Alisa began her personal yoga journey over 15 years ago to reduce stress while juggling motherhood and working full-time as a professional counselor. She was reminded that going inward and connecting breath to movement is healing for the mind, body, and soul. She moved to Charleston in the summer of 2019 and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training program in 2020. As a yoga instructor, Alisa guides students in movement that focuses on optimal alignment and breath, while building strength, balance, and flexibility. She is a previous ballet dancer and enjoys reading, surfing, traveling, and going on outdoor family adventures with her husband and two children.

I began my yoga journey 6 years ago in the comfort and safety of my own room with little to no knowledge of how drastically asana and breath-work would change my life and how crucial this practice would become in my day to day life. At the time I was seeking solace in things that went against my physical mental and spiritual growth and wellness- when I rolled out my first mat and put on my first yoga video to follow, I had finally come home to myself which I wasn’t aware existed, I never knew there was a home to come back to. For the first time in my life I had finally found peace and quiet within myself, a place that I can come whenever I want to feel relief from everyday stressors. Ever since, I have made it my goal to share with others around me the peace and tranquility that can be cultivated within themselves, a way to see beyond basic reality and find regained hope and excitement for life. After I concluded that this is what I want my life’s mission to be, I took Kula’s 200 hour yoga teacher training and began my journey as a forever student and teacher. Being a yoga teacher to me is an absolute honor and privilege, it gives me the ability to expand this sacred practice and show others what it’s like to return home.

Genise (she/her), E-RYT 200, has been practicing various branches of yoga for over 20 years. She has been a registered yoga teacher (RYT) for 5 years, receiving her certification from Holy Cow Yoga Center. She is currently pursuing her E-RYT 500 with James Island Yoga studio and Yoga Medicine® While trained in the classical branch of Hatha Yoga, and the modern branches of Ashtanga, Gentle, Restorative, and Yin Yoga, Yin is that medicine that gets deep into the ligaments, bones, joints, and fascia of the body and counterbalances a highly structured, intense way of living for her. It is where she finds her breath and calm amidst challenging moments. Genise’s classes seek to strengthen muscles through intentional, slow movements, improve flexibility and range of motion, encourage energy flow through pranayama (breath work), and cultivate a sense of emotional balance and internal wellness. When not practicing yoga, enjoying good eats, or reading mostly nonfiction books, she loves taking long walks along the shores of the Lowcountry. She is delighted to be a member of the Pursuing Peace Counseling and Wellness family.

Patricia began taking yoga seriously after realizing that regular practice of yoga can eliminate unhealthy habits, bring contentment, and help us recognize the divine nature of life and the Self. She has completed the Certificate Course in Yoga Education, the Diploma Course in Yoga Studies, and an online advanced pranayama course at Yogapoint in India, a 300 hour online course at Kalpana Radhika Yoga, and is a certified Yoga Wellness Instructor. Patricia has a B.S. in Physical Education and Health and also teaches learners of English. Originally from the Empire State, she resides in N Charleston and loves spending time at the beach.

Anne Marie Larmon is a Charleston-area native and career educator with a passion for sharing the benefits of yoga with her community. Anne Marie first discovered yoga in 2007. Initially, it was as a workout, but she soon realized that there is so much more to yoga than just the physical aspects. Soon, she was hooked and practicing regularly. She was lucky to have been influenced by so many gifted yoga teachers over the years. After attending the Yoga Festival in Asheville in 2017, she was inspired to pursue the 200-hour instructor certification, which she completed in March of 2018. A life-long learner, she has begun earning her 500-hour certification, and as a life-long educator, she has a passion for teaching, which she brings to her classes. She will guide you through a class that will encourage you to connect with your breath and your most authentic self.

Hello! My names Emily Bohn, I am a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. I began my yoga journey at the age of 16, and my passion for the practice has only grown since then. In 2021, I traveled to the beautiful landscapes of Costa Rica to complete my yoga teacher training, which was a transformative experience that deepened my connection to yoga and its teachings. Since becoming certified, I have had the privilege of teaching at my university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as well as at Simply Yoga back in my home state. These experiences have allowed me to share my love for yoga with diverse groups of students, helping them to discover the physical and mental benefits of the practice. Currently, I am pursuing my master's degree in clinical counseling, where I am integrating my knowledge of yoga with therapeutic techniques to promote holistic well-being. I look forward to guiding you on your yoga journey and helping you find balance, strength, and peace both on and off the mat.

