Sarla Nichols

Sarla is the founder and director of Midtown Yoga. The studio has flourished since she opened the doors in May 2001. Yoga students from all corners of Shelby County and the surrounding area can be found practicing there on any given day.

Sarla’s love for yoga and commitment to her students permeate the studio and keep it humming. Her commitment to the community is reflected by the large staff of certified teachers at Midtown Yoga and the nearly 50 classes offered there each week.

Sarla has been practicing yoga for 25 years and teaching for 14. Her instruction is clear, confident and compassionate. Her passion for yoga and for teaching is almost palpable, “I love this practice and credit it in no small part with saving my life. I consider the seat of the teacher a place of honor and responsibility. I hope that through my teaching I can pass on to others what my teacher, Rod Stryker, has given me.”

Sarla's classes:

Monday

05:30pm - 06:40pm Vinyasa and Meditation - Level I and II

Tuesday

05:30pm - 06:45pm Vinyasa - All Levels

Wednesday

05:30pm - 07:00pm NEW Vinyasa and Meditation - All Levels

Thursday

12:00pm - 01:00pm Vinyasa - Level II and III

Saturday

10:15am - 11:15am Vinyasa for Beginners - level I

11:30am - 12:45am Vinyasa, Pranayama & Meditation, all levels

Sunday

09:00am - 10:15am Vinyasa for Beginners - level l - pay what you can

10:30am - 12:15am Vinyasa, Pranayama & Meditation, all levels

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Kathy Fish

A financial planner, business owner, wife and mother, Kathy Fish is also a devoted yogini who relishes her early morning classes at Midtown Yoga. Her students are equally enthusiastic about their practice with Kathy.

“Yoga has helped me bring balance to a very hectic life. I know about multi-tasking, and am so grateful for yoga – and for the opportunity to share something I love with others.”

Kathy teaches with humor, compassion and grace. Her attention to the subtleties of correct alignment helps her students to both deepen and refine their yoga practices.

Kathy's classes:

Monday

07:00am - 08:00am Rise and Shine - All Levels

Wednesday

07:00am - 08:00am Rise and Shine - All Levels

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Yolandrea Clark

From her first yoga class, Yolandrea felt an instant shift in her total awareness and considers yoga to be perfect for simultaneous nourishment of the mind, body and spirit. She enjoys sharing her passion for yoga with others and employs a three-dimensional approach to teaching, by incorporating breath awareness, physical alignment and yogic philosophy in each class.

She has attended workshops with Rodney Yee, Cyndi Lee, Jennifer Brilliant, Richard Freeman, Chris Coniaris, Hart Lazer and Shiva Rea. She has studied with Sarla Nichols since 2002.

When not on the mat, Yolandrea navigates through the world of finance as both an investment professional and an adjunct college professor. During less taxing times, Clark can be found reading or poring over a game of Scrabble.

Yolandrea's classes:

Monday

06:45pm - 07:45pm Yoga for the Buddha Body - All Levels - Pay What You Can

Wednesday

08:15pm - 09:30pm Good Vibrations - All Levels - Pay What You Can

Friday

07:15pm - 08:30pm TGIF Happy Hour - All Levels - Pay What You Can

Saturday

10:45am - 11:45am Yoga for the Buddha Body - All Levels - Pay What You Can

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Shantih Smythe

Knowledge, experience and commitment distinguish Shantih’s teaching. Her calm, down-to-earth demeanor endears her to Midtown Yoga students. Her classes are grounded in her ongoing study of anatomy and inspired by her love of movement.

“I believe that flexibility of the body brings flexibility of the mind, and that strength of the body builds confidence and creates courage both within the yoga practice and out in the world.”

Shantih’s ability to clearly relay fundamentals of the asana practice and to maintain a compassionate and supportive environment results in students that are among the most loyal at Midtown Yoga.

Shantih's classes:

Monday

10:30am - 11:45am Alignment Based Yoga - Level I

Tuesday

05:15pm - 06:15pm Alignment Based Yoga - Level I

Wednesday

10:30am - 11:30am Alignment Based Yoga - Levels I and II

05:30pm - 06:30pm Hot Yoga - ALL Levels

Friday

10:30am - 11:30am Alignment Based Yoga - Levels I and II

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Debbie Denny

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Debbie walked away from a 10 year career in gaming hospitality to teach yoga. The quote from Emerson summarizes her approach to teaching, “As we practice yoga, we learn about ourselves through the breath.” Debbie’s personal practice includes traditional asana, meditation, and breath awareness. This enriches her classes and gives her students the opportunity to deepen their own individual practices. Debbie’s classes are challenging and humorous, a true reflection of life off the mat.

