OUR STAFF
Amanda Hale
Co-Director
As someone who finds it challenging to be still, Amanda’s yoga journey began in 1999 simply as another way to keep her body moving. Little did she know that yoga is actually a journey into stillness, and it wasn’t until several years later when she began to realize that while her body was happily opening and strengthening, her mind, heart and spirit were undergoing a transformation as well. Since that time she has had the opportunity to study with many amazing teachers, and in 2008 began teaching in Chapel Hill, NC. Her family relocated to Asheville in 2011 where she immersed herself in the vibrant yoga community of this beautiful city, feeling nurtured and held by that community and these ancient mountains since she arrived. She has had many careers over the years from Nurse Practitioner to yoga teacher, to most recently Co-Owner of an activewear company, and is now is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sara LaStella as they continue to grow the Asheville Yoga Festival for many years to come.
Amanda enjoys about any activity that is outdoors whether it is hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, gardening or taking care of her chickens. Her husband and 4 children are her greatest teachers, reminding her to stay open to love and gratitude, and that this short, sweet life is meant to be a celebration.
Sara LaStella
Co-Director
Before becoming a yoga instructor Sara was the Events Coordinator at a popular publishing company in San Francisco, where she traveled around the globe attending conferences. In 2007 she transitioned to teaching yoga after finding her heart on the mat. Sara was fortunate enough to work closely with many wonderful teachers, including the founders of Off the Mat, Into the World - an organization bridging the gap between yoga and activism. With them, she attended multiple festivals, where she learned the true ins and outs of the festival world. After moving to Asheville with her husband in 2013, relocating her teaching career, and having two beautiful daughters, she thought she had settled down. But luckily, fate had it that she would partner with Amanda Hale to take over ownership and management of the Love♡Shine♡Play Festival...The rest is yet to be told.
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Sara spends most of her spare time with her family and in the mountains.
Carol Snyder
Volunteer Coordinator
Carole’s discovery of yoga started at a point in her life when things needed to change. Starting with a small 10 minute home practice, she realized quickly how yoga has the power to transform and change our mind and thoughts. From there, her practice continued to grow. She completed her first yoga training in Ohio, and began teaching where she practiced, Prana Yoga in Broadview Heights, OH, under the guidance of Kathleen Kossman. After retiring from 30 years of teaching in the public school system, and with her son, Daniel, off at The Ohio State University, she moved to the beautiful Asheville community.
Carole has completed both the 300 hour Advanced Yoga Training and the 300 hours Therapeutically Oriented Yoga Training at Asheville Yoga Center. In addition, she is a certified Curvy Yoga teacher and a Zumba teacher. She is registered as an ERYT200/RYT500 with the Yoga Alliance. She teaches at Asheville Yoga Center, ABTech Community College, and Inspired Change Yoga. Additionally, Carole teaches balance classes for older adults at the YMCA.
In her spare time she can be found standing in one spot while her beagle, Kiwi, smells a blade of grass, making the best Oatmeal raisin cookies, or watching ‘reality’ tv.
Emily Nichols
Social Media & Imagery
I’m passionate about creating imagery that inspires and deepens our connection to ourselves, each other and the planet.
In photographing people, I look for that moment when their essential nature shines through —unguarded. It’s as if the whole face lights up with an expression that is uniquely and truly their own.