Instructors

Gusti Ratliff | Rebecca Kohler | Jana Holland | Tara Munro | Julie Parsons Debby Riordan | Tamara Sartain | Sherry Stephens | Stephanie Thompson

Gusti Ratliff, Co-Owner E-RYT 500	Gusti Ratliff Gusti, co-owner of Divine Yoga Center and registered with Yoga Alliance at their highest level, has been studying yoga for the past decade. A life-long learner, Gusti has experienced the teachings of Rodney Yee, Gary Kraftsow, Shiva Rea, Judith Lasater, Seane Corn, Tim Miller, Maty Ezraty, Max Strom, Nischala Joy Devi, Leslie Kaminoff, Amy Weintraub, David Swenson, Kaye (Amrita) Estell, Karen O'Donnell-Clarke and many others. Using back bends to open the heart, forward bends to open the hips, twists to ring out the old and open to the new, all fused with the healing power of breath, she inspires her students to find their individual potential in heart and spirit. Teaching a balanced practice that is transformative on a physical, energetic, and mental level, Gusti's classes are an eclectic blend of healing asanas and Vinyasa flow. Both therapeutic and challenging, she offers modifications for each posture so anyone may participate. Gusti particularly enjoys her Sunday "Bhakti" Vinyasa class. The intention of this day's practice is to reconnect physically and spiritually. Through asana, meditation, reflection, and prayer, she believes that exploring yoga through ritualistic flow helps to gain emotional insight, discover the soul's true purpose and cultivate positive perspectives on life. The robust health and joy that springs from this Sunday ritual celebrates life and our connection to God. Like so many of us, Gusti's yoga journey began as a way to heal physical pain. Along this journey, she realized that a daily therapeutic practice was a way to relieve her chronic back pain, thus Gusti now specializes in yoga therapy for healthy backs, necks and shoulders. In addition, her healing experiences have given her a new understanding of the body, and led her to move beyond her teaching. She has developed the Divine Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training (RYS500) in order to guide others to the discovery of yoga as a healing tool. These Divine yoga therapists are known for their ability to help students make consistent and dramatic breakthroughs in their lives. In addition, Gusti is highly qualified to develop an individualized approach to asana, pranayama, and meditation based on the knowledge of a client's unique body-mind make-up. For more information regarding private practices or specialized therapeutic practices with Gusti, please contact the studio. Known for her humor, kindness, and integrative teaching approach, Gusti also utilizes these qualities at Fossil Ridge High School where she teaches Pre-AP World Geography and AP Psychology. A long-time resident of Keller, Texas, Gusti has been married to her husband, Kobey, for over 20 years and has one daughter who attends SMU. Her hobbies include baking, reading, gardening, entertaining, travel, and spoiling her wirehaired dachshund and indignant cat. With a professional and educational background in Early Childhood Development, Gusti facilitates the Kid's Yoga program and Divine Kid's Yoga summer camps. Self-taught and a dog lover, Gusti also leads our annual "Doga" (dog yoga) benefitting a local animal rescue shelter. A visionary - Gusti can create, develop, and make it happen! While visiting our studio, you may be fortunate enough to enjoy one of her unique baked treats! (back to top)
Rebecca Kohler, Co-Owner Certified Nia White Belt RYT	Rebecca Kohler Rebecca does not believe in coincidences...that is why she knows that she was destined to open Divine Yoga Center with Gusti. Gusti and Rebecca are connected in many ways including their family backgrounds, education, careers and core beliefs. Rebecca has always had a strong passion for dance and music, and always knew that she would eventually share that passion with others. From the moment she experienced her first Nia class, she knew that Nia was the avenue she wanted to use to share that passion. Rebecca received her Nia White Belt Certification in April 2006 under Nia Guru Helen Terry, a world-renown certified Nia Black Belt instructor and trainer. Rebecca has studied dance, health and fitness at Tarrant County College and University of Texas at Arlington. She was a member of the UTA Dance Ensemble and Northwest Dance Company. She is currently enrolled in the Purple Lotus 200 Hour Teacher Training Program and hopes to begin her yoga teaching journey this summer. Rebecca has over 15 years of dance experience including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop styles of dance. Her favorite dance forms are jazz, hip-hop and Latin partner dancing. Rebecca has studied under Linda Quinn, PhD in Dance and Health/Fitness from Texas Women's University for most of those 15 years. She has also studied under Lacreacia Sanders, Kimberly Hardick, and Holly Curtis. Rebecca has a BBA in Marketing and an MS in Marketing Research from University of Texas at Arlington. She currently teaches at LeTourneau University. She has been married to Robert Kohler for over 15 years, has two sons, Jakob and Mikael, and has two Dachshund daughters, Rosie and Twinkie. (Back to top)
