Kay Baker: a former triathlete who became a certified Yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance in 2007. Her knowledge, experience and commitment distinguish her teaching, and her classes are grounded in an obvious knowledge of body mechanics and anatomy. She appreciates the athletes’ need for challenging, vigorous, and powerful exercise, and is able to combine that need with thoughtful and effective sequencing and postures. Her classes are geared towards achieving the maximum benefit of a yoga practice through alignment and balance, which in turn, benefits all other forms of physical activity.
Kay's calm, down-to-earth demeanor endears her to her students, and her ability to clearly relay fundamentals of the asana practice and maintain a compassionate and supportive environment results in students that are among the most loyal.
Jan Barrali: Certified in Kripalu Yoga, a style of yoga that teaches awareness in the moment and mindful yoga practice with emphasis on the breath to integrate the mind and the body. She has practiced for almost 20 yrs. Jan also has several other certifications in various yoga styles such as Vinyasa flow and Yin. Her background of studying with many Yoga Masters such as Erich Schiffman, Rodney Yee, Stephanie Keach, Doug Keller and Sean Corn, Rod Stryker have influenced her teaching to create challenging, insightful, open and light-hearted practices.Her intention is for her students to leave a practice with openness to possibilities and curiosity about their lives.
Richard Barrali: has been teaching yoga for several years and studying for 20 years. He is certified in Kripalu Yoga, a study of compassionate yoga linking the breath with the physical practice. He has studied over the years with and has been influenced by Rod Stryker (Para Yoga), Gary Kraftsow (Vini Yoga) Erich Schiffman, Rodney Yee, Bryan Kest (Power flow) and Stephanie Keach (Vinyasa Flow). Richard's classes flow and he encourages students to work between "challenge and ease." Each practice has a different focus. He encourages students of all levels to experience his classes for an exploration into themselves.
Susan Bartlett: I have been using my Physical Education and Recreation degree since 1980 and continue to use it with Yoga teaching. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, I studied at the University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa. I taught exercise and swimming classes as a recreational therapist, for the Parks Dept. I received a BFA from University of Tulsa, and went on to teach painting and photography, I continue today as a professional photographer, graphic designer, painter and certified national alliance yoga instructor.
I practice and teach meditation, asana, alignment principles, balance, basic pranayama breathe, and therapeutic yoga. To observe opening spaces in our bodies, which maybe blocked by past abuses or daily stresses. Learning to live in the NOW and being present in mind and body. Living with no judgment. Doing our best and being ok. Each day is different from the last. A new day, with new issues. We are organic, we continue to grow, be pruned, and new cells are formed, new prana for our organs, connective tissue, and new wisdom as we arrive at the true us with a healthy, healed body, mind, spirit, and soul. Depending on the class, I teach for the students needs that day. Yoga will make a difference in your life as an athlete, young, old, wise, or foolish. It's your practice. Hope to see you soon in class. RYT, BFA, BS, CPR, WSI
Shannan Billings: born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and during her 28-year dance career in classical and lyrical ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballroom, and Polynesian dance, Shannan always utilized Pilates to build her strength, stability, flexibility and to recover from injury.
While studying Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech, Shannan transition from dance to becoming both a group fitness and personal trainer. Shannan is both an ACE group fitness instructor and an AFAA Personal Trainer. For many years, she was a successful Step, Interval Kickboxing and Spinning instructor and Martial Artist before discovering I=MX Pilates at a Spinning conference, in 2004. She quickly completed IM=X’s contemporary pilates mat program. When she discovered the classical pilates programming of Power Pilates in early 2005, she decided to become a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor through Power Pilates, the leader in classical Pilates education. At Studio Lotus in Atlanta, Shannan completed Power Pilates instructor training in mat, reformer, Cadillac, wunda chair, high chair, ped-o-pull, spine corrector, and ladder barrel while she worked full time and completed her MBA at Kennesaw State University. In 2011, Shannan was appointed the Director of Pilates at the Sports Barn.
