Melissa Bittner~500-RYT
Melissa discovered her passion for Ashtanga in 2002 through the loving and playful guidance of Maureen Bosker. She has since been a long-time student of master Ashtanga instructor, Andrew Eppler in Oklahoma. Renowned teachers such as David Swenson, David Williams, Danny Paradise, Annie Pace, Dharma Mittra, and David Life have also been influential to her practice. Melissa balances her practice between the disciplined tradition of Sri K. Pattabi Jois and mindful ahims. She is drawn to the deeper aspects of yoga and is grateful for her two girls, who give her wonderful opportunities to fully explore this realm. She strives to live from her heart and draws from both the yogic traditions as well as the Buddhist traditions, teaching her girls the benefits of each. She has recently helped form a non-profit Buddhist meditation center in Fort Worth.
She was born in Texas, but grew up all over the world. Her father, who was in the oil business, took the family to Holland, Bahrain, Iran, and France. She gained a unique perspective on life from exposure to many different cultures at a young age. After graduating from high school at the American School of Paris, she attended University of North Texas, getting her BA in French, minoring in English.
In addition to yoga, she is fascinated with other natural healing techniques. Her knowledge in this area has grown organically through self-study. She also enjoys gardening, playing the flute, and doing Adha Mukha Svanasana with her dog, Hank.
Angie Cho~200 RYT
Having been introduced to yoga by my mom in 1999, I struggled to keep up with my instructor at our local gym. But it wasn’t long until I was completely absorbed with how it made me feel during and after my practice. After years of practicing yoga as part of my daily exercise routine and having no plans on being a teacher, I decided to dive deeper. By 2010, I completed my 200-hour Teacher Training through Yoga Alliance. Since then, yoga has strengthened me physically and mentally and helped me move past years of a troubling health addiction. It has united my body and mind through awareness with breath and movement on and off my mat. Grateful to have made this natural transition to share my love of yoga, I now teach to those of all levels.
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, I now live in a small town in Aubrey, TX with my fiancé and 2 pups. I enjoy rock climbing, playing tennis, and participating in outdoor running events.
Rupal Desai Dev~Bollywood Instructor
Rupal Desai Dev feels that she was born to dance. Since her childhood she has been extensively trained in Indian classical and folk dances. After receiving her bachelors in Biochemsitry she pursued her career in pharmaceutical industry as well as maintained her passion of dancing and teaching through Arya Dance Academy (ADA). ADA is based out of New Jersey and is operating in 33 states/341 cities throughout USA. Rupal has been a pioneer member of this largest South Asian organization since they opened their doors ten years ago. Her students have been showcased in various prestigious competitions and shows such as Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
Six months ago Rupal moved from New Jersey with her husband and gave birth to a little baby boy. Eager to get back to her health routine she joined Yoga Island and immediately fell in love with the place. She quickly saw that this place brings people of varied background together to share their common interest of health, fitness and cultural diversity. Therefore, to continue to promote her love for indian dance and fitness development she decided to teach Bollywood dance class at the Island. Bollywood film industry is the largest producer of films. Each film is a musical with melodious songs that are elaborately choreographed and staged. The Bollywood dance style has evolved to become an intricate fusion of both classical and modern dance styles.
In this class Rupal's goal is to promote overall wellbeing with fun fitness as well create respect for Indian Classical, Folk and Bollywood dance style!
Shauna Hammack 200 RYT
Soon after graduating college and entering the workforce full-time, well-being became a higher priority and this led Shauna to her first yoga class. Like so many devotees, yoga found Shauna at a time when she was more than ready to receive the myriad of benefits.
Countless hours on the mat, in class and in workshops practicing various styles, left Shauna with a strong desire to share her love of yoga with others. She completed Corepower’s Yoga Teacher Training in 2009. In addition to teaching yoga, Shauna is an avid snowboarder and hiker.
Shauna has recently relocated to Texas from San Diego and works full-time in Marketing.
Moniek Johnson~200-ERYT, C-KYT200+
Moniek Johnson fell in love with yoga and meditation during her first class in 1996. Starting yoga for the physical benefits, she soon realized it was much more than exercise for her. The experience became a consistent inspiration to be open to the ever-evolving journey of life and to grow in unconditional self-love and acceptance.
She received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts and is currently enrolled in their 500-hour program. Every year Moniek travels to a variety of workshops and yoga institutes around the world to enhance her knowledge and training. Having experienced yoga and/or meditation in over 15 countries, Moniek effortlessly weaves expanded international understanding into each of her classes and workshops.
When Moniek is not is not traveling or teaching class you can find her at local non-profit organizations, conferences and symposiums speaking to the benefits of yoga and meditation. Moniek is the Founder of Namaste Yoga Retreats™, YogaWalkk™ and enjoys teaching other modalities of movement such as YogaDance, Zumba, Core, etc.
