Yoga for the Soul
ABOUT TWISTED SPIRIT YOGA
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago.
The next best time is Now.”
Chinese Proverb
Twisted Spirit was a seed planted in 2015 by a group of friends. Friends that generously gave their time to be practice students in a borrowed office space, as I prepared to finish teacher training. As time went on, those friends began to bring their friends and we soon outgrew the space.
We moved into our first studio in Carver within 6 months. We spent the next four years filling that space with light. More students came, more teachers taught, more shoulders dropped, more bodies healed, more connections were made, the breath was slow and easy and the awareness of oneness was realized.
We had grown a family.
Our family moved again in August of 2019 to a bigger yoga space where we continued our practice. Enter, March 2020. Classes moved outside, and online, leaving us all missing each other and our time together.
Our journey never had a map, but, this is the part that we paused. Pauses are necessary. We practice them in breath, we practice them in life, we look for them in music.
“In many pieces of music, It’s the pause or the rest that gives the piece it's beauty and it's shape. And I know I, as a writer, will often try to include a lot of empty space on the page so that the reader can complete my thoughts and sentences and so that her imagination has room to breathe.” Pico Iver
And now, it is time. Those 2015 seeds have grown strong roots, tall branches and we again, find ourselves stretching toward the light.
The “T” In Twisted is a Unalome. It represents the journey. The tiny dot at the bottom is the seed, the twists and turns in the line represent the successes as well as failures. Celebrations as well as disappointments. The line breaks to two dots and finally the lotus, or, enlightenment! It is with deep gratitude, to be on this journey with all of you.
The doors will open once again, on October 1, 2021 and another new space. We will begin again, dig deeper, and spread light.
Thank you for practicing with us.
TWISTED SPIRIT YOGA TEACHERS
Passionate Leaders
CYNDI ADAMS
E-RYT200, YACEP
Twisted Spirit Owner & Instructor
Hi! I’m Cyndi, mom of 4, owner and teacher at Twisted Spirit Yoga.
22 years ago I took my first yoga class while pregnant with my second baby. I had a 5 month old at home. I remember shaking, waking in, and levitating out after that class. When that feeling lasted for days, I knew I had found something I needed.
Fast forward 14 years, when I registered for a year long teacher training. I just wanted to dig deeper, learn more about this magical yoga stuff. I really had no intention of ever teaching a class. It's a good thing I like to laugh at myself, because, here I am. Intention is a funny thing. My passion is introducing the benefits & practice of yoga to everyone from infants on up! To get to watch faces soften, shoulders drop and witness the exact moment when all is in alignment with the soul is such an honor!
On the lighter side, I also enjoy guiding the “I’m not flexible enough’s”, the “I’m too old”s” and the “ I just can’t’s” into the YES! YOU CAN’S!” From someone who knows, walking through the door is the hardest part. That first step 22 years ago was a step onto a path I didn't know I was on. Where will your next step take you?
I’ll meet you on the mat. Namaste
KENDRA STEWART
Instructor
My personal journey with yoga started as purely physical. I desired a strong and healthy body. That is what got me to my mat. What kept me on my mat were the discovery and changes in my subtle body. I feel safe and loved here. My heart opened. My mind slowed. I rooted in and fought to show up for myself. That was the hardest and most important part, showing up for myself. As a woman and mother I often put my physical and mental needs on the back burner. I showed up to my 200 YTT to burn down the brush and plant new seeds. Now I get to show up to each class with such a deep sense of gratitude and for that I am incredibly blessed. Thank you.
JODI THOMAS
Instructor
I was introduced to yoga about 15 years ago by my sister as a weekly treat for myself when my boys were little. Later as my fitness journey began, yoga became a way to balance weight training and keep mobility. Today yoga means a healthy body, mind & soul. I received my 200YTT in 2018 along with my Thai Massage Level 1 certification and have been teaching small classes at several local studios since. I love to crack a joke and laugh, and you will see this spills into my classes. I think you will find my classes fun but challenging and always leaving you feel better inside and out!
EMILY (BARINA) JAMESON
Instructor
Emily first discovered yoga as a teenager, finding these classes were the only form of exercise she enjoyed and noticing this was the only activity that helped to calm her busy mind. Emily’s devoted practice and understanding of yoga began in 2017, when she found the Whitman Wellness Center during a difficult time in her life. She discovered yoga’s healing power after losing sight of herself and her own needs. Yoga brought her peace, helped her to overcome fears and gave her the tools she needed to make necessary but tough changes in life. Yoga helped her to believe in herself again and to continue to live a life with purpose according to her values. Along the journey, she found a community of truly incredible women to both learn from and share this experience with. Emily received her 200-hour certification through the yoga spirit program at Whitman Wellness Center in 2020. Emily now continues her transformation in the 300-hour certification program at the Whitman Wellness school of yoga. Emily is excited to continue to share with others the emotional and physical benefits of yoga.
Emily’s passion for helping others led her to a career working with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism, emotional behavior disorders and with histories of trauma, in addition to sharing her passion by teaching students in pursuit of their graduate degrees. Her initial pursuit of a yoga teacher certification was intended to one day share the power of yoga with the individuals she works with. In December 2021, Emily received additional training in teaching yoga for children with autism and special needs through Louise Goldberg’s Creative Relaxation Certification Course.
