Instructors

My vision for Shine Yoga is to be the kind of studio where everyone feels safe to practice and open themselves up to the kind of healing that comes from self-awareness, stillness together with movement, shared community with other warm and accepting souls. We know that doing yoga has nothing to do with your body type, flexibility, or previous experience. In fact, our previous owner used to often say, “If you can breathe, then you can do yoga.”

Armed with a degree in music theatre and a heart for helping others, I blindly set out into the big world in the late 90’s with very little direction and no plan. I had no idea who I was or what I wanted and my path unfolded very slowly. I took my first yoga class at the Hampton Family YMCA in 2000 and I was hooked! I finally gave in to the burning desire to pursue yoga as a teacher in 2005 when I was pregnant with my son. There are few things that have fit me so well. I love the physical practice of the asanas and the yogic principles of lovingkindness and simplicity and stillness, just for starters.

After a daughter in 2008 and a divorce in 2010, I decided it was time to define who I was and what I really wanted to do with my life! I received my life coach certification in February 2013 and moved to Virginia Beach in July the same year and became a new bride at 38! There are few things that teach you more about yourself than a second marriage. It’s been a huge blessing.

My experience in helping to run a small business varies from a yacht broker to a small site design firm to my own relationship coaching practice! These experiences have prepared me for some of the more challenging aspects of small business ownership. But I am much more at home in a yoga studio! This transition has felt very much like coming to center for me since yoga and meditation have been such a big part of my life for so long.

Matt and I live practically right around the corner from the studio with our four middle and high-school aged children and our two dogs. In a transition to a world geographically 45 minutes from my home but a world away from the culture, I feel so much like I am where I am supposed to be. It is so important to me to share that level of joy and peace with others through the practice of yoga.

Originally from Philadelphia, Virginia Beach became home for Robert in 1990 after a long career competing in outdoor motocross. After involvement in tennis, running and mountain biking, he was introduced to yoga while recovering from severe sciatica. Robert fell in love with yoga immediately and completed 200 hr training with Yax Yoga Concepts in 2012. “The eight limb path of yoga has offered a menu of life-changing focuses that I am passionate to share with others. I feel so blessed to be able to do this “. Currently teaching yoga with the City of Virginia Beach MHSA program, Robert has recently started teaching indoor paddleboard classes as well. He offers a relaxing, laid back fun atmosphere. An avid outdoorsman his passions include canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and nature photography.

I started practicing yoga in 1990. As a wife, a stay at home mom of 3 teenagers and attending college full time, I felt the need to participate in an activity that would fulfill my needs on a physical and mental level. Yoga was the best fit plus a yoga studio had just opened near my home.

I can account from experience, the healing powers of yoga as a 16 year cancer survivor. I meditated through chemo and visualized my daily practice which got me through the ordeal. My physician recognized my positive perspective and resilience that came from my practice. My husband witnessed how my practice worked, he started going to yoga with me in 2005 and hasn’t stopped. I may not be able to do the perfect physical poses but mentally and spiritually I’m there.

My Sankalpa is to be teaching and helping individuals that may be going through a trying time regardless of their situation, that they can be present, breathe and heal.

Jackie sought yoga after a significant illness 42 years ago and she’s been practicing ever since. Originally from England, Jackie came to the States 22 years ago when her husband took a job here. She received her 200-hour teacher training in 2009 and her 300 hour in 2014 – both from Angela Phillips.

New to teaching at Shine, Jackie is a perfect fit for our team of easy-going and compassionate instructors. Having practiced at Shine for three years, it was a natural choice to have Jackie officially join the team.

Jackie and her husband have a small cottage in Kill Devil Hills where they like to occasionally escape and enjoy the great outdoors. They have two daughters and four grandchildren plus three large granddogs. Jackie’s currently an early childhood special education teacher’s assistant at Kempsville Elementary and when she’s not wondering if we’ll ever be back in school, Jackie loves to play golf, ride her bike and go kayaking.

Kristy has been teaching Christ-Centered Yoga since 2003. She is a wife of 37 years, a mom of 4, grandmother of 4. As a massage therapist and registered nurse, she sought greater physical balance through yoga. The yoga mat ultimately became a place to deepen her relationship with Spirit, develop greater self-awareness and have fun. Her practice offerings are Christ-centered yoga, massage therapy, and spiritual direction. 

Andrea is a Drug Regulatory Specialist, Chemistry Doctoral Candidate, and 200-hour Certified Yoga Instructor. She found yoga after starting her PhD and has been practicing yoga for five years now. She did a 200-hour program with the National Yoga Academy where she studied the Hatha and Yin styles of yoga and became a certified yoga instructor in 2019. Andrea has also studied Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, which provides a more holistic approach to health. Her teaching experience includes chemistry, yoga, and dance. What she loves most about yoga is that it is great for both the body and the mind, because while the body benefits from movement, the mind benefits from stillness.