BA, AFAA, RYT 200, Kripalu™ Yoga Teacher, Amrit Method™ Yoga Nidra, Zumba B1, JourneyDance™, CPR/AED
Ramona Johnson~200-RYT
I started teaching yoga in 2005. I was always into fitness, especially running, but an injury brought me to yoga. I am grateful for that injury, for it introduced me to something beyond exercise. I was hooked after my first class. I have had many teachers who have been trained by well-known yoga masters. They have all had different styles and techniques, which broadened my knowledge of yoga. I am certified through the yoga alliance 200 hour teacher training program.
Erin Lane
Erin Lane began practicing yoga as a way to enhance her capabilities as a dancer. After shortly realizing its benefits not only in dance but in life, she carried yoga with her on all of her endeavors. Erin graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.F.A. in Dance in 2007. While at U.T., she studied Pilates, anatomy, Floor Barre, and the Feldenkrais Method among continuing her technique classes and exploration of yoga. Erin has danced nationally and internationally in Washington D.C., New York, Austria, Guatemala, and in many parts of Mexico where she also trained at La Escuela Profesional de Danza de Mazatlán. Since joining the Yoga Island team in November 2009, Erin has become certified in Zumba! and teaches the core strengthening class, Sculpt and Stretch.
"when i let go of what i am, i become what i might be." -lao tzu
Karla Meyer
If you can breath, you can do yoga. T. Krishnamacharya
Karla's teaching, training and personal practice is based on the Eight Limbs of yoga. The eight limbs are about more than just asanas. Just as you can't cut off an arm and expect it to function, it is difficult to do only asanas and expect the most from your yoga practice. Asanas, breathing, meditation, bandhas, the Yoga Sutras, yamas, niyamas are all ways to unite your mind and body with your deepest self and to begin your transformation. Come as you are. All are welcome. You do not need to be flexible to do yoga, but yoga will make your mind and body flexible. It will heal your mind, body and spirit. Join us as we learn to live in awareness, be fully present in our bodies and nurture our practice on and off the mat.
Shanna Nasche~200-RYT
For most of her adult life, Shanna was a “weekend warrior” jogging on the weekends and sitting in an office during the week (with a few aerobics classes here and there). She remembers attending her first class, a simple Hatha yoga practice one evening in February 1998. “I’ve been intrigued and hooked ever since. The next day, muscles were sore in places I didn’t realize I had activated.” Shanna practiced Ashtanga yoga for about five years with a seasoned instructor who had studied with Pattabhi Jois in India. When she moved to Highland Village from Dallas in 2003, “I couldn’t find a studio with the level of teaching I had previously experienced.” After several attempts to find a new yoga home, Shanna joined Yoga Island in 2005 and was introduced to Vinyasa. “I love the creativity in vinyasa. It opened my mind and body to a new level of possibilities.” To share her passion and love for yoga, she completed the yogi development in 2009. “I hope my students find a similar sense of accomplishment and wonder at what they experience on the mat, whether in body, mind or spirit.”
Shanna’s quest for learning new aspects of “all things yoga” continues to blossom. She’s had the privilege of attending workshops with Bryan Kest and Rod Stryker and immersing herself in all sorts of yogic philosophies at the 2011 Texas Yoga Conference. During the week, Shanna is a mental health counselor and incorporates relaxation techniques and meditation to help her clients cultivate ways to manage anxiety and anger.
Billie Jo Neubauer~LMT, 200 ERYT
Billie Jo is a certified Yoga Alliance teacher and has taken classes, workshops & intensives led by gifted teachers such as Amy Weintraub, Susi Hately Aldous and Shakta Kaur Khalsa. Bj is also certified as a LifeForce Yoga® Practitioner and Breathe Into Recovery™ Instructor. She’s currently working toward a 500hr certification exploring the profound effect yoga has on the well being as it relates to people living with addictions, anxiety & depression.
On the more personal side of things …..when she isn’t teaching yoga or providing massages, Billie Jo’s interests include Stephen Minister Training, Ayurvedic studies, cooking, gardening, aromatherapy, attending yoga workshops, music, reading, hiking, skiing and horseback riding.
Pam Ryan~200 ERYT
My yoga practice began as a means of recovery from a lengthy battle with kidney disease to which I lost my right kidney. The physical restrictions of my illness left me with minimal muscle strength and virtually no endurance. Not only did yoga help me build up physical strength and endurance, but the power of meditation helped me to release years of stress, fear and doubt. Leaving fear and doubt behind, I was able to give up my 20 year desk job in the legal field to pursue a dream career in sports massage. Yoga taught me to dream big, and that belief led me on an incredible journey, working with Olympic Gold Medalist gymnasts Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin as well as Bradie James, veteran linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, among others. Now, it is my passion to help others help themselves.
