We have the following amazing yoga teachers here at Etowah Valley Yoga.  Our teachers have trained in a variety of disciplines including Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong.

Sue Hopkins

Sue Hopkins has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years, and teaching since 1999.  Sue originally came to yoga because of back pain. After seeing the result of a consistent practice she decided to share yoga with others. Sue is Registered with the Yoga Alliance at the highest level, E-RYT 500. Because of her interest in therapeutic yoga  Sue continued her education and is a Registered Yoga Therapist.

Etowah Valley Yoga is now a Registered Yoga School, where others come to learn how  to teach yoga. We offer both a 200 and 500 hour program and Sue is the director and  main instructor.

Sue also offers workshops and retreats to interested yoga students.

Grace Stephen

Grace Stephen has been practicing yoga for over 15 years.  As an athlete Grace experienced first hand how Yoga can increase flexibility and prevent sports injury.  In 2008 an automobile accident changed her home, work and athletic life. Traditional
therapies left her with a limp and in severe pain. She knew yoga could help but could not find anyone who could modify the postures to fit her physical challenges.  Grace was referred to Etowah Valley Yoga.  From the first class she knew she was in the right place when Sue Hopkins said, “every day your body can feel different, work with the body you came in with today”.

After decreasing pain and increased strength she signed up for Etowah Valley Yoga’s Teacher Training to learn how to further her physical healing.  It was in class she learned first hand how all the limbs of yoga can help you on your physical, emotional, and spiritual journey.  Her motto is to learn to accept and honor the body you bring to the mat.

Grace also became Certified in other practices that have helped her heal from her injuries they include: Qi-Gong and Applied Tai Ji for Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain.  She is motivated to teach people to accept, love and honor their bodies regardless of what physical condition they are in.

Grace is a 500 hour RYT and is currently working on her Professional Yoga Therapy Certification.

Pamela Flynn Crowe

Pamela Flynn Crowe has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1995.  She became interested in yoga when she was pregnant with her second child in 2002.  From 2003-2007, she was a daily student of Sue Hopkins at Etowah Valley Yoga.  She completed Sue’s first Teacher’s Training Program in 2008. “Pam” integrates her knowledge of therapy into the yoga she teaches, creating a focus on the mind/body connection.

She is excited about the role of yoga in healing anxiety and depression. Pam enjoys continuing her education in yoga and hopes never to stop progressing on her journey both in yoga and in life.

Pam is Registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-Hour Level.

Chelsea

Chelsea has been working in the health care industry for almost ten years and has developed a great understanding of the body and its many systems. Realizing that she was beginning to feel a lot of stress and anxiety in her day to day life, she gave yoga a try in her search for release.

In finding yoga, she found her passion in life. Interacting with her patients in her daily work, and her students while practicing yoga, helps keep Chelsea on her chosen path of helping others become well when they are ill and pursuing overall wellness on a daily basis.

Lisa Siniard

Walking through the door at Etowah Valley Yoga on January 5, 2009 was a life-changing event for Lisa Siniard.  With no previous yoga experience, Lisa came to the mat with an “open heart and an open mind” and fell deeply in love.  In love with yoga and how it made her feel, she simply couldn’t stay away.  Attending an average of 4-6 classes per week, she quickly became fully immersed in yoga, and hasn’t looked back!

In January 2011 she began her 200-Hour Teacher Training Program with Sue at Etowah Valley Yoga and is excited about the opportunity to share her love of yoga.  She currently teaches classes on Wednesday and Friday at 7:15 a.m, and Monday Yoga Basic at 7:00 PM.

Leanne Allen

Leanne spent her childhood and much of her adulthood studying and teaching various forms of dance, including ballet, modern, jazz.  As a child, she participated in numerous dance productions and received several scholarships to study with renowned instructors.  The world of dance provided an artistic and spiritual outlet, discipline and physical fitness.  However, in her experience, there was not enough regard to listening to and honoring the body.  After years of asking her body to do many things which it was not designed to do, she was grateful to find this gentle form of movement that offers so many benefits; physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.   She began her path as a student of yoga almost 20 years ago.  She has experienced many teachers and styles and has found what feels like ‘home’ at Etowah Valley Yoga.  Leanne received her 200 hour training w/ Sue Hopkins in June and has learned more about yoga in 1 year from Sue, than she did in all of her years with other teachers.  She is honored and thrilled to be joining this incredible staff and looks forward to being a lifelong student of yoga.

Devin Byrne

Devin joined the teachers at Etowah Valley Yoga in November 2012. He teaches classical Ashtanga style. Devin trained with John Meredith in Atlanta.