Instructors at The Light Within Yoga Studio

	Alison Donley Alison Donley discovered her love for yoga when, at the age of 16, she discovered B.K.S. Iyengar's Light on Yoga in the library of the small town of Waynesboro, PA. While she continued to practice yoga asana throughout the next 5 years of competitive gymnastics, Alison's real journey began when the competition ended, and the true practice of yoga began. Alison has been "doing" yoga for almost 30 years; teaching yoga for over 17 years, and "living" yoga for almost 12. She started yoga programs for 2 large health clubs in the West Chester area, and opened The Light Within Yoga Studio in November of 2004 after she and her husband Dean, and two children, Rachel and Trevor, moved to Southern Chester County. Alison created a 3-credit yoga course for West Chester University, where she has been teaching since 1998. She continues to teach 2-3 sections of Yoga I and Yoga II each semester at WCU. Alison has been through numerous training and certification programs through the years, including The American Council on Exercise, ISMA, and workshops with Beryl Bender-Birch. She has also studied under Tim Miller and Richard Freeman. Alison believes that her strongest quality as a teacher is her passion for sharing yoga and her love for her students. The Light Within Yoga Studio was featured in the October 2005 issue of Yoga Journal magazine, as part of Omtown Heroes, an article about small town yoga studios.
	Carol Murray Carol Murray has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since she first saw it on the cover of Yoga Journal 14 years ago. "I found it absolutely fascinating," says Carol. "From the first time I saw it I knew that I wanted to devote myself to learning it. And I still feel that way after all of these years." Carol has over 500 hours of teacher training with Beryl Bender Birch, renowned Ashtanga Yoga teacher based in Montauk, New York. When asked why she enjoys teaching at The Light Within Yoga Studio, Carol replied: "Ashtanga creates community. You need people to practice with. It's a good feeling to be part of a group of people traveling down the same path."
	Erin McKeon Erin McKeon is an alumni of the University of Vermont. In her undergraduate studies she focused on ecological design and sustainable agriculture. Her compassion and reverence for the environment motivated her to collaborate with another student on teaching an undergraduate-level, semester-long course, focusing on environmental awareness and Yogic philosophy, as a thesis project. Experiences such as studying in India, engaging in community, and working collectively on local conservation and farming projects, provides Erin with a rich background regarding sustainable environmental and social development. She currently works on Research & Development for North Creek Nurseries, a native perennial plant nursery in Landenberg, PA. Erin is a dedicated student of Ashtanga yoga, supporting her asana practice with studying Yogic texts and Sanskrit mantras. She recently had the opportunity to deepen her practice at a teacher training with Tim Miller and she looks forwa rd to future training with him.
	Carol Hayward Carol Hayward began her study of T'ai Chi in 1977 with the late Master Dee Chou in Newark, De. It is his traditional Yang style form that she hopes to pass on. She has learned from many other teachers and masters. She began to teach professionally in 1986.
	Anne Hughes Anne has been teaching yoga for over 6 years and has studied many styles including Kripalu, Restorative, Svaroopa, Ashtanga, and TriYoga and is certified in 200 hour certification in accordance with Yoga Alliance. Anne has also extensively studied other movement disciplines which inspire her teaching, including T'ai Chi, Chi Kung, classical ballet and other dance styles. She has trained in many healing modalities including massage (CMP), Healing Touch, Reiki, and Intuitive Healing and Energy Medicine. Anne deeply loves the works of Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz, and Mary Oliver who speak of the Divine in our daily moments. Anne holds a degree in Psychology and Communication (MA). Linking movement with breath, creating awareness of healing energy in the body, and exploring and honoring our divine nature, Anne likes to teach gentle, but challenging classes. "Yoga is the beautiful center of my life, from which everything blossoms. It is a true honor to share yoga with others".
	Patty Jacobs Patricia was first drawn into yoga, as a way to exercise when the cold winter weather dissuaded her from riding her mountain bike. But, since her very first class at The Light Within when it opened in 2004, she has been drawn even deeper into yoga, as a way of experiencing so much more than the physical postures. Patty appreciates all that yoga has brought into her life both on and off of her favorite blue mat. At the studio, she has been involved with many of the marketing and promotional events. She has helped to develop and assist such programs as the Children's yoga classes, "Yoga Grooves" (a music inspired class) and "Barefoot in the Park" (a community event celebrating the summer solstice). In addition she has assisted Alison Donley, owner of the studio, with teaching classes at West Chester University. Patricia's informal yogic education includes reading, continued practice, and ongoing learning from her gifted teachers. Future goals include: incorporating more yoga into her special education classes (she is a certified Child Development Specialist); collaborating with friend and creativity coach, Paula Graham on a series of wellness workshops; and attending teacher training workshops.