About our Teachers

Susan Franzblau, PhD, E-RYT, Owner


Susan has been studying yoga for over 13 years. She received her teacher training and advanced teacher training from the world-renowned White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, California. She has also studied around the country, with Erich Schiffman, at Lighten Up! Yoga & Healing Arts Center, The Asheville Yoga Center, and at the international headquarters of the Integral Yoga Institute. She has been trained in Anatomy and Physiology with Roger Cole PhD, prenatal & postpartum yoga, Yin yoga and Thai Yoga Massage with Kam Thye Chow. Susan has embraced Erich Schiffmann's concept of moving into stillness. Along with being a psychology professor at Fayetteville State University, Susan researches the positive mental health effects of pranayama (breath regulation). She has recently been certified as a Yoga for Seniors Therapist from Duke Integrative Medicine. She has experience teaching yoga to blind and disabled people and senior citizens. For the last two years, Susan has co-directed Seaside Yoga's Teacher Training in Fayetteville. Susan, her partner, and her dog Bella live in Historical Downtown Fayetteville.

Sandra Sierra, E-RYT


Sandra has been an avid yoga practitioner for over 12 years. Founder and former owner of Yoga Sensations, in Stamford, Connecticut, she comes to Om with an open heart, a love of yoga, a fabulous sense of humor, and a yearning to inspire her students to be guided from within. Sandra has been registered with Yoga Alliance since 2002, after completing her 200 hour certification. Sandra completed a 100 hour advanced training in 2007, and is pursuing her 500 hour RYT through Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, which she hopes to complete in February 2008. Sandra has studied with Don and Amba Stapleton, Rodnee Yee, John Friend, Baron Baptiste, and holds a special place in her heart for her Guru, Erich Schiffmann.

Jessica Payton, E-RYT


Jessica has been on her yoga journey for nearly 8 years now and has been blessed with the opportunity to share her passion for the past 4 years. Yoga has been a healing experience, both physically and emotionally, for her over the past few years. After completing her first 200 hour RYT training through YogaFit, Jessica joined the Seaside Yoga teacher training program offered at Om Yoga Studio and completed that training in June of 2008. Inspired by multiple paths of yoga and of learning yoga, she is working toward her 500 hour training through Asheville Yoga Center. Jessica's classes at Om are inspired by Flow, Power, and Ashtanga yoga and emphasize proper alignment and mindfulness of body and mind while incorporating fun music and laughter to create an intense yet uplifting atmosphere. When she's not teaching at Om, Jessica also teaches Pilates and aquatic fitness classes as well as children's yoga at various places in Fayetteville. She lives with her husband and their yogi and yogini in training near Methodist University where she earned her BA in English (that she still hopes to use one day!)

Christy Gaines, RYT


Christy Gaines, MPH began studying yoga in the 90's by watching Rodney Yee yoga tapes. Her serious yoga study began when she moved back to Fayetteville in 2001 and came to Om Yoga Studio. She has also practiced gymnastics and various martial arts. She suffered head, shoulder and jaw injuries while serving in the army and this has led to her interest in helping other students with injuries and chronic medical problems. When not practicing and teaching yoga Christy teaches 7th grade science, is a military contractor, tries to train her dogs to be obedient (ha!), reads, and enjoys the time she spends with her friends and family.


Alexis Chieffet, Teacher in Training


Bio coming soon!