Robin Hearne
RYT-500

Owner + Yoga Instructor

As a Registered Nurse and health and wellness advocate, Robin dedicated her career to the art and science of managing chronic disease, holding advanced certifications in both cardiac and oncology nursing.  Intrigued by the mind-body-spirit connection, Robin completed a post graduate course in Integrative Leadership at Duke University, with a special interest in lifestyle medicine,  holistic care and the benefits of an integrated approach to cancer care.     

 While recovering from a tennis injury, Robin turned to Outer Banks Yoga, seeking to create more space, stillness and balance in her life.  Within the walls of Outer Banks Yoga, Robin found a nourishing sanctuary to discover new possibilities, inspire personal growth and further her passion to promote health and wellness.  In February 2021, Robin received her 220-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification from Anne Follenbach Howard here at the Amalam School of Yoga at Outer Banks Yoga and shortly after, took the plunge to become the studio owner.                

Robin believes in the benefits of yoga for everyone and serves her students and her community with depth and devotion, seeking to balance movement, breath and stillness. As the owner of Outer Banks Yoga, Robin seeks to nurture an environment of community, honoring the traditions and ancient wisdom of yoga in today's modern world to promote health and healing and shine light and love to our beautiful Outer Banks community.   

Anne Follenbach-Howard
eRYT-500 YACEP

DIRECTOR OF YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM + Yoga instructor

Anne is the director and instructor of our Yoga Teacher Training program - Amalam School of Yoga at Outer Banks Yoga.

She has been practicing Yoga for nearly two decades. She began her journey in France when she was traveling often between Europe and Indonesia and felt she needed a nourishing practice that she could bring with her anywhere. After she moved to the US she pursued her 500-hour yoga teacher certification.

A beloved teacher with 10,000 hours of experience, she leads classes that are ever evolving. Challenging, yet balanced with softness, relaxation and humor. She is also certified and teaches and trains in Yoga for Trauma, Yoga for Kids and Pre-natal Yoga.

Susan Reynolds
eRYT-500 YACEP

YOGA INSTRUCTOR & Teacher Trainer

Discovering the wisdom within the body has been Susan’s lifetime endeavor.  She first discovered the synergy of linking breath to movement and the benefits of meditation and Yin yoga through Japanese Chishin Ryu martial arts.  Turning to yoga’s more peaceful practice, she appreciates the strengthening and lengthening benefits, the introspective meditation, and fascial openings of vinyasa flow and Yin.  Yoga helped her in a successful fight with breast cancer.  Uniting the physical, mental and subtle body through breath by practicing vinyasa and Yin brings balance, peace, focus, and strength in the body and mind. Slower mindful breathing along with Yoga’s moving meditation reduces stress, and tension. 

Yoga is a wonderful way to pause the busy demands of everyday life.  Whether it’s a powerful or gentle flow, yoga is a way to stay present, stay in touch with your spirit, and your heart. 

 A member of Yoga Alliance, Susan’s official designations are E-RYT200 and 500RYT, logging over 2500 teaching hours since 2014.  She carries the YACEP designation as a continuing education teacher and is continually fascinated by yoga and how combining breath, movement, loving kindness, and body wisdom can bring balance to life.  She believes you can change anything about yourself you wish to change, your shape, your outlook, your experiences, and your life through loving acceptance.  

Kelly Shields
RYT-500

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

In 2016, I came for the stress relief and to touch my toes. And stayed because I discovered so much more. Separate from the physical, I began to see the mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of the yoga practice, and I wanted to learn more. Two years later, I registered for the 220-hour yoga teacher training program here at Outer Banks Yoga’s Amalam School of Yoga and never looked back. Studying under the wise sage Anne Howard has been uplifting and inspiring, a testament to her kindness and grace. Through this training, I overcame some of my own fears (headstands, kale, and Sanskrit terms, to name a few). I enjoy encouraging my students to overcome their own fears and self-doubt, to stretch their bodies and minds further than they thought possible, and to leave the practice with a feeling of satisfaction and contentment. When not on the mat, I run a management business with my wonderful husband, have raised three kind young men, love to play tennis, dig in my garden, and search for beach glass. And yes, I can now touch my toes.

