• Mission & Philosophy
• Our Name
• Our Community
• Our Team & Teachers
• We Recommend
• Studio Locations
• Employment
• Press & Testimonials

About Sol Yoga

Mission & Philosophy

At Sol Yoga, our mission is to infuse and inspire health, wellness and wholeness into daily life through the practice of yoga. In our light-filled studios, students escape the stresses of life and rejuvenate their energies. We are committed to serving the community and encouraging people to care for themselves and others.

Sol yoga extends far beyond our mats and our studio space.  We are an established vibrant community filled with fun, intelligent, witty, soulful and sincere people living life a little better thanks to yoga.  We step out of our lives and into the studio for a stretch, a re-set, some peace, to build strength or to connect with our inner child.

“Yoga has its roots in Indian thought, but its content is universal because it is about the means by which we can make the changes we desire in our lives.”T.K.V Desikachar

 

About Our Name:

sol: (sun) a star that sustains life on earth  yoga: to join together
sol: (sun) a star that sustains life on earth  yoga: state of balance
sol: source of heat, light and radiant energy  yoga: union

Sol Yoga was born on a trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico – In a moment of inspiration, on an idyllic beach, in all the glory of the universal sun. Without the sun, we cannot exist. It gives us life, warmth, vitality and makes up smile. Without moments of peace, we cannot feel inspired. Without warmth in our hearts and vitality in our body, we cannot grow. At Sol Yoga we hope to brighten your day, lighten your soul and energize your body.

Our Community

Whether for a cup of sugar or world peace, we need each other. Simple human connectivity is sometimes lost in our drive for individuality, uniqueness, and independence. And while it is possible to exist in our culture with very few close encounters with humans, to thrive, we need to connect with our brothers and sisters around us. Sol Yoga is devoted to being a space for natural connections and community action. Enjoy our activities and musings and join us in our mission to infuse and inspire health, wellness and wholeness into daily life.

 

Our Team & Teachers

Dorcas Quynn McWilliams: Founder, owner, and director, Dorcas has been dedicated to yoga since late 1999 and has had the privilege of practicing around the world with teachers in the United States, India, Nepal, and New Zealand. She has trained in a variety of styles including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and Vinyasa Yoga. Dorcas has studied with little known and well known teachers such as Baron Baptiste, Lisa Black, and Shiva Rea and received her Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate from Down Dog Yoga in Georgetown, DC. She is a member of the Yoga Alliance and has an extensive background in martial arts, fitness and personal training, but has truly found her passion in practicing and teaching yoga. Dorcas teaches an invigorating class, safely encouraging you to step right to your edge and honor your body by breathing, moving and listening. When she isn't in the studio, Dorcas cruises around town selling houses and running www.DQHomes.com. Ultimately, she lives to travel the world and be barefoot in the sun! Email DQ.

Kristina Molinari, Studio Manager & Teacher, RYT is an integral part of Sol Yoga. She has been a student of yoga since the late nineties, training in San Francisco, Los Angeles and now on her home turf again. Naturally gifted as a teacher, Kristina effortlessly guides students through thoughtful sequences & relaxing postures. Her background of dance, her passion for yoga & her ability to listen to her students all shine through in each class. In addition to teaching, she volunteers to keep the studio running smoothly behind the scenes, taking all our registrations, coordinating the schedule & and leaving her beautiful voice on our message, just to name a few things. Her energy is uplifting & she’s truly a gift to the studio. Email Kristina.

Jan Faulkner, RYT An inspiring teacher, Jan has a gift of sharing her multitude of life experiences on the mat, creating fun, soothing and joyous sessions. Yoga found Jan in 2002 and she’s been hooked ever since. In addition to her extensive and ongoing self study, Jan has enjoyed trainings with Sean Corne and has completed a 200 hour teacher training at Charm City Yoga in Baltimore, Md. Jan stays grounded by digging in the dirt and knowing everything there is to know about plants as she balances her business, Tropical Plant Outfitters while teaching yoga all over the county! Busy as can be, but you wont know it in her relaxing classes.

