Kim Anderson, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Kim Anderson is a Yoga teacher, wife, mother and grandmother. The Massachusetts native discovered yoga during her time in college. After college she moved to New Jersey, worked in Manhattan and finally ended up in Memphis Tennessee. Her love for yoga continued to grow over the years and she credits her beloved mentor the late Terry Johnson. It was in Memphis with Terry’s guidance that she decided to become a registered yoga teacher. Although she’s tried all styles of yoga she has concentrated her training in Ashtanga Vinyasa & Yin Yoga. Kim also is a co-owner of True Yoga East RYT 200 & RYT 500 yoga school registered through Yoga Alliance. When asked what she likes about yoga her answer is simple “It makes me feel good. I’m so calm and grounded after I practice I feel like I’m floating for hours. I wanted to teach so others could experience this feeling”.

Alyssa House RYT 200

I began practicing yoga regularly in 2014 while trying to find balance and direction in life. I am 200hr certified yoga instructor and hold an ACE personal trainer license. I believe in an intuitive approach to health and wellness. I am here to help people find balance, joy, and movement in an encouraging and supportive environment.

Mary Lynn Gratzer, CIYT -Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher

I embarked on my yoga journey over ten years ago. Health and fitness had always been an integral part of my life but yoga provided something more — a deeper, richer practice integrating mind, body and spirit. I was drawn to Iyengar Yoga for its focus on precision, alignment and accessibility for all ages and body types. The creativity that is inherent in the practice, allows you to explore new places in your body and mind every day. The guidance and support of my mentor Lou Hoyt and exposure to many other world-renowned teachers through the Iyengar Association continue to enrich my practice as a student and a teacher. And I am so grateful for the transformation I have witnessed in my peers and students who have come to appreciate the impact of this rich lineage in their daily lives. 

“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life

TBD

Kathleen Hall, E-RYT 200

Kathleen Hall is a Myofascial Release Therapist, Yoga teacher and Body Rolling enthusiast with a strong passion for guiding people to physical, mental and emotional freedom. Kathleen is known for her uplifting presence, her creative personal style, and the safe space she holds for her clients. She accomplishes this through a unique combination of asana, pranayama, body rolling and MFR, which work together to release pain and tightness, calm the nervous system, create a deeper mind-body connection, and increase range of motion, mobility and flexibility. Kathleen empowers people to take charge of their own health and equips them with knowledge and techniques to shed the fear and suffering resulting from misuse, underuse, overuse, abuse and trauma. Her love of yoga began in New York City in 1995 at Integral Yoga, where she first found release on the mat from anxiety, depression and chronic pain in her own life. She has spent the two decades since then learning to help others find that same kind of peace. 

Kathleen is available for yoga and body rolling private, group and corporate sessions along with Myofascial Release tablework.

Laura Dew RYT 500

Laura began practicing yoga while searching for a new exercise routine. She found the exercise but fell in love with the groundedness and creativity that came with the practice. Laura's love of yoga is rooted in Ashtanga, and her goal as a teacher is to help students find confidence, steadiness and ease on the mat. She completed her 500-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa training under the instruction of Tamara Daniel and Kim Anderson.

Asta Navasinskaite RYT 500

Asta discovered yoga approximately 14 years ago as a compliment to other physical activities.  Since that first class, yoga has been a regular part of her life. 
 
 Asta is E-RYT 200 certified to teach Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga allows students to focus on the sound and rhythm of their breath, which makes the practice a moving meditation. It is an ancient therapy that creates a true balance in our bodies and our minds.
 
“My goal as a teacher is to inspire a passion for the practice, because the practice itself, if done consistently, is the real teacher.”

Traci McSwain RYT 200

Traci started practicing yoga 12 years ago to complement her other activities. She was hooked from the first class.

The movement, strength and peace gained from each class, made yoga a daily practice in her life.

Her goal is to help others discover what joy, strength and mindfulness yoga can bring to their lives, on and off the mat.

Traci completed her RYT 200 hour Ashtanga/Vinyasa teacher training with Kim Anderson and Tamara Daniel of True Yoga East .

She teaches all-levels Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, power and gentle yoga.

Chanda Murphy, PhD., RYT 200

Chanda found yoga (or rather, yoga found her) when the stress of life demanded a change. She immediately fell in love with the practice and philosophy of yoga and its potential for encouraging a more mindful world. While she is enthusiastic about all types of yoga, her primary practice is Ashtanga, and she has recently developed a joy for teaching gentle yoga

Chanda is a wife, mother and professor at Christian Brothers University. She holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Memphis and is co-founder of Pretty Zen, an endeavor to help bring more community yoga and mindfulness to the area. Chanda earned her RYT 200 certification from Kim Anderson and Tamara (McColgan) Daniel of True Yoga East.

Nina McKnight, RN, RYT 200

Everybody is made for yoga. It was actually a knee replacement that led me to know this truth. I began practicing Yoga about 10 years ago, but after a broken wrist, dislocated shoulder, knee replacement and aging, I came to the conclusion that Yoga was no longer for me. Was I ever wrong!! With the help of Tamara Daniel of True East Yoga, and the welcoming atmosphere of Pike Yoga, together we came up with a wonderful Ashtanga based class designed for anyone, anybody, any age, and most importantly, those with limited mobility due to arthritis, joint replacement, or just simply stiffness we all encounter with aging. I have found through the study and practice of Yoga, I am much more capable that I ever expected. It has brought me calm, focus, confidence and mobility. Outside of the Yoga studio, I spent over 25 years as neuro/neurosurgical ICU nurse and now I work as an RN Chronic Care Manager. My home time is always active with my two wonderful puppies, Lucy-a Bichon-Poo and Linus-the Havanese.

