Our Team

Cindy Brewer Purser

500 Hour E-RYT

Cindy Brewer Purser has been teaching movement since 1990 and blends therapeutic wisdom with fitness-forward challenges in each class. Her background in dance, Pilates, yoga, and yoga therapy, along with training from leaders like Leslie Clayton, Lesa Crocker, and bestselling yoga author, Rolf Gates, gives her a truly holistic, modern approach. Cindy’s goal is to help clients feel supported and strong through movement that’s equal parts healing and invigorating.

Emma Kate West Photo

Emma Kate West

APY Marketing & Operations Manager

Emma is a freelance writer and social media manager. She is also a certified Menstrual Health Advocate who is passionate about the health and education of women and girls. Emma received her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has been living in Albemarle since graduating in 2023. Emma is our studio manager and the person you’re messaging on our socials.

Photo of Chrissy Pike King sitting in a yoga studio with one knee up and her arm resting on her knee.

Chrissy Pike King

200 Hour RYT

Chrissy has been a registered nurse for over 30 years and found her love for yoga and Pilates at APY in 2021. What began as a way to bring balance and peace into her own life soon grew into a passion for sharing that same healing energy with others. She became RYT-200 Yoga Alliance certified in 2024. At Albemarle Pilates and Yoga, Chrissy teaches from the heart, sharing joy, mindfulness, and connection through her practice.

Photo of Sydnee Helms sitting in a yoga studio in Easy pose.

Sydnee Helms

Certified Barre Instructor

Sydnee is a full-time dental assistant, dog mom, bookworm, and barre lover who has been hooked on barre, yoga, and pilates since early 2025. Sydnee loves how this practice has improved her confidence, strength, and posture, hence getting her certification to teach others in the community the same passion. Her goal is to help people move their bodies, feel strong, and leave class feeling more confident than when they arrived.

Audra McGee

200 Hour RYT

Audra is a RYT-200 certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance, having completed her training in the spring of 2023. Her lifelong background in dance deeply inspires her passion for mindful movement and body awareness. She is currently pursuing her Pilates certification with Balanced Body to continue expanding her movement education. Audra is also the designer and owner of Sustain, where she creates timeless clothing by hand from new and vintage textiles.