Eva Rosvold, RYT During her many years in the fast-paced world of politics and government, Eva kept her mind and her body in top form by adhering to a regular running regimen and by practicing Yoga. She learned first-hand that focusing on fitness, no matter how busy or harried she got, was a life saver. Eva traded in the world of power politics and founded Fundamental Fitness in 2004 to empower others with the tools and knowledge that worked so well for her. Eva received her personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Yoga training with YogaFit. She is an experienced long distance and trail runner, hiker, and backpacker, and has completed several marathons and ultra-marathons, including a 100-mile race. In the 2004 North American Ultra List published by Ultra Running Magazine she was ranked in both the 50K and 100 mile distances.

Marge Ely, RYT, came to yoga like many of us do—seeking balance and relaxation from her career as a professional photographer. Studying Power & Iyengar Yoga in her former home of Dallas, Texas, Marge fell in love with the practice. When she moved to New Market, she wanted to take her yoga to the next level. With the support of her loving family, she snuck away for a month long teacher training intensive at Frog Lotus Yoga in N. Adams, MA. Now a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). Some of your have experienced her sneaky style! She’s sooooo relaxing and calming, that you won’t realize the workout you’ve gotten until you are on your way home! Meet Marge on Friday nights in New Market and get your weekend started calm. Check out her work at www.margeely.com

Kimberly Kuhn, RYT started practicing yoga in the early 90's while living in Los Angeles, CA.  Over the years she has practiced a variety of styles of yoga and found that vinyasa flow speaks to her mind, body, and spirit and has deeply influenced her life on and off the mat. Kim has studied with great teachers including Angela Farmer, Saul David Raye, Eric Schiffmann, Desiree Raumbaugh, and Sean Corne. She has completed her Prana Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher training with Shiva Rea. Off the mat Kim is a clinical social worker in private practice providing psychotherapy for adolescents and adults in Winchester, VA and Frederick, MD. She has found that yoga has influenced her work and her work in life influences her teaching!  As a result, Kim teaches beautifully fluid, smooth classes full of breath work and appropriate challenges. She seamlessly integrates mind, body and spirit, creating an opportunity for self-discovery & growth in her students.

Erin Sprague Accidentally and serendipitously, Erin stumbled upon yoga at a time in her life when she was literally and figuratively running all over the place. “I found yoga at a moment in my life when I needed a tool to be calm in my own body, life and mind. My first yoga class I felt like I had been introduced to the real journey that needed to go on inside of me. It felt like the perfect integration of spirituality and physical release.”   Many years since that moment, Erin has practiced with many local and international teachers and has embarked on a teaching path that allows her to share her passion with others.  Erin loves connecting with people and community and will have you sweating, laughing and loving your yoga experience right from the beginning. “If I had a hope of something that people would take away from yoga it would be self-acceptance - accepting where they are in their yoga practice, in their lives, in their bodies, etc.”

Debra Spotts is an E-RYT through Yoga Alliance and is a former Yoga and dance studio owner.  She has been on staff at Sol Yoga since 2005 and is certified to teach Yoga for Kids, Yoga for Seniors, Wheelchair Yoga as well as Spiritual Yoga, Meditation, and the Chakras.  Debra is also certified as a Healing Touch Practitioner and offers her services at the monthly Community Healing Circle at Unity in Frederick, to outreach programs, and private sessions.

Jennifer Holiday, RYT, is a school teacher by profession and received her yoga certification at Charm City Yoga in Baltimore. Jennifer teaches a smooth and soothing yoga flow for all levels and aims to help students realize that serenity is inside each of us and yoga helps us access it. As a new mom, Jennifer is enjoying her beautiful son Tyson and easing her way back into teaching.

