Yoga & Tai Chi Teachers
Vicky Saye Henderson
Vicky Saye Henderson began practicing yoga in 2007, initially as a way of managing life’s anxieties and a means of self-care. After 10 years as a yoga practitioner, she pursued and received her 200-hr yoga teacher certification from The Sakhi YTT School (led by Pamela Meriwether), Columbia, SC. Now in her 3rd year as a teacher, her additional training includes Level 1 iRest Yoga Nidra (iRest Institute), Chair Yoga (Carey Sims), Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery (Veterans Yoga Project), and Somatic Yoga (Cheryl Mason). She is passionate about bringing people to the mat and encouraging them on their journey of self-care. Previously serving the BRBR as Yoga and Tai Chi program coordinator from June 2018-July 2020, Vicky continues as a service provider here offering iRest Yoga Nidra, mindfulness and outdoor meditation for our service members and their families. A trained career actor, vocalist, and teaching artist, she is also founder/educator of Muse & Means Creative and Wellbeing, which explores the intersection between our health & wellness and our creativity & innovation. Vicky is proud mom of son, Cullen, and is a member of Team RWB.
Liza Estes
Liza Estes, RYT 500, has been teaching yoga since 2015. Even though teaching was never the plan, she realized the tremendous healing impact of yoga, and began volunteering at Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution, where she led yoga classes for female inmates. In Spring of 2017, she partnered with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands to bring the healing effects of yoga to female inmates who have suffered sexual trauma and abuse. This experience ignited a deep passion within her to pursue more education for trauma sensitive yoga, and through the nonprofit called Street Yoga, she received her certification as a Trauma Informed Yoga teacher. In August of 2019, she completed her 500 hour teacher certification through the Himalayan Institute, and is currently an assistant teacher for the Sakhi Yoga School under the guidance of Pamela Meriwether. In addition to teaching yoga, Liza received a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management from the University of South Carolina and currently owns and operates Roots Studio, LLC where she promotes overall health and wellbeing. She is deeply grateful for her journey and the opportunity to share yoga and wellness with active duty service members, veterans, and their spouses.
Jessica Barnes Smith
Jessica Barnes Smith, E-RYT 500, YACEP, NASM-CPT, is an experienced yoga teacher and artist who graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Fine Art. As an Artist, she has always been inspired by the human form and movement.
Jessica began practicing yoga in the fall of 2000 while recovering from injuries related to a car accident. Yoga helped her regain strength and mobility. She also developed subtle body awareness through steady practice. This new-found embodiment allowed for a deeper connection to herself and others. She finally felt at home in her own body and hopes to share that experience with others.
Jessica shares yoga with people of all ages and abilities. She adjusts her classes to fit the student and enjoys offering a variety of classes ranging from a gentle practice, to a strong continuous flow. She offers specialty classes for children, chair yoga classes for seniors, mindful resilience yoga for veterans, and adaptive yoga for people living in a difficult body.
Jessica is a student of Matthew Sanford. He is an adaptive yoga pioneer and founder of Mind Body Solutions, a nonprofit with a mission to transform trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body. Jessica is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. This has helped deepen her knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics. She is currently working on a NASM specialization in corrective exercises. Jessica is a member of the Veterans Yoga Project Teacher Alliance whose mission is to support recovery and resilience among all of our diverse veterans and active-duty service members, families, and communities.
Bill Patterson
Bill Patterson was born in Lenoir, North Carolina. He retired as a Major in the United States Army, as a highly decorated Veteran soldier with 20 years of active duty service. Bill has received a BS degree in Education and a Graduate Teaching Certificate as an Instructional Technology Specialist from Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina. He also has a Masters Degree in Management from Webster University. Bill has over 17 years of teaching experience in stress management, meditation, and Tai Chi. Furthermore, Bill Patterson is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor and
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Instructor. Tai Chi for Arthritis is a low impact exercise that puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making is suitable for many people (young and old) suffering with chronic health conditions. Tai Chi for Fall Prevention will improve balance, coordination, and stability by strengthening the feet, legs, ankles and knees. Tai Chi for Fall Prevention movements also involve using multiple muscle groups at once, which can help to improve one’s mobility, flexibility, and range of motions.