E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®, Dance MA, Antigravity© Fitness, Yoga & Barre

Nancy S. Smith, Artistic Director

Nancy has been working in the field of movement education for over 25 years. She first began her dance training at the age of 3 and continued to train classically throughout college. Dance being her passion she went on to study it as a career at Meredith College where she completed a B.A. in dance education along with K-12 NC certification in dance. Very soon after graduation she moved to the arts capital – NYC. After completing her MA degree at New York University’s Steinhardt School for Education, Culture & Human Development, she began working in both dance administration and education in New York City’s public and private institutions. Nancy has been on the faculty and directed programs at Harkness Dance Center’s 92Y, Peridance Capezio Center, and Brooklyn Ballet. She instructed classes at UNIS, the United Nations International School as well as Village Community School in Manhattan. Her work has been seen at venues such as Frederick Loewe Theatre & The Skirball Center for Performing Arts, both at NYU as well as Aaron Davis Hall, The Tank, Peridance Capezio Center and Harkness Dance Center which is a part of  92nd Street Y, New York City’s world-class cultural and community center. 

In 2011 Nancy earned a 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification plus completed an additional Vinyasa Flow training. In 2019 she completed a 300 hour training in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with Tamal Yoga of Yoga Salt.  She is certified in CPR, Pilates Mat and has earned an additional youth yoga training through Rainbow Kids International Yoga for children and families. Nancy is an accredited instructor through Yoga Alliance. She and Movement Works are registered as continuing education providers.  She has traveled to Central America, Mexico, Europe, India, Jamaica, Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to practice and share her love of movement and music.

In 2016 Movement Works was awarded the “Rising Star” award from the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 Nancy was nominated for the prestigious “Woman of the Year” award at the first Women of Impact Awards ceremony. She is also a proud rescue mom of an 8 pound little guy named KabukiSan.

Nancy served as the founding director of Community Movement Alliance, our county’s first non profit organization rooted in movement based education, geared toward spreading mindful movement practices with our underserved youth population in public schools. Carolina Soul Festival is a a holistic arts and music festival carried out to support the outreach mission, which she began in 2017 and ran for 3 seasons. 

Nancy completed SUP Level I training in 2018.  She is also Reiki Level I certified. Since 2018 Nancy has served on dance faculty of Leland Cultural Arts Center and Dreams of Wilmington as a teaching artist as where she instructs classes to both adults and children. In 2022 she trained with AntiGravity® Fitness where she became certified in Aerial Yoga Fundamentals I & II. The following year she also completed a Restorative Aerial Yoga Certification with AIReal© Yoga. In 2023 Nancy completed a certification in the practice of Yin Yoga with Hands on Assist. She also co-lead a yoga retreat in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala alongside Cairn Travels. 

Nancy joined the ensemble cast of Opera House Theatre Company’s production of The Producers in late December 23′ through its completed run ending in January 24′. She is looking forward to more upcoming theatrical adventures.

RYT® 200

Bee Burkhart

Bee Burkhart is an artist, yogi, and homeschooling mama of two. She has practiced yoga for over twenty years after being introduced to it many years ago as a teenager in army basic training.  Bee loves human connection and teaches classes that are filled with warmth and slightly quirky. All of Bee’s classes are trauma conscious and for all levels and abilities. 

Interfaith Minister, Reiki Healer, Integrative Somatic Trauma Healing

Monique DeCecco

Monique DeCecco is an Interfaith Minister, Reiki Healer and trained
in Integrative Somatic Trauma Healing with The Embody Lab. She is
also a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate as well as founder and
facilitator of Centered Circles. Monique’s vision is to create an
environment where women begin to explore and rediscover their
authentic selves through shared experiences, soulful discussion and
the support of other women.

www.centeredcircles.com

Balletone©, Pumped Up Strength©

Dorothy Dexter

My husband and I recently became full time residents of Carolina Shores, NC in. Originally from New York, I’ve lived in Pennsylvania for the past 20 years. My degrees are in Physical Therapy and Health Fitness Management, with minors in Dance Production and Athletic Training. I worked and retired from a rehabilitation hospital and owned and operated a gym/dance studio for many years. I have been teaching exercise classes and personal training for over 25 years. Some of my certifications include American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, Pilates, Yoga, Barre Above, Drums Alive and various Silvers Sneakers. My love for exercise, dance, and bridging the gap between rehab and the fitness industry have brought many rewards to myself and my students. I’m excited to share my knowledge and training with the students at Movement Works.

RYT® 200, Yoga for the Transitions of Menopause

Sharon Dejonghe

I came to yoga later in life, first as a student over a dozen years ago
who fell in love with the practice and then as a teacher who bonded
with the practice. My family and friends will hear me preach “Yoga
fixes everything” and I truly believe that. My mission is simple: to help
as many people as I can enjoy the benefits of yoga, and to make it fun
and accessible for everyone.

