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Synergy Yoga & Pilates
3152 Old Shell Rd.
Mobile, AL 36607
251.473.1104

© 2006 Synergy Yoga & Pilates.
All rights reserved.

Adrienne Berg

Adrienne Berg was introduced to dance as a child, which fostered in her a love of the movement arts. Seeking relief for back pain and stress reduction led her to begin practicing yoga in 1997. Private study began through various readings and texts, and training has continued through workshops led by Ginger Layden-Braun, Amy Likins, Doug Keller, and Kevin Durkin. Her emphasis in spinal therapy subsequently led her to the work of Joseph Pilates. Enjoying the compliment of both disciplines, Adrienne began teaching both yoga and pilates in 2001. She is certified in Pilates Mat work through Body Arts & Science International (BASI), and is currently pursuing Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training through Balance Body University. Eventually she seeks to begin Therapeutic Yoga Teacher training. Her goal is to never stop learning!

A believer in a well rounded lifestyle, Adrienne is also a practicing Harpist and performs Celtic, Medieval, Classical, and Popular music at weddings and other events. Other interests include composing meditative music, drawing, Ballroom dancing, and hiking - although not all at the same time (carrying the harp during the hike can be a real challenge). She has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology from the University of South Alabama.

Adrienne truly enjoys the process of teaching and working with others to help them create a harmony of body, mind and spirit so they can relate to the world in greater health and ultimately spread greater peace and compassion to others. Her classes might be characterized as meditation in motion - her own eclectic mix of compassionate vinyasa flow, breath work and asana holds designed to suit her students' needs. Her teaching philosophy is one of respect as she wants her students to learn to value where they are in the present moment, both in their inner journey and outer lives.


Martha Collier ... we will miss her warmth, sprirt, and grace. May she rest forever in God's light.


Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and has been a practicing engineer since 1981. He has been teaching yoga since 2001 and Pilates since 2004, and has completed Yogafit's Level 1 Teacher Training as well as attended various yoga retreats and training workshops hosted by Doug Keller, Bryan Kest, Ginger Layden-Braun, Amy Likins, Kim Schwartz, Kevin Durkin, John Friend, Cat McCarthy, Leeann Carey, and Aadil Palkhivala. Chris has also successfully completed Balanced Body University Reformer 1 and Movement Principals as well as Core Barre training.

In addition, Chris has been a group fitness instructor since 1988. He was Primary, Step, and Kickboxing certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, certified as a Keiser Power Pacing bike instructor, and has also been an AFAA Examiner.

Yoga and Pilates have helped to give him balance in his daily activities, and in this phase of his life both have become an essential part of his existence.


Dana Garrett

Dana Garrett has been teaching yoga since 2001. She received her 200 hour yoga teacher training from The Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, Illinois and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. Dana also holds a YogaFit Level I certification, has completed the YogaFit Pre/Post-Natal workshop, and studied yoga with Bryan Kest, Doug Keller, Amy Likins, Ginger Layden-Braun, Kim Schwartz, Kevin Durkin, John Friend, Cat McCarthy, Leeann Carey (Foundation Teacher Training, Anatomy: Form & Function, Developing the Eye, and Mapping the Body weekend intensives), and Aadil Palkhivala.

Dana has taught MELT Method classes and sessions since 2016, and is a Level 5 Certified MELT Method Instructor.

Dana has a Pilates Initiation 101 certificate from the PhysicalMind Institute, Level I and II Mat certifications from the Pilates Institute of America, certification from Merrithew (Stott) Pilates in their Intensive Mat-Plus (2007) and Intensive Reformer (2008) methods, completed training for the Merrithew (Stott) Pilates Intensive Cadillac (2012), Intensive Chair (2012), Intensive Barrel (2012), and Injuries and Special Populations (2013) methods, and completed Core Barre training. In addition, Dana has completed the following ACE and Merrithew (Stott) Pilates CEC Training Workshops:

