Catharine Eberhart, CPYI 2,000 Hour,
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Catharine began her study of yoga in 1996 as a way to reduce the effects of stress in her life. Through her practice and teaching she found yoga to be a guiding force for her physical, mental and spiritual well-being. She feels better, is stronger, laughs more and enjoys the gifts of each and every day. She studies regularly with the founders of Purna Yoga, Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri, with whom she has travelled to India. She is on faculty at the College of Purna Yoga at Alive and Shine in Bellevue, WA where she teaches a Yoga Alliance 500 hour teacher training course, she also teaches the 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training course in Clayton, NC at Purna Yoga East. She is a Certified Purna Yoga Instructor (CYPI) with over 2,000 hours of training, an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500), a Certified Yoga Therapist through IAYT and the director of Purna Yoga East. She holds a masters degree in education.
She is a NC Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist #2034 with specialized training in trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage and relaxation massage and has practiced massage therapy since 2001. Trusted and caring, she is honored to share her knowledge, skill and experience with others. |
"Yogi Bob" Maiers, CPYI 2,000 Hour, RYT 500
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Bob began his study of yoga in 2001 out of an interest in athletics and health. Living an active life-style for over 60 years, he appreciated the positive energy and welcoming community in his yoga classes. While studying regularly with Catharine at Purna Yoga East, he also attends Purna Yoga Workshops with Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri and with Bryan Legere, one of the inventors of the Great Yoga Wall. In June 2009 Bob graduated from the College of Purna Yoga 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training intensive at Alive and Shine in Bellevue, WA. In September 2010 he completed the 500 hour level of training at the College of Purna Yoga. Bob is now a 500 hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and has completed 2,000 hours of teacher training in Purna Yoga to become a Certified Purna Yoga Instructor (CYPI). Bob is eager to share yoga with his students. He has a light energetic teaching style, is extremely sincere and incorporates humor in his classes while maintaining an atmosphere of safety and relaxation. Bob has 4 grown children and three grandchildren. He loves the beach, grilling out and learning how to train his dogs, Eula and Annie. |
Anna Woodson-Williamson, CPYI 2,000 hour, RYT 500
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Anna For three decades I was an artist who made art, earned art degrees in America and Italy, and taught art in two colleges in Tennessee and North Carolina. In the 1990s I began to practice yoga in Chapel Hill, NC. In the last 10 years I've studied with four of the world's leading yoga teachers in America and Canada.Yoga has taught me the art of going within and finding the energy that can penetrate outward throughout all the layers of my body and mind. Yoga is the most intimate, challenging, and exhilarating of all transformative experiences. I began to teach yoga in 2003 and now find myself teaching a group of people who have begun to open themselves up to the wonder of yoga. As we unveil ourselves over time, we move into one integrative body that turns us into a living new form. Certified in 2006 as a Purna Yoga Teacher with over 2000 hours of teacher training. Certified with Savitri and Aadil Palkhivala (www.purnayoga.com) Advanced training in Yoga Nidra iRest Integrative Restoration with Richard Miller (www.nondual.com) Certified with the late Esther Myers in 2002 (Toronto, Canada) with over 500 hours of teacher training Registered with Yoga Alliance, 500 Hour Level since 2003 MFA in Art at UNC Chapel Hill, NC in 1991 MA in Sculpture, Villa Schifanoia (Florence, Italy) in 1970-1971
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Gayle Murray, CPYI 500 hour, RYT 200
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Through her yoga practice Gayle has discovered another aspect of her deep calling. “I knew at age 12 I would be a teacher….” Having taught in Wake County Schools for 30 years she found her true calling in the wonderful world of yoga. “When I walk in to Purna Yoga East I get such a feeling of being home. My wish is to help others feel welcomed and at home as they too, discover the joy I have found practicing Purna Yoga." All of her activities have been brought to a more enjoyable level by the teachings of Purna Yoga. “Being more present and focused in each moment really brings out a better flavor to everything I do!” She is 2011 graduate of the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course at Purna Yoga East and loves the depth the training brought to her understanding of yoga. Gayle has also studied restorative yoga with Judith H. Lasater and truly enjoys sharing that relaxing practice with her students. She received the Relax and Renew© certification in Restorative Yoga in 2015. And most recently she is a 2017 graduate of the 500 hour training with Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri in the Purna Yoga College, -“a training I would encourage any yoga teacher to pursue!”
