MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Bethany started her own printing company at the age of 24 after graduating with her MA in Printmaking from ETSU in Johnson City, TN. A lifelong artist and entrepreneur she found yoga in January 2017 in an effort to find balance and flexibility, to complement her love of running. What started as a supplement to an already active lifestyle quickly became the focus, and when BristolYOGA was in transition that June she made the decision to move into the role as Studio Owner. Yoga has enhanced her physical and emotional well being and she feels grateful to hold the space for the Bristol community to be able to practice. BristolYOGA has a casual and relaxed atmosphere where all are welcome to practice, no matter your age, size, shape, or level of experience. Bethany believes yoga is to be enjoyed by all, and a studio a place to find friendship and community. Working with the best instructors in the region we have fun, work hard, celebrate each others progress, and support each other's lives. BristolYOGA truly is for EVERY BODY - LIVE.LOVE.YOGA!

Vicky Foster | RYT-200

 I have been practicing yoga since 2009 and teaching since 2011.  I teach a fun, flowing and energetic style of yoga in beginner, intermediate and power format. I grew up playing a wide variety of sports. As an adult that carried over into a love of exercise and a need to stay active. I have a background in personal fitness training and in classroom style safety training. I am drawn to teaching. I am loving the ever-evolving journey that yoga is taking me through in my life and look forward to sharing this with my students.

Kimberly Dove  |  M.Ed., E-RYT 200, YACEP

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do.  It comes from overcoming things you once thought you could not.”  This quote sums up Kim Dove’s passion for helping people “live life well at any age”.  For more than three decades Kim has coached and trained a diverse client base from ages 6-96, encouraging individuals to re-write their story of good health.   Regardless of ability, condition or mindset, Kim’s sets out to partner with each individual to achieve the best version of themselves.  Through a combination of life/wellness coaching, personal training and therapeutic applications of yoga and movement, Kim offers a holistic approach to health and wellness.  She encourages clients to embrace change from within to overcome things they once believed unattainable.  “I experienced major chronic health conditions as a kid and young adult so I know firsthand what it is like to work hard, overcome setbacks and attain a balance that fosters good health,” says Kim.

Kim Dove holds a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University.  She is a master-level life and wellness coach and trainer through AAAI/IAMA and an expert-level registered yoga teacher, E-RYT 200 and continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance.    She holds numerous certifications in specialty areas such as Trauma-sensitive Yoga; Pilates and Older Adult Fitness.

Kim stays active in the community, serving on the board of InStill Mindfulness in Floyd, VA and mentoring young women in SWVA.  She can be found teaching all types of yoga and core strength at Bristol Yoga.  After a corporate career Kim founded the wellness company, Bella Vita where she offers private sessions, group workshops and retreats.  Her motivational, self-discovery events, “I Am….Her” focus on women’s physical and emotional health and wellness reclamation.

Kim and her family have lived in Abingdon for over 15 years, and for many years engaged in workouts and sports together.  She and her husband are now empty-nesters and enjoy all things fitness and travel.  They have two adult sons, and a daughter-in-law, who also remain committed to health and wellness.

