OUR MISSION
TRAINERS
OUR MISSION
White Crow Yoga, LLC 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 500, CTP (Certified Thai Practitioner)
Mary is an RYT 500 and has been practicing and teaching Yoga for almost 30 years. She has completed three 200-hour training programs in the US and finished her 500-hour yoga therapy training through the International Yoga Academy in India, where she studied Thiramoolar's Therapeutic Ashtanga Yoga. One of her 200-hour training programs earned her a designation of a Certified Thai Practitioner (CTP). She is also certified by ACE and AEA. Mary's teaching style is a blend of many styles she has experienced, creating a class that incorporates breath work, meditation and asana.
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.
Realizing that there are many traditional Yoga classes offered in most cities, Mary has found ways to reach non-traditional students and use Yoga as a tool for recovery. In addition to pioneering an Aqua Yoga program, she is drawing from her experience in the Eating Disorder realm by offering Yoga Therapy to those in recovery. This therapy also extends to other types of addictions, including relationship addictions and alcoholism.
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 is an RYT and 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 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.
Along with her certification in Athletic Training, she is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), a certified Curvy Yoga Teacher and a Corrective Exercise Specialist.
Recently, Kim completed Thai Yoga Therapy Practitioner Training via the White Lotus Foundation.
Alicia Trotter, Teacher in Training
Alicia studied Nursing at Tennessee Technological University and earned her BSN in May 2005. She has always had a passion for health and nutrition. She helps individuals with learning about proper nutrition and healing through food.
When she herself became ill with Adrenal Fatigue in the fall of 2012, it was her Yoga practice that helped to heal her. This healing has deepened her desire to not only practice Yoga on a personal level, but to also train to teach.
Her desire is to someday help others find healing within their own body through mediation and a consistent Yoga practice. Currently she is studying to complete the 100 hour level 1 CYT.
