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Meet your instructors

Rachel Lawrence-Mor

Studio Owner

I was born in Oklahoma. Both sides of my family came to Indian Territory in the 1860’s. They were teachers, doctors and saddle makers. I assume they were seeking to find their place in the world and a good life. Me too. I am a mother, wife, lawyer and yoga student.I  began practicing yoga and meditation in 1971 because I really needed it. I had panic attacks which were making my life small. I had difficulty living within my body and mind.  With the urging of my brother, I moved to California and studied with yoga master Baba Hari Dass, who with the Hanuman Fellowship, created the wonderful  Mount Madonna Yoga Center. I began teaching yoga to high school students in 1978. When I began to practice yoga, I don’t recall that we put names to a particular practice. In any event, I have studied Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Restorative, Kundalini, and Yoga Nidra.  I intend to continue to deepen my yoga practice. I do yoga and meditation today because I still really need it.

Emily Naifeh

Studio Manager

Experience the perfect balance of rejuvenation and connection in Emily's yoga classes. Her thoughtful sequencing and heartfelt approach create an inviting atmosphere, while restorative poses and mindful breathwork ensure you leave feeling both revitalized and deeply peaceful. When she's not teaching yoga posture classes, Emily leads community members through transformational yoga circles once a month which cover the history and philosophy of the ancient yoga practice, guiding students to take their yoga off the mat and into daily life. You can also attend one of her sound bath experiences to find profound stillness within. Her extensive knowledge and experience include earning over a decade of yoga experience, over 500 hours of yoga training, working in yoga studio management for 3rd Street Yoga, directing the Edmond chapter of Yoga in the Park: a volunteer-led program providing free yoga to the public, and leading classes for the Metropolitan Library System. Whether you’re practicing for mental, physical, or spiritual health, Emily is ready to hold space for you. Emily is also available for private one-on-one or private group classes upon request.

Oklahoma Events, Oklahoma Meditation, Oklahoma Yoga, Downtown Edmond Events, Downtown Edmond Businesses
Oklahoma Realty, Yoga Teahcher, Edmond Realty, Downtown Edmond Oklahoma

Lisa Hashemi

Yoga Instructor

Lisa has been practicing yoga since 1999 and started practicing at 3rd Street Yoga in 2003. She started a regular yoga practice after the birth of her children finding that with a regular yoga practice she had much less pain with her neck and back as well as finding a great sense of peace and calm. Lisa finished her 200 hour RYT teacher training with Karen Prior-Samatva Yoga in June of 2009. She finished the program with over 280 hours of training. Lisa teaches Samatva, to find your inner state of harmony and balance. Contact her for private lessons or pelvic floor evaluations.

405-503-7522

Kristi Roy

Yoga Instructor

I've been teaching yoga since 2015.

 

I found yoga because of my scoliosis and back pain. I stayed because of the spirituality and as a result, I transformed my life into one that I love living.

Trauma informed Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Oklahoma

Allix Stewart

Yoga Instructor

My very first yoga class was at 3rd Street as a teenager, so I’m grateful to have come full circle in my yoga practice! I earned my 200hr in 2020 under the Akhanda lineage - since then, I have accumulated over 1000 hours of teaching experience with additional training in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, and Gentle Somatic Yoga. 

 

I primarily provide yoga to children and teenagers receiving inpatient mental healthcare, which complements my profesional history in advocacy and victim services. I earned my MA in Social Justice & Human Rights in 2022 with a focus in critical trauma studies and social work, and have extensive experience working with vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum seekers, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and LGBTQ youth. 

 

I firmly believe that yoga should be available to everyone, regardless of income or accessibility. My practice has made a profound impact on my life and I’m grateful to be able to hold space for students inside and outside of 3rd Street!

Shana Anderson

Yoga Instructor

I am a retired Addiction Counselor and Anger Management Specialist. I utilized Yoga, Pranayama, and Vipassana Meditation to treat my clients in my private practice. I found this approach to be very effective, especially when other modalities had failed. I have practiced Yoga for many years. My journey with Yoga and Meditation has assisted me with numerous personal tragedies, self-esteem, and courage. I decided to become a teacher in 2013. I received my 200-hour certification at Spring Stone Yoga. I then went on to complete my 500-hour and beyond certification from Etowah Valley Yoga. I feel I have found my tribe at 3rd Street Yoga and I look forward to teaching and learning in this beautiful space.

Nonheated Yoga Edmond Oklahoma
Gentle Somatic Yoga

Laughlin Dibble-Banaszak

Yoga Instructor

Laughlin has been practicing yoga for a decade and teaching for the past 5 years in Georgia, Germany, California, and now in Oklahoma. Her love affair with yoga began as a recommendation from her South Asian doctor to try yoga to help with anxiety. She received her teacher training certificate from the Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville in 2018 and has been teaching group classes, private sessions, and working with the military ever since. Her classes include meditation, breathwork, yoga philosophy, and movement and are for beginners and long-time practitioners alike! Her goal is to help as many people as possible integrate yoga into their daily lives mindfully and with knowledge and reverence for all the tradition has to offer. Available for private sessions/events.

703-508-6214

Cheryl Mason

Yoga Instructor

RYT500, YACEP, GSY-Faculty

I have been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. I received my RYT200 with Integrative Yoga Therapy and my RYT 300 with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy, and I have been blessed to study with a variety of leaders in the yoga therapy arena. I am also a Yoga Alliance Continued Education provider.  In 2016 I became interested in the many facets of Somatics. Somatics refers to the lived experience of the body, and the conscious exploration of bodily sensations, movement, and perception. I am a level 3 Gentle Somatic Yoga Practitioner and a faculty for Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY). Gentle Somatic Yoga is a profound way to unlock old patterns of holding stress and pain in our bodies and I have experienced this freedom in my own body. I consider
it a privilege to help others find freedom in their bodies. I am continuing my education in the fascinating area of Somatics and l am currently
studying Neurogenic Yoga and Trauma and Tension Release (TRE). I love to blend all the facets of yoga in classes that are designed to meet the needs of
the students, including but not limited to asanas, somatic movement flows, pranayama and guided meditations.

Edmond Oklahoma Somatic Yoga teacher
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Edmond Oklahoma Yoga Teacher

Margie Owen

Yoga Instructor

I've been teaching fitness for 36 years.  Throughout the years, I've taught a variety of formats, including step, power pump, and kickbox. I have always enjoyed guiding people and helping them attain their strength and fitness goals.   While recovering from a back injury in 2015,  I realized how healing yoga was and decided I wanted to add yoga to the mix.  I completed my 200-hour training at 405 in 2019.  
I'm a wife (40 years), mom, Mimi (4 grandkids), and nurse. I love my family and friends, being outside, and challenging myself.  

Jennifer Graham

Yoga Instructor

My journey to a healthier life began in 2019, weighing in at 264 pounds. I started actively watching my diet, training with a personal trainer, and have lost 110 pounds over the last 5 years. This became my inspiration to become a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and most recently completed my 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification. Yoga has been a wonderful addition to my workout routine. Exercise is great but we must also learn to counterbalance that with rest. Our bodies need to be allowed to come to a place of stillness so they can heal. Yoga has offered that to me and I hope to share that with others

Yoga teacher Edmond Oklahoma
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Chris Freels

Yoga Instructor

Bio coming soon.

Dana Theobald

Substitute Yoga Instructor

Breathwork Event Edmond Oklahoma
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