Founder

Carin Painter, an Ohio native and Ohio University alumna, founded Serenity Roots Yoga & Wellness Center with the heartfelt mission of creating a sanctuary where people could nurture their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. With a deep passion for positivity and a commitment to helping others, Carin sought to build a space that would not only provide wellness practices but also foster a sense of community.

Having always been dedicated to the power of self-care, Carin recognized the importance of a holistic approach to health—one that integrates mind, body, and spirit. She envisioned Serenity Roots as more than just a yoga studio; it would be a place where individuals could gather, connect, and grow together, both personally and as a community.

Through her work, Carin aims to inspire individuals to prioritize their well-being while encouraging meaningful connections with others who share similar values. Serenity Roots is a reflection of her dedication to creating a positive, supportive environment where people can heal, grow, and thrive. It's a place where everyone is welcomed with open arms, and where wellness extends beyond the practice of yoga to encompass the deeper, life-affirming connections that help us all flourish.

RYT 500 Instructor

Michelle Greenfield is a Kripalu and Radiant Body Yoga instructor and has been teaching classes since 2009, in Athens, Ohio and Carbondale, Colorado. She has been practicing various forms of yoga since she was in graduate school in 1993, starting with her Iyengar teachers and adding Integral, Vinyasa, Kripalu and most recently Kundalini.

Michelle received her 200-hour training with Michelle Stobart at Inhale Yoga in Athens, and her 300-hour at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. She is currently studying Radiant Body Yoga Kundalini and will receive another 500 hour certification in Radiant Body Yoga with Kia Miller in 2025.

Her classes integrate alignment oriented flowing or held poses, pranayama breath practices and meditations in movement and stillness. As a Mindful Outdoor Guide, Michelle also leads groups in mindful outdoor experiences to immerse themselves in and connect with the natural world. She will receive her Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification in 2025, through Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield’s 2 year training program. 

TCTSY-F Instructor

Erin has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. She is a certified TCTSY-F through the 300 hour Trauma Center - Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) program. She has over 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training; including yoga for addiction, mental health, criminal justice, and stress relief. She's studied prenatal yoga, yin yoga, iRest, and trauma sensitive mindfulness. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is in pursuit of a master's degree in Integral Health with a concentration in Yoga Therapy.

Erin’s gentle sessions are centered around what it's like to be in a certain shape, rather than trying to get into a certain shape. She invites participants to cultivate a balance between steadiness and ease, using the breath as a pathway between mind and body; unifying mind, body, and spirit - the essence of yoga." 

If you want to learn more about Erin, go to her blog about her yoga journey https://www.tsyproject.com/blog/my-yoga-life-s-journey

RYT 200 Yoga Instructor

I welcome all kinds of students and practitioners, regardless of ability or experience. I originally took up yoga in 2009 after an autoimmune diagnosis. Introduced to the practice in the Hatha tradition, I delved into Vinyasa, Yin and Iyengar Yoga to deepen my understanding.  Through the discipline of yoga, Ii continue to cultivate resilience, strength, and ease of presence especially during challenging times. Using a combination of modalities, I invite students to become more body and mind aware while improving mobility, flexibility, and strength. My teaching also incorporates mindful breathing practices to nurture the self and awaken gratitude.

Besides being a full-time Program Officer at the Sisters Health Foundation, I teach for the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart and for Village Productions in Amesville.  I’ve also led sessions for Leadership Athens County and other nonprofit cohorts. I write and publish poetry, love to hike and spend time in woods and prairies, and try to be a good human to others and the earth. In my spare time, I help take care of goats and other animals on my farm outside of Athens. I believe that yoga is accessible to all as it is "a journey of the self, through the self, and to the self.”  By practicing yoga, we are able to better serve others. 

