I began practicing yoga in 2000 after the birth of my second child hoping to return to my pre-pregnancy shape. However, with juggling 3 small children and treating ladies with breast and ovarian cancer, yoga soon became a place of refuge for me. Time on my mat brought me peace, hope and strength. Soon I was able to transfer these incredibly valuable emotions to my everyday life. Teaching yoga has been such a natural evolution of practice that has just brought more of the many gifts of yoga into my life..

I completed my 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training with Dolly Stavros of Asmi Yoga and am so proud of the birth of Gotta Yoga Studio. These past few years have also brought me experiences from some amazing teachers: Kristin Cooper-Gulak, Stephanie Keach, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman, Ana Forest, Judith Lasater and Seane Corn. So grateful also to have received a 500HR Level Certification in Prenatal Yoga with Heather Till this past year and to be able to bring a Safe, Nurturing practice to Gotta's pregnant mamas.

Yoga has given me "all good" things: love in abundance, friends I can laugh and cry with, more patience and presence with my children and an ability to be "at home" with myself. Having the opportunity to "pay it forward" in my surrounding community with neighbors and new friends is divine...it is "YOGA" and I am beyond Grateful!

From an early age I was always on the move. When I was young I walked on my hands more than my feet. As I got older I did gymnastics, ran, cycled and took the occasional yoga class; basically I was a gym rat. When I moved from California to Charlotte I walked into a local yoga studio and took my first real yoga class; from that moment I was hooked. Yoga became my way to deal with the stress of moving 3000 miles away from family and friends. In finding yoga I found peace and stability through breath and movement. My goal as an instructor is to share my love and enthusiasm for yoga with each person I teach.

As a yoga instructor and clinical social worker, I have dedicated my work to healing, and for me yoga is a powerful means of healing body/mind/spirit. Whether practicing on my own mat or teaching, I love the creativity of Vinyasa yoga alongside the quiet intensity of Yin. Some days a strength-building, detoxifying practice is in order, while other times a practice of long-held stretches is needed. I am also interested in Yoga as Therapy, and am honored to offer Mind/Body Therapeutics as well as Thai Yoga Therapy at Gotta Yoga. I am currently completing 500-hour advanced training with Kristin Cooper-Gulak to advance my studies and continue to share even more. It seems that the more I learn and deepen my own practice, the more I have to offer others. I am grateful to many amazing teachers for sharing their many amazing gifts so that I can continue to share with others. It is with gratitude that I dedicate my teaching to meeting the individual body, mind, and spirit needs of the students and clients I serve. Please feel free to contact me regarding Yoga, Mind/Body Therapeutics, Thai Yoga Therapy, or anything Gotta Yoga-related!

Kim began practicing yoga after the birth of her first child in 2004. What started out as "mommy time," set her on a life-changing path. She discovered something more to the practice than the physical benefits – as it helped with body image, self-esteem and became a sanctuary for spiritual growth. After moving to North Carolina and having her second child, she enrolled in the Subtle Yoga Teacher Training program under Kaoverii Weber. The training expanded her practice and love for yoga, while providing her with the knowledge and confidence to share it with others.

As a natural extension of her yoga practice, she also began studying and practicing Thai Yoga Therapy – a relaxing blend of assisted yoga stretches, Traditional Thai Massage techniques, rhythmic acupressure, and gentle rocking moves. While Kim loves a challenging and strong practice, her goal is to create classes and Thai Yoga sessions that will benefit people of all ages, body types and physical conditions.

As a life coach at a local counseling and eating disorder treatment center, she uses the healing possibilities of yoga and Thai Yoga therapy to work with women on self-care and body image issues. She also volunteers as a La Leche League leader providing support to breastfeeding mothers. But her most important yoga practice of all is being the full-time mother to two very active boys.

I was born and raised in England and have been living in North Carolina for three years. I love the beauty and majesty of the Carolinas, with all the trees, amazing beaches and sunshine. Before having my children, I worked in the field of psychology and counseling. My favorite part of that work, was uplifting others and helping them to feel better, no matter what they were going through in their lives. I had been practicing yoga for many years and loved how it made me feel and helped me through times of stress. I decided to take my 200 hour teacher training in early 2009 and am currently taking my advanced, 500 hour teacher training in Asheville. My passion for meditation and breathwork has always been a big part of my teaching. I believe that they are amazing tools to incorporate into our daily lives to help us find focus, peace and harmony

My journey to yoga was a personal awakening. At first, I was lured by how clear my mind became and how reguvenated my body felt. At times when I would forego my yoga practice, I realized quickly how difficult my life became without focused attention to my breath and meditation. My greatest wish for myself and my students has always been to reach, and maintain inner peace. In my classes, I strive to bring qualities of presence, devotion and curiosity to help create a space for people to dive into themselves, to shed layers of tension and fear, to study their bodies and their perceptions, and to connect with and honor the divine within them. As each yoga posture is a living growing part of who we are, and who we are is constantly living and growing, the practice of yoga is neverending. A devoted yoga practise can help you shed personal insecurites and fears while opening your heart to embrace and honor life and self. My Vinyasa and Prenatal classes are energetic, creative and fun while balanced with compassion and depth. My Yin classes will teach you the invaluable gift of silence to listen, connect and let go and to recognize and change subconscious habits through conscious choice. My classes encompass all levels, are non-competitive and require no prior experience of yoga.

Mary Oliver said, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your wild and precious life?" I invite you to begin or continue your journey with me today.