About Us

"To all who long to realize the Self, Illumination comes to them in this very life. This Divine awareness never leaves them, and they work unceasingly for the good of all."
 - Yoga Vashishta

The Ashtanga Yoga Center in Nags Head opened September 1, 2005.  It was founded by Michelle Dorer and was inspired by her teacher Tim Miller and her yoga family in Encinitas, CA.
 
As a University of Virginia graduate, Michelle began her studies in Charlottesville, VA in 2002 with Jennifer Elliot, current director of Ashtanga Yoga Charlottesville.  

After graduation, she moved to the Outer Banks and continued her studies with Itay Dollinger, a student of Tim Miller and Eric Schiffman.
 
In 2004 she attended Tim's teacher training course and has continued making annual trips to Encinitas to continue her studies with Tim.    
 
Michelle is grateful to have also taken yoga classes with Pattabhi Jois, Saraswati and Sharath Rangaswamy on one of her trips to Encinitas in March 2005.  She continued by attending their 2006 tour in New York City.
 
Michelle's intention as a yoga teacher is to provide a space for the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.  She has learned from Tim, "The practice itself done consistently and accurately, is the real teacher."
 
The practice of Ashtanga Yoga brings about deep personal and spiritual transformation, a process of growth and healing.  It is Michelle's intention to create a space that is warm, loving, and compassionate to encourage this process of evolution.