Get To Know Us

Shawna Bennett

Shawna is an accomplished mental health therapist, holding dual licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). With her 200YT certification acquired in 2017, she is dedicated to fostering holistic well-being, adeptly merging her expertise in mental wellness with her proficiency in yoga. Shawna is also the proud owner of Clear Life Counseling and Coaching, a counseling practice that embodies her commitment to facilitating personal growth and clarity in individuals’ lives. Furthermore, Shawna’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to create and partner with the studio to introduce the mental wellness coaching program called Namaste Mindset. Her classes are thoughtfully crafted to leave participants feeling empowered, centered, and equipped to embark on their day with a harmonious alignment of mind and body.

In her leisure time, Shawna finds fulfillment in spending quality moments with her family amidst the serenity of the outdoors. A highlight of their shared experiences includes a year-long journey traveling in an RV, during which they visited 30 national parks across the country. This enriching adventure not only deepened Shawna’s connection with nature but also underscored the importance of mental well-being in harmonizing with the natural world. Inspired by their travels, Shawna and her family aspire to continue exploring, with the goal of eventually visiting all 63 national parks, fostering their love for adventure and environmental appreciation.

Jamie Bertolini

Jamie is a long-time Greer resident, and dedicated fitness and yoga instructor with four years of experience at Namaste Fitness Studio. He’s completed over 200 hours of yoga training and holds certification as a personal trainer.

Beyond his fitness expertise, Jamie is also an interior designer and licensed realtor. His passion lies in empowering others through yoga, fostering a welcoming environment where students of all levels can find balance and strength. You’re sure to experience some creative twists (pun fully intended) in Jamie’s classes!

Ronel Freissle

Meet Ronel, a dedicated Certified Personal Trainer and Integrative Nutritional Health Coach who completed her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Throughout her career, Ronel has honed her expertise in various specialized areas, including the Psychology of Emotional Eating, Detox Your Life, Hormone Health, and Gut Health. Her participation in Tony Robbins events has enriched her with practical knowledge to guide clients in transforming their mindsets and achieving their goals.

Passionate about lifelong health, Ronel is committed to supporting members on their weight-loss and overall health and wellness journey by educating and sharing her experiences and knowledge. She delves into the psychological and emotional components underlying many health concerns, working collaboratively to challenge pre-existing beliefs that may impede weight loss progress.

Additionally, Ronel specializes in grocery store tours, pantry makeovers, meal planning, and preparation. She offers healthy, nutritious and delicious recipes to facilitate the transition from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to a nourishing approach to eating.

Originally from South Africa, Ronel has called the United States home for nearly 30 years. During her time in the States, she has raised four children who have grown into young professionals. In her leisure time, you’ll often find Ronel on the tennis court or experimenting with recipes to share with clients, family, and friends.

Ethan Gaines

Ethan Gaines, a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Kickboxing Instructor with a deep passion for movement, discipline, and personal growth. I’m an active Muay Thai fighter, constantly pushing my limits in and out of the ring.

I’m also the owner of Forge Combat Club, a muay thai/kickboxing gym built around discipline, community, and real technique.

My mission is to help people build confidence through strength, proper technique, and a fighter’s mindset—whether you’re training for fitness or to fight. With every session, I bring a high level of focus, energy, and authenticity, combining years of experience with the same dedication I bring to my own training.

When I’m not coaching or competing, you can usually find me in the gym refining the art of Muay Thai, hitting the golf course, or spending time with friends. I believe in working hard, having fun, and always showing up with heart.

Paula Helms

Paula’s journey into health and fitness reflects a deeply personal experience. Having explored various modalities like yoga and boxing during her college years, she found solace and strength in exercise, especially following the unexpected passing of her father. For Paula, fitness is not merely about physical appearance but encompasses a holistic connection between the mind, body, and spirit.

Her certifications as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Institute of Integrated Nutrition Certified Health Coach, and Yoga Certified through YogaRenew demonstrate her commitment to helping others achieve wellness on multiple levels. She understands that exercise is not just a means to stay physically fit but also a powerful tool for emotional regulation and overall well-being. Paula believes in the transformative power of exercise to release negative energy and maintain emotional balance.

Her relocation to Greer in 2014, along with her husband Brian, has allowed her to explore new surroundings and create meaningful experiences, including day trips to Hendersonville and Asheville NC, culinary adventures exploring new restaurants, and enjoying outdoor activities with their dog Bear.

Paula’s passion for teaching proper exercise form and technique reflects her dedication to ensuring her clients achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively. Her personal journey and professional expertise underscore her belief that motivation is the driving force behind starting a fitness journey, while dedication is the key to sustaining it in the long run.

Claire Hill

Claire first joined the gym as a client in 2021, jumping into group fitness classes and personal training—and she hasn’t looked back since! Now part of the team, Claire helps lead afternoon classes with the same energy and positivity that first drew her to the studio.

By day, Claire is a STEM teacher for grades 2–5, with several years of experience teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. Her passion for learning and helping others shines through in both the classroom and the gym.

When she’s not teaching or helping at Namaste, you can find Claire with a good book, watching a baseball game, or catching live music at a concert.

Shannon Hutcheson

As a 200 RYT certified instructor with Yoga Alliance, Shannon found profound solace and transformation through yoga. Her journey began amidst postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in 2018. Since then, yoga has been Shannon’s sanctuary—“a space where I reconnect with myself and find inner peace. It challenges me physically, emotionally, and mentally, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being.”

