Jessica Moody
500ERYT, Co-Founder
Jess completed her 200-hour and 300-hour Kunga Yoga Lifestyle and Teacher Trainings with Kristin Cooper and the Kunga Yoga School. She went on to complete a professional development mentorship with Kristin Cooper and Loren Gulak and has been co-leading 200-hour Kunga Yoga Teacher Trainings since 2014. Jess has been dedicated to a yogic lifestyle since 2007, and in 2013 she co-founded Village Yoga, a social entrepreneurship and yoga studio on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Jess has also taught with non-profits and in retreat settings in Mexico, Costa Rica, and India.
She has received a certificate in 5Elements Vinyasa Flow, with advanced studies under the Kunga Yoga Methodology in Power Vinyasa, Restorative & Senior Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Yoga for PTSD and trauma sensitive populations. She has also studied with other inspirational teachers such as Kathryn Budig, Michael Johnson, Rolf Gates, Katie Silcox, Maty Ezraty, and Tiffany Cruikshank.
Within her classes Jess enjoys creating a spiritually and physically progressive yoga practice that challenges her students to unlock their ultimate potentials and strive for their highest selves. When she’s not on the mat you can find her in the ocean riding waves, or searching for beach treasures with her dog, Waylon.
Katie Kennis
200E-RYT, 500RYT, Co-Founder
Growing up on the Outer Banks, Village Yoga C0-Founder Katie Kennis first discovered yoga in 2003 through the loving guidance of her yogini mother, Maggie. From then on she was hooked. Through a dedicated daily practice and a love of travel, Katie found herself completing a 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga certification through School Yoga Institute on the beautiful beach of Playa Gigante, Nicaragua in 2011. Eager to share the benefits cultivated through her self-practice and to dig deeper into all aspects of a yogic lifestyle, she returned to her childhood home on the Outer Banks where in 2013 she co-founded Village Yoga, a social entrepreneurship and yoga studio.
After a sudden loss of Katie’s mother, she soon found the consistent dedication to her practice to be the driving force in her healing process. With a vision to guide others on the path to self-discovery and healing within an all inclusive environment, Katie continues to draw inspiration from the fluidity of the ocean, freedom of her travel adventures, and above all the compassion of her most influential teacher, Mom.
Since the founding of Village Yoga, Katie has completed her 500-hour certification, and a professional mentorship with Kristin Cooper-Gulak and the Kunga Yoga School, during the spring of 2015. Katie is honored to have guest taught in 200-hour teacher training programs and is a certified Kunga Yoga teacher trainer at the professional level. Through her love of travel and service, she has had the opportunity to teach on retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica and and Kerala, India.
Katie has received a 5 Elements Vinyasa Flow certification from Kristin Cooper-Gulak at the Wilmington Yoga Center with additional training in Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for PTSD and trauma sensitive populations, Kids Yoga, Yoga for Seniors and more. Katie remains forever grateful to consider Maggie Kennis and Kristin Cooper-Gulak as her primary teachers. She has also studied under such influential teachers as Kathryn Budig, Tiffany Cruikshank, Tim Miller, Leslie Kaminoff, Jason Crandell, Rolf Gates, and Maty Ezraty.
Kate Brodie
200RYT
Kate is a 200hr Kunga Yoga instructor who is committed to sharing the benefits of uniting mind, body, and spirit in a welcoming community space through the practice of yoga. Addicted to movement from a young age, Kate was a competitive gymnast and springboard diver through college. After completing her Ph.D. in Oceanography in 2010, Kate moved to the Outer Banks and began searching for a new physical activity to serve as a lifelong sport. Kate discovered yoga in 2014, and was immediately drawn to the physical discipline and concentration required for the practice—as well as the chance to hang out upside-down again. Through a dedicated daily practice, Kate began to recognize not only the physical benefits of yoga, but also the transformational power of linking movement and breath in reducing stress, increasing focus, building community, and discovering the present moment. Deciding to take her practice to the next level, Kate completed her 200 hour teaching certification with Village Yoga in August 2017 under the guidance of Katie Kennis and Jessica Moody. Kate strives to create dynamic flows in her classes that encourage her students to safely explore new asanas through proper alignment and foundational strength building. When not practicing yoga or studying the coast as a research scientist at the Duck Research Pier, Kate can be found surfing, exploring with her Siberian Husky, Chloe, or handstanding just about anywhere.
