Better Bodies Yoga : Instructors

Instructors

Kathleen

Kathleen's classes:

Saturday: 12:15pm - 01:15pm Miniyogis (starting September 13)

Karen

Karen Moss is the founder, owner and director of Better Bodies Yoga which opened its doors in December 2004. Karen is grounded in a strong athletic foundation and maintains certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) which she earned initially in 1995 and received her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification from YogaWest in traditional Hatha Yoga. In addition, she has trained and become certified in other areas of fitness including strength, cardio, mat, various sports and age specific instruction.

Inspired by her own personal transformation through yoga and motivated by her dedication to share her passion for yoga with others, Karen has founded a yoga studio that offers the benefits of yoga to students of all levels, all ages, and all physical abilities. She often says “if you can breathe, you can do yoga.”

Karen believes that the strength of her studio lies in offering a variety of classes, styles and instructors. “I am proud to have assembled a varied, qualified and professionally certified group of instructors who bring their own gifts, experiences, knowledge, interest and energy into the studio. In this way, we are able to offer something for everyone, and an energy that all practitioners can connect with.”

Energetic and athletic, Karen’s students leave her classes energized, motivated, and relaxed. Although her power yoga and vinyasa classes are challenging and rigorous, Karen also enjoys teaching fundamentals to newcomers in a softer format to ensure a solid foundation. All of her classes are focused in form, alignment, and moving safely. Karen has found a particular niche in providing partner assisted yoga private lessons to especially athletes recovering from injuries or looking to prevent future ones, and to persons enduring brutal treatments and recovering from illnesses such as cancer.

All of Karen’s students, three children and husband find her compassionate, sympathetic, understanding, and interested in their individual needs. Because yoga has helped Karen through the most challenging times of her life ~ personal loss, grief, injuries, and the aging process ~ she is truly committed to providing every individual who walks through her doors, with the foundation and guidance to allow yoga to help balance, bring harmony, and inner peace, to their lives as well.

Because Karen lost both parents to the Cancer, she has a particular connection to those individuals who are suffering from this disease, have survived cancer, or who have lost someone to this illness. In 1999, Karen lost her beloved father, Louis Kirschner to Lymphoma. In 2001 she ran the Chicago Marathon in her dads memory and raised $18,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2006, Karen’s mother, Sylvia Kirschner, was diagnosed with and quickly died from Leukemia. Karen was given the opportunity to offer her mother some comfort in the hospital through the gift of yoga.

Better Bodies Yoga organizes a fund raising event each year, “Saluting the Spirit ~ Yoga for Cancer”, for the Wings Cancer Foundation. In addition, each Saturday, Better Bodies Yoga offers free of charge a weekly yoga class for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.

Over the past three years, Karen has made her life’s work giving people an opportunity to come to a safe, serene and very healing place to breathe in life, move, and find comfort, gain energy and hope from each other in a sacred space where they do not feel self-conscious but do feel connected and alive. She feels that ultimately this is her Seva (contribution) and the way in which she will leave the world a better place than she found it.

Karen's classes:

Monday: 08:15am - 09:30am Advanced Power Flow: Level 3; 06:00pm - 07:15pm Wall Rope Fundamentals Class: Open, On-line Registration Recommended
Wednesday: 09:30am - 10:45am Power Flow : Levels 2 & Up
Sunday: 09:30am - 11:00am Power Flow : Levels 2 & Up; 12:30pm - 01:45pm Basic Fundamentals Yoga: NTYW

Josie

Josie Carleton relocated with her Navy husband to the Memphis area in October 2007 and immediately joined the Better Bodies Yoga team. She has been practicing different Yoga and Pilates formats since 2001 and became an instructor in the Denver Metro Area in 2003. Josie is 200 hour Certified through YogaWorks, and carries a STOTT Pilates Certification, a PiYo Certification, and she is AFAA Certified in Group Fitness. She is also CPR Certified and has completed Levels 1 and 2 Certification through YogaFit. Josie enjoys teaching safe and effective exercise; incorporating strength and core stabilization, while balancing a mind and body connection. Josie currently instructs Gentle Yoga at BBY, teaches off-site corporate Yoga at Lausanne Collegiate School, and instructs private lessons in Yoga, STOTT Pilates, and PiYo by appointment only.

