Studio Teachers

Courtney

is co-founder of Yahweh Yoga and has a background in nursing, where she specialized in Hospice care. Courtney loves creating an experience where mental calmness, physical strength and spiritual presence come together to create inner-peace through a dynamic flow class. Courtney believes in embracing the joy and excitement of everyday life and it shows in her teaching. Courtney is inspired by some of her favorite teachers she has studied with, including Brian Kest , Seane Corn and Shiva Rae & Kathryn Budig. “Music really moves my heart, that’s why I enjoy creating new play list every week. Come to my class and get your groove on.” Credentials: CCYT, E-RYT __________________________________________________________________________________________

DeAnna

is co-founder of Yahweh Yoga and has been practicing Christ-centered yoga for more than 20 years. She is Director of Yahweh Yoga’s Advanced Studies program. DeAnna has a background in dance. She has developed a distinct style of yoga that makes each class an experience that resonates with students at a heart, mind, body level. DeAnna loves her students and enjoys making each class a time for each person to experience peace and solitude in their own way as they practice. Credentials: CCYT, E-RYT __________________________________________________________________________________________

Judi

began the practice of yoga several years ago to release stress and restore her health and well being. Yoga soon became her favored expression of worship. Her teaching combines postures with gentle flow and guides her students into a peaceful state to experience joy and serenity, all the while honoring Christ. Judi holds deep respect and gratitude for her teachers who exhibit peace, balance and grace through the practice of Christian yoga. Her desire is to grow in her intimacy with Christ through yoga, silence and contemplation, which restores serenity and brings peace of mind, body, soul and spirit. Judi has been heading our church outreach for Yahweh Yoga for several years now. She teaches at churches in the Chandler/ Tempe area.  Credentials: CCYT, RYT __________________________________________________________________________________________

Elissa

has always looked for an exercise program that she loved to do. Throughout her childhood and high school, Elissa loved to play soccer, but after school it became hard to stay athletic. In 2004, Elissa met her husband and became very active in hiking and biking, but didn’t feel the same joy in using her body that she once had. Elissa discovered Yahweh Yoga and found it both enjoyable and doable. Since starting yoga, Elissa has dropped 30 pounds. For Elissa, the bonus of her practice was the Christ centered atmosphere—she found the scripture, prayer and Christian music was an awesome new way to worship Christ and keep in good health. Christian Yoga has kindled such a spiritual and physical fire that Elissa couldn’t wait to be able to share with others and successfully completed Yahweh Yoga’s 22-day teacher training. Credentials: CCYT, RYT __________________________________________________________________________________________

Lynn

teaches Rest, Relax, and Restore classes and specializes in students that are struggling through grief. She considers her classes a place where students can have the opportunity mentioned in Isaiah 61: “Their ashes for His beauty, their mourning for the oil of joy, and for the spirit of heaviness receive a garment of praise.” Lynn discovered the value of having Christian Yoga as method to receive God’s healing grace after her beloved son was killed in an automobile accident two-and-a-half years ago. Lynn completed her Christian Yoga teacher training in order to share this same profound experience with others who need a way to focus and converse with God. Credentials: CCYT, RYT, Registered Nurse Click here to read more about Lynn’s story. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Sandy

Sandy is a health and fitness instructor and personal trainer dedicated to making exercise fun and rewarding.  She is passionate about her clients and in helping them achieve overall health and wellness, often by obtaining a healthy weight.  Thirteen years ago, Sandy made the decision to change her life and lost 104 pounds, regaining her health and self-confidence.  She is very blessed to be able to use her experience to help others achieve the success that she has. Sandy has a powerful understanding of the obstacles that you may encounter as you strive to achieve optimal health and will help you every step of the way.  Sandy is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Wellness and is an ACSM Certified Health and Fitness Instructor.
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Nataile

Natalie is excited to begin her journey in teaching the heart opening effects of yoga.  As a mother of two she understands the importance of taking time for herself. To nourish and honor this gift that God has given us…life.
She is currently studying to be a Holistic Healthcare Provider at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.  Having a great passion in nutrition and herbalism drives her to find natural alternatives to health and healing, and she has found that yoga fits beautifully with achieving this passion.

