OUR MISSION
TRAINERS
OUR MISSION
White Crow Yoga is committed to offering the finest Yoga classes and teacher trainings to our students. We offer a fun, educational, and non-judgmental environment where you can connect to your mind, body and spirit through the practice of Yoga.
To fellow Yoga Teachers and Fitness Professionals Looking to Further Their Education:
White Crow Yoga strongly believes that ANYONE who has felt the calling to teach Yoga should have the opportunity to participate in a teacher training, no matter what their
financial status, fitness level, race, religion, gender, age or dietary beliefs. We offer teacher trainings that will enable you to teach a variety of populations including
seniors and those with health issues or physical limitations. We believe that Yoga is in the heart, not in the posture. You don't have to be able to do the most complicated
Yoga poses, or be the most strong or flexible person in class to be a Yoga teacher. After completing one of our trainings, you will leave being able to teach and demonstrate
modifications for every pose to ensure the most beneficial class experience for your students. You will also receive a comprehensive education of the
8 Limbs of Yoga, as we believe that all are necessary to have a complete Yoga practice.
TRAINERS
Mary Irby - RYT/Yoga Fit
Mary has been practicing and teaching Yoga for almost 30 years and completed her 200 hour training program through YogaFit (200-RYT),
a Yoga Alliance Approved School. Mary is also certified by American Council on Exercise (ACE), AEA, and Aura Yoga. Mary's teaching style is a blend
of many styles she has experienced, creating a class that incorporates breath work, meditation and asana. Mary feels that this blend helps her students
find a mind/body connection and offers a perfect combination of calming, restorative poses, and energetic, active poses. If you are seeking help for a
specific health condition, rest and relaxation, or a challenging workout, Mary can help you meet your goals with Yoga.
Mary has also created an exciting, groundbreaking Aqua Yoga program. Drawing on her experience as a water fitness instructor, Mary began offering a few moments of asana to her water students. They loved it and asked for more, so she thought of ways to utilize the water's properties and methods of modifying traditional Yoga poses to work in an aquatic environment and her Aqua Yoga program was born.
In addition to teaching, Mary has experience training candidates to teach group fitness and preparing them to sit for the ACE exam, as well as experience teaching in the 200 hour program for an international Yoga Alliance Approved School. Mary holds a Masters degree from Colorado State University in Education, and a bachelor's degree from MTSU with a double emphasis, one of which is in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Currently, Mary is working towards her 500 hour RYT in Yoga Therapy, which will be completed in June, 2012.
Christy O'Brien - RYT
Christy began practicing Yoga several years ago out of curiosity. She originally chose Yoga hoping to lose the fifty pounds of baby weight she had
accumulated with her first born. Tired of her repetitive daily exercise, she desired something more creative, yet still challenging. She soon discovered the benefits
of Yoga went beyond just the physical body and balanced her mind and spirit as well.
Christy was recommended Yoga at the age of 25 after being diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Overcoming many levels of childhood abuse, she was too dark at the time to give it a try. Christy spent the next few years in therapy and heavily medicated. It took giving birth to her first born child to wake her up!
"Born into the darkness, Yoga helped me become better planted in the light."
Christy has been studying Yoga for over 7 years now. She became certified through Nancy Wile Ed.D. E-RYT, founder of Yoga Education Institute (Registered Yoga School through Yoga Alliance). Other inspiring teachers: Aretha Mckinney Blevins, Linda Mills, Jan Campbell, and Jami Grich Ph.D. In addition to her Yoga studies, she has an associates degree in Photography and Graphic Design (Visual Communications).
Kim Gray - RYT
Kim Gray has been at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) since 2003. She is originally from Jacksonville, NC. Kim earned her B.S. in
Physical Education (emphasis in Athletic Training & Sports Science) from Chowan College (now Chowan University) & her M.S. in Athletic Training from Indiana State
University
Mrs. Gray currently teaches Musculoskeletal Anatomy (KIN 300) & Essentials of Athletic Training (KIN 324) in the Kinesiology Department. Along with her certification in Athletic Training, she is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and a Corrective Exercise Specialist. Mrs. Gray is currently working on her doctorate in Health Education here at SUIC.
