Teachings + takeaways

Your program leaders

Sam Williams Stilwell

Owner/CEO

Sam Williams Stilwell

Owner/CEO

Sam's first love was dance and that put her on the path of body awareness, music therapy, and the practice of embodiment. She took all of this things and poured them into something she was so badly craving and created YoBa Studio. 

Sam set out to create something much more than a studio but a brand to share, build, and grow. She is here to help share these practices that are rooted in learning how to listen to the body. 

Sam is passionate about using the body as the gateway to process emotions and listen to your heart. She believes that movement is a powerful tool for listening to your heart and truth. 

Sam is ERYT-200, NASM-CPT,  ACE, & RYT certified and blessed to have the opportunity to help share her passion, love, and healing through YoBa Studio in Raleigh and surrounding areas.

Get to know Sam:

Music plays this role in my life:

Music is healing. Music is universal. Music can pull us out of a depressed state while bringing us to tears. It's a way to communicate. Feeling the rhythm and beat in your body, both start to work towards your soul.

Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner?

BRUNCH all day every day. I love a good hash and waffle, but will never turn down a biscuit.

My teaching style is:

Heartfelt, passionate, energizing, strengthening, while learning to welcome and appreciate stillness and quietude.

The most fulfilling part of teaching a class:

Being able to share my real heart and soul with our community. Being venerable enough to show up raw and honest with all of our students. Giving myself permission to show up as I am hoping that will inspire others around me to do the same. It in some ways forces me to take care of myself the best I know how, it keeps me in check with my heart, spirit, and soul daily. Many days I myself want to run from my mat or practice but at the end of the day, I’m grateful to be able to do this for myself and other people.

Nicola Ferraro

Studio Manager

Nicola Ferraro

Studio Manager

Nicola is originally from Falmouth, Massachusetts. She grew up dancing and was in her first ballet class at age 3. She had an instant love for dance and spent many years in the studio taking ballet, pointe, and modern dance classes. 

In high school, Nicola taught ballet classes at her local studio and at an after school program at an elementary school. Nicola's love for dance continued at East Carolina University as a dance major where she took technique classes, choreographed, and performed. Nicola graduated from East Carolina University in 2015 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

When Nicola moved to Raleigh, she began teaching kindergarten in Apex for over 6 years while also teaching class at YoBa and enjoyed the excitement and energy BOTH types of her students brought to the classroom!

In the summer of 2023, Nicola joined YoBa as the Studio Manager! She's excited to spend even MORE time with this community!

Get to know Nicola:

The most fulfilling part of teaching a class:

The connections with clients! I love having new clients fall in love with barre and existing clients return for something they whole heartily enjoy.

My enneagram is:

Type 1, The Reformer: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled.

Mantra:

Stay present in each moment.

What has YoBa Studio meant to you?

It is my second home and my family by choice.

What is on the other side

1. Finally leave your yoga practice & workouts without feeling pain

2. Know to move & take modifications that serves your body

3. Sit, stand, walk, & exercise in ways that set you up to move well in all stages of life

4. Show up in your relationships, family, and work with more confidence & ease

5. Learn how to breathe through the stress of life without losing your cool.