Teachers/Staff
What does RYT mean?
When you see RYT, E-RYT 200, RYT 500 or E-RYT 500 next to your teacher’s name you’ll know that your teacher is registered with Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance is the central governing body for yoga teachers in the US, and sets standards for yoga teachers across the nation. Yoga Alliance also sets requirements for continuing education and active teaching, ensuring that teachers registered with them (RYT) are remaining current in their skills and knowledge and are regularly teaching yoga classes. When you see RYT next to your teacher’s name you’ll know you are being led by a teacher who is trained and current in their continuing education, and committed to the profession of teaching yoga.
TEACHERS
Carrie Klaus: E-RYT500, YACEP, Certified Ayurvedic yoga specialist, Owner/Director
Inspired by many knowledgeable and respected teachers from many different traditions, you'll find Carrie's classes to be a mix of serious yoga focus and light-hearted fun. Carrie believes that every person can practice yoga and will help you find your most comfortable pose through the use of props and various modifications. Carrie's classes also include a good dose of yoga philosophy. Pairing the sister sciences of yoga and āyurveda, Carrie understands that just as nature has her cycles, so do we. Her classes will help you find true balance by honoring the natural cycles of life.
Carrie began her yoga practice in 2006 after the birth of her second daughter. She started yoga as a way to get her body in shape after pregnancy, but quickly realized that yoga had so much more to offer. While continuing her physical practice she began to deepen her knowledge of yoga. As a result of experiencing greater peace in her life, Carrie decided to begin sharing her love of yoga with others. She enrolled in teacher training and has been sharing her love of yoga ever since.
Carrie and her husband, Rob, opened Element Yoga (formerly Inner Spring Yoga) in 2013 with the intention of creating a heart centered community in which Southern Indiana and Louisville residents can learn the teachings of yoga and equip themselves to spread peace and kindness into the world.
Carrie completed her 200 hour teacher training at Eternal Health Yoga under the guidance of Shelli Carpenter, and an additional 300 hours of Advanced Yoga Studies at Asheville Yoga Center. In addition to holding a 500 hour certificate and being registered with Yoga Alliance, Carrie also holds a teacher training certificate in Yin Yoga Practice and Theory which she received under the guidance of Paul Grilley. Carrie is also a Certified Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist through the Himalayan Institute. Carrie has practiced under many amazing teachers including Sharon Gannon, David Life, Doug Swenson, Anna Ferguson, Julie Kirkpatrick, Michael Johnson, Desiree Rumbaugh, Saul David Raye, Libby Hinsley, Leslie Kaminoff, Kathryn Templeton, and many others. With over 5,000 hours of teaching experience, and hundreds of hours of training Carrie’s classes are rooted in a solid foundation and understanding of the practices of yoga and their evolution and application to our modern experience.
Carrie is a lifelong resident of Southern Indiana, where she lives with her husband Rob, their youngest daughter Stella, and two cats. Carrie’s oldest daughter currently lives in Bloomington, IN. When she isn’t teaching yoga or watching her daughter compete in diving and gymnastics you’ll find her out in nature hiking or foraging for mushrooms. Carrie also enjoys cooking and creating recipes, and reading.
taylor outram: RYT - STUDIO MANAGER
Taylor started her Yoga practice after finding Element Yoga (formerly Inner Spring Yoga) in 2018. Eventually, Element Yoga hired Taylor for the front desk position, which introduced her to a wide range of local Yogis. Though she always aspired to teach, a last-minute opportunity to sub for another teacher confirmed that goal. After the class, Taylor was delighted and felt confident that she wanted to teach Yoga.
Taylor graduated from Element Yoga and Āyurvedic Wellness’s 200-Hour Teacher Training in 2022. She is inspired by her teacher, Carrie Klaus E-RYT 500, and the rest of the wonderful teachers at Element Yoga.
In August, 2023 Taylor was then honored to accept the opportunity of becoming studio manager and hopes to further serve the community at Element Yoga in this new role.
Taylor teaches and enjoys practicing various styles of yoga, finding benefits across all challenge levels. Her classes focus on finding what works for your body by offering modifications and encouraging self-exploration. Incorporating philosophical themes into her classes, Taylor challenges students in her classes to look inward.
While free time is hard to come by, Taylor enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her fur babies. Additionally, she enjoys reading, baking, live music and camping.
Keep up with Taylor and her Yoga offerings via Instagram @internal_light_yoga.
Laura DeMent: E-RYT 500, YACEP, Certified Health Coach
Laura was first introduced to yoga in 2002. At first, she enjoyed yoga as a form of exercise that did not bother her knees. As she continued her practice, yoga became a way to live her life in a balanced and healthy way. In 2005, Laura was asked to sub a yoga class and realized she would enjoy teaching. That fall she enrolled in OM yoga's Weekend Warrior teacher training in Indianapolis and graduated in 2006.
Laura's teaching is inspired by her teachers, Seane Corn, Chris Crews, Frank Mauro, Ramanand Patel and Laura Spaulding. Her classes focus on alignment, breath, flow and the use of props to make the asanas (postures) accessible to all students.
Laura is also a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and owner of Integrating Healthy Habits health coaching services.
