About Us Our company name comes from the Sanskrit word for "breath." It is one of the five organs of vitality of sensation. Breath is our vital life force that sustains body and mind. "Through the door of PRANA we find ourselves in the present." The word "Yoga" means union and also comes from the ancient Sanskrit language. The root word means "to yoke." Yoga is understood to be both, a process and a goal, a means and an end. In the words of A.G. Mohan "whether we want to touch our toes or reach God, there must be movement." Joan Borysenko, co-founder with Herbert Benson, MD, of the Mind-Body Clinic at New England Deaconess Hospital, says that the practice of yoga is "aimed at learning to quiet the mind and to direct it." She speaks of the practices as "centering" and asserts that the end result is to increase awareness, honesty, confidence, competence, and love. Mission Our mission is to provide a healing and safe community of learning the art of yoga through the most experienced and educated instructors. Our intention is one of holistic health, a sharing of ancient wisdom, and of giving back to the community. A portion of our proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Teachers Christa Dehner Christa Dehner began her yoga journey after she took her first yoga class four years ago. She knew right then and there that yoga would be a part of her life from that day forward. She fell in love with the physical challenge of yoga as well as the mental and spiritual benefits it gave her. Christa has been a dancer for most of her life and a dance teacher so the transition to yoga was natural for her. Her passion for yoga inspired her to share that passion with others through teaching. She truly enjoys watching students transform during their yoga practice.  She received her 200-hour certification from the Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center in Palatine, Illinois. Christa also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan.  Rachael Eyrich RYT200 Rachael's first experience with yoga was in 2001 after suffering a running injury. She began practicing yoga as a way to regain her range of motion and correct the underlying postural imbalances that contributed to the injury. As a result, she feels stronger, faster, and more flexible than before her injury. Due to her experience using yoga as a rehabilitative tool, Rachael advocates cultivating a firm foundation - building your house on a rock. Strongly influenced by Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga styles, her classes emphasize structural alignment to create physical strength and develop fortitude. Her teaching style is best described as power vinyasa. Rachael received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification in July 2008 through Cityoga School of Yoga and Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her teachers were Nikki Myers and Marsha Pappas. Rachael also holds a B.A. from Indiana University in Communication and Culture. She and her husband, Chad, live in Fort Wayne and have 3 children. Polly Grismore RYT Polly loves life, the Lord, and yoga. She believes yoga is truly yummy when practiced with a full heart and without fear. Her favorite Bible verse says "there is no fear in love." – 1 John 4:18 Polly began practicing yoga in 2005 and completed her 200-hour yoga training with Holy Yoga, under teacher Brooke Boon in May 2010. Polly brings a patch work quilt of experience into her classes.  She loves the energy of Baptiste yoga, the playfulness of Anusara yoga, and heart for Christ of Holy Yoga. Being real, being present, and being yourself can make any yoga class yummy. She feels blessed to to teach what she loves. Polly graduated from Taylor University where she met her husband and best friend, Dan. They live in Fort Wayne with their daughter, Abbi. Together, they are like a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Jill Harman CYT/RYT/CTMT As Jill will tell you "There is nothing romantic about starting a yoga practice." The first several weeks entail everything from shaking, sweating and crying to the sweet sweet final relaxation of Savasana (everyone's favorite asana). No amount of explaining can prepare you for the shock of realizing how much your arms weigh when you start a yoga practice. When a new student attends class, they can be sure to be encouraged and supported because Jill never wants to forget what "a beast" downward dog was and sometimes still is. Come with a open heart and be prepared to be uplifted by the beautiful and challenging practice of yoga. Will Henry While living in California, Will was introduced to yoga by a friend. Needless to say, the quotation "Yoga’s not what you think!" certainly applied. "I envisioned everyone sitting around in white robes with their eyes closed. I had no idea that there was a visceral component to the practice (asana) and I left that day feeling light and spacious - a seed had been planted!" Since that day, other limbs of the Ashtanga practice have been introduced and that quotation has taken on an entirely different meaning. "The longer I practice, the more humility and gratitude I have for this profound ancient science." Will earned his B.S. in Secondary Education from Indiana University in 1998. Intrigued by the connection of the body and mind, he studied Shiatsu massage, became a certified therapist in 2003 and began a yoga teacher training program through Prairie Yoga in 2008. Will teaches a Vinyasa flow class with emphasis on alignment and longer holds to encourage opening on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Will designs his classes to help students develop or deepen their personal practice. Markus Horstmeyer Markus fell in love with yoga from his very first class in 2006. After years of playing different sports from middle school through his time at Purdue University, he finally found an activity that made him feel at home. For Markus, yoga is that perfect balance of working out and having fun, both in the mental, physical, and emotional plane. Every challenge that comes from a difficult asana also opens a door to an emotional opportunity. Although Markus is fairly new to Yoga, he has many aspirations for the future. He hopes to add Thai Yoga massage to his