Teachers

Amanda Beard

RYT200

Amanda grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and loved dancing ballet during her childhood. She found a book on hatha yoga in high school when she was looking through the shelves at the public library and became fascinated by the artistic physical postures and the notion of a movement based spiritual practice. While attending the University of Rochester, she took courses in hatha yoga and modern dance through the Dance Program from 1999-2003. As a Take Five Scholar at the U of R, she studied yoga philosophy with Dr. Douglas Brooks and Dr. Paul Muller-Ortega. In 2006, she completed her certification in Anusara-inspired yoga with Todd Norian. She has taught yoga in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Nantucket, Massachusetts. As her own practice of yoga continues to expand and evolve, Amanda encourages students to travel the deepest path of their heart.

Christa Dehner

CYT

Christa began her yoga journey after she took her first yoga class four years ago. She knew right then and there that yoga would be a part of her life from that day forward. She fell in love with the physical challenge of yoga as well as the mental and spiritual benefits it gave her. Christa has been a dancer for most of her life and a dance teacher so the transition to yoga was natural for her. Her passion for yoga inspired her to share that passion with others through teaching. She truly enjoys watching students transform during their yoga practice. She received her 200-hour certification from the Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center in Palatine, Illinois. Christa also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan.

ERIN ERB

RYT200

Since her love affair with yoga began over a decade ago, Erin felt passionately that every person in the world deserved this sacred practice. Now more than ever, with an RYT 200 certification, she is thrilled to serve others by teaching. As a strong believer in the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga, Erin's goal is for students to take what they learn in class and expand it into their personal practice at home.

Rachael Eyrich

RYT200

Rachael's first experience with yoga was in 2001 after suffering a running injury. She began practicingyoga as a way to regain her range of motion and correct the underlying postural imbalances that contributed to the injury. As a result, she feels stronger, faster, and more flexible than before her injury. Due to her experience using yoga as a rehabilitative tool, Rachael advocates cultivating a firm foundation - building your house on a rock. Strongly influenced by Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga styles, her classes emphasize structural alignment to create physical strength and develop fortitude. Her teaching style is best described as power vinyasa.

Rachael received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification in July 2008 through Cityoga School of Yoga and Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her teachers were Nikki Myers and Marsha Pappas. Rachael also holds a B.A. from Indiana University in Communication and Culture. She and her husband, Chad, live in Fort Wayne and have 3 children.

Jane Fudge

RYT200, Pranayoga School Director

Jane's yoga journey began in December 2009 with Pranayoga. She has a passion for promoting health and wellness to others in any way she can and has always been dedicated to a healthy and fit lifestyle. As an athlete, workouts took a toll on her body. "Yoga has increased my strength and flexibility in ways I did not think was possible for my body; the benefits of yoga are endless. I love the idea of feeling as good as I do now far later in my life." Jane wants to pass on to others the different ways yoga can provide a lifetime of health benefits in mind and body.

LIbby Gamez

RYT200

Libby began yoga 9 years ago for stress relief and fell in love with its connection of mind, body and spirit. She feels that, unlike other forms of exercise, yoga brings with it an almost magical sense of hope and healing. Having recently received her 200-hour teaching certificate from Pranayoga, Libby is thrilled to be able to bring newcomers the joy of yoga. She holds a B.S. in psychology from Ball State University and lives in Fort Wayne with her husband and 4-year old son.

Linda Krebs

RYT200

Linda's interest and passion for yoga began when anxiety interfered with her ability to enjoy life to it's fullest. She discovered that not only did yoga offer relief from her anxiety symptoms through consistent practice, she also experienced positive changes on all levels, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Helping others learn to honor themselves through conscious movement and breathe to create balance and peace within, is what continues to inspire her journey as a teacher and a student. Linda completed her 200 RYT training through YogaFit in 2008. She has also completed her studies and certification work as a Relaxation Therapist, and is a certified mat pilates instructor through NETA.

