Meet Our Team

PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP

Meet Our Team

PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP

Instructors

April Elliott (owner)

ERYT-200, RYT-500

Owner of Detox Yoga Studios. At the age of 26, April was seven months pregnant with her daughter, Isabella. She was injured during a tornado, buried several feet deep in bricks and debris. When she was found, her leg was crushed and her belly was flat. She and her daughter both made it out safe but she would never be the same after this accident.

After the accident, she was determined to never again live one day on this earth without appreciating the life she was blessed to have. April suffered from PTSD and was doing at-home rehabilitation. She read an article about yoga and thought she would give it a try. Before the accident, she participated in running, lifting, and kickboxing.

Her first yoga class was done in a small studio that could only fit about seven people. She was amazed by the way she felt, and after that day, she was forever changed. The dream to open a studio and help others find healing through yoga started on that day almost eight years ago. In 2017, she went to Costa Rica and lived there for a month deep in the mountains overlooking the ocean. It was here that she completed her 200-hour YTT. She obtained her 500 hour certification in February 2024.

Fast forward one year, and she is proud to say that Detox Yoga, her studio is OPEN! She hopes to break the stigma attached to yoga that it is just for women, flexible people, thin people, vegans, etc.

Lauren Van Slyke

ERYT-200

Outside of yoga, Lauren is a mother of three, proud wife to her husband Jared, enjoys homeschooling her kids and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Lauren is an RYT-500 and assists educating aspiring instructors in the Detox YTT program. Lauren's yoga journey began 13 years ago when she walked into her first class and was hooked. Coming from a dance/performing arts background, yoga was the perfect blend of grace, movement and breath. After 5 years of chronic symptoms from a "mystery" illness and no progress using western medicine, she turned to holistic medicine and healing. Finally, she found answers and was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2021. Yoga, among many other modalities, was part of her healing. Lauren found Detox Yoga and immediately become a regular. She started to see a shift in her nervous system, immune system and overall health. She knew yoga would be a lifelong journey from there on out. She has been symptom free for almost 3 years now! After learning that a massive part of becoming ill was triggered by unprocessed trauma and poor lifestyle choices, she is committed to helping others find wellness also. Her personal mantra is "May what we do on our mats together translate and integrate into our lives when we are not", and aims to bringing that mantra into each and every class.

Courtney McDermotte

ERYT-200

I have been teaching at Detox Yoga since July 2022 and bring over 20 years of experience in the fitness and movement industry. I am a certified 200-hour yoga teacher, a certified personal trainer, and hold additional certifications in Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and Sculpt & Flow. My teaching background includes yoga, sculpt, mat Pilates, personal training, and functional mobility. Creative sequencing is my specialty, and I design classes that thoughtfully blend mobility, core work, strength, and fluid movement. Every class is intentionally crafted to build strength, improve range of motion, and support long-term, injury-free movement. My Yoga Bootcamp is a self-designed, all-levels hour rooted in love, challenge, and smart movement. It explores all the foundations of a strong yoga practice while helping students feel empowered, resilient, and supported both on and off the mat.

Diane Schultze

ERYT-200

I am a yoga teacher specializing in Chair Yoga and Yin Yoga, offering accessible, low-impact practices designed to support joint health, flexibility, and relaxation. My classes emphasize safe alignment, mindful breathing, and gentle movement, making yoga approachable for beginners, older adults, and those seeking a slower, more restorative practice.

Jamie Jobe

ERYT-200

Jamie is originally from Edwardsville, Illinois but has lived in the St. Charles area since 2013. Jamie was an avid ballerina from age 3 to 18 but stopped dancing after starting college. After graduation, she missed ballet and searched for a substitute for years without luck. She started doing yoga videos at home in 2016 after the birth of her daughter. Jamie instantly realized that yoga could be a replacement for her ballet practice but struggled with consistency and motivation working out at home with a small child. With much excitement and some hesitancy, Jamie showed up to the 5am Detox Hot class led by owner, April Elliott, on the second day that Detox Yoga was open for business. She was immediately hooked and has been in love with yoga ever since! In the Fall of 2020, Jamie joined the second round of Detox Yoga's yoga teacher training program and graduated as a certified yoga instructor in May of 2021. She has been a teacher with Detox since January 2021. Outside of yoga, Jamie is a high school biomedical science teacher. She has a passion for learning a wide range of subjects from science to anthropology to yoga philosophy and enjoys sharing that with others. She also loves reading all types of books and watching horror movies.

