Meet your training teachers!
We feel blessed to offer some of the industry's most well educated, inspired and respected teachers, facilitators, faculty and trainers. Sol Yoga’s training programs attract depth and offer authenticity.
The teachers below will be our primary faculty for the year, with others joining us for shorter talks, presentations, or site visits. Shelley and Dorcas will be our constant guidance, and the others will join us for a dedicated weekend in their specific specialty. More details incoming!
Shelley Pentony
Lead Facilitator, E-RYT, YACEP
Shelley began practicing yoga as a child and has found ways to make it a part of her life both on and off the mat ever since. After working for 16 years providing emotional support and advocacy to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence, Shelley recognized that such a big part of healing involves learning to bear witness to, hold and tend to the place where all our trauma symptoms manifest & all the inner resources for healing reside - our body. In 2016, she took the leap to pursue teaching trauma informed yoga full time and ever since, has been bringing trauma informed practices to all types of trauma populations in her community and nationwide.
Shelley has taught over 10,000 hours of yoga, has facilitated 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings, spoken on trauma informed care and practices at International Conferences and all around the United States. She is met with the same passion and love for her work each time she steps onto her mat to teach. She holds an E-RYT 500, is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, is certified in multiple trauma informed yoga practices & modalities, works as an Oncology Yoga & Meditation Practitioner in the Integrative Clinic at the James M Stockman Cancer Institute and is also trained in teaching Yin Yoga and Yoga for Grief & Healing. Shelley has is a Lymphatic Specialist and has done extensive training in the fields of Meditation, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Shelley’s yoga practice is informed by a deep listening to the body and the more subtle aspects of yoga. She values being a student first and can often be found focusing on the biopsychosocial components of the practice so she can help others learn to self regulate in moments of challenge.
Shelley is proud to have trained with and continue to be inspired by her teachers, Michael Stone, Monique Minahan, Tari Prinster, Caitlin Rose Kenney, Nancy Nelson, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, Larissa Carlson, and Steven Leonard.
Larissa Carlson, MA, E-RYT500
Joining us on our opening weekend, May 19th-20th.
Larissa Hall Carlson, M.A. Mindfulness Studies, Ayurvedic Practitioner, E-RYT500. With 25+ years of teaching experience, Larissa is known as a leading educator in the field of optimal performance. Certified by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and Yoga Alliance, Larissa serves as a Lead Faculty member for the Kripalu Schools of Yoga & Ayurveda and guides teacher trainings across the globe. She previously served as Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda and is the co-creator of two popular online courses with Yoga Journal, Ayurveda 101 and 201. She specializes in training elite level musicians, executives, teachers, artists, and athletes in all aspects of mindful living. A passionate writer, Larissa’s rich teachings and exceptional knowledge of yoga, Ayurveda, and Mindfulness can be found in Yoga Journal, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Shape, More, Elephant Journal, InStyle, Prevention, and MindBodyGreen. Listen to Larissa's mindfulness teachings on Insight Timer.
Visit her at: www.larissacarlson.com
TONI Wilhelm, RYT500
Joining us for dedicated study of recovery and trauma healing
For eight years I have worked within the field of wellness, serving as a yoga & mindfulness teacher in the United States, as well as, across Asia. Most recently, I have devoted my time and energy to working with our most vulnerable populations, including adults currently and recently incarcerated, recovering addicts, and at-risk youth. I have been using my training in trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness and functional nutrition to develop many first-of-its-kind curricula, tailored towards the unique needs of these populations to help break cycles of self-harm, violence, and recidivism.
Grace Jull, MA, LMT, C-IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist
Joining us for an integrative study of anatomy and the chakras
Grace Jull integrates her understanding of activism, embryology, osteopathy, anatomy, aquatic massage, and yoga into a poetic, passionate, and contagious approach to life, writing, and teaching. She is an internationally recognized educator with over thirty years of experience, and has trained over 3000 yoga, massage and medical professionals in integrative gross and subtle anatomy, embryology, mindfulness, yoga and massage therapy theory and practice.
Consulting clients and employers include:
Adjunct Professor: Saybrook University Mind Body Medicine PhD and Lesley University
Director of Program Operations and Senior Faculty: Kripalu Center
Cirque de Soleil and Government of Nunavik Cirque du Monde Inuit Youth Intervention
Visiting lectures include:
Harvard Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Lifestyle Curriculum
Georgetown University Achieving Optimal Health Conference
New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Integrative Health Symposium
Ericka Leonard, LCSW-C
Joining us for an intensive study into trauma and trauma-conscious teaching
Ericka Leonard, LCSW-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. She owns a virtual private practice and specializes in trauma treatment (using EMDR) as well as eating disorders. and has years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. Prior to opening her own private practice in 2021, Ericka’s experience as a Social Worker included serving as the Program Director of a residential eating disorder program for adolescents, and working as the lead clinical therapist/Assistant Director at a domestic violence shelter. Additionally, Ericka worked as a Forensic Interviewer for a local Child Advocacy Center. Prior to entering the field of Social Work, Ericka was a middle school French and Spanish teacher. In her spare time, Ericka enjoys playing with her dog, teaching and practicing yoga, and doing Crossfit. Ericka completed her 200 hour YTT (Hatha Raja) in 2017.
Dorcas Quynn, e-RYT, YACEP
Founder & Owner of Sol Yoga Studio, Dorcas will join us to deepen the study of yoga in all of its wonders and opportunities.
Dorcas is a seeker and believes we are a container of spirit. Our physical body (container) is as important to tend to as our mind and the spirit that lies within. Yoga has been a beloved friend to her for 25 years along with the study of wise words from many philosophical, physical arts and religious traditions throughout her life.
Her inspirations are the unsung heroes and the selfless servants that hug the leper and take in the orphan. There is something radically devotional in her that has been tempered thus far. But yoga is working on her and continues to bring her into alignment with her deepest calling.
One of her favorite things is connecting deeply with other human beings and seeing beyond perceived boundaries and limitations. Her aim is to cast fear aside and let love lead her thoughts words and actions. She believes healed people heal people and the work begins within but together WE can dismantle the barriers that exclude, divide and cause suffering.
You’re ready!
For any questions, contact Shelley at [email protected]. Looking forward to meeting you!