Susan, co-owner of Om Shanti Yoga, brings nearly 30 years of teaching experience to her practice. She is certified in both Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga, skillfully blending these styles to create a flowing Vinyasa-based class with a strong emphasis on alignment. Prior to opening Om Shanti, she owned a yoga and wellness studio in Cleveland, Ohio.

Susan has a strong passion for health and overall wellness. She has diverse experience in the health field, including nursing, healthcare consulting, personal fitness, and nutritional coaching. Additionally, Susan is a chef and occasionally offers cooking classes, combining her love for health and nutrition with her culinary skills.

Daryl, co-owner of Om Shanti Yoga, received his 200 hour certification from Franklin St. Yoga of Chapel Hill in 2014 and his 500 hour certification from Hot Asana Yoga University in 2024. He continues to develop his passion for Yoga through attending workshops and additional training. He has had a regular yoga practice since 2011. His classes include reflection, flowing asana connecting the breath with movement, fun, and renewal. Currently Daryl is teaching a slow flow class but has experience teaching Power yoga, Yin and Restorative. He is grateful for these teachers who have influenced his practice: Lori Burgwyn, Susan Hearn, Alexandra DeSiato Marano, and Dana Haine. He loves bringing the joy and benefits of Yoga to others. When not on his mat, he enjoys local traveling and spending time with friends and family. He has a very supportive wife of 41 years, two lovely daughters, a wonderful son-in law, and the cutest granddaughter and grandson ever.

Mary, co-founder of Om Shanti Yoga, first discovered yoga in 2003 at Gold’s Gym Burlington taught by Diane Hall. She knew she was crossing over into the wonderful world of teaching yoga when she tried to figure out what was next in the sequence of Diane’s asana. She started her teacher training with Yogasteps (2004) but completed the Triad Yoga Institute 200 hour teacher training in 2010. She has her MS in Sport Psychology from Florida State University (2002) and her BA in Psychology from East Carolina University (1999). She is the Town of Morrisville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director (2022). She is passionate about her student’s desire to discover yoga and start them on their journey of bliss.

She is a believer in living in the moment and one of her mantras is everything happens for a reason. One such experience happened when she coached Susan’s son Taylor in 2007 as his Age Group coach for the YBAC Hurricanes. Through a mutual friend the two connected and started working towards opening the doors of Om Shanti (est. May 2009).

Mary credits her yoga practice for teaching her the value of being patient, quiet and learning to listen. She is blessed with a loving husband, Brian and three children Berkley, Linen and Jameson.

Jill Clayton Dunn has been in the healing arts since 1995. As a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, combined with over 500 hours of yoga training, her teachings encourage her students to learn true yoga. The word “Yoga” is from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” meaning “to join”, “to yoke” or “to unite”. Her formal training is a blend of Purna Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga. Beckoning her students to the crossroads of their true essence in body, mind, and spirit, the invitation for the body’s innate wisdom to heal, through opening, strengthening, and inquiring is revealed.

Yoga found Jessica after she began suffering from lower back pain. A short 30-minute daily home practice eliminated the pain in just a few weeks. With the pain gone and feeling better than before, she started seeking out yoga classes at her local gym. When the opportunity to become a certified teacher presented itself, she pursued this new found passion. She completed her 200hr training from Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga with Ann Stevens in 2016 and completed training in Yoga4Cancer with Tari Prinster in 2017. Jessica believes yoga is for everybody. She views the traditional poses as a template and helps students adjust their pose until they find the ideal balance between alignment and function. Her classes emphasize breath work throughout with a high focus on muscular and skeletal strength and stability. At the root of her teaching is the belief that each practitioner knows their body best and she strives to help her students build that knowledge and belief in themselves.

Lisa completed her 200-hour Live in Discovery Teacher Training Program in 2018 and her 300-hour Caroline Wybar Yoga in 2021. She loves all different styles of yoga and you will usually find her teaching Vinyasa-based classes and her new favorite Myofascial Release. She believes that yoga is for everyBODY and is committed to sharing her love of practice with her students. When not working or teaching she actively volunteers for Sparkle Cat Rescue and Carolina Boxer Rescue.