I was exposed to the concept of Menopause Yoga from a podcast,
which of course, I delved into further completing my Yoga for the
Transitions of Menopause Certification in 2023 with an Irish teacher
who was very ahead of the curve.

My husband and I relocated to the beach in 2023 from windy Chicago
with our rescue pup Jackson filling a lifelong dream of living by the
beach. I’ve since taken up pickleball and am trying to getting to a solid
like of the game of golf vs my like/hate relationship with the game.

RYT® 500

John Oliver

John is a 2012 graduate of the WHY Power Yoga Teacher Training Program. He is also trained in Mindful Yoga Therapy for PTSD, yoga nidra, yin yoga, restorative yoga, and has participated in numerous workshops with national instructors, including Y12SR (Yoga and the 12-Steps of Recovery). John’s teaching style is influenced by his wide array of past life experiences which range from being a professional tennis player to a single dad of five. John’s classes are a blend of gentle & power yoga, yoga nidra, Qigong, meditation, and mindful breathing. John’s style can be described as  “Gentleful Power Yoga”, therapy for mind, body, and spirit.  John’s past struggles with addiction and his long battles with chronic pain led him to the path of mindfulness interventions, including meditation, yoga, and Buddhist studies. John completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in August 2012 and his Master’s in Forensic Psychology in April 2014. John is also a certified Shamanic healer, having completed Level 3 (advanced extractions) training at the Naughty Shaman Center for Shamanic Arts.   John is the proud father of five children and in his rare spare time enjoys fishing, golf and tennis.

RYT® 200

Alice Ledford

ACE Certified

Sarah Jacques

Sarah is ACE Certified and has worked in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Sarah has a background as a Rehab Tech in Physical Therapy and loves to help people achieve their fitness goals. She is passionate about the outdoors and her adventures which include camping, hiking and kayaking with her two children and her dog, Daisy. Her focus is on helping people to get fit so that they can live a long and healthy life.

RYT® 200

Pattie Hawken

My name is Patti Hawken. I recently moved to the south from upstate New York along with my partner, Mom and beloved Husky pup. I received my Yoga Training and 200 hour Certification from Yoga Fit. I’ve been instructing Gentle Yoga Flow classes for nearly 13 years and I love sharing the joy of yoga with my students. I’m also a fan of practicing and teaching Restorative Yoga.

RYT® 200

Anne Bryan Griffiths

Anne started dancing when she was three and can’t seem to stop. She was a member of the Maryland Ballet company in high school and also fell in love with jazz and modern during this time. After graduating from The Colorado College with a degree in music, Anne went to New York to pursue a career in dance. Merce Cunningham and Alwin Nikolai were significant influences in her dancing life, but she knew she was home when she found the Jose Limon Studio. She was fortunate to be a member of the Limon Company from 1982 till 1986. Anne also has a Master’s Degree in Music Education from NYU and has recently retired from the Durham, NC Public Schools after 26 years of teaching. She received a 200 hour yoga certificate from Breathe For Change in 2021 and is a licensed Zumba teacher. Currently, Anne feels like a student of the connection between the mind, body and heart and is eager to share this journey with her community here in the Calabash area.

RYT® 500

Katie Grant

Katie Grant is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor with a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communication. As a writer, Katie enjoys weaving meditations into her asana sequence, offering students a holistic yoga experience to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. Katie lives in Ocean Isle with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. When she’s not on her yoga mat, you can find her at the beach, most likely with a book in her hand.

Barre Sculpt, Pump, Piloxing®

Denise Galiano

My name is Denise Galiano. I am originally from Brooklyn NY and have been in the Carolina’s for 18 years. Having a passion for dance I started taking Zumba about 3 years ago and fell in love with the Fitness world. I became an instructor 2 years ago and now hold licenses for Zumba, Zumba Toning, Zumba Sentao, IFTA Barre, Piloxing and have a Certification in AFAA Group which gives me many different styles of fitness.

Heart Song Sound Bath Facilitators

Megan Rose & Nate Gerry

Dedicated time to allow vocal and instrumental sound frequencies to inundate cells with Source Love energy and create a safe space to allow hearts to open to Grace.

Nate Gerry is a singer-songwriter whose music weaves together humor and heart. Inspired by Harry Nilsson, The Beatles, and Dave Matthews, Nathan seeks to capture the breadth of human experience and resiliency through catchy and introspective indie rock.  Nate, his lyrics, melodies and delivery connect in the heart space for a transformative experience.