Lindsey Maksim

RYT200

Lindsey has been a dedicated yoga student since 2005 after searching for a way to find balance and peace within her life. Through her journey, she has been able to explore her inner self and has found courage, light and a deeper connection to her entire being. In 2009, she completed her 200 hr RYT through Prairie Yoga. She is very grateful for the opportunity to share her teachings and guide her students along their own personal journeys of peace, light and self-awareness. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saint Francis with a dual concentration in history and sociology. She thanks her teachers and her inspiring grandmothers for their constant wisdom, guidance, love and support.

Sonya Maldeney-Cull

RYT200

My journey through Yoga began in college, purely as a way to boost my GPA. Little did I know how long that simple intention would last! A once weekly practice evolved into taking Yoga “off the mat” in 2004. Just practicing a Warrior posture in class and keeping a steady breath even though my legs are shaking has carried me through more than a Saturday morning class - it has carried me through life. I’ve studied and taught various styles & levels of classes since 1991, including Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa, Anusara and Yin Yoga. I am a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher, 200 level certification) and a certified instructor of YogaFit’s Kids Yoga. My intention as a teacher is to share the gift of yoga and all its benefits - both on and off the mat - to everyone.

Tammy Maroney

RYT200

Tammy's life long love for being active, healthy and fit brought her to yoga. She has always been a runner but wanted more for her mind and flexibility for her body. She started with Vinyasa Yoga and Core Synergy and loved the benefits so much that when she was asked to teach Core Synergy she knew she had to share her love of the class with others.

Tammy has a strong following as an instructor as she is an inspiration to others in helping them achieve their goals. She loves that Core Synergy gives your whole body a complete workout, clears your mind and makes your body stronger, leaner and toned.

As a NETA Certified Pilates instructor in mat pilates, Tammy now also offers mat pilates classes as well. She says the beauty of pilates is it is low impact with high results! She invites you to come join in the fun.

TIFFANY MILLAR-

PICCIRILLI

RYT200

Tiffany grew up in the Western suburbs of Chicago and moved to Fort Wayne in 2009 with her husband Russel (who also practices yoga) and their 24 lb. Maine Coon cat Stochelo. She attended Lewis University in Romeoville, IL and studied Philosophy, English and Aviation. She enjoys reading, quilting, riding her bike around Fort Wayne and upcycling anything she can get her hands on. Tiffany’s husband suggested she try yoga when she moved to Rockford, IL in 2008 because she was looking for something to do in her new town. Her first studio was Pranayama in Rockford, IL. She fell in love and has not looked back since. She loves practicing pranayama meditation (focus on the breath) to balance her through the rigors of life. Assisting her students to get into proper postures, making adjustments and enhancements are her favorite parts of being a teacher. She earned her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification at Pranayoga in Fall 2011 and has been living yoga ever since.

Chris McGuire

RYT200

Chris was introduced to yoga over a decade ago by his then girlfriend, Dani. Practicing Kundalini, and more often, the Power Yoga styles of the Kest brothers with some inconsistent regularity, Chris developed a foundation for a slow growing interest that turned into a passion in the years to come.

It wasn’t until the recurring pain of an auto-collision related back injury led Chris to his mat. In an attempt to repair what several chiropractors and physical therapists could not, he began to see the overwhelming health benefits of the asana practice. The healing of his back, witnessing the transformation in Dani’s life through her teacher training, and studying the yogic philosophy solidified fascination, passion, and gratitude for this ancient art.

Completing the 200 Hour Certification with Pranayoga School of Yoga and Health, under the guidance of his lifelong guru Dani “Vani” McGuire, Chris is thrilled to have received training that stems from the Prana Flow lineage of Shiva Rea. He continues to receive Prana Flow training through Vani and friend/mentor Simon Park, and is enrolled in the Pranayoga 500 Hour Teacher Training.

Chris currently teaches a power/vinyasa style hatha yoga, infusing yogic philosophies and pertinent sacred scripture, vedic and original stories into the class; as means to nurture and fully engage the physical body while addressing the spiritual being as well. Carry it off the mat and into the world.