Carolyn Davis

ERYT-200

Carolyn has been committed to health and wellness for many decades. She instructed group fitness classes and personal training. She was a former Ironman Triathlete and Marathon runner. A health crisis in 2013 caused an abrupt end to her racing. She had practiced yoga as an adjunct to her racing prior to the health crisis. Yoga brought her out of a dark period when her body could not perform to the level she was accustomed to obtaining. Yoga became the vehicle for introspection and personal transformation. She fell in love with the Detox community and completed the YTT program in 2024. She retired as a pediatric nurse and plans to teach and share yoga with others.

Katie Ruppert

ERYT-200

Katie is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher who integrates Human Design and energy awareness into a grounded, accessible practice. Yoga has been a steady anchor in her life for over 20 years, and after finding her way to Detox Yoga Studios in 2021, she knew she was home. Guided by her “lighten your load without blowing up your life” philosophy and a love of lunar cycles, Katie’s classes support nervous system ease, self-trust, and sustainable movement—helping students get out of their heads and back into their bodies, on and off the mat.

Sophie Schoenberger

ERYT-200

Sophie is the warm, welcoming face at the front desk, bringing her love for adventure and movement into the studio every day. A skydiver, traveler, nature-lover, and artist. She spent time living on the road, exploring the States in a converted school bus and packing parachutes. She’s always up for trying something new and soaking up as much time outdoors as possible.

Growing up as a competitive dancer, Sophie found that yoga helped her rediscover a healthy relationship with movement, reconnect with her body, and rebuild a strong mind-body connection. It has also played a meaningful role in helping her manage autoimmune disease challenges and bring more balance into her life—something she’s truly grateful for. She loves sharing that sense of calm, connection, and community with everyone who walks through the studio doors.

Kaytlyn Ivancic

ERYT-200

Kaitlyn Ivancic has been practicing yoga since 2012, beginning with a consistent Bikram practice before exploring various styles through relocations and life transitions. Over time, her journey led her to Vinyasa and Power Vinyasa, where she discovered a deeper connection—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. What began as a health and movement practice evolved into a lifelong devotion to clarity, strength, and self-discovery. She completed her 200-hour RYT certification through Detox Yoga in 2020, followed by a children’s yoga and prenatal yoga certification in 2022. Today she teaches Vinyasa, Vinyasa Krama, and Power Vinyasa with a style that is flowy, athletic, and rooted in mindful breath. Her classes are designed to feel powerful yet grounding—inviting students to push themselves, refocus inward, and find healing through movement and presence. Accessible, dynamic, and thoughtfully built, her sequences meet yogis where they are and guide them toward where they are capable of going. Now living in Lake Saint Louis and a mom of three, Kaitlyn continues to find joy in movement, growth, and community. Yoga remains both her anchor and her passion—she loves helping students experience the clarity, strength, and connection that keep her returning to the mat again and again. Instagram: @kaitivancic

Heather Lewis

ERYT-200 RYT-500

Heather has two adult aged children and a wonderful husband. She has practiced yoga on and off since the birth of her children. After taking classes at Detox she realized she felt incredible during and after a class and grew to love hot yoga. She completed her 200 and 300 hour trainings at Detox Yoga. She enjoys teaching many styles of yoga including: Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, heated and non-heated. She adores opening eyes and hearts to the benefits of Yoga.

Missi Wilson

ERYT-200

Missi’s first exposure to yoga was in 2013, when she took a Mindfulness course for her Bachelor’s degree at Mizzou. As someone who has struggled with mental health for the majority of her life, she wanted to get a better understanding of how mental illness functions, and yoga was a component of her Behavioral Sciences specialty. The program was excellent, but once she left Mizzou, her yoga practice did not carry through.

