Welcome
to our Studio!
In our two wonderful rooms we offer a wide variety of Yoga classes serving a wide range of Yoga styles. Each class is instructed by one of our incredible certified teachers, and offers detailed instruction and adjustments in various poses and culminates in a period of deep relaxation. All of our classes have a purpose of bringing us inward; teaching us to listen to the body and observe the mind.
Not only do we offer an incredible selection of styles and teachers, we also host world class yoga teachers such as Manju Jois, Cyndi Lee, Doug Keller, Paul Grilley, Roger Cole, Desiree Rumbaugh, Doug Swenson, Swami Ramananda, Joshua Michaell, Stephanie Keach and Rolf Gates. Our guest kirtan artists have been Dave Stringer, Benji & Heather Wertheimer, Girish, and Sean Johnson and Wild Lotus Band.
And if that weren’t enough, we have one of the most experienced teacher training programs in the south; complete with direction from Trace Sahaja Bonner, who has studied yoga over the last 20 years, but also a diverse faculty from various schools and academics.
Holy Cow Yoga Center is also a healing center in many ways. Not only is there yoga classes, but we are delighted to have holistic practitioners in our studio offices, offering Therapeutic Massage, Reiki and Rolfing. See bios below.
Meet Our Teachers
The Om Store
(our adjacent retail store)
The Om Store is filled with Yoga items to help the novice or experienced Yogi, including books, yoga mats, Yogitoes, yoga mat bags, meditation cushions, DVD's, and other unique items. We also sell freedom-to-move clothing from companies such as Prana, Be Present, Hyde, as well as other fun yoga tees and tops.
Trace Sahaja Bonner is the Founder/Director of Holy Cow Yoga Center. She began her practice 16 years ago, and is a certified advanced Integral Yoga Instructor (influenced by Sri Swami Satchidananda). Having studied in India and the U.S., Trace Sahaja continues to draw from a variety of great teachers in the west. She continues to take workshops with a host of contemporary Yoga instructors and deepen her personal understanding of Yoga. Yoga is about having fun with the journey, so she enjoys bringing her lighthearted teaching style to all levels of hatha classes, teacher trainings, as well as in workshops on meditation, breathing and the Yoga Sutras.
Beth Bharati Rice is trained in multi-disciplinary styles including, Sivananda, Tantric, Viniyoga and Iyengar. She has been devoted to her yoga practice for 20 years, and is a senior yoga instructor and co-teacher trainer at Holy Cow Yoga Studio. Her strengthening vinyasa flow is injected with compassionate adjustments and subtle energy work that helps to create openness in the asanas. Her teachings have been been expanded and influenced by teacher trainings with Gary Kraftsow, Aadil Palkhivala, Rod Stryker and Kofi Busia. Beth Bharati is also a massage therapist and has a women's only practice, which incorporates Craniosacral therapy. She loves infusing the two healing arts of Yoga and Massage.
Linda Shoyer has come to the practice of Yoga after a long journey which took her from a background of dance, teaching aerobics and strength training both in her native Philadelphia and in Charleston, where she has lived for the last 12 years. In April 2004, she completed her Teacher Training at Holy Cow Yoga and has enriched her life beyond expectation. Her interest lies in the benefits and practice of gentle and restorative Yoga for everyone, and she is pleased to have an opportunity to teach at Holy Cow.
TD began his yoga practice at a local gym, and began attending classes at Holy Cow shortly thereafter to dig more deeply into the practice. All of that digging lead to Teacher Training at Holy Cow, which TD completed in April 2004. Continuing his "yoga education" with outstanding instructors like Doug Keller, Erich Schiffmann, Stephanie Keach and Cyndi Lee, he found his true passion in the practice with Yin Yoga trainings led by Paul & Suzee Grilley. His classes now feature a flow element combined with a fun take on the Yin-Yang practice.
