fbpx

Meet Our Team

Eliza Whiteman

Eliza Whiteman

Our Studio Owner

Eliza is the Co-Founder and Director of FlyDog Yoga. She found yoga, initially, as a cross trainer for her post collegiate athletics but it was not until her husband deployed for a year in 2004 that yoga figuratively and literally showed her that she could hold herself up on her own. Eliza wants every student to feel that same possibility on and off of their mat as well.

Eliza has been teaching for over 13 years, she is an E-RYT- 500 Teacher as well as a 1200-hour, Tier 3 Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher and graduate of Baptiste Fit to Lead Training Program. Eliza leads transformational 200 and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings, Youth Resiliency Trainings, personal empowerment programs, workshops as well as regular classes. Anyone who has taken class with Eliza has felt her passion for what the practice of yoga can give to us all- clarity, empowerment and inspiration to lead our best life. She speaks on relatable life challenges that apply in all aspects of our life. She allows her students to feel welcome, no matter their experience or ability level, but she will ask you to fully show up and embrace what you CAN do. In building FlyDog Yoga, Eliza wants her students to find the studio as a second home, a place where someone can find roots to grow wings.

In 2017, Eliza was the winner of the Tory Burch Fellowship for Small Business Women Entrepreneurs along with 9 other Fellows. She won a grant and the opportunity to take part in a week long event in NYC at Tory Burch Headquarters which culminated in a pitch competition with Tory Burch, investors and magazine editors. This pivotal event sparked a desire to inspire other female entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. As a former military spouse, Eliza is also also passionate about helping support other military spouses cultivate their talents has worked with the MilSpo (Military Spouse) Project in conferences and speaking engagements. In 2019 Eliza collaborated with 48 other wellness leaders in writing Practice: Wisdom of the Downward Dog which shares vulnerable stories, wisdom and reflections on how yoga and meditation are portals into deeper evolution of their best self. Eliza has also launched the Fenom Podcast to spotlight stories and journeys of phenomenal woman living their best life.

Eliza’s commitment to service is evident beyond her immediate yoga community and includes international, national and local non-profits such as Africa Yoga Project, Veterans Yoga Project, VETOGA, and various local military and first responder organizations.

You can catch Eliza in her downtime with her husband Brad trying to keep up with their 4 children: Ava, Ethan, Cara and Dylan and their Great Dane, Baby.

Brad Whiteman

Brad Whiteman

Our Studio Owner

Brad discovered yoga through his wife, Eliza. Despite her repeated efforts to have him make yoga part of his regular routine, he initially only made the occasional appearance in her classes to support her and her career as a yoga teacher. It wasn’t until injuries sustained in his Army career and his continued participation in the sport of Rugby began to catch up with him that Brad finally started to listen to Eliza and began practicing yoga 3-4 times per week. The physical benefits of yoga were felt almost immediately and as his practice continued, he found his general demeanor and temperament were affected in a positive way as well. Brad is committed to sharing the positive physical and mental benefits of a regular yoga practice with service members, veterans, and first-responders in the local community.

Brad was a member of the first VETOGA 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, specifically designed to certify current and former military service members as Yoga Teachers. He has also completed Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery with the Veterans Yoga Project and is their regional director for Virginia. Additionally, Brad has attended Baptiste Level 1 & 2 training and Baptiste Art of Assisting.

Brad is a US Army Special Forces officer who served ten years on active duty and continues to serve in the Army National Guard.

Megan M.

Megan M.

General Manager
Caroline O.

Caroline O.

Manager, Lead Barre Teacher, Events Coordinator

Caroline started practicing yoga and barre in 2013 in an effort to bring more reflection and variety to her exercise routine, and has loved finding new challenges in both ever since. Since joining the FlyDog family in 2017, she has been delighted to be involved in this community’s growth on and off the mat! She completed 200 Hour YTT under Eliza Whiteman in 2019 and in addition to yoga, she also teaches Barre & Power Sculpt. Caroline is enthusiastic about engaging her classes in a challenging variety of sequences intentionally selected to elicit thoughtful movement. Expect a playful, fresh approach and the opportunity to intuitively build on your alignment in each class!

Caroline teaches vinyasa, barre, and power sculpt.

Emily C.

Emily C.

Studio Manager

Emily has been practicing yoga for over ten years. Initially, she viewed yoga as merely a complement to her ballet training, maintaining a somewhat inconsistent practice until finding FlyDog in 2017. At the time, she was in grad school at UVA and yoga became an outlet for the stresses that accompany student life, allowing her to slow down, become more present, and focus. Inspired to empower others, as she has been, to do more than they ever imagined possible on their mats, she completed FlyDog Yoga’s 200 hour Power Vinyasa teacher training in March 2019, studying under Eliza Whiteman. Emily’s flows focus on overall strength and alignment, with an emphasis on linking breath with movement.

