Staff at Sunrise Yoga Studio

Becky Hieter, RYT
Becky has been practicing yoga for 8 years to round out her fitness routine of running. She quickly found it to be a complement to her holistic lifestyle of good nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Yoga helps her be grounded, centered, and present. She walks away from every class she takes feeling better physically, spiritually, and emotionally. That's what got her interested in becoming a teacher. She has completed a 330-hour Teacher Training program and is enrolled in a 500-hour program at Triad Yoga Institute.

"Becky goes out of her way to foster an environment in which everyone feels comfortable, including people like me who are less than flexible. I look forward to my flow yoga class every week!" -- Lawren Durocher 		Becky Hieter, RYT



Cathy Howe, RYT
Cathy began her yoga practice by attending a free class at Sunrise Yoga in 2004. Over time, she slowly expanded her interest in yoga from a once-weekly practice to enrollment in the 200-hour teacher-training program. She graduated in February 2011. Cathy is enrolled in the Sunrise Yoga Studio's 500-hour Teacher Training program.

Cathy believes that, when it comes to her own practice, “slow-and-steady wins the race”, and that persistence and honest effort do in fact deliver results regardless of physical ability. Yoga helps her stay fit and achieve a sense of peace and well-being.

Cathy Howe, RYT



Christy Hamrick, RYT
Christy completed the 200-hour year-long teacher training program at Sunrise Yoga Studio and is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level.

Christy started practicing yoga in January 2007 at Sunrise Yoga Studio after a brief attempt at a six week GTCC class in the mid 1990’s. After several months of sporadic attendance, she noticed internal changes that drew her back for regular practice. In March 2010, Christy enrolled in Sunrise Yoga Studio’s three-month Enrichment Program and decided to complete the twelve-month teacher training program as a deepening of her practice. She is now enrolled in Sunrise Yoga Studio's 500-hour Teacher Training program. Yoga helps her feel comfortable in her skin and appreciate present moments, rather than look forward or glance back over her shoulder at the past.

"I love how Christy brings humor into teaching while also maintaining calmness and peace in her class. Her manner also portrays a strong sense of caring for the learning/teaching of her students.” -- Elaine Round 		Christy Hamrick



Elaine Round, Teacher
Elaine completed the 200-hour year-long teacher training program at Sunrise Yoga Studio and is enrolled in the 500-hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio.

Elaine was initially drawn to yoga a little over three years ago when a gym director gently prodded her to join a class. Physically humbled by the experience yet left with an unexpected feeling of peacefulness, she decided to explore this yoga thing further.

Two years into her practice, she enrolled in the Sunrise Yoga Teacher Training Program as a way to deepen her knowledge of yoga. She’s honored and excited to share what she’s learned with the students at Sunrise. She hopes to challenge students physically but also provide them with the peacefulness from yoga that is the foundation of her practice today. She is now enrolled in Sunrise Yoga Studio's 500-hour Teacher Training program.

Elaine Round



Gwen McLaughlin, RYT
Gwen completed the 200-hour year-long teacher training program at Sunrise Yoga Studio and is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. She is also enrolled in the 500-hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio.

Gwen started practicing yoga at home. It wasn’t long before she realized that this form of movement would be a part of her life on a daily basis for the rest of her life. With its ability to engage the mind as well as the body, she feels yoga creates a balance which is calming and regenerative. At Sunrise Yoga Studio she found she was able to practice yoga to a more fulfilling degree. Gwen wanted to become a teacher to deepen her knowledge and to be able to share the joy and insight yoga brings. She believes that practicing yoga allows a person to be fully present in the moment, something we can all aspire to. 		Gew McLaughlin



Karen Fitzgerald, RYT
Karen has been practicing yoga for 10 years. She began her practice as a physical exercise program. She quickly realized the benefits of yoga were much more than a physical exercise program. Yoga has had a positive effect on her life helping her stay balanced and centered especially through tough situations. Yoga allows Karen to do something for herself, each practice is different and leaves her feeling relaxed, energized and grounded. Karen wanted to share her positive experience with others as a yoga teacher. She recently completed the 200 hour teacher training program at Sunrise Yoga Studio and is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance. She is currently enrolled in the 500-hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio. Karen believes that everyone can benefit from a yoga practice and have fun doing it.

"Karen is an enjoyable teacher. She makes adjustments kindly and accurately, and communicates clearly while displaying an obvious joy for the practice. " -- Steve Gonzales 		Yoga teacher, Karen Fitzgerald



Karen Hoglund, RYT500
Karen has studied yoga since 1999 and has completed the Triad Yoga Institute's 330-hour teacher training program and 500-hour teacher training program. She is also a Certified Prenatal Yoga instructor. Karen also has an interest in Pilates and is certified to teach Mat Level 1 from the Pilates Certification Center. She is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level.