Anna Ishwari Cox is trained in Integral yoga, and completed her teacher certification at Satchidananda Ashram in 2003. She has a gentle approach to the hatha practice, emphasizing breath awareness and finding a sense of relaxation in each posture. The overall sense of well-being and balance that yoga provides has given her a deep respect for the practice. She enjoys sharing the path and feels honored to witness students discover the benefits. Anna is registered through the Yoga Alliance and the Integral Yoga Teacher's Association. She values being a part of the Holy Cow community.
Kat Hendrix is a 200 E-RYT who began studying Buddhist philosophy, meditation and pranayama over twenty years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. She began practicing the physical asanas of yoga in 1996 and completed her teacher training in Spring 2005. Kat's classes emphasize steadiness and strength with a focus on slow, flowing movement connected by breath. Kat encourages students to develop an awareness of their own energetic rhythms as they practice. Outside the studio, she finds a regular yoga practice also benefits her other interests such as surfing, ceramic sculpting, writing and rock climbing. Kat is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance and holds a PhD in public health.
Amy Quesenbery discovered yoga in 1999, although she has had a shoulderstand practice for much longer. As a child, she would go up into the pose and hang out for what seemed like hours, gazing at her feet, imagining that she was standing on the ceiling. As an adult, she has reconnected with her inner yogini, and spends a good bit of time gazing at her feet and standing on the ceiling. The only difference is that now she knows that turning the world upside down is called Sarvangasana and she gets to teach other people how to do it. Amy graduated from the Holy Cow Teacher Training program in February 2006 and is delighted to be part of the Holy Cow community.
Steven Willard came to yoga as a way to cope with stress in his former life as a government employee! One of the aspects that has kept Steven consistently on the mat is yoga's ability to develop an attitude of "nowness", being present in the moment and the practice. Steven completed Holy Cow's nine month 200 hour Teacher Training program. He brings humor, lightheartedness and a sense of fun to his classes. Steven tries to foster a sense of joy on the mat that can travel “off the mat”. Don’t worry: he will make an appearance from time to time :-)
Michele Aramati Wilson originally came to Yoga class for stress relief, and she quickly fell in love with all aspects of the practice. She finds that Yoga connects body, breath, mind & spirit for a deep experience of well-being and peace. Having discovered her practice later in life, she has deep compassion for those just beginning their Yoga journey and those with physical limitations. Michele's teaching is inspired by the Yin practice, and she hopes to bring a sense of gentle calmness (and a light sense of humor!) to her classes. Michele completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training here at Holy Cow Yoga Center, and is grateful to be a part of the Holy Cow community.
Message From the Director
As another “Living Your Yoga” group finishes their program, I reflect back to many things we discussed and shared during our 4 weeks together. And always, by the end, I feel there is a moment where we stand upon a precipice...do we take the blue pill and stay in our lives as we know them. Feeling the times of separation and challenges as this overwhelming abyss that we may or may not overcome. OR, do we take the red pill and see how far down the rabbit hole our mind/ego go to conceal our true nature and being. The revealing of our inner self that has been concealed is not easy, per se. But, rather a daunting task that requires consciousness of our behaviors, beliefs and habits, and questioning, is what I am choosing take me closer to peace or further away.
This measure toward spiritual evolution has been quite successful for me. When in doubt about a situation, difficulty or harmful habit, I ponder whether MY actions, reactions or interactions are taking me closer to a happy, peaceful existence, or further away. If I feel anger or resentful about something or someone, I meditate deeply as to the origins of those feelings, and then ask...do they take me closer to God (happiness and peacefulness)? If they don’t then I must do the work to resolve this inner conflict. Most the time it is easier to say, well when I remove this thing or person from my life, then I will be happy. However, what I have found instead of long term happiness is another similar situation occurs and I am right back where I started. If only everyone and everything would just do what I WANT!?
A spiritual path requires work to stay conscious with constant evaluation and adjusting, fine tuning our lives. And here, as we end the “Living Your Yoga” program, I am reminded that I have found something quite valuable to assist me in this tuning. In a way, a manual to guide me through the thicket of obstacles that abound. It is Yoga. A life philosophy that continually assists me in revealing myself, to myself. It helps me stand steady in the seemingly large unknown called life. And, makes me glad I took the red pill.
