Our Instructors
OTAC Breathe yoga and Pilates instructors embrace the philosophy of focusing on the whole person—mind, body and soul. Our instructors have a wide variety of experience and bring their knowledge to every practice!
breathe owner
kim forsten
ACE Personal Trainer, ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant, ACE Health Coach, Physical Mind Pilates Mat, AAAI Master Step Instructor, AAAI Weight Training Consultant, Kinesis, SCW Hands on Balance Stability and Mobility Conditioning for 50+Adult, Les Mills Body Pump, Body Flow, SCW Pilates Small Apparatus, Zumba, Level 1 Training for Warriors, Johnny G. Spinning, Body Composition Analysis Technician, YogaFit Level 1, RYT 200, Yoga Alliance.
Breathe Director
RACHAEL BUSSING
With passion and curiosity, Rachael is dedicated to learning and applying the practices of yoga and Pilates. Having over a decade of experience, her classes are intelligently designed to incorporate a holistic approach to complete wellness. Through her patient guidance, she ensures students leave class feeling successful. In addition to her group classes, Rachael provides private training for yoga and Pilates for those looking for individualized attention in their practice. As both an instructor and an educator, she offers mentorships for current yoga teachers wishing to improve their craft, or students who desire to take their practice to the next level. Rachael also holds certificates RYT 500, YACEP, 200E-RYT, Pilates Method Alliance certified Pilates instructor, trauma informed yoga training, mindfulness meditation guide, and pre/post-natal yoga certificates.
Susie Pfefferkorn, E-RYT 200; YACEP, CYT 500
After several years of venturing in and out of many yoga classes, searching for a place to land where she felt empowered and complete, Susie finally found herself in a Power Vinyasa class. Feeling instantly connected to the practice she has never looked back. Her daily practice has continued to deepen physically as well as both mentally and spiritually. Eager to share the lessons she has learned from her teachers; you will find Susie’s classes to be both powerful and accessible. Participants will experience a grounded practice focusing on mindfulness and breath awareness, encouraging each student to find a personal edge, leading the way to their true potential. She believes whole-heartedly that through committed discipline to a personal practice, we will learn to slow down, breathe, and listen to our body… we learn to enjoy the entire process, even in moments of challenge.
Susie completed her 200-hour teacher certification through a Baptiste inspired yoga studio, Down Dog Yoga. She then expanded her education by completing an additional 300-hour teacher training with Rolf Gates. Her continued studies include Trauma Informed Yoga with Beloved Yoga, Yin Yoga Intensives with Melissa Christensen and Jennifer O’Sullivan as well as Restorative Yoga studies through Yoga International. She is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT200 and Continuing Education Provider and continues to share her love of the practice in private and corporate settings in addition to her studio classes.
CARRIE CARTER, RYT 200
Carrie’s lifelong love of running and exercise grew to include yoga when Warrenton Yoga opened in 2015. She enjoys how yoga brings elements of the mind and body together and is grateful for the balance it brings to her busy life. Carrie completed a 200 RYT in 2016, and now she is excited to share yoga with others. Carrie lives in Warrenton with her husband and three children. She is passionate about cooking and adventuring with the people she loves.
JEANNE MARIE Tufts, Physical Therapist RYT 200
After several years traveling with her husband Max and her four children, Jeanne Marie is happy to be back in Fauquier County, where she was raised. It was during this time away that she first experienced yoga and became dedicated to her own routine of personal practice. An NYU graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy, Jeanne-Marie appreciates yoga for its practical and spiritual exploration of the body. In early 2017, Jeanne-Marie completed her 200 RYT certification at Stephanie Keach’s Asheville Yoga Center, where she had the privilege of studying under multiple gifted instructors offering all styles of hatha yoga. Jeanne-Marie brings experience as a physical therapist to complement her yoga instruction, with a particular interest in an alignment-based approach to the vinyasa style.
NAZLI P. WEISS, RYT
Nazli P. Weiss, RYT, originally hails from India and is a longtime practitioner of Iyengar yoga. For the last 18 years, she has studied Iyengar yoga in Washington, DC, and Charlottesville, Virginia. She has attended numerous workshops with senior teachers nationwide, and continues to do so on an ongoing basis. Nazli has a master’s degree in English literature and has trained as a classical Indian dancer. Her teaching is enriched by her study of the Indian texts, philosophy of yoga and aims to increase the strength and overall wellness of the body-mind system. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) accredited by the Yoga Alliance of North America. Nazli is also a certified Restorative yoga instructor. She is a Rappahannock County resident and also teaches in Bethesda, Maryland and Orlean, Virginia.
CHRIS FORSTEN, B.S. Kinesiology
Chris Forsten joins the staff at Old Town Athletic Campus after graduating from the College of William and Mary with a B.S. in kinesiology. While at William and Mary, Chris was the catcher for the Tribe baseball team and served as its captain for three years, an experience that reinforced values of leadership, hard-work and respect. He also brings experience working as a physical therapy technician at Williamsburg Physical Therapy, where he focused on injury prevention and recovery. Most recently, Chris has become a huge proponent of the holistic principles and teachings of Pilates, believing them to be crucial tools for discovering an athlete’s full potential. With his deep-rooted passion for athletics, plus backgrounds in athletic training, physical therapy and kinesiology, Chris is an invaluable asset to OTAC Breathe. He is excited to develop well-conditioned, healthy clients who will discover their potential and reach their health goals!
KIM olney
Kim is a Breathe Pilates Instructor and a Spark Instructor at Old Town Athletic Campus. She achieved a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University, and has received certifications in Pilates Method Alliance National Certification, Les Mills Body Tone and CPR/AED certified adult/infant.
Kerry Waters, RYT 500
Kerry started teaching yoga in 2005, but she has practiced for 20 years. Although Kerry was exposed to many styles of yoga early on, she considers her first teacher to be Baron Baptiste, with whom she trained before pursuing her 200-hour certification through Down Dog Yoga of Washington, D.C. There she was mentored by Patty Ivey, and later became the lead instructor for Down Dog’s location in Herndon. Two years ago, she received her 500-hour training with Rolf Gates, exploring yin as well as various styles of meditation.
After many years in the city, Kerry and her husband Eric moved to Marshall, Virginia, where they enjoy country living with their animals. Kerry, also a painter and former actress, loves to share the healing and transformative benefits of yoga with her students, and aims to lead supportive, loving, inspired classes. She is delighted to be part of the yoga team at OTAC.
Lori Laws
Lori has received her certifications in Pilates Method Alliance National Certification, Les Mills Body Pump and Les Mills Body Attack.
Tara Lee
Tara is a Breathe Pilates Instructor and a Precision Nutrition Coach. She earned her B.A. from Bridgewater College, and is a AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and is a licensed Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids, Zumba Toning, Les Mills Body Tone instructor.