My goal as a teacher is to always be learning and be able to lead others in the practice of Yoga.

Marda Lugar RYT 200

I was drawn into my first yoga studio by the nurturing community vibe and abundant positive energy.  In the years that followed I practiced casually, but consistently, enjoying the weekly check- in with my body and moment of calm.  Over time I grew to appreciate the transformative effects of a sustained practice.  I've had the benefit of wonderful instructors, and great experiences practicing a variety of forms of yoga, but it was my Iyengar teacher that really grew me as a yogi and inspired me to delve deeper. I went into 200-hr vinyasa teacher training looking to expand my knowledge, and developed an interest in teaching along the way.  I found I really love studying yoga, designing classes, and sharing with others.  I look to yoga for improved physical comfort and mental clarity - I aim to support others doing the same.

Kelley Seitz, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, & YACEP

Having benefited from the wonderful healing benefits of yoga while practicing yoga for over 25 years and wanting to share them with others, Kelley was inspired to become a yoga instructor 7 years ago.  She is passionate about helping students discover how yoga can bring more happiness, inner peace and balance into their lives while releasing self-judgment and allowing space for becoming their authentic self. 

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” C.G. Jung

Kelley has a 200 Hr. E-RYT Certification in yoga with additional training in Restorative and Yin styles of Yoga as well as has Reiki 1 and 2 Certifications.

Pamela Rubinstein RYT-200

I first started doing yoga 17 years ago when I was looking for something to calm my mind and add some gentle movement while pregnant with my first child.  I’ve been practicing yoga on and off ever since.  Yoga was the one form of exercise that I consistently was drawn back to because the benefits I was feeling on and off the mat.  After practicing with some great teachers, I soon became hooked and started a consistent practice which lead me to want to share that with others through teaching.  My goal as a teacher is to provide a class that is accessible to everyone regardless of age, experience, or physical limitations.  I welcome the student who has always been curious about yoga but maybe a little apprehensive about going to a class. My wish for my students is to leave my class feeling more peaceful in their minds and stronger in their bodies.

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done.  One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly, live.”-Dalai Lama

Janine Hellenbrand, RYT 200

Yoga is a lifestyle for me: for several years now, asana practice, pranayama and meditation have been part of my daily routine. In addition, I am very interested in yoga philosophy and the different yoga styles. With the yoga path, I have found a healthier and happier life. I discovered my passion for teaching in 2020 during a 2-year yoga teacher training at Yoga Vidya in Germany (Sivananda tradition). Unfortunately, I was not able to complete this training because I relocated to the US with my husband and dog in mid-2021. With this, a long-cherished wish came true for us. Fortunately, shortly after arriving in Germantown, I found Pike Yoga and with it a second yoga home with wonderful people and great teachers. In February 2022, I successfully completed my Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher training there through the yoga school True Yoga East (Kim Anderson, Tamara Daniel). I love Ashtanga as well as other more meditative and strengthening sequences where the asanas are held longer. Besides yoga practice, I love all outdoor activities like biking and walking. Connecting with nature is also a form of meditation for me and I find inner peace there. I like to share my knowledge and experiences with other people, even though I believe that the positive effects of yoga (on body, mind and soul) cannot be explained but must be experienced.

Margaret Shaw, RYT- 200

I received my bachelors degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Southern Mississippi in the town where I grew up. I started teaching yoga and group fitness classes my senior year at the university’s athletic center and fell in love with teaching. It was there were I also learned to be a personal trainer. A year after graduating college I moved to Memphis. I received my RYT 200 in ashtanga short form and vinyasa as soon as I moved to memphis. I also received my holistic nutritionist certification in Memphis as well. I am extremely passionate about health and wellness and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. In my free time I love to cook, walk outside, and spend time with the people I love.

Janet Dellinger, M.D., RYT 200

Janet is interested in yoga for all ages, body types and abilities. Her hope is that everyone can experience the benefits of yoga, both on the mat and off. Her passion is finding modifications for those with injury, vertigo, arthritis and other conditions that might cause discomfort in a yoga class.  She completed her RYT 200 hour Ashtqnga/Vinyasa teacher training with Kim Anderson and Tamara Daniel of True Yoga East.

She has been practicing Pediatrics for over 30 years, and is married with 3 adult children.

When not doing yoga, she can be found at Shelby Farms with her husband and their golden retriever Max.

Stephanie Longsworth, RYT 200

Stephanie Wright has been a certified teacher since 2006 with YogaFit.  She has a varied background in Seniors, PreNatal, Fascial Stretch therapist, and Thai massage.  She brings her yoga expertise to pike yoga with an offering of specialty enrollment classes such as Couples Yoga and Restorative.

Tamara Daniel, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Tamara McColgan Daniel is passionate about helping others discover the benefits she has learned through having a consistent yoga practice. She is authorized by Manju Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga as taught by his father and is both E-RYT 200 and RYT 500 certified. She will be offers Ashtanga Teacher Training (along with Kim Anderson)-check our teacher training page for more info.

Anna Underwood, RYT 200

For Anna, discovering yoga has been a deeply transformative experience – mind, body and soul. She enjoys practicing gentle, vinyasa, yin and especially Ashtanga. While yoga is certainly a blessing for the body, Anna has been most drawn to its calming and centering effect on her life. She continues to marvel at how the practice of yoga – her own and that of her students – can help unravel both the mysteries of the universe and those within.

Anna is married with three children and lives in Germantown. She is co-founder of Pretty Zen, an endeavor to help bring more community yoga and mindfulness to the area. Anna earned her RYT 200 certification from Kim Anderson and (Tamara McColgan) Daniel of True Yoga East.