Kandi Austin, RYT completed her 10 month, 200 hour, Yoga teacher training at Yoga Center of Columbia in October 2007. She continues her education with workshops in Yoga Nidra and shoulder clinics with Debbie Jensen and clinics with Marion Griffin and Diego del Sol. Shes'completed 16 hours of Sanskrit training with Vyass Houston founder of the American Sanskrit Institute. "Sanskrit is as much like music as language, bringing the mind into a beautiful flow." You may find laughter in some of her classes as she integrates 12 hours of training in Laughter Yoga with Karen Ricagno. It is her goal to lead you on a beautiful journey of transformation, as she leads her classes through the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of yoga. With a reflective attitude, mindfullness and balance, she connects with students hearts, inspiring them to express their yoga from the inside out.

Julie Kaus Julie is a Psychotherapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. Yoga found Julie in 2001 and her practice led to completing her first teacher training in 2003. Anusara, Kripalu, Prana, Vinyasa & Goddess styles influence her teaching, which focuses on the healing aspects of a yoga practice. She views yoga & psychotherapy as a journey to “wholeness” and self-discovery. Her classes combine yoga philosophy and earth wisdom, the physical benefits of the postures, breathwork & stillness to foster healing, emotional release and relaxation. Julie received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been a psychotherapist for over 20 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; RYT (Has over 300+ hrs of teacher training and independent study); a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists & a Life Force Level I Yoga Practitioner. For more info go to www.livingbalanced.org. Other interests include leading wellness retreats and workshops for women and hiking or biking around Frederick.

Carla McAdams, E-RYT500 Carla discovered yoga as a teenager, and has been following a path of self-realization ever since. Trained principally at the Kripalu Center of Yoga & Health in Lenox, MA, she has also studied Iyengar, Anusara, and Viniyoga styles of yoga. Carla creates a safe and nurturing environment in her yoga classes for students to explore their own growth and unfolding. She delights in bringing yoga’s gifts to diverse populations, and has advanced certifications in Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Back Care and Scoliosis, and Yoga for Seniors. Teaching yoga since 2000, she owns Mountain Spirit Yoga studio in Middletown, MD. Off the mat, Carla’s passions include dancing, gardening, immersing herself in nature, and traveling anywhere-anytime.

Linda Pruce RYT 200 A speech-language pathologist by profession, she received her Bachelors at the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters degree at West Virginia University. While living in Manhattan she attended the Jivamukti Yoga studio then studied Ishtar Yoga with Jillian Pransky in Hoboken, NJ. During this time she earned her Holistic Health Counseling Certification at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. After moving to Frederick with her husband and two daughters, she started facilitating women’s empowerment workshops and co-created Sol Yoga's Moon Lounge.  Linda completed her 8 month, 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, at Sol Yoga in 2009 and is currently finishing up a 50-hour Home Study Program through Integrative Yoga Therapy. Linda teaches a variety of classes at Sol Yoga. She injects her sense of humor into all of her classes, creating a safe, unselfconscious space for students to explore their body, mind and spirit. She believes that the student's mat is their mirror and as such students can learn a lot about themselves by coming to yoga on a regular basis. A writer in her spare time, you can check out her blog: www.enterthecircle.com

Clarisa Newkirk Clarisa Newkirk-RYT 500- Attended her first yoga class in 2006 while living in Maui , Hawaii . She immediately discovered a sense of freedom, spirituality and balance. This class influenced her desire to one day become a certified yoga instructor. She made her dream a reality when she studied at Sunstone Yoga in Dallas,Texas . Her study included 500 hours of intensive training during the course of 2 months. Near the completion of the course she worked and taught classes in Sunstone studio’s under supervision of certified trainers. Her attention to detail, body movements, and breathing techniques have enriched her skill as a teacher. Clarisa knows with proper training, anyone, at any age can learn to share the same passion she has for this centuries old discipline. Clarisa believes yoga is not simply an exercise, it’s a way of life, and it’s a spiritual connection to a higher plane of understanding oneself. The world we live in has many stresses and demands. Yoga offers a way to develop peace and serenity for yourself.

