WHAT WE BELIEVE

Yoga is unique.
The path is there, and it doesn’t require much to follow. Yoga can be a way to shut out the noise, a path to clarity and acceptance. Yoga teaches acceptance of mental and physical control, and recognition of things outside of one’s control. With that awareness comes peace of mind.  

We are unique.
Our community of teachers created WLR Yoga as a family. Our paths and backgrounds vary, yet in our passion and creativity we come together as vital parts of one whole spirit. We bring our acceptance and our experience. We provide support and a safe place for others to learn and grow.

You are unique.
Bring yourself, just as you are, with whatever you have to give that day. At this studio, we honor your unique and vital mind and spirit. Whoever you are, you are welcome, and our family invites you to join us.

OUR TEACHERS

Amy Bradley-Hole

Amy Bradley-Hole

Amy Bradley-Hole

 I started practicing yoga almost thirteen years ago, after the birth of my second child. Pregnancy had done a number on my body, and I wanted something to help me recover and rebound from that. Yoga was just what my body needed. I became an RYT 500, and I've been teaching since 2017. My skill as a yoga teacher is in making people feel at ease. I enjoy helping people feel welcome at the studio, knowledgeable about the principles of yoga, and comfortable with their bodies.

Off the mat, I love hanging out with my husband and two sons. I have a sweet girl dog to help me balance out all that masculine energy! I like reading, traveling planting things, and binge-watching TV shows.

Circy Gastman

Circy Gastman

Last year I decided to get my RYT 200 hour certification, which I received through TruYoga Institute here in Little Rock. It was led by the incredible JoAnn Camp (E-RYT 500) and David Shropshire (CYT 200).  I am versed to teach beginner, all-levels vinyasa, restorative, and yin.  What I love about yoga is that from the moment I come to the mat it is my time to forget about the outside world for one hour
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska where I also attended college.  After graduation, I got a job with Dillard’s and moved to St. Louis, where I met my husband of 21 years, Michael.  I have two awesome kids, one in college in Oregon and one in high school, and a precious yellow lab who is the love of my life.

Katie Kasten

Katie Kasten

I am an RYT 200. My path to yoga was unconventional to start. I sought out yoga purely for exercise and calorie burn. It is surreal to think that the spiritual side of yoga found me, right where I was, even when I wasn’t seeking it. I want to provide to my students the space to find the spiritual side of body and movement combined.
​Outside of yoga, I am a Pet Therapy handler, and volunteer my time locally at hospitals and schools, sharing love and kindness in small doses with my furry partner, Scully. I am a wife and mother of two. Traveling is a passion of ours and we love to explore new places as a family.

Stephanie Ong

Stephanie Ong

I am a RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance, obtaining my teaching certification on Earth Day 2018. My yoga journey started when I was 15 in my mother’s living room with a VHS tape! Fast forward several years and since then, I have maintained a consistent practice for the past 7 years. I find constant inspiration from my students when they are open to their practice and personal yoga journeys.

Outside of my yoga world, I enjoy being outdoors and soaking up the natural state. I am also a Montessori elementary teacher, art educator with the Arkansas Arts Council, and a seamstress for various theatres around Central and Southeast Arkansas.

Catherine Burton

Catherine Burton

I began practicing yoga in 2013 and became a
​200-hour certified teacher by the end of the following year. In December of 2017, I became a 500-hour certified teacher. Learning, teaching, and practicing yoga for the past five years has gifted me physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Most of all, this connection has given me the ability to stand in power in front of my art easel as the artist I have always been, and to stand up for others who have no voice or have not yet discovered their innate power.

Creative, grateful, and open-hearted with a little hippity-dippity boho chic is how I describe myself.

Cyndi Gregory

Cyndi Gregory

I began my yoga practice in 2002 and became a yoga instructor in 2004. Since then I have taught classes in multiple private studios, gyms, corporate wellness programs, private group and personal sessions, and for athletes. I am currently obtaining my E-RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance and working towards my RYT 500 that I will complete in July 2020.

I am a native of South Texas with a passion for health and wellness and I and started teaching at UAMS in 2004.

Melanie Kramer

Melanie Kramer

I came back to a regular yoga practice two years ago when I was in a pretty low place. After having two kids in two years, both through necessary C-sections, my body was not strong. Becoming a 200 hour registered yoga teacher and being able to teach others and give them the space to grow their practice as they need is an honor I feel deeply in my heart.

In addition to teaching at WLR Yoga, I work in the Veterinary Community to help battle the compassion fatigue, stress, and anxiety that is riddling people working in that industry. I’m from the Little Rock area, and grateful to be teaching to others locally.