I’ve been a yoga student for nearly a decade and am honored to now help guide other students. I’m a firm believer that yoga is a mental practice that we achieve through physical movement. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fun as my goal for every class is to laugh, smile, and move to some great music. I love the dichotomy of practicing yoga to non-traditional music and maybe even adding in some dance moves. My classes are for you if you want to challenge yourself physically while connecting with your body and the other yogis around you.

I enjoy many forms of yoga, but I especially like practicing and teaching heated vinyasa yoga. The connection of breath to movement helps me focus on the present, leaving behind any worries, like a moving meditation. I appreciate a good challenge and the growth that comes with it, so I try to incorporate many different asanas into my teaching and with a great playlist, of course! The sequence of my class typically goes from warm-up, to a mandala-style vinyasa flow, building to a peak pose, cooling down, grounding, and final relaxation in savasana. I have been practicing yoga for 20 years, but am relatively new to teaching yoga and I completed my 200-hour vinyasa training with The Works in Charleston, SC during the fall of 2024. I look forward to sharing my love for the practice with my students!

Toni Benino, 500 ERYT, first turned to Yoga in 2014. An intention to stretch and slow down led her to initial classes. An internal shift and meaningful connection to the practice kept her returning. Inspired to learn more, Toni pursued a 200 Hour teacher training in summer 2016. Multiple certification trainings followed in the years after. Toni continues to share her knowledge and passion for teaching in various settings, and sustains an excitement for learning. She additionally co-leads local & international yoga retreats. Toni loves offering cues that create introspection opportunities through body awareness and yoga philosophy. Toni is passionate about holding space for others to self-heal and self-serve, while building community.

Anna, RYT-200, started her yoga journey in 2016 when her sister brought her to a Power Yoga class. She was instantly hooked and kept returning for the physical challenge, but she soon discovered that yoga was much more than a workout—it was a refuge. While juggling college and her full-time job as a chef-in-training, Anna found peace and inspiration from the themes and teachings within those yoga classes. It became her therapy. Feeling a deep calling to teach for years, but no opportunity because of her demanding career, she finally realized she had to take control of her life and prioritize her passion for yoga. In 2022, she left chef life behind and found a day job that allowed her the time to enroll in YTT. Since graduating, she has been inching closer and closer to making yoga and fitness instruction her full-time lifestyle (not “career”). Anna’s teaching style reflects this journey, where she teaches dynamic and challenging hot power and vinyasa flows alongside vin-to-yin and deep stretch classes. Her classes are designed to challenge, nurture, guide, and inspire students not only in their physical practice but also in their mental and spiritual growth, helping them root deeper into their own journeys.

Kristín came to the Lowcountry from NYC where she was the lead singer of a band, as well as hot yoga instructor. She found yoga quieted the chatter in her mind and helped her find peace amongst the crazy rock and roll life of NYC. As her practice developed, she found it cleared her mind of distractions, gave her the ability to focus on her craft and unleash her spirit. In 2008, Kristín started practicing Hot Yoga and soon after felt inspired to teach and share this amazing feeling she found in her yoga practice. In 2010 she became certified to teach by Jimmy Barkan. (www.thebarkanmethod.com) In 2012 and 2015 she went back to Jimmy for her Level II and III Hot Vinyasa Certification also. When she moved to SC in 2013, her practice helped her adjust to her new community and lifestyle away from the Big Apple. Her classes are geared to the individual students-mixing many genres of music and postures for each class. "Never before have I experienced such a feeling of personal satisfaction and pride. Whether you are an artist, in business, an educator, in the military, a parent or whatever your path may be, yoga can help you find focus and positive energy allowing your best self and your greatest dreams to come true. My yoga practice has changed my life."

Alex first began her personal yoga journey as a form of exercise and quickly began to notice the positive benefits the practice had on her own mental health. She didn’t become serious with the practice until she stepped away from her role as a Licensed Professional Counselor and transitioned into being a stay-at-home parent where she found that arriving on her yoga mat day after day helped her mental health as she transitioned into the role of parenthood. Alex is a 200hr RYT who is completing her certification in a 500hr Advanced Teacher Training program with experience in Vinyasa, Yin, and Chair Yoga. Her style of yoga incorporates inspirational dharma talk, breathwork, and mindful movement to leave students feeling grounded, refreshed and rejuvenated. In her spare time she loves to cook up made from scratch restaurant inspired meals, gardening, thrifting, crochet, nature walks with her dog and family, and geocaching

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