Kathy Hallen

Kathy is the Director of Ride The Breath. She considers Matthew Sweeney to be her primary teacher, and has studied intensively under his guidance for the past 4 years. She recently received approval to teach his wonderful Moon and Lion Sequences; and just began the study of his Advanced Baddha (Bound) sequence. Kathy has been studying and teaching yoga for over 20 years, including 15 years practicing and teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in the tradition of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Kathy enjoys teaching and encouraging her students to make the practice their own by developing a consistent self practice approach; and she continues to explore her own practice through techniques of self-observation, fluid and rhythmic breathing, and inquiry into the energetic body. She has studied extensively with teachers certified or authorized by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois; including, Annie Pace, David Swenson and John Scott. She has completed David's Primary Series and Intermediate Series teacher trainings. Kathy views the practice as a path to liberation.

 

Fran Slavich

Like his wife Kathy, Fran's primary teacher is also Matthew Sweeney, and he has also received approval from Matthew to teach the Moon and Lion Sequences from his Vinyasa Krama series. Fran is a practitioner of the complete Advanced A section (third series) of the Ashtanga system, and is currently learning the Advanced B section (4th series) under the guidance of Matthew. He brings a unique perspective and foundation to his practice and teaching through his 12 years of martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, and Tai Chi.

Fran focuses on what he believes to be the heart and soul of method; namely, the integration of correct breathing, bandhas, and vinyasa. When practiced correctly, this tapestry can produce a flowing, graceful, and near effortless feeling which increases the energy and vitality of the body-mind. He has studied extensively with teachers certified or authorized by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois; and has been practicing and teaching the ashtanga vinyasa system for 10 years.

In addition to Matthew, teachers that have had a deep and lasting impact on his practice and teaching style are David Swenson, Annie Pace, and John Scott. Fran completed David Swenson's Primary Series and Intermediate Series teacher trainings, and credits David for imparting the jewel of the system (correct breathing); and he began his practice of the Advanced A section (third series) with John Scott. Fran has a deep respect and reverence for the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice as a path to self-realization.

 

Stacy Ingham

Stacy has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1998 and has completed the intermediate series (2nd series) of the method. She has been teaching in the Triangle area since 2001. Stacy's approach as a teacher is to educate students on the joy of a consistent yoga practice, demonstrating how to pay attention to the details of form and philosophy, and making yoga accessible for all levels.Originally certified with Yogafit, she continued her studies in the Ashtanga yoga tradition with David Swensen, Annie Pace, Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, and most recently with David Keil and Matthew Sweeney. She also studies on an ongoing basis with Fran Slavich and Kathy Hallen, enriching her Ashtanga practice with Matthew Sweeney's Moon and Lion Sequences from his Vinyasa Krama series. 

 

Vera Luck

Vera Luck has practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 2004 and has taught it since 2006.  She is currently working on completing the intermediate series (2nd series) of the method and was drawn to the practice by its transformational effects on the mind and body; as well as its traditional philosophy and style.  Her teaching emphasizes that students of all levels can enjoy Ashtanga with a gradual and mindful approach.  She is inspired by her teachers Fran Slavich and Kathy Hallen, and has received teacher training from Stephanie Keach, Mary Kay West, and Yael Zemack-Rugar.  Additionally, she has also studied with many world-renowned teachers; including David Williams, Annie Pace, David Keil, Matthew Sweeney, Sharon Gannon, Paul Grilley, Cyndi Lee, and Doug Swenson.

 

Peggy Manring

 

Peggy Manring has practiced yoga since 1980 and has been a dedicated teacher in the Durham NC area since 1989.  Her teacher/mentors follow the teachings of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, Bonnie Bambridge Cohen, BKS iyengar and Moshe Feldenkrais.  She completed the Body, Mind and Spirit Yoga Teacher Training with Lisa Clark and David Beadle in 2007.   Her yoga practice integrates the multiple influences her teachers have given her. In addition to her restorative yoga program, Peggy is currently integrating Matthew Sweeney's Moon sequence into her personal practice.