About Us
Debbie Wolski - ERYT 500
Debbie discovered Yoga in 1971, as a remedy for back pain due to a condition called Scoliosis. Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. “My doctor assured me that by the time, I was 30, I would be riddled with arthritis and possibly confined to a wheelchair,” she recalls. That was nearly 40 years ago! Thanks to a consistent Yoga practice, Debbie’s condition has improved rather than declined.
A fitness professional since 1980, she launched Yoga programs in every fitness facility and health club in the Modesto area. In 1997, Debbie filmed 12 episodes of “Yoga Magic”, a television show that aired on Modesto’s public access station on cable. In 2000, she opened Modesto’s first yoga studio, Village Yoga Center, in McHenry Village, offering over 30 classes a week.
In 2001 she created The Art of Yoga, a school registered with Yoga Alliance offering 200 and 500 hour Teacher Training and certification programs. She is a certified personal trainer, as well as a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor. Her mentors include Swami Ganesh Nand of New Delhi, India, Charles Schoelen aka Yogi Shalom of Fresno, and Lilias Folan of Ohio. Debbie focuses on positive, empowering imagery and restorative Hatha Yoga to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal.
Sonja Hurst - ERYT 500
Sonja is new to Yoga having started on her 1st day of retirement from a 33-year Law Enforcement career. She believed Yoga would help with the transition into retirement while addressing the daily discomfort associated with wearing a heavy utility belt, extreme work pressure, and daily commuting which caused severe lower back and hip pain. What she discovered is the next chapter in her life. A passion for learning and healing herself physically and spiritually and sharing her experiences with others evolved. She focuses on stretching, strengthening, and mobility through regular practice and learning how to connect breath to movement and daily life. Sonja focuses on making the class accessible to every student, no matter where they are starting.
Current Place in life~Looking behind, I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward, I am filled with vision. Looking upwards, I am filled with Strength, and looking within, I discover peace…
Cynthia Christensen - ERYT 500
Cynthia came to yoga later in life, at the age of 50, through an extreme grief process that had turned into unmanageable depression. Over time, through yogic practices.
Cynthia has committed her life to the study and practice of yoga, becoming a yoga therapist and teacher. Her specialties in therapy are psychological and structural, with an emphasis on overcoming psychosomatic pain.
Cynthia is a former elementary/reading/TESOL teacher with an MA in English. She considers yoga asana to be her third language.
Stephanie Mitchell - RYT 200
Stephanie was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. By the age of 5, she learned about the power of meditation and breath work. In her early 20’s she started an on and off relationship with Yoga. Several years after moving to Modesto, she found The Village Yoga Center and discovered a new self and a new passion for sound healing, yoga and for teaching. In 2022 Stephanie completed the Yoga Teacher Training program and began teaching at The Village.
Knowing how mediation and breath work helped her as a child, she began teaching children yoga in the Modesto City school district working with Modesto Junior College and the Village Yoga Center’s after school program. Her passion for yoga grew and she began hosting a yoga class at E & J Gallo Winery for the employees.
Stephanie focuses on pairing the breath with movement, helping to create an internal connection and self-awareness. Building a strong foundation in form and alignment builds neuromuscular memory that will support you in your practice and throughout life’s everyday movements. This awareness will help in preventing injuries and allows the body to heal and strengthen. Being mindful of the body, she encourages the use of props and modification when needed. Each class is accessible to all levels of practice.
Patricia Lucero - RYT 200
Patricia’s love of yoga began in 2005 while living in the bay area. After years of fitting yoga in her busy life and going to different studios a shift happened and she landed! In 2021, she found her home studio at Village Yoga Center ,in Modesto, California, and her daily yoga and meditation practice began. Patricia completed the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course through The Art of Yoga, at Village Yoga Center.
As a certified Sound Healer, Patricia enjoys playing the crystal bowls, every chance she gets! She is also a big hit with the kids, having taught many children’s yoga classes over the years, through our school system.
As a teacher, she hopes to empower and inspire her students to continue looking inward and grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as we all continue our path of yoga together.
Patricia Lucero
Certified Sound Healer
Claudell Leal - RYT 200
Claudell earned her first credentials as an RYT in 2019, graduating from the Art of Yoga, at Village Yoga Center, in Modesto California. This led her to grow and follow her passion completing several other certification courses. In 2020, a 21hour Yoga Assisting course with Kaycie Hall. Claudell then completed a 130 hour trauma sensitive Yin certification program, led by Adi Shakti, at Soul Works. Other mentionable studies and practices include the Chakras, Reiki energy work, and the use of sound therapy and frequencies.
Stephanie Cox
Stephanie came to Village Yoga Center, over 20 years ago. A car accident had ended her dance career and left her practically unable to walk.
With her ballet background and structured discipline, yoga therapy at the Village ,helped her heal and transform her life. Daily strengthening, stretching, and breathing helped her come back, even stronger than before!
She specializes in strength building and balancing exercises.
Melissa Harris - ERYT 500
Melissa is honored to return to The Village Yoga Center, where she was trained and certified in 2004. She enjoys being able to share her love of health and fitness with the ever-growing community of Modesto, where she was born and raised. She will be offering up her expertise in the benefits of Yoga, deep relaxation and meditation.
Melissa began her fitness career in Modesto 21 years ago and has provided her services in the Los Angeles and Phoenix areas, where she taught a variety of health and fitness classes, and is known for her vocal talents. She ventured back to Modesto with her four children. She’s looking forward to reconnecting with familiar and beloved clientele as well as making new and treasured friends and colleagues.
Fun Fact: Melissa was a PE Assistant at Prescott Junior High in 1994
Aubrey Neilson - RYT 200
Aubrey is a certified singing bowl practitioner and multi-instrumentalist currently completing her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training at Village Yoga.
She began her journey as a student in Debbie’s pioneering MJC Community Education class and has since become a dedicated member of the Village Yoga
community. She experienced her first sound bath at the studio, forever changing her life.
Practicing yoga and playing therapeutic sound healing instruments have made a profound difference in her life, igniting a passion to teach and give back to
the community that has supported her. Aubrey specializes in Gentle Hatha, Restorative, and Yin Yoga styles creating deeper connection to the physical and
subtle bodies. She continuously studies therapeutic sound and music modalities, applying these to stimulate and waken Chakra energy. These practices have
resulted in significant physical and emotional healing, remarkably increased her self-esteem, and pulled her out of decades of painful depression.
“It is a humbling honor to be called Teacher at Village Yoga. This studio is my sanctuary. My goal is to make others feel so welcomed, seen, and heard as the
teachers and mentors I am privileged to have met here have done for me along my ever-progressing journey. With love and gratitude, Namaste.”
Enjoying the Journey
Village Yoga Center LLC is pleased to offer a truly unique experience. Our beginner-friendly, therapeutic approach to the ancient tradition of Hatha Yoga, welcomes all fitness levels and abilities.
Our staff of certified professionals are passionate about the benefits of Yoga and living a balanced lifestyle. Let us help you set goals, engage in a personal practice, reduce stress and live the fullest life possible.
Our beautiful studio provides a tranquil “get-away from daily pressures. Step into stillness as you strengthen your mind~body awareness through yoga, meditation and breathing techniques.