Arpita Shah ERYT 200 RYT 500
Arpita Shah, RYT 500, was born in India and came to the United States when she was 18 years old. She was raised in a traditional Hindu family, where chanting, kirtan and meditation were part of her daily rituals. Arpita's first introduction to asana practice came from her Grandfather, her Guruji. She started her asana practice under his guidance and it became her daily ritual. In 2008 she decided to take it a step further and did her 200 hour teacher training with Purple Lotus Yoga. Arpita is a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and has had the privilege of studying under very talented international teachers such as Rod Stryker, Dharma Mittra, Judith Lasater, Leslie Kaminoff, Doug Keller and Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
For Arpita, yoga is not just a form of exercise but a path towards a better life. She believes that yoga helps clear the clutter of daily modern life and develops an awareness to get in touch with our inner selves. Arpita’s yoga classes are designed and based on this philosophy. She provides a fun-filled environment where each participant is encouraged and empowered to learn and grow. Her classes offer an alignment-focused asana practice combined with chanting, pranayama and meditation. One of her favorite quotes from the Bhagavad Gita says it all: "Yoga karmas kaushalam," which means, "Yoga is relaxation in action and efficiency in the outcome."
Arpita has a BS degree in Nutrition and an MBA from Texas Woman's University. She loves to travel and has had the privilege to visit countries in Asia and Europe, as well as North and South America. In her spare time, she enjoys chanting, meditating, reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their beloved dog, Simba.
Cathy Shepherd~200-RYT
For nearly 32 years, I’ve been involved in the fitness industry. Most of it teaching about every kind of aerobics known to man, 8 yrs. as an international presenter, featured in industry magazines and videos, with just a little dabbling of yoga. Ten years of that time I was also a body wear designer both for my own company and free lance. I had a high impact – hip hop til you drop personality. Well, in 1996 I dropped and settled into just personal training but I really missed teaching. Finally, nine years later, an industry friend persuaded me to practice yoga and wow, I loved it. That same friend convinced me to go through yogi development here at Yoga Island and I completed the certification in Jan. 2006. Since then I’ve taken workshops with Seane Corne, Rod Stryker, Wade Morrisette, Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste and would love to go to Costa Rica for a yoga retreat.
You may have guessed already, I’m ADD (just a little). Since there’s so much to Yoga, I can’t get bored. I love it all. The poses, the teaching styles, the music and ability to be creative, the mind/body connection. It amazes me the infinite ways the body can interconnect. Yoga to me is a beautiful dance on and off the mat. A dance that can be practiced anywhere at anytime with the divine who is within all of us. It is truly life enhancing, inspiring and uplifting. When you leave your mat an aura surrounds your “self” and infiltrates everyone you come in contact with. That is the blessing of yoga. (of course it helps if you’re practicing on a motu in Tahiti!)
Favorite mantra: Commit to uncertain outcomes with an open heart and an open mind.
Maria Shubert~200-ERYT
When I first took yoga, I was living in Rhode Island back in 2004. The class was in the High School hallway in the winter, it was cold. No props, no heat, no music, just my mat, I fell in love with it. Just two months into my yoga practice my husband decided to move the family to Texas. I did not find myself on the mat until I took Yoga Island’s yogi development back in 2006. I was the worst in the class, stiff as a rock, my back pain was unbearable, and I had a sinus infection every other week. Even after all the running I did and weight training, I could not do a push up or a downward dog. Every pose was hard, every pose was painful, and my mind said yes to the postures my body said no. I had no mental connection to my body. I did not know how to roll my shoulders back or stack them or bring my pelvis forward or so many other things. I am a determined person, disciplined, and mentally strong so I decided not to give up but climb the mountain. I practiced everyday with pain and joy, I could not quit. After three months my body was in better shape, my back hurt less, I could do more and so I kept going. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for now four years. I still make it to my practice at least four times a week.
Yoga to me is the best physical and mental work out there is. It will strengthen your body and mind. Through yoga, I will teach you to cultivate compassion, kindness, curiosity, and a gentle-heart on your mat, and who knows, you might just find yourself practicing those qualities outside of your mat.
Vibha Sood ~ Ayurveda
Vibha Sood is a certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. She is trained in ayurvedic cooking and pulse diagnosis. Her journey towards ayurveda , yoga , meditation and other healing practices started more than 5 years ago. She has a passion to create awareness about ayurveda and heal people by restoring physical , mental and spiritual balance. Some of the initiatives that she is currently involved for last two years include (a) Conducting seminars on bringing ayurveda in everyday life (b) Teaching Yoga to young children. In addition to the above she is devoted to learn and promote this ancient healing science. She holds a degree in software Engineering and has worked with different IT companies for 15 years.
Jean Wilbert~ 200-RYT
After being a hair stylist for 28 years , Jean Wilbert’s body had taken a toll and this is what led her to yoga. She practiced for six years until eventually becoming a certified teacher at The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2007. She began with Power Yoga and as her love for the yoga community blossomed as well as her desire to help and teach people she discovered that that practice of Yinyasa, or Yin Yoga, was where her heart was. Her next step is to go back to school to broaden her practice and become certified in Therapeautic Yoga. Her mantra in life is, “ You are right where you should be” which is one reason that made her move to Dallas, Texas in 2008 so joyful. She is grateful every day for her life and she has her husband, three children and her students that come to their mats every week to thank for that.
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