Meet our Instructors
At atvara, our instructors are more than teachers—they are guides in movement, breath, and mindful living. Each brings a unique practice, perspective, and passion to the studio, creating experiences that are both deeply personal and profoundly impactful. Together, they form an extraordinary collective dedicated to serving an extraordinary community, helping every guest cultivate greater strength, balance, presence, and well-being, both on and off the mat.
Robert
Yoga sort of fell into my life… at the time I was ready to listen! Over the years, many friends had suggested yoga as a way to de-stress, become more physically fit and find some peace in life - but at the time I was too pre-occupied to stop long enough to give it a chance. In 2013 I actually needed something to focus on - and yoga surfaced to help provide that! I received my 200 hour training in Aug. - Sept. 2013 from Jimmy Barkan. It was the most rewarding experience of my life.
Travis
Travis is from Stokesdale, North Carolina.
He is a husband, a father, a US Air Force Firefighter Veteran, an avid fitness enthusiast, including hiking. He additionally enjoys foraging while hiking, also running a small farm on his property, and finding a balance of business and nature throughout his days.
Travis is certified in Power Yoga, certified as a YOGABODY Flexibility Coach, and certified as a Level 1 & 2 DDPY Instructor.
Andrew
IMS, NBC-HWC, RYT-200
Andrew guides a mindful flow style class with movement, balance, and deep stretch at 105F and 30-40% humidity for your body to sweat. Andrew gives lots of options for all levels so you can practice as gently or vigorously as your body wants.
Cindy
Yoga has been a constant in my life for over 40 years.
My breath-based teaching style was originally designed for my personal journey to health and balance while recovering from breast cancer. The calming therapeutic benefits of linking purposeful breathing techniques with gentle flowing motion was very instrumental in relieving stress, tension, stiffness, and pain while allowing me to regain full range of motion. I am extremely passionate about this mission and I love teaching the art of pranayama!
Maribel
As a dedicated yoga teacher, I infuse creativity, strength, and mindfulness into my classes to inspire and uplift my students.
I received my yoga teacher 200hr certification in 2019, as a way to deepen my own personal practice, but it quickly transformed into a deeply fulfilling calling.
During the pandemic, yoga became my lifeline.
I connected with coworkers, friends, and family through virtual and outdoor yoga sessions, discovering my passion for sharing the transformative power of yoga.
Outside the studio, I cherish a vibrant family life as a wife, mom of three, and caretaker of two lively dogs.
Join me on the mat to explore your potential and experience the joy of yoga together!
Adrienne
I am a 200h RYT with a love for all things that involve movement, nature, and animals. I love reading, gardening, learning, and all things health and wellness.
As a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and group exercise instructor, I help people learn to enjoy movement or reconnect with the joy of movement. I believe we can learn to find joy in almost any situation if we try.
When we struggle together during asanas in the hot room, listen to your body first and me second.
As humans, we may or may not have a lot of things in common, but as souls our struggle is our common thread. Be here now.
Casia
I am a health coach and Yoga Teacher. I have been health coaching for 4 years. It started with my personal journey to get healthy after almost losing my vision to high blood pressure.
After my success, I wanted to help others do the same. For me, yoga was a big part of that.
I got certified in Oct of 2023. I have been practicing myself for about 10 years. Once I started getting healthy, I committed to growing in my practice by doing yoga every day. Teaching is now a passion of mine.
The health of your body and mind is important to live an optimal life. I am looking forward to helping more people find freedom in their bodies!
Carol Ann
Carol Ann is an artist, teacher, reiki master energy worker, and bodywork practitioner dedicated to helping others reconnect mind, body & spirit. Through her own journey, yoga became a powerful tool for managing stress, cultivating self-worth, and returning home to her authentic center.
Guided by a deep passion for service, Carol Ann creates a supportive space weaving together yoga, mindful movement, and intuitive healing practices to help students find greater balance and peace.
Her intention is to bring light, love, and healing to those she serves, and overall well-being of the collective.