In her class she brings a balance of flow and restorative yoga.  Her goal is to create a peaceful and encouraging space to help in the process of healing the mind, body, and soul.

“Yoga gives me the strength, spiritually and physically, to stay focused on the Divine path before me”
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Maureen

Maureen is an Arizona native, whose love fitness, health, and nutrition lead her to yoga. Previously a runner, back and knee issues caused her to pursue yoga as a way to relieve discomfort and overcome stress. She quickly “fell in love” with the practice, and wanted to share her passion with others. She recently completed her certification in Anusara Yoga at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, where she is also completing her degree in Holistic Healthcare. Being a born again Christian since 1978, Christian Yoga has become a wonderful avenue for growth and expression. Her practice includes both Power Yoga and Restorative Yoga.

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Leia

Leia was born in Lansing, Michigan and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. She moved from Louisiana to Arizona to be closer to family. Upon moving, she took a banking position until she was able to find a position as an Emergency Room Tech but has been in the banking industry ever since. She is an 8 year veteran of the United States Army Reserve where she served as a Military Finance Specialist. In Arizona she has found a new career, a wonderful husband and is a new mother of a beautiful daughter. Most of all, she has found a deeper understanding of who she is in Christ. She loves God, family, and living life to the fullest! Noticing that she was not as active as she once was, she set out to get more physically fit. Attending aerobics classes 4 times a week she began Zumba as a student trying to get into shape. The classes were so awesome she decided to teach. She has been certified and teaching Zumba for the last two years. The reason: Every class feels like a party! With her love for dance it was easy to stay fit and stick to it. You don’t have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow her lead. Come try it and you’re guaranteed to have a blast! She looks forward to meeting you!

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Christine

Christine was born and raised in Arizona.  Christine just graduated with her masters degree in counseling and is currently working as a pregnancy counselor at Christian family Care agency . Christine has a passion and desire to serve the lord in everything that she does.   She has a passion for helping those who are hurting and allowing God to use her as an instrument to offer hope and healing. Christine came across Yahweh Yoga during a time in her life when she was really struggling with depression and anxiety and it has been something God has used to help in offering her an avenue to release those things. Christine’s desire is to one day use both yoga and counseling together.

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SUBSTITUTES_

Khamry

is an Arizona State University student pursuing a degree in Nursing. She is passionate about the health benefits of yoga and the spiritual renewal of Christian Yoga. Her love for the Lord and love for people combine together in the unique experience of yoga. Credentials: CCYT, RYT

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Melanie

teaches Faithful Flow classes and gives her students a strengthening experience set to movement-enhancing music. Melanie came to yoga over 20 years ago as a way to explore fitness. She has studied with some of the biggest names in yoga instruction and seeks to share her flow style expertise to help connect the mind, body, and spirit–including coursework at both Yahweh Yoga and At One. Melanie has explored spiritual traditions worldwide and has come to her love of God through this journey. Credentials: CCYT, RYT __________________________________________________________________________________________

Christy

Christy found yoga after knee surgery that kept her out of her regular activities, thinking this was a short term fix for some exercise until she could get back to her normal exercise routine. However, she fell in love with yoga and the integration of God, worship, exercise, strength, balance and determination that she found in yoga. Christy had lost 80 pounds in the last few years and has an understanding for the mental aspect of being overweight and overcoming certain challenges.  It is her passion to show anyone and everyone, no matter your fitness level, or level of flexibility you are, that you can always push and challenge yourself, see how strong and beautiful your body truly is.  She has a passion for PASSION, God and intensity and loves to kick butt! Come and try her classes and see what you are made of!” Credentials: CCYT , RYT

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