Jana Holland CYT / RYT	Jana Holland To say Jana began her yoga journey at the age of eighteen when she picked up her first yoga DVD, would be an understatement. She soon became aware she had been doing yoga since childhood. She was already very familiar with shoulder stands, wheel, lotus and other poses. She just did not realize they had a names. She immediately fell in love with yoga and joy she found from the asanas and meditation. Living in a town where yoga classes were not available, she put her yoga practice on hold and completed her degree in Political Science which she received from Midwestern State University in 2000. When Jana moved to the Metroplex in 2003, she was able to continue her journey. Jana enjoys learning as much as she can about all the limbs of yoga and all the limbs of Hatha Yoga. She enjoys taking classes from every style, and she enjoys teaching a variety of classes. She has taken workshops with Alan Finger, Ana Forrest, and several wonderful teachers from all over Texas. Jana's goal is to share the joy she finds from yoga and help others along as they find themselves on a journey with yoga.   (Back to top)
Tara Munro E-RYT 200	Tara Munro From an early age Tara has been exploring the connection between mind and body through dance. In 2000, when she ventured into her first yoga class, it became very clear how vastly rich the practice of yoga is in its ability to integrate the body, mind, and spirit. Ever since Tara has been sharing yoga with as many people as she can. She holds certifications through YogaFit and SCW Education and has trained with such renowned yogis as Seane Corn, Roger Cole, Dean Lerner, Beryl Bender Birch, Rod Stryker, Baron Baptiste, Dave Romanelli, Kelly Haas, Desiree Rumbaugh, Doug Swenson, deAnna Anderson and many others. In January, 2006, she completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification and in January 2008, after completing over 1000 teaching hours, Tara received the distinguished E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) credential. Tara has been an avid student of yoga and has developed an eclectic mix of yoga methods from numerous teachers. Her compassionate, yet disciplined, teaching style is therapeutic and challenging as she emphasizes a cultivation of awareness within each pose she instructs. You'll find her inspiring with her playful spirit and wacky sense of humor, yet patient as she takes time out to personally guide you on your yoga journey. Tara graduated from Baylor University with a BBA degree in Marketing and International Business with a minor in Spanish and is currently a Senior Account Executive for a Direct Marketing Agency. She has a "furry son", named Fidel, who has been officially adopted as our studio yoga dog (who practices doga!). Don't be surprised to find him gnawing on a chew toy in our lobby! (back to top)
Julie Parsons CYT / RYT	Julie Parsons Julie has been practicing yoga since 2001. To further her growth and knowledge she attended a year long advanced studies and teacher training program at The Yoga and Movement Center in Walnut Creek, California. She graduated and registered with Yoga Alliance in 2005. To continue her education as a teacher she attended additional workshops after graduation in Restorative Yoga, Yoga for women's needs, and Yoga for beginners. She was also fortunate enough to attend the 2006 Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco and take workshops led by Shiva Rea, Angela Farmer, Judith Lasater, David Life, and Shannon Gannon. Julie's teacher training was based on the techniques and philosophy specific to the teachings of BKS Iyengar. His method focuses on body alignment and detail, which result in inner strength and balance. Julie's Iyengar-style yoga brings her students the knowledge of alignment, her passion for yoga, and her love of teaching. Julie's life outside of asanas and teaching revolves around her family. She and her husband, Jeremy live in Haslet with their two children, Andrew and Bella, and one super cute golden retriever, Sandler. (back to top)
