator by day. She grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has lived in North Carolina for over 17 years. She lives in Wake Forest with her husband and fur babies. She loves to read fiction, exercise, and just relax and laugh!
In 2019-2020, she completed 200 hour YTT at Wake Forest Yoga. Her greatest influences have been learning the principles of alignment and subtle energy within movement and breath. She loves noticing how the body feels before, during and after poses and pranayama.
Her intention is to be a welcoming and comfortable guide and facilitator for others' individual experiences. Life is a journey with endless ebbs and flows.
She is an elementary educator by day. She grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has lived in North Carolina for over 17 years. She lives in Wake Forest with her husband and fur babies. She loves to read fiction, exercise, and just relax and laugh!
In 2019-2020, she completed 200 hour YTT at Wake Forest Yoga. Her greatest influences have been learning the principles of alignment and subtle energy within movement and breath. She loves noticing how the body feels before, during and after poses and pranayama.
Her intention is to be a welcoming and comfortable guide and facilitator for others' individual experiences. Life is a journey with endless ebbs and flows.
Kirsten Larsen
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Brooke Sessoms
Brooke Sessoms 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."
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."
Alise Beccaria
Alise Beccaria DAc is a Doctor of Acupuncture originally from NY. She is the Owner of Elemental Acupuncture and Wellness located here in Wake Forest, which is also where she resides.
As an athlete growing up, Alise was exposed to yoga as an effective cross training tool. While training for the NYC marathon she became an avid yoga student and her passion for the practice expanded. It was not until after earning her Acupuncture degree she realized her love of teaching.
She weaves her Chinese Medicine theory into each class focusing on alignment, mindfulness and connecting the body and spirit.
Dr. Beccaria is a certified RYT® 2002 Yoga Instructor through Yoga Alliance, she maintains certifications in Yoga for Cancer Patients and Yoga for Athletes and is currently working towards her 500-Hour Yoga Medicine Certification. She is passionate about inviting yoga to all walks of life. In her free time, she enjoys walking with her dog Liam and giving back to the community.
As an athlete growing up, Alise was exposed to yoga as an effective cross training tool. While training for the NYC marathon she became an avid yoga student and her passion for the practice expanded. It was not until after earning her Acupuncture degree she realized her love of teaching.
She weaves her Chinese Medicine theory into each class focusing on alignment, mindfulness and connecting the body and spirit.
Dr. Beccaria is a certified RYT® 2002 Yoga Instructor through Yoga Alliance, she maintains certifications in Yoga for Cancer Patients and Yoga for Athletes and is currently working towards her 500-Hour Yoga Medicine Certification. She is passionate about inviting yoga to all walks of life. In her free time, she enjoys walking with her dog Liam and giving back to the community.