Toni Greene
RYT-200
Les Mills Certified Instructor of Body Balance

Toni Greene is a Les Mills Certified Instructor of Body Balance, an invigorating blend of Tai Chi, Yoga, Balance and Pilates, choreographed to uplifting music. She went on to complete her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training from YogaMu in October 2022. Toni is passionate about creating an environment where stability, strength and mobility training are FUN for all ages and body types.
Believing body positivity incorporates freedom in movement, Toni will bring a smile to your face and a little more stretch in your muscles. When Toni is not working out, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two middle school aged children. They stay active on the beach and enjoy kayaking, sailing and other water sports.

Julia Voellmecke
RYT-200

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Julia’s yoga journey began while she was pregnant with her first son 10 years ago. She loved the way yoga positively strengthened her physical and mental health and how her practice prepared her for the new chapter in her life. She has ever since been dedicated to yoga.

Julia and her family have been regularly coming to the Outer Banks for summer vacations. While enjoying the busy beach, she also discovered the Outer Banks Yoga Studio and fell in love with the beautiful and calming atmosphere that surrounds it/within.

In Summer of 2022, Julia moved with her husband and two sons from Germany to the Outer Banks and became a permanent resident.  She completed the 220-hour yoga teacher training at the Amalam School of Yoga at Outer Banks Yoga Studio with her teacher, Anne Howard. Julia is forever grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from such an inspiring, graceful and very special mentor.

Turning to yoga throughout different stages in her life, Julia has developed a deep trust in yoga as being the perfect partner to face every life challenge there is. She believes the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of the yoga practice will smoothly guide you through everyday life. She is looking forward to sharing her yoga journey/excitement with her students. 

Jennifer Berry
RYT-200

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Jennifer is a native of North Carolina and moved to the Outer Banks in 1987 after successfully completing a 1200-hour cosmetology course.  Jennifer has been a licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist since 1993.  This occupation assisted her not only with the anatomy segment of the teacher training course but also with asana adjustments which she will now utilize as a yoga instructor. Jennifer’s extended family now includes her teacher training classmates and her students.

Being a long-time breeder and handler of Saint Bernards is one of the reasons Jennifer’s calm demeanor shines through, but her patient husband takes “First Place” in fueling her calm demeanor.

Like many other former students of yoga teacher training, Jennifer truly believed her main objective was to deepen her asana practice not to actually teach. However, after learning to connect with her true self in a more mindful way and gain confidence in her yoga abilities, Jennifer decided she wanted to share what she learned.  She is hoping to inspire other yoga students to participate in the teacher training course like Anne Howard inspired her. Jennifer enjoys all of the challenging aspects of her busy lifestyle but spending quality time with her husband and 4-legged children is what she always looks forward to.

Karen Karuna Bachman
eRYT-200, RYT-500

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Karen’s yoga journey began in 1995 on the Outer Banks, a beautiful place where heaven and earth mingle together on a thin strip of sand. Karen is a 500-hour RYT, graduating from the Amalam School of Yoga at Outer Banks Yoga in 2019 and completing her 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training through My Vinyasa Practice in Austin, TX in 2021.

Connecting the body mind and spirit to playful movement brings joy to Karen's practice. Motivated by exploring movement, consciousness, philosophy and that sweet spot between ancient and modern wisdom, Karen enjoys helping others find their way toward positive change and growth. Her deepest hope is for you to feel strongly connected to your heart when you step off your mat after practicing together.

