Team YogaSport
Instructors: Angela • Samantha • Ashlie • Becca • Kelly • Natalie • Shannon D
Manager: Petri
Assistants: Karen • Shannah • Brennan • Patrick • Shannon G • Evelyn • Morgan •
Molly • Whitney • Stacy
ANGELA WAGNER grew up playing sports and taught group fitness classes after college but thought she was entirely too intense for yoga. When the stress of her job took over, she found her way to a gym yoga class. She enjoyed the stretching but still felt antsy and unsettled in class. A year later, her mom told her about her Baptiste trained yoga teacher back in Boston. She said, "Angela you have to try this style, it's amazing. Trust me, you will love it." As moms often are, she was right. Angela immediately found a Baptiste teacher in Dallas and dedicated herself to learning the practice to help heal her depression and anxiety. She began teaching yoga in fitness centers and in 2003, she attended Level One Teacher Training Bootcamp with Baron Baptiste. She attended Level Two Bootcamp in 2005 and 2007 and is a Certified Baptiste Instructor. In 2004, she opened YogaSport and dedicated her life to teaching others to find their authentic selves through this practice.
"I love this practice because it's for real people with real struggles. It's not for the fancy and bendy people and it's not trendy (because I am definitely not fancy, bendy or trendy!); it's just real. Every class challenges me in a different way, and unlike any other style I have tried, it feeds me mentally and has helped me grow into a person I truly love. With much tough love, my classes will help you move through your life with more ease and grace. If we are willing to put in the work, we have everything we need to make the changes we want in our lives. It really doesn't get much better than this!"
Angela holds a Bachelors Degree from Trinity University. She is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance, a 500 Hour Certified Baptiste Instructor and the Director of the YogaSport Teacher Training Program. She continues to grow her Baptiste practice by assisting Baron at his Teacher Training Bootcamps and Personal Revolution Weekends. Angela also received her Yoga Life Coach Certification in the Summer of 2010 and currently works with private and group clients.
SAMANTHA MABRY was a casual yoga practitioner in the Metroplex throughout college, but it wasn't until moving to Boston for graduate school and discovering Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, that she realized what a serious yoga practice could do to transform all aspects of her life.
"I had the choice to devote my life to the stuff going on in my head, stubbornly sticking to a safe, planned-out path I thought would bring me all the fruits of life, or move out of my head, take a chance, make a change, and discover true happiness. This is what I am learning: a good life is about laughing, loving, and having faith in the universe. It took me a long time to realize this, given that the only reason I took my first yoga class was because I couldn't touch my toes."
Samantha attended Baron's Personal Revolution Weekend in Dallas in November of 2006, Level One Teacher Training in Hawaii in February of 2007 and Level Two Teacher Training in Montana in June of 2008. Samantha is a Certified Baptiste Instructor.
In addition, Samantha holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Southern Methodist University and an M.A. in English from Boston College and teaches college-level composition. She wrote an article, "Far From the Maddening Crowd," about her move from Boston to Lubbock, TX that appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of Yoga Journal.
ASHLIE BROOKHART MCGILL fell in love with yoga while working the check-in desk at a small studio in West Hollywood in 2000. When she moved back to Dallas a year later she practiced with Jessica Young, who introduced her to Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa Flow. Ashlie was drawn to the idea of yoga’s transformative energy and the authentic lifestyle that yoga encourages and urges each person to find within his or herself.
She is truly grateful for heart-opening vinyasas, and she digs a powerful class. Ashlie attended Baron Baptise Level 1 Teacher Training in Maya Tulum in October 2006 and Level 2 in Montana in September 2007. Ashlie has also attended workshops with Julie Boyd, Denise Cook, Kendall Inman, Leslie Munday, Rod Stryker, and Jessica Young. Ashlie is currently an Associate Baptiste Instructor.
When BECCA ZAFAR first started taking yoga classes in college, she had no idea how important the practice would become in her life.
As a way to 'mix up' her existing exercise routine, she enrolled in a few classes, but it wasn't until Becca moved to Dallas after graduation that she discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa at YogaSport. She quickly fell in love with the invigorating and calming practice. BPVY was like nothing she had ever experienced - it was as challenging as it was rewarding. The peace that she felt after practice was indescribable.