Outside of teaching yoga, Emily enjoys spending time in the company of her dogs, family and friends. She enjoys gardening, all things nature and the ocean.
NORAH
Instructor
Norah is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher whose passion for yoga grew from her personal experience with multiple sclerosis. She was introduced to yoga by her mother when she was just 19 years old, after being diagnosed with the condition. Norah knew that yoga could be beneficial for her health, but she did not commit to a consistent practice until much later.
Over the years, Norah struggled with the ups and downs of life, and her multiple sclerosis would become worse. However, in 2016, she found her true calling in yoga and dedicated herself to a regular practice. Norah's commitment and dedication paid off, and her practice blossomed. As she continued to deepen her knowledge and understanding of yoga, Norah realized that she wanted to share this gift with others.
Norah completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Twisted Spirit Yoga in 2023. She is grateful for the guidance and mentorship of her teachers, who helped her cultivate a deeper understanding of yoga and its transformative power. Norah is passionate about teaching others how to use yoga as a tool for healing and self-discovery.
As a teacher, Norah encourages her students to explore their own unique journey in yoga. She creates a safe and welcoming environment for all levels of students, and her classes are infused with mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation. Norah's teaching style is nurturing, intuitive, and empowering, and she is committed to helping her students find their own inner peace and strength through the practice of yoga.
Alongside her work as a yoga teacher, Norah is also a loving mother to her son, as well as a devoted pet parent to her dogs and cat. She is grateful to have the support and love of her wonderful life partner, who encourages her to follow her dreams and pursue her passions.
Namaste
SAMANTHA FRATES
Instructor
My name is Samantha Frates. I live in Carver MA with my wonderful husband and two beautiful children. I first discovered yoga in 2007, taking lunch break classes offered at the hospital where I worked. Having led a sedentary lifestyle up to that point, these classes were the beginning of my fitness journey. I loved how it felt to start moving my body. Since then I have tried all kinds of classes from zumba to crossfit to pilates and more. I’ve found that I’m happiest doing a combination of strength training and yoga. After having my son in 2021, I rediscovered my love for yoga in my journey back to myself after a long nine months. Deciding to attain my 200 hour YTT certification to teach yoga through Twisted Spirit was something I knew would help me personally and to inspire others to focus on their mind, body, and soul. I was looking to learn how to deepen my own mind/ body connection, as well as to help the ones I love. I’ve learned so much, and I’m excited to share this knowledge, and my journey with people of all ages, and all levels of fitness.
LAURIE
Instructor
My yoga journey began about 10 years ago when I started taking my first yoga class at Twisted Spirit Yoga. I found the studio above my daughter’s dance school and was instantly intrigued. At that time, I was a busy working mom of three children in a stressful corporate technology job and I was looking for something that could help me physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yoga was the answer for
me, not only the physical aspect but also the mental and emotional life changing aspects. I have always been passionate about my health, spending time outdoors, and enjoying nature. Adding yoga practice and meditation was an easy choice. Fast forward a few years and I was ready to make an important life decision for myself and leave my technology job. A few months later, Twisted Spirit Yoga announced that they were bringing Yoga Teacher Training to the studio. What a joy I felt when that announcement was made. I could not wait to sign up and be a part of the yoga training, learning, and practice. I am now a certified Yoga 200-hour teacher, and I can’t wait to share what I have learned with others. Overall, I believe in living a balanced and mindful life, taking care of ourselves, and connecting with others and the natural world around us.
CAROL SPIEWAKOWSKI
Instructor
My yoga journey only started around 2017. I was looking for a way to help make my lower back feel better. I had been told that yoga was a great way to stretch and help relieve some of the pain. As I had tried other avenues, I gave it a shot. I am so glad I did!
As I walked into Twisted Spirit’s Beginners Yoga 4 week course with Cyndi, I was so nervous. Trying something new was so out of my comfort zone. Not only did I find that I really enjoyed yoga, it did help my back and I found a new friend. What started out as a way to make my body healthy, it has turned into “me time”. Having cared for my ailing mom and having a special needs daughter, it is part of the self care I can do for myself.
When Cyndi told me that Twisted Spirit was going to offer a 200 hr Yoga Teacher
Training, I thought this would be a great way to deepen my knowledge of yoga. With her and my husband’s encouragement, I took that next step into my yoga journey.
When you join me in class, you will find it to be light and comfortable. And probably more than a few laughs. I look forward to meeting you on the mat.
I live in Carver with my husband of 29 years, Matt, and our two daughters. I cannot forget the 4-legged children: Walter the dog & Victoria the cat.
BRENDA PRESTON
Instructor
Brenda studied dance throughout her childhood until graduating from high school. Despite not being athletically inclined, ballet made her feel strong and flexible. After high school, she occasionally enjoyed the challenge of yoga and Pilates.
