ZenFest 2026 Teachers & Guides

Yoga found me at a time when I was experiencing a difficult shift in my life. The things I perceived to be solid and stable turned out to be subject to change and I found that reality uncomfortable. A dear friend invited me to a yoga class at The Yogaloft in Conover and I felt something that made me want to come back again and again. Over time I saw that it was possible to “go with the flow” of life and that change was absolutely beautiful and necessary. I completed my 235hr teacher training at Yoga with an Edge in October of 2023 and in March of 2024 I completed the 32 hr. Chakra Series with Yoga Alliance Continuing Education at Asheville Community Yoga. The daily practice of Yoga has invited me to find a joy of existence and community with all things.

Dr. Ariel Talts White is a family medicine physician and second generation yoga teacher originally from Danville, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia and Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. After burning out in the broken system of corporate healthcare, Ariel reawakened her familial lineage of complementary and alternative medicine to address the root cause of her c-PTSD from childhood. Ariel’s quest for spiritual healing coupled with intellectual curiosity enabled her to become patient zero and begin testing her holistic theory of wellness. Over the past 7 years, Ariel found healing through yoga therapy, which incorporates mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork to release emotional and physical traumas. Ariel combines therapeutic yoga with her background in Neuroscience and Psychiatry to create a holistic approach to healing the mind, body, and spirit. Her training in Osteopathy also brings a unique element to hands-on assists that enables repatterning on a deeper cellular level.

Tai Chi Instructor I retired after working 45 years as a physical therapist and strongly believe that "exercise is medicine". A long-time PT friend convinced me to become certified to teach Tai Chi through the Tai Chi for Health Institute. I have been teaching Tai Chi for 10 years at Fitness Plus, a certified medical fitness facility at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Briana is excited to be a part of ZenFest again this year! She is the owner of High Country Yoga in Boone, NC, which she opened in 2014 out of her love for yoga and the High Country. Briana enjoys making yoga an accessible practice to and for all. She likes to balance the discipline of the practice with a light-hearted energy in her classes to make each moment spent on the mat meaningful, enjoyable, and relatable.

Yoga has been part of my life for more than 15 years, it has helped me get stronger, flexible and courageous on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live mindful moments. I have completed a 300h YTT at Yoga with an Edge, Hickory NC and recently a 200 YTT at Chakra flow University CLT, which has expanded my curiosity to explore energy and sound healing thru sound and movement, I am currently taking a certification on Drum liberation. In my classes I like to combine creative sequencing, playful spirit and inspiration that soothes the mind, revitalizes the body and nourish the soul with a Latino vibe (yes I’m proud Colombian and mother of 2 teenagers) My life principles are gratitude, acceptance, compassion, my energy is full of dualities: strong and soft, vibrant and reserved, dreamer and grounded. I do CrossFit and Acro yoga, I enjoy traveling around the world to Yoga retreats. I like challenges and my goal is to create a connection with my students and learn a new perspective of the journey we all call Life.

Deanna has practiced yoga for over 14 years and completed her 9-month, 235-hour yoga teacher training in 2024 and is currently enrolled in a 300-hour training to deepen her knowledge of the practice. With many challenges in Deanna’s life, yoga has been the one consistent practice to allow her to keep the peace in the midst of chaos and lean into the breath and practice to find growth and gratitude. It is Deanna’s goal to bring the yoga practice to the community through her inclusive studio, where you can come as you are, with no prior experience, zero judgement and learn to love yourself and others. Deanna enjoys a mix of traditional and novelty when it comes to movement on the mat. Her practice includes dynamic movements, creative sequencing and transitions but feels the advanced practice is finding stillness, allowing the body to be present and drawing awareness to the breath. Deanna finds that yoga moves her towards balance, so that is why she keeps coming back to the mat and wants to share this experience with others. Root and Rise Yoga is a yoga studio local to Hickory, NC that was opened in August of 2025 by Deanna Glover.

Deb has been practicing yoga for over 50 years and has been teaching for over 17 years. She has been trained in Sivananda Yoga, meditation, 12 Step Yoga and Yin Yoga.

A view of reality and spirituality developed over years of exposure to a diversity of people and cultures while serving 23 years in the US Marine Corp and working in local government. Today this mind/body seeks Truth and an answer to “What is Reality?” and “Who am I?”-- questions that cannot be answered by modern society and religion. I could write more, but it would be a lie.