After practicing at YogaSport for a year and half, Becca and her husband moved to Indianapolis, IN. While in Indy, she continued her personal yoga practice, although she missed the BPVY style. Becca's next stop was Philadelphia, PA. She was thrilled to have moved to a city with such a great yoga offering, including Power Yoga Works, a Baptiste Affiliate. She quickly re-immersed herself into the practice and soon thereafter felt called to teach. Becca completed and received a 200-hour Power Vinyasa Yoga certification and is working to become registered with Yoga Alliance. She also attended Baron's Personal Revolution Weekend in NYC in November of 2007.
Today, Becca feels fortunate to be able to help beginners who may feel just like her several years ago as they discover what BPVY can do for their well being - at the very same studio at which she got her start! She is equally as excited to help those who are more advanced in their practice and experience, and, above all, hopes to help bring all varying students to their next level.
KELLY P MEYER has been a fitness/wellness teacher, enthusiast and leadership coach for 20 years. She found YogaSport along her fitness journey and fell in love with it.
"The YogaSport 40 Days Program really helped me sync my passion for health to my current career. I remember the day when I exhaled in Angela's class and relaxed with the thought of quitting my old career and starting with just me, my motivation and drive to be happy in a new career. So I did just that. I started my own company where I could spend 100% of my time helping others achieve wellness through fitness, yoga and healthy lifestyle choices. Yoga gives me more than muscular strength. It gives me mental strength, conviction, compassion and joy in life. Joy! That is it in a nutshell. Joy!"
Kelly is the Team Lead of the YogaSport Assistant Team and received her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification through the YogaSport Yoga School. Kelly attended Baron Baptiste's Level One Teacher Training Bootcamp in July of 2010 and Level Two in September of 2011. She is also certified in Group Exercise through AFAA. She holds her (PHR) Professional Human Resources certification and has a BS in Management Science and Computer Systems from Oklahoma State University.
NATALIE PARSLEY's first taste of yoga was in college while pursuing her degree in Kinesiology. Being a self-proclaimed busy body, she did not like any part of the “be still and focus stuff” that her yoga teachers asked of her. She completed her degree in 2005 and never really thought about yoga after she took the required yoga class in college. After graduating, she pursed a non-fitness related corporate career that she thought she loved, but in reality was making her crazy and incredibly unhealthy.
“My best friend kept asking me to go to this yoga class with her at the gym and I kept telling her ‘I can’t do yoga’, ‘I don’t like yoga’, ‘I don’t have time for yoga,’ excuses and more excuses. Finally in March of 2007, I went to class with her. Two months later, I lost my job and this is when yoga really changed me. I had stayed so busy for so long that I had no idea how great it can be to just be in the moment, connect with your breath and empty your mind. At this point I went back to my fitness roots and began personal training. I really loved my career change but something kept tugging at me to go back to school. I looked at a variety of different things for months, time and time again kept coming back to yoga. I mentioned going to a teacher training program to my teacher Joseph and he highly recommended YogaSport's program. The rest is history."
SHANNON DOBLER started to practice yoga in the summer of 2006. However, it only recently has become a consistent part of her everyday life. Typically, she’d go to a class, feel great and then life would sneak up and throw a curveball to falter her routine. Feeling strong and in control, Shannon would let herself skip a class or two, which inevitably turned into a week, and most likely create a hiatus lasting a month, maybe two. Before long, Shannon found herself feeling sluggish, clouded, and unhappy. This lackluster lifestyle would inevitably last until she was drawn back to the one thing that makes her feel strong, clear, and confident – her yoga mat. Admittedly, she can still find herself falling back into negative patterns, but she believes that because of yoga and the community at YogaSport, she is quicker to identify those patterns that only deter her from living her life the way she intends to – confident, strong, and centered. She thinks that this is why they call it ‘practice’ and is relieved that she is not expected to ‘get it right’ the first time. Shannon completed her 200-RYT through YogaSport Yoga School and is attending Level One with Baron Baptiste in October of 2011.
“I am constantly inspired while on my mat, and it is such an honor to share that with others as an assistant and as an instructor. I really look forward to this exciting time!!”
