Christy was recommended Yoga at the age of 25 after being diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Overcoming many levels of childhood abuse, she was too dark at the time to give it a try. Christy spent the next few years in therapy and heavily medicated. It took giving birth to her first born child to wake her up! "Born into the darkness, Yoga helped me become better planted in the light". Christy has been studying Yoga for over 9 years now. She became certified through Nancy Wile Ed.D. E-RYT, founder of Yoga Education Institute (Registered Yoga School through Yoga Alliance). Other inspiring teachers: Aretha Mckinney Blevins, Linda Mills, Jan Campbell, and Jami Grich Ph.D. In addition to her Yoga studies, she has an associates degree in Photography and Graphic Design (Visual Communications).

Mary Irby has been teaching Yoga and Water Fitness for nearly 30 years. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University with a double emphasis, one of which is in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and a Master's Degree in an Educational field from Colorado State University. Mary earned her RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) from Yoga Alliance, and she is certified by AEA (Aquatic Exercise Association) and ACE (American Council on Exercise). She has trained others for careers as Yoga instructors for an international company and has prepared students to sit for the ACE group fitness certification exam. She is currently studying Yoga Therapy.

David was introduced to yoga nine years ago and has been teaching locally for seven. He is certified through Asheville Yoga Center. 'I practice yoga because it feels good and gives me the energy to embrace life more fully. It supports my mental, physical and spiritual health. I teach yoga because I want to be of service and share my love of yoga with others. It is my passion!' He also studies with Gloria Hester, E-RYT in residential trainings. His studentship encompasses a long lineage of teachers from a variety of disciplines that have been influenced by White Lotus Foundation, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Anusara principles of alignment, theraputic yoga, and Hanna Somatic movement.

Jill fell in love with the practice of yoga in 2010 when she took her first Vinyasa class at Yoga of Dickson. She had practiced yoga occasionally on her own prior to this, but had never been to an instructor-led yoga class. After dealing with a high-stress job and daily headaches due to head/neck injuries for over a decade, Jill was drawn to the practice as a form of physical therapy, balance, and stress relief. Her passion for yoga has only increased since that day and her goal is to share the joy of yoga with as many people as she can. Jill has a strong desire to bring the joy and power of yoga to people who want to lead a healthier and more fulfilled life. Her passion is to share the healing benefits of yoga that have helped her to find peace of mind, internal cleansing and experience transformation through the breath. Jill's goal is to get her RYT through Yoga Alliance within the next year and continue to soak up everything she can in the meantime making yoga a life practice! Jill is currently working as an Enterprise Computer Architect and enjoys reading, fishing, scuba diving, and mother nature's great outdoors. Jill currently trains with Christy O'Brien RYT working towards a certification.

Laurie became interested in Yoga about 5 years ago after a knee injury and two knee surgeries, leaving her unable to maintain her running routine. Despite surgery and much physical therapy, she was unable to run or kneel on her right knee. Yoga has allowed her to lengthen her leg muscles and strengthen her knee making running and kneeling possible again. As an avid reader, Laurie was also influenced to try Yoga by authors such as Steven Cope, author of 'The Wisdom of Yoga' and Deepak Chopra, MD, author of Perfect Health, 'The Complete Mind Body Guide'. Laurie currently trains with Christy O'Brien RYT working towards a certification.

Lydia discovered yoga during her years spent teaching English in Asia. She was introduced to the practice in early 2008 by a friend and colleague at the school in South Korea where she taught at the time, and was immediately addicted. Three years later, she decided to get her certification in teaching yoga. As she was in Thailand teaching English when the decision was made, she thought that a trip to India was just the thing! She received her 200-hour teaching certification in April 2012 from the Patanjali International Yoga Foundation, a Yoga Alliance-certified ashram in Rishikesh, India, a holy city known as 'The Yoga Capital of the World.' During the years before her certification, she led classes comprised of friends and neighbors, and taught yoga to the students at her English school in Thailand. She strives to combine her love of teaching with her love of yoga to create a stress-free atmosphere where you can leave all your inhibitions and worries at the door to come and practice the ancient art of healing the mind, body, and soul.

AJ has always been active; playing sports all her life including basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc. However, after she entered high school, she no longer had an interest in school sports. She knew she had to find something else that would satisfy her love of both exercise and fun. With the help of her mother and sister, AJ started going to heated vinyasa classes at Yoga of Dickson. It was like love at first sight. She loved the practice so much, she started training with Christy O'Brien RYT to receive her teacher certification before she heads to college.

There are many ways to receive your RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) certification. If you are interested and want more detailson how you can achieve this, please talk to Christy O'Brien.