Trace Sahaja Bonner, Director
Massage Therapists & Holistic Practitioners
Eden Fonvielle, LMT graduated from Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy in December 2000. She specializes in Swedish, Full Body, Deep Relaxation, coupled with the option of aromatherapy. Contact for appt at 843-708-4816.
Kate Hudson discovered the grace of a devoted yoga practice in 1996. She completed the 200-hour Teacher Training program at Holy Cow Yoga Center in 2003, and she is now a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. Yoga has helped her cultivate self-awareness and self-confidence, and her greatest joy in teaching yoga is watching these qualities grow in her students. She is grateful to her teachers, and she hopes to share their energy, wisdom, and compassion through her classes. She is honored to be a member of the Holy Cow community
Elyse Overdyk took her first yoga class as a teenager. Over the years, she has learned to apply the lessons from the mat to her everyday life off the mat. She has experienced the physical and psychological benefits of yoga and recognized the importance of compassionate awareness for one’s self and others. She aims to create a safe atmosphere in class where students are encouraged to work within their own limits and to practice mindfully in a way that nurtures their own body, mind and spirit. Elyse completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training program at Holy Cow. She is certified to teach Prenatal Yoga and delights in the energy of these beautiful women.She is truly grateful to the ancient yogis and the present yogis, who have changed her life.
Administrative Staff:
Michele Wilson, Jenya Grant,
Alice Klobukowski, Lindsey Kozel, Allura Henderson,
Ayla Sarnoff
Erin Nalini Levesque first came to yoga as a means to strengthen her core and increase flexibility. This physical practice gradually developed into an emotional outlet, which fueled a desire to delve deeper into the spiritual aspects of yoga. Erin completed Teacher Training at Holy Cow Yoga in February 2009. She is excited about sharing her practice with others, and feels blessed to have this new opportunity. While the physical aspects of a yoga practice will always remain essential to Erin, she is passionate about using asana as a moving meditation. Erin is grateful to be in the company of the amazing individuals of the Holy Cow community.
Ursel Sarala Harmon, RYT came to yoga in search of relief from the stresses of daily life. Ursel Sarala went to her first yoga class 7 years ago , and decided she'd found her peace. Passionate about the yoga practice she began teaching in 2004, earning certifications in Gentle/Chair Yoga from Satchidananda Ashram, VA, and PreNatal Yoga from Holy Cow Yoga Center, among numerous certifications. Ursel Sarala enjoys working with and assisting yogis with limitations and her teaching style embodies the calmer aspects of the asana practice.
Jenifer Mahanes is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and has been performing massage in the Charleston area since 2004. Jenifer has a passion for working with "Mommies to be". In addition to being a massage therapist, she has been a Reiki Practioner since 1999 and became a Reiki Master in 2008 and is also a certified yoga teacher. Click here to visit Jenifer’s website.
Deborah Kaufman discovered yoga about 15 years ago during her work as a professional ballet dancer. After moving into other careers, she continued her yoga practice in NYC, the Art of Living’s 1st course of the Sudarshan Kriya, and completed Holy Cow’s 9 month 200 hour Teacher Training program. Deborah is the Official Yoga teacher of the Charleston Battery soccer team, cancer survivor workshops, and volunteer’s yoga at Hollings Cancer Center. She is learning from her teachers and students, to share yoga, movement and balance, on and off the mat. Deborah is grateful to Holy Cow, as an integral and beneficial part of her path.
Tina Bowlin joins Holy Cow most recently from NYC where she began practicing yoga as a complement to her professional ballet and ballroom dance career. Through her Holy Cow yoga teacher training and prior years of holistic exploration, Tina has become passionate about the therapeutic benefits of yoga, the intelligence and precision of alignment methodized by the Iyengar tradition, and the preventative possibilities available through yoga. Tina is also interested in sound vibration's potential for healing.
