Kula Leaders

Cortni Saunders, ERYT, IAYT, Reiki Master, LMS

Cortni Saunders, ERYT, IAYT, Reiki Master, LMS. Cortni’s physical practice began early in life with the practice of ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling through Jody’s School of Performing Arts. She danced from the age of 4 until 16 giving her a solid base of body alignment and physical discipline. Her passion for using her body in movement was rekindled at the age of 27 when she attended her first Yoga class. Dance had opened her body; Yoga opened her mind and heart, uniting Mind, Body, and Spirit. Cortni’s life ambition was transformed and is the center of her focus for promoting the union of Mind, Body, and Spirit. Cortni’s teacher training began through Yoga Rising studio in Hendersonville, TN. She completed the 200hr program in 2006. In October of 2012 she completed a 300hr Yoga Therapy program through Yoga School of Excellence in Jackson, TN. She now holds an E-RYT 500 registration through Yoga Alliance and C-IAYT certification through International Association of Yoga Therapists. Cortni’s Reiki Certification training began with David Buchannan, Reiki Master Level 1 & 2 in 2012. She continued with Colleen Dwyer, Reiki Master for Level 3 & 4 attaining Reiki Master Certification in 2021. As an initial yoga instructor Cortni began with Hot Yoga Nashville teaching the Yoga Sutras to 200-hour trainees. In 2011, spurred on by her teacher Beatrice Raydo 500 E-RYT of Ft. Lauderdale FL, she decided to utilize her Yoga Studio, Mindful Motion Yoga Center as a teacher training facility. The program is certified through Yoga Alliance for 200- and 500-hour instructors. Some of the Yoga Studios participating in Mindful Motion Yoga Center’s instructor program have been Yoga Harmony (Nashville, TN) The Spot (Bowling Green, KY) Serenity (Springfield, TN) The Nightengale (Bowling Green, KY) in addition to many Middle TN workshops and Yoga Retreats. Cortni deepened her understanding and skills with a Massage Therapy Certification allowing her to achieve a Tennessee Massage License (2023) from Mind Body Institute. Her most recent certification and license allows her to provide individual hands-on therapies in addition to the healing aspects of Yoga and Reiki. Cortni now incorporates Reiki and Massage for a life altering healing session.

"Go Beyond the Beyond"

April Wilson-Green
RYT-500

April began a yoga practice in 2009 and like so many found it a beautiful way to relieve physical and mental tension. Experiencing greater range of motion and an increased awareness of breath gave her a desire to study and share with others. April began studying with Mindful Motion Yoga Center and have completed my RYT-500. She now has been sharing her knowledge and passion for 13 years. April states "leading classes has been one of my greatest rewards! I love knowing I can provide a space for others to find their breath, move with grace and feel the joy of balance between movement and stillness."

Jalana's yoga journey began in 2019 when she started Yoga Therapy, with Cortni, looking for relief from stresses of life in general. She found that relief and so much more. Yoga therapy helped guide her to strengthen and reconnect with her body. She was hooked on the practice and wanted more. In 2020 she completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program with Cortni in Mindful Motion Yoga Center's School (2021). Shortly after receiving her 200 RYT she discovered the benefits of Yin Yoga which helped her find balance, understanding when to slow down and when to go for it, both in her personal practice and in life. Jalana believes sometimes we need to slow down and be still to help us connect with our bodies and internal selves. She completed her 50-hour Yin Yoga training with Bernie Clark in July 2021.

"Practicing Yoga has helped me reconnect to myself. I’ve found my creativity! I enjoy creating practices for myself and others. When I’m not practicing Yoga, I find my creativity in clay. I enjoy making sculptures and expressing myself through my art. I enjoy spending time with my husband, our cats, and our new puppy. I love spending time outdoors, playing with my animals, hiking, gardening, or just hanging out. I enjoy caring for my many house plants, they make my home feel green and alive."

Jalana Abernathy, CRYT, Yin Certified, Meditation Certified

Nikki Ryman, RYT 200

Nikki Ryman, RYT 200 received her certification from Mindful Motion Yoga Center in 2023. She is also a Certified Level 2 Reiki Practitioner (2023), Meditation Instructor (2023), and Human Design Consultant (2024). Committed to continuous learning, Nikki draws inspiration from spiritual teachings and embraces new techniques and research to enhance her personal practice and instruction.

A lifelong Tennessee native and local resident, Nikki has been married for 25 years and has 5 children. She homeschooled all 5 children and is often found supporting them in various sports and community activities. Her hobbies include reading, crafting, shopping and going to the beach. Nikki brings an enthusiasm to her instruction integrating yoga philosophy with her Chrisitan beliefs while keeping the class light, fun, and engaging. Her class emphasizes is to maintain grounding and internal connection with curiosity and playfulness. She guides her classes practice to build strength, cultivate ease, and deepen the mind-body-spirit connection.

Pam McMurtry, RYT-500

Pam McMurtry, RYT-500 completed her Yoga Teacher Training through Mindful Motion Yoga Center in conjunction with Yoga Harmony (2017). Pam's journey with Yoga came for various reasons. Life stresses required a way to:

Reduce and balance life extremes between family and professional duties

Obtain spiritual growth

Become a part of a like-minded community

Accept and love herself

And

Find a path to mindfulness to establish the peace needed to walk through life.

Pam became an instructor with Mindful Motion Yoga Center now Kula Yoga and Body Work to extend her personal and professional journey with Yoga and the healing it brings as well as impart to others.

Holli Ellis, LCSW, RYT-300

Meet Holli Ellis, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Trauma Sensitivities. She is mother to an active preschooler and wife in addition to her professional counseling practice.

Holli completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Mindful Motion Yoga Center in Goodlettsville, TN under Cortni Saunders. Holli's focus is to connect everyone with their bodies. Not everyone understands the same body language so when one says "lift up with your heart" ...one may have no clue what that means. The emphasis of Holli's classes is how participants feel and not proper technique although the class is based on the Hatha style of yoga. Holli's objective is to create magic for body absorption through deep breathing, poses that relax, and a flow to enhance comfort and well-being in a safe space.

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