Instructors & Staff | The Mat Yoga Studio | Richardson TX

Would you like to learn more about Yoga or explore a path toward becoming a Yoga teacher? Then don't miss Advanced Yoga Studies with The Mat Yoga Studio and Treenuh Yoga! The next course starts soon so click here for details!

The Mat is excited to host Shari Friedrichsen and her three-workshop series Yoga for the Heart in February. Don't miss this opportunity to practice with a senior teacher from the Himalayan Institute! Click here for more details and sign up soon! Space is limited

Check out our new class: Senior/Chair Yoga! Join us every Monday morning at 10:30am. Click here for details!

Becky Strahan, RYT

Owner, Yoga Instructor

I was introduced to Yoga in 1994 as a complement to a rigorous physical fitness and weight lifting regimen. I enjoyed it from the start, but didn’t practice regularly until quite a few years after having kids. For about 17 years, I worked in software technology, eventually becoming a successful business owner in the software/service industry. During the last few years running multiple businesses, my Yoga practice steadily increased as my desire to remain in the corporate world steadily decreased.

Lisa Coyle, RYT

Curriculum Director, Yoga Instructor

I began my yoga journey about 28 years ago when I was a theatre student at SMU. My teachers back then taught us a few poses, but mostly they taught us the mental practice of yoga in order to teach us to become more aware of ourselves, others and our surroundings. They wanted to teach us to become more present….more “in the moment”.

Katie Morgan

Studio Director

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” –Joseph Campbell

Christi Jiannino, RYT

Yoga Instructor

About 15 years ago, I found myself in a Bikram “hot” yoga class in San Francisco. I guess this Texas girl needed a respite from the city chill. Most of my life I’ve enjoyed exercise, but this experience was so different from the running and cycling I was use to doing.

Danielle McLean, RYT

Yoga Instructor

After years of listening to friends and family tell me that yoga would make a difference in my life, I ended up in Kurt Johnsen’s class at American Power Yoga in January 2008. Upon hearing him say, "We carry a lot of baggage in these hips, how much of it can you unpack?" -- I was hooked!

Gabriela Vokic, RYT

Yoga Instructor

Gabriela found yoga, or rather yoga found Gabriela, in the last (i.e. the most intense and most hectic) year of her doctoral studies. Gabriela likes to say jokingly that if it hadn’t been for yoga, she probably would’ve ended up in a loony bin. And as amusing as the comment may seem, it’s not too far from the truth.

Ginger Newberg, RYT

Yoga Instructor

A lifelong passion for physical fitness and curious pursuit of the motivation behind human behavior brought me to yoga. While working as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer and completing a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology, I was introduced to Iyengar yoga. At first it was very difficult to slow down because I was so used to a fast-paced workout. But, I persevered.

Heather Hopper, RYT

Yoga Instructor

"Without laughter and love, yoga is just hard work." Steve Ross

Heather came to yoga about thirteen years ago as an achievable fitness program for her obesity. Over the years, through physical activity, healthy eating and body awareness encouraged through yoga and Weight Watchers, she has dropped from a size 18 to a 4-6 and has become strong, flexible and inspired by all aspects of yoga.

Jackie Carey, RYT

Yoga Instructor, Prenatal Yoga Instructor

I’ve been teaching yoga in the Plano area since mid 2008. When I began a regular practice a few years ago I realized that I’d actually been introduced to yoga in the early ‘90s while pregnant with my first child. As a part of my preparation for a natural childbirth, I was taught gentle strengthening and stretching exercises as well as relaxation and breathing techniques which fifteen years (and three babies) later I came to know as yoga asanas and pranayama.

Jenn Usherr

Yoga Instructor

I started practicing yoga just after moving to Dallas in 1998, discovering that yoga provided an escape from my stressful daily life. I was searching for a spiritual balance to work and a yin balance to years of vigorous exercise routines including dance and aerobics. Yoga, I found to be so much more –discovering that a mindful practice is a highly transformative experience.