Sandy Brookeshire
Sandy was first introduced to yoga by her mother when she was a child. She began a regular practice in the 70’s while living on the west coast. It was then that her curiosity and interest grew about yogic philosophy and the teachings of the ancient yogis. After moving back east in 1985, she became a student of Swami Satchinananda and Intregal Yoga. His philosophy of “Truth is one, paths are many” remains a guiding principal in her life.
In 2010 she was first exposed to yoga nidra at a stress management conference at the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas. This method of guided meditation became a regular practice and in March 2015 Sandy began her studies with Guru Amrit Desai and was certified to teach yoga nidra at Amrit Institute in Florida. Sandy uses the principles of yoga with students to help them relax in the present moment and to contribute to their wholeness and aliveness through relaxation. The beauty of yoga nidra is that it is available to almost anyone and the benefits are numerous. Sandy believes that teaching yoga nidra is an extension of her personal spiritual disciple that enriches her life and helps others.
Laura Golden
E-RYT 500
Laura is a Jivamukti Yoga 800-hour certified teacher and holds the highest accreditation available through the Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500, YACEP). She has been practicing yoga for more than 25 years. She studied for 10 years directly under David Life and Sharon Gannon, founders of Jivamukti Yoga, before completing their last year-long teacher training program in 2001.
Laura taught at the main Jivamukti center in New York City for 5 years, and has been a guest teacher at the centers in Munich, Germany, and Charleston, SC. She relocated to Wilmington, NC, in 2007, where she has taught at various yoga centers and pioneered Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga with WrightsvilleSUP.
Laura founded and directed Avatar Yoga Retreats, leading yoga retreats all over the world, in the early 2000s, and is doing so again under her own name (www.LauraGoldenYoga.com). She travels extensively, teaching at local studios, leading retreats and teacher trainings, as well as SUP Yoga classes and certification courses.
Leslie Lee
200RYT
Leslie is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor who enjoys developing and facilitating yoga classes that are tailored to meet the needs of the student and promote physical and emotional well-being. Once an avid runner, Leslie discovered yoga about 10 years ago when she was looking to increase her flexibility and improve core strength. She soon realized that the benefits of yoga extend far beyond the physical realm of the practice. She credits yoga with bringing presence, peace and balance to her life. She completed the Kunga Lifestyle Teacher training program in July 2017 after retiring from a career as a public school teacher. She considers Jessica Moody and Katie Kennis as her primary teachers. She also has completed a Level 1 Yin Yoga teacher training under the tutelage of Lynne Baum. Her classes reflect her love for two of her greatest life passions: teaching and yoga. She enjoys creating sequences that explore innovative asana combinations while maintaining focus on alignment and breath.
Kennedy Long
200RYT
Kennedy is 200-hour RYT certified in Kunga Yoga, a style of not only teaching but living that focuses on using yoga as a path of service. She began a steady practice in 2015. Kennedy registered with Yoga Alliance in the Spring of 2017 after completing her 200 hour certification with Village Yoga & Wilmington Yoga Center in Duck, North Carolina during the Fall of 2015. Her primary teachers include Noelle Whittington, Jessica Moody, and Katie Kennis. Kennedy dedicates herself to helping others through her yoga and teaching special education to students in the local community. She places a strong emphasis on self love, and cultivating positivity in her classes while also inspiring students to unlock their highest self. Off of the mat you can find Kennedy by the ocean with her dog Peedee and her camera on hand.
