Balance Wellness Studio Staff Bios, St. Simons Island, GA | Wellness Center near me in St. Simons Island, GA

Megan

Megan Higginbotham is a licensed massage therapist and personal trainer. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. She is an ACE-certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and orthopedic exercise specialist.

In 2014, Megan completed a 900-hour massage therapy program at Southeastern College in Jacksonville, Florida.

Megan offers services in neuromuscular therapy, Swedish massage, sports massage, prenatal and infant massage, Kinesiotaping, and personal training. She tailors every session to meet the needs of the individual. Her philosophy: health and wellness cannot be approached with a “one size fits all” attitude.

GA License #MT 010396

Monday

5:45

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6:30

PM Cardio Circuit (HIIT, Tabata)

Thursday

5:45

–

6:30

PM Cardio Circuit (HIIT, Tabata)

Neely

Neely Hunter is a licensed massage therapist and level three Reiki Master Teacher. She is the owner of Massage By Neely, a private practice operated since 2000, and co-founder of Balance. Neely holds a Bachelor of Arts in English & Social Science from Mississippi University for Women and in 2000 completed the 750-hour triple-certification program at The Academy of Somatic Healing Arts (Georgia).
Her individual certifications include traditional Swedish massage, clinical sports & deep tissue therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release therapy, and Peri-natal therapy. She’s also received additional training in visceral massage, hot stone massage, hydrotherapy, Foundations in Myofascial Release, and Yamuna Body Rolling® self-care techniques for massage therapists. She began Reiki training in 2004 and completed her Reiki Master Teacher training in 2008. She offers what she likes to call integrated massage therapy to deliver the best combination of techniques for each person.
Neely and Bonni Smith began working together in 2003 and formed what is now Balance in 2011.
Neely W. Hunter, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

GA #MT004606 | www.MassageByNeely.com | 912-399-1919

Ronda

Ronda, a native of Glynn County, is certified by the International Institute of Reflexology in the Ingham Method of Reflexology (IIR) and has practiced since the early 1990′s. Ronda further specialized her technique with Advanced Reflexology Training (ART).

The IIR method aids in general circulation and healing with thumb/finger application to one foot at a time with lots of relaxing technique. While ART continually moves from one foot to the other working the reflexes systematically with a bit more pressure. Ronda combines the practice and philosophy behind each of these techniques to give the patient-client the ultimate in relaxation and detoxification.

Ronda Wilson, Certified Reflexologist 404-354-3344

Candice

Skinology by Candice

Candice began her journey into the world of esthetics with her initial training at The International School of Skin and Nail Care in Atlanta, Georgia in 2003. Following graduation in 2004, she returned home and began her career as a Licensed Esthetician at the 5 star rated Sea Island Spa on Sea Island, Ga.

In addition to her esthetician training, Candice is also a Registered Nurse, graduating from College of Coastal Georgia in 2013 with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her most recent background includes working in plastic surgery as a cosmetic nurse with both invasive and non-invasive procedures.

She has achieved numerous certifications and extensive training in pharmaceutical grade chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling and microdermabrasion.

Whether the concern is pigmentation, redness, acne or aging skin, Candice is passionate and dedicated to customizing a skin care treatment plan for you. She offers custom facials, chemical exfoliation, dermablading, facial and body waxing, eyelash and brow tinting.

Anne

Anne has been a yoga and meditation practitioner since 2003. After moving from France, she started studying with Sabine Vera and has since been deepening her practice under the guidance of amazing teachers such as Janita Nelson, Stephanie Keach, Michael Johnson, Joe Taft, Shala Worsley. She will complete her 200-hour teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center in November 2017. Inspired by her creative background, Anne will explore each week new themes and sequences deeply rooted into our lives. Her welcoming and uplifting classes will invite you to breath, stretch, strengthen, balance, relax, and cultivate happiness you can take back into the world. Anne is excited to take her studies deeper and share the transformative power of Yoga with our community. Off the mat, Anne can be found at h2o creative group, where she is creative director and partner, in her studio designing and painting, or on Jekyll Island, her OM away from home.

