Our Teachers
Christine Donovan, ERYT-500, Director
Director and Lead Instructor of the 200HR Yoga Teacher Training program, over 30 years of meditation and yoga experience.
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Michael Johnson, ERYT-500
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Michael is a guest teacher at ZYC Yoga Teacher Training Program.
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Sharon Goodman, RYT-500
Sharon has over 20 years of practice experience and teaching.
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Christine Donovan, Director, ERYT-500
November 30, 2016
Christine Donovan, ERYT-500, Director of ZYC. I discovered yoga in 1998 while pregnant with my first child and immediately fell in love with the practice. As a mother of four and business owner I have relied on yoga and meditation to cultivate inner peace, patience and tranquility - balancing my personal needs, while meeting the needs of both family and business.
My aim is to teach students how to be present, content and happy, just as they are today - this is sometimes challenging but is the first step in a beautiful process of self awareness and wellness. At Zen Yoga Center we focus on wellness, by recognizing the joy and beauty and happiness that resides naturally within, that is available to everyone no matter what challenges life presents to us.
I hold a BA degree in Business/Psychology, summa cum laude, KSU. I enjoy my time with my family, I love to hike, travel and find new adventures. Learning something new is my favorite pastime. Naturally a skeptic, I question everything - always searching for the truth.
Michael Johnson, ERYT-500
January 01, 2020
Michael Johnson has been a full-time yoga instructor for 20 years. After studying in India and abroad with many teachers and traditions, his scientifically informed approach to yoga integrates some of the most accessible and practical techniques for managing our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Kelsey Swartz, ERYT-200
January 01, 2020
Kelsy first started practicing yoga while her soon to be husband was deployed to Afghanistan as a means to pass the time. Quickly, she fell in love with the practice and it became a part of her daily routine. After practicing for several years, she decided to pursue yoga full time and become a teacher.
Kelsey studied under Laurla Spauding, an authorized level 2 Astanga teacher in Louisville, KY. She earned her 200-hour training certificate in 2017, studing Hatha and Ashtanga yoga. She then went on to teach at Yoga East as well as the local YMCA.
She strives to give her students an encouraging, safe, and renewed practice where they can grow in mind, body and soul.
Brianne Gollwitzer, ERYT-200
January 01, 2020
Brianne is a ERYT-200 as well as a certified Massage Therapist, and Reiki Master. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and Received her Massage Therapy license from the Institute of Psycho Structural Balancing in Los Angeles, CA. She became certified as a Yoga Instructor and Reiki Master from Urban Yogi in San Diego, CA.
Growing up as a competitive dancer, Brianne always had a passion for movement. As a Yoga Instructor she incorporates the power of movement and breath into her sessions. Her Yoga practice is rooted in gentle, alignment-based Vinyasa Flow, while utilizing other styles such as Restorative, Yin, and Meditation. In her bodywork practice, Brianne specializes in Circulatory/Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage and injury prevention. As a Reiki Master, she strives to awaken and harmonize the human energy system (Chakras).
Brianne encourages the combination of Yoga and Bodywork to find peace and balance within one’s life. She is excited to share her training and career experience from California with her new community in North Carolina.
Chelsea Smith, RYT-200
January 01, 2020
Chelsea Smith, RYT200, started practicing yoga in 2015 by discovering how yoga 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 a true believer that yoga does not require flexibility or being “good” at the practice, yoga only requires a willingness to learn and come to the mat as you are.
Outside of her passion for yoga, Chelsea loves to read, go hiking, travel, and spend time with her husband and 2 rescue dogs.