Deirdre Smith Gilmer

Deirdre moved to Asheville with her amazing husband, Benjamin, in the summer of 2006. From the very first moment here she has shared her passion for Anusara yoga and her motivation to build the kula. Deirdre is now honored to move to a deeper practice of yoga called parenthood! She and Benjamin welcomed their beautiful son, Kai, into the world in December of 2007. The whole family loves playing in the mountains together, including their dogs, Sami & Jack. They have found a loving community of friends and colleagues that makes Asheville truly feel like home.

Deirdre is a certified instructor with Anusara Yoga, as well as, Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching, continually discovering, and loving yoga for the past 15 years.

Deirdre received her BFA in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts and then moved to NYC. While dancing professionally in New York, she discovered her love for yoga and teaching. Deirdre was on the faculty at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Long Island University, Ballet Arts at City Center, World Yoga Center, Shri Yoga, The Yoga Room, and Yoga Mandali studios. She trained in the Iyengar and Ashtanga methods before being taken with the beauty of Anusara.

During her many years in the big Apple, Deirdre maintained her connection to North Carolina by returning every summer. For 8 years she directed the dance program at the NC Governor’s School in Winston-Salem, then for the next 4 years she taught yoga for the American Dance Festival in Durham. Deirdre still maintains one foot in NYC where she directs the Creative Movement Program for children in the Imagine Early Learning Centers.

She has taught for the Asheville School of Massage & Yoga, MAHEC, One Center Yoga, and West Asheville Yoga. Deirdre loves sharing Anusara yoga with everyone and anyone!