About Teachers
About Yoga Teacher Lizz Cowley
Lizz Cowley is a Yoga Alliance registered 200 level yoga instructor, and has been teaching in Casper since October 2009. She received certification through the Shambhava School of Yoga in Colorado and enjoys teaching from several styles of yoga. Lizz was drawn to yoga at an early age but never pursued this interest until young adulthood. In an effort to find a spiritual purpose in life, Lizz pursued the study of yoga on her own in 2003 and began attending the Omaha Yoga School shortly thereafter. Lizz enjoyed classes in asana and philosophy at the school, receiving instruction in classical Raja Yoga from school director Meredith Busher and Margaret Hahn, an early student of B.K.S Iyengar and founder of the school. As Lizz continues to develop her practice, she feels “increasingly blessed to have studied with these two amazing and beautiful souls”.
Lizz’s appreciation and calling to yoga deepened during pregnancy and after the birth of her daughter and teacher, Sofie. She describes the experience as a “surrendering to the greater-self, the self which is connected to all other beings”. It was at this point that Lizz knew she would someday enjoy guiding others to their own yoga practices. Lizz finds great joy in helping students to begin their personal journeys in yoga and feels humbled and grateful to be a part of them.
Lizz also holds an Associates degree in social sciences and has experience in family support and mediation. She currently works at Pottery By You. Her interests include visual, theatrical and literary arts, writing, and music.
About Mind-Body Coach Abigail Steidley
Abigail Steidley, Mind-Body Coach
Abigail Steidley is a Certified Martha Beck Mind-Body Health Coach. She works primarily with clients who are excited to experience the power of mind-body healing. She incorporates her own experience with mind-body healing and weight-loss, up-to-date mind-body research, and the powerful Martha Beck tools in her coaching. Locally, she provides workshops, small-group coaching, coaching interactives, and individual coaching for anyone interested in de-stressing, finding more meaning and purpose, or creating a healthy, fulfilling life. She is currently pursuing Master Coach Certification through Martha Beck, Inc.
What is Mind-Body Coaching, Anyway?
Never heard of mind-body coaching? It’s a very effective method for dealing with stressful thinking, such as thoughts from your inner critic, worries, fears, and any other thoughts that are holding you back or making you feel overwhelmed, unhappy, or frustrated. Hiring a mind-body coach is like hiring a personal trainer for your mind! Mind-body coaching gives you tools for connecting the mind and body for physical and mental benefits, less stress, and more! Read more here.
Martha Beck coaching was developed by Harvard-trained sociologist Dr. Martha Beck, who is a columnist for O Magazine and frequent expert on the Oprah show.
About Yoga Teacher Jess Ryan
Jess Ryan
Jess Ryan, MSNS, E-RYT, is a Yoga Alliance 200 level Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with over 1000 hours of teaching experience. She has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for more than five. Styles of yoga that have influenced Jess’s practice and teaching style include, Anusara, Kundalini, Kripalu, Yin and restorative Hatha yoga. She loves pulling from this bank of knowledge to provide a practice that suits her students’ or her own needs at a specific moment in time, knowing that all of our needs change on a daily basis. Jess possesses additional certifications from Kripalu in Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and Spencers Pilates Instruction and has studied anatomy & physiology at the college level. She also holds a current CPR & Wilderness First Responder certification.
Jess’s love of nature and the outdoors led her to obtain dual Masters Degrees in Natural Science and Environment and Natural Resources. She has shared her enthusiasm for connecting others to this Nation’s beautiful places, working for the National Park Service and the National Audubon Society. “I love mountains, the feel of dirt and grass on the soles of my feet, sunshine on my face, and the sound of wind through the trees. I love the earth and our connection to these wonders that take our breath away; that we can’t always explain. I believe yoga and the environment are inextricably linked; our connection to self, our connection to something greater.”
Jess is also a certified Level III Reiki Practitioner.
About Nia Dance! Teacher Kellie Cairns Vlastos
Kellie Cairns Vlastos has been dancing through life ever since she was 5 yrs old. Her favorite movement forms include Polynesian, belly dance, Hatian dance and now Nia! “I love to dance and express my creative spirit. I decided to become a Nia teacher and bring Nia to Casper because it is a gift; the gift of awareness of body, mind and spirit. Nia has given me not only increased physical strength but also given me a deeper sense of self, grace and joy. No judgment, just play; come and dance with me!”
About Mat Pilates Teacher Lauren Volk
Lauren Volk has been practicing and enjoying pilates since 1998. She began teaching in 2009 and is certified through AAAI/ISMA for mat pilates levels I-III. Lauren believes that mental and physical health go hand in hand. “I believe that through developing an awareness with your breath and incorporating it with the pilates exercises you achieve a more comprehensive core workout.” Lauren’t pilates mat class will strengthen your core muscles, tone and increase flexibilty Lauren has a degree in Construction Management and currently works for the Wyoming School Facilites Commission assisting in the design and furnishing of schools across the state. Outside of work and the studio she enjoys running, fishing, biking and all that Wyoming has to offer!
