OUR TEAM
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, but I also loved the other benefits. It eased new mom anxiety, allowed me to have "me time," and gave me a wonderful network of fun, supportive friends. Over the years my physical practice waned at times, but the yogic principles I'd learned stuck with me. A few years ago, during a rough patch in life, I knew I had to immerse myself in yoga again if I wanted to survive! In doing so, 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. My time on my yoga mat is my celebration, my stress relief, and my source of strength. I want to make yoga available and approachable for everyone, so that everyone can experience the gifts it's given me. 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. |
Catherine Burton Creative, grateful, and open-hearted with a little hippity-dippity boho chic is how I describe myself. 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. Through this unique mind-body-spirit connection I get grounded on days I feel flighty, and floated on days I feel heavy. 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. |
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! Why yoga? 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 remember leaving my first yoga class and realizing that I had spent a solid hour in the flow, not worrying about anything but moving and breathing. I was hooked! I learned to listen to my body through my practice. The physical asana led me to listen to my head and heart through mindfulness and meditation. Most importantly, I learned to breathe! I teach vinyasa yoga, power flow, yoga for athletes, yin yoga, and mindfulness. I offer hands-on physical assistance to students to deepen a pose, move into a safer alignment, or just because it feels yummy. Emphasis on intentions, pranayama breath, and mindfulness are used to deepen the practice of yoga not only in the studio, but also in your daily life. I love offering modifications, using blocks, and seeing students listen to their bodies and discover! I am truly grateful for the gift of yoga in my life, and I hope to share it with you! |
Circy Gastman As I began to approach my forties, I felt a yearning to delve deeper into my yoga journey, and contemplated whether or not teaching it was something I should, or could, do. What I discovered about yoga is that you can be any age, shape, or size and still reap the benefits, physically and mentally. I became passionate about practicing yoga for all these reasons so I went for it! 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’m amazed at what the mind and body can do when practicing breathwork, asana, and stillness, all of which can be life-changing. 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. |
Cyndi Gregory “The greatest gift I give to all my students is the unconditional love, acceptance, and gratitude that God provides to me.” I am a native of South Texas with a passion for health and wellness. I began my yoga practice in 2002 and became a yoga instructor in 2004, and started teaching at UAMS. Since then I have taught classes in multiple private studios, gyms, corporate wellness programs, private group and personal sessions, and for athletes. My passion to teach yoga at all levels at diverse locations and to diverse populations allows me the ability to share the gift of yoga that has been placed in my life. I am currently obtaining my E-RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance and working towards my RYT 500 that I will complete in July 2020. |
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Samantha Harrington 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 and it was during my time there that yoga began to make its way to me. I began getting really serious about yoga after experiencing emotional trauma in my late teens and early 20s. I had stepped away from healthy decisions with my body which led me to being unhealthy in my mental and emotional bodies. I was desperate to feel whole again, and after being disconnected from my body for some time, I was eager to find something to bring me back “home." 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 aN E-RYT 200/RYT 500 certified yoga teacher. I am passionate about the body, mind, breath, and spirit connection, and how each person’s body uniquely holds their own life’s story! Making yoga accessible for all people, unlocking the themes and mysteries of who we are through the body and breath, and sharing the fact that yoga is a self empowering, healing, joyful, and transformative tool for everyone is my heart’s mission in life. |
Judi Kanu Yoga has been part of my life for the past four years. My practice was initially focused on the physical asanas and increasing flexibility. However, as time has progressed I have developed a love for stillness, meditation, and pranayama. Self-love, affirmations, and creating connections are important aspects in my teaching style. I believe a smile can be one of the greatest acts of kindness. I approach teaching through a non-judgmental lens and encourage each student to understand when they can pull back or push deeper. I completed my 200 hour training at Big Rock Yoga. In addition, I have completed a yin yoga teacher training with Rena Wren. I am a forever student and love incorporating new techniques and creative sequencing in my classes. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. In my classes, I love to be intentional in my sequencing. I enjoy using upbeat playlists and providing space for students to learn their bodies and move at their own pace. 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. |
Katie Kasten I’m 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. I had little interest in the woo-woo side of yoga. Initially, yoga provided exactly what I had hoped -- toning, muscle definition, and exercise. Somewhere along the way, the woo-woo found me, even when I wasn’t looking for it. It snuck right up in there…in my breath, in my thoughts, in my mind. 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. “Let the light of this practice shine in you, on you, and from you. Namaste.” |
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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. My mind was riddled with postpartum anxiety, and the daily stress of working full-time and being a mom to two kids under two was getting to me. I got help for my postpartum anxiety, but let’s be honest, sleep was a precious commodity that just was not available to me with two small children. I needed an outlet. I had isolated myself with my work-from-home job and my two little ones with various constant needs. I needed to get out of the house and out of my head. Returning to a workout routine outside of my home felt like a mountain I wasn’t ready to climb. Still craving that mind and body strength, I decided to inch up that mountain and took a beginner's class at yoga studio very near my home. It was tough. The difficulty of trying to get my body to try new things, combined with deep breathing in and out of the poses, began to work wonders on my anxiety-riddled brain. So I kept coming back for more. And I kept coming back. 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. My hope for others in their yoga practice is to feel calm, comfortable, and strong. All you need to do is start where you are. |
