Instructors

Question: How many yoga teachers does it take to replace a light bulb?
Answer: Only one - but he or she will need a sticky mat, an eye pillow,
a blanket, a bolster, two ropes, two belts, six assorted benches,
three weights, and a certificate.

Vlad Rangotchev, RYT - Owner/Senior Instructor New Day Yoga Studio	Vlad’s first exposure to yoga was at a very early age. He has over 12 years of continues yoga practice and over 8 years as a Yoga instructor with various studios and health clubs in the Kansas City area and has been the owner of New Day Yoga Studio since August of 2005. Some of the studios and clubs he has worked for include Quivira Health, Dales Athletic Club, Maximum Fitness, Yoga Health and Fitness Center, The Yoga Fix, Woodside Tennis and Health, Holistic Therapy and Day Spa, as well as his former studio at the Aquarius and Vulcan’s Forge and his present studio New Day Yoga. He has studied and practiced various styles of Yoga including Dynamic Vinyasa, Power, Ashtanga, and Bikram. Vlad has a BFA degree from the Kansas City Art Institute in Graphic Design and Illustration and has completed a year of his graduate degree in Computer Generated Arts from UMKC. He has experience with flexibility training, restorative training and meditation/relaxation techniques. Vlad feels strongly that your Yoga Practice should be as unique as you are. He also believes that balance, strength and flexibility are some of the most important elements of our lives. Whether you're looking for restorative training, weight control, relaxation enhancement, balance enhancement, or just to feel better about your body, Vlad can help you achieve your goals and develop more independent, productive lifestyle. We are going to allow our bodies to teach us the art of surrender in our own practice, rather than trying to impose our will on them. You can contact Vlad at (913) 897-9642 or by e-mail at VladsYoga@AOL.com to schedule an appointment.
Tung Bui, -	Born in Vietnam but raised in Kansas, Tung was introduced to yoga in 2001 and has since been practicing and studying various styles of yoga, including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Bikram, and Anusara Yoga. Tung loves learning and always makes time to spark and deepen his insight, practice and teachings of yoga through workshops, retreats and teacher trainings. He is also a certified Thai Yoga Therapy Practitioner under one of his favorite teachers Saul David Raye. See www.artofthaiyoga.com. Tung is an attentive patient teacher, teaching from the heart, enjoying this life-long journey of yoga while raising his two beautiful kids. Come immerse yourself in the present moment as you breathe Prana in Tung's uplifting Hatha Flow class, that blends dynamic flowing sequences to create inner heat along with held postures as you find balance, strength and freedom on and off the mat!
Melody A. Miller, RYT -	Melody Miller was introduced to yoga in Wichita, KS in 1978. Although life interfered, she continued to play with postures and breath until she returned to a consistent practice in 1998. Her training is in Bikram, Ashtanga and classical yoga with main teachers of Mick Goodman, Patricia Gray, Emily Darling, Karim Memi and Kathleen Kastner. Melody completed her intensive teacher training with Integrative Yoga Therapy and a year long apprenticeship with Yoga Vedanta Shala. Melody teaches vinyasa flow style with an open heart. Her approach allows yoga to be joy-filled and allows the student to open the body with a steady and comfortable approach. Melody’s love of detail has led her to pursue an additional career in Body Somatics and Energy Work. Introduced to Yoga in 1977, serious student of asana and pranayama since 1998. Studied Bikram (Hot Yoga), Ashtanga/Vinyasa Flow and classical yoga. June 2002, two week intensive teacher training in Integrative Yoga Therapy, Santa Barbara, California. March 2004 Graduated Yoga Acharia after completing a year long teacher training from Yoga Vedanta Shala. Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance 500 hours. CPR through 1/31/06. Midwest Institute of Natural Healing, Graduate 7/06 Body Somatic Therapist. Reiki II practitioner 4/05 Midwest Institute of Natural Healing, Wholistic Energy Healing Practitioner Grad 4/08
Candy McClelland, RYT -	I have practiced yoga on and off for 17 years but it wasn't until 5 years ago when I started teaching that I became much more aware and serious about it because I saw what it could do for people health wise and physically! That was when I learned that yoga 'is enough' to sculpt your body, boost your metabolism, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I began incorporating yoga into my clients workout regime as well and have seen so many physical benefits I didn't know possible, such as overall strength in the core, flexibility in the back, better posture, greater range of motion in the joints and great muscle definition in the arms, legs and shoulders. I like to teach challenging classes on a physical level. The focus of my teaching is to bring balance into people's lives through body awareness, breath, strength and flexibility. It is amazing to see how people transform on the mat. You meet beautiful people teaching yoga; students and instructors! I am certified by YogaFit; with 200 hour RYT certification. I am AFAA certified as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. I have a BA in Business, an MBA and Computer Science Masters degrees.
