Pamela Cauthen Meriwether, E-RYT
Pam began her yoga practice in 1999 and is certified by the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level, having completed more than 460 hours of training. Pam is a dedicated student of master teacher, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, of ParaYoga. She is currently pursuing her 500-hour RYT, and a ParaYoga Master Teacher certification under the guidance of Rod Stryker. In addition, Pam has undertaken further studies with Stephanie Keach, Shiva Rea, Mary Dunn, David Swenson, Gary Kraftsow, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Patricia Walden, Desiree Rumbach, and Manju Jois. She brings to her practice a background in ballet, fitness, and physiology, including choreographing and leading 5 nationally released fitness videos for The FIRM.
Pam believes that there is no one style of yoga that suits every person. Even one individual's needs change throughout his/her life. She believes that all yoga can be both immediately beneficial and a path to long-term well-being and fulfillment. In pursuit of the latter goal, she strives to bring more of the ancient wisdom of historical yoga teachings into every yoga class. She finds true joy in assisting others on their own unique paths. Pam was one of the original founders of Amsa Studios in 2005, and enjoys being a busy wife, mother, and stepmother.
Pam teaches Yoga and meditation classes.
Anne Miller was born in Ohio, but calls Columbia home after being here more than 20 years. She is a busy wife and mother to two boys. She was a dance major at Columbia College and has been a fitness instructor since 1986. She is an ACE certified personal trainer and received her yoga certification through YogaFit. Her love for yoga continues to grow as she pursues further studies in this ancient discipline.
Anne teaches Yoga classes.
Philip Mullen, E-RYT began his 200 hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu in 2003 with Michael Carroll (Yoganand) and Sue Jenkins (Rashmi). He has done additional training at Kripalu, Satchidananda Ashram and Earthdance. He is certified in Thai Yoga, levels 1, 2, and 3 by Jonas Westring. He has just completed the nine day meditation module for his 500 hour teacher certification at Kripalu with Jonathan Foust (Sudir).
Philip teaches Yoga classes.
Kimberley's personal practice began in 2003 and quickly became a life changing passion. Her love of Zen meditation, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga have inspired her to share the healing powers of Yoga with others. She is passionate about helping students find connections between their practice on the mat and in their everyday lives. Kimberley's classes will challenge you as they guide you to practice from a place of honest exploration, acceptance, and personal freedom. The result is a fun and educational class that empowers each student to create their own practice, using their own strengths and weaknesses. Kimberley's authentic, warm and lighthearted spirit will encourage you to find your own yoga voice! Classes will be fun and challenging and know that your needs will be well-tended.
Kimberley has been blessed to find beautiful and inspiring teachers in Thich Nhat Hanh, Stephanie Keach, Shala Worsley, Erich Schiffmann, Paul Grilley, Scott Blossom, Michael Stone, Tim Miller, David Williams, David Swenson, Doug Keller, and the countless other shining souls that she meets along the path daily.
Kimberley practices and teaches meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and received the transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings from him in October of 2011.
Kimberley and her husband John are the grateful owners of Amsa Yoga.
Kristina Cooper received her 230 hour teaching certification at Amsa Yoga under the direction of Stephanie Keach of the Asheville Yoga Center. She originally turned to yoga to supplement her passion for dance but soon discovered that the benefits of yoga reach far beyond the physical body. The meditative aspects of Vinyasa yoga calm her spirit and mind, and she is excited to help others discover the benefits of this beautiful practice. She is forever grateful to all of her teachers, especially to Kimberley Puryear and Lisa Benner, for sharing their gifts and guidance. In addition to practicing yoga and dancing, Kristina spends her time practicing law.
Joe Kovaz was introduced to the practice of yoga while in high school by one of his teachers. He began practicing yoga consistently 3 years ago, when he discovered Amsa Yoga and has been practicing with the Amsa community ever since.
Joe's love of Ashtanga yoga has led him to study and learn as much as he can about this tradition. He has studied with David WIlliams and practices the mysore format in Atlanta with Todd Roderick.
Joe earned his Yoga Alliance 230 hour teacher certification in Asheville, NC under the direction of Stephanie Keach, and has studied with Shala Worsley, Michael Johnson, and Joe Taft. The amazing experience in Asheville and the teachers at AYC have deeply transformed his yoga practice and has ignited his desire to continue learning.
When he is not practicing yoga or meditation, Joe is a High School Chemistry and Physics teacher, and has started a "Yoga Club" program for the kids at the school where he teaches.
Joe is very excited to be teaching at Amsa and is excited to share his passion and commitment to a yogic practice and lifestyle with the Amsa community.
Pamela Cauthen Meriwether, E-RYT 500 With over 2,000 hours of teaching experience, Pam is certified by the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. She continues learning as a dedicated student of Yogarupa, Rod Stryker, and is currently pursuing a ParaYoga Master Teacher certification under his guidance.
Pam loves all things yogic and is devoted to teaching yoga. She began her practice in 1999, during her first pregnancy, and her passion for yoga grew from there. Pam weaves some aspect of the ancient wisdom of historical yoga teachings into every yoga class, and finds true joy in assisting others on their own unique paths. In sharing yoga with each individual, she strives to inspire in others the peace, well being, balance, harmony, and understanding that yoga has brought to her own life.
Pam has also been blessed to study with Stephanie Keach, Shiva Rea, Mary Dunn, David Swenson, Gary Kraftsow, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Patricia Walden, Barbara Benagh, Desiree Rumbach, and Manju Jois, who have all played important roles in her journey. She brings to her practice and teaching a background in ballet, fitness, and physiology, including choreographing and leading 5 nationally released fitness videos. Pam views her entire life as her practice --in her case, a practice of being not only a yoga teacher, but also a yoga student, busy wife, mother, stepmother, and community volunteer. She was one of the original founders of Amsa Studios in 2005, and enjoys watching this community grow and evolve with new perspectives and new energy.
Shannon Phillips, RYT It was soon after graduating college with a B.S. in psychology that Shannon truly discovered yoga. Shortly after, in July 2009, Shannon moved from Charleston, SC to Santa Cruz, CA to delve deeper into her practice by participating in Mark Stephen's 200-hour yoga teacher training and in-depth studies program. Upon completion, she returned to South Carolina to begin a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling at the USC School of Medicine. For Shannon, the practice of yoga offers a sense of being grounded, light, and present. She wishes to share yoga with others and hopes you will come share your practice!
Helen Summer, RYT After turning to Yoga for pain relief, Helen quickly became interested in all aspects of the practice. She appreciates connecting the body, breath, and mind for an experience of well-being and peace. Having discovered her practice later in life, Helen has compassion for those beginning their Yoga journey and those with physical limitations. It's a practice, not a perfect.
Helen completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Holy Cow Yoga Center, Charleston, South Carolina. She is enrolled in the Advanced Studies Program at Holy Cow and is registered with the Yoga Alliance.
TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
We are SO happy to share the gift of Yoga with others and are commited to cultivating a diverse and supportive Yoga community. This begins with love and compassion and a desire to help folks relax and become healthier, happier human beings.
If you share our love of Yoga and are a compassionate, caring and well-trained Yoga instructor we would love to meet you! Come take some classes and introduce yourself. We welcome all Yoga disciplines, but a minimum 200 hour certification is required of our instructors.
For more information please contact Kimberley at amsayogasc@yahoo.com.