In March 2025, a friend mentioned taking a yoga class at Detox Yoga. Since she remembered her positive experience in college, she decided to attend. The class was so powerful that it brought her to tears, and she knew this was so much more than just a class. The timing of when yoga came back into her life was not a coincidence, because it happened right before several life-changing events occurred, and she was diagnosed with multiple life-long health conditions; it was one of the hardest periods of her life. Her mat was there to give her the space to process, accept, and begin the long journey towards healing.

Through her practice, she discovered her spirituality and felt called to teach yoga and be of service to the next person struggling to find their inner peace. In 2026, Missi will participate in Detox Yoga’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training and Y12SR’s Peer Support Training to combine yoga and recovery for those struggling with addiction. Until Missi has her RYT, you can find her gratefully working the front desk at the Detox Yoga Chesterfield location (come say “hi!”).

Outside of yoga, Missi is blissfully married to her high school sweetheart (who also practices yoga with her!), and they are blessed to have the most incredible young son and French Bulldog together. Missi also obsessively reads romance books, drinks iced coffee, and shops the aisles at Home Goods and Target to decorate her house.

Debbie Steiger

ERYT-200

I began my yoga journey not long after the youngest of my five kids was born. I wanted to bring balance to my running and strength training workouts. I found a consistent practice and it wasn’t long before I discovered the benefits of mindfulness and stress relief as well. Over the years yoga has become so much more. It is the one place where I can be completely present and tap into the mind-body connection. I received my first 200 hour certification from Wildwood Yoga/Joy of Yoga in 2017 and taught classes at both Wildwood Yoga and the YMCA. I took some time off from teaching yoga when I went back to work in education but recently received my second 200 hour certification from Detox Yoga Studios. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and look forward to meeting you on your mat!

Julie Przybyla

ERYT-200

Movement has always been part of my life, and I found my way to Detox Yoga in 2024 as a student, looking for something that challenged me physically but also helped me slow down and reconnect with myself. What I found here quickly became something I looked forward to, not just for the movement, but for how it made me feel when I left.

I’ve spent years leading group fitness classes, and working as a dietitian and personal trainer. My passion is supporting individuals in their pursuit of wellness and vitality. Yoga brings all of these pieces together for me, strength, breath, awareness, and trust in your body. Knowing that I love being a teacher as much as I do as being a student led me to pursue my 200-hour yoga teacher training where I deepened my understanding of mindful sequencing, breath awareness, and how to hold space for people exactly where they are.

In my classes, I’ll guide you through strong, intentional movement while always reminding you that this is your practice. There’s no pressure to do it perfectly. I care more about how it feels in your body than how it looks. My goal is for you to leave feeling grounded, supported, and a little more connected to yourself than when you arrived.

You’ll probably recognize me by my purple hair and tattoos. That sense of individuality carries into my classes too. I want this space to feel welcoming, expressive, and real. Teaching at Detox feels like a full-circle moment, and I’m grateful to share this practice with such an incredible community.

Julie Moriarty

ERYT-200

Yoga has been a part of Julie's life for several years. She fell in love with hot yoga at Detox Yoga Studios in 2020, shortly after she obtained a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification. Being able to express her faith daily on the mat has helped her overcome the worry and fear of the world, both spiritually and physically. The friends and community that yoga has produced are priceless and irreplaceable. With focus on her financial business that she has built since 2008, she finds joy, relaxation, and exhilaration being able to practice yoga to motivate not only herself in her career, but the minds, bodies, and souls of others. In her spare time, Julie loves to water and snow ski, roller blade, travel abroad, bring her best friend (sister) to yoga classes, and spend time with her husband, cats, and chickens.

