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 compliment 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.

"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



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. 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 Smith, 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. 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



Larry Schonhofen
Larry began practicing yoga in 1970. He has received formal training since 1990 and has developed a consistent practice. He enjoys practicing and teaching in the traditions of B.K.S. Iyengar (precision in movement with attention to subtle aspects of posture), Pattabhi Jois (dynamic specialized sequences of posture), and T.K.V. Desikachar (individualized practice with the correct linking of breath and movement). Larry believes that with patience and consistency, the practice moves internally allowing refinement of concentration and increasing the ability to remain present. Larry is a substitute teacher with us and leads the practice of 108 Sun Salutations semi-annually. Larry Schonhofen, yoga teacher



Melissa Leak, Office manager
Melissa lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and three daughters. She is currently enrolled in the 200 hour level Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga. She finds that practicing yoga helps to maintain a peaceful balance in her everyday life and gives her strength to keep up with the demands of being a Mom. 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 is currently enrolled in 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