Heather Dotterweich  |  RYT-500

 My name is Heather Dotterweich and I’m originally from Derry in N.Ireland. I spent my 20’s in Edinburgh Scotland where I met my husband who is from Knoxville TN. In 1999 we married and I emigrated to the United States, and became a citizen in 2007. My Yoga journey officially began in Bristol TN in 2005, above the Blackbird Bakery in the studio of the Bristol Ballet, when my son was one and my daughter about 3 and a half. My first yoga class left me in a state of wonder and curiosity! My body was being asked to move in a way it never had before, and there were beautiful ancient foreign names for these places and positions I tried to arrive at. The concept of non attachment took a while to adopt! My practice evolved over the next seven years with varying teachers and locations, until I responded to an inner nudge, and entered a 230hr Yoga Teacher Training, with Lydie Ometto at InnerSea Yoga in Johnson City TN. This invaluable and life transforming experience launched an eclectic teaching path. I’ve taught all populations in a wide variety of locations and contexts. However my main focus for a lot of that time was Kids’ Yoga, as well as teaching Beginner Yoga. I later discovered that I also enjoy working with Senior populations. I have taught consistently at Bristol Yoga since it opened in 2013, and also the Slater Community for the last 6 years. For the past 7 years I have facilitated a Meditation Group at Bristol Yoga, this too has evolved over the years. We have spent nearly 3 years immersing ourselves in nature as we took our practice out to the woods during Covid lockdown etc. In 2016, I began a further 300hrs study at the Asheville Yoga Center, this advanced, module based course of study was completed in Oct’21. In April 2019 I attended BHAKTImmersion, at The Wild Lotus Yoga Studio in New Orleans, where I quickly embraced this heart centered approach to Yoga practice, with the art of singing, storytelling, poetry and dance as part of practice. I learned to play the Indian harmonium, and now include it in many of my classes. In the last few years my attention has turned towards my own ancestral roots, and I have found Celtic Spirituality to be a natural friend to Yoga practice.This journey is for me a Spiritual one, and it keeps evolving with new and ancient strands blending together, it is exciting and life enhancing. I have had many teachers who have generously shared their knowledge and life example, and have had an enormous impact on my life. This list is by no way exhaustive: Suzanne Burick-Burleson, Dolores Champagne, Lydie Ometto, Lauren Davis, Libby Hensley, Kimberley Puryear, Sara LaStella, Michael Johnson and Seán Johnson.

I really look forward to getting to know you and sharing with you in class as we awaken together.

Lydie Ometto  |  E-RYT 500

An experienced yoga teacher who sees Yoga as her walk of life & her passion. She has studied with many of the leading voices of yoga worldwide, Yogi Hari, Kali Ray, Joseph La Page, Todd Norian, Gopala, Lillian La Page, Aadil Palkhivala, Paul Grilley, Dr. Jose Rugue, Dharma Mittra, Mukesh Desai, Apo–Tibetan Lama, Judith Lasater, Martin & Jordan Kirk, Stephanie Keach, Rodney Yee, Ireni Schiavinato, Anderson Allegro, Doug Keller, Joyce Anue, Rev Dr. Louise-Dianne, Desiree Rumbaugh. Lydie is currently deepening her studies under the guidance of Rod Stryker and ParaYoga Curriculum. Lydie is an Integrative Yoga Therapist and a voice with International Association of Yoga Therapy. Her background as a Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist (BR) and Energy Work define her awareness and knowledge expressed during her classes where she also combines her love for nature and the overall Divine creation. Within her teaching an eclectic array of styles are blended in gentle, focused, balanced, harmonious, powerful and flowing movements of all bodies and in particular the ‘subtle aspects of them’.
As a yoga studio owner for 14 years, she well understands the beauty and the urgency of understanding and embracing yoga in every aspect of our life towards enhancing overall health and well-being. Lydie has been leading Yoga Teacher Trainings in the Tri-Cities area for the past 5 years and is happy to see that the ‘growth of yoga is ON’.
She is also the author of “The Top 10 Yoga Mudras & Siddhartha” and she has produced a beginners and an intermediate yoga DVD.
For more information: innerseayoga.com  &   thecenterforlifeexpression.com

Amy Long | RYT-200

 Amy's passion for yoga is decades in the making. Though Amy didn’t realize it at the time, her progression toward yoga had already begun in college with simple breathing and relaxation techniques to manage the stresses of academic life. Later, while living in Charlotte, she expanded her practice of Kripalu-based yoga and knew that yoga would always be a part of her life. It was through Amy’s explorations on the mat that she was inspired to expand her personal yoga journey to include her community. So in the spring of 2015, through the instruction and guidance of Lydie Ometto of InnerSea Yoga and Shelly Bullock of Bristol Yoga Center, she completed their 230-hour yoga teacher training program. In her classes, Amy will invite you to listen to your body, your mind, and your heart as you move and explore in a supportive environment. She is here to uplift and assist you in your journey towards your most authentic self through the practice of yoga.