Josie's classes:

Tuesday: 09:30am - 10:45am Beginner Yoga: NTYW
Friday: 09:45am - 11:00am All Levels Yoga

Mara

Mara Winston-Cathey relocated to Memphis from Nashville with her husband. Mara has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University and is presently earning an MBA. After realizing the joy yoga brought to her life and quickly advancing to “head of her yoga class’s asana model” Mara found she had an affinity for teaching and began on a very successful journey to what has become a second career. Mara is certified through Level III with YogaFit, holds a Senior YogaFit Certification, has a Certification in Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga, is AFAA Personal Trainer Certified, is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through the YMCA, is Certified in CPR / First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention, and OSHA trained. Mara is presently working towards her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification. Mara brings to Better Bodies Yoga an extensive list of qu alifications, many years of teaching experience throughout the Memphis area, and a sincere dedication to spread the benefits of yoga to all whom she meets. Mara’s warm smile is indicative of her belief that the mind over body concept & the daily practice of yoga combined with breathing techniques is the key to finding, improving and maintaining good health and inner peace from the inside out.

Mara's classes:

Wednesday: 05:15pm - 06:20pm Vinyasa Flow : Levels 1 & 2
Friday: 09:30am - 11:00am Hot Yoga 26 poses: NTYW

Debbie

Debbie Denny considers herself a Memphian, even though she did not grow up here. Debbie grew up in Iowa where she earned a BA in Political Science from Central College. For a little over a decade Debbie worked in the corporate world of casino / hospitality management. Debbie began a regular practice of meditation long before she added the vinyasa dimension of yoga to her routine. Debbie earned her 200 hour certification with OM Yoga in 2005 and has since dedicated herself to spreading her gift of yoga teaching throughout the mid-south from Memphis to NW Mississippi. Her classes incorporate an alignment based vinyasa style, emphasis on breath and mindfulness practices. “My love for the practice of yoga began when I learned to listen to my breath. From there everything else began to fall in line simply.” Debbie has studied in various yoga traditions including vinyasa flow, Iyengar and Anusara yoga. Stirha sukahm asanam (Yoga Sutra II.46). It is with the balance of effort (stirha) and ease (sukaham) that Debbie encourages and inspires her students to practice both on and off the mat.

Debbie's classes:

Saturday: 09:00am - 10:15am All Levels Yoga: NTYW

Jessica

Jessica Fredrick has been in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years and has been teaching yoga for 7. She has a BS degree in Education and a MS degree in Education, both from Southern Connecticut State University. Jessica is a 200 RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) with the Yoga Alliance and received her certification through YogaFit Training Systems. She is also certified with AFAA (Aerobics & Fitness Association of America) and is a member of IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). Jessica continues taking ongoing intensives in Stott Pilates and Iyengar Yoga. Jessica teaches at several locations throughout the mid-south area and has had tutelage with Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Douglas Keller, Joe Adlesic, Peentz Dubble, and Colleen Gallagher. She is also current in CPR. Jessica might be small in frame but is enormous in heart and has found a love and affinity for working with the special needs population. Jessica’s compassionate demeanor has led her to teach cancer patients, cancer survivors, and persons dealing with eating disorders thus leading her students on the path to a better quality of life. Jessica has been instructing students for the The Wings Foundation and The West Clinic for 3 years and brings to Better Bodies Yoga a world of experience, expertise and talent.

Jessica's classes:

Wednesday: 11:00am - 12:15pm Gentle Rejuvenating: NTYW
Saturday: 01:30pm - 02:45pm Yoga For Cancer Patients & Support Persons: Free

Tonya

Tonya Meeks, a former runner began practicing yoga nearly nine years ago to help alleviate pain from a knee injury and general muscle overuse. She quickly became hooked, just after a month of practice and being able to finally to touch her toes. Tonya was certified in 2004 at the 200-hour level through Om Yoga. She personally practices many yoga styles and traditions of yoga including: Iyengar, Anusara, Kripalu, Bikram and Ashtanga. Tonya has attended workshops with Kiko McGregor, Cindy Lee, Shiva Rea, Rodney Yee, Chris Coniaris, Jamie Allison, Richard Freeman, and Mark Whitwell. And she gives special thanks to all her teachers who have been, who are, and who will be.

Tonya's classes:

Nothing Scheduled.

