Instructors

Chere Avery

Chere Avery has been practicing yoga for 16 years. Two years ago, she received Certificates of Completion for Level I Yoga, Muscular Strength and Range of Motion and Yoga Stretch (Chair Yoga). She currently teaches Yoga not only at Just Breathe Studio, but also Cumberland Village, Trinity Lutheran Home, substitute teaches at H. Odell Weeks Center and conducts private classes in people's homes. Prior to beginning her Yoga career, Chere was a television news anchor for the NBC affiliate in Ft. Myers, FL.

Elena Bradford

Elena has been practicing Yoga for 5 years. She has been a part of the Just Breathe Studio teaching staff since the studio opened. Elena is certified in "Bodyflow," a fusion of Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates, and she incorporates this style in her very popular "Chiogalates" class, which meets at 6:30 Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

"I have a passion for music which is incorporated into my classes for a fun and energetic routine." Elena also teaches "Yoga Stretch" at 5:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.


Deanna Chilian

Recently relocated from Colorado, Deanna has been teaching pilates since 2002. Her training began with a 12-month, 850 hour Body Knowledge pilates training program and a four year apprenticeship with Lara Kolesar. Ms. Kolesar apprenticed with Steve Giordano, a protege of Romana Kryzanowska, and her training program is recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance. The comprehensive apprenticeship focused on Level 1-4 reformer and mat, cadillac, pole system, and chair.

She has also trained with Colleen Glenn, Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and Kathyrn Ross-Nash. Deanna continues to further her study of pilates, and in November 2010 received a certification in the advanced/super-advanced classical pilates repertoire with Richard Rossiter and Pilates of Boulder.

Deanna's personal wellness philosophy: "To find balance as I meld the pursuit of excellence with an acceptance of what is real in the moment, in both my teaching and personal practice, and to seek out those from whom I can learn so that I continue to better serve my clients."


Jeffrey Engel

Jeffrey Engel trained in the Russian Legat-Vaganova ballet system. His professional career included: dancing as soloist with Bonn Germany Stadt Theatre, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, touring as lead dancer with Russian Don Cossack Chorus, and performing as guest artist with concert, opera, and ballet companies throughout the United States and Canada. He also danced in various Equity stock productions.

Mr. Engel has worked at numerous schools, universities and performing arts centers throughout the United States. He has taught and choreographed for beginning through professional dancers in ballet, theater jazz, modern dance, and character dance, and been artistic director for Ballet Today Dance Company.

Mr. Engel holds a Masters of Education degree and has been an elementary teacher and history teacher in middle and high school. He served as dance consultant, establishing the high school PAVE Arts Program (interviewing teachers and auditioning dancers), and also taught contemporary dance classes and choreographed productions.

After many years of studying Pilates, Mr. Engel became a certified instructor and has most recently been teaching classes and private lessons in Aiken. He maintains his certification, and expands his knowledge by attending workshops, and continues to enjoy sharing Pilates.

Shannon Erwin

Shannon has been Pilates certified since 2003. She is also CPR and AED certified with American Red Cross.

Shannon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science from USC-Aiken. She is a certified Physical Education teacher and teaches at Hammond Hills Elementary School and North Augusta Elementary School.

Kristin Henningsen

Kristin Henningsen is a 200 hour certified yoga teacher in the Embodyoga style. With a background in the biological sciences as well as alternative healing therapies, her practice reflects her passion for the scientific, spiritual, and therapeutic aspects of yoga. Kristin's classes explore flowing sequences as well as deep holding of postures, which calms, strengthens, and invigorates the body and mind. Students at all levels of experience and ability are welcome.

Liz Hoffman

Liz started practicing yoga while attending college in Philadelphia for general exercise and quickly discovered the stress managing power of yoga. With over a decade of actively practicing, she uses yoga as a tool to either settle her nerves and to raise her energy. Having earned her 200 hr certification in Pranakriya yoga in 2009, Liz enjoys sharing her knowledge of yoga to help others strive towards a balanced and fulfilled life. Currently, she is studying towards her 500 hr Pranakriya certification.

Molly Quinn Hunt

M.A. Exercise Physiology, University of Maryland 1990 Instructor, Exercise Science, USCA
American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer 2009
Certified Yoga Instructor Yogafit 2002
Certified Pilates Instructor NDEITA 2003
Certified in Body Training Systems
Certifed First Aid and CPR Instructor, Heartsaver and BLS, American Heart Association
Member of IDEA

Lane Karmiol

Lane Karmiol experienced her first taste of yoga from a Rodney Yee DVD in 1999. Since then her personal practice has revolved around the various styles of Power Yoga, Bikram, Anusara, Kundalini, and Kripalu. In 2007 Lane received her 200-hour Teaching Certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Lane's classes incorporate elements of both vinyasa flow to gracefully invigorate the body and also sustained postures to receive wide-ranging therapeutic benefits. Through her humble, easy, and playful teaching style, she invites students to embrace a non-judgmental awareness of their bodies and minds. "I hope my classes provide the space for my students, beginners through advanced, to get inquisitive about their bodies, relax their grip on the inner dialogue, and allow their minds to settle on the steady rise and fall of the breath."

Lane has recently moved to Aiken from Greville-Hague, France with her husband (who gave her that Rodney Yee DVD in 1999) and her two-year-old daughter.

Shelley Onderdonk

Shelley started practicing yoga in 1997 in the Sivananda style, and obtained her teacher certification from the White Lotus Foundation. Born in San Mateo, CA, she grew up loving the outdoors, sports, dance and music, and has embraced yoga as a continuation of her lifelong interest in both movement and health. Her teaching style incorporates vinyasa theory of linking the asanas, or postures of yoga, with the meditative benefits of yoga via the breath. She emphasizes that each student should find his or her individual path in the practice of yoga, with the goal of increasing self awareness of the body and mind.

Shelley lives with her husband, Adam Snow, and their three children on their horse farm in Aiken, SC. A graduate of Yale (BA) and UGA (DVM), she is a veterinarian specializing in acupuncture and athletic performance in her predominantly equine patients.

Trig Penland

Trig was born & grew up in England. She worked as a Registered Nurse in England & France. In 1966 she married Richard Penland and they lived in France & Germany. They moved the States where they lived in Aiken SC, Pennsylvania and Texas. Then, after spending a few years in Saudi Arabia they returned to Texas and finally landed back in Aiken in 1984.

She has four married children and ten grandchildren and she loves her life as a homemaker. She is an active member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church.

She has played tennis, racquetball and done aerobics. For the past five years Trig has been practicing the Long Form of the Yang Style Tai Chi. In 2009 she participated in a weekend workshop with Master Yang himself.

Tania Tipene

Pranakriya accredited yoga instructor 2008 (200 hours), Zumba accredited instructor 2008, Body Flow accredited instructor 2007, AFTA accredited Personal Trainer 2007, Tai Chi/Fan/Broadsword workshops 2005-2009.

Victoria Institute of Sport accredited Judge women's artistic 2000, South Australian Gymnastic association coach 1998, AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) level one coach 1996, FIFA Sport Aerobics Judge/Coach 1995, South Australia Institute of Sport accredited Group Fitness Leader, Physical Conditioning, Fitness testing, Circuit training, Aqua aerobics 1988-1992.

Tania has always been a physical being participating in Gymnastics at an early age. She progressed to Aerobics and Sport aerobic competitions and personal training before discovering Yoga at age 37. Tania rounded out her "physicalness" with the internal study of Yoga and Tai Chi. "I live to breathe."