Staff | Main Street Yoga

Debra Risberg	Debra Risberg, Professional Level Kripalu Yoga teacher 500 hr., MFA, Yoga Therapist. Debra is the founder of Main Street Yoga and Healing Arts Center and has been practicing for over 16 years and teaching for the past 12 years. Her interest in yoga began in High School back in the 70’s after reading “The Bagavad Gita”. She wishes to thank the Hare Krishna’s who printed and distributed thousands of these books around the U.S and Europe and likewise turned thousands of people on to this amazing science of life…click here to learn more about Deb. You can write to her at: debra@mainstreetyoga.com or call her at the studio (309) 829-9618.
Tonya Keach	Tonya (BS, RYT, KYTA) has been teaching at Main Street Yoga since 2002. Over these years she has developed many classes that assist students in connecting with and honoring their own inner wisdom. One of Tonya’s many passions includes the empowerment of women during pregnancy, labor, and motherhood. Over 100 “yoga babies” have graduated from her prenatal classes, and she now offers a mom and baby yoga class as well. A natural outgrowth of this passion, Tonya has recently trained to be a doula (meaning mothering the mother). Using her knowledge of yoga postures and breathing, as well as her gentle yet encouraging nature, Tonya is looking forward to supporting women during labor and delivery. Tonya’s teaching has an emphasis on each person honoring his or her own experiences and noticing shifts of energy. It is this belief in the healing powers of the body that has motivated her to study a unique form of healing known as The BodyTalk System. She is now offering this service at Main Street Yoga’s Healing Arts Center. Tonya’s classes blend postures, breathing, chanting, and meditation to help you cultivate a sense of inner peace and harmony with the external world. For more information on The BodyTalk System visit: www.bodytalksystem.com, or call Tonya for an appointment. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jeffrey Shoaf	Jeffrey has been an avid student of yoga since his first class at Main Street Yoga studios in 2002. He has trained with other Kripalu certified teachers in North Carolina, and at workshops in Toronto, Chicago, and other midwestern cities. He completed his 200 hr. yoga teacher certification in Pranakriya Yoga in September of 2009, and is working toward both the 500 hour and Yoga Therapy Certification. Teachers who inspire him are his wife Debra, Yoganand Michael Caroll, Erich Schiffman, and Gary Kraftsow. Jeff teaches gentle and moderate classes, and created the popular “Yoga for Men” class. He also enjoys giving workshops on yoga therapy here at our studios. He is also a licensed massage therapist and practices Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release at our Healing Arts Center. You can visit his website at: www.jeffreyshoaf.com.
Chris Danosky	Chris has a long career at Main Street Yoga. Beginning as a student, she also worked in the shop and today she is a gifted and popular yoga teacher at the studio and for our classes at State Farm Insurance. Instead of striving for “perfection” her students are encouraged to use yoga as a way to release chronic tension and stress and to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Her personal practice and study extends over 17 years. With her foundation in Kripalu Yoga through Main Street Yoga, and as a graduate of the Prana Kriya Yoga Teacher Training program, Chris has developed a flowing and meditative style that is very popular.
Lee Piper	xxxxxxxxxxxxx Lee has taken classes at Main Street Yoga for more than five years. After she retired from State Farm she became a serious student and enrolled in the Pranakriya 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training course. After completing that course and becoming a certified teacher in September of 2009 she continued her education by attending an Advanced Anatomy and Therapeutic Yoga course, a Prenatal Teacher Training course, an in depth study of the Bhagavad Gita taught by Yoganand Michael Carroll, and several workshops for the back, hips, knees, arms and improving core strength. Lee teaches the Gentle Class at Main Street Yoga on Friday mornings and substitutes for other classes as needed. Lee’s has a passion for yoga and a desire to share her knowledge of the benefits it can provide, regardless of a person’s age or physical condition.

Lisa Knuffman	Lisa began practicing yoga 9 years ago in her living room. In 2001 she began attending classes at Main Street Yoga Studio and has continued to deepen her knowledge of yoga under the trusted guidance of her teachers. She completed her 200 hour teacher certification in 2009 at Main Street Yoga. Lisa’s philosophy: If it is a roaring workout that you want, yoga can give it to you. If it is a calm mind you are striving for, yoga will help you to let go. If you want to begin to “tune in” in a world that makes it so easy to “tune out,” yoga will allow you to go inside and simply be. This is the great thing about practicing yoga; it can be whatever you need it to be in that particular moment.
Jeremy Meyers	Jeremy was introduced to yoga through a cross-training dvd program that included one yoga practice per week. It happened to be one of the most challenging workouts of the program, and he was hooked. Wanting to explore more of what yoga has to offer, he began attending one class a week at Main Street Yoga. One class quickly turned into two, then three and then in August 2010, he enrolled in a year long 200 hr. Yoga Teacher Training certification program to learn more about the practice and philosophy of yoga. Drawn to a rigorous practice that includes movement, flexibility, strengthening, and breath-work, he also appreciates and cultivates the calmness and inner wisdom that comes from this complete mind-body practice. Jeremy is excited to teach one of his favorite styles of yoga, the Vinyasa class on Wednesday from 5:30 – 7 pm.