experiences, as well as work his way toward an Acroyoga certification in the years to come. After practicing yoga for a little over a year, Markus decided to look for a 200 hour teacher training program. Within days, he found a school that worked perfectly in his schedule, the Green Tree school of Yoga in Elkhart, IN. Studying Iyengar based hatha yoga under Ruth Teji Dilley and Kim Sellers, Markus will complete his training in early December. Linda Krebs Linda's interest and passion for yoga began when anxiety interfered with her ability to enjoy life to it's fullest. She discovered that not only did yoga offer relief from her anxiety symptoms through consistent practice, she also experienced positive changes on all levels, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Helping others learn to honor themselves through conscious movement and breathe to create balance and peace within, is what continues to inspire her journey as a teacher and a student. Linda completed her 200 RYT training through YogaFit in 2008. She has also completed her studies and certification work as a Relaxation Therapist, and is a certified mat pilates instructor through NETA.  Lindsey Maksim Lindsey has been a dedicated yoga student since 2005 after searching for a way to find balance and peace within her life. Through her journey, she has been able to explore her inner self and has found courage, light and a deeper connection to her entire being. In 2009, she completed her 200 hr RYT through Prairie Yoga. She is very grateful for the opportunity to share her teachings and guide her students along their own personal journeys of peace, light and self-awareness. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saint Francis with a dual concentration in history and sociology. She thanks her teachers and her inspiring grandmothers for their constant wisdom, guidance, love and support.   Tammy Maroney Tammy's life long love for being active, healthy and fit brought her to yoga. She has always been a runner but wanted more for her mind and flexibility for her body. She started with Vinyasa Yoga and Core Synergy and loved the benefits so much that when she was asked to teach Core Synergy she knew she had to share her love of the class with others. Tammy has has a strong following as an instructor as she is an inspiration to others in helping them achieve their goals. She loves that Core Synergy gives your whole body a complete workout, clears your mind and makes your body stronger, leaner and toned.  As a NETA Certified Pilates instructor in mat pilates, Tammy now also offers mat pilates classes as well. She says the beauty of pilates is it is low impact with high results! She invites you to come join in the fun. Dani McGuire Founder and Director, E-RYT200, IAYT,NFPT What first brought Dani to her mat was her passion for health and fitness. What she found there was much more than she ever imagined. As her gym membership collected dust she had a transformation within her practice, discovering a peace within her unchanged by the frantic society. She decided instantly she wanted to share this teaching with others. Dani has practiced yoga for over 10 years, beginning with Lyengar and now having studied Hatha, Raja, Vinyasa Anusara, Viniyoga and many more styles that inspire her own style of teaching. Dani believes that when the student is ready the teacher appears, and has found this to be true both in her experience as a teacher and a student. Some of her great teachers and influences are Shiva Rea, Bryan Kest, Todd Norian, Lisa Matkins, and Jnani Chapman. Dani received her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance certification through Cityoga School of Yoga and Health in January 2008, and is currently pursuing her 500 Hour certification with teachers Marsh Pappas and Nikki Myers. Dani is also dedicated to teaching yoga to people with cancer and chronic pain. She is a Yoga Therapist and is registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Her teacher and mentor is Jnani Chapman and she has received her certification through Integral Yoga Academy. Her goal is to make these services available to everyone living with cancer, regardless of their income. Dani is committed to forming a partnership with every one of her students to serve them in finding peace, health, and a greater sense of well being wherever they may be in this moment. Yogi Mundaka Yogiji has been active in spiritual search since he was 9 years old when he was self-realized. He is a teacher’s teacher, philosopher, lecturer, counselor, writer, artist, yogi, spiritualist, healer, and a mystic with a loving soul.  Truth seekers everywhere actively seek out his teachings. He is recognized as a Yogi and was conferred by Swami Labdhananda of India. Yogiji has shared his knowledge and light to thousands in many countries over the years. His style is predominately Classical Indian Style - Kriya Yoga as he has studied from various schools and masters;  Paramahansa Yogananda school (Kriya Yoga), Yoga Bajans school (Kundalini Yoga), Krisnamacharya school (Integral Yoga), B.K.S. Iyengar (Integral Yoga), Swami Rama school (Hatha Yoga), Indra Devi school (Sai Yoga), Master H. Rahqualski (Zen-Do School), Tibetan Buddhist Lamas and Zen Masters.   He teaches that our true self is our Soul and is the Spiritual nature, which is beyond mind emotions and body. He will awaken the Divine Music that comes from the Soul and awakens the student to the Eternal Being.  He teaches with a come as you are, all ages, all conditions, and all professions and bring nothing but a loving heart. Tara Nehls Kids Yoga teacher Tara is a yogini who truly loves children! Tara earned her Master of Education Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has practiced yoga for 6 years and completed yoga teacher training through YogaFit Training Systems and Healthways Silver Sneaker Program. She is a preschool special education teacher in Fort Wayne Community Schools, and has been teaching Yoga For Kids for two years. When she is not teaching, she enjoys drawing and walking outdoors. Tara lives happily with her husband, cat, and dog in Fort Wayne. Johanna Potter Although an instructor, Johanna considers herself a student as well.  