Heather McDowell

I took my first yoga class in 2003 at a local YMCA. Although, I thought the class was difficult, I had an
amazing experience of relaxation and calm in savasana and I remember wanting to experience that
again! I took classes on and off throughout the years but I found myself needing an outlet when I
became a primary caregiver to my parents. I began practicing consistently in 2015 and I have been
hooked ever since! Yoga helped me navigate grieving the loss of my parents, it has given me peace of
mind, mental clarity, it has helped me relieve stress, and it has caused me to live more mindfully. With a
more consistent practice, my interest in yoga deepened so much so that I attended my first yoga retreat
with Kelley Palmer in 2016 in Yogaville. I have also been on retreats since then in Asheville, NC and in
Negril, Jamaica. My deepening interest led to me complete my 200hr yoga teacher certification with
Kiesha Battles and Candace Jennings with I Am Yoga in Charlotte, NC in July 2021 and I’m excited to
share the benefits of yoga with others! I enjoy gentle/slow flow yoga but love Yin Yoga.
I graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology, and I graduated
from UNC-Charlotte in 2003 with a M.A. in counseling. I am licensed in mental health and substance
abuse counseling and I have incorporated mindfulness practices in my full-time work with therapy
clients.