Sandra “SAM” Sather, MS, BSN, RYT-500, C-IAYT, C-IYSI, YACEP
Sandra “S.A.M.” Sather is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She is also an experienced registered yoga instructor (eRYT) with many other certifications and trainings, for example Certified Integrative Yoga for Seniors (C-IYSI), Functional Movement, Mindfulness, Yoga for Cancer, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and Yin Yoga. SAM is a fascia enthusiast related to movement therapy for improvements in posture, chronic pain, and prevention of injury.
SAM has Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and later obtained her Master’s of Science in Education. Out of college SAM moved from Jamestown, NY to North Carolina. Soon after arriving in NC, she co-owned a local gym where SAM provided personal training to a variety of populations including seniors, athletes, to individuals living with disabilities. This was the start of combining nursing and wellness together to serve others. SAM changed her nursing focus to clinical research in the mid-1990’s and in 2002 opened her second business with her partner Chuck called Clinical Pathways, a small clinical consulting firm that works with companies developing new therapies to treat disease through western medicine. Meanwhile, she shifted her wellness focus to Yoga in the 1990’s. SAM opened her home studio, Dogwood Yoga Studio in 2017 to serve individuals and small groups in Yoga Therapy.
SAM’s long-term goal is to integrate her eastern and western modalities to help others by applying her skills in managing clinical trials toward organizing formal studies of natural therapies to prevent or mitigate disease. SAM and her partner Chuck live in Chapel Hill, NC, USA. She has two delightful grown children, Rob & Sarah.
“We all are very fortunate in the Insight Yoga Sangha to have Sam join our global group of endorsed teachers. With each teachers’ dedication and expertise, we look forward to connecting with you.”
~Sarah Powers, founder of Insight Yoga Institute
Aviva Tulasi, M.A.T., C-IAYT
Aviva Tulasi is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She has 1,000 hours of classical yoga training from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. She has completed trainings in chair yoga, gentle yoga, yoga for osteoporosis, trauma informed yoga and yoga nidra.
As a former high school science teacher, Aviva enjoys exploring the intersection of the health benefits of yoga, yoga research and science.
When Aviva completed her 200 hour YTT, she was given the spiritual name Tulasi (Sanskrit: तुलसी). Tulasi means “incomparable one”. In India, Tulasi is considered a holy plant and symbol of healing and protection. It is typically found in the center of a household and is used as medicine for the body, mind, and soul. Aviva change her last name to Tulasi as a reminder of the person she was striving to become. Aviva teaches yoga to bring Tulasi and all of its associated positivity into her students’ lives.
Along with providing yoga for health and wellbeing, Aviva is a step-mother and the chair of Fuel Up at Perry Harrison School, a 501(c)3 charity non-profit food backpack.
Aviva is happiest when she is in nature, which is one of the driving reasons her family and she moved to the Chapel Hill area. She feels fortunate that she lives surrounded by trees. In her spare time, you can find her attempting to garden, hanging in the hammock or hiking with her family.
We are proud to have her as part of our team!
Amanda Dzengeleski, E-RYT, Studio Manager
Amanda is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist in training. Amanda completed her first yoga teacher training at Wilmington Yoga Center in 2017. Through this program, her personal practice became an opportunity to be of service to others. She offers deep gratitude to each of the teachers who have influenced her practice and teaching along the way, the greatest of which have been her own life experiences.
Her experiences have gifted her a unique perspective and deep compassion for those navigating the complexities of life. Amanda has additional training in trauma-sensitive yoga, therapeutic yoga, and functional movement. Each of these modalities inform the way she approaches her work, as does her deep appreciation for a safe, nurturing connection. She is currently enrolled in a Clinical Yoga Therapy training program to deepen her ability to work with individuals living with symptoms related to their own lived experience. Amanda deeply believes that all beings possess an innate wisdom that blooms despite difficulty, trauma, illness or loss. She is dedicated to hosting a safe and inclusive space for students’ to honor their uniqueness and learn to listen to the wisdom of their bodies.
In addition to her role as a yoga teacher, Amanda is the Co-Executive Director of Yoga Village, a Wilmington based non-profit that brings evidence based, trauma sensitive and resiliency focused, mindful movement programs to populations with limited resources.