Vesper Potter

Vesper Potter

​I was battling chronic pain from three herniated discs in my neck. I turned to yoga for a physical activity that I could manage in between the muscle spasms and flare-ups .In the fall of 2015 I started my first 200 hour yoga certification. Since then I finished my 300 hour certification and am looking to the future to complete a yoga therapy program.

​My family and I moved here from Florida in the spring of 2015. This is my new life and a new me. I'm a better wife, a better mom, and a better human because of yoga.

Paula Volpe

Paula Volpe

I began my RYT 200 teacher training to deepen my understanding of yoga and I fell in love with my students. Working with older students and/or students with physical issues drew out that love of helping. Teaching students to move with their breath to assist them with everyday activities and seeing them progress in their practice gives me great joy.
I am a busy mom, volunteer, RN, and photographer.

Chimeg Davaadorj

Chimeg Davaadorj

I am a RYT 200 and soon to receive my RYT 500 certification. 

In 2014 I decided to change my lifestyle and took an active interest in various types of workouts. I went to boot camp for over 2 years and I have practiced yoga since 2017. When I started doing yoga I learned mindfulness, in which I learned to forget everything but the poses while on my mat. 

Why yoga? Teaching and practicing yoga give me many physical and mental benefits.

Samantha Harrington

Samantha Harrington

In 2010, I started practicing yoga at a studio in Oklahoma City, and I’ve been practicing ever since. I received my RYT 200 from my teacher Amanda Dee Smith of Sun Salute Studio in Torre de la Horadada in Spain in 2016. In September 2017, I finished my RYT 500 certification with Matt and Holly Krepps of Circle Yoga Shala. I am a ​E-RYT 200/RYT 500 certified yoga teacher.
I am a Little Rock native, born and raised. I grew up as a dancer, theatre artist, and singer. I went to Oklahoma City University and received my BFA in Acting.

Kerri Michael

Kerri Michael

I received my Yoga Alliance-recognized RYT 200 Certification in Vinyasa at the Arkansas Yoga Collective Academy. I’ve practiced yoga for over 20 years now. I’ve gotten stronger and more flexible. But I’ve also become slower to anger.
I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee but now proudly claim Little Rock as my home. My mission and intention are to help you show up in every area of your life with clarity, vitality, authenticity, courage, self-acceptance, and a sense of humor.

Clay Shuffield

Clay Shuffield

I have been teaching since Spring 2016 and I absolutely love it, especially introducing beginners to yoga. To me, the best part of yoga is that each individual has so much more to learn. Yoga is not just a physical practice. Yoga is life itself.

I am a father of three incredibly beautiful and powerful daughters. I have worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for 20 years as an accountant.

Shauna Wood

Shauna Wood

I got my first certification in 2015, which led to 2017 I received my RYT 500 certification, 2018 becoming a E-RYT 200 teacher, then obtaining my YACEP, where I can offer training hours to those who attend my workshops and in June of 2019, I completed IM=X Pilates Reformer training.
My home life includes my husband Jeff, daughter Charlotte, and our cat Just Fluffy. We like to take trips to the beach and Disney.

Tanesha Forrest

Tanesha Forrest

I am passionate about teaching and practicing yoga. I earned my RYT 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification in 2016 in Little Rock. Three years later, I earned my E-RYT 200 certification, teaching 1,000+ hours! I teach vinyasa yoga, power flow, yoga for athletes, yin yoga, and mindfulness. I love offering modifications, using blocks, and seeing students listen to their bodies and discover!

Growing up I was an athlete, a pleaser, and a perfectionist. I suffered from stress headaches and frequent running injuries! Once I found yoga, the door to connect my body, breath, and mind opened. I am truly grateful for the gift of yoga in my life, and I hope to share it with you!

Judi Kanu

Judi Kanu

Yoga has been part of my life for the past four years. Self-love, affirmations, and creating connections are important aspects in my teaching style. I completed my 200 hour training at Big Rock Yoga. In addition, I have completed a yin yoga teacher training with Rena Wren. I seek to uplift each student and create a welcoming environment. Each class should be an opportunity to take what you need and leave what is no longer serving a purpose.
I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Susan Toone

Susan Toone

I am an RYT 500. I taught yoga for about five years at a studio with a group of phenomenal teachers, and we somehow landed together at WLR Yoga. We have different approaches to teaching, but we have in common a love of our practice, our students, and each other.
My approach to teaching is come as you are, see what you find on your mat, and use those nuggets you discover to create ease and balance in life. We’re all winners here.