Dori Ray, owner of Soulshine Yoga and Massage, says her favorite class is the core class mixed with vinyasa flow, which Ray says gets her blood moving as she does the class. She has been certified as a massage therapist since 2004.

A new yoga studio has opened in Saluda across the street from Green River Barbecue.

Dori Ray, who recently moved to Saluda in October, is the owner of Soulshine Yoga and Massage.

“I’ve been doing massage since 2004 and I use yoga in my massage work,” Ray said. “I use yoga in my massage to guide people through the techniques like, ‘Why don’t you try this stretch?’ or ‘This could be beneficial for your lower back if you do this.’”

Ray studied at the Asheville Yoga Center, where she completed the 200-hour teacher-training program with the instructors there. In 2004, she became a certified and licensed massage therapist and began her practice in Landrum.

“I use it in my own life, and I thought that I would like to be more informed and knowledgeable about yoga in general and not just from my own practice,” Ray said. “Just from the physical body, and to know more about the human body and how I can safely guide people and feel confident to safely guide them through yoga poses.”

Soulshine Yoga is the means for Ray to share with people the benefits of yoga. She teaches six classes at her studio, ranging from family to foundational yoga.

Ray has practiced yoga since graduating from the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 1998.

For the month of March, Ray is offering an “All You Can Enjoy Yoga” deal. This gives students access to all of her classes she teaches, and her class sizes can range anywhere from two to 12 students. Her students range in age from kids to adults in their 60s.

“I’ve filled up the days in March with different yoga classes so people can try them and try me out,” Ray said. “They can not lose a lot of money if they decide that they don’t like it. The small class sizes allow me to be more personal and that suits me because I care about the people coming in here.”

Ray teaches classes Mondays through Saturdays, including morning classes and two evening classes. There are no classes held on Wednesdays.

Her favorite class to teach is the core yoga session on Monday and Friday mornings mixed with vinyasa flow because she said it gets her blood moving.

“Over the years, yoga has nestled itself into my life and heart,” Ray said. “It has led to the discovery of prayer and meditation and the positive influence these have upon my life and the lives around me.”

While her daughter was going to school in Saluda, Ray worked at Wildflour Bakery for two years before becoming a yoga instructor after practicing yoga for 15 years. She has also lived in Costa Rica for two and a half years and has practiced yoga in Thailand and Asia with her daughter, Chela.

“I always knew I was going to come to Saluda and open my studio,” Ray explained. “This comes straight from my heart, and that’s why I do massage too because it is helpful in letting me get in tune with the person to ask for their guidance. I believe we’re here to help each other.”

For more information, contact Dori Ray at SoulshineYogaNC.com or call 828-808-8334.