Dani McGuire

Founder and Teacher,
E-RYT500, IAYT, NFPT

What first brought Dani to her mat was her passion for health and fitness. What she found there was much more than she ever imagined. As her gym membership collected dust she had a transformation within her practice, discovering a peace within her unchanged by the frantic society. She decided instantly she wanted to share this teaching with others. Dani has practiced yoga for over 10 years, beginning with Lyengar and now having studied Hatha, Raja, Vinyasa Anusara, Viniyoga and many more styles that inspire her own style of teaching.

Dani believes that when the student is ready the teacher appears, and has found this to be true both in her experience as a teacher and a student. Some of her great teachers and influences are Shiva Rea, Bryan Kest, Todd Norian, Lisa Matkins, and Jnani Chapman.

Dani received her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance certification through Cityoga School of Yoga and Health and her 500 Hour certification with teachers Marsh Pappas and Nikki Myers.

Dani is also dedicated to teaching yoga to people with cancer and chronic pain. She is a Yoga Therapist and is registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Her teacher and mentor is Jnani Chapman and she has received her certification through Integral Yoga Academy. Her goal is to make these services available to everyone living with cancer, regardless of their income.

Dani is committed to forming a partnership with every one of her students to serve them in finding peace, health, and a greater sense of well being wherever they may be in this moment.

Tara Nehls

Kids Yoga and Prenatal Yoga Teacher

Tara is a yogini who truly loves children! Tara earned her Master of Education Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has practiced yoga for 6 years and completed yoga teacher training through YogaFit Training Systems and Healthways Silver Sneaker Program. She is a preschool special education teacher in Fort Wayne Community Schools, and has been teaching Yoga For Kids for two years. When she is not teaching, she enjoys drawing and walking outdoors. Tara lives happily with her husband, cat, and dog in Fort Wayne.

Mary Newell

RYT200, Enhance Fitness Certified,ACSM Certified Fitness Professional

Mary first began studying yoga in 1994. Since then she has completed over 200hrs of Master instruction. Her practice evolves and changes daily. She firmly believes that continuity is the secret to success.

Mary’s classes include asana practice incorporating techniques from various styles such as vinyasa, yin-yang, ashtanga and restorative. Pranayama, meditation and reflection are interwoven so that each class tells a story. Students leave class in the calm balanced state helpful for dealing with life’s ups and downs. Mary enjoys spreading her love of yoga to others. She has taught students ranging from age 2 to 92.

In 2009 Mary received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification through Prairie Yoga. That same year she completed EnhanceFitness training and became a certified instructor for the aging and elderly. Since 1999 she has been a Certified Health Fitness Instructor through American College of Sports Medicine. Mary also holds a B.S. from Indiana University in Business Management. She lives with her husband, Steve and their 3 daughters.

Bethany Pruitt

RYT200

Bethany discovered yoga when she was fourteen, sitting on the floor reading a magazine article about the peace and balance of a life with yoga, written by a similarly young girl. She has continued exploring yoga and taking classes ever since. Now she is deepening her study with the Pranayoga 200hr Teacher Training. She also holds a Bachelors degree in Religious Studies from Elmhurst College.

Lauren Nieman

RYT200

Lauren first found yoga in 1999, in looking for an easy “A” to boost her GPA while in college. Instead she found a close friend that has stuck with her through thick and thin over the last decade. She thoroughly enjoys the continuous physical challenge the practice brings, as well as the focus and discipline that have opened her heart and mind to the wonders this world has to offer. Everyone goes through days that feel like a complete train wreck and days that make us feel unstoppable.Yoga has been the consistent thread through the hills and valleys of life and has helped her to give thanks for anything that is thrown her way. She wants to share this feeling with her community and strives to aid her fellow yogis in any way she can along their path of self-discovery.

