Meet the Shine Squad...
MaryAnn McIvor-
MaryAnn has been teaching yoga and barre in and around Charlottesville since 2012. Her practice and teaching style vary, drawing from multiple disciplines to create an intuitive flow and a personal experience for each student. Fascinated by the body, she aims to help build strength through thoughtful sequencing based on anatomical knowledge and time for exploration. She believes in going slow to truly feel your body and listen to its subtle cues, over time building awareness and connectivity to yourself and the spaces around you. She received her 200-hour training through Charlottesville Yoga School and her 500-hour training through Om On Yoga in Richmond, both under the guidance of Jennifer Elliott.
MaryAnn has been teaching yoga and barre in and around Charlottesville since 2012. Her practice and teaching style vary, drawing from multiple disciplines to create an intuitive flow and a personal experience for each student. Fascinated by the body, she aims to help build strength through thoughtful sequencing based on anatomical knowledge and time for exploration. She believes in going slow to truly feel your body and listen to its subtle cues, over time building awareness and connectivity to yourself and the spaces around you. She received her 200-hour training through Charlottesville Yoga School and her 500-hour training through Om On Yoga in Richmond, both under the guidance of Jennifer Elliott.
Chloe Watkins-
A yoga practice is not attaining a perfect wheel pose or standing on your hands (though that can be a lot of fun). It is a practice in relationship building: relationship with community, environment, family, coworkers, and most importantly, relationship with body and Self. Chloe believes that everything you interact with in your life is an opportunity for a yoga practice. In studio, she draws inspiration from everyday activities: raising a young family, juggling jobs and school, and making ends meet. Chloe seeks wisdom in the mundane experiences. Her aim is to provide her students the tools with which they can begin to notice the intricacies and joys of their lives as they are today - the good, the bad, and the indifferent.
In her class, you can expect a strong and creative flow sequence with an invitation for deeper contemplation off the mat.
A yoga practice is not attaining a perfect wheel pose or standing on your hands (though that can be a lot of fun). It is a practice in relationship building: relationship with community, environment, family, coworkers, and most importantly, relationship with body and Self. Chloe believes that everything you interact with in your life is an opportunity for a yoga practice. In studio, she draws inspiration from everyday activities: raising a young family, juggling jobs and school, and making ends meet. Chloe seeks wisdom in the mundane experiences. Her aim is to provide her students the tools with which they can begin to notice the intricacies and joys of their lives as they are today - the good, the bad, and the indifferent.
In her class, you can expect a strong and creative flow sequence with an invitation for deeper contemplation off the mat.
Ashleigh Owens-
Ashleigh, Charlottesville native and UVA alumna, has been practicing yoga since 2005. In following her passion, Ashleigh graduated from FlyDog Yoga's 200- hour Power Vinyasa teacher training program in 2015 and FlyDog Yoga’a 300 -hour Evolution Leadership Yoga Teacher Training program in 2019. Ashleigh has also completed Baptiste Power Yoga Level 1, Aerial Yoga teacher training with Spark Yoga in Arlington, VA, Core Barre training out of Charlotte, NC , Power Sculpt training with Jenna Makharita and Power Barre training from Iron & Grace in Lynchburg, VA.
Lucy Smith-
Lucy found yoga in high school as a way to relieve stress while juggling a busy and stressful schedule. After practicing yoga on and off for a decade, Lucy started practicing vinyasa regularly in 2017 as she navigated stress and anxiety while working in an emotionally draining public service job after graduating from UVA. Lucy is certified to teach Barre, Power Sculpt, and Power Vinyasa. Her classes are influenced by amazing teachers who encourage their students to try new things and show up strong for their practice. Lucy’s classes focus on helping others feel strong and confident in their bodies and her playlists always include Fleetwood Mac. She wants her students to know that they are rockstars, just as they are. She is inspired everyday by the strength and community she finds in fellow teachers and students at Salute the Sun Yoga.
Lucy found yoga in high school as a way to relieve stress while juggling a busy and stressful schedule. After practicing yoga on and off for a decade, Lucy started practicing vinyasa regularly in 2017 as she navigated stress and anxiety while working in an emotionally draining public service job after graduating from UVA. Lucy is certified to teach Barre, Power Sculpt, and Power Vinyasa. Her classes are influenced by amazing teachers who encourage their students to try new things and show up strong for their practice. Lucy’s classes focus on helping others feel strong and confident in their bodies and her playlists always include Fleetwood Mac. She wants her students to know that they are rockstars, just as they are. She is inspired everyday by the strength and community she finds in fellow teachers and students at Salute the Sun Yoga.
Vanessa Bullard-
Vanessa has been in the health and wellness industry for over 15 years - she is passionate about making exercise fun, exciting, and effective. She is excited to join the STSY team and bring her love of core focused exercises into your power practice. She is a Charlottesville native, loves her family, sunshine, all things sweaty, and maybe most of all, margaritas.