Kathy Cagiano
RYT-200

yoga instructor

Kathy is a long-time resident of the Outer Banks moving here from Northern Virginia 33 years ago.  Her connection with yoga began while living in Virginia, and she reconnected with the practice 3-4 years ago after attending a yoga retreat in Corolla.  Family and friends claim that Kathy “marches to the beat of a different drummer,” and she is just grateful that she marched through the front door of Outer Banks Yoga! As a health enthusiast, Kathy claims that, “In addition to a healthy diet and well-rounded exercise program, ‘laughter is the best medicine' so she lives and works in a fun-loving but hard-working environment... and with laughter, the end result is a higher quality and faster completion of tasks.

Kathy lives with her husband and two dogs who are her biggest contributors to her laughter and everyday support. It was her husband who insisted that Kathy attend the yoga retreat that reconnected her to yoga.  Even though she thought she would be retired by now, after 18 years Kathy continues to work as an administrative assistant with an environmental consulting firm in Kill Devil Hills. Outside of yoga some of Kathy’s interests include:  "all creatures great & small,” writing, dancing, and observing (everything).

Oli Cela
RYT-500

Yoga Instructor

Oli Cela’s spiritual journey began in Albania, where she was born and raised in a political environment that gave her no choice of her destiny. At eighteen she was assigned the role of elementary school teacher and left home to study at the university. At first Cela resisted being sent away to study something she did not choose, but eventually she grew to love teaching and enjoyed twelve years of inspiring young students in her native country. But soon living in a war torn communist country became too much for Oli and her family and after relocating to Ohio, she gained political asylum, eventually finding her way to the Outer Banks.

Her struggle with a rare form of arthritis, as well as the stress of being a working single mother, placed Oli on the path to find a way to manage her overwhelming situation. This path led her to Outer Banks Yoga where she began her Yoga studies with Ann Howard, receiving her RYT220 and YTT300 completely healing her body and spirit. She is now sharing her passion for healing and connection through exploring yoga both as a teacher and always as a student.

Her favorite quote: 

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” - Khalil Gibran

Kerry Sanders
eRYT-200

Yoga, PIlates & Fitness Instructor

Kerry believes core strength is the base of all fitness. Always physically active, Kerry competes in triathlons, is an avid cyclist, runner/walker & paddle boarder!  She was the Fitness Coordinator for the OBX YMCA, from their inception in 2000 through 2021.  Kerry has been teaching Pilates for 21 years (2001). She completed pilates certification with the PhysicalMind Institute in 2013, reformer certification with Balanced Body and completed Yoga Teacher Training with the Amalam School of Yoga at Outer Banks Yoga. Along with her Pilates & Yoga instruction, Kerry teaches numerous fitness classes having been trained by ACE, AFAA & IFTA.  

 Kerry teaches all levels and loves to challenge her students by taking them a little further then they would push themselves alone. Her style has more of a physical approach with a keen attention to detail towards form. “I enjoy the whole process of creating a class, challenging the member, then taking them into a state of relaxation, so when they leave they feel their whole body vibrate with positive energy & self worth!”

Having been an athlete her whole life, she has also had her share of injuries and surgeries, which has merely reinforced her belief in the importance of a strong core that can be your basis for strength. These experiences also make her a terrific ally for those recovering and in need of thoughtful modifications.

 Kerry graduated with a BA in Communications Arts & Design and is also a fine artist. She has been in the fitness world for 32 years, is mother of two, active in the town of Nags Head serving on town boards and with her husband, part owner of a local restaurant.

Anna Oprea
RYT-200

Yoga Instructor

In 2018 Anna found yoga.  Searching for a place to breathe, yoga allowed Anna to nourish her emotional and physical self.  She quickly became a dedicated student of the beloved Anne Howard and it was only natural to study under her at the Amalam School of Yoga, completing teacher training in April 2020.  While her yoga journey has not been long in years, the enlightenment gained is immeasurable and everlasting.  In Anna’s practice, she offers space for others to come as they are, be in the now, and leave a little bit lighter.    