Lauren has studied in the areas of hatha yoga and vinyasa flow and anticipates completion of her 200 hour certification through Prairie Yoga in the spring of 2011. Gratefully, her mentors are Tricia Fiske and Marinda Stopforth. Lauren holds a bachelor’s in science from Ball State University, with a double major in exercise physiology and psychology. Lauren will soon embark on a new journey, returning to school to complete her training in massage therapy. She is thankful to her yoga community, who has offered nothing but love and support as she begins to record this new chapter in her life.

Tina Tazian

RYT200

Tina’s greatest joy as a teacher is helping people find health and inner peace through yoga. Her yoga journey began 30 years ago when she was introduced to yoga and meditation by a friend while still in high school. Later she practiced traditional yoga with Indian swamis and Tibetan lamas while attending Indiana University. But she took a break from yoga for many years while pursuing her love for Modern Dance. In 1983 she received a BA in liberal arts with dance concentration from Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York. After a 10 year hiatus, she returned to yoga.

She loves both the athletic aspects and the more subtle work with prana or life force energy. For her yoga was never simply a physical practice but a form of creative expression and sacred healing. Her style combines alignment, slow flow vinyasa and tantric elements. Her goal is to integrate poses, breath and guided meditation in an organic whole.

She has studied with master teachers, Rod Stryker (ParaYoga), Desiree Rumbaugh & Todd Norian, (Anusara) Gabriel Halphren & Manouso Manos, (Iyengar), Seane Corn (Vinyasa), Lilas Folan and others. A lifelong student, in 2009, she received her 200 hr RYT through Prairie Yoga. She thanks her mentors Tricia Fiske and Joanne Snow for guiding her teaching practice. And she is grateful for her family’s support and the life she shares with her husband Marc and daughters Adrienne and Sophie.

Colleen Towner

RYT200

Colleen's yoga journey began when she accidently walked into a yoga class at a gym in 1998, and participated so as not to be rude. At the time, she worked as a fitness instructor/personal trainer and preferred the high intensity, "no pain, no gain" approach to exercise, but the poses were challenging enough to bring her back to the class, and the pain she encountered in calming the mind and learning to relax provided life-changing results. As a former high school science teacher, her experience in education led her to pursue yoga certification if only to learn more. As her knowledge and passion grew, she began sharing her practice with those around her, and has now been teaching for twelve years.

"My practice permeates my entire life. Whether it's balancing the schedules of my husband and four children, breathing through pain and stress, or consciously extending out of my comfort zone, I'm always doing yoga...on and off the mat."

Studying the yamas and niyamas of Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga also led Colleen to a choose a vegan lifestyle. You can read more about this at www.wakingupvegan.com.

Amber Wagley

RYT200, Prenatal Yoga

The first time that I practiced yoga was during high school, and even then I enjoyed not only the physical aspect of the practice but also the calm that I felt at the end of savasana(relaxation). I would attend classes off and on, but it wasn’t until after my college graduation in 2007 that I began to practice yoga regularly. I was fortunate to be instructed by several dedicated and nurturing teachers. Then in 2010, I decided that teacher training would not only deepen my practice and knowledge of the yoga tradition but would also allow me to share the benefits of yoga with others. I graduated with my 200 hour certification in the spring of 2011 through Pranayoga, and since then, have been drawn toward teaching basics and prenatal yoga. I hope to continue my training by becoming certified in prenatal and postpartum instruction. When I’m not on my yoga mat, I work as a dental hygienist and enjoy gardening and cooking.

LEA WALKER

RYT200

Lea has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She was shanghaied into teaching in her second year of practice, she lacked training and experience, but the gift of teaching sparked the fire of yoga within her. Since then, she has trained with many inspired teachers from such diverse schools of yoga as Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, Anusara, Tri Yoga and Tibetan Heart. Two years ago she met her beloved teacher, Michael Johnson. It was through him she received intensive training and earned a 200 hour certificate. This fall, Lea will complete a 500 hour yoga certification with Michael Johnson. Lea is also trained in Thai Yoga Massage through Lotus Palm.

Lea's classes include mantra, pranayama, asana, dharma and savasana. Her classes are influenced by Tibetan Heart yoga/meditation with an emphasis on posture and the movement of prana.