Mallory Jessee | RYT-200

Mallory is a native of southwest Virginia who loves these mountains. Mallory first tried yoga while in graduate school to help with stress but came back to it with deeper attention a little later to combat a life long battle with anxiety. She completed the YTT 200 at Bristol Yoga in April 2017. Mallory has a master's degree in clinical social work and is a licensed therapist. She has received training in using yoga and mindfulness as tools for therapy and is fascinated in how the body/mind/soul connection that yoga nurtures can help heal depression, anxiety, grief, trauma,  self-criticism, and so much more. But more than that, she has found a passion in sharing the gift of what yoga can give any person willing to simply show up. And most importantly, it just feels so good! Mallory's classes will invite you to be fully present and mindful of the beautiful gift of your body and your life, and the amazing potential you have to be your best self in each moment.

~ Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Ghandi ~

Jenny Wallace | RYT-200 / Certified Barre Instructor

Jenny rediscovered her love of yoga in 2017 and began to feel the improvements of a regular practice right away, noticing the difference it made in her running.  Always interested in health and well-being, she had a desire to learn more and strengthen her practice and in 2018 she completed her 200 hour YTT through Bristol Yoga and InnerSea Yoga.  Jenny loves teaching and sharing the benefits of yoga with others and believes mood follows action. Her goal is to create a welcoming class where you'll stretch, flow, and move with your breath to build strength, improve mobility, and leave rested and reenergized.  And with her background in aromatherapy, she loves to combine the holistic therapies of essential oils and yoga to support wellness. 

Jenny works full-time for a non-profit ministry in Bristol and in addition to yoga, enjoys teaching Barre, running, and being outdoors with her dog, Ladybird. 

Grace Anderson | RYT-200

Always having a passion for health and wellness, Grace instantly fell in love with yoga from day one. She felt the need to share this love with others and completed her RYT 200 in 2018. Teaching brings her immense joy and hot power yoga is her true passion. Today, you can find her on the mat almost always upside down. 

Kayla Smile | RYT-200

Kayla discovered her love of yoga during a time in her life where she felt “stuck.” Looking to discover something new, she started taking an array of classes at her local yoga studio. She felt at home with the welcoming yoga community, and the impact yoga made on her mental and physical health. 

Thus began her teaching journey when she saw a bulletin of an upcoming teacher training with Lydie Ometto. After four metamorphic months of diving deep into the teacher immersion and her own personal journey of growth, she obtained her teacher certification from InnerSea Yoga and BristolYOGA. Her professional teaching journey continues as she has had a more “specialized focus” in Pre-Natal and Yin.

Through her teaching, Kayla invites you to take a break from your ever busy world, show up to your mat, and take the time to slow down and rest. Offering her students the opportunity of less doing, and more being.

Christine Simmons | RYT-200

Christine attended her first yoga class 22 years ago and immediately knew that she’d found something life-changing in that yoga studio. She experienced a feeling of freedom – freedom from distractions, self-doubt; and the freedom to focus on what she was feeling in her body. She attended her first yoga conference in 2003. Christine realized that this was much more than a passing obsession. Many more yoga conferences and workshops would follow. She was pouring herself into the practice of asana and wanted to learn more about yoga philosophy and the evolution of this sacred practice. Her goal was to complete a teacher training and immersion program and eventually become a yoga instructor.

The opportunity to teach presented itself before the teacher certification. She saw this moment as a gift. Christine drew from her years of experience, absorbing everything she could from every teacher and every class. She read countless books on the different methods of yoga and quizzed her instructors. In the blink of an eye, Christine had eight years of experience teaching yoga in the Iyengar and Hatha methods. Still, she recognized the need for further growth. After retiring from her demanding job and moving from California to Bristol, TN, Christine completed her 200-Hour RYT in 2022 through InnerSea and Bristol Yoga. The YTT experience was one of the great accomplishments of her life. It inspired her to love more fully and feel a deeper sense of gratitude. Christine is eager to share her passion for yoga. She loves the sacredness of yoga; and she also thinks a yoga practice should be fun! Her goal is to help YOU discover and experience what yoga means to you; to spark self-inquiry and motivate self-practice and self-care; and to offer a safe, loving place to express your most divine self.