Abby Geyer, CYT




I began practicing yoga back in the 80's but did not become a consistent practitioner until the early 90's. I mostly practiced Ashtanga, a style I was drawn to because of a wonderful teacher, Darla Safire, plus the fact that it suited my Pitta nature! However, over the years, I have come to realize that my body was asking for something else, so I began exploring other styles of yoga. Now I enjoy practicing and teaching a slow flow which requires holding the poses longer and going deeper. I recently finished reading Stephen Cope's The Wisdom of Yoga - a must read on yoga philosophy - and as a result, I am even more convinced of the many rewards that a slow flow practice can give us. In this fast-paced world, it is essential that we take the time to slow down, give ourselves the time to become aware, and what better way to do that than with a deep, slow flow yoga practice!  

I began teaching because I wanted to offer a wonderful yoga practice to those 40 years old and above and/or those coming back to yoga after several years. I also became interested in using yoga for recovery when my son returned from Iraq with PTSD and I noticed how the allopathic treatments he underwent didn’t work. As a certified Ayurvedic Health Educator for many years, I just knew there had to be a holistic way to treat this issue by integrating the sciences of Ayurveda and yoga with the 12-step recovery process. It was at that point that I discovered Durga Leela, founder of Yoga of Recovery, and subsequently went to the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, Calif. to become a certified educator. This program does exactly what I was looking for: it integrates yoga asana and philosophy with Ayurveda and the 12-steps. I was hooked! I have seen the results and they are amazing. 

I believe that if there is one person who has helped me with my yoga at this time of my life it would be Larry Payne, co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and founder of Prime Age Yoga for those 40+ years old. In addition to teaching, I am the advertising manager at the International Association of Yoga Therapists and at the Light on Ayurveda Journal. I am encouraged daily by the wonderful people that I am in touch with - their passion for what they do is so enriching and very contagious! I am also a certified Reiki Master, Wellness Coach and a Level 1 Theta Healer. I never go anywhere without a book!

Eileen Mohr, RYT

I discovered Hatha Yoga during my sophomore year in college after reading Autobiography of a Yogi, by Parmahansa Yogananda. In 1998 I began yoga teacher training in Seattle, Washington. I later discovered Viniyoga, a tradition that focuses on the needs of the individual and a style of yoga that adapts to the individual - a yoga for everyone. I have been fortunate to have studied with Gary Kraftsow and T.K.V. Desikachar in this tradition.

In 2000, I attended the labor support course through the Seattle School of Midwifery and became a certified birthing doula. I soon began studying prenatal/postnatal yoga and was certified. In my teaching I blend my love of alignment, humor and finding stillness through the flow of breath and movement. 

Gina Davis

Gina's interest in yoga began as child but it wasn't until she was a young woman that she began her own practice. Upon opening her heart and home to a friend who needed a place to live, Gina was introduced to the ins and outs of teaching yoga. She began teaching several years ago in her own home studio in Lone Pine, Calif. until relocating to Vegas in 2007. 

Karen Lane

Karen M. Lane, BA, RYT500

Karen M. Lane is a Nationally Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor and Massage Therapist who has been teaching Anusara Yoga and practicing therapeutic massage for over 11 years. She began her uplifting journey into Anusara Yoga at a workshop in Washington D.C. taught by its founder, John Friend, in 1998. His positive, affirming, heart-opening style immediately resonated with her. She spent the next 13 years studying extensively with Friend who continues - as her teacher, mentor and friend - to be a great source of support, strength, wisdom and inspiration. John has been one of the greatest gifts in her life, teaching her to try to find the joy and light in each moment.

Her vision is to help create a cohesive, tight-knit community of yogis who share her compassionate, joyful attitude and wish to experience yoga (and their lives) as a celebration of spirit. Aligning with the highest purpose of the practice, to awaken to the radiance of our hearts, Karen has an uplifting, energetic, hands-on approach to teaching Anusara, grounded in the Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness and the Universal Principles of Alignment.

After directing two local yoga studios and teaching in more than a dozen locations, Karen has found a perfect studio home at Northwest Yoga. She is grateful to the owner, students and everyone involved in creating such an amazing, joyful and loving space.

In her free time, Karen loves spending time with her husband and son. She adores everything about the beach and has fun hiking or scrambling in the desert hills and mountains. Other favorite activities include going to rock concerts, eating gourmet vegetarian food and hanging out with friends.

Contact her at 702-203-5661 or klaneyoga@yahoo.com

Lauren Verona, RYT

Lauren encourages her students to develop an asana practice which works on the mind/body connection, while honoring personal modifications and mindfulness. Her teaching is deeply grounded in the guiding principles of the yoga discipline, which incorporates a powerful sequence of asanas, breath and meditation. 

Lauren approaches her students with a sense of humor, humbleness and honesty. During her classes, she emphasizes attention to each individual’s practice and utilizes manual adjustment techniques to assist students in deepening their awareness in each posture.

Her style of teaching compassionately strives to inspire and impart wisdom allowing a student to see their true potential.  Lauren tries to assist her students in finding a deeper connection to our True Selves and can be used as a platform for personal growth. These teachings serve as an invaluable tool for students to deepen their personal yoga practice.

She is registered through Yoga Alliance and has completed her 500 hour certification. Currently, Lauren is an ambassador through Lululemon Athletica.