Jimmie

Jimmie Miller first began her yoga journey in 1970. She has been teaching yoga and other fitness classes since 2002. Jimmie is an RYT through Yoga Alliance. Jimmie is certified to teach Seniors and children as well as adults. She is also an AFAA certified personal trainer. Jimmie has completed four Shiva Rea workshops. This included a teacher intensive and Ayurveda lecture. She has also trained with Doug Swenson, Beth Shaw, David Belz, and others. Jimmie is now working toward her 500hr RYT. She just completed a four-day yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program. Yoga is a journey which can improve every aspect of life. Jimmie hopes to guide others so that they may find the joy that she has found in her practice.

Jimmie's classes:

Monday: 05:15pm - 06:30pm All Levels Yoga
Thursday: 05:30pm - 06:45pm Vinyasa Flow : Levels 1 & 2

Wendy

Wendy Nations is a certified yoga instructor through the acclaimed YogaWorks program. A lover of children, travel, and adventure, she sees beauty in all things and encourages others to see it as well in their yoga practice and daily life. She integrates her love for the dance of vinyasa, the strength of power of Iyengar classical postures, and the stillness of meditation with breath, body and soul in the classes she teaches with humor and joy. In addition to teaching yoga, Wendy is a certified meteorologist, and holds certifications in pilates, AFAA, and CPR.

Wendy's classes:

Wednesday: 11:30am - 12:30pm Lunchtime Express Refuel: All Levels

Dave

Dave Rourke’s extensive background working with energy fields has spanned 18 years. Dave is a Reiki Master, Healing Touch Practitioner for both humans and animals, a Da Dao Chan Gong Qigong Certified Instructor and holds a certified Black Belt in Songahm Taekwondo. Dave combines modern technology with the use of the Aura Video Imaging System and Reiki to balance chakras (energy centers on the spine), resulting in lowered levels of stress hormones. By using a biofeedback processor, one is able to see a live computer generated representation of your energy field. Dave works by appointment exclusively at Better Bodies Yoga. He conducts lively workshops of how to understand the human aura and how it is influenced by our thoughts, actions, and reactions toward others and our environment. For more information go to: handsofspirit(at)yahoo.com

Dave's classes:

Nothing Scheduled.

Kevin

Kevin Wheet’s recent move to Memphis is yet another stop along the exciting journey that he has traveled in the past 36 years. Initially introduced to yoga as a child by his yogini mother, Kevin has carried the practice throughout his life. Kevin completed a major in theatre from Murray State University, and spent a number of years as a struggling actor before studying psychology and going into the field of developmental disabilities. Kevin’s first experience as a yoga teacher began approximately 4 years ago, when he began teaching yoga to his disabled clients as a way to increase joint mobility and relaxation. Kevin studied with Ken Zimmerman, Larain Ashby, and most extensively with Deborah Perry. Kevin attends workshops every year with Cora Wen and Mark Whitwell. Kevin seeks to study with teachers who approach the full spectrum of yoga, from its ancient texts, breath work, meditation, and traditional asana practice, to modern therapeutic applications and advancements. Kevin earned his 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification in 2005, and is currently working toward his 500 hour certification. Kevin’s teaching style is traditional, but light, with plenty of room for improvisation and experimentation. His classes include slow, mindful vinyasa as a way to open the body to deeper poses and meditative mindfulness. Kevin believes that every pose, not matter how complex or challenging, has steps along the way that are accessible to all people, regardless of level of experience or flexibility. He is often creditied as helping students to achieve poses they never thought possible.

Kevin's classes:

Tuesday: 04:30pm - 05:45pm Extra Gentle Yoga: NTYW; 06:00pm - 07:15pm All Levels Yoga
Wednesday: 06:00pm - 07:15pm Hot Yin Yoga: All Levels

Amanda

Amanda Wilson has been a dedicated yoga student for the past five years, beginning with Bikram yoga in Portland, Oregon. Even though Amanda found a strong sense of discipline through Bikram yoga, she wanted to explore other styles that were less stringent and more flexible. Upon discovering the freedom and self interpretation of Vinyasa Flow yoga, Amanda knew then this was the direction she wanted to take. At the Asheville Yoga Center in North Carolina, Amanda studied under the tutelage of Stephanie Keach-earning her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teaching Certification. Amanda is CPR certified and has been teaching for over a year. Amanda compassionately guides her students as they explore their own personal yoga journey. Amanda encourages each practitioner to build a sturdy foundation, awareness of alignment, individuality, and movement of the body and mind through the wisdom of yoga.