Shannan has studied with Pilates educators and masters as Davidson Reid, Anne Brendle, Susan Moran-Perich, Bob Liekens and Rebecca Leone. Shannan recently completed Pilates Excel program and Cadaver Anatomy Lab with Rebecca Leone. Shannan credits Rebecca with discovering her pain-inflicting postural imbalances, teaching her to restore balance in her body and helping others to do the same while wringing the most out of their pilates sessions. Shannan looks forward to enlightening others with the work of Jospeh Pilates and helping clients to continue to build a stronger and more lengthened physique. Shannan is available for mat classes, privates, duets and semi private training on all of the pilates apparatus currently offered in the Sports Barn Pilates studio.
Sarah Brogdon: I have practiced yoga for about 10 years, and completed my 200-hour Vinyasa certification with Dolly Stavros in January 2010. Being five months pregnant at the completion of my training, I enjoyed the opportunity to teach prenatal yoga for the remainder of my pregnancy. As a busy mom, I am thankful that yoga helps me remain grounded and present. It is my intention that my classes invite people to build strength while nurturing themselves. I aim to offer a practice that is healthy and fun, and that leaves students feeling peaceful, rejuvenated, and balanced.
Susan Bryant:an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 500 (E-RYT 500), the highest level of certification obtainable through the National Yoga Alliance. The E-RYT 500 standing acknowledges that Susan has had at least 4 years and 2,000 hours of significant teaching experience and qualifies her to train other teachers and conduct Continuing Education training.
In 2005, Susan earned her teaching certification with the National Yoga Alliance from the Asheville Yoga Center in Asheville, NC. Upon recognizing her passion for yoga as therapy, Susan became a Certified Yoga Therapist, completing a 1,000-hour Professional Yoga Therapist program through Integrative Yoga Therapy (ITY) in Prescott, AZ.
In addition, Susan is a Certified Yoga for GolfersTM instructor and has had great success working with golfers across the city.
Susan specializes in teaching therapeutic classes; the treatment of athletic injuries and chronic physical conditions; the incorporation of resistance training with traditional yoga practice; as well as one-on-one private sessions.
Susan has studied directly under several highly-esteemed teachers including ITY founder Joseph LePage, Jill Miller, Doug Keller, Scott Blossom, and Sarah Powers. Having had a longtime struggle with scoliosis, Susan is especially grateful for the recent opportunity to study under Elise Browning Miller, whose expertise on yoga for scoliosis has opened up a new and exciting chapter of Susan's practice, both personally and professionally.
For additional information re: Susan and/or to purchase her instructional DVD, Yoga Works with Susan Bryant, please visit her website or contact her directly.
Victoria Butler: My yoga practice started in 2003 at the Sports Barn/ Lifestyle Center and continues to grow and develop.I was certified in 2008 to teach Power Vinyasa Flow with Dolly Stavros of Red Stone Yoga. I continue to explore the different styles of teaching and am gradually shifting my teaching to a slower yet more core-aware practice.
I am intrigued by the human body and its potential to endure, to heal and to thrive. The Yoga-teaching path has certainly brought me an increasing sense of awareness and openness. I hope to continue to unfold and learn and share my knowledge with my students. It is my intention to provide support, guidance and encouragement to those individuals who come into my class and into my life, to meet their personal practice goals and to find their inner teacher.
Becky Dempsey: An avid student of Yoga her entire adult life, Becky Dempsey has trained and taught professionally since 1997." She was co- founder of Chattanooga's first Yoga studio and now Directs the Sports Barn's yoga program. She received her certification at Lighten Up Yoga in Ashville, NC. In addition to her certification Becky has studied with many wonderful teachers but feels she owes the most gratitude to Jan Campbell, Erich Schiffman , Rodney Yee and Doug Keller. Her classes are a mixture of postures that reflect all the aspects she loves about yoga, movement, breath, strength and surrender.
