Instructor Bios

John Budd

In an effort to heal a painful neck and back injury recieved playing high school sports, John first began practicing Yoga in 1983 while attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Psychology. In addition to studying yoga, he also studied Tai Chi and Sil Lum Kung Fu, earning a Black Belt Degree under Grand Master Rick Ward in 1987. Today he is a certified Bikram Yoga Teacher. He is certified to teach level 2 and level 3 Hot Vinyasa Yoga through the Barkan Method of Hot Yoga. He holds a 200 hour level Anusara Inspired teaching certificate through Seaside Yoga and is a RYT through the Yoga Alliance.

John served 24 years in the US Army and Air Force in both active duty and the reserves.

As an officer and warrant officer, he primarily functioned as a Command Pilot and Instructor Pilot in both fixed and rotor wing assets. These days when NASCAR is racing locally, you can find him flying a helicopter for Richard Childress Racing.

In the Spring of 2008, John attended Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Acapulco, Mexico. In 2010 he completed the ‘Advanced Series Teacher Recertification’ in San Diego, CA. with Bikram Choudhury. His advice for new students is to “set your intentions and goals high because they will come true.” He will tell you that “the personal transformation is powerful – Stronger body, mind, more strength, balance and flexibility, stronger focus, and better health and awareness.”

Erin Alexander

Erin is very excited to be a part of Triad Hot Yoga! Erin received her Bikram Yoga teacher certificate in 2003 in Los Angeles, CA, and her Hot Vinyasa Flow Level 2/3 certificate with Jimmy Barkan in Costa Rica in 2012. She has been practicing Hot Yoga since 2000, and teaching since 2003, first in the NYC metro area, and since 2009, the Triad.

Her favorite part about teaching is introducing the yoga to new students, and helping experienced students fine tune their practice. Bikram yoga has been a major influence in her life for many years, and she feels privileged to have the opportunity to share her knowledge, and to be a part of helping people feel better, look better, and most importantly feel happier. Her classes focus on pose technique, connecting the breath with movement, and maintaining breath awareness throughout class.

In addition to her Hot Yoga certificates, Erin is certified in pre-natal yoga through Asheville Yoga Center, and holds comprehensive certifications in classical and contemporary Pilates. She has a B.A. in Biology from Richard Stockton College of NJ, and graduate studies in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Columbia University, NYC. Outside the yoga room, Erin is a busy mother of three, and a student in the Physical Therapy Assistant program at GTCC, class of 2013. She looks forward to meeting you in the hot room!

Dwayne Morgan

Physically Smart, LLC- 2009-2011 (Owner)
Gate City Contract Glazing, LLC- 1995-2011 (Owner)
Certified Breathing Specialist 2008
2nd Degree Black-belt MMA- 2007
1100 Hour ATI Certified Alexander Technique Instructor 2006
200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification- 2011
Misc. Studies- Steven Covey Leadership 1998, Staub Leadership1999 , Optimal Breathing School 2006, Vision Quest 2008, Wild At Heart Boot Camp 2009
US Army 1/75 Ranger Battalion- 1980-1982

I am a spiritual man, I am a family man, and I am a business man.

A number of years ago I did what is called “My Life Plan.” In that plan it was revealed to me that my strongest traits were evenly split between being a leader, a teacher and an entrepreneur. I still consider that to be accurate today.

Since then I have started considering my life a journey of discovery instead of a list of things that needed to be done. I have come to believe the most important thing in life is relationship and the quality of relationships.

My goal in becoming a life coach is to organize all of my life knowledge and experiences into a framework and platform that can help clients start this journey sooner than I. I will be their guide.

Zoe Wells

Zoe, originally from Key West, FL has traveled the globe to finally arrive in Winston-Salem, NC. Trained in dance and theater since the age of 5, she has taught and performed in a variety of professional companies including Dance Theatre of Oregon, Perseverance Theatre in Alaska and Brazen Dance Company in Florida. Alongside her dance career, she began practicing hot yoga on and off in 2001. During a substantial “off” period, she badly injured her shoulder and neck within months of each other, in two seemingly harmless physical mishaps. Through physical therapy and hot yoga, she rehabilitated her injuries and became a full-fledged believer in the strengthening and transformative power of hot yoga.

In 2011, Zoe earned her teaching certification with The Hot Yoga Doctor in Costa Rica. She absolutely loves teaching new and experienced yogis alike – all ages, all backgrounds, all religions, all ranges of flexibility and strength. She is skilled in providing instruction that achieves the ultimate alignment in each posture for ALL body types. A sincere believer in the benefits of yoga, Zoe looks forward to share her insights on how to heal injuries and improve overall health and well-being by incorporating hot yoga into your life, one class at a time. She can not wait to see you in class!

Fontaine Gervasi

Fontaine Gervasi began her Yoga journey in 2001 while expecting her fourth child and has not stopped since. While a lifelong walker/runner, Yoga became a weekly “spa hour” for Fontaine…gradually increasing to a now daily practice. “It is the only form of “exercise” I always look forward to doing.” Fontaine began her practice in the Iyenger style under Candi Lavender and fell in love with a flowing Astanga practice under Teresa Hicks. She credits both of them for her love of Yoga and it’s many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. In 2008 she was encouraged to become certified to teach by Kitty Soper, an amazing Yoga teacher who is in her 70’s. “Yoga can be practiced for life, which is what I love about it. Yoga makes you feel young and keeps you feeling that way. How old can one feel while standing on their head!”

Fontaine is the Lower School Librarian at Forsyth Country Day School and loves sharing her love of reading, Yoga, and life with her students, teachers, and parents at the school. She is a substitute instructor at Gold’s Gym and at Triad Hot Yoga and credits Darlene Pruitt in pushing her to always go farther! Fontaine has participated in workshops with amazing teachers throughout Winston Salem at Village Yoga and Yoga Gallery, both downtown studios, and is an avid follower of FCDS alumni and Yoga guru, Elliot Wattlington.

Fontaine is certified under Fittour in Basic and Hatha style Yoga and is always willing and able to share with anyone at any stage in their journey of discovering the benefits of a Yoga life. She is very thankful to John Budd and Triad Hot Yoga since opening day for taking her Yoga to a whole new level. The heat and health benefits of sweating include every cell, muscle, and pore. Each class is a cleansing; your body and mind are stretched in every way…and now a facial is included in each Yoga class! She hopes you will join her.