The profound impact of yoga on Shannon’s life inspired her to share its benefits with others. Teaching yoga allows her to impart the wisdom of breath, movement, and stillness, fostering growth and healing in her students’ lives.

“At Namaste, we offer more than just a workout—we’re a family-centered, Christ-centered, loving community. It’s a safe haven where every individual is embraced and celebrated for who they are. The unwavering support I’ve found at Namaste is unparalleled, and I’m immensely grateful to be part of such an incredible family.”

Originally from Philadelphia, Shannon is the eldest of three siblings. Though her family remains there, she now resides in Greenville with her husband, Mark, whom she married in May 2017. Together, they are blessed with three beautiful girls—Adrianna (15), Georgia (5), and Kennedy (2). During the week, you’ll often find Shannon enjoying quality time with her daughters, whether it’s exploring nature, practicing yoga, or simply soaking in precious moments together. Shannon also cherishes attending concerts, traveling, indulging in shopping trips, savoring the holiday season, gathering around bonfires with loved ones, relishing in laughter and new friendships.

She eagerly anticipates the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you and to share the joy and benefits of yoga together. Namaste!

Megan Medley

Megan is the creative voice behind Namaste Studio’s social media, where she loves capturing the energy of our classes and the heart of our community. A Clemson University graduate with a background in marketing, she brings both skill and passion to promoting health and wellness.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Megan has always been drawn to creativity—whether through photography, painting, or digital design. Fun fact: she’s also a lifelong dog lover and even trained service dogs to support veterans with PTSD during her time at Clemson!

At Namaste, Megan is passionate about showcasing the beauty of our studio family—highlighting inspiring classes, talented instructors, and the joy of movement. She loves creating content that celebrates community, spreads positivity, and welcomes new faces into the Namaste family!

Reilly Morin

Reilly discovered yoga in 2012 during her freshman year at Flagler College. After running competitively for many years, she turned to yoga as a helpful counterbalance to her running routine. After taking a variety of classes from Ashtanga to Vinyasa, she fell in love with how yoga made her feel physically, but also mentally. She found a new sense of peace and strength within herself, and also learned how to embrace self-love.

Reilly moved to Greenville, SC, in 2022 with a deep desire to connect with a welcoming yoga community. Her journey of growth and learning led her to complete her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2024. Now part of the Namaste Fitness Studio team, Reilly brings her passion for yoga and her commitment to fostering connection to every class she teaches, inspiring others on their path to wellness and self-discovery.

Reilly is dedicated to a daily practice that allows her to feel more grounded in her day-to-day life and continues to feel inspired to share the beauty of yoga with her community.

Kendall Nations

Kendall has 13 years of teaching and curriculum development in yoga, fitness, and barre. She is a Yoga Alliance Certified RYT500, Aerobics and Fitness Association (AFAA) certified Group and Yoga Fitness Instructor and has Barre certifications from Barre3, FiTOUR and the Australian company Booty Barre. A student of life, she has 25 years of self-guided study and mentorship in Pilates, yoga, anatomy and Barre methods. She has created and nurtured Vinyasa Yoga and Barre programs all over the world including Japan, England, California, and Arizona.

For six years she owned Jamberri Fit, a successful yoga and barre streaming website offering professionally recorded prenatal, postnatal and parent + child workouts. Passionate about leading a class that melds movement with music, Kendall is a natural leader and motivator. Kendall creates a class with emotional warmth and physical accessibility while nurturing clients towards unlocking the next level of strength they didn’t know was possible.

Claire Stone

Claire brings a unique blend of healthcare expertise and mindful movement to her yoga practice. A registered nurse by training, she first discovered the transformative power of yoga at Akasha Yoga Academy and has since woven these practices into her daily life.

Though her professional journey as a yoga teacher is just beginning, Claire’s years of personal practice and study shine through in her classes. She creates grounded, accessible, and nurturing experiences that meet students exactly where they are. With her nursing background from the University of South Carolina, Claire offers a gentle, anatomy-aware approach that supports safe and restorative movement—especially for those seeking stress relief, healing, or a mindful way to reconnect with their bodies.

Whether guiding an energizing vinyasa flow or a breath-centered slow flow, Claire is passionate about helping others build resilience, cultivate balance, and find joy through movement and breath.

Priscilla Thrower

Priscilla is a dedicated Yoga Instructor and Certified Reiki Practitioner with a diverse background that enriches her teaching. After earning her certification at the renowned Yandara Yoga School in Mexico, Priscilla went on to share her passion for yoga at Tuscan Fitness in Italy. She specializes in Vinyasa, Yin, and Silver Sneakers classes, offering a range of practices tailored to different needs and experiences.

In addition to her yoga expertise, Priscilla is a trained chef and sommelier, blending her culinary skills with her holistic approach to wellness.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoys riding mountain bikes and surfing, reflecting her active and adventurous spirit.

Priscilla’s unique blend of skills and interests allows her to provide a well-rounded and enriching experience for her students, both on and off the mat.

Christina White

Christina is passionate about helping others reach their fullest potential—both physically and mentally. She is currently pursuing her BMDPhD in Holistic Medicine, with the intention of integrating fitness as a powerful component of the healing journey. With a deep belief in the mind-body connection, Christina empowers others to grow stronger, more balanced, and more confident from the inside out. Christina believes that movement is medicine, and she’s excited to support others on their journey to feeling strong, balanced, and connected.

Outside the studio, Christina channels her love for movement through soccer—coaching and competing at the semi-professional level. She also cherishes quality time with her husband and children, creating fun, meaningful family memories. Christinas goal is to bring heart, purpose, and holistic energy into every space she enters.