Colin Russell, Owner/E-RYT

Colin has always been an active person, from competing in athletics throughout his life, from receiving his certification as a personal trainer in 2002 (NSCA-CPT) to graduating with a Masters in Sports Management. Years ago, Colin realized something was missing from his training routine. The answer, YOGA! Though his training routines have changed throughout the years, yoga has always remained a constant.

Colin began practicing Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga while living in Boston, MA. He loves how yoga challenges you in the most comprehensive way, both mind and muscle. Colin’s practice has evolved greatly since he rolled out his mat for the very first time. Finding a home at Inner Strength Studio in Watertown, MA under the influence of wonderful instructors his practice grew. Not long after, he began participating in a number of Baptiste Immersions and Trainings, including, Baptiste’s, Foundations in Action & Level One Training, and Being of Power and Art of Assisting. He has also completed an additional RYT-200 training in vinyasa flow with Carson Efird, here in Raleigh, which gave him an even greater sense of what the practice truly has to offer both spiritually and mentally.

Colin is excited to share Cary Flow Yoga within the Cary & Raleigh, NC yoga community, as teaching is a way for him to express his passion for yoga. His journey continues with a sense of humor and a commitment to his students and the community.

Diala Hamed

Diala was introduced to yoga as a college freshman in Wilmington N.C. After her first class, she noticed the immediate release of tension in her physical body. As she continued taking classes, she noticed how much more relaxed her mind was too. This realization sparked her curiosity about the philosophy of yoga, and lead to her desire to learn the how’s and why’s of yoga.

She received 200-hour CYT in the Caribbean town, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Under a straw hut in the rainforest surrounded by sloths and exotic reptiles, she learned the practices of pranayama, asana, chanting, and many more techniques which when practiced, ultimately help us become our most humble and content selves. She has since taught and participated in yoga across the globe. In addition to her studies, Diala has spent ten days in silent meditation in New Zealand to better understand her mind. 

Yoga has taught Diala to ride the waves of life instead of trying to fight them. She believes wherever you are, your practice is always enough, but when you’re ready she’ll give you the extra push to pass the limits of your mind.

Elissa Smith

Elissa has always had a love for yoga long before she knew it had a name.  She has been practicing officially for over 10 years and teaching for 5.  She received her first yoga certification through Jiva Yoga Center in Hilton Head, SC.  In 2013, Elissa completed a 200 hour Baptiste affiliate training and advanced Edge Training with Dancing Dogs Yoga.  Elissa’s classes challenge students to step out of their comfort zone, have breakthroughs and create new possibilities through the mind, body, and spirit.

Jamie McQuiggan

Jamie McQuiggan’s first yoga experience was as a high schooler. She left the room in a fit of giggles -it was *so lame* –  and didn’t return to the mat for many years. Several years ago, unhappy at her job as a technical writer and stressed out as a new mom, she tried getting on the mat again and something clicked. As a swimmer growing up and in college and a (one-time) marathon runner, Jamie is naturally drawn toward intense physical challenges, and hot yoga fit that bill. And what’s more, she found through slowing down, breathing, and challenging her balance, she was able to access the mental benefits of yoga. She found the courage to follow her heart, which led to her quitting her job and becoming a yoga teacher.*

Jamie did her 200-hour teacher training at Indigo Hot Yoga in Raleigh. She loves to create flows that challenge students physically and give them space to find that mental and emotional connection that can lead to deeper personal insight and growth. She also loves the way yoga can highlight how different life can be day-to-day, maybe one day you can balance in Eagle pose all day and the next you’re a wobbly mess! Making peace with these fluctuations, and coping with our humanity and imperfections, is an amazing takeaway from the practice of yoga.

*results not typical.

Jennifer Stanigar

Jennifer embarked on the yogic journey in 1996 while living in Jamaica. Her dedication and love for the practice led her to Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts where she completed her first teacher training in 2000. She was one of the first yoga teachers at Shakti Mind Body Fitness in Kingston, Jamaica, where she continued to teach and actively participate in the growing yoga community until her return to the U.S. in 2009.