Jamie Blackson

ERYT-200

I am a Marine Corps Veteran, wife, and mother of three wonderful kids. I started attending yoga classes in 2015 as a birthday present to myself and fell in love with the practice! When I started, I had little flexibility or balance, but quickly learned that it was enough. Yoga meets you where you are every time you step on the mat! It has taught me to embrace the things that serve me and leave the things that do not. I have found such a passion for my practice that I wanted to share it with others.

In October 2022, I completed my yoga teacher training at Detox Yoga and became an RYT-200 and shortly after completed my Chair Certification. I love teaching yoga and helping others enjoy the benefits of this practice; from beginners to experienced partitioners. As I continue to be a student myself, I embrace every opportunity to live it on and off the mat: and share it with others.

Maya Elfrink

ERYT-200

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Gabby Hennessy

ERYT-200

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Ann Fosheim

ERYT-200

Ann has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over 30 years, initially adopting the Bikram yoga practice to complement her distance running and endurance swimming while managing the demands of a corporate career. Her passion for lifelong learning and exercise led her to the Detox Yoga Teacher Training in May 2022, and she proudly graduated in February 2023.

Committed to deepening her expertise, Ann has since earned her Yin certification and regularly attends advanced workshops to bring new insights to her students. Beyond the physical benefits of fitness and flexibility, years of consistent practice have gifted her a foundation of gratitude, grace, and perspective that she strives to share in every class.

When she isn't on her mat at Detox Yoga, Ann works full-time in corporate America and enjoys a vibrant family life. She is a devoted wife to Rob, a proud mother of three grown children—Nick (Emily), Kristin (Matt), and Allie (Brad)—and a doting grandmother to Carter and Kiera. She is also the self-proclaimed "crazy dog mom" to Ted and Trudie. Ann is deeply grateful for the supportive Detox community and looks forward to seeing you on the mat at our Wentzville, Winghaven, or Chesterfield studios soon.

Keily Nolan

ERYT-200

Keily first stepped onto her mat in June 2024 during a private class for her sister-in-law’s bachelorette—and instantly loved it. Life soon picked up with tennis and the start of junior year, but in May 2025 she returned to her practice and fell completely in love. What began as a simple way to move her body quickly grew into a form of therapy, grounding her both physically and spiritually. She also connected deeply with the Detox community, whose warmth and energy made the studio feel like home. Wanting to be more involved, she reached out about helping at the desk and was grateful to jump right in. Since then, her love for the studio has only grown. Keily will begin her 200-hour teacher training in March 2026 and couldn’t be more excited. She can’t wait to welcome you into the space and see you around the studio!

Emma Crackel

ERYT-200

Emma Crackel has been a yoga practitioner since high school. Between YouTube videos and occasional class drop-ins, she fell in love with the way yoga calmed her mind and supported her aerial silks training. She found Detox Yoga Studios after having her son, Jude, in mid-2023.

Shortly after finding the community, Jude was diagnosed with leukemia. From that point, yoga became her escape and main source of self-care. She joined the 2024 YTT and graduated with her RYT-200 in December 2024. She is now excited to share the peace that yoga can bring with her students and help them navigate whatever life throws at them with confidence and grace. Emma believes that yoga is a powerful tool for healing and personal growth. She hopes to inspire others to find their inner strength and serenity through their practice.

Kaylee Rowan

ERYT-200

Kaylee began practicing yoga at age 11 after her mom brought her to a class to alleviate anxiety. From that point on yoga became a pillar in her life helping to manage anxiety, and eventually becoming a tool for relieving chronic pain. At age 18, she decided to join the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Detox Yoga and graduated eager to share what she learned with the community. Seeing the benefits of yoga in her own life, Kaylee now plans on combining her yoga teaching experience with a career in counseling. Kaylee is a firm believer in the healing properties of yoga, and aims to share that with others both on and off the mat!

Bridget Schulte

ERYT-200

Bridget found yoga in college when her golf team started taking classes to help with flexibility and balance. She quickly fell in love with yoga for all that it brought into her life outside of the physical aspects. It became a safe space when the stress of school and golf would take over. Once moving back from college, she found Detox and truly fell in love with the community. In March of 2024 she started Yoga Teacher Training through Detox with the idea of wanting to grow her personal practice, however not being sure if she was going to teach. Once she graduated, she found that she enjoyed guiding students in their own personal practice and helping them find the safe space that she had first found in college. She hopes to see you on your mat soon!

