The Yoga Center |
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Connecting Mind and Body to Spirit ... Through the Breath |
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Meet Our Instructors |
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April Michael Dempsey |
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April received her yoga certification at Kripalu, In Lenox, MA. She is a Yoga Therapist specializing in Pre-Natal Yoga, as well as, Pre-Natal Thai Yoga Massage and Watsu (Warm Water Massage). April is also licensed in MS as a Skin Care Therapist and received her Doula training and Pregnancy Belly-casting through B.A.B.Y. Inc, in White Bluff, TN. April is also a licensed Massage Therapist in Tennessee since 2000 and also has her license for massage therapy in Mississippi. “I continue to study for the empowerment of Women for Birth!” April is currently on leave as she awaits the birth of baby number 2. |
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Evanna, as an aspiring martial artist in Kung Fu San Soo, was led to the practice of yoga in 2000, completing her teacher training in Oct. 2006 at Yoga West in Austin. "I often came out of San Soo bruised and tight. I felt a need to balance my San Soo with deep, intense stretching. I practiced Iyengar classes in 1999 and decided that yoga was the direction to follow. My principal experience in teaching yoga has come through my affiliation with The Yoga Center. I cherish the friendships, humor and good feelings (mentally and physically) that come from being a student and teaching yoga. Yoga has inspired me to take better care of myself, mentally, spiritually and physically. I hope to inspire others as well.” Congratulations to Evanna who has completed her training and passed her Massage Therapy Exam. Her business Massage on Main is open and ready for you to call for an appointment. You may contact Evanna through the link listed above. |
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Evanna McCarter |
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Copyright © 2011 The Yoga Center, Tupelo, MS ... All Rights Reserved |
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Photography by Robyn Loonan Gibson … All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2011 Email me if you want a copy |
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I was first introduced to yoga as a teenager and while it rang true to me then I went off on other paths. I came back to yoga when I discovered The Yoga Center of Tupelo in 2001. Studying with Betty Evans and April Michael was such a pleasure. I jumped on the chance to complete a 200 hour Kripalu based teacher training when offered by The Yoga Center. Since completing their program in 2003, my continuing studies have primarily been with Laura Tyree and Erich Schiffmann. I’ve had the good fortune to hang out and study with Laura two to three times a year since 2006. In May 2008 I completed a 10-day advanced study for yoga teachers with Erich. I’m a registered teacher through The Yoga Alliance and keep my “saw sharp” by attending workshops with a variety of teachers: Rodney Yee, Scotta Brady, Doug Keller, Joel Kramer, Arturo Peal, Cheri Clampett, and Saul Ray. “People often ask me about yoga. They have this idea that yoga is gymnastics of a sort – a stretching and contorting of bodies or that we are secretly worshiping Buddha. That’s not it at all – no where close! Yoga is all about unity - learning to be happy and enjoy where you are NOW and Now and Now. |
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Terri Johnston |
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Robyn completed her 200 hour Kripalu based teacher training in 2003 and is a registered teacher through The Yoga Alliance. Since completing the teacher training her continuing education has been workshops at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA., Shiva Rea, Saul Ray, Paul Grilley, Arturo Peal, Cheri Clampett, The Omega Institute, Laura Tyree, Anusara Yoga with Scotta Brady, and working extensively with Erich Schiffmann … recently completing his teacher training module. It is my opinion that there are three parts to a yoga practice. Meditation, pranayama (breath) and asana practice. For me … yoga is not a P.E. class. Yoga is not about how far you can get into any of the postures … it IS all about how you get there. Yoga is about balance and the flow of energy within our body and learning to use that energy to the greatest benefit. |
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Robyn Loonan Gibson |
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Paul completed his teacher training in 2005 at Dragonfly Yoga Studies in Fort Walton, FL and is a RYT-200 with the Yoga Alliance. Attending workshops with Doug Keller and assisting with Laura Tyree at workshops is how he is furthering his education in the practice of yoga. Since receiving his certification in yoga he has also become certified in Reiki. A business owner, a talented musician, an excellent father … Paul is married and has three children. |
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Paul Tate |
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Sheree, as a professional musician, has been studying breathing and relaxation techniques for over 30 years. She joined The Yoga Center in 1999 and was certified through The Yoga Alliance, RYT 200 in 2003. Sheree has attended workshops with Erich Schiffmann, Laura Tyree (Dragonfly Yoga), and Scotta Brady (Butterfly Yoga) and has studied at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. |
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Sheree Lence |