Notable Press

The Carrboro Yoga Company from Mary Lide on Vimeo.

On Sage’s Teaching

"Sage is a gifted teacher!"

—Baron Baptiste
author, Journey into Power

“Sage’s understanding of the athletic body in motion is exceptional. Her knowledge base of the body’s physiology of motion and how overuse injuries might manifest themselves was evident as soon as I took my first class with her. Her intuitiveness and sensitivity would never let me get in above my head in attempting to overachieve on the yoga mat, as I might try to do in a race. She exhibits, by practice, the importance concept of how balance in flexibility, releasing and increasing range of motion, and rest/stillness are key elements in the steps of the training pyramid, just as specific workout regimens are. I value her expertise and integrity, and recommend her to any athlete who values balance in their training.”

—Kristin Villopoto
2005 Amateur Duathlon Long Course World Champion

“Sage has a unique ability to help an individual become more aware of their body and its position in space to maximize the benefits of yoga for an athlete.”
—Alex Mroszczyk-McDonald, MD
professional triathlete

“Sage really understands the aches and issues of runners and athletes because she is a runner and athlete. She will always ask if anything is hurting you, and will show you a yoga pose to help loosen that sore area. She gives you ways to enhance the poses to be able to challenge yourself. At the same time, she makes you feel completely comfortable with whatever your yoga skill level might be. She always has a warm smile for her students and remembers everyone's names. I look forward to her class every week.”

—Susan M.
yoga student

“My overall flexibility and my concentration are certainly improved. I'm enthusiastic about this ‘new me’ and the merit is all yours. So, once again, thank you very much!”

—Luca T.
cyclist, Italy

“I tell the athletes that I work with that if they only own one DVD and one author's manuals, they should be yours.”

—Chuck Naughton
yoga teacher, cyclist

On Sage’s Coaching

“I had been a runner for 32 years when I decided to try triathlons and asked Sage if she would coach me in 2005. I knew I had some things to learn about biking (I had only done this out of necessity when injured and couldn't run) and swimming (something I had not done since high school). What I didn't expect is that Sage would also improve my running. In 2007, I placed third in the NC Triathlon Series in my age group, and in 2008, I competed in the World Duathlon Age Group Championships for Team USA. I work full time and I am also a full-time graduate student, so if you think that you don't have time to improve your abilities, think again: Sage loves a challenge!”
—Julee Waldrop
runner, University of North Carolina, 1977–80

“During 2008, I struggled with a couple of significant overuse injuries and felt stagnant in my running training. I contacted Sage after reading one of her columns in Runner’s World and we started working together in November 2008. My initial goal was to achieve some balance in my training in order that I could have a healthy, productive 2009, with primary focus being the 2009 Boston Marathon. Following the Boston Marathon I hoped to compete in my first North Carolina Triathlon Series.

“Very quickly we focused my running and balanced my training program to include swimming, cycling, strength training and yoga. On the way to Boston, I won two local duathlons and cut almost 3:00 off my half-marathon PR. In Boston I ran a great race and finished in 3:17:29 (a pr by over 5:00!). I am healthy and balanced and having a lot of fun. Sage is an outstanding coach who listens and designs your training program around your goals and your lifestyle. She is great to work with!”

—Stacey Griffith
runner, University of Florida, 1987–91, mother of three young children

“Sage approaches coaching with delightful insight and practicality. Working with her, I have become a far more resilient and mentally flexible runner and triathlete. With her clear guidance, I have reached—and surpassed—my goals.

“Sage carefully and compassionately puts me in controlled stressful situations (hill repeats), so that I can be far more successful in the uncontrolled ones (race days). That has had an immense positive effect on Sport-As-Microcosm (hideous outburst from coworker, for small example; marriage, for big one). I donʼt think many other coaches have as broad a vision as Sage does for her athletes,
cultivating the whole being, and taking them in as people, not just workout machines.”

—Ruffin Powell
coached athlete, yoga student

“With your help I have accomplished every goal I put my mind and body to. . . . You have taught me so much about myself, about who I am and what I am capable of. During my run today I was thinking of how empowered, confident, and almost immortal your training made me feel. It was such an amazing feeling, one I will cherish forever and hope to get back someday.”

—Dave Dirito
athlete emeritus
ultrarunner and now full-time student