Claire Goldstein

ERYT-200

Hi! My name is Claire Goldstein and I am a recent graduate of the 2025 Detox 200 hour YTT program! After being introduced to yoga, I quickly fell in love with the practice and with the Detox community. I started working the front desk for Detox and had the opportunity to experience first hand the positive impacts that yoga has both on and off the mat. I saw not only positive physical and mental benefits, but also the joy and connection that comes with having a practice and being a part of the Detox community. I was inspired to learn more and deepen my practice, so I signed up for teacher training during my senior year of high school!

I have recently obtained my EMT license in the state of Missouri and I’m a current paramedic student. I hope to make a positive impact in your life, whether that be from the back of an ambulance (hopefully not), or from your yoga mat (my preference). I can’t wait to see you in class soon!

Amanda Linton

ERYT-200

Amanda has been teaching yoga for over five years and practicing for more than a decade. Born on the West Coast and raised in Missouri, she brings a grounded, creative energy to her classes, shaped by her love of movement, art, and life as a wife and mother of two.

Her classes offer a strong yet accessible vinyasa flow, rooted in breath, alignment, and yoga philosophy to support mindfulness on the mat and in real life. Amanda aims to create a welcoming environment for students of all levels—where they feel both challenged and at ease, leaving class more connected to themselves, their hearts, and their community.

Allison Murphy

ERYT-200

Hi, I’m Allison! I am a 500-hour registered yoga teacher with a background in psychology. I began teaching in 2024 and focus on practices that support balance, steadiness, and mindful awareness. I love exploring the relationship between breath, movement, and the nervous system, and creating classes that help people feel more grounded and at home in themselves.

My intention is to offer a space where you can breathe deeper, unwind, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels safe and true.

Annie Hutchison

ERYT-200

Hi! I’m Annie and I’ve been practicing yoga off and on for several years, but really fell in love with the practice in 2022 after a series of health issues left me a physical & mental mess.

As a student, the way yoga helped me to regulate my nervous system, yet strengthen my body and improve mobility has made my quality of life so much better.

As a teacher, I hope to help others on their own journey to better health, both physically and mentally.

Julie Bystrom

ERYT-200

Julie Bystrom is a mother of three girls and a she has an amazing husband named Andrew. She got into yoga in high school to help with flexibility and to compliment her love of running. She also started practicing to help her deal with daily stress. She continued to practice another 20 years until Covid hit. Once the studio opened up during/after Covid, Julie began practicing every single day. Yoga became so much more of a lifestyle instead of just an exercise. One of Julie's instructors at Detox mentioned Yoga Teacher Training to her. She had no intention of teaching but wanted to deepen her practice. She moved forward with the yoga teacher training. Once she started she realized just how deep yoga actually is. Julie realized that the emotional and mental benefits outweigh the physical. She now loves teaching and her most passionate part of the teaching process comes from creative sequencing and helping her students cultivate flow state on their mats. In 2023, she complete her RYT-300 and is now a RYT-500 and is part of the yoga teacher training at Detox!

Kayla Capitanelli

RYT-500

Kayla is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. After years of working out in daily cross-fit style and weight-lifting classes, Kayla knew she needed a change. Those high-impact exercises left her in chronic pain with daily headaches from Advanced Bone Degeneration in both TMJ joints. Kayla found yoga first out of this necessity to heal her physical body; but quickly realized that her mind and soul also benefit greatly from a consistent practice. “For me, the beauty of yoga is turning inward when our society so often makes us believe happiness will be found from the outside world instead. The physical practice, breath-work, and meditation all play a part in the personal growth each of us can find from yoga.” Finally, the most special and unexpected part of Kayla’s yoga journey so far are the amazing and kind humans she has met, and continues to find in this inclusive community along the way.