  • Foam Roller Challenge, 2009
  • Jumpboard Interval, 2009
  • Mini-Stability Ball, 2009
  • Matwork for Golf - Level 1, 2010
  • Osteoporosis & Scoliosis, 2010
  • Pilates with Props - Level 1, 2011
  • Superior Balance, Stability Ball - Level 4, 2011
  • Matwork for Golf - Level 2, 2011
  • The Shoulder Girdle: Stability & Function, 2014
  • Lumbo Pelvic Region: Stability & Function , 2014
  • ZENGA V2 Vinyasa on the V2 Max Plus Reformer, Level 1, 2015
  • ZENGA Power & Strength, 2015
  • ZENGA Fluid Conditioning with the Mini Stability Ball, 2015
  • Power Paced Fitness Circle, 2016
  • Reformer Workout for Men, 2016
  • Athletic Conditioning on the Cardio-Tramp Rebounder, 2016
  • Pilates Spring Wall, 2017
  • Reformer with Fitness Circle, 2017
  • Bodyweight Training, 2017
  • Matwork Flow with Ankle Tubing, 2018
  • Athletic Conditioning on the Reformer, Level 1, 2018
  • Reformer & Cardio-Tramp Barre Workout, 2018
  • The Lumbo-Pelvic region: Matwork for Stability & Function, 2019
  • Prenatal Pilates on the Reformer, 2019
  • Post-Natal Pilates, 2019
  • ACE Kettlebell Training, 2019
  • Pilates for Rehabilitation, 2019
  • Essential Matwork with Fascial Focus, 2020
  • Essential Matwork on Stability Cushions, 2020
  • Bodyweight Training, 2020
  • Functional Towel Workout, 2022
  • Pilates Matwork for Men, 2022
  • Pilates with Props, Level 2, 2022
  • Intensifying the Essential Reformer, 2022
  • Ultimate Body Sculpting, Flex-Band, Level 2, 2022
  • Rotational Disks on the Mat, 2022
  • Postural Correction, 2022
  • A Journey Into Yin Yoga, 2022
  • Prescriptive Stretching, 2022
  • Matwork Strength & Mobility, 2023
  • Matwork Flow with Weights, 2023
  • Intermediate Pilates on the BOSU, 2023
  • Beyond the Biomechanical Principles, 2024
  • Experience Movement to Improve Awareness & Teaching, 2024
Dana has been working in the local fitness industry since 1984 and holds a Master of Science degree in Sport Fitness Management. She is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health and Fitness Instructor, is certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America for High/Low Impact Aerobics, Kick-Boxing, Weight Room, Personal Training, and Advanced Personal Training. Dana also holds a Personal Training certification through the American Council on Exercise and was also certified as a Keiser Power Pacing bike instructor.

Dana was the Fitness Director at SportPlex from May, 1990 through December, 2004, and has traveled extensively for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certifying instructors for group exercise and kick-boxing. She is also a CEU provider for AFAA's aerobic and kick-boxing choreography workshops as well as a presenter for the Mat I and Mat II programs (Yoga/Pilates workshops). Dana has also presented a Fitness Yoga certification for the Deep South Alliance in New Orleans.

"I have always tried to show others that they can reach their goals if they set a series of small and attainable steps - setting themselves up to succeed, rather than raising the bar so high they ultimately give up. Not succeeding does not equal failure. In the big picture, the only failure is in not trying. I consider myself to be a recovering envelope-pusher; someone who felt they had to climb Mt. Everest everyday in order to prove themselves - usually only to myself! Yoga has brought me to a much kinder and realistic place - it has brought a balance that I never understood could exist. During the past few years, I have gone through many challenges and changes. Without God, yoga, and the love and support of my husband, I don't know how I ever would have made it! The hectic pace of life today has most people frantically running in circles - yoga can bring balance, compassion, patience, self-acceptance, and so much more. It is hard to believe that something seemingly so simple can have such a profound effect. I guess people haven't been doing yoga for over 5000 years for nothing!


Susan Steber Kangal

Susan Steber Kangal resides as a life-long native of Mobile. She has two daughters - Kamran, 16 yrs., and Alli, 14 yrs. old.

Susan began practicing yoga in 1998 in search of a more gentle form of exercise after years of teaching high impact aerobics. Yoga offered a balance and discipline that helped calm the mind and focus on rejuvenation of chronic pain issues. Susan is certified through YogaFit. She teaches an intermediate yoga practice adaptable to all levels. The class includes a variety of fundamental postures (standing, seated, floor, and many times the wall) providing stretching, strengthening and restoration. Her style focuses on alignment, flexibility and strength training.