Debby Riordan CYT / RYT	Debby Riordan As a young girl, Debby realized that she always "felt better" after her dance classes, but it wasn't until many years later through her yoga practice that she was truly able to appreciate and recognize the mind-body-spirit connection. A journey into her own spirituality over the past few years led her more deeply into yoga and meditation, and gave rise to a yearning to teach and share these practices with others usually through Vinyasa style classes which link life's breath to movement. Debby has her Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology and enjoyed a career as a Marketing Research consultant for many years. She has been married to Steve since 1989 and loves and cherishes her four children. After 11 years in the San Francisco Bay area, Debby and family relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2005. Debby earned her 200-hour certification through Purple Lotus in Plano, and is a registered 200-hour level teacher with Yoga Alliance. (back to top)
Tamara Sartain CYT / RYT	Tamara Sartain Tamara began her yoga practice in March 2003. She immediately noticed that she gained flexibility and strength. Her body craved the feelings that remained after yoga class. In January 2005, she began her studies to become a teacher. In February 2006, she finished her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Purple Lotus Yoga School. Tamara is also a certified yoga teacher through YogaFit and enjoys attending various workshops to continue to grow in her practice and teaching. Her objective while teaching is to help students open their bodies and allow the asanas (poses) to flower from the inside, rather than impose or force them from the outside. She encourages students to use inner resources, such as breathing and internal awareness to make the class fully enjoyable for themselves. Tamara approaches her newly-minted teaching with an emphases on alignment, breath and compassion! (back to top)
Sherry Stephens Certified Nia Blue Belt	Sherry Stephens Sherry believes that our bodies are divinely created to move and express. She also believes if we do not allow our bodies to move with freedom they will slowly shut down, and the true pleasure of living in an alive, active and aware body will be lost. Movement has always been a huge part of her life. As a child, Sherry loved everything about dance - feeling the music running through her body, the exhilaration of competitive tumbling and drill team, and involvement, as a dance instructor, with the YMCA and YWCA. Her satisfaction came through guiding persons who had long forgotten the pleasure in moving their bodies and keeping healthy and fit. Holding a Masters in Education, secondary counseling, she was associated with Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma. It was during this time she began her practice of Iyengar yoga. After moving to Fort Worth in 2001, Sherry discovered something else that affected her method and philosophy of physical movement. A movement form that involves the whole body -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. A movement form that all persons can enjoy -- no barriers of skill, age or sex. A movement form that is filled with joy and fun! This came in the form of Nia. Sherry has been studying Nia now for five years. She received her White Belt certification after studying with Holly Curtis in Santa Fe in 2003 and her Blue Belt certification with Debbie and Carlos Rosas in Portland in 2007. She has also participated in workshops with Helen Terry and the creators Debbie and Carlos Rosas. Through her Nia practice, Sherry has found a community of caring and loving people that she can't wait to share with you! (back to top)
Stephanie Thompson RYT	Stephanie Thompson Stephanie began her yoga practice nearly ten years ago. She immediately fell in love with the way yoga combined flexibility and strength with stress relief. Yoga was a perfect extension of Stephanie's love of gymnastics that she experienced as a child. After practicing for two years with Suze Curtis, Stephanie received her first teacher certification through AAAI/ISMA. Shortly after moving to Keller in 2006, Stephanie completed her 200 RYT certification. Her classes combine a total full-body workout that is guaranteed to make you sweat. Her childlike mentality and playful attitude makes even beginners feel welcome. Stephanie resides in Keller, with her husband John, two children Avery and Ayden and their Boxer, Harley. (back to top)