Rev. Dr. Megan “Magpie” Rose, PharmD, B.Msc., RYT200 is a perpetual seeker of Source Love. It took her many years to find and give voice to her own heart song, and she now finds joy in being a vessel to hold space for others to find theirs. She currently shares her word, song, meditation, and asana practice at locations upon request.  She has been seen with Kirtan artists including Hanuman’s Devotion, Misty Hall & Friends, Lee Mirabai Harrington, Blissed, and Medicine Sound. She is currently a student of the University of Metaphysics as well as Yoga for the Planet.

Zumba©

Amanda Shuebrook

Amanda is originally from NJ and recently moved to Little River, SC from Miami, the home of Zumba. Her love for Zumba started back in 2008 and eventually fulfilled her dream to became a certified instructor in 2014. Amanda enjoys incorporating all rhythms of music into her classes which makes for a fun, high-energy dance party. No matter your fitness level, you can shake your worries away!

Zumba®

Robyn Tilton

My name is Robyn I have had a passion for fitness since my teens. I started as a Zumba instructor 17 years ago and have since instructed group classes such as total body with weights, butts and guts and kickboxing. I recently moved from Northern New Jersey and look forward to continuing to do what I love.

RYT® 500

Richard Webber

My yoga practice began October 29, 2014.  My first class was titled “Yoga for Golfers”. I had injured my back in April 2014.  Thanks to the Duke Doctors and physical therapy with Heather McMillian, a physical therapist from First Health, I was able to stand up straight and walk again without pain. Heather encouraged me to try yoga and to visit the Hot Asana Studio in Southern Pines. My goal was to get straighter and stronger.

My practice evolved from one class of “Yoga for Golfers”, to two classes a week, to two classes and a weekend class every other week, to purchasing a yearly membership. Currently, I practice yoga five or six times a week. Trying to attend a variety of yoga classes to enhance my practice. Growth has been slow but steady. Loving the results, I wanted to challenge myself even further by participating in a yoga teacher training program. During teacher training, I realized that once a teacher always a teacher. Teaching yoga will continue to grow my yoga practice.

Yoga is now a vital part of my life. My practice has allowed me to continue to play golf, paddle a kayak, fish from a kayak, surf fish, and stand up straighter and be stronger than ever.

Now I want to utilize my knowledge and yoga experience to assist others who may be looking to becoming physically fitter and stronger. In my opinion, developing a yoga practice will grow you physically and spiritually exponentially. There is a message out there that can be shared to help others become healthier and more physically fit. I want to help you develop a yoga practice.

RYT® 200

Debra Tuman

I fell in love with yoga many years ago while attending my first class. The practice resonated to the heart of my soul and always will. My passion led me to train in North Jersey where I received 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification through Andrea Powers studio.

I’ve taught at numerous studios throughout the years and Breathing Room Studio was the last before I moved to North Carolina. Born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in the Bronx NY, then high school days in NJ and beyond. Married to my one time soulmate for 37 years, we raised our three children in New Jersey.

I always made time for yoga and knew the healing empowerment of this ancient practice. I’m also certified as a Reiki Master, as this energy healing aligns magnificently w yoga. I also studied the Chakra system during an intense week long workshop with Andrea Judith in Manhattan.

Here I am starting over, I delved into grief and the journey pursued with long beach walks, yoga, meditations and global counseling sessions with David Kessler. David offers grief certifications for doctors and counselors as many need this awareness. I was thrilled when he opened it to the lay person, the one whose passion drives them to be of service with a desire to make a difference. I received my grief yoga certification. Shortly after this, his partner( a yoga instructor) developed the concept of Grief Yoga.

Here I am, with a knowing that the pathway of Grief Yoga is where I belonged. My hope is to share the growth, and healing that I attained, with unending lessons in this journey of our lifetime.

Line Dance Instructor

Sherry Rutledge

RYT® 500

Irina Phalen

My name is Irina Phalen. I am a registered 500 hrs Yoga Alliance teacher. I have 15 years of yoga practice with many notable teachers along with several years of yoga teaching experience. I instructed yoga classes at various NYC studios as well as in Florida as I also lived there for some time. I took a break from my teaching career when I had my two beautiful baby girls to enjoy motherhood. I was born and raised in Estonia and moved to the US to go to college 20 years ago. 
When I prepare for teaching a class I find a theme, an image, a person or anything that resonates with my heart at the moment, locate that in my body, create a class and share it with my students. There are so many  inspiring things around us and sometimes all we need to do is to slow down, breath and listen. Namaste:) 

RYT® 200

Leslie Doeing

Originally from Pennsylvania, I received my 200 hour yoga training from Free Spirit Yoga in Hershey, PA in 2018. I am also certified in Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention from Tai Chi for Health Institute. I have a passion for learning and have additional training in Yoga Nidra, Chair Yoga, Yoga for Seniors and Yin & Restorative Yoga.  I have a great passion for all forms of yoga and physical activity and enjoy sharing my enjoyment and experience with other.