LILLAH SCHWARTZ is a Nationally Certified Iyengar instructor, senior teacher and founder of Lighten Up! Yoga and Healing Arts Center. Lillah has over 20 years experience working with students of all ages and abilities. Along with being a trainer of teachers, she has particular interest and ability in therapuetic yoga and back care. "My goal with my students is to help them to get their cellular and endocrine bodies percolating in a healthy way, gain confidence in their ability to heal through understanding proper alignment and hold open the possibilities for body, mind and spirit."

GEA SKEENS has been teaching the Iyengar method for 7 years. Along with her 21 years of yoga experience, she has been a long distance runner, a raft guide, worked in mental health, and has a degree in sociology from UNCA. Her teaching style is light hearted and spiritual. "With focus on the breath, I strive to create a joyful and challenging experience that will deepen awareness of our divine existence."

Eric Larsen is a certified yoga teacher, and personally trained as a meditation instructor and Ayurvedic Health Educator by Deepak Chopra. His background in these interrelated healing sciences serves to create a dynamic balance between body, mind and spirit in his classes. "Yoga is the most profound method I know of to release stress and access our full potential."

ADAM LAUFER has been practicing yoga since age 16 and has focused on Iyengar-style yoga for the past three years and has recently graduated from Lighten Ups! Teacher Certification Program. He is a certified Polarity Therapist and is trained in Ayurvedic healing. Adam also produces medicinal herbal extracts.

CURTIS WALK is a dedicated student of both Astanga and Iyengar yoga. His teaching focuses on the common roots of the two styles, synthesizing the benefits of breath linked with movement and precision in alignment.

Donna Tully is a certified Hatha yoga instructor. She teaches from the heart, encouraging students to open up to a force greater than themselves. When you surrender the heart through the union of breath, asana and meditation, courage is able to flow through. "Yoga is an incredible medium in which one can discover the divine within and allow your uniqueness to unfold."

Didier Cuzange graduated 4 years ago from the Yoga Teacher Training here at Lighten Up, and has actively pursued the study of yoga since 1982. He currently owns and operates "The Yoga practice" a studio on Main Street, Sylva, and has worked therapeutically with students in a hospital setting. Along with his delightful accent, Didier has a very positive, upbeat attitude. We look forward to seeing you in class. Enjoy every 2nd & 4th Saturdays.

John Dzubay is a graduate of the Institue for the Study of Somatic Education in San Francisco, California and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais PractitionerSM. John is in private practice in Asheville and has been teaching the Feldenkrais Method since 1994.

Jonathon Hall has been studying chi kung for five years and is a certified Healing Tao Intructor under the tuteage of Mantak Chia and Michael Winn. Bringing the principles of energy flow out of the classroom and into your everyday life is what he enjoys best. Remember, once you begin to help heal yourself, you begin to help heal the world.

Gary Schwartz, Ph.D. has been casually studying Chi Kung with a variety of teachers for the past 22 years. He also integrates his understanding of meditation and the relationship of breath, mind, and emotion on physical health and well being.

Ellie Kochek is certified in and began teaching yoga in 1973. She is a Naturopathic Physician, has an M.S. in Ed. Exercise Physiology. She also attended the New England School of Acupuncture. "Yoga took away my pain and injuries. I wanted to share my joy and freedom with others." Available for private sessions as well as �substitute par excellence� at any class.

Introducing Rick Cantrell, Ph.D., R.M.

I�m a citizen of The Southern Cherokee Nation.�I'm a Homeopath having earned an Advanced Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and my Doctorate in Psychology.�I�m also a Traditional Herbalist, Nutritionist and Reiki Master

My approach to homeopathy is purely classical. I use Herbs, Nutrition and Reiki to facilitate the Homeopathy.� I believe the old saying �an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure� holds true.�I use my knowledge of homeopathy, herbs and nutrition to help you develop an individualized plan to prevent illness or to restore your health if you are sick.� Reiki opens up the energy channels so that you are more receptive to healing. I then use my knowledge of psychology to help you adjust your lifestyle in accordance with your goals in regards to your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health.� This can be used to complement the treatment you are receiving from your physician.

Back Row: Adam Laufer, Donna Tully, Helen Yamada, Curtis Walk Middle Row: Catherine Classen, Ellie Kochek, Marque Gritta, Gangotri Front Row: Debra Grace, Lillah Schwartz, Gea Skeens Absent: Eric Larsen, John Dzubay, Gary Schwartz, Rick Cantrell & Didier Cuzange