Meet Our Staff
Our Staff
Asheville Community Yoga’s staff members are grateful to serve our wonderful community alongside amazing board members, teachers, volunteers, partners and practitioners. We care deeply about the organization’s mission and strive every day to fulfill our mission to make yoga accessible to all.
Michael Greenfield
Executive Director
Michael has been in the practicing school of yoga for more than 23 years. He began teaching yoga in 2003 and has been dedicated to serving others in the path of yoga and relationship work. Igniting passion and demonstrating love are Michael’s two favorite subjects. Michael is the founder and executive director of the center.
Amber Acheson
Teacher Training Director
In 2007 I was given the opportunity to move to Asia to teach English as a second language. Without a doubt I knew I had to go. I knew there was a bigger purpose to this opportunity. I had been in search of something vital I felt was lacking from my life for a long time but I could never quite define what it was that was missing. Within just a short time of living overseas it seemed as though my search was finally over. I found yoga and through yoga I found what I had been unconsciously searching for my entire life – myself!
Jot Anant
Associate Director
As a devoted practitioner of karma and bhakti yoga, Jot Anant is deeply humbled by the opportunity to guide students on their unique spiritual journeys. She is passionate about highlighting the importance of bringing mindfulness into action, encouraging us to take the lessons learned on the mat and apply them in the way we interact with one another and the world around us. A lover of life and seeker of wisdom, Jot Anant continuously deepens her own practice through seva, self-study, and by remaining an open-hearted and eager student of life. Her path is one of grace, humor, and purpose, as she strives to walk lightly through the world with a heart full of intention and a spirit of joy.
Dana Mason
Teacher Liaison, Zen & Now Coordinator
Dana Maria is a dedicated and experienced teacher whose practice is deeply rooted in service to others. She has been a part of Asheville Community Yoga as a teacher, volunteer, and staff member since 2016. Dana specializes in inclusive yoga that is accessible to everyone by empowering students to decide for themselves what feels best for their bodies. A continued student of yoga and of life, she approaches her teaching with curiosity, humility, and intention. Knowing that love starts from within, she emphasizes self-compassion and strives to help her students heal their relationship with the present moment through mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork.
Nicole Barschaw
Studio Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
I’ve been practicing yoga since I was a teen and always knew I wanted to teach. Yoga has been the foundation of learning who I am and has given me the confidence and courage to share my true self with others. My life’s purpose is to share what I have learned and continue to grow. Helping others on their path to knowing that we are all enough, we are all beautifully connected and are incredibly powerful beings is truly a gift. I am eternally grateful for my teachers and fellow students.
Josie Hoban
Youth & Family Program Coordinator
Josie is grateful to join the ACY community as the Youth and Family Program Coordinator. Moreover, she is thrilled to offer classes for toddlers to teens and share her experience of mindfulness, yoga and holistic education with the community. Josie has been an educator since 2006 with a BS in Elementary Education. Combining her love of children and passion for travel, she’s taught in Spain, Taiwan and locally at Rainbow Community School.
In addition to all things yoga, Josie also fills her cup by spending time frolicking in her garden, paddling on rivers and lakes with her husband and dog and showing and sharing love with the people and animals in her life.
Alex White
Social Media Coordinator
Kelsey Gilbert (she/her)
Workshop & Event Coordinator
Jocilyn Baker
Raffle & Service Project Coordinator
My practice on the mat began in 2016. In the summer of 2018 I graduated from my first 250-hour teacher training at Asheville Community Yoga. Yoga, along with other forms of healing arts, ultimately led me to a deeper understanding of my self, my truth and my purpose on this planet. I believe a devoted yoga and meditation practice can lead to profound healing of the mind-body, self-regulation through conscious breath and awareness, and a deep connection to and synchronicity with the Divine. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of a uniquely compassionate community and to learn and share the wisdom yoga has to offer.
Stephen Volkman
Front Desk Associate
A graduate from Asheville Community Yoga’s teacher training, Stephen is drawn to yoga for the positive community, emotional regulation, low impact exercise, and spiritual depth. He comes with a background of nearly 10 years of experience in the mental health field and has a deep interest in story telling. He enjoys utilizing a slower pace and tapping into the senses to create soothing, rejuvenating practices.
Alaina Doll
Front Desk Associate
Alaina has been practicing at ACY for over ten years and is thrilled to join the team and symbiotically reciprocate in sharing the joy and peace this place has brought to her. With a passion for connection, Alaina has worked for several other local nonprofits with a heart of service for all beings. Their classes bring deep attention to breath and self-awareness. A musician, Alaina is excited to bring sacred sound and celebration to the community, as well.