Level 1 Qi Gong certification

David has been practicing Qi Gong for over 13 years and is a certified instructor through Holden Qi Gong for the past five years. Teachers include: Lee holden, Mater Mingtong Gu, Robert Pang, and Crow Swimsaway

A theatrical designer and professor by profession specializing in scenic and costume design, puppetry and props, David uses his practice of Qi Gong to manage stress and bring balance and focus to his work. He is thrilled to offer this powerful yet subtle practice to the Athens community.

David leads his class from vigorous warm-ups to relaxing flowing movements, and finishes with guided or quiet mediation.

His hobbies include Kayaking, Painting, and Gardening.

RYT 200

Piper is a certified Yoga Alliance teacher and has been practicing yoga & dance for over 30 years.  She started in dance as a child, deep diving into a love of movement that would carry on through adulthood.  She has worked in movement in various forms throughout her career (dance teacher, choreographer, yoga teacher).  She loves teaching slow flow movement that encourages people to meet their body where it is and move in a way that feels restorative.

RYT 500

Ana León is a yoga teacher with over 15 years of personal practice. She holds a 200-hour TT in yoga and biomechanics, as well as a 200-hour TT in Yoga Foundations from Krishna Temple, both of which were held in Ecuador. She also participated in early training in Hatha Yoga and Psychophysical Gymnastics through the Gran Fraternidad Universal (G.F.U.). Her deeper studies include over 500 hours of training with the Center for Traditional Yoga Studies, where she had the privilege of learning from Gilles and Valerie Redard, who have more than 40 years of experience in TT in Ecuador and France. Through their multiple trips to India, they studied with important masters such as Krishnamacharya, Krishnamurti, Amma, among others. Gurudji Thavoban, a revered master from the south of India, was Gilles and Valerie's guru, and as a result, he is the foundation of Ana’s yoga lineage as well.

In addition to her yoga studies, Ana has received training in both Vipassana and Zazen meditation practices, which continue to inform her approach to mindful movement and inner awareness. Ana has also had the opportunity to meet and learn from respected spiritual teachers including Swami Premananda, Andrei Ram, Ravi Ramoneda, Ma Radha Bharati, and Sri Sadhu Maharaja during a yoga and meditation conference held in Ecuador in 2014. Ana has also explored Ashtanga Yoga through studies with Alexandra Moreano, an authorized teacher by the Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, India. While Ana does not teach Ashtanga, it holds a meaningful place in her personal practice. 

Ana's teaching is also grounded in a trauma-informed approach, drawn from her work with survivors. She creates a safe, welcoming space for students to explore movement and breath at their own pace, with a focus on mindfulness, self-awareness, and gentle strength-building. With a deep understanding of the body’s wisdom, Ana fosters an environment where healing and growth are always possible.

Furthermore, Ana is certified in Reiki, Thai massage, Tui Na Chinese massage and PSYCH-K (technique used to reprogram subconscious beliefs that are limiting the full expression of your potential in life), all of which complement her yoga practice, offering a holistic approach to well-being. Through her work, Ana seeks to help others reconnect with their bodies, heal from past trauma, and experience the transformative power of yoga in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Holy Fire®, Karuna® & Usui Reiki certified

Julie is a certified Holy Fire, Karuna, and Usui Shiki Ryoho Tibetan Reiki Master with two decades of healing modalities, including Access Bars that specifically focus on your Chakra alignment. Over the years, Julie's natural gifts expanded into becoming an intuitive guide, helping her clients connect with Spirit/Source through Tarot, Spirit Art, Tibetan Sound Healing, Scrying, Shadow Work, and Aura Readings to help unblock energy.

Healing Touch Certification, Reiki Certification

Susan is a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner, Reiki Master, Spiritual Director, Master’s prepared nurse and board-certified chaplain. As a nurse, Susan realized that healing is more than just conventional medicine and began to explore many energetic healing modalities. Susan has practiced Healing Touch, an evidence-based, gentle, safe and effective healing modality for over 20 years in hospitals, classrooms, hospice care, and in her own private practice. Working with the human energy system, Susan uses Healing Touch to relieve pain and stress, promote relaxation, and to engage the body’s own healing process.