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Maria Weber, RYT 200
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Maria began her study of yoga out of a desire to become stronger, to relieve stress and to learn how to heal naturally. Originally from New York, she moved to Clayton with her family in 2006. She’s known her wonderful and supportive husband since sophomore year of college and is very proud of their two amazing kids. Maria is a December 2011 graduate of the Purna Yoga East 200 Hour Teacher Training program. In addition, she has taken several workshops with Aadil Palkhivala, co-founder of Purna Yoga, as well as a Yoga Wall Workshop with Bryan Legere, inventor of The Great Yoga Wall. Maria enjoys sharing her love of yoga with her students, and often speaks of her journey to yoga as life-changing and always growing. In addition to yoga, and spending time with family, Maria loves to cook…and BAKE! Every December, she takes a week off from work for Cookiepalooza, her marathon holiday baking. |
Cheryl Stephenson, CPYI 500 hour
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Cheryl began practicing yoga in 2010 as a way to add new exercise into her life. About four years later, it was clear that yoga was more than exercise. Cheryl enrolled in the 200-Hour College of Purna Yoga teacher training program in 2016, and upon graduation began her 500-Hour teacher training under the tutelage of Aadil Palkhivala. Consistent with her view of life in general, Cheryl’s classes are approachable and designed to accommodate all student levels. Whether leading asana (yoga poses) or meditation, you leave class feeling accepted, comforted and renewed. |
Emily Hurr, CPYI 500 hour, RYT 500
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Emily came to yoga, like a number of others, to help manage stress and maintain energy during her first year of teaching middle school. An intermittent yoga student at first, she soon decided to make a greater commitment to improving her health and finding more balance in her life. She knew that regular yoga practice would hold the key for her to create the kind of evolution she was seeking. Taking classes at Purna Yoga East, Emily felt encouraged and welcomed by the positive energy and soothing environment there. Her interest in yoga as a discipline and philosophy quickly grew, and she made the decision to enroll in the 200 Hour Purna Yoga Teacher Training Program. She graduated from the program in December 2011, and is excited about sharing the beautiful practice she has learned. She has also complete the Purna Yoga College 500 Hour Teacher Training program.
Emily is now offering weekend massage therapy services and appointments on Fridays and Mondays! |
Leslie Waugh, CPYI 500 hour, RYT 500
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Leslie Waugh, RYT 500, started exploring yoga in high school as a way to cope with stress and has been a dedicated student for many years. After studying with Jane Barrett at the Raleigh Yoga Center, she moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005 and took classes at the Iyengar-based Unity Woods Center and other studios. Leslie completed her first teacher-training program in 2008 with Iyengar instructor Bobbi Goldin in Miami. She earned a 200-hour certification in hatha yoga in 2010 from Boundless Yoga in Washington, D.C., where she taught before moving back to North Carolina in late 2011. She has been teaching at Purna Yoga East since January 2013. She completed the College of Purna Yoga’s 200-hour training in June 2014 at Purna Yoga East and the 500-hour certification program with Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri at the Alive and Shine Center in Bellevue, Wash., in November 2015. Leslie loves to share the transformative gifts of asana and meditation for the mind, body and spirit along with her passion for yogic philosophy and heart-opening poetry. She and her husband, Matthew, moved from Apex to Clayton in the summer of 2015. Leslie has a master’s degree in journalism and also works as a freelance editor. |
Cathy Marraccini, RYT 200
Cindy Dray, RYT 200
April Nash, CPYI 500 Hour
Lara Perry
Rebecca Sprowl
Teressa Hackerott RYT 200
Megan Racine
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Cathy has been studying yoga at Purna Yoga East (formerly East Second Street Yoga) since 2006. She began to learn more about yoga after interviewing Catharine Eberhart (PYE director) for an article for the local newspaper, The Clayton News-Star, back in 2002. Although her busy work schedule as news editor at the newspaper and an even busier family life initially kept her from pursuing a yoga practice, once she attended her first yoga class she was hooked!
Over the years, Cathy has experienced the many benefits of yoga, including increased strength and flexibility and a greater sense of well-being that comes with taking time to care for oneself. However, she believes the greatest gift of studying yoga at Purna Yoga East has been the wonderful friendships she has developed with her “yoga buddies” – caring instructors and fellow students. She also has had the privilege of attending workshops with Purna Yoga co-founder and master teacher Aadil Palkhivala as well as Bryan Legere, co-inventor of the Great Yoga Wall. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Cathy and her husband, Jerry, moved to North Carolina in 1988 and to Clayton in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and communications from Buffalo State College, and works as box office manager at The Clayton Center. Cathy received her RYT-200 certification in April 2013, and she is eager to see where this new path on her yoga journey will lead. Cindy began taking Purna Yoga classes in 2010 and has been a dedicated student ever since. Purna yoga offers a unique yoga practice that she was immediately drawn to! She has enjoyed workshops with Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri, co-founders of Purna Yoga, Brad Waites, director at Brad Waites Purna Yoga, and Bryan Legere,co- inventor of The Great Yoga Wall. Cindy is eager to share her yoga experience with others, as she finds yoga and meditation necessary parts of her life. Purna Yoga is the best!!!
