The Center Yoga

Cheryl Martin, RYT 200 Karuna graduate, Reiki Master, and herbalism student, is a native to the Harrisonburg area. It was while attending Manchester University that she was first introduced to yoga and meditation and personally experienced what a profound impact yoga had on every aspect of her life. From navigating every day stress, to deep physical and emotional healing. In the 20 years she has been a yoga and meditation student, she’s come to believe that the practice of getting on our mats, is the practice of coming home to ourselves.

As a former social worker, Cheryl brings a special awareness to addressing and working with trauma and finding ways to gently find healing through the nervous system. In each session, whether she’s teaching a yoga class, leading a meditation session, or providing energy healing, Cheryl’s desire is to create a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can discover ways to be more compassionate with themselves.

Off the mat, Cheryl is currently a second-year herbalism student. She’s passionate about botany, homesteading, hiking, camping, cooking, traveling the world with the love of her life, and spending as much time as she can with her loved ones.

Her teachings fuse inspirations received from every-day life, poetry, poignant articles, or current events with a solid bio-mechanical awareness and therapeutic alignment-based asana. This combination helps students to get in touch with their bodies, replacing discomfort and fear with awareness and love, and elevates their appreciation for their bodies and the full spectrum life’s offerings. Her classes can be uplifting, humorous, and playful, or meditative, internally focused, and subtle. Suzanne is also a registered Thai Yoga Bodyworks teacher and delights in helping others through the powers of touch. She continues to find more joy in her life since discovering Yoga and meditation and sharing it with others. She is also eternally grateful to her husband, children, family, and teachers who have helped to pave this incredibly beautiful path and open doors she never even knew were closed before her yoga practice.

Jenifer Matthaei Cottrell is a registered yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance) who has over 35 years of involvement in the Yoga community. She holds a 500 hour Certificate from Yama Studio in Baltimore, MD, is a Certified Yoga Therapist and is certified in Radiant Child Yoga levels one and two, Meditation Facilitation, and Ayurvedic Wellness Counseling with an additional certification in Ayurvedic Pulse Technique. In addition to her love of yoga, she opened a successful business 14 years ago, You Got It Made, which still provides promotional products to businesses all over the county.

She currently teaches Yoga at James Madison University, Rockingham County Parks and Recreation, as well as in private classes at her home studio, where she also conducts meditation classes and Ayurvedic wellness consultations. Previously, she taught at Blue Ridge Community College, The Westminster Family Wellness Center, Yama Studio, and Carroll Community College – Kids@Carroll summer camp program. She has presented Ayurvedic workshops at Yama Studios in Baltimore, MD, and at Skin and Zen, in Harrisonburg, VA.

An arts and crafts lover from early childhood, Jennifer recently discovered Zentangle, and, in October of 2013, became a Certified Zentangle Teacher. She offers this wonderfully meditative instruction through James Madison University Life Long Learning Institute, Rockingham County Parks and Recreation and private classes. Jennifer is always seeking opportunities to enhance her teaching of holistic wellness.

Niki began her yoga journey at an Iyengar studio in Atlanta in 1999. As a spiritual seeker, yoga became a life-long pursuit that led her to yoga teacher training at The Center under the teaching of Suzanne Perrine. A self-described “cusser and a crier,” Niki’s practice and teachings are authentic, raw and honest. Her background in mental health informs her laid-back approach of self-acceptance and finding grace for ourselves, both on and off the mat. In class, you can expect to move, breathe, flow and be inspired by a memorable playlist. She strongly believes yoga is the most intelligent medicine around and wants the world to know that it truly is for everyBODY and every ability level.

Rachel is also a certified health coach and is currently pursuing her fitness nutrition specialist certification. When she's not on her mat or meal prepping, she can usually be found on one of many outdoor adventures, whether it’s walking her dogs, hiking, camping, or kayaking.

She loves running and has completed a handful of half and full marathons as well as a couple of 50k's. She considers her yoga practice an essential part of her running regimen and credits it with improving her recovery times and allowing her to explore and expand her limits.

Seeking to stoke that which is generative, encourage what is ordered and stable, and dance with the dynamic changes of life, Erich practices with students at The Center. Inspired by many teachers, his current style includes vigorous movement, mindful pauses, and steady attention to breath.

Erich also instructs students in Chemistry and Earth Science at Harrisonburg High School. He enjoys reading, running, growing veggies, and being with friends.

Jason has been teaching Yin yoga, Slow flow, Hatha flow, and Vinyasa for about 6 years. His students enjoy his gentle humor, his positive encouragement, and his sense of fun and play. While he is happy to challenge his students in their practice, he reminds them that the stakes are low; there is no such thing as goal-achieving or failure in the practice--only breath, alignment, and focus on the present moment.

Jason is married and has three busy children. When he’s not teaching yoga, he is a full-time woodworker. He enjoys playing bass guitar in a band, but on occasion his acoustic guitar accompanies him to yoga class.