Lisa Sewalson -	Having been a fitness instructor for close to fifteen years now, her qualifications almost have no limits. She is AAA/ISMA certified in Yoga, Pilates, Kickboxing, Step Aerobics, Spin, and Water Aerobics. Lisa is a PACE certified instructor as well as having been certified through the Kansas City Arthritis Foundation, and has also received her certification as a Mind, Body Personal Trainer. But ask any one of her many students and they will tell you that it is Lisa’s heart for God and people that keep them coming back to class. Raised in small town Washington, Kansas, Lisa’s heritage is one where family comes first in line right after Jesus Christ. Her loyalty to those around her and her passion to help others bring balance into their own lives permeates the atmosphere at Lisa’s classes. Having personally made the grueling journey from injury and illness to health and fitness, Lisa’s struggle to stay positive and patient while she worked through the challenges of her own broken back left her with a deep compassion and understanding for those who have any physical limitations and injuries to overcome of their own. God gave me great friends who gave me the support that I truly needed. I just hope and pray that I can be that for someone else as they struggle. That is my greatest desire and where I believe God wants me at this time in my life,” says Lisa. More than an instructor, Lisa is a caregiver and a friend to all who come to know her through her classes. Lisa is also the mother of two teenage children and a glossy brown Boxer named Sadie who sits beside her in her car like a human being……maybe you have seen them pass you on Mur-Len? With no nonsense, no competition, and no judgment…..
Heather Eldridge, RYT -	It is natural to want to move your body and Yoga was the way I found to inspire that movement. Physical exercise is only one aspect of yoga, and while it definitely builds strength, flexibility and stamina, it also builds peace of mind and calming breath. I had tried many forms of exercise prior to yoga but never felt connected. Most of the time I was just dragging myself to the gym to grudgingly workout a couple of times a week, looking around at the mirrors, judging myself and others. After I took my first Ashtanga class, my perception of exercise- of my body’s desire for physical movement- changed. I had done very little yoga prior to that day and the class was quite challenging, but afterwards my inner body was at peace. I woke up the next morning and reworked my schedule so that I could take Ashtanga again. Before a daily Yoga practice, I was like so many people. I was over-worked, over-stressed, over-weight, self-conscience and in chronic pain. My Yoga Journey has been both physically and mentally rewarding as one by one, each of my stresses began to dissolve. My goal as a teacher is to create an environment that allows each student to experience their own potential for growth as they embark on their individual journey, allowing a connection between the mind and the body, the breath and the spirit, the movement and the stillness. I enjoy teaching all styles of yoga because each style has unique benefits and personal meaning. I have completed my 200 Hour Registered Yoga Training with Yoga Fit and am registered 200 Hours with Yoga Alliance.
