Carlene Taylor

Dr. Carlene H. Taylor, LMHC, LPC, E-RYT-200 is a Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT) with Yoga Alliance and passionate about yoga's ability to heal body, mind, spirit and soul. Educated in a traditional yoga school from the linage of Krishnamacharia and given the "Yogi" name of "Shiva" upon graduation, she is aligned with the heat of transformation through practice.   She is an excellent teacher especially for those who are seeking a closer connection to self, wellness, wholeness and/or spiritual enlightenment through practice. Her primary profession is as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health/Professional Counselor and Counselor Educator in Florida & Georgia incorporating yoga practice and philosophy into her clinical and teaching work.  She specializes in the application of experiential therapeutic activities; including Animal Assisted Therapy, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, Nature Based Therapeutics and Yoga for Mental Health and Wellness.

Dr. Taylor teaches group and individual yoga classes highlighting Yoga Philosophy Fundamentals, Pranayama, Chakra Clearing, Yoga Nidra and a regular Hatha practice incorporating a Vinyasa Flow style of teaching. She is dedicated to multicultural compentence and is eager to open the world of yoga to those from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. She is knowledgeable about world religions and able to relate yoga philosophy and practice to any of the major world religious belief systems. Due to the strong background in Creation Spirituality and through her role as an ordained member of the clergy of The Episcopal Church, Dr. Taylor views yoga practice as a sacred event and yoga space as sacred space where connection to the Divine can be expected. She holds her yoga experiences outside in nature whenever possible and with the presence of animals when practical. Often, animals from the natural world will present during yoga sessions outside and Dr. Taylor incorporates the 'visitation' of a creature from the natural environment as a gift; interpreting when possible the meaning brought from the messanger to the group.

When not working in private practice, Dr. Taylor is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Florida/Brooks College of Health teaching Animal Assisted Therapy and the Integration of Creativity, Animals and Nature in Healthcare in the Department of Public Health.    She makes her home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida with her husband Ron, trusted animal partners Eli (dog) and Dylan (horse) all of whom work with her to facilitate health & wholeness in others.