Your Teachers

Courtney Chalfant, E-RYT, YYT, Raw Food Chef and Life Coach

Yahweh Yoga Co-Founder

Courtney and her mother, DeAnna Smothers, were called by God to start Yahweh Yoga in 2005.

As the instructor for all postures, breathing, and Christian meditation for the Certified Christian Yoga Teacher accreditation, Courtney challenges her students to ever-higher levels of personal performance in their yoga practice. She calls this “challenging students from a place of love.”

People who know Courtney call her “Sunshine.” She loves creating an experience where mental calmness, physical strength and spiritual presence come together to create inner-peace. Courtney is inspired by some of her favorite teachers, including Brian Kest , Seane Corn, John Friend, Kathryn Budig, Ian Lopatin and Shiva Rae.

Courtney is the posture model for Yahweh Yoga’s book, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul. She believes that God helps her teach those lessons that she also needs: “I feel like every time I remind someone in my class to allow themselves to be still for a moment, to slow down or to breathe in HIS love, I am gently reminding myself of this, too.”

“I am continuing to grow every day in my yoga practice and in my walk with my sweet Savior. Any chance I have to spend sharing my love of the Lord and my love for my yoga practice with others is a daydream being fulfilled.”

DeAnna Smothers, E-RYT, YYT, Raw Food Chef and Life Coach

Yahweh Yoga Co-Founder

DeAnna began Yahweh Yoga in 2005 with her beloved daughter, Courtney Chalfant. DeAnna has been practicing Christ-centered yoga for more than 25 years.

DeAnna teaches ethics, nutrition, and teaching methodology in Yahweh Yoga’s Certified Christian Yoga Training program. She loves her students and enjoys making each class a time for students to experience deep peace as they learn. DeAnna’s solemn prayer is that her teaching will help her students become confident and professional and return to their communities ready to minister inspirational Christian yoga classes.

In her two and a half decades of practice, DeAnna has studied many respected yoga teachers including Brian Kest, Seane Corn, Ian Lopatin and Bikram Choudhury. Her studio classes are attended by all ages and fitness levels and are enjoyed for their ability to de-stress, peace out and get sweaty. DeAnna brings this extensive studio knowledge to her CCYT classes to help future teachers grow.

DeAnna believes that Christian yoga gives students an experience that resonates at a heart, mind, and body level. “My biggest joy in nurturing future teachers is watching teacher candidates come through the door with wonder in their hearts and leave weeping with joy at the transformation they have been through to become professional Certified Christian Yoga Teachers.”

“Teaching others to teach Christian yoga blesses every area of my life in a way that nothing else does. My walk with the Lord deepens with every class I teach.”

Jennifer Zach

Spiritual Director, Yahweh Yoga Advanced Studies Program
Author, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul

Jenni Zach’s Christian Yoga Philosophy training for the Yahweh Yoga Advanced Studies program sets the gold standard worldwide for those wishing to teach yoga centered in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jenni is committed to sound doctrine and biblical truth in providing a Christ-centered framework for the practice of Christian yoga. Before authoring our book, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul, Jenni researched for a year to ensure that everything in the book is aligned with the Word of God.

Since her teen years Jenni has been involved in Christian leadership through Christian camps, youth ministry, Sunday school and women’s ministry. She writes a regular monthly column in the spiritual section of the Ahwatukee Foothills News and has served as a Director of Women’s Ministry at her church in Phoenix.

Regardless of Jenni’s extensive biblical knowledge, she continues to gain inspiration from Yahweh Yoga students: “I am always humbled by the caliber and sincere dedication of our teacher candidates,” Jenni says. “It is a privilege to contribute to their journey and growth as a Christian yoga teacher.”

“My greatest joy is when a student tells me that they have been encouraged in their own walk with God and seeing the excitement that comes as they see how they can serve God through teaching Christian yoga.”

Christy Burnette, E-RYT, Certified Anusara Teacher

Anatomy and Physiology Director, Yahweh Yoga Advanced Studies Program

Christy Burnette is renowned throughout the U.S. for her skill, knowledge and application of anatomy and physiology as it pertains to yoga.

Christy’s background is in sports rehabilitation and personalized training for people of all levels of mobility. As a Certified Anusara Teacher, Christy travels nationwide offering in depth Yoga Therapy Trainings, workshops, and retreats. Christy’s approach is based on her strong understanding of body movement and alignment, which is strengthened by her passion in offering both physical and emotional support for students.

In every class, Christy implores her students to “Be the lump of clay and the sculpture too: a Universe of unlimited potential.” She believes that every Christian yoga teacher has a message to share with the world that is far larger than simply aligning parts of the body.

Christy takes the complex subjects of Anatomy and Physiology and makes them understandable for students. She is committed to excellence and has a loving approach toward her students. Christy loves watching her students grasp their own abilities to love and heal others. “I honor the gift of life daily,” says Christy. “I believe anything is possible with prayer and passion.”

“Yoga is more than movement and Christian Yoga is more than a sermon. Yoga is a communion of you and God through the movement of your body.”

John Salisbury, E-RYT

John was inspired to begin his yoga journey in 1995 after reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananada.  His step-father, Dave Oliver, had been practicing the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system for some time and mentored John into becoming the teacher he is today.  Having a very active background in athletics and movement, John knows it takes discipline and determination to realize one’s Self and potential.  He has traveled to India to study Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and has a refreshing outlook between old-world tradition and new-world inspiration.   John has been teaching Vinyasa Yoga since 2000, in which he has helped open multiple yoga studios, participated in several teacher-training programs, and currently teaches workshops throughout the country.  His current teaching residence is in Scottsdale with the LifePower Yoga studios, in which he is working closely with yoga master Jonny Kest to help create and run the teacher training program being offered across the country for Life Time Fitness.

He has taught at the Scottsdale Anti-Aging, Wellness & Yoga Festival, the Flagstaff Yoga Festival, EMPOWER! Fusion master classes, co-taught at the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park and Miami’s Art of Vinyasa Conference.

John’s most influential teachers include Tim Miller, Dave Oliver, David Swenson, Darren Rhodes, and Lino Miele.  Also, multiple workshops with Matthew Sweeney, Rod Stryker, Dharma Mittra, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Ragaswamy, and Anthony “Prem” Carlisi.  Other teachers include Ana Forrest, John Friend, Rodney Yee, Eddie and Nicki Doane, Richard Freeman, Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, Gabriel Azoulay, Jonny Kest, Doug Swenson, and Manju Jois.

John is E-RYT 500 certified.

He also holds a B.A. in Theatre from ASU.

“My classes are created for the long spiritual journey, offering modifications for all levels of practitioners, yet challenging even the most advanced.  I teach with passion in order to uplift the mind, encourage the heart, and awaken the soul.  We are all on this journey together, though our paths may vary.”

Angel Denton, RYT, Certified Raw Food Instructor
& Healthy Living Coach

Angel Denton combines her passion for education, natural health, fitness and nutrition with her love for Christ. She uses holistic approaches such as nutritional consultation, assessment and direction, education and instruction in raw foods, yoga, qi gong, healing herbs, prayer and encouragement.

Angel Denton is a Certified Yoga Instructor, 200 hour RYT , Member of Yoga Alliance, Living on Live Foods Level I &II Chef and Instructor, received a Certificate of Completion in Nutritional Consulting, is trained in Five Element Medical Qi Gong-a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has her Certificate in Healing Herbs.

“Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:27