Heather Schleupner, RYT 200

Yoga came into Heather’s life about eight years ago when her husband suggested they take a class at the gym together.  She was immediately hooked!  She was amazed at how it affected her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Throughout her years of practice, she always knew that she would someday share her passion for it through teaching.  As an Early Childhood Educator, she always found a way to work a little yoga into the day as she taught her Pre-K classes.  She received her 200 RYT through Sol Yoga in 2009.  You will find her sharing her enthusiasm about yoga while teaching kids and adult classes.

Melissa Karlicek, RYT 200

Melissa loves to explore, play and have fun with yoga. Her enthusiasm and passion shine through in all her classes and her warm demeanor and big smile will set you at ease as she provides a comfortable and safe environment for you to learn and grow. She believes yoga allows you to be who you are and become what you are capable of becoming. Melissa has been practicing yoga since 2001, but didn't get truly hooked until 2004 when she was recovering from an injury. It was then that she realized that yoga was more than a physical practice. She practiced through two pregnancies and started practicing with her daughters when they were born. Piper loves to teach Mommy new poses (you may find one in her classes!) and learn the Sanskrit names. Talia enjoys testing her strength with challenging poses like Down Dog and Donkey while making the corresponding animal noises. Melissa completed her 200-hour teacher training at Sol Yoga in 2009 and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance. In May 2010, she completed Levels 1 and 2 of the Radiant Child Yoga Program. For more information, please visit her website: www.twinklingstaryoga.com

Donna Bialozor, RYT 200

A dedicated practitioner of yoga for many years, Donna was inspired to participate in the Sol Yoga Teacher Training by the experienced yoga teachers and Sangha (community) at Sol Yoga. As a graduate of this program in 2009, she brings her love of the essence of yoga to her yoga practice and her teaching. In fact, she has been teaching ‘down’ dog for several years in the sport of dog agility to dog owners and their companions. She is passionate about yoga on and off the mat and her constant study is revealed in her informative, compassionate and authentic classes. 

Lori Love is a ball of fantastic energy and teaches a variety of styles and classes throughout Maryland, including spin, pilates and yoga. She has trained with Shiva Rea and is pursuing her Teaching Certification.

Julie Difebo, RYT 200

Julie DiFebo discovered yoga while attending college and it has become an integral part of her life and her life philosophy. She completed her 200 hour training at Sol Yoga in 2009, and is just beginning her journey as a teacher. A child at heart, Julie brings a sense of play to all aspects of her life, including her yoga practice. She lives in York, Pennsylvania where she is involved with several theaters and choirs, and is currently working towards her career as an author. She is thrilled to have discovered yoga so early in life, and is excited to see where it takes her.

 

 

Laura Suman, RYT 200

Laura's mum studied yoga and brought it into her life very early on, but it wasn't until later in life when she went to class with friends that she started to realize how a couple of om's, some deep breaths and sitting crossed legged would make you healthier, fitter and happier! Laura became addicted to practicing, completed Sol Yoga’s teacher training in 2009 and now shares her love of practicing in the classes she teaches.

Studio Staff & Volunteers
Without an official "staff", sol yoga operates by help from our wonderful volunteers in our work exchange program. We have over 20 committed team members at any one time covering everything from opening the studio, answering phones and email to stocking water and cleaning bathrooms.  They keep things running smoothly and we are immensely grateful for their tireless efforts.  Special Thanks to our ‘management team’ Kristina Molinari O'Boyle, Erin Sprague, Jaime Russell and Shanna Gallegos.  Staffers Amanda Mizeur, Linda Pruce, Tara Fager-Morcock, Danielle Getz, and Thais Guimaraes.  Work Exchange Volunteers include: Alice, Alison, Anne, Bobbie, Charity, Christine, Heather, Janet, Kathy, Laura, Lisa, Mary, Meredith, Patty, Sue, Chat, Arancha, and Jen.