Debbie's classes:

Thursday

07:00am - 08:00am Alignment Based Vinyasa - Level I and II

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Maggie Reese

Maggie’s classes invariably bear the distinctive mark of her own individualized form of instruction. She teaches from an intuitive understanding of the body. Her instruction is slow and purposeful, and skillfully weaves together poses designed to open and strengthen even the most resistant bodies.

“Yoga is an opportunity to get to know your own body at a much deeper level. I like to think of teaching as a way to help people sort of ‘come home’ to themselves.”

Maggie brings a mix of soul and teaching precision to the yoga mat, a combination that makes her classes a real treat.

Visit my website: www.maggiereese.com

Maggie's classes:

Thursday

07:00pm - 08:15pm Vinyasa - Level I and II

Sunday

04:00pm - 05:15pm Vinyasa - Level I and II

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Jimmy Lewis

Jimmy Lewis currently studies with Rod Stryker, working towards completion of Para Yoga’s nine modules of teacher training in 2009. Additionally, Jimmy has trained with a variety of teachers, including Rodney Yee, John Friend, David Swensen, Cyndi Lee, Shiva Rea, and Hart Lazer. Jimmy’s teaching style is accessible while challenging.

Jimmy's classes:

Monday

05:30pm - 06:30pm Vinyasa - All Levels

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Caroline Schmidt

Caroline is a natural vinyasa teacher, and effortlessly imparts her enthusiasm and affection for yoga. She favors creative transitions and deep opening. Her style is reminiscent of Shiva Rea, but her spirit is all her own. She is a bright light and you know it when you meet her. You’ll feel it when you come to her class.

Caroline's classes:

Monday

07:00pm - 08:15pm Vinyasa - All Levels - Pay What You Can

Tuesday

07:15am - 08:15am Yoga Sculpt - All Levels

07:00pm - 08:00pm Vinyasa - All Levels - Pay What You Can

Thursday

10:00am - 11:15am Gentle Yoga - Levels I and II

05:30pm - 06:30pm Yoga Sculpt - All Levels

Friday

05:30pm - 06:45pm Restorative - All Levels

Sunday

05:45pm - 07:00pm Vinyasa - All Levels - Community

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Sarah Ledbetter

Sarah is a dancer, filmmaker, writer, and performer. For Sarah, the practice of yoga is the most powerful means of coming home to the present, the body, the community, and the higher self. She began practicing yoga in the late 80’s and began teaching in 2001, completing further studies with Sarla in 2007. She brings both curiosity and years of experience to her ongoing teaching practice.

Sarah's classes:

Saturday

05:00pm - 06:15pm Vinyasa - Level I and II - Pay What You Can

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Gary Edge

Cultivated by years of practice in Structural Integration (blessings to Ida Rolf) and Massage Therapy, Gary brings a deep understanding of anatomy and movement to his teaching. Intrigued with the changes yoga was bringing to his SI and Massage practice, Gary decided to take his study of yoga to the next level, completing his RYT200 certification and uniting decades of sports specific stretching, transcendental meditation, and the breath. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Gary’s integrated approach is evident in his teaching and resonates with his students.

Gary's classes:

Tuesday

09:00am - 10:15am Slow Burn - All Levels

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Erin D. H. Williams

Erin’s classes are rooted in alignment, breath awareness and paying close attention to the subtle movements of the body and enjoying how great they can be. Erin’s journey into yoga began while pursuing her degree in Modern Dance. Also an equestrian enthusiast, her practice of yoga has helped to calm her nerves and loosen muscle tension when riding, the horses have greatly appreciated this.

She teaches Physical Education at Madonna Learning Center and loves helping her students find their movement. Erin feels that it is one of her life’s missions to help people reconnect with their body, the home of the mind and spirit.

Erin D. H.'s classes:

Thursday

06:00pm - 07:15pm Vinyasa - All Levels (will not meet July 2nd)

Friday

04:15pm - 05:15pm Form and Flow - Level I

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Allison Foster

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”- Gandhi. The practice of yoga produces change in the body, mind and soul. Allison approaches teaching from the heart. Her vinyasa classes begin with an intention to take the physical practice to a deeper level, combining breath with movement. Through mindful sequencing, Allison guides students through a series of poses that help to quiet the mind and restore the spirit. Allison completed her 200 hour certification with Sarla Nichols at Midtown Yoga in 2008.

