Leah Bray Nichols

Leah is the primary teacher at Evergreen Yoga Center and has been teaching yoga in Memphis since 2001. She teaches Iyengar-based yoga in a straightforward and knowledgeable manner. Her clear teaching makes the benefits of yoga accessible to everyone.

She has been practicing yoga since 1996, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.  She is also member of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the US.

Leah has had the good fortune of learning from many teachers, but is especially grateful to her long-time teacher Lou Hoyt.

In addition to teaching yoga, Leah has performed on the stage as an actor since 1990. In 1997 her theatre work brought her to Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently enjoys her creative work as a voice-over artist in the recording studio.

Laura Allen

A ballet dancer in her former life, Laura understands the connection between body and spirit that yoga helps to bridge.

Laura is the mother of two boys and has been practicing yoga for over seven years. In 2003, she earned her Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification.

Over the years she has studied with many talented teachers and is grateful to them all for what she has learned.

Laura has chosen to focus her continuing training in the area of prenatal yoga and believes that the benefits of yoga can be enjoyed by all. Prenatal yoga is a special respite from the daily routine – allowing you to gain space in body, mind and spirit. It permits you to become more centered and grounded, particularly during the hectic time before your baby arrives. Laura teaches prenatal yoga with these principles in mind.

Lorrie Garcia

Lorrie Garcia, Licensed Massage Therapist, is a Faculty Member of the Massage Institute of Memphis. She is nationally-certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). She has focused her continuing massage education in Hot Stone Therapy, Sports Massage, Pre/Post Natal Massage and Infant Massage Therapy/Instruction. Lorrie is a longtime yoga practitioner and a Certified Itsy Bitsy Yoga Facilitator.

Debbie Denny

Debbie Denny began exploring meditation practices while earning her political science degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa. She came to the physical practice of vinyasa yoga as preparation for bull riding camp. Little did she know that she would never make it to the camp. Instead, she left a 10-year career in the corporate world of casino hospitality to be a full-time yoga teacher.

Debbie has studied Iyengar, vinyasa and anusara styles of yoga. She received her 200-hour teaching certification in vinyasa yoga in 2004. She is a student of both Iyengar and vinyasa yoga, and uses precise attention to body alignment in the vinyasa classes she teaches at Evergreen Yoga Center. In addition to teaching yoga asana classes, she continues to share her studies in shamatha meditation, yoga philosophy and pranayama.

“I’ve heard it said before that yoga is a mental practice which is accessed through the body. It is the awareness of our breath and mind which are our most effective teachers.” - Debbie Denny

Margot McNeeley

Margot is a long time and self-learned green enthusiast. She sees this mindfulness as a special kind of yoga, perhaps the most important kind. Margot offers, "We can practice our downward facing dog poses and our sun salutations and feel much better in our bodies through the physical practice of yoga, which is great! But it's when we start paying attention to our daily practices off the mat that we might actually change the world. Can the light bulbs we choose to use really make a difference to the future of our planet? Absolutely!"

Margot teaches alignment-based yoga, vinyasa yoga and restorative yoga. She received her 200-hour level certification through OM Yoga Center, Advanced Teacher Training with Hart Lazer, and Relax and Renew certification with Judith Lasater. She considers herself a student of yoga first and foremost, and is honored to teach at various Memphis area yoga studios and work places. Her primary yoga studio residence is Give Yoga Memphis.  Margot is the founder of Project Greenfork, a not-for-profit organization that is making a real difference in Memphis.

Becca Franklin

Becca went to her first yoga class in 2002. After graduating from Rhodes College in 2004, Becca found corporate success, but not happiness. She increasingly turned to her daily yoga practice for support through health issues, career struggles, and divorce.With yoga, Becca found a way to be more gentle and aware with herself and others.

Becca began teacher training in 2007 with her primary teacher, Lou Hoyt and began teaching in 2008. Now a self-described "reformed businesswoman," Becca is teaching yoga full time, working as a doula, and studying midwifery. She has a special interest in yoga for women's health.  Becca is currently preparing for her first assessment towards certification as an Iyengar instructor.  She and her partner Lee are planning their wedding for April 2011.

Courtney Oliver

Courtney has been studying yoga with Leah Bray Nichols since she opened the doors to Evergreen Yoga Center in 2006.

Through the support of the studio and the education that Leah has afforded her, Courtney is fortunate to be allowed to share her insight with beginning students. Courtney's life-long background in theatre, as a performer, a choreographer, a director, and an administrator makes her no stranger to any group.

In 1998, she moved to Memphis to work as an actor in Playhouse on the Square's Intern Company and in 2001 became a Resident Company Member and the Director of Public Relations. She is currently Director of Auditions and Special Events.

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and English, Courtney relishes the new experiences yoga has offered her in her life. She uses her teaching to encourage people to shape their bodies in a strong and healthy way, to relax and renew the mind and to understand that change and peace is possible. In the true spirit of Leah's instruction and of the studio she has created, Courtney encourages all beginners to come in and acknowledge the wisdom within themselves.

Courtney would like to thank Becca for lending a hand and inspiring her teaching!