Krista Storz: RYT
Krista was first introduced to yoga through an elective college course at the University of Louisville. As a former ballet dancer, the practice felt natural and she was instantly drawn to yoga asana. She practiced on and off for many years while she was busy raising her 4 young children. She experimented with different styles of yoga over the years until foot problems caused her to fall away from a regular practice.
In late 2015, she attended a yoga class at Inner Spring Yoga on a whim. $30 and 30 days later, she knew she had found her home! What began as a physical practice quickly led to a deeper connection within herself, thus beginning a journey of healing and self-discovery.
Krista credits her yoga practice at Inner Spring with helping her experience immense personal growth and healing. Yoga has created a strong mind/body connection and fostered in her a more peaceful way of moving through the world.
Inspired by the teaching and encouragement she experienced at Inner Spring, she attended the Yoga Teacher Training and received her RYT200 hour certification in 2018. She began teaching as a way to share the gift of yoga with others.
During the day, you can find Krista teaching second graders in Jeffersonville. When she is not teaching or practicing yoga, she enjoys spending time gardening and being out in nature. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and is a self-proclaimed cake artist.
MARY PAT BEACH: RYT
Mary Pat found Element Yoga, (then Inner Spring Yoga) in 2014 and from there, fell in love with the mind, body and breath connection. She started yoga as a way to relieve stress and continue her practice to get through this thing called “Life”.
While Mary Pat finds joy in all kinds of yoga classes she seems to gravitate towards Hatha Flow the most. She enjoys the flow of the poses and the connection of breath work that helps to keep her in the moment.
Mary Pat decided to enroll in teacher training at Element in 2020 to deepen her knowledge of the history, language and philosophy of yoga. The training has enabled her to teach a level 1 Hatha class at Element.
Mary Pat tries to incorporate a bit of lightness in her classes and she has a motto, “come as you are, where you are and do what you can do today to honor yourself!”
Mary Pat has also worked through 2 injuries while practicing yoga and with the help of her mentor, Laura Dement, she has learned many lessons that come with injuries. She believes more importantly, she made it through stronger and more resilient on the other side. Learning to accept day to day what her body was giving her, adapt and keep moving at her pace and in her bodies’ time.
Off the mat, Mary Pat nourishes her soul with gardening, walking her dog Bailey and spending time with her Significant Other, Paul and ever-growing extended family and friends.
Jasmine Thompson: ryt
Jasmine is a Southern Indiana native. She developed a love for yoga after attending a yin class in 2018. Jasmine felt a light was ignited that helped her walked out of a thick fog of grief from losing a loved one in the Fall of 2017. From that moment she began her journey as a student at Element Yoga & Ayurvedic Wellness (formerly Inner Spring Yoga).
Jasmine developed a deep passion for yoga as a student and was in awe of the knowledge her teachers obtained as well as held a reverence for the wisdom that was poured into her during each class. At the end of 2019 when the entire world was starting to fall to shambles, Jasmine registered for the 200-hour teacher training program at Element Yoga & Ayurvedic Wellness. In the fall of 2020 she obtained her RYT 200 certification under the guidance of Carrie Klaus and had been given an opportunity to make a change within her community. She was approached by one of her teachers with the idea, prior to teacher trianing, to give back to her community through yoga. Jasmine had seen the need of healing in her community and even though she was fearful, she stepped out on faith to start teaching yoga for minorities.
Her first series ever- which is ongoing to this day- is taught at Element Yoga where she holds space for minorities to come and practice Yoga on Tuesday evenings. In each of the classes she shares breathing techniques, leads meditation practice, focuses on teaching students how to find alignment within their body on their mat, and to connect their breath with their movement.
Since then Jasmine has been traveling around Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky sharing her knowledge of yoga to beginners who have always wanted to practice from the black and brown community but didn't feel safe in stepping into the classes or environments due to being a minority. Jasmine also teaches a more inclusive class on weekends where young, old, rich, poor, black, or white can come to practice yoga. She enjoys incorporating yoga philosophy into her classes because she has seen the growth that comes from learning the principles and how to apply them on and off the mat. In her opinion yoga philosophy is great at simplifying life's hardest lessons in a tangible way that helps create transformation from within, live a life of less suffering, and helps people to move towards emotional/mental maturity.
Outside of yoga you can typically find her spending quality time with her dog Xena who is full of energy and love. She enjoys reading, nature walks, dancing, spending quality time with friends and family.
If you don't want to miss a beat with Jasmine you can find her on Instagram at: Jazzy_by_natur3
Brandi Smith: RYT
Brandi lives close to the studio in Uptown New Albany, with her other half (Joe) and her 5 fur babies (2 dogs, 2 cats and a bunny!). Brandi has been practicing yoga for the past 11 years, 8 of those being at Element Yoga. Consistent Yoga and meditation practice has helped her find stability and renewed direction in life. In 2022, she earned her Certification as a Registered Yoga Teacher from the Teacher Training program here at Element. Through sharing yoga with others, she hopes to help others find personal growth. She enjoys teaching Hatha, Vinyasa, and Restorative Yoga styles, incorporating the yoga philosophy and engaging the energies of the cakras in her classes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with Joe, loving on her fur babies, reading, and various arts and crafts. Brandi and Joe enjoy traveling together, going to concerts, finding new and delicious culinary experiences, spending time with friends, and staying active, while also finding time to balance that with rest and rejuvenation.