After experiencing the life-affirming benefits of Qi Gong, the mother of Tai Chi, Diane Christensen felt called to teach. Sensei Diane Christensen creates a welcoming environment affectionately known as Chi Huggers whose circle is where students can build strength, improve balance, flexibility and mobility all while enjoying the benefits of group connectivity. With over 10 years of experience Diane specializes in Qigong for stationary practice and Tai Chi for meditation in motion and is currently the only martially trained instructor in Catawba County focusing on not only cultivating vibrant, powerful energy of this ancient art, but also unlocking the key elements for stress reduction with mindful movement. Certified through Dr. Keith Jefferies, Board Member of the American Tai Chi Association and Founder of East Tai Chi (tm) and Lee Holden Qi Gong, they are dedicated to helping students attain inner peace and physical balance. She currently teaches for both the city of Hickory and Newton at the Recreation Centers.

I'm Elizabeth Powell, owner of Bee the Light Wellness and host of the Spiritual Sovereign Sister Podcast. As someone who rebuilt my life through grounded spiritual healing, I now help women step into clarity, courage, and inner authority. With over seven years and 1,000+ hours as a Holy Fire Reiki Master Teacher and Akashic Records practitioner, I lead group healing experiences, women’s circles, and teach healing modalities. Because when women are held in safe spaces with accurate spiritual guidance, they remember who they are. I partner with studios, organizations, and businesses that want to create powerful spaces for women to heal, connect, and grow together.

Ellen is the owner of Hickory Yoga & Wellness, an E-RYT 500, a therapist, and healer. Friends and family call me Bep! I am a nationally ranked yoga therapist and energy healer. My motto is, “Practice YOGA every day not to be better at YOGA but to get better at LIFE!“ I believe it is the nourishment that yokes, balances and intertwines the thinking mind, physical body, spirit, breath, emotions, and our energetic being – allowing for our best life. It can be holistic healing for everyone in every way. I was employed in the corporate medical and wellness industry for 20 years following graduation from Appalachian State University in 1988. After finding and following my true path, I became a yoga master with advanced studies in therapeutics from the Asheville Yoga Center. Professionally, my favorite areas to work with are psychological trauma, the spiritual layer, and the power of meditation. Holistic Healing Arts are my passion. Helping people feel connected and vital is also my passion. In May of 2018 I took the healer’s pledge to be “in creative service to humanity”. So, in addition to Yoga, I also has certifications in a diverse assortment of healing modalities including: Angelic Healing, Tai Chi/QiGong, Munay Ki Shamanism, Space Clearing Ceremonies, Usui Reiki, and Holistic Herbalism, Sound Bath Practitioner, etc.

Catawba County Library System NC native, Erica Derr, entered librarianship after adventures in previous careers including a stint in a radiology practice and a management role at Our State magazine where she was also a freelance columnist for seven years. She holds a BA from UNC-Greensboro in Media Studies and an MLS from the same institution. She is passionate about making health and wellness resources available to everyone.

Jeanine Kowalski is a certified Ageless Grace® Educator. She has been an Activity Director in Senior Living for 15+ years. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Master Grief Coach with a deep understanding of the importance of engaging our mind and body in a daily practice of physical movement.

Karen Chapman is an accredited 5Rhythms teacher who lives, works and plays in Asheville for over 25 years. Karen has been teaching 5Rhythms® since 2016 and hs been dancing for over 15 years! During her teaching years, she has held Sweat Your Prayers® on Wednesday nights consistently and a 5Rhythms® Waves class in Hendersonville, NC every third Sunday of the month for 3 years. Karen is passionate about 5Rhythms® movement practice and wants to keep teaching as long as she is able!

Katie's spiritual journey and faith in God have deeply influenced her Pilates and Yoga practice. She believes it's important to share her belief in God's love for everyone in her classes and how His love impacts our spiritual journey in our daily practice, regardless of the specific practice we engage in.

My name is Kellie Allie, and I am a wife, a mother of two, and a yoga teacher in the Newton/Conover community since 2017. I have 500 hours of certified yoga training from Yoga with an Edge and am continuously seeking more knowledge and training to better serve my students. Discovering yoga in 2013 was a transformative moment for me. It felt like I had finally found my place in a community and within myself. Through yoga, I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, mindfulness, and personal growth, leading me to a fulfilling life. My goal with my students is to remind them that each time we step onto our mats is an opportunity for new beginnings, with each breath and movement bringing us closer to a more fulfilling life. I predominantly teach strength vinyasa flows at Hot Yoga Newton, but I also enjoy incorporating restorative classes, slow flows, yoga nidra, and other specialty classes. All of my classes focus on setting intentions, linking breath to movement, proper alignment, and striving for personal growth. In addition to my yoga training, I am Reiki level 2 certified and have been integrating this practice into my restorative yoga classes for several years. The combination of Yoga and Reiki brings relaxation and healing to the mind, body, and spirit, offering my students a transformative and positive experience.

