Our Tribe
At Integrative Yoga Therapy, we are proud to call some of the most talented and experienced leaders in yoga members of our team. They are fully committed to creating the welcoming, encouraging environment that our yoga studio is known for.
M.S. Yoga Therapy, C-IAYT, E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®, Owner
Beth Ashley (She/Her)
Beth started practicing yoga in 2014. Beth enjoys the mindfulness and strength that yoga brings to her mind and body. She completed her Master of Science in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2024. Beth is a certified Curvy Yoga and Yoga for Amputees instructor and brings modifications into her teaching style to make body types of all shapes and sizes feel welcome. She is also a certified Reiki practitioner. When she isn't teaching yoga or interacting with students at the front desk, Beth might be found in her vegetable garden or playing with her dogs. She has a certificate and professional experience in plant-based nutrition. She is a native of upstate South Carolina and currently resides in Pickens.
RYT® 200
Cherise Wilson (She/Her)
Cherise specializes in play and fun, coming from a background working in all things related to games. She began taking yoga classes as a fun way to relieve stress in 2015, and returned in 2020 to begin her training as a certified instructor through the IYT 200 Hour program. Down to try anything twice, Cherise enjoys all types of ways to practice yoga, including just about any mat class, but she finds the most joy in the swing. While quiet and stillness are important aspects of yoga, Cherise's classes strive to bring an atmosphere of fun and levity to her student's practice. Cherise enjoys playing games, creating art and making music.
RYT® 200
Lee Edwards (She/Her)
Lee came to yoga in an effort to relieve stress and anxiety during graduate school. She found the mindfulness and focus of yoga practice gave her a new perspective as she prepared for the difficulties of balancing classes, research, and her job. Lee is drawn to the grounding effects of her yoga practice and the safe space yoga gives her to shut out the world a few times during the week.
In 2018, Lee completed yoga teacher training at Integrative Yoga Therapy and is excited to provide that same space she finds so necessary for peaceful introspection and rejuvenation for her students each week.
If Lee isn’t at IYT, she’s probably teaching freshman biology at Greenville Technical College or is outside in the woods, mountain biking, running, or playing in a creek with her hubby and their dog, Jessi.
RYT® 200
Linda Drozda (She/Her)
Linda retired and moved from the Pocono Mountains in PA to the SC mountains in 2020. Always having a home practice because of her busy life before, she was happy to find the family at IYT. Starting her new journey in her second act in life, she completed her 200-hour teacher training in 2021. Linda’s goal is to give her students the same peace that she found from yoga whatever the type of class it is. She loves the mountains and everything in nature. If she’s not in yoga class you’ll find her hiking, gardening, or reading on her porch.
Pilates Instructor
M (They/Them)
​M is an embodiment enthusiast & a Balanced Body certified Pilates instructor. Their goal is alignment with the support of a supple spine via core control. Strive & thrive in gentle growth. Move different if you want different. They specialize in animal care, work in physical therapy, & play in party enhancement.
RYT® 200
Suzanne Jones (She/Her)
Suzanne transitioned from a home practice to one at IYT in 2014. She loves all forms of Yoga, but Aerial yoga has come to be her passion. After months of daily practice, Suzanne completed IYT’s Aerial teacher training and began teaching in 2015. She is excited to continue her training, as she pursues her 200-hr teacher training in 2016. When she’s not on her yoga mat, Suzanne loves to spend time with her husband, their children and grandchildren. You can often find Suzanne in her garden or on the lake.
RYT® 200
Zach Peterson (He/Him)
Zachariah’s journey in health and wellness began in 2003 when he earned his black belt in Kuk Sool Won (a South Korean martial art). His interests since have included Tai-chi, Qigong, and Yoga. As a recent RYT-200 graduate, his current approach to teaching is that of a generalist: “yoga is for every body.” A designer by trade, his other hobbies include botany, photography, and time in nature. You may find him at IYT taking classes with his wife, Cherise Wilson!
Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga Teacher
Sheila Knopp (She/Her)
Yoga captured Sheila's attention early on, 1997 to be exact! After experiencing many styles (Hatha, Kundalini, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Bikram, Hot, Restorative, Aerial, Buti, Nidra) for nearly three decades, her heart called to chair yoga as it makes yoga accessible to everyone! Sheila studied at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health with Lakshmi Voelker (who created Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga in 1982). Her favorite asana is fish pose because it's a great counterpose to her full-time computer job.