The Teachers
Hi I'm Brandy, welcome to Solshine
Exercise has been an outlet for me for most of my life. The simplicity of reaching small goals through consistency taught me that every great journey begins with the first step. I began teaching fitness classes when I was in college, but It wasn’t until my life began to crumble around me, that I found the transformational practice of yoga. Meeting myself on the mat was harder than anything I had done before. Instead of going faster, I learned to slow down. Instead of being competitive I learned to be present with my thoughts. Instead of pushing my body beyond it’s limits I learned how to work with my body to make movement more successful.This practice is literally for anyone who is willing. I have worked with kids, athletes, moms, working professionals, people who struggle with back pain and mobility issues, and those returning from injury.
I specialize in teaching people how to move well, my programs are created to help both your body and your mind achieve optimal function through smart movement patterns, focused breathing and core stability.
I am an E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and a Yoga Lecturer at Clemson University. I hold certifications and credentials as a personal trainer and fitness instructor through the American Council on Exercise. I am a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the Biomechanics Method and I hold specialty certifications in senior and youth fitness.
Solshine is a Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance for 200-hour and 300-hour Certifications. We are a continuing education provider through ACE and YA.
Megan Cato
"I teach yoga to create an environment for people to make space for more love and more awareness in their everyday lives. As someone who identifies as an “achiever”, yoga for me is about listening to my body and disconnecting from ego, comparison, and competition when I’m on my mat. My favorite poses are heart openers. They make me feel as though I can breathe a little lighter and extend more compassion to myself and others."Megan completed her 200-RYT training through Solshine Yoga in August of 2019. In addition to teaching at the studio, Megan also teaches shooting, yoga and bowling for Clemson University’s Leisure Skills department and is a real estate agent for Monaghan Company Real Estate.
Wendy Hawkins
I am a busy mother and middle school teacher who found yoga while looking for a way to manage stress. The first class hooked me and along the way I discovered that the union of mind and body through breath and movement would not only benefit me, but also the well being of my family and the many students I encounter year after year. I have been practicing yoga for nearly 10 years and along the way realized the practice that anchored me was something I had to share with others. I am an RYT 200 certified yoga teacher at Solshine Wellness Studio and am passionate about bringing the benefits of yoga to a diverse community, our youth and families. I am a presenter and co-author for SWS teacher training programs with a specialty in Yoga for our Youth. I offer community based classes that benefit the various organizations in our local area, including a community class for our teens. I enjoy teaching, learning, and growing within the Solshine Wellness community.
Tori Niemann
Tori received her 200 hour registration through Solshine Yoga, in 2016. Even as a former college basketball player, I have never felt stronger and more in tune with my body than when I started a regular yoga practice. I have a passion to serve and empower others and enjoy every opportunity we have together on the mat. Yoga allows us to connect, ground, strengthen, release and so much more. Grace and power don’t always come from the physical practice, but from the connection of breath, body and mind. I’m an avid yogi, an RYT-200 and college athletics professional. Currently, I live almost 1,000 miles away from my family, Solshine has welcomed me and become the community I was looking for.
Sally Turnbull
Yoga has been a part of my life for over 15 years. It has been there for me in hard times, and in great times, in all those times, yoga has lead me back to myself. What drew me to yoga was the connection to my body. I was already in my 20s when I started a yoga practice and was amazed at how my body moved as one system, how subtle movements could change the entire feeling of the pose. Knowing my body gave me greater confidence in myself in all aspects of how I move through life. As my yoga practice is grown, I find myself reflecting more on the connection to the mind and the breath. I am a 200 hour RYT with Yoga Alliance. In classes I encourage students to not take themselves too seriously, to play with their poses, and to be present on their mat. I am thankful for everyone I meet in the Solshine community and look forward to practicing with you! Fave quote: “Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - Anonymous
Sandy Fallon
Sandy grew up on Boulder CO, she first stepped onto a yoga mat 20 years ago and was hooked. Sandy received her 200 hour through Core Power yoga in 2011. She is a certified personal trainer through NASM. A Lagree Pilates instructor, and holds certifications in SUP, barre, arial yoga, hot 26 and yoga sculpt. Her career as a PA included years in surgery, the ICU and Emergency medicine. "Seeing so many people with medical issues related to lifestyle, I decided to change my approach and focus on helping people through preventative and holistic coaching." She opened Rakta Hot Yoga in 2017 in the beautiful town of Steamboat Springs, Co. Her classes have a strong alignment and anatomy focus, intermingled with humor and playfulness. " I encourage students to listen their own inner teachings and develop their own intuition when they practice. Seeing joy on a students face when they see progress with their practice is why I love teaching yoga."