Margie Koch

RYT-500

Margie is a yoga teacher devoted to helping students slow down, turn inward, and cultivate balance. Her teaching blends mindful sequencing, breath awareness, and intention, offering space for both physical ease and inner clarity. Margie views yoga as a tool for self-discovery, resilience, and living with greater authenticity.

Abby Story

RYT-500

Abby Story is an RYT-200 with a degree in psychology and a background in dance and gymnastics. She discovered Detox Yoga in 2024, one year after having her son. She was searching for a way to relax her mind and body while being a stay-at-home mom. She fell in love with the practice and the community, and began attending daily classes. Abby completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training program in 2025 through Detox. She loves sharing her passion for yoga in her classes and she encourages practitioners to find what feels right for their bodies by using props and modifications. Abby’s goal is to help others discover the tools to regulate their nervous systems through breathwork and a balance of movement and stillness. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside with her son and chickens, learning permaculture with her plant-loving husband, and reading lots of books.

Chloe Haynes

RYT-500

Chloe began practicing yoga at home in 2015 and quickly fell in love with its ability to meet her exactly where she was. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, yoga helped her to feel more grounded and empowered in her body, even during times when her health was less than perfect. In 2023, she took her first heated yoga class and found that it not only deepened her practice but also provided an incredible community. Two years later, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Detox Yoga Studios.

Chloe is passionate about creating an inclusive environment where students can show up exactly as they are, offering variations to support all levels and experiences. Outside the studio, Chloe is a software engineer and musician, and has found that yoga has been crucial in finding balance in her busy life. She hopes to never stop growing in her practice and to be able to share that with her students, on and off of their mats!

Michael Deyoung

RYT-500

I am a Grandfather, Father, Husband, High School Teacher, and Coach. My yoga journey started about four years ago in a gym down the street from Detox Yoga in Wentzville. Challenging exercise and competitive activities have always been a part of my regular routine from youth to the present.... and then I met yoga...

Yoga immediately took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to things that I could not do which was frustrating because I have always considered myself to be an above-average athlete capable of navigating any exercise routine. I struggled with holding poses, breathing, and maintaining focus. Every practice I attended revealed another imperfection and caused me to evaluate my motivation to continue on this road. Then it hit me... Yoga was teaching me that it was not a competition between myself and other yogis but between me and what I allowed to take place inside the four corners of my mat. I needed to look deep inside myself and be satisfied with where I was as a practitioner and move forward from there knowing that success or failure was never final. Yoga has taught me to let go of achievement expectations and allow my body to receive each posture and benefit from the moment as opposed to some lofty expectation.

In the fall of 2019 I became a part of the first Detox Yoga Teacher Training class and walked out ten months later with a greater knowledge and respect for the practice of yoga. I also created a bond with my classmates and instructors that I will have forever. After receiving my 200 Hour Training Certificate I have focussed on Restorative Yoga. Restorative yoga involves passive stretching and minimal movement where yogis reach a deepened state of relaxation and release. The first time I was in a Restorative class I felt like somebody put me in time out, however, I have come to realize it could be the most challenging of all the yoga disciplines. Imagine holding a passive posture for several minutes, pranayama breathing, and letting go of all the thoughts that race through your mind on a regular basis.

Nicki Hamrah

RYT-500

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Jenni Briner

RYT-500

Like many practitioners, Jenny was introduced to yoga through online yoga videos. She was working to improve her fitness to keep up with teen kids on a ski vacation. While she was originally attracted to the movement, it was the ease that kept her coming back. As someone who has trouble sitting down, the idea of svasana was mind blowing and also just what her body needed. Jenny’s first studio class was at Detox with her (then) teen daughter and a group of friends. She was hooked. Unfortunately, not long after that first class, the pandemic hit. Despite the shutdown, she found herself drawn to a daily yoga practice to offset all of the craziness of that time. That spurred her interest in yoga and learning more about the physical and mental benefits of the practice, which lead her to sign up for teacher training at Detox. Jenny loves guiding students with all levels of fitness and watching them grow in their practice. She desires for her students to take the practice off their mats and out into their daily lives.

