THe Yoga Ananda team

Maria Merrill

Maria is a certified Baptiste Power Vinyasa Teacher, a certified Hot Yoga Teacher and a Relax and Renew trainer certified by Judith H.Lassiter. She has participated in numerous programs with Baron and also assisted at Baron's 1 day workshops and Level 1 programs. Maria has been a registered Yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance since 2003 and an E-RYT since 2008. She teaches with skill and compassion focusing on intention while allowing students to find stillness within.

"I practice yoga to stay grounded and to focus my mind as well as relax and strengthen my body. When I started my practice my intention was to find balance. At that time I did not fully realize that yoga would also give me a deeper spiritual quest. Yoga has lead me on a path that is so much greater, richer and broader than I could ever have imagined. Yoga returns me to my true essence. This essence is what I wish all my students to begin to tap into."

You can reach Maria at maria.merrill@gmail.com or at the studio tel. 713-527-8280.    

Meet Our Other Great Teachers

 

Erin A.

Erin completed her 200 hour training in June 2011 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with Yoga Alliance.

She began practicing yoga in 2004 after playing competitive soccer for many years. After experiencing how a life of sports can lead to overuse and wear and tear on specific areas of the body, Erin was initially attracted to how the practice can integrate the body and restore physical balance. However, Erin quickly experienced how yoga can cultivate a sense of peace and equanimity that flows into daily life.  Since balance is key to flourishing in today’s fast-paced, competitive world, Erin’s classes provide students the opportunity to come back to center, to find their true potential from within, to build physical strength and openness, and to integrate the peace and energy found on the mat into all areas of life.

Off the mat, Erin works in the field of financial energy risk management and enjoys exploring new places and spending time with friends and family.

 

Erica D.

Erica completed her 200 hour training in June of 2010 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with The Yoga Alliance.

A Louisiana girl at heart, Erica was looking for a way to deal with the stress of a new city and job after moving to Houston. Erica found Yoga Ananda and fell in love. Like dance, Erica found that yoga allowed her to tap into her inner self. She quickly immersed herself in the the practice learning as much as possible and sharing it all. Erica brings grace and a strong spiritual practice into her class letting her students tap into the power they "maybe" haven't yet uncovered. "Open your branches and just be" is Erica's mantra. In the ability to let ago of our mental chatter we truly find the freedom to just "BE" .

 

Elizabeth H-L.

Elizabeth completed her 200 hour training in June 2009 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with the Yoga Alliance.

Elizabeth discovered yoga in 2000, and since then it has become a way of life that transcends the mat and flows into all elements of her life.   Her desire to share this path with others led her to seek certification as a Power Vinyasa instructor.  She enjoys immersing herself in various styles of yoga, and has attended various workshops and Yoga Conferences with David Swenson, David Life, Johnny Kest, Mathew Sanford, Rusty Wells and Steve Ross. 

Born in Brazil and raised in Mexico City, Elizabeth infuses her teaching with her lust for adventure and for expansion of physical and spiritual horizons.  Her classes are intuitively tailored to meet students where they are, while compassionately challenging them to new heights of awareness and release.

Off the mat, Elizabeth is a licensed psychotherapist who integrates yoga into her extensive work with trauma and addiction.   Her greatest joy is to sneak time into her day to play with the beautiful creatures in her life.

 

Kim G.

Kim completed her 200 hour training in June of 2010 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with The Yoga Alliance.

Kim discovered the practice of yoga not only provided incredible physical benefits, but presented a pathway to the balance of mind and spirit.  In realizing how powerful the effects of yoga were on her, she felt compelled to share her knowledge with others in hopes of helping people find a deeper part of themselves.  Through her yoga practice she has learned to trust her intuition, be less reactive and simply let go and relax with what is.  Kim guides her students toward genuine acceptance of self and surroundings and to encourage them to shine in their own authentic beauty and strength.

Marcy K.

Marcy completed her 200 hour training in June of 2011 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. 

Marcy began practicing yoga in the mid 1990's to increase her flexibility and speed as a nationally ranked, competitive long distance runner. Yoga offered her the same benefits as long distance running without the same risks of injury —a strong physical exertion and a peaceful, serene mind.  Over time, yoga became her primary form of physical activity as she learned through experience that a more flexible body leads to a more flexible mind.  Yoga is a transforming life experience that Marcy wants to share with others so they, too, can face challenges on and off the mat knowing "I can" rather than "I can't".  

Marcy has trained with a number of yoga instructors in Houston and around the country and has experience with many different forms of yoga.  Her personal favorite style of yoga is a strong Power Vinyasa flow. However, her goal is make yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of actual or perceived limitations. When she’s not on her mat, you can find Marcy running or riding her bike all around Houston or downtown practicing law. 

 

Claire N.
Claire completed her 200 hour training in June 2011 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with The Yoga Alliance.

Claire first came to yoga right after graduating college, when she decided that she wanted to totally revolutionize her way of living. Yoga Ananda soon became her second family. Claire found that yoga gave her the strength to make changes that cultivated more positivity, serenity and happiness in her life. She approaches teaching with the idea that the practice is an uplifting and empowering vehicle for physical and spiritual transformation, as well as a centering means of meditation.

Outside of the yoga studio, Claire loves learning through literature, food, travel, and the fantastic people in her life.

 

Lindsay P.

Lindsay completed her 200 hour training in June of 2010 at Yoga Ananda and is a registered certified teacher with The Yoga Alliance.

Lindsay believes yoga is a way of expressing creativity, living spirituality, and facilitating healing.  Her focus is being in the present moment while practicing yoga. She believes that yoga is more than just a workout, but a physical form of prayer.  Lindsay teaches from a place of “anything is possible” on and off the mat. When she is off the mat Lindsay enjoys reading, painting, exploring new places, and connecting with friends and family.

Lindsay is on Maternity leave taking care of her newest member of the family....

 

Michelle W.

Michelle practices yoga to release the tension and anxiety that accumulates in everyday life and to open herself to the world beyond those constricting emotions.  She believes that yoga allows us to explore our power and vulnerabilities and to recognize our infinite potential.  As a yoga teacher, Michelle leads a sweaty, energetic, and joyful practice that encourages freedom in body, mind, and spirit.  She feels that yoga is best practiced with laughter and a strong feeling of support and community.

When she is not practicing yoga, Michelle teaches second graders to fall in love with reading.  She enjoys cooking meals with friends and being one of the few brave pedestrians on Houston's sidewalks.