About Us

 

Paul Zipes E-RYT* (Owner)

Paul started practicing yoga after a dare from his wife.  A former Navy deep sea diver who enjoys  sports ranging from skiing to mountain biking to surfing, Paul found that yoga is the ultimate cross training activity.  Now 12 years after his wife's dare, Paul has  taken many yoga teacher training workshops including a visit to an Ashram where he ate, breathed and lived yoga for 2 weeks.  Although certified in Hatha yoga with a 200 hour certification from Yoga Alliance, Paul has no intentions of stopping his personal yoga training.  His future plans  are to take additional training in Yoga Therapy.  Paul's goal is to get everyone in Panama City to take at least one of his yoga classes.  Consider it a dare. 

Dawn Brooks RN, RYT*

Dawn has been a registered nurse for over 25 years the last 7 years here in Panama City working in outpatient pain management. Dawn is a Certified Kripalu yoga teacher and enjoys working with all levels of ability. She has studied with many authentic yoga teachers and masters and  is passionate about sharing a blend of these various practices  to make the vast experience  of yoga accessible for all practitioners on their path to wellness. Her classes range from strong vinyasa to relaxed and restorative always encouraging her students to go deeper by listening attentively to their own bodies and intuition believing that our best teacher lies within. Dawn continues her studies at Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine, Florida in their 500hr certification program with an emphasis in yoga therapy. 

Lorraine Hudson

Lorraine Hudson is a YogaFit certified Yoga Instructor for more than 10 yrs as well as an A.C.E. certified Personal Trainer for more than 16 yrs. with specialty certificates in strength training, mind-body exercise & flexibility.  Lorraine began practicing Yoga out of curiosity and got hooked after the first class.   Lorraine has studied Iyengar Yoga with certified instructors in New Jersey, New York and now in the Florida panhandle for the past 12 yrs.  Lorraine has competed and placed in two consecutive years at the S.N.B.F. Annual Georgia Regional Fitness & Bodybuilding competition in Atlanta, GA. Lorraine enjoys sharing Yoga with others so they can experience the many benefits it can bring to everyone!

Lorraine’s Yoga practice has always helped to balance the physical stresses from demanding workouts and the mental stresses of a busy lifestyle. 

Jackie Bell RYT*

Jackie has studied dance her entire life.  She took her first yoga class at a studio in her apartment building in New Hampshire. When Jackie moved to Florida she taught dance at a studio that offered yoga.  It was during the next few months of yoga classes that Jackie discovered her love of yoga.  Soon after that, she traveled to Costa Rica to get Yoga Alliance certified as a teacher of Vinyasa Yoga.  Jackie sees yoga as a natural expression of what every body was born to do. "I encourage listening to ones body while still challenging oneself to try new things. I believe everyone can benefit from having yoga in their lives."  Jackie has taught dance for many years before her switch to yoga.  She still considers dance a big part of her life but enjoys teaching and looking for links between yoga and dance.

Our newest teachers (bios coming soon).

Ana Eichelman

Michele Butler

Christina Murphree Boatwright

Ashley Guy

* RYT- Registered Yoga Teacher and E-RYT-Experienced. These designations come from obtaining at least 200 hours of yoga training from a school accredited by Yoga Alliance,  the leading yoga organization in the United States.  Our teachers without this designation still have strong yoga and fitness credentials and will provide a safe and educational class.

If you have any questions, please go to our contact us page to call or e-mail us.