Yoga Sol Staff
Kari and Michael Carpenter have been practicing Hot Yoga since 2013 at which point the 26&2 sequence truly changed their lives. When the opportunity to open Yoga Sol arrived, it was an easy decision to bring the hot room back to life for the local yoga community. We are grateful for partnerships with our staff who bring their unique experience and teaching styles to the studio.
Kari Carpenter
Owner and Instructor
Kari began practicing hot yoga in 2013 and knew immediately after her first class that there was something special about the sequence and the environment. It didn't take long for her to notice the many benefits of practicing yoga and to want to know more about yoga on and off the mat. Kari completed her 200 hour teaching training at The Center Yoga under Suzanne McCahill Perrine and completed training for the original hot 26&2 with Lizzie Clark at Hot Yoga Charlottesville. She also completed The Power of Awareness course with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield as well as receiving certification for teaching Yin Yoga through YogaRenew. With so much gratitude for having yoga in her life and being able to share it with others, she has found joy and purpose in guiding others through this life changing practice. Kari has a Master of Arts in Teaching, 15 years of experience in education and almost 40 years of performing as a musician. Other things that bring her joy are her husband and daughter, hiking, biking, back country skiing, reading, loving on her dogs and taking care of her extensive collection of houseplants.
Read more about Kari here
Michael Carpenter
Manager and Instructor
Michael began practicing in the hot room for rehab after a lower back surgery in 2013. In addition to finding a cure for his back issues, he fell in love with the practice and truly embraced the life changing opportunity. Michael spent over 20 years working with the JMU Athletic Department before pursuing the opportunity to share the 26&2 practice with others. He completed teacher training with Lizzie Clark at Hot Yoga Charlottesville. When not in the studio, you will find him outside on a bicycle, floating a river or following his three dogs through the mountains.
Read more about Mike here
Emily Fudala
Instructor
Emily began her yoga practice in 2012 after the birth of her first daughter. Initially attracted to the physical practice, but the meditative, mind-clearing effects are what kept her coming back. Emily completed 26&2 teacher training with Lizzie Clark at Hot Yoga Charlottesville. Outside of yoga, Emily loves spending time with her husband and two daughters, riding bikes, or getting to the woods for a hike. "I love the breadth of what can be discovered about yourself within the 26&2 practice!"
Read more about Emily here
Cathleen Meyerhoeffer
Instructor
Cathleen has been practicing hot yoga since 2013. Through yoga, she discovered liberating movement in her body and support for her anxious mind. Over the years, she's found comfort in challenging hot yoga classes, restorative yoga, and the flowy sequences of vinyasa. In 2018, Cathleen traveled to Bali, Indonesia to complete her 200 hour teacher training with Yandara Yoga Institute. She completed her Registered Children's Yoga Teacher Training with a Trauma-Informed Focus through Yoga Ed. in 2021. She teaches vinyasa yoga, and increasingly appreciates "slowing down" in her practice.
Cathleen's professional background is in technical writing and curriculum development. She has formerly worked for a large brewer and managed the learning programs for a yoga education start-up. She currently designs training for a government contractor in intellectual property. In her free time, Cathleen enjoys sweating it out in the hot room, cooking, and traveling with her husband, Luc, and being an aunt to her niece and two nephews.
Read more about Cathleen here
Justine Pasco
Instructor
Justine started her Pilates and Yoga teaching journey in 2008. In 2013 Justine decided to trade in her hobby for a career and enrolled in the BASI Comprehensive Pilates Training program in Los Angeles. The next year, Justine moved back to Harrisonburg and started teaching Pilates, Barre and TRX to private and group classes full time. She is passionate about teaching and sharing movement with others and awakens a similar passion in each of her students. Justine believes movement is healing and Pilates is not only great for the body but strengthening for the mind. Justine lives in downtown Harrisonburg with her husband, young son and dog. Justine loves adventure and travel and you'll often see her and her family doing something fun in town or around the world. Her motto is Radiate Positivity and she truly does try to live by this and hopes that after a class with her you'll be radiating positivity!
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Read more about Justine here
Melanie Rowan
Instructor
Melanie has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She firmly believes that working with the breath and keeping the body flexible is integral to optimizing our health. She is a certified yoga teacher with additional study and certification in restorative yoga. In addition to practicing yoga, Melanie loves to garden indoors and out, fiber arts and spending time with family.
Read more about Melanie here
