Our Yoga Instructors

Chris Brown ERYT 200, RYT 500

Chris came to yoga in early 2006 seeking balance to a successful professional life. He still works in that same successful professional life, and attributes the clarity of mind that yoga brings to creating more opportunity and less stress in everyday life. In yoga, there is a process of learning to get out of our own way. We live in the world. Let its challenges and joys open every moment. In your professional life, be more effective, in your family life, more loving, in your spiritual life, more present. Listen to that light within.

He completed his 200 hour teacher training at North Main Yoga in 2008 and his 500 hour certification at The Asheville Yoga Center in 2009. He has had the opportunity to study with Max Strom, Stephanie Keach, Shala Worsley, Doug Keller, Eric Schiffmann, Paulie Zink, Cora Wen, and others. Chris continues his practice, focusing on compassion, kindness and grace.

His practice is physical vinyasa, yin and meditation. Above all, practice with compassion, you will get there in time, be patient, be kind, learn that your failings and struggles are your best teachers, these are your greatest blessings.

On March 1, 2009, Chris was in a car accident and suffered a broken back. He wore a brace for two months and continues to work towards full recovery....weakness sometimes creates new openings and new grace. After being told that he could begin a gentle practice four months after the accident, Chris started on the mat 6 days following the accident, and hasn’t missed a day since. Chris studies yoga therapy and is most interested in healing the body, mind, and spirit. He is available to work with individuals, small groups, or just answer a question. Feel free to ask or send an e-mail to: Chris

Chris was married in 1997 and has two little boys. He likes music, laughter, sweat, good friends, and lazy afternoons with the kids. He feels strongly about not taking himself too seriously.

Laura Caylor, RYT 200

Laura realized at the ripe age of 50 that her body could no longer withstand the pounding and high impact intensity of super-charged aerobic activity. “There has got to be a BALANCE here”, she said, “to support what I love to do and that is to MOVE with purpose and with feeling”. Mid-life trials and challenges lead her to a year long, in-depth study of yoga to find her true sense of who she IS. Wow! What a great experience. Through studies and practice in Kripalu yoga, the transformation began and continues today – yoga is a way of Life! Laura was certified, (216hr teacher training), in March of 2010 and has been teaching ever since. Sharing what she loves and learning from her students is a daily practice; she also enjoys learning from other teachers in the area, as well as from the yoga masters past and present.

Becky Watson, RYT 200

Becky got hooked on yoga over 6 years ago. She has been teaching since 2006. Becky finds her joy and her peace in her yoga practice and aims to share that with her students. Over the years, she has had the pleasure of introducing yoga to many beginners and she loves to watch those beginners grow in their practice. Becky also likes to help her students discover how a yoga practice can help them with their other daily activities.She likes to mix up styles and pulls from many different yoga traditions. Becky feels like she learns something new about her yoga practice daily. She completed her 200 hour teacher training program at Dharma.

Melissa Howard, RYT 200

Melissa comes from Alabama, but studied at LSU, and those Tigers remain dear to her heart. She has been married for 13 years and she and her husband have traveled the world, living in 2 countries and 6 states. While living in Singapore 10 years ago she had her first yoga experience and has been in love ever since. She has three children and a dog that keep her active. Melissa completed Dharma Yoga Studios teacher training program in November.

Jill Mashburn, RYT 200

Jill has been doing a little yoga on and off since childhood growing up in Scotland. In 2006 she began to practice on a regular basis taking classes from many different teachers. Yoga brought a calmness and confidence in to her life and a good balance to her professional career. Jill is a Runner who cross- trains with yoga or is she a Yogi who cross- trains with running. Whatever the mix, the combination works! Jill is an active volunteer who considers teaching yoga as a way of sharing and giving back to the community. Jill just completed her 200 hours in Dharma Yoga Studios inaugural teacher training class of 2011.

Desiree Beauchamp-Jones, RYT 200

Desiree originally hails from Texas, but has lived and adventured in the Upstate and western North Carolina for seven years now. Previously, Desiree has worked as a dog trainer and as a K9 Handler for Wilderness Search and Rescue. When not on her mat, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her four dogs, and is passionate about local food and culture. Her ultimate “Bucket List” dream is to explore the Yukon by backpack and canoe. She began practicing yoga on her own while in college, looking for a practice that would challenge her both physically and mentally. Happily, she found it, and yoga has proven to be an indispensable way of life for her, seeing her through all the ups and downs along the way. Desiree completed Dharma's teacher training program in November.

Linda Patterson, RYT 200

Linda believes that the benefits of yoga should be accessible to all people, regardless of age, body size or fitness level. She has experienced negative body-image issues and knows firsthand the benefits that yoga can bring to improving flexibility, body-image and self-esteem. Linda loves to share her body-positive teachings with students of all levels. Linda completed her 230 hour therapeutic yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center. She is also certified to teach Curvy Yoga. She has studied with Stephanie Keach, Anna Guest-Jelley, Gary Kraftsow, Shala Worsley and Michael Johnson.

Yogi Sharma, RYT 200

Yogi grew up in India, where he learned and did some Yoga off and on for many years. In 2005 he switched to a Gym, after jogging was not a good option for the knees, which have seen wear and tear over years. He joined the Dharma Yoga studios in Greenville, SC, for regular practice in 2009 and started teaching a Yoga class associated with “Art of Living” group in Greenville. Yogi completed the Dharma 200 hour teacher training program, conducted by Dharma Yoga Studios, taught by Chris Brown. Regular Yoga practice is very essential for mental, physical and spiritual advancement. Yoga practice with healthy breathing brings many benefits to the practitioner, including physical and mental calmness.