 Rachel
Roberts Rachel initially found yoga in 1998 at the recommendation of a naturopathic doctor who suggested asana and pranayama as a way to control her worsening asthma. Over the next several years, yoga came in and out of her life until 2004 when she became increasingly dedicated to expanding her personal practice and yogic knowledge. In 2008, Rachel left her home in the U.S. to travel the world through yoga, studying under great yogis throughout Europe and Asia. In 2009 Rachel continued her learning at Sri K. Patabbhi Jois’ Ashtanga Research Institute in Mysore, India and attended the Mandala teacher training in Bali with Shiva Rea. She has been blessed to count among her teachers Sharath Rangaswamy, Saraswathi Rangaswamy, Marco and Sandra Bianco, Katiza Satya, Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Paul Dallaghan and Neil Barker and she continues to expand her studies through workshops and advanced practice with teachers like Katy Appleton, Mark Whitwell, David Swenson, Rod Stryker, Sharon Gannon, MC Yogi and Amanda Giacomini. Roberts leads weekly classes in Cincinnati, Ohio as well as international workshops and retreats on yoga and meditation. Seeking ways to further spread her love of yoga, she used her creative backgrounds in both marketing and photojournalism on the website This End Up <http://thisendup1.blogspot.com>. The site chronicled her journey and the inspiring changes that occurred in her life; giving Rachel the chance to share the lessons she’s learned with a broad audience and to aid others along a similar path. In 2009 She started a line of yoga and mantra-inspired jewelry while living in Bali. In 2010 Rachel opened The Yoga Bar in the heart of downtown Cincinnati to create a yogi community center in her hometown. In October, 2010 she was gifted the title of ambassador for Lululemon Athletica <http://www.lululemon.com/community/ambassadors> . “Yoga has so profoundly and completely changed my life in positive ways that I cannot help but share it with others.” – Rachel Roberts Rachel is the founder and guiding force behind The Yoga Bar and she lives in gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a fulfilling, sustaining and expansive lifestyle. She's pretty much always at The Bar.  Mer began her yoga journey at age sixteen. as an injured
ballerina with a broken heart she was experiencing her first heartbreak
and was unable to simply dance her way out of the pain. She was like a
bird with a broken wing frozen by the shock of true depression. Being
so young she had no perspective. Sayings like “time heals all" seemed
insulting and horribly inadequate. she did not agree with the teachings
of simply waiting around for things to improve.
She looked to pilates which helped her body and then to yoga. it was in a crystal clear moment of feeling her breath spiraling in swirls of light around her heart and her spine long and tall with dignity that she began to feel the power of the formless within the form. she began to study and read books and practice whenever she could. she was in love and knew that this love must be shared. Meredith went on to study theater and cultural anthropology in college. She traveled to Brazil her last year at Miami and studied afro Brazilian dance, sustainable agriculture and capoeira. Falling in love with the freedom of expression inherent in the dance and pulse of afro-brazil. This freedom has affected her teachings as a yogini immensely. Rediscovering her voice and gift for music has further affected her offerings as a teacher. Her music is her bhakti, but she believes her gift as a teacher is to empower people to free themselves from the trappings and cycles of the unexplored mind, to make friends with the body and voice (our most precious garments) and to make positive changes in the world. She is grateful for all her teachers and this madly beautiful life. Mer leads our wildly popular Vinyasa+Vino Happy Hour class, Fridays at 5:30pm.  Deontre 'D' Martin D came to yoga because of what he believed to be a chronic issue with fidgeting. From his first practice that constant unrest was finally given an outlet and he was instantly hooked. Like many of you, D's early yoga exploration was aided by DVD's and televised classes, but he soon craved the sangha (community) of group classes and one-on-one instruction. Deontre, has always loved exploring movement and Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga is his movement of choice. As his practice progressed he longed to learn more and entered a local 200-hour teacher training program in 2008. He continues to foster his yoga curiosity by attending advanced workshops and practicing with other local master teachers. His adherence to the strict weekly practice of Ashtanga and his love of the fluidity of Vinyasa are the foundations for his teaching style. D's infectious love of asana, of yoga philosophy and his knowledge of subtle body energies make his classes very special for all who come to their mats. His hope is that his classes will offer those who practice a space to hear their authentic voice. D believes that - In your yoga practice, success is nothing more than a successful present moment. Deontre can be found tending bar Wednesdays at noon and
whenever else he isn't smiling back at you from across the counter at
Whole Foods.  Donna Covrett Donna
tends bar Wednesday nights for her popular asana-kicking,