"The Sports Barn has provided me with the opportunity to do what I love, teach yoga in a community of wonderful teachers and students, while being able to spend time with my family. To see more and more members try our yoga classes and become devoted students has been an amazing experience"
Jonathan Ellis:a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance® and brings a very down-to-earth, personal approach to his classes. Drawing from his own practice and experiences, his classes are a challenging mix of creative flowing sequences built around the framework of an over-riding theme or concept. Infusing his classes with humor, mindfulness and personal observations of how Yoga practice relates to and supports our life off the mat, no two classes are exactly alike. Jonathan's keen eye for alignment and his hands-on adjustments help his students find more ease, space and stability in their Yoga practice. Originally from Chattanooga, Jonathan has spent the last 15 years developing and managing NIKE's worksite wellness center.
Jessica Ewart: I first began studying yoga in 1999 in my own home. The breathing techniques alone shifted my entire perspective. The physical postures came with time but the philosophy and meditation exercises gave me immediate benefits. I continued my yoga journey informally and at home for many years before taking up studio classes under the instruction of Lori Bilbrey and Janka Livoncova.
In addition to my regular practices with local teachers, I have also studied with Bryan Kest, Ashley Turner and Dolly Stavros. My 200 hour yoga teacher training was conducted with Dolly Stavros of Asmi Yoga through 3 different teaching modules and I am certified by the Yoga Alliance.
My personal practice is very physical and I certainly love to sweat but my teaching is defined by my love of philosophy. As an avid reader and consumer of art, theater and music, I find that teaching yoga is the perfect outlet to explore my connection to other humans through creative and individual expression. Also, I truly believe that yoga should be fun. In my classes, we work on the body and mind with great intention but we often smile and laugh out loud as well.
Margaret Green: has been a student of yoga since 1987 and has taught yoga for the past 6 years. She is certified to teach in the White Lotus Flow Hatha-Vinyasa tradition as well as in the Iyengar style of yoga. Margaret teaches a dynamic heated class blending the two styles with hints, tools and principles. Flow Yoga
Kristina Guy: North Fitness Mgr. M.A. Criminology. Certifications: AFAA Group Fitness, PhysicalMind Institute Pilates, Aerobic Pipeline International, marathon runner. Specialties: general strength and conditioning, core training, running/race preparation, swimming and triathlon training, mat work & running.
Dorothy Hill: has a BA in English Lit, M.Ed in Secondary Ed/English. Dorothy has been practicing yoga since 2004 and is Yoga Alliance certified at the 200 hour level. Her enthusiasm for yoga is undeniable. A teacher for many years at the secondary and post secondary levels, Dorothy has a desire to help others experience the healing, nurturing, and renewal that she has found through her practice.
Beth Keene: I began my yoga journey in 1999 at the lowest point in my life. I was looking for something life changing. I went to an Ashtanga class and loved it. Soon after I started, my teacher began teaching only Kundalini yoga. I didn’t know the difference so I went, and it did change me. The meditation and chanting was what I really needed. For the next 7 or so years I alternated between Kundalini and Iyengar yoga as a home practice. Then I found power flow yoga and loved the vigorous workout that it provided. I like to change it up all the time, don’t make me do the same thing every day. Over the years I have found that there is no style of the physical practice that I am not drawn to. I strive to follow the Eight-Limb path of yoga in my daily life. I would like to thank Dolly Stavros and Jessica Jollie for seeing a teacher in me.
In any one of my classes you will find yourself engaged and challenged by practice of (mindful breathing), asana (postures), and dhyana (meditation). Yes! We will sweat and we will leave feeling renewed and empowered!
Barbara Major: My yoga practice provides a meaningful way for me to remain present throughout my long days as a stay-at-home-mother, as well as an invigorating way to remain physically and emotionally healthy. I first came to yoga while in college and have been practicing consistently since 2002. Prior to completing a 200 hour Vinyasa Flow training course with Redstone Yoga, I spent a week studying at Bliss Yoga. Teaching is an extension of my practice; a way to share yoga and the beauty that surrounds us. After each yoga practice, I realize what brings me back to the mat: core strength, emotional clarity, and awareness of the divine.