She has led workshops and lectured in YA-approved yoga teacher training programs, in addition to serving the Raleigh community as part of a network of teachers who bring yoga into the local prisons. Jennifer regularly attends retreats and training certifications, and she is a certified prenatal yoga teacher and Thai Yoga therapist. Jennifer offers an integrated practice of pranayama, asana, meditation, and deep relaxation in her classes. She shares her love of yoga through skillful teaching and compassionate presence and encourages students toward deepening their individual practice.

Lisa Wilder

After introducing TRX small group training to a major branch of YMCA of the Triangle, Lisa found Cary Flow Yoga and has been teaching TRX here since December 2014. Originally from Boston, Lisa moved to North Carolina from Hoboken, NJ.  Lisa has a Masters in Nutrition and Mass Communications from Boston University.

Active in fitness since early childhood, Lisa’s interest in core and balance work started in her driveway on her pogo stick and balance board then moved into tree climbing, cycling, and other forms of fitness such as competitive tennis, swimming, soccer, racing sailboats, skiing, rollerblading and jazz dance.

Lisa is certified in TRX Group Suspension training with advanced training at TRX Workshops, Trainer Summits and is a TRX Core Member.  In May 2017, Lisa became a Certified Health and Wellness Coach from Wellcoaches School of Coaching.  She holds multiple fitness certifications including AFAA Group Fitness and Personal Training and several sub specialties including Pilates, Barre, Zumba and YUSA’s Moving for Better Balance. Lisa leads and instructs LiveStrong at the YMCA, a 12-week mind/body and fitness program for adult Cancer Survivors.

Lisa has been practicing yoga for a number of years but it was not until she became a TRX teacher at Cary Flow Yoga that she discovered Power Vinyasa Yoga and she was hooked. Lisa is a certified 200-hour yoga teacher though our yoga teacher training program at Cary Flow Yoga. When she’s not teaching or taking fitness classes, Lisa enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, son and Shih Tzu dog.

Marie-Eve Joos

Born in the countryside of southern France, Marie-Eve spent most of her childhood surrounded by horses due to her mom running a non-profit organization designed to protect mistreated/senior horses. Because of this, she has always been passionate about nature and leading an active lifestyle. She went on to study Pharmacy in Montpellier, and after finishing school she worked in Europe for a couple of years before being transferred to North Carolina in 2012.

Her first experience with yoga didn’t come until a friend convinced her to take a class in 2014. Ever since that day she immediately became fascinated by how much yoga has to offer and found it to be the perfect escape from the day to day stress. She began practicing regularly which transpired to her wanting to teach.  She completed her RYT-200 training in Power Yoga in 2018 (with CorePower Yoga in Raleigh). Since then, she began sharing her passion for yoga with friends and family by showing them that yoga is not only fun but anyone can do it!

When she is not working or practicing yoga, Marie-Eve loves to travel, she enjoys hikes and any kind of outdoors activities. She also volunteers her time locally by taking care of horses on a farm in Raleigh.

Seneca McCue 

Seneca is originally from the tri-state area. Growing up she would spend her afternoons in the dance studio where she found her love for fitness and movement. Since college, Seneca has enjoyed trying different fitness programs and became excited about the possibility of helping others achieve their goals by teaching!

Seneca enjoys TRX because of its versatility. The amount of exercises you can do are endless and she uses this to challenge her students with new material each week. Seneca is certified in TRX Functional and Group Training, Pilates Suspension Method, is AFAA certified in Group Fitness, and holds a certification as NASM-CPT. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga teacher through our Yoga Teacher Training program at Cary Flow Yoga.

Seneca lives in Cary with her husband, two children, and two dogs. When Seneca is not at Cary Flow she enjoys traveling, paddle boarding, skiing, and cooking. You can also find her in the NICU working as a nurse.