Billie Kincaid

RYT-500

Billie started her practice at Detox Yoga in January 2019 after attending a beginner's workshop in December 2018. She became hooked immediately.

Prior to joining Detox she had worked out at a gym and ran multiple small races, countless 1/2 marathons and 3 marathons. But as time went on, she started noticing more injuries and pain that stayed much longer. That's when she saw the advertisement for the beginner's yoga workshop.

2019 also brought her the diagnosis of breast cancer which set her back some but quickly recognized the yoga community was right where she needed to be.

Since this journey began, she has completed 200 YTT, 300 YTT and 100 hours of Yin training in Bali. Billie quickly realized after studying in Bali, that Yin yoga was her love. She hopes to inspire people to slow down, listen to their bodies and find the balance between the yin/yang.

At age 65, yoga has kept her strong, healthy, alleviated pain, and a sense of overall well-being. Her Dharma or purpose in life is to be sure others understand that it is never too late to change the course of their journey.

Teacher Training Staff

Lesleh Sprecker

RYT-200

My fitness journey started traditionally with weights and cardio. After becoming very ill for several weeks, I started a home practice in January of 2018. At the time it was a way to keep myself active while I rebuilt my body and strength.

I challenged myself to do a 30-day yoga challenge, followed by a 60 and a 100-day personal challenge and I was hooked. Enter Detox and April and I truly fell in love with Vinyasa, a dance of breath and movement that is full of endless creativity!

In September of 2019, I enrolled in the 200 hr YTT program to further my individual practice. In the midst of that training, I witnessed yoga's transformative power on myself along with my fellow trainees. Years of negative self-talk and anxiety had taken a toll on my esteem. Thru my yoga training, I found a kinder voice for myself, empowering myself through healing intentions and mantras. I knew this was what lit my spirit up and it constantly fueled my creativity. It found me when I needed it most and has continued to help me in my career, family life, and personal life.

I am so fortunate and thankful to have the opportunity to guide at the studio that had such an impact on me.

I believe everyone deserves to feel valued and love and it all starts with how they speak to themselves. Please join me in a moving mediation full of self-empowerment, fueled by your breath and positive vibes. I look forward to sharing a practice with you. Namaste! 💗

Dr. Steve Schoenherr

Dr. Steve Schoenherr, a lifelong resident of St. Charles County, founded Schoenherr Chiropractic over 28 years ago. His love of sports and fascination of the complexity of the human body inspired him to study biology at the University of Missouri - Columbia. A car accident then altered his path. Chiropractic treatments expedited his recovery and introduced him to a holistic way of life. He enrolled at Logan University and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic. Each day, his goal is to help amplify the life of his patients. In addition to chiropractic, he is certified in acupuncture. He has advanced training in extremity and TMJ protocols, prenatal and pediatric techniques, and functional nutrition and detoxification. He enjoys educating on structure, movement, and function of the body and how we can heal with holistic practices.Steve is currently on the board of the Midwest Academy of Chiropractic, an avid traveler, distance and trail runner, and recreational hiker. He discovered Yoga over a decade ago to help balance his running and has since explored a variety of practices. He loves the study of the science behind energy practice, meditation, and healing. He has three adult sons, and puts the living in life with his wife, Tess, and their dogs.

Emmet Schmelig

RYT-500

Emmet Schmelig, E-RYT-500, LMT, attended his first yoga class in 1992. A lifetime of experience in athletics and interest in physical fitness coupled with his study of yoga, massage therapy and personal training have enhanced his yoga teaching skills. Emmet has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of yoga teaching and has earned Yoga Alliance Experienced teacher status. Emmet has participated in many yoga workshops, and led several yoga workshops of his own and has led several week long yoga retreats in Mexico and Germany. Emmet is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. Emmet is certified through AFFA, personal fitness training and certified to teach yoga to older adults through Duke Integrative Medicine Center, Duke University,