Emily teaches vinyasa and barre classes.

    
Adam Q.

Adam Q.

Adam had been practicing yoga for three years before deciding to take FlyDog Yoga’s 200 hr Power Vinyasa Teacher Training. He is an RYT 200 with the Yoga Alliance. Adam finds motivation in his fellow students of yoga. Some of Adam’s inspirations include Baron Baptiste, Eliza Whiteman, Mary Ann Mclvor, and Patrick Gibson. Adam teaches heated Power Vinyasa with fast paced transitions and strength building static postures.

Alicen B.

Alicen B.

Alicen moved to the area for her doctoral program in education and started practicing yoga and barre here at Flydog in 2018 to relieve some stress! She graduated from Flydog’s Barre Teaching Training in 2019, and is passionate about creating an equitable barre space where everyone feels comfortable and engaged. Expect an accessible yet challenging class with some fun tunes, witty banter, a little bit of sweat, and lots of barre shakes!

Anne K.

Anne K.

When Anne finally took a yoga class to help heal after a car accident, she was amazed at how good she felt afterwards. She was hooked from the first, flowy, mindful class. Her classes are inspired by the belief that yoga can heal and strengthen the body both physically and emotionally.
Anne teaches all levels of Vinyasa. Her classes are a Fun, creative Flow that will both challenge and inspire you. Come ready to work hard, sweat, breathe deep, and leave empowered. In her classes, you will work through invigorating sequences set to an eclectic mix of tunes, allowing you to grow, stretch, and reflect. Anne has her 200 Yoga certification from FlyDog Yoga. Her main influences are Eliza Whiteman, Mary Ann McIvor, Baron Baptiste, Rolf Gates, and Kerri Verna.
Courtney N.

Courtney N.

Courtney graduated from FlyDog Yoga 200-Hour Vinyasa Teacher Training in July of 2016.

Elizabeth G.

Ingrid B.

Ingrid B.

Ingrid began practicing yoga at FlyDog in 2015 and graduated from FlyDog’s 200 hour Power Vinyasa training in 2018. She wholeheartedly believes in the energizing, transformative and restorative power of yoga, whether in a challenging Power Vinyasa class or a calm Yin flow. Ingrid encourages her students to appreciate their bodies and all that they can do wherever they are in their practice. She aspires to create an environment free of self-criticism and a place where students can find joy, strength, equanimity and possibility. With music playlists to complement the sequences, Ingrid’s classes will make you sweat, smile and breathe deeply. Ingrid teaches Power Vinyasa and Flow to Yin.

Jennifer C.

Jennifer C.

Jennifer found her passion for yoga as an undergraduate student at James Madison University. What started as a primarily asana practice became a pathway to healing and self love. She practiced under mentors Keala Mason and Amanda Saccone while working for JMU’s group fitness program. Her other inspirations include Eliza Whiteman, Mary Ann McIvor, Kathryn Budig and Amy Ippoliti. She graduated from Fly Dog Yoga’s 200 hour training in 2016. Inspired by creative sequencing and humor in her practice, expect to sweat, laugh, and work hard in Jennifer’s vinyasa and power classes.

Lisa H.

Lisa H.

Lisa is a Charlottesville native who rediscovered her love for yoga both on the mat and in the air when a friend convinced her to “try” an aerial yoga class at FlyDog with Eliza Whiteman. She was immediately drawn to the balance of both fun and strength in the hammock. The incredible support of the FlyDog community inspired Lisa to complete her certification in Aerial Yoga training at FlyDog in 2017. Lisa’s classes will focus on building strength and confidence while still having fun and feeling like you are playing in the air.

Lyndsey R.

Lyndsey R.

Maddie Nell J.

Maddie Nell J.

Shannon M.

Shannon M.

Shannon was searching for ways to relieve stress and anxiety when she stumbled upon FlyDog in 2014. It took time to develop her personal practice but yoga eventually became a grounding force in her life. In 2017, with the loss of her mother, Shannon turned to yoga to assist in the healing process. She graduated from FlyDog Yoga 200-hour teacher training in March of 2018 and FlyDog Yoga 20-hour Yin teacher training in February of 2018. Shannon believes that yoga is a gift. It provides time to shut off from the outside world and turn inward. It is her hope that you leave her class with a clear mind, an invigorated body and renewed energy. In addition to teaching yoga, Shannon is a kindergarten teacher in Albemarle County. She integrates yoga into her work with children and has studied Youth Yoga and Mindfulness with the Holistic Life Foundation and completed the #UNSTOPPABLE Baptiste Yoga For Youth training program.

Stephanie F.

Stephanie F.