Meet Jeffrey

Hi, I'm Jeffrey Shoaf. I'm a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Yoga Alliance Certified Education Provider (YACEP), and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (LMBT). Welcome—I'm glad you're here.

I'm a North Carolina native who spent 30 years exploring other parts of the country, including Massachusetts, California, and Illinois. After all that wandering, I've come full circle and now call Charlotte home. When I'm not working, you'll find me cycling, hiking, listening to music, traveling, or spending time outdoors.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected gifts alongside its challenges. During that time, I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the human body through cadaver dissection studies. Working in the lab revealed something profound: each person is remarkably unique, not just on the surface but in the intricate architecture beneath the skin. These experiences have shaped how I think about the body as both a container and a vehicle—how beautifully we function within these forms, and the ways we adapt when challenges arise.

These days, I'm passionate about leading international yoga retreats. I've discovered that stepping outside our familiar environments transforms how we practice yoga. It shifts our perspective on our bodies and opens our eyes to the richness of different cultures. Travel offers us the rare chance to reinvent ourselves—to release old narratives and others' expectations, and to transform in ways we might never have imagined at home.

Affiliations

C-IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist  (International Association of Yoga Therapists)

​

LMBT    (Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist  NC License # 14847)

E-RYT-500 ( Educator Certified Through Yoga Alliance at the 500hr. level) & YACEP   ( Yoga Alliance Certified Education Provider)

NCBTMB (National Certification Board/Therapeutic Massage + Bodyworkers)

​

Qualifications

I earned my National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 2004 after completing a comprehensive 675-hour program at the North Carolina School of Natural Healing. My massage practice focuses primarily on deep tissue work, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and Ayurvedic techniques.

My yoga journey began with certification through YogaFit™ in 2006, followed by a 200-hour teacher training at Pranakriya Yoga School of Healing Arts in 2009. I continued my studies with Pranakriya, completing their 500-hour advanced training in 2013, which prepared me to pursue certification as a Yoga Therapist.

The name Pranakriya translates to "movement born from the breath," a principle that informs all my work. I guide clients in breath awareness, and many discover that stress often stems from or is amplified by shallow or irregular breathing patterns. Full diaphragmatic breathing is essential not only for releasing soft tissue restrictions but also for effective bodywork overall.

I'm committed to ongoing education and regularly attend advanced training workshops to stay current with developments in massage therapy, bodywork, and yoga therapy. I'm a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level and offer continuing education credits for yoga teachers.

In recent years, I've devoted considerable attention to studying the myofascial system and human anatomy. My approach integrates yoga therapy with asana practice, holistic fitness, and advanced pranayama techniques. I received my international certification as a Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) in December 2016.