Amanda's classes:

Monday: 09:30am - 10:45am Intermediate Vinyasa Flow : Level 2
Tuesday: 07:30pm - 08:45pm All Levels Vinyasa Flow
Wednesday: 06:30pm - 07:45pm All Levels Yoga
Thursday: 09:30am - 10:45am All Levels Yoga; 07:00pm - 08:00pm Light & Gentle Vinyasa: NTYW
Saturday: 10:30am - 11:45am Intermediate Vinyasa Flow : Level 2; 12:00pm - 01:15pm Basic Fundamentals Yoga: NTYW

Julie Baer

Julie Baer was an aspiring and serious ballet student for 14 years until introduced to vinyasa flow yoga as a sophomore in high school. She instantly fell in love with the movement of vinyasa flow yoga, which links poses to the breath. The dance-like nature of vinyasa flow truly moves and resonates with Julie’s essence. Julie continued her yoga practice throughout high school and college and studied many different forms of Hatha Yoga, mainly Ashtanga. She received her 200 hour YA certification at Better Bodies Yoga through the YogaWorks Teacher Training Program in 2008.

The YogaWorks system combines the lineages of Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Ishta yoga, focusing a great deal on precision in alignment, the breath, and logical sequencing. Julie incorporates both the safety from the YogaWorks system with her love of movement and flow. While proper alignment is necessary and vital to ensure a safe practice, vinyasa flow integrates alignment with graceful movement. Julie feels yoga allows her the freedom of expression and an outpouring of individual creativity, which she hopes to impart from the mat, to her students.

Julie Baer's classes:

Nothing Scheduled.

Julie Bleier

Julie Bleier had an enlightening fitness wake-up call in 1999 as her mother suffered the debilitating consequences of arthritis and osteoporosis. In Julie’s attempt to avoid traveling down that same path, and to cope with watching her mother’s pain, she tried every form of fitness known to man. Ultimately, it was the yoga journey that gave Julie such an enormous amount of beneficial mind/body relief and a true awakening. Julie has completed many levels of training through YogaFit and Namaste’ International, and earned her 200 hour YA certification at Better Bodies Yoga through the YogaWorks Teacher Training Program in 2008. Julie has a Master’s in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and previously was the Chief Nutritionist at Emory University in the NIH Clinical Research Facility. Julie has participated in inspiring yoga workshops and taken tutelage from world renowned instructors such as Esther Myers, Chris Coniaris, Shiva Rae, and Dean Lerner. Sparked by such awe, she began teaching small groups in Dallas. Upon moving to Memphis, where she currently resides, Julie loves teaching special needs groups, especially seniors, and flexibly challenged students. She recently finished teaching a 10-week Chair Yoga Class at St. Jude Hospital. Julie’s goal as a teacher is to instill balance, stretching, and strength in the senior students; softness, flexibility, and comfort in tight students and to develop an internal awareness in every student so their yoga practices can move off the mat and into their lives.

Julie Bleier's classes:

Friday: 11:15am - 12:30pm Extra Gentle Yoga: NTYW

Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen McIntire, M.D. graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Memphis in 1981 and earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Tennessee in 1985. She has trained in pathology and internal medicine and currently practices urgent care medicine in Memphis. Her yogic journey evolved over the past ten years as she balanced her work in medicine, cared for her husband and 3 children and taught group exercise classes.

Mary Ellen has been teaching Mind Body Fitness Classes since 1995. Her love of yoga developed while training in Martial Arts. She holds a fourth degree black belt in TaeKwonDo and is a Master Instructor. Her husband and her children are accomplished black belt martial artists. Mary Ellen holds a Group Fitness Instructor Certification from the American Council on Exercise, is certified by YogaFit Level One, Two, and Three and recently completed her 200hr RYT through YogaWorks. She is also certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

She believes in the power of the mind body connection as an antidote to today’s busy and challenging lifestyle. Yoga gives the practitioner more strength, more peace of mind and a chance to re light their internal compassion candle. The more yoga classes she teaches or attends, the greater the connection becomes with all humanity. She strives to bring to all her classes the serenity of mindfulness through proper breathing and careful instruction of asana. Teaching others to find balance and become more conscious keeps this doctor happy and healthy.