Angela Finley, RYT came to the mat 8 years ago after years of running left her injured, worn out, and uninspired. Angela discovered that yoga brought her contentment, balance, strength, peace, and equanimity. And she just had to pass it all on! Angela received her 200 Hour Teacher Training at Holy Cow in Charleston, SC and have since been blessed to study and practice with many teachers, including; Simon Park, Max Strom, Mitchell Bleier, Rolf Gates, Gregor Singleton, to name a few. Angela teaches flow classes to fun music with a balance between effort and surrender! Angela is so grateful and honored to be able to share my love and passion for yoga with others! I'm delighted to be a part of the Holy Cow Community!
Co-Teachers:
Jane Wainwright
Jenya Grant
George Buell
Vikki Mira Matsis is deeply grateful and honored to be apart of the Holy Cow community. She has been practicing yoga for 8 years and is working on her 500-hour certification through Holy Cow. Vikki is most drawn to meditation, pranayama and kirtan; she believes that yoga is just one of the many paths that can lead to personal truth and discovery.
Steve Schultz has been practicing as a wellness physician for ten years in Charleston; and is the founder of 123back.info. He began his search for holistic knowledge while working as a medical scientist at the U.S.F. College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. It was there, a debilitating back injury led to a different path of healthcare after modern medicine couldn't help. His enthusiastic curiosity from a healthy recovery guided him with honors through professional school. He became a regular student and took the "Living Your Yoga" class at Holy Cow Yoga in 2008. He then completed 200-Hour Teacher Training in May, 2009. His professional opinion is that, "yoga is the best activity to improve spinal strength and flexibility." Steve enjoys Tai Ji Gong Fu San (Kung Fu Fan Tai Chi), indoor bouldering and guitar, when he is not on the mat at Holy Cow.
Ashley Hamlett has been living and working in the Charleston area since 2002. She went to her first yoga class at a local gym in 2004 in hopes to strengthen her muscles and increase flexibility in her body. As her yoga practiced developed, she began to realize the deeper aspects of yoga and the emotional and spiritual benefits of the practice. Ashley completed her 200 Hour Teacher Training in May 2009 at Holy Cow Yoga Center. She is certified to teach a multidisciplinary Hatha yoga class. She considers yoga an essential part of her everyday life and is honored to teach yoga in her community.
Kimberly Kala Benintendo began her personal yoga practice over 12 years ago. Recently returning to the Charleston area, she is thrilled to be a part of the Holy Cow Community. She completed the 200-hour teacher training at Holy Cow in 2010 and is currently enrolled in the 500 hour training. Kim is excited to continue to learn and grow through yoga and enjoys bringing the benefits of yoga to people in the community.
Jenya Devika Grant has been drawn to Eastern philosophy since she was practicing karate as a child with her father in Soviet Russia. When she moved to Charleston in 2007 and started practicing Yoga in Holy Cow Yoga Center, she became strongly drawn to the spiritual teachings behind Yoga. Gradually, the practice on the mat transformed into the practice outside the mat, in everyday life. In May 2010 Jenya completed Teacher Training Certification at Holy Cow and started teaching. She believes that Hatha Yoga practice should be challenging but not painful, steady but not dogmatic, and lead to open mindfulness. Being a part of the Holy Cow community is changing her life and she is deeply grateful for that.
Heidi Woodson Crotts completed her 200 hour teacher training at Holy Cow Yoga Center in May 2010. As a former gymnast and springboard diver, Heidi first came to yoga to maintain strength and flexibility. Soon thereafter she discovered the healing and transformative power of yoga and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to share her passion with others at Holy Cow. Originally from Colorado, Heidi is a true mountain girl at heart and when not on her mat at Holy Cow she is working as a social worker/crisis counselor and exploring new horizons. You can expect to leave her class feeling peaceful, calm and balanced. “It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.” -Thoreau