Beth began practicing yoga in 2012. She is a pediatric nurse and a mother of four. Her first certification was in Prenatal yoga from Hillsborough Yoga and Wellness taught by Paula Huffman. She received her 200 RYT from Ganesha's Yoga and Wellness in 2015. She loved teaching beginners and led a free class at the MAC in Mebane helping older folks gain mobility back. From there she taught at a variety of studios teaching prenatal yoga and classes focused on alignment and flowing with the breath. At Yoga Spot in Mebane, she taught classes including Yin, Slow Flow Vinyasa, level one and a level two class focused on breathwork, flow, and building poses for fun. Beth practices Slow Flow herself and loves how yoga incorporates the whole body and breath for a movement that is both meditative, joyful and fun!

Nina, a certified 200hr yoga teacher whose journey into the world of yoga began at Om Shanti Yoga. Under the guidance of Cricket Foster she was certified through Zenitry Yoga in 2022. Nina's roots in teaching extend beyond the mat, with years of experience as an elementary school teacher. A true guide in restorative yoga, Nina's expertise lies in creating a sanctuary for relaxation and healing. Her calm demeanor sets the tone for a serene practice, as she skillfully takes things slow, ensuring everyone in her class not only enjoys the experience but also finds profound benefits.

Laura received her 200 RYT February 2021. Her journey with yoga began in September 2018 when she took her very first yoga class with no experience, ever! That practice that day began a passion for yoga that was so life changing, she knew she would eventually become an instructor. Yoga was too good not to share!! Her mindset was the more yoga instructors, the more opportunities for people to experience the gift of yoga. Laura teaches from the experience of being a new yogi and a more seasoned yogi. She instructs with intention on breath to body movements and always offering modifications to create a practice for everyone to enjoy. A goal for her is to break down the “yoga myths” that you must be flexible, a certain age, gender, body style, etc to practice yoga. She wants a “come as you are” environment where everyone can be comfortable and grow in their own practice. Laura’s other passions include hanging out with her critters on her micro farm, gardening, and just about anything else that has her outside in nature.

Katherine discovered Yoga in 2010 while attending a wellness retreat. In 2016, she received her 200 RYT from Corepower in Raleigh. She’s influenced by the teachings of Baron Baptiste. Her classes are challenging and dynamic. In March of 2021, Katherine completed her 300 Advanced Teacher Training. At Republic Of Yoga located in Cary NC.

"The pose begins when you want to leave it." -anonymous

Amanda fell in love with hot yoga on a chilly January day in upstate New York. Since that start in 2001, her practice has included a variety of styles at home and in studio leading to yoga teacher training for an RTY-200 certification at Om Shanti & Zenitry in 2022. Since then, Amanda has taught a 6 am sunrise vinyasa flow class, subbed for classes in a variety of styles, and continued her yoga education. When not in the studio, Amanda can be found using her Master's degree in Gerontology working with older adults, cooking, or spending time with her cat Mojo and dog Dorothy.

Sara first experienced the abundant benefits of yoga in 1999 in a college Yoga Foundations class and has been practicing ever since. She combines her 20+ years of social work experience with her yoga teaching to offer people natural tools including yoga, essential oils, and daily wellness practices targeted at maximizing emotional and physical wellbeing. Sara specializes in supporting women and couples who have experienced any of the following: stress, anxiety, caregiver stress, grief & loss, trauma, and adoptive parenting. Sessions are individually tailored, focused on the breath, aligning the mind and body, and based on the needs and goals of the individual.

Karen, a RYT 200, received her training at Triad Yoga Institute. Her alignment-based training sets the foundation for creating a safe and welcoming space where EVERYbody can experience a deeper personal connection through the practice of yoga. Off the mat Karen enjoys pet sitting, traveling, and deepening her meditation and reiki practice.