Mary Ellen's classes:

Monday: 06:45pm - 08:00pm Extra Gentle Yoga: NTYW
Wednesday: 04:30pm - 05:45pm Hot Slow Flow: NTYW; 07:30pm - 08:45pm Extra Gentle Yoga: NTYW

Alma

Alma Corla has been practicing yoga since 2000, and is no stranger to the path of holistic healing. She became a certified Reiki Master in 1997 and has been a dedicated practitioner of meditation ever since. Originally from Romania, Alma grew up in Argentina, married Nik from India, relocated to Memphis 9 years ago, considers herself as a Memphian, and together they have two beautiful twins. After finishing her MBA, she joined FedEx in their Marketing department in 1999 where she is still currently employed and began her yoga-teaching career in 2003 at the FedEx Wellness Center. Alma earned her 200 hour YA certification at Better Bodies Yoga through the YogaWorks Teacher Training Program in 2008.

Despite her busy life, Alma has always made time to practice yoga in some manner. Bed ridden from her difficult pregnancy, yoga not only provided physical benefits, but also the mental strength she needed to endure this challenging time in her life. Alma believes that her yoga practice was vital in maintaining her stability and feels that a regular yoga practice affects one on a level far deeper than just on physical level. She encourages students to enjoy and relax during a yoga class regardless of their physical abilities. She also views yoga as a therapy to combat disease and includes the many benefits of different poses in her classes. Alma’s education and personal practice are strongly rooted in the Iyengar Yoga lineage, as she enjoys the precision and alignment qualities of that style. However, it was through the YogaWorks teacher training program that she experienced great joy in developing a flow style yoga and has incorporated vinyasa into her personal practice and teachings as well. Through Alma’s love of sharing and giving her yoga knowledge to her students, she is especially proud to see those who continue their yoga journey whether guided by her or other teachers. She believes that once someone’s life is touched by yoga, the positive impact remains with them always and is grateful for the opportunity to plant those seeds of enlightenment within her students on their yoga journey.

Alma's classes:

Thursday: 06:00pm - 07:15pm Basic Fundamentals Yoga: NTYW

Janet

Janet Katz has a profound appreciation and respect for the intricacies, nature, and spirit of each individual. Her five-year evolution from a hard core adrenaline junkie to an inhaling and exhaling yogini continues to broaden her perspective of the transforming benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Inspired to kick a 20-year running habit by the freedom she found linking movement with breath, Janet was at first exclusively drawn to the physical benefits of asana. After a lifetime of impatient living manifested by way of two lumbar spine surgeries in 2007, Janet began to study other aspects of yoga and has grown to apply what she continues to learn into her life.

She hopes to be able to share her love of yoga and her interest in maintaining a healthy spine in her classes. Her intention is to encourage a healthy balance of self-acceptance, body awareness, and good alignment both on and off the mat. She is delighted and honored to have recently completed her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification with YogaWorks, and looks forward to incorporating the YogaWorks methodology and intelligent sequencing into her own practice and teaching.

Janet is deeply appreciative to her husband, Paul, for encouraging her on her yoga journey. She also thanks her friend, teacher, and employer Karen for her dedication to her students, her commitment to the discipline, the opportunity to teach in a supportive and stunning environment, and her investment in bringing YogaWorks to Memphis.

Janet's classes:

Tuesday: 08:30am - 09:45am YogaWorks Vinyasa 1/2
Friday: 08:15am - 09:15am Hot Vinyasa Flow: All Levels
Sunday: 04:00pm - 05:15pm Therapeutic Wall Yoga: NTYW

Michael

Michael Coplon has studied Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong with some of the world’s most renowned instructors since 1988. Inspired from his very first class in 1977, he began teaching in the New York metropolitan area in 1991. Michael’s tutelage has included Jeffrey Yuen, for Chinese medical theory, herbal medicine and Qi Gong, and William C.C. Chen, for Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Michael is also a New York state licensed massage therapist and is working on state licensing in Tennessee.

Michael received certification from T.K. Shih in Qi Gong therapy in 1991. In 1999, he was certified to teach Chen family style Tai Chi Chuan by Pan Yun Tei. In 2002 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Oriental healing and Martial Arts from SUNY Empire State College.

In 2006, Michael moved from New York to Tennessee. He is now helping Memphians enjoy the benefits of these Chinese treasures, which are accessible and beneficial to all individuals who are open to the practice.

Michael's classes:

Sunday: 11:15am - 12:15pm Qi Gong: All Levels