Amanda lives in Wilmington, NC where she spends much of her free time by the ocean. She loves to travel and immerse herself in new experiences.
Ainslee Cunningham, RYT
Ainslee Cunningham is a 200 hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) who is deeply inspired and influenced by nature. Ainslee aspires to support people with the mind-body connection of yoga, especially those affected by addiction and trauma. Ainslee received her 200 hour YTT in 2020 with MindBody Centering Yoga in Durham with a focus on trauma-informed yoga. She recently completed a Y12SR (Yoga of 12 Step Recovery) Leadership Training.
She currently teaches Gentle Yoga, Mindful Flow Yoga, and swimming at the UNC Wellness Centers. Ainslee enjoys teaching all ages and all abilities the connection between anatomy and mind body awareness.
Ainslee has combined her unique experience with herbalism and Environmental Science to start a landscaping business. Her B.S. in Environmental Science sparked a passion for local food systems by exploring different kinds of farming and gardening: urban farming, hydroponic farming, mushroom farming, and permaculture gardening. She further blossomed her curiosity about the healing ability of plants on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level in 2017 at the Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism in Boston. She continues to study with local herbalist Lea Clayton. Ainslee is committed to exploring how we embody the elements of the natural world and how we can deepen our connection to the Earth’s natural rhythms.
When she’s not teaching, Ainslee can be found exploring the woods, hiking the Haw River, or reading a good book. She loves to travel, cook, and dance. She enjoys sharing her yard in Saxapahaw, NC with her chickens, a family of deer, and a neighborly groundhog.
Melissa Russell, C-IAYT, RYT 500, iRest Level 2
Melissa is a certified yoga therapist; a 500 hour registered yoga teacher trained in ashtanga, anusara, and pelvic floor health; and an iRest level 2 meditation teacher. Melissa began her yoga teaching journey over 20 years ago while leading innovative teams in the world of publishing and educational technology.
Knowing how much yoga helped her maintain clarity while juggling work, family, and self-care, she began teaching yoga to her colleagues. Melissa left the corporate world 5 years ago to teach yoga full time. Her work is inspired by her belief that everyone has the power to evolve throughout their lives. We are not stuck being overwhelmed, stressed, and/or in mental or physical pain.
Leesann Shefa, BA, E-RYT
Leesann Shefa has been interested in the healing potential of the mind-body connection since she was very young. In her undergraduate studies at Sonoma State University, she obtained a dual major in Dance and Theatre, graduating with Honors. She also attended the acclaimed Naropa Institute, in Boulder, Colorado, where she studied Dance Therapy and Meditative Movement.
Leesann teaches various forms of Yoga and Meditation. She is a student of Paul Grilley, founder of Yin Yoga, and Sarah Powers, founder of Insight Yoga. Leesann holds certifications from Hala Khouri and Kyra Hagaland of Trauma Informed Yoga, as well as Jill Ippolito of Uprising Yoga, to teach trauma informed yoga. Leesann is a Reiki Practitioner, and the owner and founder of Ahvana Blue Yoga: Finding your North Star. She is a member of USA Yoga, and holds the 1st place title for the Women Over-50 Division for 2013 and 2014. She placed 3rd nationally in the same division for 2014. In 2022, Leesann placed 2nd nationally in 2022 for women over 65
division.
Leesann is passionate about the interconnection between body, mind, and heart. Leesann loves being a mom, dance, practicing yoga, and being in nature. She is dedicated to researching the neuro-plasticity of the brain and its effects on the science of aging gracefully, with vibrant health.
Christa Carter, RYT 500, INTERN
Christa's yoga practice is fueled by curiosity, and she believes that yoga is an accessible practice for all. Her awareness and fondness for movement in the body began at an early age. However, it wasn't until 2015, when yoga and yoga philosophy became her framework for understanding the body, breath, mind, and spirit connection. After 6 years of personal practice, she became certified as a 200hr Yoga Teacher.
Again, fueled by curiosity, she took on education and gained certification in her 300-hour teacher training, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Somatic Healing. Currently, she is on the journey to becoming a Yoga Therapist (coming soon!). As a lifelong student of curiosity, Christa hopes to share the practice of yoga with others. Christa resides in Durham, NC with her partner Mack. She enjoys the warmth of the sun, laughing, quality time, and a good cup of tea or coffee!