Licensed Massage Therapist Now booking for April!

I have been studying the human body from a physiological, kinesthetic and spiritual approach for over 30 years. My training includes the Finger Lake School of Massage in Ithaca, N.Y. , B.F.A., (Ohio University) , M.F.A.(Temple University) in Dance, LIfeways Waldorf Early Childhood C.ED., and many intensives with other teachers over the years. I am passionately interested in supporting a person into their best humanity.
My multi-layered career as massage therapist, artist, choreographer, teacher, sister, daughter, mother and wife has taught me the importance of massage. Over the years of working in the healing arts, I have observed that there is an importance of rhythm, routine and relationship-based care with my clients. My sessions offer a quiet space to listen to the body, heart and soul, inviting balance to the nervous, circulatory, and muscular systems. I integrate Deep Tissue, Polarity, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Shiatsu, Swedish, Reiki, hot and cold stones, essential oils, and rice bags with an intention and a deep understanding that each body, day and moment needs to be approached a new.

Breathwork Certification

I spent nearly 30 years in health care, first as an RN in the hospital, then 25 years at Ohio University’s medical school and the College of Health Sciences and Professions. My whole career was based on evidence-based practices.

Then I discovered breathwork. I could not logically explain the profound experiences and I struggled to make sense of it. After talking with other practitioners, reading and continuing to practice, I came to accept that I don’t need to know why. It was life changing for me and that was enough.

There are many different breathwork techniques. All serve their own specific purpose, and all support you (your nervous system, your body, your mind, your spirit). I completed a 64-hour certification with David Elliott plus 16-hours additional training with him. He uses a form of Pranayama breath: breathing exercises that clear physical and emotional obstacles in your body thus freeing the breath and the flow of prana - life energy. There are many forms of pranayama breathwork. The method that I utilize is a 3-part breath.

My role is to hold space for you and to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Your experience, however, is yours and I do not try to influence or change it. I do monitor and will check-in with you if you are struggling.

Description goes hereRebecca VerNooy has been practicing Authentic Movement since 1982.  She is a movement theater artist, actor and writer.  She is the Head of the Acting BFA at Ohio University and teaches Movement, Acting and Mindfulness and Creativity.  Her essay, Authentic Movement and its application to Performance Training was published in the anthology Movement for Actor’s  (Allworth Press, 2017).   Her first book, Both Sides of Crazy, was published in 2022. 

MA, E-RYT 500 Yoga and Meditation Instructor

Yoga came to me twice. The 1st time, I was in my 20s and a boyfriend introduced me to the practice through Ram Das’s book, Be Here Now. The 2nd time, many years later, after falling away from yoga, after birthing 4 kids and eventually leaving a marriage of 16 years, yoga helped me regain my center.

In 1995, I began teaching weekly classes at Hocking College and sharing a nascent Ashtanga practice with friends. In 2001, I left my position as a writing instructor at Hocking College and moved to metro Detroit to pursue yoga full time. While there I taught weekly drop-in classes, assisted with teacher trainings, led local and international retreats, co-managed a thriving studio, and honed my teaching skills. I returned to SE Ohio in the spring of 2024 to be close to family.

I have over 1000 hours of training in disciplines as varied as Ashtanga-Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin, Katonah, Forrest Yoga, Vipassana Meditation and Yoga for Eating Disorders. Formally trained in Detroit with Jonny Kest’s Center for Yoga and at Kripalu with Joseph and Lilian LePage’s Integrative Yoga Therapy, I also hold Level 1 and Level 2 certificates from KRI and have studied shamanic journey techniques through The Foundation for Shamanic Studies workshops. In 2008, I published Yoga at the Wall.

My teaching is an eclectic mix of precepts, practices, and traditions. Primarily however, I teach breath and awareness, tailoring instruction to my students. Overall, I believe that yoga is more than the sum of its techniques. It’s a way of Being.