Vanessa has been in the health and wellness industry for over 15 years - she is passionate about making exercise fun, exciting, and effective. She is excited to join the STSY team and bring her love of core focused exercises into your power practice. She is a Charlottesville native, loves her family, sunshine, all things sweaty, and maybe most of all, margaritas.
Clare Stenger-
As a Mom to three children and an elementary classroom teacher, yoga has always been a part of Clare’s life. After a permanent foot injury and major life events that kept her from running, Clare turned to yoga to heal both physically and mentally. She was hooked after taking a hot power vinyasa class and never looked back. Clare became certified in children’s yoga in 2019 and has used the yoga training on a weekly basis in her second grade classroom. She graduated from 200 RYT in 2020 and hit the ground running. Clare has been teaching all around Charlottesville with both children, teens and adults. Clare’s classes are full of music, heat, and lots of powerful sequences to make connections between mind and body.
As a Mom to three children and an elementary classroom teacher, yoga has always been a part of Clare’s life. After a permanent foot injury and major life events that kept her from running, Clare turned to yoga to heal both physically and mentally. She was hooked after taking a hot power vinyasa class and never looked back. Clare became certified in children’s yoga in 2019 and has used the yoga training on a weekly basis in her second grade classroom. She graduated from 200 RYT in 2020 and hit the ground running. Clare has been teaching all around Charlottesville with both children, teens and adults. Clare’s classes are full of music, heat, and lots of powerful sequences to make connections between mind and body.
Jess Norby-
Yoga is a way of coming home. It’s a reminder that there can be space for breath, introspection, and quietness in the body. Yoga is work. It’s strength, flexibility, finding comfort and moving in and out of it, and growth.
Yoga is community. And joining others in breath, work, and creating a space for it all to be present.
With a strong background in Kinesiology and personal training, Jess delivers not only a focus on form and alignment, but sweat, strength, and flow into her classes. She loves to find fun, new ways to challenge students and help them feel empowered and confident about the body they live in.
After teaching for five years, Jess took time off to be home with her first baby — little did she know that she’d be HOME-home (due to, you know, COVID). She can’t wait to be back on the mat and flowing with STSY!
Yoga is a way of coming home. It’s a reminder that there can be space for breath, introspection, and quietness in the body. Yoga is work. It’s strength, flexibility, finding comfort and moving in and out of it, and growth.
Yoga is community. And joining others in breath, work, and creating a space for it all to be present.
With a strong background in Kinesiology and personal training, Jess delivers not only a focus on form and alignment, but sweat, strength, and flow into her classes. She loves to find fun, new ways to challenge students and help them feel empowered and confident about the body they live in.
After teaching for five years, Jess took time off to be home with her first baby — little did she know that she’d be HOME-home (due to, you know, COVID). She can’t wait to be back on the mat and flowing with STSY!
Emily Wayland-
Emily began practicing yoga in 2014 and initially used it to help manage stress in college and complement her marathon and half marathon training. She fell in love with yoga the more she practiced and developed an appreciation for the challenge of engaging both mind and body as well as the beauty of movement to breath. In the summer of 2020, she completed her 200 Hour Power Vinyasa Teacher Training. Emily brings energy and enthusiasm to her classes and will focus on finding the balance between effort and ease during her flows.
Emily began practicing yoga in 2014 and initially used it to help manage stress in college and complement her marathon and half marathon training. She fell in love with yoga the more she practiced and developed an appreciation for the challenge of engaging both mind and body as well as the beauty of movement to breath. In the summer of 2020, she completed her 200 Hour Power Vinyasa Teacher Training. Emily brings energy and enthusiasm to her classes and will focus on finding the balance between effort and ease during her flows.
Rachael Palm-
Rachael Kesler Palm: Rachael found yoga as a means to process grief, gain perspective and calm, and grow into herself throughout the seasons of life. She is certified to teach prenatal yoga, after completing an 85-hour training program in 2019 with Kelly Cox. She’s also trained to teach a higher intensity fitness class called PowerSculpt. She loves the experience of teaching, and especially loves watching her students embrace their bodies and their power as they challenge themselves and grow stronger.
Rachael Kesler Palm: Rachael found yoga as a means to process grief, gain perspective and calm, and grow into herself throughout the seasons of life. She is certified to teach prenatal yoga, after completing an 85-hour training program in 2019 with Kelly Cox. She’s also trained to teach a higher intensity fitness class called PowerSculpt. She loves the experience of teaching, and especially loves watching her students embrace their bodies and their power as they challenge themselves and grow stronger.
Rebecca Weast-
Rebecca began practicing yoga over a decade ago, in an effort to supplement her rowing workouts in college, and to find some of the fun she had experienced through her childhood in gymnastics. She’s kept a practice through the years to support her mental health through her doctoral work at UVA, and to aid in strength and mobility as she transitioned from running road marathons into running ultra-distance events. After years of practice, she finally took the plunge and completed 200 hour teacher training in early 2020. A firm believer in the value of cross training and finding fun in exercise, she is always looking for new ways to approach her asana practice and teaching. She fills her vinyasa classes with breath, work, flow, stillness and play, and looks forward to meeting you on your mat!
