2015 Instructors

Carla Forte is a certified 200 hour-level yoga instructor and therapist. She specializes in providing yoga as therapy for adults with mental health challenges, including those in recovery. She has been teaching yoga for four years and owns the mental health and coaching practice, InnSight Counseling and Coaching. Visit www.innsightcoaching.com.

Donna Fulcher’s love for humanity has lead her to study the Human Body for the last ten years. Her studies and research of Physical Anatomy, Yogic Anatomy and Energy Healing have inspired her in the Healing Arts as a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, Certified Y.O.G.A. for Youth Teacher, Reiki II Practitioner.  Donna is the owner of “Power of Massage” a private massage practice located near Duke’s East Campus. She is a graduate from the Therapeutic Massage Program at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, founder of Yoga Body and Soul (African American Yoga events and retreats). Visit www.powerofmassage.com.

Joy Mickle has been a certified yoga teacher through the NC School of Yoga in Hatha-Raja Yoga since 2007. She has also been a practicing Buddhist since 2001 and integrates meditation and pranayama techniques into her classes. Mickle seeks to give her students a deeper understanding of the union of body and mind. Her classes move students through asana with meditative awareness of the body and breath. The meditative quality of class creates an environment for students to experience relaxation and peace even through challenging poses.

Briana Young-Roane studied at lots of Yoga studios, in many styles: Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, and Ashtanga. In 2005 she started her teaching career. Teaching in a few major cities as she moved across the U.S. her ultimate goal is to open a Haven for Yoga, Spiritual Reconnection, and a Restful Resort. In addition she has owned two different studios over the past few years, one a Yoga Studio, and the other a Pole Dance studio. Briana has collected about 350hrs of Teacher training and workshop experience.   www.brianasyoga.com

Keval Kaur Khalsa, M.A., is a Professional Kundalini Yoga Teacher Trainer.  She is an Associate Professor of the Practice in Dance & Theater Studies and Service-Learning Faculty Fellow at Duke University, where she has been on the faculty for 25 years and served as the Director of the Dance Program for 7 years.  Keval Kaur trains Kundalini yoga teachers and Y.O.G.A. for Youth teachers, has taught yoga on three continents, and will offer a Level I Kundalini yoga teacher training in Durham beginning May, 2015.  Keval Kaur is a lead teacher for Y.O.G.A. for Youth, and has served as the southeast Regional Coordinator for 7 years.



Valinda Davis seriously began her yoga journey at age 60 and at 62, decided to step up her practice to yoga certification.  In 2009, Valinda was given an opportunity to live and study at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Lenox MA. for a month to obtain her certification.  Through yoga, I am not only creating freedom and release in my own mind, body and spirit but assisting others in discovering how they can create the same inside their own bodies. In addition to currently teaching three (3) yoga classes per week; Valinda is a nationally certified and NC state licensed massage therapist of 18 years. Valinda feels honored and  blessed to inspire and help others to navigate through this existence we call Life!  

Victoria Bowden was introduced to yoga in 1999 and has been practicing ever since. While taking various instructors and styles of yoga she discovered Power Yoga. She was immediately drawn to the athleticism, strength and grace of the practice. Plus she loved the way it made her feel! She has been teaching various fitness classes for over a decade and in 2009, received her 200 hour Power Vinyasa Yoga certification in order to share her practice with others. Her approach to yoga is simple; don't take yourself too seriously; try something new; do something good for your body and have fun! Her classes are challenging, yet accessible to all levels; mindful, but light-hearted. Step onto your mat without expectation, listen to what your body needs, and go for it. Victoria has a Master's degree in Exercise Physical.



Ingrid Saddler-Walker, RCYT - 200, M.A. Counseling, - Kundalini trained to teach children and adults.  Ingrid is the owner of Wytha Balance Yoga - Counseling LLC, in Durham, NC.  She began teaching in 2009. Ingrid has taught at Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham Downtown YMCA, North Carolina Central University - Wellness Center and several Day treatment Mental Health Agencies.   She also offers a Yoga Creative Summer Camp for Kids.  Ingrid is trained in Mindfulness with Mindful Schools Fundamentals, Mindful Schools K-12 School Curriculum and Mindfulness for School Age Children.

Victoria Smith became inspired by the beauty of yoga 17 years ago.  Victoria is a lover of dance and movement.  She recently completed her yoga teacher trainings through YogaWorks and Yoga for Youth. Victoria enjoys teaching Hatha and Kundalini Yoga to students of all ages and abilities.  She is devoted to the belief that yoga can heal and transform an individual’s body and mind.  She believes that a committed yoga practice brings strength, flexibility and vibrancy to one’s life. You can find Victoria drinking chai tea, hiking and volunteering at the Botanical Gardens. Victoria has a Masters of Science in Psychology/Marriage, Family and Child Counseling.  Victoria is currently studying Horticultural Therapy and Yoga for Depression. Reach Victoria at peoplesyoga@icloud.com. 

Kimberley Cartwright sees her yoga practice as an essential part of her life. Her wish is to encourage everyone to open themselves up to the possibility of change in their lives through yoga. Kimberley brings humor, support and a non-judgmental attitude to her class to let students know that a yoga practice is a fun and a valuable experience. Kimberley is a new instructor working toward certification. Off the mat she is a journalist, artist and wife. 

Burly Page, Jr.- Teacher of 200 hours of Pure Power and various other styles of yoga. Student and teacher of Advaita Vedanta and the Mahayoga vehicle of Tibetan Buddhism.

Kenneth Strickland is a Certified Y.O.G.A for Youth Teacher. He majored in Psychology and minored in Education at Duke University. He was introduced to yoga a year ago when he took a course in a Kundalini Yoga and Sikhism at Duke University taught by Keval Khalsa. He has witnessed first hand how the art and science of yoga is not only relevant but also truly transformative. He is currently exploring how movement in the form of dance and yoga can help release embodied trauma. He will be Level I Kundalini certified in December 2015 after taking yoga teacher training in Durham beginning May, 2015 taught by Keval Khalsa.