Suzanne Duck
RYT-500

Yoga Instructor

Suzanne began practicing yoga as a way to simply add stretching to her exercise routine but soon began to realize the amazingly positive impacts of a regular practice. Being immediately drawn to yoga’s ability to calm the mind, strengthen the body and bring clarity and connection to one’s inner self, Suzanne developed a desire to deepen her practice and share the transformative and therapeutic benefits of yoga with others.

Suzanne believes every body can benefit from the practice of yoga and provides a safe and inclusive, welcoming space for students to explore their practice. Her classes emphasize the important connection of breath and movement, integrating elements of Vinyasa and Hatha styles of yoga and focusing on alignment and proper technique. She creates a supportive, mindful, and calming atmosphere, encouraging students to tap into their inner wisdom and find peace within.

Suzanne has happily lived on the Outer Banks for the last 35 years. She has raised 2 wonderful boys who are now aged 19 and 21 and raised countless dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, fish, and one bird. Outside of the studio, Suzanne can be found walking on the beach, in the garden for hours, or traveling to visit family and friends. She is grateful to have the opportunity to live in a beautiful place and to be able to share the healing and therapeutic benefits of yoga with others.

Rebecca Head
RYT 500

Yoga Instructor

Yoga has always been an interest of Rebecca’s and a constant during several moves. After relocating back to the Outer Banks and beginning to teach Elementary School, Rebecca met Anne Follenbach Howard, who had brought her gift of yoga into the Elementary School curriculum. Anne introduced Rebecca to a yoga group for teachers. Six years later Rebecca had the amazing opportunity to study under Anne and completed her 220-hour yoga teacher training at the Amalam school of yoga at Outer Banks Yoga. With this training, yoga and all it encompasses, unfolded for Rebecca and she will forever be grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an amazing mentor. Rebecca continues to strive each day to be in the present and to share positivity and light with those around her. Rebecca has been on the Outer Banks for almost 15 years and when she is not practicing yoga, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her husband, son, family, and friends.  

Rebekah Thompson
RYT 200

YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Rebekah started exploring yoga in 2012 and began to develop her yoga practice at Dig Yoga in Lambertville, NJ. It was there that Rebekah found a true love relationship with yoga as she experienced deep emotional, mental and physical healing through her practice. When she moved back to her hometown of Richmond, VA, Rebekah found a yoga community at The Yoga Dojo where she later completed her 200-hour Rocket Based Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training. In late 2020, Rebekah started studying Ashtanga Yoga under Michelle Dorer and taught Beach Yoga during the summer of 2021.
Rebekah is also a talented music teacher. She studied music in college and graduated with a degree in music with a focus on vocal performance. She has been teaching voice, piano and violin and performing professionally for 10-years and she serves as the Director of Music Ministries at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church.
Rebekah’s musical talents compliment her yoga classes beautifully. Her classes offer a balance between flexibility and strength asanas and she likes to pair music with her class that allows the flow to become a physically creative expression. With a focus on alignment, you can expect to see Rebekah come off her mat and walk around while she is teaching, offering one-on-one support and optional hands-on adjustments.

Lalai Riquelme
RYT 500

YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Coyoacan, south of Mexico City, Lalai studied classical dance and became a professional ballet dancer. In 2012 she completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Loto Roja, after practicing there for several years. In 2015, she launched a yoga class for dancers with the Metropolitan Ballet B.Met, teaching a combination of dance, breathwork and body awareness to those wanting to deepen their dance movement and awareness. With a passion for travel and the outdoors, Lalai later moved to the Raleigh, NC and taught Vinyasa Yoga & Yin Yoga to rock climbers at the Triangle Rock Club.

As a lifelong learner, Lalai has completed numerous continuing education workshops and went on to complete her 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Akasha Yoga Academy in 2024. A love of surfing and coastal living brought Lalai to the Outer Banks where she now calls home. Inspired by her teachers, peers and her travels, Lalai aims to bring a unique sense of empowerment to every class. Her classes are carefully planned and purposeful, creating an environment where positive energy flows.