Rebecca began practicing yoga over a decade ago, in an effort to supplement her rowing workouts in college, and to find some of the fun she had experienced through her childhood in gymnastics. She’s kept a practice through the years to support her mental health through her doctoral work at UVA, and to aid in strength and mobility as she transitioned from running road marathons into running ultra-distance events. After years of practice, she finally took the plunge and completed 200 hour teacher training in early 2020. A firm believer in the value of cross training and finding fun in exercise, she is always looking for new ways to approach her asana practice and teaching. She fills her vinyasa classes with breath, work, flow, stillness and play, and looks forward to meeting you on your mat!
Jess Palmer-
The foundations and passion of Jessica’s yoga, pranayama, and meditation practice are rooted in her life-long journey as a long distance runner. Her path led her to pursuing her initial RYT-200 certification in 2015, and she has since then become certified and taught in several different disciplines including children’s yoga, vinyasa, yin, restorative, and prenatal yoga. Jess is continually inspired by the fellow pilgrims she meets both on the road running and on her yoga mat to share a connection of mind, body, and spirit. She leads a quiet and calm practice as an invitation to tune into the core of our being within the collective consciousness and space surrounding us. Jess hopes each of her classes create opportunities for you to connect to your true nature, to find your pace, to feel your breath, and be.
The foundations and passion of Jessica’s yoga, pranayama, and meditation practice are rooted in her life-long journey as a long distance runner. Her path led her to pursuing her initial RYT-200 certification in 2015, and she has since then become certified and taught in several different disciplines including children’s yoga, vinyasa, yin, restorative, and prenatal yoga. Jess is continually inspired by the fellow pilgrims she meets both on the road running and on her yoga mat to share a connection of mind, body, and spirit. She leads a quiet and calm practice as an invitation to tune into the core of our being within the collective consciousness and space surrounding us. Jess hopes each of her classes create opportunities for you to connect to your true nature, to find your pace, to feel your breath, and be.
Arianna Asquini-
Arianna first found yoga during her high school years, as a break from school and a way to improve flexibility and stretch. During college, Arianna discovered power yoga, which engaged and challenged her physically as well as mentally. Soon enough she fell in love with this practice, which has greatly helped her with managing stress and staying fit. Ari completed her 200 Hour Power Vinyasa Teacher Training during the summer of 2020, aspiring to share the great benefits of yoga with others. Her classes focus on tuning into one’s body and listening it to it, while finding connection between movement and breath. She is a firm believer in finding fun and playfulness on the mat, and will get you moving, sweating, and laughing with her!
Arianna first found yoga during her high school years, as a break from school and a way to improve flexibility and stretch. During college, Arianna discovered power yoga, which engaged and challenged her physically as well as mentally. Soon enough she fell in love with this practice, which has greatly helped her with managing stress and staying fit. Ari completed her 200 Hour Power Vinyasa Teacher Training during the summer of 2020, aspiring to share the great benefits of yoga with others. Her classes focus on tuning into one’s body and listening it to it, while finding connection between movement and breath. She is a firm believer in finding fun and playfulness on the mat, and will get you moving, sweating, and laughing with her!
Emma D'Antoni-
Emma is an endorphins enthusiast who’s always exploring new, exciting ways to get outside and move her body. As an ACE-certified Health Coach and Fitness Instructor, she loves walking alongside clients on their journey toward wellbeing. Emma has worked with people all around the world (literally!) from University students, faculty, and staff to cycling aficionados in Egypt. She can't wait to move with you!
Emma is an endorphins enthusiast who’s always exploring new, exciting ways to get outside and move her body. As an ACE-certified Health Coach and Fitness Instructor, she loves walking alongside clients on their journey toward wellbeing. Emma has worked with people all around the world (literally!) from University students, faculty, and staff to cycling aficionados in Egypt. She can't wait to move with you!
Blossom Dawes-
Blossom found her calling when she began teaching yoga in Charlottesville in 1999. She loves sharing the practice of yoga through teaching and creates space for students to explore their own breath and bodies. She teaches how to move and be still with mindfulness and presence in order to develop inner peace and strength. Blossom lives in Crozet with her family and three dogs. She adores paddle boarding and spending time in nature. Her signature Slow Flow Hatha Yoga style classes are creative, fun, and sustainably challenging.
Blossom found her calling when she began teaching yoga in Charlottesville in 1999. She loves sharing the practice of yoga through teaching and creates space for students to explore their own breath and bodies. She teaches how to move and be still with mindfulness and presence in order to develop inner peace and strength. Blossom lives in Crozet with her family and three dogs. She adores paddle boarding and spending time in nature. Her signature Slow Flow Hatha Yoga style classes are creative, fun, and sustainably challenging.