We Recommend

Local Neighbors & Friends
Ask for reciprocal discounts with our local friends.

Holistic Health Associates
www.hhamd.com

National Connections
Kriplau Center for Yoga & Health

Cool charities
www.heifer.org
www.ableandwilling.org
www.treesftf.org

Studio Locations

Historic Downtown Frederick – Home Studios

256 West Patrick Street, Frederick Maryland Located in Historic downtown Frederick, our studio occupies the bottom & top floors of a beautifully maintained historic building. It’s easy to find & parking is available in the rear of the building.  Enter on Patrick Street and look for your class in either Studio Earth on the main level or Studio Sky on the top floor!

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Historic Downtown New Market

52 West Main Street, New Market Maryland In a suburb of Frederick, our New Market studio is located in the heart of a quaint antique shopping district. We share our space with a lovely dance studio, Mid Maryland Performing Arts Center (MMPAC). Park right on the street & enter in the rear of the building.

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Other Locations

Urbana Studio - Urbana Villiage Center, 3307 Worthington Blvd, Ijamsville, MD 21754  Our newest studio is located in the same shopping center as Buffalo Wild Wings, Black Hog BBQ and Ledo Pizza. We share a space with Urbana Dance Studio, but the sign overhead still says 'Florist,' so look carefully for us!  Parking is a breeze and there is a bathroom for changing.  There is no inside lobby area, so please remain in your cars or outside studio until previous class is finished (you'll still have 15 minutes until your class starts). 

7360 Guilford Drive, Suite 204 in the Guilford Professional Center off Route 85.  From Route 85, turn onto Guilford Drive, pass Walmart and look for a 2 story red brick building on the right with Woodsboro Bank.  Chuck E. Cheese is next door and Best Buy is in nearby shopping center. Parking is in the front of the building.  Enter the main entrance and take the elevators to the second floor. At the end of the hall, make a left and the suite is the second door on the left. Pre-registration is currently required for all classes at this location.

Bernard Brown Community Center - 629 North Market St, Frederick Maryland A spacious and modern new community room is home to our Saturday Good Cause Yoga Class @ 8:15am.  Enter through Moxie Café and make your way upstairs. After class, you can enjoy a delicious healthy or sweet treat!

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Employment

Aspiring to be a yoga teacher or just simply work in a healthy environment? We have a wonderful crew of teachers and volunteers that work together to keep Sol Yoga running smoothly, but we are always looking for more!

Are you a yoga teacher?  Come on in!  Yoga teachers are eligible for our ‘student’ discount of $12 drop in our $100 flexipass (10 classes @ $10ea).  If you teach occasionally with us classes are just $5 and you get additional benefits too.  We encourage you to attend as many as possible to explore our levels and various teachers to determine if we are a good fit for YOU.

If you are a certified, established teacher with experience, email or call us, we may have a job for you.

If you are a new teacher, or teacher trainee, we can accommodate you too. Everyone needs a place to get started and we’d like to give you the opportunity. Once we’ve seen you taking our classes, we’ll be a lot more comfortable moving you into the teacher position! We also have mentoring programs, hands on assisting opportunities and informal teacher trainings that all teachers, teacher trainees and aspiring teachers are invited to attend. Email us for dates.

Love yoga and want to get more involved?  Be part of our work-exchange program.

We are so proud that our studio is run almost entirely by volunteer effort. It’s an incredible community of Studio Volunteers that work in exchange for free classes. It’s a perfect balance of sharing and receiving and a great opportunity to deepen your practice and your connection to the community. If you can commit to volunteering for 8 classes per month, you could qualify. Email us for more details.

Press & Testimonials

Febuary 2008

Life-changing yoga

October 2007

September 2007

ELEGANT LIVING – “LOOKING GOOD”
Written by Katie Leslie, Photos by Travis Pratt