Kerri Michael I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee but now proudly claim Little Rock as my home. As a child, I read mythology stories, wrote plays, made up songs, daydreamed, loved food, had a smart mouth, played dress-up, explored, got lost, listened to too-loud music, played in the woods, and believed trees and rocks were magic. I am pretty much the same as an adult. 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. More patient in traffic. Less prone to black-and-white or catastrophic thinking. Better able to examine my own motives and to stay open to the truth, even when it’s scary or inconvenient. The benefits on the mat have been considerable. Yoga feels good! But the most profound, life-changing experiences have been off the mat. The strength and flexibility gained through the physical practice is just a thumbnail scratch of what is there for us to learn. Meditation and mindfulness have brought a focus, peace, and sense of ease to my life that I did not think possible. 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. |
Todd Miller I started my yoga journey at the suggestion of a friend as a way to get pain relief from past injuries. I was able to greatly reduce my pain through a consistent yoga practice, and discovered yoga was a way to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. After practicing for six months, I decided to become a teacher and obtained my 200-hour certification. I teach towards the foundations of yoga including proper alignment and muscle engagement throughout each class. I love to see people smile when they realize the benefits of yoga in their life, both physically and spiritually. |
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. My passion for yoga stems from and is guided by self-awareness. Practicing has allowed me to acknowledge my mental, emotional, and physical health in a healthy and positive way. It’s not "the pose" but the awareness and ability of my body and mind that keeps me on my mat, my "sacred ground." I find constant inspiration from my students when they are open to their practice and personal yoga journeys. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is attend different yoga studios and learn from other teachers and their students. 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. |
Vesper Potter When my family and I moved here from Florida in the spring of 2015, 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. One evening, a couple months into my practice, something unexpected happened. I took a tree pose and looked up. My eyes filled with happy, grateful tears. It was joy!! A deeper, more spiritual happiness that had been muted by years of suffering. I was moving, flowing, exercising, getting healthy, getting strong, and finding life again. This was the moment I knew I needed to give back and set myself on a path to begin yoga training. That same fall 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. This is my new life and a new me. I'm a better wife, a better mom, and a better human because of yoga. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to give back to my clients! My vinyasa classes are usually full of upbeat music, laughter and joy. My yin and restorative classes are full of peace, calm, and love. I cannot wait to discover these things with you! Namaste!! |
Clay Shuffield 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. In 2013, a good friend introduced me to yoga, and I began to develop a practice and fell in love with it immediately. I love the way yoga encompasses everything: body, mind, and spirit. In 2015, the studio where I was practicing offered yoga teacher training for the first time, and I wanted to learn more and deepen my practice. Yoga teacher training had an incredibly positive influence on my life and changed me as a person. 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. |
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Susan Toone "We’re all just walking each other home." That quote, by Ram Das, pretty much sums up life and yoga for me. We’re here to help each other and not make too much of a fuss about it. 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. Was it serendipitous, or the kind of thing that sends chills up your spine? 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. |
Paula Volpe My journey into yoga began late in life. It was suggested I try yoga for stress. I was intimidated because I knew nothing about yoga. It took several years and the invitation from a dear friend to join her in a yoga class. I loved it! I quickly began attending class at least four times a week. I was asked to take teacher training. I stated I did not want to teach. I am a busy mom, volunteer, RN, and photographer. I had no intention of adding to my plate. Yet, I did begin my RYT 200 teacher training to deepen my understanding of yoga. I still had no intention of teaching. I was asked to substitute teach for a class, and then another. After three weeks, I was asked to continue teaching the class. By that time I had fallen in love with my students. Working with older students and/or students with physical issues drew out that love of helping. The class became a social family. 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 love my students and they love each other. As soon as a new student comes into this group, they are welcomed warmly by the class. |
Shauna Wood My yoga journey really took off when I was pregnant with my daughter in 2014. I could not do as much running as I had in the past. Once she was born, it was my first type of exercise with some gentle flows. I decided to get my first certification in 2015, which led to a daily practice. From there, I have explored different postures and flows. I like to create new transitions and get inspiration from others. Instagram has helped me learn even more postures and new cues. I enjoy the puzzle of building a class around a certain pose. I do like to play with the more advanced postures and challenge myself and my students. I decided to add the 300 hour training to enhance my skills and completed the program in 2017, creating my RYT 500 certification. In January of 2018, I reached over 1000 hours of teaching, making me an E-RYT 200 teacher. With this credential, I obtained my YACEP, where I can offer training hours to those who attend my workshops. I expanded my trainings to Silver Sneakers in 2016. In June of 2019, I completed IM=X Pilates Reformer training. These all give me a better knowledge about the body and additional ideas for my yoga classes. My home life includes my husband Jeff, daughter Charlotte, and our cat Just Fluffy. We like to take trips (except Fluffy, she likes us to stay home) to the beach and Disney. |