As an adult, Brenda did not prioritize self-care, and she constantly felt overwhelmed and exhausted. However, when 2020 arrived, it proved to be a challenging time for her and her family, like many others. But it also brought a renewed focus on her health and well-being. Through exercise and movement, Brenda shed 40 pounds, but it was returning to the yoga mat that allowed her to catch her breath. When Twisted Spirit reopened in 2021, Brenda found her home. The mind/body connection and spiritual awakening that emerged were magical. She was inspired by the teachers, particularly those who made her feel "like a badass" and pushed her to learn more. Her studies gave her the patience and strength to navigate difficult times and find inner peace in a chaotic world.
Brenda completed her 200hr YTT Training in 2023 through Twisted Spirit Yoga and in collaboration with Michelle Fleming. Brenda's classes are open places of acceptance and exploration, both on and off the yoga mat. She believes in finding moments of peace and stillness, as it is during the quiet that you can hear your inner voice. Brenda encourages her students to tap into their existing physical, mental, and spiritual power, believing that alignment unlocks boundless potential.
By day, Brenda is a graphic designer, and in life, she is a yogi. Off the mat, she finds joy in the company of her wife, Sydney, and their three teenagers, Andrew, Lucas, and Samantha. Together with their little zoo of pets, they are a neurodivergent/non-traditional but typical family residing in Carver, MA.
KERRI LYDON
Instructor
My yoga journey began in 2010 after I had my daughter. At the time, I wasn’t really interested in the mental health benefits of yoga, I just wanted to get in shape after childbirth. Over time, I began to feel better, not just physically, but mentally. I noticed that when my world shifted into times of stress, I was better equipped for it. I found it easier to just be with myself. I didn’t care as much anymore about how my body looked, but instead I cared how my body felt. Through my yoga practice I learned to love and embrace myself more, flaws and all. I learned the value in letting the world’s problems slip away while carving out a quiet moment for myself. After a decade of practicing, I realized that what I really wanted to do was share yoga. I enrolled in a 200 hr teacher training at Emerald Yoga in Pembroke, graduated in 2019, and quit my day job to share what I love with the world. I love to lead classes with a slower vibe, focusing more on relaxation, releasing the need to be perfect, and accepting yourself exactly as you are.
CHERYL
Instructor
I am a skilled Reiki instructor, practicing and teaching healing techniques that promote overall health and wholeness. As a certified Yoga teacher, I help others to gain an understanding of the body's energy centers. Weaving both Yogic and Reiki philosophies together in my practice, I provide workshops and classes which present a thorough spiritual as well as physical, approach. Energy healing is my life's calling. My philosophy is grounded in humility and a belief that through Yoga and Reiki, I am able to channel universal healing energy that comes from the Divine. share my 31 years of recovery with others to help give my clients the hope that they too can experience peace and healing by integrating Reiki and Yoga into their lifestyle.
More info about Cheryl available on her
website www.cheryldavishealing.com
CARRIE FOSTER
Instructor
Hi, I'm Carrie Foster, a certified 200 hour orthopedic yoga teacher with a passion for promoting physical and emotional wellness through the practice of yoga. I have a degree in early childhood education and have found that my knowledge of child development has been invaluable in creating safe, effective yoga practices for both children and adults.
My focus is on promoting safety, fun, emotional regulation, and mindfulness through yoga practice. I believe that yoga can be a powerful tool for improving both physical and mental health, and I strive to create a welcoming environment where all students feel supported and encouraged to understand that yoga is about exploration, not expectation on their mat and in life.
Whether I'm working with children or adults, my goal is always to create a space where my students can feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities. I believe that yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, fitness level, or previous experience with the practice.
I’m so excited to be part of the Twisted Spirit community of yoga teachers and practitioners who are committed to spreading the message of physical and emotional wellness through the practice of yoga. Whether you're just starting out on your yoga journey or are a seasoned practitioner, I invite you to join me in exploring the many benefits of this amazing practice
MELANIE
Instructor
Melanie is a 57-year-old licensed massage therapist and Reiki master who has been on a journey of self-discovery for the past 20 years. After a life-altering event, Melanie began exploring different modalities of healing, eventually discovering the transformative power of yoga.
Today, Melanie is a dedicated yoga practitioner, finding balance and calmness through the practice. Recently, Melanie decided to share the benefits of yoga with others and became a certified yoga instructor.
In addition to her work as a massage therapist, Reiki master, and yoga instructor, Melanie is a wife of 32 years, mother to 3 sons, Grammy to a beautiful granddaughter. She values her relationships with loved ones and strives to create a positive impact in their lives.
Through her healing work and yoga instruction, Melanie aims to inspire others to live their best lives and find inner peace and balance.
FRANCIS "FRANKIE" GRENHAM
Instructor
An Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran, Frankie found contemplative practices while reading books on the Dalai Lamaoverseas in 2008. By 2015, he would find himself in Rishikesh, India getting his 200-HR YTT. His styles taught are Hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation. Frankie is deeply passionate about helping the disadvantaged (veterans, homeless, and addicted) populations. Formerly, he was an Environmental Scientist working with rare and endangered herpetological species like the eastern box turtle. Now he is in graduate school getting an MBA at UMass, eventually being able to spread his passion for these contemplative practices to the masses through volunteer work.