CW's Story

Nearly 20 years ago, when I first stepped onto the path of yoga in my late 30s, I honestly thought it was too late. Years of unexplained chronic pain had left me feeling broken, and even the simplest beginner practices felt out of reach. Still, something inside whispered that yoga was for me—I just needed to find the right doorway.

That doorway came through a VHS chair yoga video—Rodney Yee’s Back Care Yoga. For three years, I practiced that same 25-minute sequence before ever setting foot in a studio. While it didn’t change everything overnight, it sparked a subtle but undeniable shift. I began to feel more connected to my body, more aware of my thoughts, and more open to the possibility of healing.

Ten years later, I enrolled in a 200-hour teacher training at Shine Yoga in Winchester, VA. It felt like coming home and awakened a calling to share these practices with others. Around that same time, I was attuned to Reiki, an experience that gifted me the deepest sense of peace I had ever known.

From then on, my vision became clear: I didn’t want to just teach yoga—I wanted to create a space where people could discover peace, joy, and self-acceptance. A space where you don’t have to force your body into shapes that don’t feel right, where you can release limiting beliefs, and where simply showing up for yourself is enough.

Through embracing my authentic self, I found my life’s work: meeting people where they are, and offering a light-hearted, accessible approach to these profound and transformative practices.

Credentials & Training

Christina Anne Willingham is a Holy Fire® III World Peace Reiki Master Teacher, Animal Reiki Practitioner, and Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher. She is also an E-RYT 500, YACEP yoga teacher, and Roll Model® Method Practitioner.

Formal Training:

Yoga Nidra, Vinyasa, Yin, Gentle, Restorative, and Chair Yoga

Comparative Anatomy, Self-Myofascial Remodeling, Subtle Body Studies

Compassionate Transitions Support for Humans and Animals

A lifelong student, Christina has studied with and draws inspiration from many gifted teachers, including Caroline Felix, Joy Nagle, Marie Josee Drouin, Jill Miller, J Brown, Paul Grilley, Rod Stryker, Caroline Wybar, Tom Myers, Machelle Lee, Susi Hately, Alexandria Crow, Colleen Benelli, Robyn Benelli, Souix Strong, and Mineca Wilson.

Christina is committed to offering classes that are thoughtful, intelligent, and safe, while her mentoring programs provide a nurturing space for teachers, caregivers, and seekers of all kinds. She considers it a deep honor to hold space for each student, encouraging authenticity, integrity, and purpose in all aspects of practice and life