Studio Manager
PETRI BRILL has been a practicing yogi for over 10 years. She began her practice under Bruce Boyd in Dallas. His unique and beautiful yoga flow sparked her love, passion, and appreciation for yoga.
“Ok, let’s be real, my first class was a train wreck! My deep breathing caused me to hyperventilate. As I tried to contort my body into unnatural poses I was certain would injure me for life, the colorful language flowing through my head made a clear mind impossible. I left thinking those “blissed out” people were nuts……months later something within made me return to the mat, and this time, I got it! The very essence of my being understood why I was there and that was the day I was reintroduced to myself.”
She completed her 200-hour RYT Alpha-Omega Teacher certification training in October of 2007 under the guidance of Ro Chapa and Sheri Cherokee. Yoga has transformed her life, opened her heart, and inspired her to effect positive change in the world, one yogi at a time. She is honored to be able to guide others in their yoga practice and path. She teaches a variety of classes, including restorative, prenatal, and power vinyasa flow. She brings her passion and humor into the studio and inspires students to relax, grow, find strength, connection, and acceptance, to be in the present moment, & have fun.
Petri received a BA from St. Edward’s University and has had an eclectic career; children’s theatre teacher, television casting, a much too long stint in the corporate world, full time yoga teacher to name a few. She recently left her work with kids in the ICU at Children’s Medical Center Dallas to join the YogaSport community as manager of the studio. She is thrilled and honored to be a part of such a wide array of yogis who get it too! If you have any questions or feedback regarding the studio or membership please contact Petri at yogaadvisor@gmail.com
Teacher Assistants
Our assistants are YogaSport Certified Teacher
Assistants (YSCTA) and have successfully completed a rigorous four phase Teacher Assistant
Program (TAP).
For years, KAREN DELEON had friends and coworkers who would talk about practicing yoga. "It always seemed like I would respond: 'Maybe I should try that!' But then I never would. About three years ago, though, I finally did. A close friend told me about a small yoga studio he found in East Dallas, and I decided to try the beginners class. It's hard to explain, but the energy and feelings that were present during and after the class was unlike anything I had experienced before. Sadly, that studio closed, and I was forced to search for another studio close to home. That's when I found YogaSport.
"I began to practice a few times a week and quickly discovered I could not get enough. The practice and the fundamental teachings that yoga provided me was quickly seeping off my mat and into my life. It was a very exciting time!"
In 2008, Karen attended an Ashtanga based retreat at Lake Atlitlan, Guatemala, which was a week-long experience that she'll never forget. In 2009, the practice took on a bigger role in Karen's life than she would've ever imagined: she attended the Teacher's Assistant Program at YogaSport. In the Summer of 2011, she studied under Angela Wagner and completed the 200 Hour Teacher Training Program at YS. Yoga has become a constant in Karen's life and has given her stability, strength, and the knowledge that every day is a different experience on and off the mat. What was yesterday is not necessarily today or tomorrow. One must accept oneself in the state of today. To be present in the moment; that's easier said than done!
SHOSHANNAH FRANK began practicing yoga in 2002 and continued to casually explore her practice until 2007. In 2008 when the stresses of life and excess weight became unmanageable, Shannah found that a consistent yoga practice was exactly what she needed to balance the physical and mental challenges she was facing. In 2009, with the encouragement of Angela, Shannah completed YogaSport’s TAP program and began assisting. Originally, Shannah participated in the TAP program to enhance her knowledge of postures and alignment for herself but finished the program inspired and excited to assist others find strength ease in their own practice.
"The community at YogaSport is so amazing. The support from the teachers and students extends well beyond the confines of your mat or the studio. In the past two years, I have learned to face many fears, let go of my ego on the mat and learned to laugh at myself during my practice.”
BRENNAN CROUCH began her Baptiste practice in 2002 in Boston. She came to the practice looking for a way to relieve back pain and ultimately found an authentic way of living. After joining Yogasport in 2008 she really began to develop a passion for the practice. She began assisting in 2009 and has found that both the physical and spiritual sides of her practice have intensified. Through assisting Brennan hopes to help others find their spiritual and physical strength.