Her studies have lead her to complete the Thai Yoga Therapy Practitioner training through the Ritam Healing Arts in California and her Pilates Matwork Instructor training with NETA. Through her own personal journey and guided studies she has learned what a divine gift yoga and bodywork truly is.  Johanna is excited to share this insight with others as they discover their own path that lay before them. May TRUE PEACE ans INFINATE BLESSINGS be yours. Col. 3:14 Tina Tazian Tina’s greatest joy as a teacher is helping people find health and inner peace through yoga. Her yoga journey began 30 years ago when she was introduced to yoga and meditation by a friend while still in high school. Later she practiced traditional yoga with Indian swamis and Tibetan lamas while attending Indiana University. But she took a break from yoga for many years while pursuing her love for Modern Dance. In 1983 she received a BA in liberal arts with dance concentration from Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York.  After a 10 year hiatus, she returned to yoga.  She loves both the athletic aspects and the more subtle work with prana or life force energy. For her yoga was never simply a physical practice but a form of creative expression and sacred healing. Her style combines alignment, slow flow vinyasa and tantric elements. Her goal is to integrate poses, breath and guided meditation in an organic whole. She has studied with master teachers, Rod Stryker (ParaYoga), Desiree Rumbaugh & Todd Norian, (Anusara) Gabriel Halphren & Manouso Manos, (Iyengar), Seane Corn (Vinyasa), Lilas Folan and others. A lifelong student, in 2009, she received her 200 hr RYT through Prairie Yoga. She thanks her mentors Tricia Fiske and Joanne Snow for guiding her teaching practice. And she is grateful for her family’s support and the life she shares with her husband Marc and daughters Adrienne and Sophie. Sarah Thelen Sarah has spent the last 15 years of her life studying music, completing her education at Indiana University, where she holds a Bachelors of Music degree in Oboe Performance. After finishing school, Sarah moved to Fort Wayne, where she now makes and play tests oboes. Shortly after leaving school and trying to find her way in a new town - that bustling metropolis of Fort Wayne! - Sarah discovered yoga. In the yoga world, Sarah immediately found a sense of connectedness, community, physical and emotional opening, that drew her deeper and deeper into this new realm of studies. After practicing for just over a year, Sarah participated in the first year of the Prairie Yoga Teacher Training at KMBI, where her primary teachers were Tricia Fiske and Marinda Stopforth. After completing a research paper on the history and developments of Yogic and Western chanting for this teacher training, Sarah found a real calling in chanting and kirtan. Melding her two loves of yoga and music, she now loves to bring lots of singing and heart opening chants to her classes. Sarah has also studied and practices Thai Yoga Massage, and finds this also enhances her understanding of the body and manner in which emotions physically manifest themselves. Like music, massage is a strong coupling with a yoga practice, offering a good balance of effort and surrender, engagement and release. Lea Walker Lea has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She was shanghaied into teaching in her second year of practice, she lacked training and experience, but the gift of teaching sparked the fire of yoga within her. Since then, she has trained with many inspired teachers from such diverse schools of yoga as Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, Anusara, Tri Yoga and Tibetan Heart. Two years ago she met her beloved teacher, Michael Johnson. It was through him she received intensive training and earned a 200 hour certificate. This fall, Lea will complete a 500 hour yoga certification with Michael Johnson. Lea is also trained in Thai Yoga Massage through Lotus Palm. Lea's classes include mantra, pranayama, asana, dharma and savasana. Her classes are influenced by Tibetan Heart yoga/meditation with an emphasis on posture and the movement of prana. Pam Weimer Pam feels she has always been a seeker and an observer. She is known for her compassionate heart, generosity and sense of peace. She is currently completing her 200 hr certification through Prairie Yoga. Pam follows the Six Gems of Para Yoga in practice and teaching. DHARMA: destiny and surrendering into that which you were born to be TANTRA: self mastery over mind and prana VIDYA: science and seated wisdom AGNI: fire, becoming powerful enough to move through those blocks that create inertia SIR: life is a gift PARAMPARA:  honoring the source   Guest Teachers Eric Falbe Eric Falbe is a visionary and maverick entrepreneur. He has created and built several national companies in real estate and finance. Eric took his first yoga class 3 years ago when he was looking for strength and flexibility to enhance his running and hiking, but came away with a much greater gift of integrating the practice of yoga in his daily life on and off his mat. Eric completed his teacher training at At One Yoga in Scottsdale, Arizona. Eric's classes are challenging, fun and integrate contemporary music. His classes combine strength and flexibility with the power of breath to form a moving meditation.

What our students have to say about Pranayoga: "Even when I feel totally out of sorts, I leave her (Dani's) class feeling better not only physically but emotionally." – Marianne, Fort Wayne "Pranayoga has made such a difference in my practice. I have enjoyed being there so much. The instructors have all been knowledgeable and experienced." – Bob, Fort Wayne "Everyone has been kind and nurturing and I'm glad to see them in the great location downtown." – Stephen, Fort Wayne "I came to yoga to deal with chronic pain without the use of drugs and accomplished that goal within the first 6 months of practice. When I began practicing with Dani in an Anusara class, however, yoga became a life-changing experience." – Jeanne, Fort Wayne "There is a good selection of classes to choose from. Everyone should be able to find a class that fits their style and particular needs. I have had nothing but wonderful experiences." – Marcia, Fort Wayne