Anusara-inspired Vin-to-Yin class.  Stacy Sims founded Pendleton Pilates in 2001. By the time she sold the studios in 2010, the studio system was four studios, more than a hundred weekly classes, and thousands of clients strong. Her Teacher Training program was one of the region’s strongest education systems and she was nationally recognized as a movement educator, writer and entrepreneur. Most recently, Sims was featured in a series of educational podcasts for Balanced Body. She has written for and been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, Fitness Management Magazine and Balanced Body. Sims has also studied yoga since 2001 and practiced in the U.S., Cuba and Paris. She has been studying dance since 2008 and dances wherever and whenever she can. She has embarked on a special year of dance for her 50th Birthday called “The Year I Danced.” Look for Stacy Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings for her True Movement class and be sure to catch one of her frequent workshops. If you can't find her at The Yoga Bar, check Coffee Emporium or Los Angeles.  Kurt has studied yoga and has lived the yoga lifestyle nearly 15 years. He trained in Kripalu Yoga, Integral Yoga, Hatha, and Vinyasa Krama, and practices the First, Second, and Third Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. A Registered Certified Yoga Teacher, Kurt is dedicated to yoga philosophy and Sanskrit. Kurt follows a daily practice of Asanas, Yogic Breathing Techniques (Pranayama), Meditation and Chanting. His teaching philosophy is to have fun and be open to challenges during weekly studio classes. He strongly encourages students to develop a personal daily home practice. Kurt leads his trademark blend of Ashtanga/Vinyasa Saturday mornings at 9am.  Leslie has been practicing and studying yoga for more than 10 years, but really became interested in teaching after having her first child. She realized that yoga not only helped regain her body, but also gave her the strength to stay mentally focused as a mother and wife. She received her Ashtanga Yoga certification at the 200-Hour level and enjoys teaching an Ashtanga/Vinyasa flow style of yoga, integrating strength, stretch and meditation. She is always searching for new ways to study yoga by taking classes around the city and furthering her studies with workshops and trainings. “I believe the beauty of yoga is that anyone can practice as long as they listen to their bodies. Yoga helped boost my energy level during pregnancy and gives me the patience and escape needed as a new mom. I strive to help others find the joy of yoga.” Leslie is taking some time to welcome her second child to the Yoga Bar family. Check back in the spring for her new class offerings.  Rachel uses Pilates to help her clients meet their personal goals whether these are injury rehabilitation, dance and sports-related conditioning, or general fitness and breath work. She truly loves working with people through movement and teaching various embodiment modalities. Learning is her lifelong passion allowing her teaching to constantly evolve and expand. Rachel is deeply committed to the benefits of this work and relishes the opportunity to share it with others. Look for Rachel's Monday noon Pilates for Yogis classes.  After experiencing his first yoga class, Mikey, or as he may fondly say with smile "just M," was amazed. The more rooted in his practice he became and aware of the gifts yoga bestows on our lives, that much more did he want to share these gifts with others. Mikey draws on almost 20 years of teaching and training experience to craft his signature flows. He teaches to share the love and joys yoga has brought to him. Coming from a yoga kula firmly founded on a supportive and unconditional loving community, he is inspired by life, love, and by everyone he meets. His personal practice and teaching style is influenced by a broad range of yoga philosophy and practice, particularly Anusara, AcroYoga, with a major emphasis on the traditional eight limbed or Ashtanga path. He is also trained in Thai Yoga Vinyasa, an extension and expression of his intuitive, loving, and healing heart. It is his desire to inspire and support inter connective relationships and community through yoga as well as create a safe space to support others in their exploration and growth of the self. Mikey tends The Bar Fridays at noon.  Findlay-Ji The Yoga Bar's official greeter and half-smile meditation Guru. Findlay reminds students to not take things too seriously and that no matter how heavy life gets, a good belly rub can bring everything back into perspective. Guest Teachers:  Joe Barnett has been teaching for over a decade. He teaches many styles of movement and has certifications in Yang (Vinyasa) Yoga, Yin Yoga and Acro Yoga. However, his main focus of study is the techniques in Functional Anatomy for Yoga Asana. Joe is a senior student of Paul Grilley, a true Yoga Scientist who is largely responsible for the current rise in the popularity of Yin Yoga and Functional Alignment. Using Paul’s Taoist Analysis of Yoga and the Body, Joe recently began traveling the country training yoga teachers and students how to understand and feel the full range of motion of their joints and their students’ joints; and how to use this wisdom to effectively and therapeutically build the postures in yoga. Joe will be leading all of Rachel's normal classes while she's in Bali. This is an amazing opportunity for you all to learn from such an experienced & beloved teacher. Be sure to take advantage of this chance to experience Joe's teaching & his workshop offerings.
Emily Balf, RYT Her general philosophy on yoga is to have fun and breathe. “Don't worry about getting it perfect. Give to your practice all you have without judgment. Our goals are balance and healing. If you fall on your face, so be it, it happens, we all fall down. Laugh about it and keep practicing. You've got to try the things you can't do, because if you don't start there, you'll never be able to do them, ever. Yoga allows us to practice calmness and equanimity in the face of challenges and frustrations. Your practice is all about you, your mind and your body on your mat—what happens elsewhere is irrelevant.” Emily received her 200hr training through It's Yoga Cincinnati and Advanced Teacher Training through Corepower Yoga. She currently teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga. Her yoga influences include, but are certainly not limited to, Sue Berkey, Paul DaSilva, David Swenson, Bryan Kest, Kurt Mathys, Mike Burgasser, Brandon Cox and Heather Peterson. In addition to teaching and practicing, Emily and her dog Sidda Lee Walker have taken on a life mission of exploring as much of the world as possible on foot and paw. She is a graduate student in Anthropology at the University of Cincinnati, a company member of MegLouise Dance and a nationally registered EMT. Emily was one of the founding teachers of The Yoga Bar before following her heart and her path to California where she now lives. Emily makes frequent trips back to Cincy and graces us with guest teaching gigs whenever she can.
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