PATRICK ERIN DENIS found yoga in November of 2010 while searching for a way out of a 12 year bout of substance abuse. Knowing he needed a change in his life, Patrick had no idea how to even take the first step. After seeking advice from his doctor, he decided to give yoga a try.
“Anytime someone had talked about yoga, all I could picture was weirdo hippie mystics sitting Indian style and chanting. At this point in my life, I was pretty much willing to try anything. It was in my first class that I realized there was something to this and I've been completely sober ever since. Through the practice of yoga, I began to understand the true powers and strengths that we all have inside us that are just waiting to be released. When I attended the YSYS 200 RYT, these strengths and truths became a reality and I knew I had found my calling in life.”
Patrick completed his 200 RYT through YogaSport and is in the process of completing his YSYS Assistant training. He is currently teaching yoga classes at Pine Street Rehabilitation Center in Fort Worth, giving back what the yoga community has given him. His life is now committed to teaching this beautiful practice and sharing these awesome tools with everyone who comes into his life.
SHANNON GRAVES began practicing yoga in 2008. She had never been “athletic” and despite a desire to be stronger and healthier, no workout plan was able to hold her interest for long. After practicing yoga for a few months at other local studios, Shannon attended Dallas’ Free Day of Yoga at YogaSport and had a completely new experience. The class was incredibly challenging and she HATED being asked to do things she felt were impossible. But for some reason, she kept coming back. She found that a regular practice helped put her, and the challenges she was facing, into perspective.
“When I began practicing yoga, my goal was simply to become stronger and more fit. The chants and the yoga lingo were unfamiliar to me. Practice? What are we practicing for? But over time the benefits that I felt from each class opened my mind and heart to a more spirit-driven world. I came to see my “practice” as real practice for life off the mat. Through the guidance of teachers and assistants, I identified unhealthy patterns in my thoughts and actions and saw how they limited my growth. And though it is a daily effort, by pushing my limits, I have begun to see how it is possible to exceed my own expectations for myself.”
In 2010, Shannon began the TAP program in order to learn more about the alignment and function of yoga and to further her personal practice. But, after completing the training, she felt empowered to assist others in their own discovery of yoga.
EVELYN ROLAND's first came to yoga after a devastating knee injury left her in constant pain, frustrated, depressed and convinced that there was no way to get back to ‘normal’. Her parents had been practicing Baptiste Power Vinyasa at YogaSport and loving it. They finally convinced her to give it a try. In her desperation, she agreed and started with the 4 Week Beginner Series. She noticed such a significant improvement in her knee after even those first eight classes that she immediately signed up and has never looked back. Not only is she no longer in pain, she is stronger and more flexible than she was before the injury. In addition to the physical benefits, the emotional benefits have not been lost on her either.
“The idea of sitting still for even 15 minutes just freaked me out. I NEVER sit still, not even when I’m watching TV or reading a book. I’m always doing two or three things at once. And I’m sure you’ve never seen anybody more fidgety in Half-Pigeon! But after a few months (and the 40 days program), I really did start to see the benefits of taking those moments to get more centered and more focused both on and off my mat. It is something that is still a struggle for me but one that I want to continue to work on. I have also noticed that my patience (or lack of patience), particularly at work, is improving as well. I spend less of my time every day feeling angry and reacting to every little thing that doesn’t go ‘my way’. That stuff just doesn’t bother me as much anymore (most days). It’s so not important in the grand scheme of things, and that is so much easier to see when you take time on your mat every day to ….let …go…."
You can find Evelyn at the front desk most evenings. She completed the Art of Assisting Workshop in September 2010 and currently assists weekly practices.
MORGAN MARTINDALE began her yoga practice at YogaSport in January of 2010. She felt content with her workout routine of cycling and running and knew yoga was the next thing she wanted to give a try. Little did she know, she would participate twice in the 40 Days to a Personal Revolution. Her fiance didn’t know that he would be subjected to a fruit feast multiple times either!
"I walked into YogaSport with the intention of trying it out for 30 days. From there I would visit other local studios to compare and see if yoga was something I wanted to really do. YogaSport has become another home for me…I didn’t check out other studios! As much as I love watching the sun rise cycling and running, my yoga practice provides another level that is beyond the physical strength. Each practice is a growth and awareness of my true self. There is a passion within me to deepen my practice and give back to my YogaSport community. I love participating in all of Angela’s challenges and it’s more than just placing fun stickers. We motivate and support one another."