Laura Duggan is a RYT-200 yoga teacher, ACA-certified SUP yoga instructor, and Licensed Massage Therapist in Hickory, North Carolina with over 22 years of experience in holistic wellness. Her journey with yoga began to manage stress and improve flexibility, eventually growing into a lifelong passion for movement, mindfulness, and community. Known for her soothing voice and thoughtfully crafted classes, Laura creates a welcoming space where students can slow down, connect, and feel supported. She currently teaches two weekly classes at Yoga with an Edge. Her classes blend creative vinyasa flows, core-focused poses to build strength, stability, and confidence from the inside out.

Marie's work spans international performing arts, media, wellness and plant-medicine formulation, retreats, and strategic communications. She is a direct descendant of Nanyehi (Nancy Ward), Cherokee Nation, whose leadership approach is rooted in stewardship, cross-cultural collaboration, and long-term impact. To learn more about her retreats and offerings visit: Www.yourmothersmedicine.com https://instituteofnaturallaw.substack.com/p/americas-untold-matriarch-the-legacy

I’ve been consistently teaching all over since 2016! I've always been a seeker. Growing up in the small town of Bassett, Va, I hit the road at age 20. Thirteen years and 46 states later, it has only ever been yoga that can truly make me feel whole and at peace within myself. My intention is to connect students to this peace, bringing a unique sense of empowerment with influence from many different instructors, studios, and styles spread all over the country. I know that my calling is to share the many blessings of yoga and I intend to teach in a way that provokes thought and meaning, allowing each student to connect and experience these blessings in their own way.

Mickeeley is an energy healer and mentor for women ready to break free from the roles they were told to play and remember who they truly are. Using breathwork, nervous system regulation, and intuitive healing, she helps you release old stories and return home to your truth, power, and purpose.

I have been teaching and practicing yoga for 30 years and have devoted my practice to the Ashtanga series for the past 10 years after a week long intensive with David Swenson at the Asheville Yoga Center. Among other many wonderful teachers I have practiced extensively with are Xico Rodrigues in Lisbon, Portugal, Zoë Slatoff in New York, David Keil and Jonathan Harrah in Asheville, N.C. I am also honored to have taught 11 yearly teacher training programs at Yoga with an Edge and grateful to still be a beginner. The practice of yoga in any form has a centering, magical and uniting impact on my life and through sharing it I hope to bring the lightness of being and connection that we all need every day.

Sierra Hollister delights in the physical: yoga, running, digging into the soil, traversing curvatures, and chanting mantra, finding perpetual love-struck wonder in the deep interconnectedness of all life. Love, movement, gratitude and devotion coalesce and shape all of Sierra’s offerings. Sierra would happily end my bio there but some folks are interested in the finer details : E-RYT 500 and “yoga universalist” (loving all the paths and traditions), multiple certifications in different lineages, kundalini being deepest in her heart. Sierra’s first book, “Moon Path Yoga” is available everywhere fine books are offered. For more information on Sierra – visit www.sierrahollisterliving.yoga

Suzanne teaches from a place of deep love for the practice and a genuine desire to share that passion with others. Her classes blend effort with compassion, encouraging students to honor their bodies and explore their inner landscape. A little quirky and a bit of a rebel at heart, Suzanne brings a playful spirit to her teaching while staying rooted in pranayama (breath) and Dhyana (meditation). Her classes offer a supportive, judgment-free space where students can challenge themselves, find stillness, and cultivate the peace and mindfulness that yoga inspires. E-RYT, RYT 500, YACEP.

A little over 20 years ago, I was invited by my (then) girlfriend, Mary, who is now my wife, to attend a yoga class with her. Chronic shoulder injuries and an acute back injury prompted the invitation as she felt yoga could help heal those injuries. And heal they did. The unsuspected outcome was the inception of a mysteriously enchanting healing process for the body mind and heart mind. For the next 13 years, I studied and practiced various yoga disciplines. In 2017, the luring call to go further and deeper was answered by enrolling in a 21-day yoga immersion training. I received my 200-hour RYT certification from Asheville (NC) Yoga Center. Afterward, I taught primarily Yin yoga, and secondarily Hatha yoga asana. 2019 came and I once again felt the familiar call. I enrolled in and received my 300-hour RYT certification from Yoga With an Edge Yoga School (Hickory, NC). It was in the quiet still space of practicing and teaching Yin that prompted a formal meditation practice, which unfolded into Yoga Nidra practice for the past seven years. I have practiced varying techniques of meditation and yoga Nidra with Christopher Wallis, Adyashanti, and Rupert Spira. Currently, I am studying yoga Nidra through an online immersion with Nirlipta Tuli and Uma-Dinsmore Tuli of YogaNidraNetwork.org. I facilitate yoga Nidra/meditation when requested.