Tara Ann Carroll

Tara was a yoga student for over 8 years before quitting her job in the corporate world and deepening her yoga practice through teacher training at JOURNEYoga in Arlington, VA in 2017. Her family relocated to Raleigh in January 2018, and she enrolled in prenatal yoga training at Blue Point Yoga in Durham while pregnant herself. The training was a transformative experience for her, and she is excited to be a part of this special and powerful time in a woman’s life. Tara’s goal is to create a supportive community of mamas, where you might just meet lifelong friends. When not practicing yoga, you can find Tara traveling around the world every so often with her husband, enjoying the great outdoors with her daughter and friends, or (most commonly) relaxing at home with her family.

Chelsea Smith

Chelsea is originally from a small town near the Outer Banks and moved to the Raleigh area in 2010. She graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Chelsea started practicing yoga in 2015 and soon discovered how the practice can reduce anxiety and stress, give clarity of mind, and strengthen self-awareness.

Her classes guide students’ movement with each breath, quieting the mind, and strengthening the body. Chelsea is inspired to share the physical and mental benefits that yoga brings to others and is a true believer that yoga does not require flexibility or being “good” at the practice, it only requires a willingness to learn and come to the mat as you are. Outside of her passion for yoga, Chelsea loves to read books, go hiking, and spend time with her husband and 2 rescue dogs.

Sara Fagel

I took my first (hot) yoga class at a time in my life when I was desperately seeking balance and purpose. I had no idea what to expect – but for the first time in my life, I was able move out of my head and into my body. I felt my mind quite. I left the class feeling a sense of calm and peace I had never experienced before. Needless to say, it rocked my world and I was hooked! The practice of yoga is truly healing and has taught me how to connect with and use my breath, how to surrender to what is, and most importantly – how to let go. Yoga is so much more than the physical aspect and I believe every single human can benefit from yoga. In a world where we can feel so disconnected from ourselves, from each other, yoga is a place you can show up as you are, reconnect with yourself and take that feeling out into the world and share it with others. That’s what it’s all about! I love to explore different and unique sequencing paired with some fun jams! My hope is that every student leaves class feeling a little lighter, a little more peaceful, and a lot more grounded. Hope to see you soon!

Carolina Chavez

Carolina is originally from a small coast town in Chile and moved to the Raleigh area in 2014. Being passionate in leading a healthy active lifestyle, Carolina added yoga into her life.

She started practicing yoga back in 2011 and discovered the physical, mental and spiritual changes it brought into her life. In 2017 she decided to share her passion and completed her RYT-200 training in Power Yoga (with CorePower Yoga in Raleigh). When she’s not teaching, Carolina loves traveling, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Pamela’s classes feature a wide variety of music genres that are both uplifting as well as meditative, attentive to alignment, and flowing asana sequences. 

Ange Blais

Yoga came into my life years ago and never left. I started practicing at a Baptiste affiliated studio in Rochester, NY (where I’m from). Since then yoga has been a practice that I’ve been able to commit to and enjoy regularly. I have always been an athlete but once I discovered yoga I experienced changes physically, mentally, and even emotionally (you might catch me crying in pigeon pose 😉 ). Yoga has been there for me and supported me in ways I never knew I needed. That’s why I teach, to share in that, to bring the joys of yoga to anyone interested!

I am RYT 200 hour trained in Power Yoga (Corepower Raleigh). I’ve been teaching yoga since May 2018 and have co-lead power trainings as well. I am a worker bee for sure but love to play music, taste new beers, and play recreational sports in my free time. See you on your mat!

Cyndi Karoly

The first time I incorporated yoga into my regular exercise routine was in 2001 while pregnant with my son.  I found it to be a safe way to continue exercising safely, right up until delivery. After that, I enjoyed the full variety of yoga classes available to support my regular activities and maintain health.  I am an avid outdoorswoman. My yoga practice ensures that I have the strength, endurance and flexibility to hike all day, climb rocks and play in streams. My yoga practice will allow me to keep doing what I love for as long as I live.  I took the plunge into yoga teacher training at Cary Flow Yoga and joined the instructor team in 2019. I’ve found joining the community of instructors and students at Cary Flow Yoga to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  

I live in Apex with my husband Ed and our two dogs.  We are the proud parents of a beautiful son Roman who is majoring in 3D Animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design.  We love traveling to explore artistic and outdoor activities.