Claire Mooney: In 2005 completed yoga teacher training under the brilliant guidance of Jodi Komitor, founder of Next Generation Yoga for Kids. Currently owns This Little Light of Mine Yoga for Kids and offers children's yoga in many studios, YMCA’s and after school programs under the umbrella name of my own business.
My style, as a teacher, is to bring yoga to children in much the same way as "learning through play" occurs. Taking children on an adventure during each class, we journey through the world of yoga in a way they can relate to and become a part of. Weaving props, music, puppets, books and the children's own voices with animal sounds, songs and rhymes adds a color, vibrancy and volume to each class! Laughter, silliness and smiles are all key components!
Tammy Nichols: has an Associates Science. Tammy began her fitness journey becoming American Council on Exercise (ACE) group-x certified in 1992 and taught classes until going back to school in 1995. Tammy decided to get back into the fit biz in 2005 and obtained her personal trainer and group-x certifications from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Since that time, she has also completed her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training through YogaFit and has been teaching a variety of levels and practices of Yoga since 2007. Tammy also holds certifications in Pilates basic mat work, Team Bosu, Gravity Training Systems, TRX Group Fitness and is trained in sports nutrition.
“Fitness has been a part of my life since junior high. Throughout my life, I have come to discover that fitness means more than a waist size, specific weight or measurement of strength by how many push-ups I can do. I have learned that “fitness” is a way of life…a journey in life that I have a passion for and have been blessed enough to share that passion with others. Some of the most rewarding moments in my fitness journey have been given to me by clients or class participants who have discovered how much better they feel because of exercise, or have been taken off of a medication they thought they would have to take forever but exercise and change in nutrition have made all the difference. It is rewarding as a trainer/instructor to be part of that celebration!”
Jo Beth Richards: has been practicing yoga for 6 years. She received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification through Yoga Alliance & Asheville Yoga Center in 2009. Jo Beth also has her Yin Yoga teacher certification. She is also in the process in working on getting her 500 hour certification. Jo Beth has studied flow yoga for many years. In addition to her flow teachings she studied Iyengar exclusively for 2 years at the Knoxville Yoga Center. Jo Beth has studied with many renowned teachers including Stephanie Keach, Shala Worsley, Ashley Turner, and Sadie Nardini. Jo Beth believes that every one and every BODY can do yoga and can be helped by yoga. Her classes explore a creative flow, and are always about accepting yourself and having fun! Jo Beth's website: http://groovygirlyoga.blogspot.com
Holly Sisson: Inspired to help others with the transformation of heart, mind and body, I completed my 200-hour teacher training under Dolly Stavros of Red Stone Yoga. I teach a fun and powerful vinyasa flow that builds strength and balance - with a bit of reflective and inspirational themes thrown in for good measure. My goal is that you leave my class energized, peaceful, joyous and more than likely a bit sweaty.
Madia V. Swicord: LMT, RYT-500. I am a teacher and therapist with a wide range of expertise and experience. A licensed and a skilled practitioner with years of combined experience and training to provide personalized care for optimal health, improved functioning, and rejuvenation. Practicing a wide range of techniques and modalities in order to effectively and positively impact a client/student's health. As a teacher, I love to blend an intense physical practice with the extraordinary challenge of attempting to stay in the moment...directing the mind can be more difficult than training the body and has exponential benefits. I am a certified Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga teacher and much like my massage, I integrate diverse styles in the moment of that particular class. I have been in practice for over 15 years and have a B.S. in Psychology and Exercise Science, have received Certifications in Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, am a Licensed Massage Therapist. I created, managed and operated 'Madia's Studio for 10 years.
Teresa Wade: The Sports Barn's Health and Fitness Director, B.S. in Criminal Justice, AFAA Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, ACSM Exercise Specialist, AFAA Yoga, Physical Mind Institute Pilates, Reebok RNT, ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management, Gravity Training Systems, Reebok 5 Point Screening/Core Board, BOSU Certified. Teresa is now newly certified in SomaVeda Level I Thai Massage, Myofascial Release Techniques, Level I.