Julie Wright, RYT

Yoga Instructor

My yoga journey began in 1999 when I took my first yoga class. As a personal trainer and group exercise class instructor, I was always looking to improve my physical condition – yes, that is why I took my first yoga class. Little did I know how the practice would change my life completely! I was very pleased with the physical benefits from yoga, and the beautiful heart-opening spiritual practice began to unfold and the love deep inside of me began to shine and I wanted to share this love!

Karine Carrier, RYT

Yoga Instructor

“Every time I leave a yoga class, I feel like someone has pushed my “reset” button. I hope that’s the way you will feel when you leave my class”.

I have been a personal trainer for seven years. Health and fitness has always been a big part of my life. Three years ago, I decided to try yoga to discover something new and improve my flexibility. My first experience was terrible, as well as the second.

Michele Williams

Yoga Instructor, Silver Sneakers Instructor

My start in competitive sports came at an early age. I love working towards a goal as well as the camaraderie and the endorphin rush that comes with training and competing. Swimming, track and horseback riding were my early passions.

Samantha Martin, RYT

Yoga Instructor

I spent many years searching for a fitness routine that would keep me motivated to exercise on a regular basis: aerobics, running, walking; nothing held my interest for more than a couple of months. Boredom would set in and I would give up. All of that changed when I stepped into my first yoga class over four years ago. The simple desire to incorporate fitness into my life evolved into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Yoga provides the physical workout I was seeking while helping me stay balanced and focused on and off the mat.

Stevan Koye, RYT

Yoga Instructor

I hope that my classes will teach you how to build your own path while maximizing your efficiency in your movements, muscles. thoughts, and breath.

I was born an only child raised by single mom until I went to military boarding school, 500 miles away, at the age of 12.

Trina Hall, RYT

Yoga Instructor

I believe in yoga. For me, yoga is a conduit for self-knowledge, self-love, awareness and happiness. I developed my relationship with the divine on the yoga mat and I continue to experience the divine in all living things. I'm certified at the 500-hour level by Yoga Alliance and continue to study yoga for health, healing, stress relief and therapy. Having taught over 500 classes to people ages 5 through 85, I'm aware that every class is different, occupying that particular space in time.

Wendy Landry, RYT

Yoga Instructor

I was given the gift of yoga in 2000, after the birth of my daughter, which left me in an overweight state with a bit of the ‘baby blues’. My first yoga class reconnected me with my sense of humor. Mainly, laughing at myself while I tried to figure out if I was going to be able to get off the floor and contemplating the possibilities of moving the next day. Suddenly, a lovely woman on the mat next to me leaned over and said, “It will be okay honey, you will be sore, but if you come back tomorrow I promise you will feel better.” I did come back the next day and have been practicing ever sense.

Megan Naccarato

Staff - Studio Assistant

I was first introduced to yoga when I was in middle school. My mom and I would wake up early with our friends, and go to the gym by our house and do yoga. I thought it was a blast. My mom loved it so much she began teaching and finally opened The Mat. So of course, I get called little Becky around the studio :). Right from the start I wanted to work here and I am so glad I did. The environment at The Mat is so fun and I believe I have the best place to work at that any teenager could ever have.

I am currently 16 and a junior at Plano Senior High School. After high school I want to go to the University of Oklahoma to major in Meteorology. I have been a dancer and/or a cheerleader almost all my life, and yoga fits right into that same groove that both cheer and dance did. I'm still new in my practice, but all of the wonderful teachers and students at The Mat make me want to continue my practice every time I come. I am very bubbly and love to talk to people, so when you come into The Mat, if you see a bright green jeep in the parking lot, you can be sure to be greeted with a smile and a big hello :)

Shelby Devonport

Staff - Studio Assistant

The moment I heard that I got a job at The Mat I had no idea what to expect. First of all I had never taken a yoga class in my life and second it was my first job! The first few days of working alone at the studio felt a little nerve-wrecking because I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect. Within those days I found myself in a new environment that felt like I was right at home! Everyone is so friendly and accepting at The Mat even with a big age difference (no offense to anyone!). Everyone treats me just as one of their friends, which truly means so much to me. I love the fact that not only are people coming here to enjoy a good yoga class, but people are here to make a great community with one another. I love taking yoga classes here as well because it isn’t like the average sport or who can do what the best; it is your yoga class... it’s all about you!