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Lacy Apperson

Lacy began practicing yoga to balance the hustle and bustle of city life while living in New York. She quickly realized that the obstacles we meet on the mat are metaphors for the challenges we face in our everyday lives. If we can tap into what we learn in our practice, we are better able to stay present and calm, even during trying or uncertain times.

Yoga is the study of balance, and Lacy believes the breath is the key to finding this balance between effort and ease. Allowing the breath to lead the physical practice encourages us to stay in the precious present – after all, this moment is all we have.

Lacy completed her 200-hour certification with Sarla Nichols at Midtown Yoga, but will always consider herself a student first and foremost. For her, yoga is a lifelong journey that brings us full circle – not to a new self but rather, back to our true nature.

Lacy's classes:

Tuesday

06:00am - 07:00am Rise and Shine - All Levels

10:30am - 11:45am Slow and Steady - Level I and II

Wednesday

08:30am - 10:00am Vinyasa - All Levels

12:00pm - 01:00pm Vinyasa - All Levels

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Madeline Cotton

In 1970, Madeline purchased a small paperback book entitled “Yoga, Youth & Reincarcation.” Thus began a lifelong journey. “I really love seeing what yoga brings out in people – the openness, empathy, compassion, awareness, heart and soul. I want to expand that in myself and in the universe so that our children will inherit a better earth.”

Madeline’s direct and focused approach to her practice is reflected in her mindful, alignment-based teaching. Each class begins with breath awareness, followed by attention to the details of correct alignment, balance, strength and flexibility.

“When I practice yoga, my feelings of separateness diminish; I feel more connected. I am honored to guide a practice for others that may offer the same opportunity.”

Madeline has attended workshops with Peentz Dubble, Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Chris Coniaris and Mark Whitwell. She completed her 200-hour certification with Sarla Nichols at Midtown Yoga in 2008.

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Kathleen Hall

Kathleen's classes:

Sunday

07:00pm - 08:15pm Yin Yoga - All Levels

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Lisa Nezwaski

Lisa's classes:

Wednesday

07:00pm - 08:15pm Yoga for Cancer Patients and Caretakers - All Levels - FREE

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Grace Harwood

Poise and precision aptly describe Grace’s teaching style. A dancer for 21 years and a mother of three, she found that yoga filled the void dance left in her life and taught her how to slow down and breathe in the often chaotic routine of raising a family. Grace values the strength and beauty of Vinyasa Flow and encourages her students to find joy in their practice. Practicing with Grace (too good not to say!) is a treat not to be missed.

Grace's classes:

Monday

12:00pm - 01:00pm Flow with Grace - Level II and III

Tuesday

12:00pm - 01:00pm Flow with Grace - Level II and III

Thursday

10:00am - 11:30am Aerial Yoga (will not meet July 2nd)

Friday

08:30am - 10:00am Flow with Grace - Level III

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Leanne Thomas

Leanne found yoga through a discarded library book 13 years ago and has been practicing ever since. A natural teacher, Leanne inspires art students at St. Anne School to explore their creative potential. She offers similar opportunities to Midtown Yoga students.

“Yoga has opened my heart and soul to the possibilities of life, to things I never thought I could do. That has filtered into my creativity, art teaching and relationships. I feel open and present to the basic goodness all around me.”

Leanne’s yoga teaching style is best defined by ‘connections’. She focuses on connecting the breath with movement, making anatomical connections to promote stability, strength and proper alignment. She encourages the ultimate connection of body, mind, and spirit through meditation and restorative asana.

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Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones is especially interested in the physical and emotional changes yoga initiates. Her teaching style has been described as quietly challenging. She explores both the physical power and the transformative potential of yoga, and her classes endeavor to develop mindfulness, confidence, and compassion through an emphasis on the breath, heart, and body alignment. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Leslie began practicing yoga in earnest shortly after moving to Memphis. A lifelong athlete, Leslie grew up riding horses and ran track at the University of Arizona. She continues growing as a teacher and yogini through her own practice and attending advanced workshops.

Leslie's classes:

Saturday

08:30am - 09:45am Yoga For Life - All Levels

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Geoff Bleech

Geoff began practicing yoga in 2005. He quickly realized the positive impact, both physically and emotionally a regular yoga practice can have in ones life. “Yoga continually clears my mind and helps to add balance in my life. It’s made me a better friend, partner, employee, and citizen. I’m a stronger person because of it.”

A Graduate of Midtown Yoga’s Teacher Training program in 2007, his flowing alignment based vinyasa classes contain something for all level of students.

Geoff's classes:

Monday

09:00am - 10:15am Yoga Flow - Level II and III

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