Olivia Muscatello
500RYT
In 2013 Olivia attended Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, where she studied under Nataraja Kallio and Sree Devi. She received her Bachelors degree in Traditional Eastern Arts with a concentration in yoga, as well as completing 1,000 hours of yoga teacher training. Upon graduation in 2015, Olivia registered with Yoga Alliance, and used her yoga teaching as means to travel throughout Central America, where she drew on inspiration from local culture, nature, and surfing. Feeling at home within the beach lifestyle, Olivia came to the Outer Banks in October 2016 to complete the Kunga Yoga Lifestyle Program through Village Yoga and Wilmington Yoga Center, studying under her teachers, Jessica Moody and Kristen Cooper.
Olivia’s classes are inspired by music, nature, playfulness, and meditation. By using Kunga teachings of service through yoga, she seeks to guide students of all levels, through exploring their mind, body, and soul in finding self love; So that all can step off of the mat feeling balanced, nourished, and inspired to share that love with the world.
Erin Price
200RYT
Erin is 200 hour Kunga Yoga and GroovyKids™ Yoga certified. She began practicing yoga in 2004, registering with Yoga Alliance after completing her Kunga Yoga Lifestyle and Teacher Training in the Fall of 2014 with Kristen Cooper, of Wilmington Yoga Center, along with Jess Moody and Katie Kennis of Village Yoga. Erin believes that yoga has the power to be a positive change in any ones life and sees yoga as a way to make positive connections. Erin’s goal is to make life changing yoga accessible for any person at any stage of life. Erin is also a Registered Occupational Therapist licensed in North Carolina, with more than 6 years of work experience in geriatrics, pediatrics and level 1 trauma rehabilitation. In 2016 Erin completed a training in Craniosacral Therapy and is currently offering sessions through village yoga.
Sophie Trottier
500RYT
Sophie Trottier is a 500 RYT certified Vinyasa, Restorative, Hatha, Kids and Kundalini teacher. Since becoming certified by Semperviva Yoga College in 2015 as a 500 RYT she has used her yoga to travel the world living and teaching in Hawaii, Switzerland, Australia and Costa Rica.
After college Sophie completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training through Wilmington Yoga Center’s Kunga Yoga School. Kunga Yoga is not a style of yoga but rather a way of being. It places emphasis on using yoga as a path of service to the planet, its people and all beings everywhere. Sophie has dedicated herself to this path of serving others through her yoga teaching and volunteer work. In 2015 Sophie co-wrote a yoga teacher training manual for the non-profit organization Project True which promotes positive body image. Most recently Sophie created and offered a program for fifth grade girls which used the practices of yoga, meditation and pranayama to instill a connection to their body as well as building a foundation for positive self-esteem.
Sophie believes it is her job as a teacher to create a space where students can connect, love and free their authentic glorious selves through their yoga practice. Sophie’s classes place a strong emphasis on self-care and self-love. Using the practices of yoga to feel into our bodies, our hearts and our breath as the way to connect to our true, balanced and radiant self… the self that is always there, and has been all along.
Charlee Ulmer
500RYT, 200ERYT
Charlee Ulmer is 500 hour certified in Kunga Yoga, an open style of mind and body yoga with focused teachings on service. She began practicing regularly in the Spring of 2014 and registered with Yoga Alliance in the Fall of 2014 after completing her 200 hour certification with Village Yoga & The Kunga Yoga School in Duck, North Carolina. She completed the 300 Hour Kunga Yoga Service and Leadership Certification in 2017 at Wilmington Yoga Center; with training in 5Elements Flow, Restorative Yoga, Power Vinyasa, Yoga for Seniors, Pre-Natal, and Kids Yoga. She is currently enrolled in an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coaching program with Katie Silcox and the Shakti Yoga School. Her primary teachers include Jessica Moody, Katie Kennis, Kristin Cooper-Gulak, Noelle Whittington, and Katie Silcox. She has also had the honor of practicing and studying with Hilary Garivaltis, Rachel Brathen, Rolf Gates, Emilie Perz, and Meredith Hogan.
Charlee has lead yoga classes in retreat settings in Costa Rica, India, and Hawaii with her primary teachers. She strives to keep her classes lighthearted and fun, hoping to allow her students to find freedom in their ever-changing bodies and minds. Charlee also enjoys playing harmonium, surfing, traveling, spending time with friends and family!