JEFFREY DANIEL COHEN

Director/Founder of Satsang Yoga Charleston

Jeffrey is an international Yoga and Meditation teacher since 2002.

He is known for creating a thorough, thoughtful and transformative Yoga experience. Called a ‘natural teacher’, practitioners feel immediately inspired and at ease by his earnestness, compassion, humor, musicality, and adept teaching style. He continues to bridge the ancient roots of classic asian metaphysics to modern day relevance. Being a suicide survivor, his experience with psychotherapy and childhood trauma, make him particularly skillful in integrating the therapeutic benefits of Yoga. He has had the privilege to mentor and certify hundreds of yoga teachers.

Resume highlights include:
- Owner, Satsang Yoga Charleston, since 2005
- Head Facilitator, Jivamukti Yoga International Teacher Trainings
- Guest Presenter, Kripalu, Omega Institute, Art of Living Retreat Center, and others/various festivals
- Creator, “Natural Teacher’ & ‘Natural Evolution’ Yoga Teacher Trainings
- Collaborations include professional sports teams, Blackbaud, Michael Franti, various Yoga video projects, and more.
- Music: Body of work includes a library of both rock and Bhakti Yoga recordings featured in films and videos. Spotify.

SUNSHINE B. LEINBACH

Sunshine embodies the essence of her name, radiating positivity and warmth that's immediately felt in her presence and mirrored in her teaching style. Sunshine's approach to yoga is both dynamic and versatile, adeptly blending traditional sequences with a fresh take, and amazing hands-on assists. Growing up in a musically rich environment greatly influences her soundtracks, seamlessly interweaving classic tunes with new age jams creating an auditory experience that complements the physical and spiritual journey.
Before entering a life of yoga, Sunshine was a Montessori teacher, where she discovered her innate ability to connect with and guide children. This passion has blossomed into starting an afterschool yoga business — Surya Child, as well as volunteering for a local non-profit — Empowered Minds, bringing yoga practices to Charleston’s downtown public school system. Her commitment to fostering a love for yoga in the hearts of children speaks volumes about her dedication to spreading wellness and mindfulness to all ages.
Outside the yoga studio, Sunshine is a frequent visitor of various local venues— Pour House, Charleston Music Hall & Royal American— where she indulges in her love for live music. She loves to travel, hoping to make it to all continents in this lifetime. Sunshine has a fondness for being barefoot, always enjoying the awareness of being connected to the earth. 
Sunshine feels honored to be a graduate of Satsang Yoga Charleston’s 250-hour RYT program, led by renowned instructors Andrea Boyd & Jeffrey Cohen in 2021. She is currently completing the 'Natural Evolution' 500hr Continuing Education Training program, under the mentorship of Jeffrey Cohen. This dedication to her personal and professional development in yoga underscores her deep commitment to her practice and her community.

MISHIAH CRUTE

Mishiah Crute, affectionately known as Mish or Meesh, is a dedicated yoga and meditation instructor with over a decade of experience. She holds over 1,000 hours of teaching expertise in Hatha & Yoga Nidra, and has a profound connection to the chakra system. Her yoga journey deepened in Bali during a 200-hour teacher training with Meghan Currie in 2018, where she also found her loyal companion, Isvara (Isa), a perfectly mixed mutt who she adores.
After running her own studio in Fayetteville, AR, for two years, Mishiah took a three-month hiatus in Costa Rica. There, she concentrated on developing digital content and planning retreats, further expanding her skill set. Mishiah is now setting roots in Charleston, SC.
Mishiah's teaching style is sensual and embodied, with a special focus on spinal health and movement. She draws inspiration from Rumi's wisdom that "through love, all pain turns to medicine." This philosophy underpins her approach, emphasizing healing, self-love, and nurturing inner strength through physical poses, controlled breathwork, and guided meditation. Her goal is to continue sharing her knowledge, helping others lead a balanced, mindful lifestyle. Mishiah's influence extends beyond the yoga mat, inspiring her students to carry their inner light into every aspect of their lives.

NIKKI BASCINAR

My name is Nic, and first and foremost, I am a devoted student of yoga.
I hold certifications as both a yoga teacher and a personal trainer; I have also coached kickboxing, fostering a profound understanding of the intricacies of the human body.
In 2017, during a period when I had hit rock bottom, feeling trapped after years of battling addiction, a friend brought me to Satsang Yoga.
I knew I had to grab hold of the magic here and pray it could heal me.  
In a pivotal moment of self-rescue, I enrolled in "The Natural Teacher" yoga teacher training, a decision that saved my life.
Now, I have made it my mission to bring the healing light of yoga to anyone who hears the call.
Together, let's seize the present moment, foster self-compassion, and unearth the transformative magic within.
Namaste 🙏✨

MISTY LISTER

Misty has been a part of the Satsang Yoga Charleston community and student of Andrea and Jeffrey's since 2012. She gained her 250-Hour and 500-Hour "Natural Teacher" Yoga certification through Satsang's teacher training program. Her dedication to expansion is echoed in her practice and teaching, while her ability to connect with others is reflected in her desire to nurture a strong, lasting community. She is practical, kind, adventurous and adept, which are just some of the qualities you will experience in her class. Misty loves a good playlist, a good sweat, and her ultimate goal in each class is to have fun. Outside of Satsang, Misty enjoys being outdoors, gardening, loving on her senior pup Fleesha, and spending time in the jungle of Costa Rica. 

KIM MILES

With a love of movement since I was a young child, Pilates came naturally into my life in 2002 at a time when I was struggling with lower back issues. After tremendous healing I became fully certified through Karen Sanzo's program in 2004 with the hope of sharing the freedom from back pain and strength with other people.
My passion for movement was expanded when I was introduced to the GYROTOINC method and became fully certified in 2012. I am now also fully certified in the Jumping Stretch Board, Musical Journey, GYROKINESIS, and became a certified GYROTOINC- Pre-Trainer in 2014.
I also have a dedicated yoga practice for the last ten years and was thrilled when I was able to complete my first 200-hour "Natural Teacher Yoga Training" with Andrea Boyd and Jeffrey Cohen at Satsang Yoga in Charleston SC.

I am thrilled to teach all the things I love and practice in a special hybrid class that integrates the best of these two disciplines.

RUTH SYKORA

I was introduced to meditation and the many gifts of a daily practice by my precious teachers, Jeffrey and Andrea in 2005. Back then, I had a deep desire and intention to practice consistently, but life busy with two school-age kids, work, and home mostly got in the way of a regular practice. I frequently tell the story of having an altar right in my living room. With all kinds of inspirations, teachers, poems, and images, it should have called me to sit in front of it and on my cushion. However, more often than not, I would walk past it instead of sitting in front of it. I continued to practice yoga daily with Jeffrey and Andrea, with meditation in most classes - always hearing the importance of a consistent practice.
During the pandemic, I began a mindfulness meditation teacher training, lead by the wonderful and esteemed teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. This two-year program was quite rigorous and incredibly rewarding. It left me not only with the regular practice I had intended to have, but also with a deep love of guiding others towards their own journey of meditation.
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at Satsang, my spiritual home and sangha for 18 years and to share a practice that has been for me, and in dear ones as well, an anchor through many challenges in life - most recently a cancer diagnosis.
I look very much forward to creating this community of regular practitioners, and watching how far and wide the light spreads from our cushions! 🤍ruth