She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a BFA degree in Graphic Design, a minor in Drawing, with concentrations in Photography and Art History. Her professional background for more than 25 years has ranged from an Art Director at an advertising agency, Print and Media Sales to Product Marketing Manager and formerly owner of Kangal Gallery In The SAIL LOFT in downtown Mobile. Today Susan is an Account Executive for Lamar Advertising Company. Susan's latest passion is combining yoga with her love of water... Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga on Dauphin Island!

Please visit her Facebook SUP page and also enjoy her SUP video.


Faye Mahan




Chris McFadyen

Chris McFadyen has been teaching hatha yoga for over 10 years. His personal practice has included Iyengar, Anusara and Ashtanga styles of hatha yoga. Chris is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. He has attended intensive workshops by nationally known teachers including Doug Keller (Anusara), Bryan Kest (Ashtanga), Shiva Rea (dance/movement) and Didier Razon (Iyengar). He has also completed workshops in Thai Yoga Massage Therapy and has been practicing this form of massage for many years.


Rebecca McLeod

Rebecca McLeod came to yoga while working a stressful job in retail management. As she lay in Savasana in that first class, she thought to herself "where has this been my whole life?" The feeling of connection, relaxation and the pure bliss had hooked her and she became a regular after that. Loving the chance to "escape" for an hour a week onto her mat.

Life unfolded as it does and she found herself leaving that stressful job and moving to Mobile where she met a wonderful yoga community. When the opportunity for yoga teacher training came up, she wasn't initially interested. She was enjoying being "retired". However, that feeling she had in that very first yoga class was still with her and she wanted to share that with others, giving them the opportunity to quiet their mind and feel that connection with their breath and their body. She completed her RYT-200 training in July of 2015 with Kula Yoga Community of Mobile. She teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, Gentle, Restorative and Prenatal Yoga. She believes that yoga is for everybody and every body. Her classes focus on connecting with and creating space for the breath.

A native of small town rural Northern Pennsylvania, Rebecca grew up on a dairy farm. She has a Business Administration degree from Mansfield University and spent over 10 years in the Harley-Davidson business. She received her strong work ethic and compassion for others from her loving parents and grandmother. Rebecca loves making others feel good and helping them to relax. When she is not teaching or taking a yoga class she is traveling with her husband and her Westie Leroy. She also enjoys cooking, sewing and makes Aromatherapy eye pillows. Rebecca is a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils and a supporter of the Mobile Ballet, Days For Girls, and Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN).

She looks forward to seeing you in class and helping you to relax and reset.


Manja Herlt Podratz

Manja Herlt Podratz completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Tracey Narayani Glover of Shanti Warrior Living Yoga at Quiet Mind Massage and Yoga Studio right here in Mobile. Manja received her Bachelor's degree of Arts Management and Cultural Studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam (Germany) and her PhD in Theory of Architecture and Media Studies at the Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus (Germany). She taught at college level for 11 years in Germany, Italy, and the United States, and published several academic books and articles both in English and German during this time. In 2001 a sport accident caused fractures of three vertebrae, which after long months of healing and hospital treatment brought her back to a more intense yoga practice. Manja is mother of three wonderful children, and the author of "Das Leben kennt den Weg" - a guidebook about natural pregnancy and childbirth as well as vegan nutrition during pregnancy, currently being translated into English. Manja is a Certified Translation Professional, working as medical, legal, and sports interpreter.


Mary Ann Sinde

Mary Ann Sinde initially found yoga through the Kula Yoga Community. Quickly realizing the profound effect it had on her body, mind, and spirit and curious to learn more, she began Teacher Training. Her classes are gentle yet effective using breath work, meditation and asana. It is perfect for both the beginner and the intermediate student.

Mary Ann believes that yoga opens the door to be gentle with your body and creates a space for self care. She has a "start where you are" approach which makes yoga accessible to everyone at any level, and loves to see her students' growth and progression as they create peace, strength and stamina in their own practice.

In addition to her RYT-200 training completed in 2013 through the Kula Yoga Community in Mobile, Mary Ann has completed training in both Thai Yoga and Yoga for Cancer. Join her every Thursday at Noon for a Gentle Practice - find your bliss on your mat in her land of "Ahhhs".


More teacher bios will be added as they become available!