Celeste
For over three decades, wellness hasn't just been my profession—it has been my way of life. As a naturopath, health educator, functional medicine health coach, researcher, and yoga therapist, I have dedicated my career to helping others discover the life-changing power of integrative health.
My journey into teaching yoga and meditation began in 1997 when I trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn, the father of modern mindfulness. The deep peace and bliss I experienced during that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training sparked a lifelong mission. After becoming an MBSR instructor, I completed my initial 240-hour yoga training and then found my calling managing corporate Wellness at SAS Institute. Over two decades, wellness expanded into mind-body modalities that included yoga, meditation, education, retreats, wellness therapies and integrative health.
My thirst for knowledge has never stopped. I have since earned an advanced 500-hour yoga certification with Yoga Medicine—focusing on Traditional Chinese Medicine and myofascial healing—and expanded my tools with specialized wellness trainings in flower remedies, aromatherapy and homeopathy. As an approved continuing education provider, entrepreneur, author, presenter and avid nature lover, I enjoy weaving these diverse holistic arts into my classes, workshops, and retreats to help others find health and harmony.
Abbey
RYT-500
Yoga entered my life in my adolescent years as I was healing my relationship with my body. I practiced yoga on and off for years until I found hot yoga. I became totally obsessed with practicing in the heat, not only because it made me feel strong and capable, but also because the intensity of practicing in a hotter environment provided me with enough of a challenge to quiet my mind, which is often moving 100 miles a minute.
I have 200-hour yoga teacher certification and a 300-hour certification, both with Arrichion Hot Yoga and Circuit Training in Charlotte, NC.
I am committed to making yoga accessible to anyone willing to step on their mat. I firmly believe that it doesn’t matter what we look like in the poses, instead, it matters how we feel in our bodies. I feel grateful each day that I get to roll out my mat and share my love of yoga with those around me.
Mandi
I was introduced to hot yoga in Winter 2010 and began teaching in Spring 2011. Yoga has taught me what it means to truly let go and connect with my inner self. Each practice brings me a step closer to a journey of self-discovery and healing. I am grateful for the opportunity to share yoga with others through the Hot Yoga Therapy studio.
Jen
Yoga has been a steady thread woven through my life, offering balance amid the demands of a high-stress career. I first came to the mat as a young attorney, using yoga as a restorative counter balance. That sense of grounding continued into my work as a wellness and clean lifestyle entrepreneur for 20 years, where I led a team of thousands, while raising my two sons.
A recent season of transition created space for me to deepen my practice more intentionally. What began as a personal reset led me to complete my 200-hour yoga teacher training, where I discovered joy and passion for teaching and supporting others on their journey.
My classes are rooted in vinyasa flow, blending breath and movement into an energizing, accessible practice. I honor the full spectrum of yoga and strive to meet students where they are, creating a supportive space for growth, connection, and balance both on and off the mat.
Andrea
Over 15 years ago, an amazing human introduced me to yoga. Life was demanding, and I needed more than just exercise. I wanted something that would help me reconnect with myself, reduce stress, and create a sense of peace. What started as a physical practice quickly became so much more. Yoga gave me a space to slow down, breathe, and become more present. It taught me to listen to my body instead of constantly pushing through life on autopilot. Over time, it became an essential part of who I am rather than just something I do.
Yoga has transformed the way I approach life. It has made me more resilient, more patient, and more compassionate with myself and others. It has helped me navigate stressful seasons, health challenges, and life's inevitable changes with greater confidence and grace.
Teaching allows me to share something that has genuinely changed my life. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone walk into class carrying stress, anxiety, or self-doubt and leave standing taller, smiling, and feeling more connected to themselves. I love creating a welcoming environment where people know they don't have to be perfect. My goal is for every student to feel seen, supported, and empowered, regardless of their age, experience, or fitness level.
To me, yoga is more than fitness. It's about helping people reconnect with their bodies, embrace their inner strength, and leave class feeling more alive than when they arrived. That's the gift I hope every student takes with them—not just a great workout, but a renewed sense of confidence, joy, and self-acceptance.
Katia
Bio coming soon!