Cindy is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Dean.They have two grown sons and sweet daughter-in-law who are always close at heart. In her free time Cindy enjoys painting, cooking, decorating, going to the beach, playing with her retrievers, Stella and Libbie, and cheering for the NCSU Wolfpack and Carolina Panthers. Cindy is a graduate of Peace College and NC State University. An active member of Horne Memorial United Methodist Church, Cindy is involved in weekly Bible Study and United Methodist Women. Cindy graduated from The College of Purna Yoga 200 hour teacher training program in 2014 and is RYT-200 Yoga Alliance registered. She is very excited to share her love of Yoga and enthusiasm for a happy, healthy life. April began studying yoga out of an interest in fitness. She was taking a break from “boot camp” and the gym mentality, and after finding Purna Yoga East, she never went back. From the first class, she felt she had found the perfect solution to an integration of health, fitness and overall well-being. By the end of the beginner sessions, Purna Yoga East felt like her home away from home. She couldn’t get enough. Bob would jokingly tell Catharine that she needed her own key since she was always there. She enrolled in the 200-hour Purna Yoga teacher training to deepen her own practice, not intending to teach. Since graduating she has felt called to share with others the deep love and joy she has found in yoga. She and her husband, Steve, who is now a student at Purna Yoga East, live in Raleigh with their five border collies, two horses and two cats. April graduated from Auburn University with a BS in education. After teaching preschool and elementary students for several years, she made a career shift and is now the Senior Veterinary Technician at Town and Country Veterinary Hospital in Apex. Teaching yoga gives her a way to utilize her degree in education and love for teaching.
Lara developed her love of teaching while living in Japan and Taiwan. Along with her husband, Rick Mercier, she traveled extensively in Asia during this time. They have also resided in Texas, Massachusetts and Virginia, where she worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations. After their daughter, Maya, was born, they returned to North Carolina and had another daughter Ella. Lara loves practicing Purna Yoga for the balance and perspective it brings to everyday life – physically, mentally and spiritually. She is especially enthusiastic about sharing these gifts of Purna Yoga with others. She is a graduate of The College of Purna Yoga 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training program at Purna Yoga East in 2009 and continues her studies attending ongoing yoga classes and attending specialty workshops. Lara teaches prenatal classes and enjoys supporting expecting mothers!
Rebecca Sprowl began her study of yoga in 2010 as part of her exercise routine. She came to Purna Yoga East in 2016 in search of a teacher training course and fell in love with it. "It is so different than any other yoga I have practiced and incorporates all of the things I am passionate about...spirituality, wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness." Rebecca has discovered the benefits of Purna Yoga in all aspects of her life. "It has greatly reduced my stress level and allowed me to be present and efficient in the many roles I have in life...wife, mother, teacher, etc."
Active all her life, Rebecca played competitive soccer growing up. She has run two marathons and several half marathons. She has also participated in several sprint triathlons. While playing coed soccer in Atlanta, Rebecca met her husband. They now have two little soccer players of their own, as their children have carried on their love of the sport. Rebecca has been an elementary school teacher since 1997. She is passionate about working with children and empowering them to be their best self. "As an instructor at Purna Yoga East, I am excited to empower my yoga students to open their hearts and be their best self." Teressa has been active all of her life, enjoying sports, fitness programs, martial arts and scuba diving. Scuba diving excursions to exotic locations brings the family together, her husband and daughter share her love of the ocean and all the creatures that call it home. As a Marine Scientist, her daughter is traveling the world to bring awareness to the conservation needs of our oceans. Teressa has been working with elementary school students for the past twenty years. “My students make my heart smile every day.”
An invitation to Purna Yoga East began an awakening that has brought a beautiful calming peace to her spirit, mind and body. As a life-long learner with a desire to acquire a deeper understanding of Purna Yoga, Asana, Meditation, Nutrition and Yogic Philosophy, she embarked on the path of teacher, at the College of Purna Yoga. HeartFull Meditation has brought a crystal clear awareness of Love and Light, asana developed strength and flexibility as well as relieved her body of stiffness and pain, the yogic path opened her mind to all life has to offer. Teressa has had the pleasure of attending workshops with Aadil Palkhivala, co-founder of Purna Yoga as well as Brad Waites. “ Purna Yoga has been a gift to my life, with joy and gratitude in my heart it is an honor to share these gifts.” Megan was introduced to yoga on the recommendation of a physical therapist to help alleviate pain caused by ice skating. Megan loved yoga from her very first class. She practiced yoga off and on for many years before finding a home-base studio. After finding Purna Yoga East in September 2017, she began a regular practice. Megan graduated from the Purna Yoga College 200 hour teacher training in August 2018. In her free time, Megan enjoys going on adventures with her husband and their two fur babies.
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