Brian

Brian holds an Ed. S. in Counseling from Georgia Southern University and serves as a Military Family Life Counselor in Kingsland, Georgia.
Brian enjoys running local 5K, 10K, and half-marathon races and is certified as a yoga teacher in the Kripalu Method.
Brian Goodwin

912-230-1892

Sunday

4:30

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6:00

PM Community Kripalu Yoga

Annie

Annie is the lead yoga instructor at Balance where she implemented our Beginner's Yoga Series in 2013. Annie has been teaching yoga in the St. Simons area for nearly a decade and practicing for over 30 years. She began her yogic journey by becoming a teacher of Transcendental Meditation after a six month teacher training program in Europe under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. After her training, she taught The T.M. Technique extensively in New Orleans and the Atlanta area. In 2006 Annie completed her 200-hour Teacher Training in Vinyasa Yoga at Bliss Yoga Shala in Jacksonville, and in 2013, completed her 500-hour Teacher Training (E-RYT). Her teaching style is Ashtanga-based and she has attended workshops with Manju Jois, David Swenson, David Williams, David Keil and Doug Swenson. Annie is also a Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor certified by the World Paddle Association and has combined that with her yoga training to offer SUP Yoga. She is a full time Realtor on St. Simons and a licensed pilot who flies with the Civil Air Patrol. Her philosophy is one of peace, love and happiness and believes that it all starts with the individual. Her yoga style reflects that in body, mind and spirit.
Annie Harper, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) 912-222-4455

Pat

Pat is an energetic, spirited yoga teacher who is eager to share her passion and love of yoga with others. She has practiced yoga since 2006, completed her 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Program at Omcore Yoga and Body in St. Simons Island, GA in 2015, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. Pat is committed to a lifelong study of yoga and its philosophies and has attended workshops lead by Christopher Baxter, Max Strom, Kim Holton and Deva Parnell.
Pat offers fun, multi-level Vinyasa flow, restorative and gentle yoga classes, for all bodies and ages in a safe and nurturing environment. She gently guides students to develop awareness of the body-breath-mind connection, encourages them to practice with kindness and self-compassion as they explore, refine and deepen their yoga practice and cultivate a deeper understanding of yoga philosophy and traditions.
Pat’s deepest joy is witnessing her students’ transformation as they grow in their yoga practice, discover their authentic selves and let their light shine!

Pat Heran, Register Yoga Teacher (RYT) 609-775-5806 patheran@att.net

Jennifer

Jennifer found yoga later in life and the more classes she attended the more she wanted to learn, pranayama, meditation, asanas...she wanted to fully embrace herself in all eight limbs. She graduated from Peachtree Yoga as a 200 RYT in 2014. Also in 2014 Jennifer became a Level 1 SUP Instructor and SUP Yoga Instructor. She loves learning and will forever be a student of yoga and life. Her other passion is photography and enjoys taking photos of everything and anything in nature. Jennifer is humbled and inspired by all her teachers and students each and every day. She wants students to grow, learn and challenge themselves, but also enjoy themselves and have fun. Yoga has this beautiful way of shining a light on the beauty that is within us all and as it’s discovered the glow is amazing.

Hillary

Hillary Johnston, CYT, is an ex-yoga teacher who fell in love with the efficiency and grace of barre classes after experiencing her first class in 2005. Soon thereafter, she became a teacher with the Bar Method at their Bernardsville, NJ studio. A decade later, she is now a senior barre instructor, and is passionate about good form. Hillary will help you sculpt, strengthen and lengthen your muscles safely and effectively all while working your core. Come see what barre classes are all about and be prepared to change your body for good!

Karen

Karen has been teaching yoga for 14 years in St. Simons, Jamaica and Greenville, SC. She creates a space for people to release tensions, cultivate peace and discover the healing powers of yoga. Karen instructs with compassion, gentleness and attention to detail, a combination of elements inspired by Kripalu, Vinyasa Flow, Anusaura, Yin Yoga, alignment principles and meditation. Karen brings experience from years of practice and study with many of the world’s most highly regarded master teachers . She will guide you into an inspired experience that will strengthen and open your body, heart and mind.
Karen Lucas, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 864-551-0871

Bitsy

Bitsy Moores is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She joined the team at Balance Wellness Studio in 2013 teaching both Gentle Hatha and Yin Yoga classes. Bitsy’s journey from joyful student to inspirational teacher was infused with both an extreme love of anatomy as well as respect for the healing art of yoga.
“Unrolling yoga mat number one in college, I never imagined yoga would be part of my daily life twenty-five years later.”

This life-long journey brings many disciplines into her classroom for the enrichment of her students. Bitsy's classes include elements of Hatha yoga, Ashtanga, Powers and Thai Yoga Massage. Bitsy offers classes that focus on stimulating the body's immune system through yoga principles. Come experience Bitsy’s personalized classes, structured to dynamically improve the flexibility of both your body and your smile! Bitsy teaches weekly classes as well as offering Private Sessions throughout the week by appointment.
Bitsy Moores, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 912-270-5394

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