Sarah Helle

RYT-500

PT, PhD, LMT, NBC-HWC, RYT-500

I’ve been a PT for 30 years and early in my career, gravitated towards natural health and mind/body modalities. I started the women’s health program 25 years ago at a local hospital and specialized my manual therapy techniques with John Barnes Myofascial Release, Visceral Manipulation, Craniosacral, Dry Needling, and Reiki training. I completed my 500 YTT in 2015 (I think— may need to look that up) and massage certification in 2013. I have completed functional nutrition trainings and that lead to taking the National Board Certifications for Health Coaches. My intention is to address each client’s movement, nutrition, and manual therapy needs from an individualized, wholistic perspective.

Tim Applebaum

RYT-500

Tim is a St. Louis native and is 200HR YTT certified. Tim found yoga, like many, to fix his back. Years of playing hockey and exercise had led to constant pain. After giving yoga a try, he fell in love with it and has continued to practice ever since. Yoga has followed him through his time in the infantry Marines, being an elementary school teacher, and as an MMA cage fighter. Now, Tim’s practice is focused on the “yog” or yoke. The binding of the mind, body, and spirit that gave yoga its name. The mental and spiritual benefits that work in tandem with the physical practice of yoga can be extremely beneficial and instrumental towards living a full life. “You may control a mad elephant...Walk on water and live in fire, but control of the mind is better and much more difficult.” ~ Ani Pema Chödron

Jen Jones

E-RYT-500

Jen Jones began practicing yoga as a way to more effectively deal with stress and anxiety. She was so inspired by the changes she saw in her personal life that she decided to attend her first yoga training in 2007. After completing this 200-hr training, she went on to receive her 500-hr training from the Asheville Yoga Center. She opened South River Yoga studio in 2018 and recently sold it to pursue an education in Ayurveda. Jen is currently an Ayurvedic Health Coach and is studying Ayurvedic herbalism at the Joyful Belly Ayurveda school.

Jen also has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, has completed graduate work in Counseling/Psychology, and also went through the Mind Body Stress Reduction Program (created by Jon Kabat-Zinn).

Melissa Christensen

E-RYT-500

Melissa has been teaching full time since 2008 and her dedication to the practice and her students is easily felt and understood.

Melissa has found a special passion for yin yoga and has been leading Yin Yoga Teacher Training and Weekend Intensives nationwide since 2014. She is also currently co-lead teacher trainer for Yoga Via's 200H Teacher Training program in St George, Utah. Sharing her passion for teaching, she also developed and was co-lead teacher for Spectra School of Yoga's 200 and 300H Teacher Training Program in Costa Mesa, CA from 2015-2020 until they closed in 2020. Contact her for more information on hosting a yin training at your local studio and check out her upcoming training schedule.

Yoga quickly became a way of life for Melissa when she noticed that the most significant impact of her practice was happening off the mat.

With a strong desire to find a deeper meaning and more balanced way of life, she delved into the authentic teachings and philosophy behind the science and practice of yoga.

Now an E-RYT-500, YACEP Yoga Alliance certified teacher and teacher trainer, having graduated from Yoga Pura’s 500-hour Advanced Studies & Teacher Training program in Phoenix, AZ in 2008, she is devoted to sharing her passion for yoga and the gift this transformational practice offers to all of her students. Her teaching style is balanced between the philosophical and physical offerings of yoga. Using the tools of yoga, married with skillfully selected music and postures, she offers insights and experiments that encourage students to notice unhelpful habits in an effort to find greater joy and peace on and off the mat. Her intention is to challenge both your body and mind - question your perception of reality - leaving you with a profound opportunity for transformation.

Melissa is forever thankful to her teachers Bernie Clark, Paul Grilley, Joe Barnett, Sarah Powers, Nicolai Bachman, Jules Mitchell and Eric Walrabenstein; and her friends for guiding and encouraging her as she continues to deepen her own practice and teachings. She is forever grateful to her yogi husband of over 25 years for supporting and sharing in her yoga journey.