Tracy Gimbel is an ASM Sound Facilitator and Reiki Therapist dedicated to creating calm, restorative experiences that help people reconnect with their bodies and find balance in their everyday lives. After experiencing the powerful impact of sound and Reiki in her own life, Tracy felt called to share these practices with others. She became certified in both modalities, left her career in technology, and began her journey supporting individuals through sound immersion and energy work. Her sessions are grounded in a simple belief: when we step out of the busyness of the mind and into the body, we create space for relaxation, clarity, and healing. Through the use of crystal singing bowls, gentle guidance, and a supportive presence, Tracy offers experiences that meet people exactly where they are. Tracy’s approach is accessible, welcoming, and deeply calming—designed for anyone seeking to reduce stress, improve overall wellbeing, and experience a greater sense of ease and connection.

Twyla is a seasoned yoga teacher and Ayurvedic Consultant for living life with presence, balance, and heart. She also hold certification in Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery through the Veterans Yoga Project. Twyla brings depth, warmth, and accessibility to every offering. Rooted in non-dual Eastern philosophy, Twyla’s teaching blends mindful movement, breathwork, and contemplative practices that invite people out of striving and into embodied well-being—especially amid the uncertainty of this reality. As an Ayurveda Counselor, she shares the time-tested science of life into practical guidance of daily rhythms (dinacharya), nourishment, energy balance, and aging with grace. Alongside her husband Dennis, Twyla co-stewards AnandaRasa Catawba, a nonprofit devoted to community healing, creative expression, and the contemplative spiritual arts. Through yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and satsang, she gently invites others to live more fully, wisely—one breath, one choice, one day at a time, with every now.

Walking Tall is an Indigenous healer, teacher, and artist based in Hickory, NC. They have spent their entire life studying and practicing ancient spiritual healing modalities. For the last ten years, they have traveled the world to indigenous communities learning sacred healing techniques. Walking Tall is a Master Teacher of nature-based healing and is the Founder of EarthKeepers School- a nature-based Indigenous School for children. Walking Tall has apprenticed Indigenous Reiki under Peruvian Shamans, sound healing and meditation under Tibetan Buddhist Monks, Yoga Teacher Training from the Yoga Alliance, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Rutgers University. Their artwork empowers others to alchemize trauma, turning wounds into wisdom. White Buffalo Studio is a Healing Arts Partner Practitioner with Hickory Yoga and Wellness. They offer: Reiki Sound Healing, Shamanic Journey and private drum lessons, Forest Meditation, Indigenous Sound Baths, Empowerment Coaching, Nature Retreats and Conscious Business Consulting. Walking Tall is a Choctaw Shaman Heyoka- a sacred medicine healer who communes with the spirit world. As an Indigenous Healing Arts Practitioner, they practice the world’s original holistic medicine, empowering and inspiring clients to achieve balance in mind, body, and spirit. To book a session or free consultation, please email: whitebuffaloheals@gmail.com Website: taplink.cc/chiefwalkingtall Walking Tall is a Master Teacher of nature-based healing and is the Founder of EarthKeepers School- a nature-based Indigenous School for children. Walking Tall has apprenticed Indigenous Reiki under Peruvian Shamans, sound healing and meditation under Tibetan Buddhist Monks, Yoga Teacher Training from the Yoga Alliance, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Rutgers University. Their artwork empowers others to alchemize trauma, turning wounds into wisdom. White Buffalo Studio is a Healing Arts Partner Practitioner with Hickory Yoga and Wellness. They offer: Reiki Sound Healing, Shamanic Journey and private drum lessons, Forest Meditation, Indigenous Sound Baths, Empowerment Coaching, Nature Retreats and Conscious Business Consulting. Walking Tall is a Choctaw Shaman Heyoka- a sacred medicine healer who communes with the spirit world. As an Indigenous Healing Arts Practitioner, they practice the world’s original holistic medicine, empowering and inspiring clients to achieve balance in mind, body, and spirit. To book a session or free consultation, please email: whitebuffaloheals@gmail.com Website: taplink.cc/chiefwalkingtall IG: white_buffalo_heals