She practices yoga because she says it makes her a better person and gives her a positive outlook for the day. She has a background in martial arts, kickboxing, and other fitness classes and has been a teacher of those disciplines. She works in a creative advertising group when not involved in her many other interests.

"Karen's classes are rich in imagery as she weaves philosophy, mytholgy and discipline. I am inspired to investigate the practice of yoga as I learn to tune in, open up and let go! Her laughter is infectious!" --Terri Winchell 		Yoga teacher, Karen Hoglund



Kim Crawford, RYT
Kim started yoga hoping to improve her range of motion in her right shoulder and arm after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. She took a few classes and began to practice mostly at home. Kim found that yoga brings her peace and calmness and thinks everyone should be practicing yoga and meditation to get those same benefits.

Kim found such health benefits of yoga that she wants to share yoga with other people. She has completed a 330-hour Teacher Training program and is enrolled in the 500-hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio. In particular, she wants to help those with cancer and other conditions.

"She is very knowledgeable of the yoga poses and is a very good communicator in explaining these poses to her students. I enjoy taking Kim's classes and always leave class feeling spiritually and physically rejuvenated." -- Barbara Anderson 		Kim Smith, certified yoga teacher



Melissa Leak, RYT
Melissa completed the 200-hour year-long teacher training program at Sunrise Yoga Studio and is enrolled in the 500-hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio.

Melissa started practicing yoga out of curiosity eleven years ago before having children. She loves the fact that every class she takes allows her to slow down and strengthen her body in a non-competitive atmosphere. Yoga allows her to maintain a peaceful balance in everyday life and gives her the strength to keep up with the demands of being a mom. She enrolled in Sunrise Yoga Studio’s 200 hour level Teacher Training Program to further her knowledge of yoga and to share what she has learned with the community. “It seems that everyone I meet that practices yoga has such full and active lives they are a joy to be around.” Melissa is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level and is now enrolled in Sunrise Yoga Studio's 500-hour Teacher Training program.

"I have particularly been thankful for the instruction of Melissa Leak. She has such a therapeutic way of teaching yoga and I leave every class feeling wonderful. Melissa has taught me so much about yoga and I feel confident practicing on my own at home in between classes." --Katie Kenny 		Melissa Leak



Sandra Wells, RYT
Yoga has brought balance to her life as well as the ability to honor time for herself. Sandra shares those with all of her students through her teaching. Sandra is a former triathlete, marathoner, and competitive cyclist who still enjoys running and cycling. As such, she found that Yoga brought balance to her body as well as her mind. Her particular interests are for sharing her love of yoga with kids and families. Sandra says she teaches yoga because she wants to share the tremendous benefits yoga has to offer for the physical body and for the mind. She wants students to have fun and to enjoy the sense of community during her classes.

She is a Level 2 Radiant Child Certified Instructor and has completed the 330-hour teacher training program at Triad Yoga Institute. She is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. She has also completed a Certification program for Prenatal Yoga. She has completed the Triad Yoga's 500-hour teacher training program.

"As a cancer survivor I depend on yoga class for physical and spiritual well-being and I treasure Sandra. She has a gift for connecting with each student individually enabling us to progress at our own pace." -- Victoria Friendly 		Sandra Wells, RYT



Valerie Kiser, E-RYT 500 & Certified Yoga Therapist
Valerie is the owner and director of Sunrise Yoga Studio and the Sunrise Yoga Teacher Training Program. She has been teaching yoga since 1999 and is a 500-hour experienced registered yoga teacher (500-RYT and 500 E-RYT) through the Yoga Alliance. Her first teacher training was completed with Cindy Dollar, an Iyengar-certified teacher in Asheville, NC. Valerie has completed a 1200-hour Advanced Teacher Training and Yoga Therapeutics certification from Sun & Moon Yoga Studios in Fairfax/Arlington, VA with JJ Gormley-Etchells. She is a Certified Prenatal yoga instructor and is a Relax & Renew Trainer ® (Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater). She spent over 10 years in information technology in the banking industry prior to working full-time at the studio. Valerie also maintained personal trainer certification for 14 years.

Valerie believes that yoga is a practice that allows us to take charge of our own lives through growth, balance, and peace. Yoga is an exploration that leads us to greater awareness in mind, body, and spirit. Yoga brings union, harmony, and joy; it renews our energy and restores our spirit.

"The best investment I've ever made is registering for Valerie's yoga class. After three years I am stronger, healthier, have more energy with less stress than any time in my life. Valerie is the BEST!!" -- Donna Fox 		Valerie Kiser, yoga therapist