Jim Graham -	I began practicing yoga at 54 years old. I have been an avid participant of sports all my life and experienced a succession of injuries. I have had injuries of the knees, elbows, neck, ankles, feet, pulled and stained muscles along with chronic tension in neck and shoulders. I began practicing yoga when I could not overcome some of these injuries through medical help or message therapy. Within the first few minutes that I followed instruction on a yoga DVD I felt relief I had not felt in a long time. I continued to practice yoga on my own for about six months. I was embarrassed to attend a class believing I was too stiff and uncoordinated. After attending my first class I was hooked because of how much better I felt physically and mentally. I have practiced yoga consistently since attending my first class. I decided to become a yoga instructor to help bring the benefits I have enjoyed to other students. After a few years of practice I am stronger, more flexible, have better joint health, and essentially pain free. Yoga is the only physical activity I have found that helps me become more healthy while avoiding and healing injuries. I continue to practice yoga along with playing sports I enjoy. There are so many health, physical and mental benefits of practicing yoga that I have just begun to learn. I also enjoy the friendships I have made with other instructors and the positive interaction with our students. I look forward to expand my teaching skills at New Day Yoga studio and create a positive experience for the students.
	Gloria J Donohue-Little - Gloria has been practicing and teaching Gentle Hatha Yoga and Meditation for over 30 years. She puts emphasis in limbering up, stretching and toning the body in a systematic, meditative way and encourages her students to develop proper breathing techniques during asanas. Gloria concludes her classes with a 20 minute period of relaxation and meditation. Gloria teaches simple meditation techniques. She has been initiated and ordained as a minister in the Kriya Yoga tradition at the Center for Spiritual Awareness, by Roy Eugene Davis, who is a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. In August 2008, Gloria attended the International Kriya Yoga Congress in Atlanta and participated in workshops for Meditation Techniques, Neuroscience of Meditation, Devotional Chanting, Ayurveda (Life Knowledge) and Pantajali’s Yoga Sutras. Yearly Gloria attends workshops and retreats for Ministers and Teachers at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in NE Georgia. She often teaches Gentle Hatha Yoga at these retreats as well.
Airam Mason -	I'm quite certain I came out of my mother's womb asking the question, "Who am I?" This question has been the blueprint of my life. From the beginning, my parents assured me--through words and actions--that God is a loving God. The first insight I had into the Oneness of the Universe was in high school, when my best friend shared with me her scientific knowledge of the smallest particles that make up the universe. I have been fascinated by science ever since. The beauty of nature, too, has played a major role in supporting my belief that everything, everywhere, is the presence of God. The first authors I ran across to further help shape who I am were Ram Dass and Paramahansa Yogananda. Pema Chodron presently plays a significant role in my life. I moved to California in my 20s, having lived around the Kansas City area my whole life. There I met one of my most influential teachers with whom I still study. With him I gained an in-depth knowledge of the chakra system and gathered a variety of tools to use within the system. I have been teaching yoga full-time for over four years, having received my Ashtanga teacher certification from David Swenson. Playfulness, presence, patience, and loving-kindness are virtues that are nourished in my classes to support a quieting of the mind--so that we come to realize, not only know on the intellectual level, but on the experiential level, our Divine Essence.
	Emily Railsback - I started gymnastics at age 6 and have always had good flexibility. I have always loved dance and movement; they make me feel most alive and passionate. When my family moved to a small town in Kansas there was no longer an opportunity to do dance or do gymnastics. I played other sports, but disliked the competitive nature that has the tendency to make friends into enemies. Although I still enjoy playing sports for pure fun, it doesn't happen too often. And quite frankly, I don't like working out. I like feeling alive and active, but most exercise programs become mundane and a bit on the boring side. Yoga and dance are movement that engage mind and body, they allow the body to express itself. There is a connectedness that comes from each yoga workout that always leaves me wanting more. Having an aligned body motivates me to live life to the fullest throughout all of my activities. I've been doing yoga for the past five years and teaching yoga for the past two years.
