Our Teachers
Crystal Cordoba grew up on the coast of Downeast Maine but has called South Carolina home for nearly a decade. Crystal became Vinyasa certified in 2014 while living in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. Vinyasa's body-breath connection make this flow style of yoga practice not only beautiful and dynamic, but also readily available to practitioners of many different levels. Crystal has been a teacher and manager at a number of studios across New York State and throughout the southeast. She is happy to call Hilton Head Island home, and as the owner of Island Yoga, she will work diligently to impact the wellness community of this special place in a meaningful, authentic way.
Gayle Caporale, a long time resident of Hilton Head Island, began her yoga journey more than 25 years ago. Fulfilling a long time passion, she completed her 200 hour Certificate of study in the tradition of Hatha Yoga in 2010 at the College of Yoga Studies in Bluffton, SC and is a Registered Yoga Alliance instructor. In June of 2012 she completed her certification as a Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga Teacher. Gayle teaches with an emphasis on alignment and breath and enjoys the mindfulness and awareness available through yoga as much as the physical experience of the practice.
Jann Boyer began practicing yoga in 2000, initially to help heal a repetitive strain injury and to better handle the physical and mental stresses of the workplace. Soon thereafter she was introduced to Iyengar yoga, and was immediately drawn to the discipline and depth of the practice. After retiring from her first career as a geologist, she began teaching yoga in 2005. In 2011, Jann achieved certification at the Introductory II level in the Iyengar system. Jann’s goal is to share with others the mental, spiritual and physical benefits of a regular yoga practice. Her classes focus on helping each practitioner experience extension and alignment in the asanas (postures). As is characteristic of Iyengar yoga, students learn how to modify and support poses for their individual situations.
Karen Verechia came to the island more than 23 years ago from New Jersey. Certified through the Asheville Yoga Center, Karen is known for her passionate and inspirational style of teaching, she blends the invigorating hatha flow with concise alignment and provides individualized attention with specific exercise modifications. She teaches with love, laughter and acceptance, emphasizing breath, alignment and body awareness. Karen's teaching style is fun, laid-back and challenging, yet accessible to all.
Marty Crocker, a Michigan native, has been a Hilton Head legend since 1997. Marty is a licensed massage therapist, and although he was first trained in Thai massage, he covers the entire spectrum of bodywork including myofascial release and primal reflex response therapy. His extensive bodywork background makes him not only anatomically knowledgeable, but deeply intuitive.
Marty’s healing touch coupled with his background as a restorative and Ashtanga yoga teacher make him a veritable powerhouse of awesome. Marty's gilded reputation is only exceeded by his actual presence, and his Reset & Restore series will leave you walking on air.
Marty’s healing touch coupled with his background as a restorative and Ashtanga yoga teacher make him a veritable powerhouse of awesome. Marty's gilded reputation is only exceeded by his actual presence, and his Reset & Restore series will leave you walking on air.
Jennifer Brewer combines subtle physical postures, breath awareness and sense of humor to create a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. Classes provide insight and inspiration aimed to take this understanding to create empowerment off the mat. Jennifer is an RYT-500 in Yoga Therapy from Subtle Yoga in Charlotte, NC and an RYT-200 from Asheville Community Yoga in Asheville, NC. Over the last 15 years she has practiced a variety of yoga styles but believes one should practice what feels good today.
Mark Gregory's passion for yoga sprouted while living in the San Francisco Bay area in 2014 and then blossomed two years ago when he attended a life-changing 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Kauai, Hawaii. Mark brings the spirit of Aloha through a peaceful and calming presence during his classes which combine Vinyasa, Kundalini, and breath-work.
Mark graduated from Hilton Head High in 2003 and believes in the power of community, loves traveling the world, and hopes to inspire others to organically grow their own food.
Mark graduated from Hilton Head High in 2003 and believes in the power of community, loves traveling the world, and hopes to inspire others to organically grow their own food.
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Joel (pronounced "Jo-Elle") Lindo has practiced energy medicine since 2008, when his wisdom teeth were coming in.
Rather than resorting to pharmaceutical drugs to manage his discomfort, he explored Qi Gong as a method for pain management. It was during this time he discovered how disease (or dis-ease) within the body could be alleviated by means of alternative therapies. Joel has been a certified RYT 500 since 2011, specializing in Gentle, Yin and Bikram Yoga. He is well acquainted with many holistic practices and offers hands on and hands off energy work for a number of things including localized and general pain management, bodily tightness, headaches, sports injuries, respiratory ailments, and anxiety. Joel uses energy work in his adjustments to provide a unique, deeply relaxing sort of class that will relax the body and soothe the spirit. |
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Cory Cunningham is a nature enthusiast and long-time Hilton Head resident with a love for life that is evident in his everyday living. Along with teaching the art of Qi Gong, Cory enjoys providing nature tours as a Boat Captain during the day, as well as providing entertainment as a professional musician in the early evenings.
Qi Gong has been an integral part of Cory’s spiritual journey. It has been vital to his healing and recovery from a not so healthy past lifestyle. Cory’s favorite exercises are often based on movements found in nature. With a focus on the breath that is synchronized with bodily motions, an intentional cultivation of Qi (“chi”) is achieved. Cory has learned both medical and practical Qi Gong from many masters on the East and West Coasts. He is honored to share ancient techniques that are revered for bringing health and wellness to mind, body and soul. Beginners and experts alike are encouraged to attend Cory’s class, now offered on Tuesday afternoons. |
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Mary Jo Kuzmick has experienced trauma, adrenal fatigue, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and herniated discs, and has used yoga with tremendous success for pain management and stress reduction. Yoga instruction has been Mary Jo’s passion since retiring from the Gilbert, Arizona Police Department’s Office of Public Affairs in 2015. The strength, flexibility and peacefulness she has acquired as the result of regular practice has assisted with all areas of her life.
Mary Jo received her RYT 200 from the Spirit of Yoga/Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona in 2016. She is also certified in Restorative Yoga, Yin, Hatha Yoga and Gong since 2017. To date, she has taught 13 different types of yoga classes, including Healthy Backs, and Bone Building for Boomers and Beyond. She believes with proper modifications, yoga is accessible to all. As a baby boomer, Mary Jo particularly enjoys teaching to other boomers and beyond as the generations are endless. Join us for her awes-OM Beginner Yoga and Yin Yoga classes! |
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Joanne Medvedeff
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Interested in teaching? We are always looking for awesome people to join the Island Yoga studio! Please call or e-mail Crystal with questions!
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Member
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ISLAND YOGA
1012 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
803-420-2829
hhislandyoga@gmail.com