Morgan attended the Art of Assisting Workshop in June of 2011 as well as an Injury Prevention Workshop with Dr. T in July of 2011. She looks forward to participating in the 200 Hour YogaSport Yoga School in the summer of 2012.
MOLLY MARANTZ grew up as an Equestrian in New York and resisted yoga until she moved to Dallas for college. She started sporadically attending yoga classes when she was a freshman, however, it wasn’t until her senior year when a shoulder injury spiraled out of control that she became a dedicated practitioner and fell in love with yoga. She loved the physical and mental challenge that yoga never failed to provide for her. When the stress of being a college student would creep up on her, she turned to yoga for the feelings of freedom and relaxation. Throughout college, yoga pushed Molly to a new level of mind/body awareness and she has never felt more alive both on and off the mat. Molly came to YogaSport for the first time about a year ago when she was feeling homesick and instantly felt at home when she walked through the studio door.
“YogaSport has truly been my home away from home. There is such a strong sense of community at YogaSport that I couldn’t help but feel loved when I walked through the door.”
Molly is currently enrolled in the YogaSport Assistant Training Program and is on the path to obtaining her 200-RYT through the YogaSport Yoga School. She is looking forward to spreading the gift of yoga through assisting and teaching!
WHITNEY YELM discovered power yoga almost four years ago when she sustained an injury while training for the Austin Marathon. She couldn’t not exercise, so she decided to give yoga a try.
“I fell in love immediately and couldn’t get enough. I found that power yoga provided me with the same physical benefits that running did, while at the same time allowing me space to clear my mind and live in the moment."
After talking to so many people about how yoga has changed her life, she decided that she wanted to inspire others in the ways that she has been inspired. She found YogaSport while researching 200-Hour Teacher Training Programs in the Dallas area. She attended a Teacher Training Open House with Angela and instantly knew that she had found her new home.
“The community at YogaSport is unbelievably strong, supportive, and loving. I am proud to be a part of it."
Whitney has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Florida. She is currently in the process of completing her 200-RYT and Assistant Training through YogaSport Yoga School.
STACY SHEPHERD began her yoga practice when another friend who loved to dance invited her to an Iyengar class 25 years ago. She was attracted by the discipline and physicality of the practice and quickly dived into a regular practice, attending several workshops led by BKS Iyengar.
“As I married, continued to run my own company and had my first child, I found it really difficult to keep up with my personal practice, sleep seemed much more valuable to me and it was so easy to put the baby in the baby-jogger and go for a run.” Every now and then she would practice by herself at home. “I was too embarrassed to go back to a class…after all I had such a strong practice before, my ego kept me from showing up where anyone might see me practicing.”
Eventually she found her way to a gym and it was through her resistance-weight training there, that a chance meeting with the yoga instructor at the club caused her to drop into her first Power Vinyasa class. She was hooked, and after the instructor she had then been practicing with for three years decided to move on, her co-practitioners asked her to take over the class. She obtained her first 200RYT certificate in 2006, and began teaching, obtaining her second 200RYT in 2008.
It was through her teacher training that she first heard of Baron Baptiste and attended and Immersion weekend in 2009 – going in blindly with no previous Baptiste exposure, the weekend rocked her world and her practice. She went on to complete the Level I Baptiste teacher training in 2010 and vowed to find the Baptiste community in Dallas when she returned home.
“Even though I knew YogaSport was right around the corner from my office, I still couldn’t seem to fit it in to my regular routine! It wasn’t until I received a newsletter announcing the 30-day challenge at YogaSport that I finally found an incentive to help me change my habits and start a regular Baptiste Practice – even though I had been teaching the Baptiste Power Vinyasa for nearly a year!”
She completed the Level II Baptiste Teacher Training in 2011, recently completed the “40 Days” workshop, is enrolled in “Spark” and completed her Assisting training in September, 2011.
“There is nothing like the community I find at YogaSport – I have finally found my yoga home!”