Lisa Plummer, CYT

Lisa Plummer, CYT/Northwest Yoga Newsletter Editor and Website Copywriter

Lisa has been practicing yoga for over thirteen years. A Los Angeles native, she came to the practice as a ballet and modern dancer seeking to heal old injuries and create balance in her body. One of her first teachers was Max Strom, formerly of Yoga Works and the Sacred Movement Center for Yoga and Healing, who helped her discover a great love for yoga that continues to this day.

Lisa has studied many styles of yoga but specifically enjoys practicing and teaching Vinyasa Flow. In her teaching, her primary focuses are on proper technique, conscious movement and breath, and inspiring her students find joy and freedom in their practices. She has been teaching yoga since 2002 and is certified through the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, California. She is currently teaching private classes only.

To learn more about Lisa's writing, please visit: www.lisaplummerwrites.com

Malissa Schwamm, E-RYT; RCYT



MALISSA SCHWAMM, E-RYT, RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher)

A natural athlete and competitor with a passion for just about any sport, Malissa became a student of yoga years ago. Yoga was the obvious choice for someone who desperately needed to know how to stretch, strengthen and focus while preparing for competitive events. As someone who sought out as many yoga classes as she could each week, it seemed clear that Malissa would become certified to teach and share her passion.

Malissa enjoys many styles of yoga, but finds the best way to channel her energy is through Vinyasa Power Yoga. Many of her students are athletes in training who have who have come to appreciate and value the benefits of a daily yoga practice. 

Additionally drawing from her years as a teacher's aide, Malissa has created a unique, fun-filled "Yoga for Kids Program" at Northwest Yoga that aims to teach children and young adults the importance of respecting their bodies early in life, among other things. Her never-ending energy and playful style are a great combination for connecting with young people. Her two children, ages 12 and 9, are her most loyal yogis!

Malissa is a certified instructor through both YogaWorks®/L.A. and YogaFit® and continues her ongoing education annually.
Malissa has many favorite mantras, especially "Laugh as much and often as possible each day. Laugh until you are curled over and tears are streaming down your face. Seek out friends who make you laugh. Laughing is contagious and healthy." 
 

Natasha M

Natasha has spent time in the Shivananda Yoga Ashram and has attended workshops with Shiva Rea. She is a YogaFit Certified instructor, a Reiki Master and has a Master's Degree in Communications. Natasha is also an award-winning video producer. 

Patrice Lovinger, CHT

Patrice Lovinger, CHT, Certified Hypnotherapist/Certified Personal Trainer/ Yoga Instructor

Over the past 10 years, I've had the honor of teaching yoga while sharing much love, laughter, and learning in the Las Vegas community. With 25 years in the fitness and health industry, ranging from ski instructor to personal trainer to yoga instructor, I am excited to be able to share my passion in the pursuit of perfect health and sublime happiness. My most recent work as a hypnotherapist is a natural exploration of the mind-body connection as I help clients establish goals, enhance motivation and visualize positive outcomes in their lives. 

My teaching style is enthusiastic, empowering and communicates my firm belief in the unlimited potential that resides within all of us. Students who attend my classes can expect laughter, friendship, acceptance, encouragement, courage, sweat, satisfaction, discovery and peace!

I have a very curious nature, so I've studied with yoga teachers who hail from many different lineages. I am most profoundly affected by the grace of Erich Schiffman and his expression of the practice: "Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are."

Yoga helps us become stronger, more flexible and more peaceful in body, mind and spirit. We regain the understanding that we are already perfect; the practice simply reminds us of our inherent nature. Yoga is like a faithful friend...no need for words, it knows my heart and my comfort lies in its embrace.

Sondra Appleton

I have been practicing meditation for almost five years. I feel the best way to introduce myself is to tell you who I am and my purpose in this three dimensional world.  I AM a Passionate, Loving, Powerful, Beautiful Woman of Light. Through BEing the Change, I AM Peace to a world where Acceptance, Beauty, and Unity are abundant.

My passion is to create a peaceful place for you to BE you and to connect to that inner energy where you experience clarity, balance and healing for mind, body and spirit. I am a Reiki III Art certified practitioner, Raindrop Therapy certified practitioner and currently work with energy, crystal and sound healing.  I am also an experienced Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and Meditation Guide.

You deserve to relax, feel your inner peace, clarity and wisdom, to create balance that ripples out to every aspect of your life and through you to others who interact with you. Transform your mind, transform your attitude, transform your life!  I am honored to share this experience with you.

Stacey Hall - Nia Instructor

I became a Nia teacher to help others feel better in their bodies and move through life with dynamic ease. Through Nia, I cured my asthma, lost weight, relieved the pains in my legs and learned how to have fun! I am a 3rd level (Brown Belt) Nia Technique instructor and enjoy teaching group and private classes.
 
What intrigues me most about Nia is that even after 15 years of classes I never feel bored or limited by the routines, no matter how many times I dance them! I encourage people to attend a Nia class to discover new ways of moving with ease, to expand creativity and enjoy an hour of purely playful opportunities that can help you to cope with whatever comes your way during the day.
 
I am also a Licensed Spiritual Healer, a Certified Natural Therapies Coach, a Certified Aromatherapy Coach and a CARE-Certified Raindrop Technique Practitioner, as well as host of the weekly Internet radio show "AromaWellness in the Palm of Your Hand!"
 
I am the author of 'Chi-To-Be! Achieving Your Ultimate B-All' and co-author of 'Attracting Perfect Customers...The Power of Strategic Synchronicity'.
 
My mission is to use my gifts, tools and resources to support those who intend to reach their goals with velocity and ease