Sandy Wilkes D.O.M. -	Sandra Wilkes is a licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M.), a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and has been certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) the leading certification standard for Oriental Medicine nationwide. She provides acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other O.M. treatments to patients at Blue Valley Physical Therapy, as well as guidance in the areas of diet, exercise and Qi gong, from the Eastern perspective. She teaches our T’ai Chi and Qi Gong classes to optimize mind-body health and balance. She enjoys being able to help people enhance their health, as well as give options for pain and injury healing, but finds it especially rewarding to be able to offer options to treat chronic and systemic conditions that often need a holistic medical approach, such as menopausal symptoms, headaches, auto-immune problems and stress-related conditions. If you'd like to schedule acupuncture session with Sandy, please call her at 913-709-3239 or email her at swilkes1@kc.rr.com
Hema Sharma -	Hema Sharma was initiated into Bharathanatyam at the age of eight by Kancheepuram Gnaprakasam and completed an undergraduate degree in Bharathanatyam under his tutelage. She pursued advanced training under such renowned gurus as Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman in Nattuvangam and Srimati Shanta and V.P. Dhananjayan in dance. Since her arangetram at the age of 12, she has given over 700 performances in India and the United States. Over the course of her career as a dancer, Hema has been a dedicated performer, choreographer, teacher, and community volunteer, devoting her time to spread the arts and culture of India throughout Kansas City. She is currently artistic director of Nriya, a school of Indian dance and music in Overland Park, KS with branches in Wichita, KS and Ames, IA. For more information and to register, please contact Hema Sharma at: (913) 696-0213 Hemavathisharma2001@yahoo.com
	Ramie Haas - Ramie Haas studied Yoga and Meditation at the Yogaville Ashram, receiving her accreditation of Integral Yoga , Asanas and Pranayama: Beginning Level. This has evolved into The Blood Type Diet, Yoga of the Heart, Cardiac and Cancer Certification, Certified HYP-Yoga Instructor, Life Coach with the tools of Nuero-Linguistic Programing (NLP), Hypnotherapist, Reiki Practioner. A professional International Tour Guide to take her students on Yoga Retreats locally, throughout the United States and Internationally. Ramie created a travel companion service accompanying older women to their desired travel destinations. It is so heartwarming to be able to provide this service to the older woman, she is usually widowed and her children are busy raising their families leaving their mother, mother in law, or aunt at home when they would cherish the opportunity to travel with a professional caring experienced traveler.
	Rae Marsee - After working in the corporate world for too many years, I decided to pursue my passion in fitness and discovered Pilates. Working on the Pilates Reformer machine has strengthened my core so much more than any other exercise. I am a certified Pilates Reformer instructor and hold certifications in Pilates Reformer, Pilates Mat, Personal Training, Group Exercise, Yoga, and Spinning. I received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of NE. I can draw on a wealth of knowledge to customize the workout for each individual. My philosophy is “I believe in fitness for a lifetime. We need to take care of our bodies so that they continue to take care of us as we age. I have been teaching fitness for many years and plan to continue for many more!”
Joy Keller -	In 2000 I transitioning from Canada where I coached top level athletes to the USA and the world of business. I found myself living a fast paced, high stress lifestyle. It didn't take long before this lifestyle took a toll on me and I found myself in the middle of a health crisis. In search of renewed health I wandered into a yoga class not really knowing what to expect. What I found was a practice that created inner peace and strength in the mind & body. It was exactly what I needed. My passion for yoga grew as I explored the parallels of yoga on the mat & yoga in my life. In pursuit of sharing that passion I completed my Yoga teacher training through Yogafit and continue to be an avid student as I work towards my 500 RYT. I also am certified in Pilates, PiYo and Silver Sneakers fitness instructor. Giving people a place to challenge their own personal grow is my purpose as a teacher and playing a role in the process is incredibly fulfilling. It's my desire to create an atmosphere that is safe and nurturing where everyone can feel empowered, mind,body and spirit through alignment,strength and flexibility. Yoga is about changing habits,self-discovery and love all with child like curiosity. Yoga is for every person to explore and discover their own authenticity. Come see who you can be with me....
	Angela Schaffer - Angela Schaffer started her yoga journey 10 years ago in an effort to reduce her tension headaches and corporate stress. Her once a week yoga practice was so beneficial to her health that after further research she decided she wanted to share her practice with others. Angela obtained her certification and began teaching in October 2001. Her continuing mission is to share the healthy,life-changing benefits of a regular, safe and modifiable yoga practice with everyone.