Teachers
Rachel Karpency Dyer
Co-Founder of Ashtanga Yoga Bridgeport, Rachel has been a dedicated practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga since early 2017. As a former two-sport collegiate scholarship athlete, she started practicing for the structure, discipline, focus, and community that comes with being part of a team.
At that time, as there was no Ashtanga Yoga taught in northern West Virginia, Rachel practiced at home with her husband Zach before work every morning, her practice informed by study of books and videos, as well as travel to learn in-person from expert teachers. In July 2017, she graduated from the Miami Life Center Ashtanga Intensive, and for the month of August 2018, she got to practice at KPJAYI in Mysore, India with R. Sharath Jois. Over the years, she has continued to travel with her family to learn and looks forward to returning to India.
Rachel has practiced with her teacher Taylor Hunt and the Ashtanga Yoga Columbus community since live Mysore classes started streaming from around the world in March 2020. She completed Taylor’s year-long 2021 Mentorship Program, 2022 year-long Apprenticeship Program, and Taylor’s 2023 Internship Program. Further, Rachel has practiced through two full-term pregnancies.
Rachel is a tri-state licensed attorney, though she currently does not practice law full-time as she cherishes getting to stay home with her toddler and baby, Zoe and Elle. She’s also a 2019 graduate of Rouxbe Online Culinary School, from which she earned a Plant-Based Professional Certification, and a proud mom and wife.
Zach Dyer
Co-Founder of Ashtanga Yoga Bridgeport, Zach has been a dedicated practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga since early 2017.
Zach practiced at home with Rachel to begin his practice and also traveled to shalas out-of-state to learn from authorized teachers, including Taylor Hunt and Keith Moore. In July 2017, Zach graduated from the Miami Life Center Ashtanga Intensive, led by Tim Feldmann and Kino MacGregor, and in August 2018, he practiced for a month at KPJAYI in Mysore, India, under the guidance of R. Sharath Jois. Over the years, Zach has continued to travel with his family to learn traditional Ashtanga Yoga from world-renowned teachers, including to the Ashtanga Yoga Confluence in San Diego in 2018.
Zach continues to practice Mysore at home to enhance his overall fitness and well-being. He completed his first marathon in Miami in 2019 and is always looking for any race or event to try.
Zach is also a full-time practicing attorney in WV, completed his Crossfit Level 1 certification in 2014, vegan, and the lucky husband of Rachel and father of Zoe and Elle.
Cindy Dyer
Cindy, RYT 200, began her yoga journey in 2017 with the guidance of her son and daughter-in-law, Zach and Rachel Dyer.
In the Fall of 2017, Cindy became Rachel’s first Ashtanga Yoga student. In March 2019, Cindy began Moonbow Yoga and Wellness Yoga Teacher Training and received her RYT 200 certification in April 2020.
With introductions from Zach and Rachel, Cindy has had the opportunity to study with top Ashtanga Yoga teachers in the world. She has completed workshops in Miami, FL, Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH, and Huntington, WV, with Kino McGregor, Tim Feldmann, and Taylor Hunt.
Cindy is also a full-time Director of Compliance at a local company, a mother of three wonderful sons, a mother-in-law to the three best daughters in the world, a grandmother of eight, and an active member in her church. Cindy believes that health and wellness is attainable for all ages and all fitness levels.
Abby Elliott
Abby, RYT 200, started her yoga journey in 2019. Receiving her RYT 200 in 2023 with a focus in yin yoga and sound healing, Abby has a passion for helping people through yoga.
Abby is a mother of one son, one rescue pup, and one rescue kitty. She resides in Bridgeport, WV and is also a licensed Aesthetician.