At North Main Yoga, we are committed to hiring teachers that are well trained and can teach students at any stage of their yoga practice. Teachers that are part of the North Main Yoga family have attended reputable, in-depth training programs and have committed yoga practices themselves. Please feel free to experience and partake in classes from any and all of our teachers.

Janice Batson has been studying yoga for 15 years and teaching for 8. She is trained in the Iyengar method. In 1998, she received her certification from Lighten Up! Yoga in Asheville. Since then she has gone on to mentor other teachers and be an assistant to Lillah Schwartz at Lighten Up's teacher training program. She has also continued her studies with other certified Iyengar teachers including Rodney Yee, Aadil Palkivalla, Dean Lerner, Jan Campbell, and Roger Cole. Iyengar yoga was determined best for beginners by Newsweek Magazine. This method allows students to progress at their own rate with the use of props and modifications of the poses. Janice was voted "Best Yoga Teacher in the Upstate" by Greenville Magazine in 2004. She attributes her success to keen observation of her students and detailed knowledge of the poses allowing each student to progress in their practice without injury or discouragement. Janice is currently working toward her 500-hour registration with Yoga Alliance.

Emma Chandler started her practice of yoga in 1994 with Norman Allen on the Big Island of Hawaii. Norman Allen was one of the first Westerners to learn Ashtanga yoga in Mysore with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His love and dedication to Ashtanga yoga is free flowing and passes easily over to his students. Emma completed her RYT through Yoga Haus in Greenville in 2005, and has studied at other intervals with Stephanie Keach, Mary Kay West, Max Strom, Todd Norian, Richard Freeman, and Manju Jois. Most recently she has studied with R. Sharath and Saraswati at the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, where she hopes to continue her studies in the years to come. Emma has been teaching since 1998.

Brian is a devoted yoga practitioner and teacher, as well as co-owner of North Main Yoga. In order to supplement his Tai Chi, Brian took his first yoga class at Atlanta Yoga in 1997. He then moved to Venice, California and began practicing with Bryan Kest and Max Strom. Brian received his teacher training with Max Strom and physical therapist Sherry Brourman (of Sacred Movement- now Exhale- in Venice, CA) in 2001. In 2004, Brian graduated with honors from the Therapeutic Massage Training Institute and is a licensed massage bodywork therapist. In May of 2010, he completed a 2nd teacher training, Yoga as a Way of Life, with Max Strom and Jamie Elmer, bringing new ideas to his classes. Brian is available for corporate yoga lessons and massage therapy. You can contact him via email or phone, 864.241.0870.

Liz is a teacher at CCES, co-owner of North Main Yoga, and believes yoga is a key to personal transformation. She began her practice in 1997, but did not become a devoted practitioner until she was introduced to Max Strom in 2000. In 2001, Liz completed her teacher training with Max Strom and physical therapist Sherry Brourman in Los Angeles, CA. During her first pregnancy, Liz attended prenatal training at Yoga Vermont and has continued to study yoga for women at all stages of their lives. Since her move to Greenville, Liz continues to study the breath, yoga, philosophy, and ethics with Max. She considers his teachings and friendship an inspiration both on and off the mat. Liz tries to visit and learn from Max at least twice per year to deepen her knowledge and studies. Like her mentor and teacher, Liz believes yoga aligns us with our higher selves and helps us evolve into human beings that are more compassionate. Liz has completed her requirements with Yoga Alliance to become an E-RYT (Experienced- Registered Yoga Teacher). This enables her to lead teacher trainings and teacher training events.

Jennifer began her hatha yoga practice at home and continued an at-home practice until her friend, Melissa (a student at North Main Yoga), introduced her to NMY in 2005. Jennifer now considers the studio to be her home away from home. She completed her 230-hour vinyasa flow yoga certification at North Main Yoga with Brian & Liz Delaney in May 2008, and she is registered with Yoga Alliance. She believes that a non-competitive physical practice leads to a more balanced state of being while simultaneously preparing the mind for meditation. As a women’s health yoga teacher, her philosophy is to focus on breath and intention in order to help women of all stages of life develop a balanced, compassionate practice. In addition to teaching adults, Jennifer, a middle school English teacher, teaches children ages 4-14 in an after-school yoga program at her school. She is particularly interested in yoga as an intervention strategy for today’s youth.

Caroline has taught Sivananda Yoga for 15 years in California, the Bahamas, New York and for 5 years in Greenville. She was on staff at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas for 10 years and was an assistant teacher in their International Teacher Training Course. Caroline continues her studies each year to share this knowledge with her students. In the words of her teachers: Health is Wealth, Peace of Mind is Happiness. Yoga shows the Way.

Craig is a Greenville native and a graduate of North Main Yoga’s Teacher Training program. Craig continues to deepen his knowledge of teaching and yoga in working closely with Brian as his mentor. He is a Registered Yoga Teacher and also practices and teaches meditation. Craig’s goal is to lead his students to increased strength and flexibility as well as an increased state of peaceful awareness. Relaxation through deep breathing and meditation techniques and are strong elements of Craig’s classes. (Craig’s classes are appropriate for all student levels.)

Kelly owes her passion for yoga and its transformative nature to her teachers, namely Max Strom, and his students--Jamie Elmer of the Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, and Liz and Brian Delaney of North Main Yoga. She teaches that breath is the key to change and healing on all levels. She teaches vinyasa and Yin yoga with the belief that yoga can be accessible and beneficial for everyone, no matter their physical condition. Kelly has studied applied yoga anatomy with Jamie Elmer, Yin Yoga with Shala Worsley from the Asheville Yoga Center, and Thai yoga massage with therapist Lia Pardy, also from Asheville. She graduated from the Asheville School of Massage & Yoga. Visit www.kvlmassage.com.

Email us at nmyoga@bellsouth.net with any further questions you may have. Namaste.