Tracy Carruth - ERYT - Owner of Yoga Balance Studio
Tracy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and has been a Register Yoga Teacher since 2002. She continues to be inspired and grow in her teaching and
practice as she studies with the country’s finest yoga masters. Tracy’s greatest teachers have been her students who bring an abundance of knowledge, wisdom,
kindness, support and joy to the studio and their practice on and off the mat.
Tracy has a degree in kinesiology and business which she is grateful to combine with her passion for yoga creating Yoga Balance in 2004. The classes at the
studio are on a donation bases where a wonderful community of students and teachers share in the benefits and joy of the yoga practice. Yoga Balance offers
classes for everyone and is devoted to supporting each student’s individual intentions for their yoga practice.
Workshops and Teacher Training
Beryl Bender Birch, Rod Stryker, Shiva Rea, Dave Romanelli, Sean Corn, Rodney Yee, Saul David Raye, Ana Forrest, Tim Miller, Manju Jois, Baron Baptiste, Sarah Powers, Edward Clark, Brian Kest, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Manorama, Judith Lasater and many other gifted teachers who have blessed Tracy with their knowledge and inspiration.
Deborah Bancrof - RYT
Deborah began practicing yoga in 2001. She has worked for the YMCA for ten years and was asked to be a substitute for another instructor. After teaching
the class, Deborah realized there was something truly amazing to yoga.
In 2003, Deborah completed her 200 hour training through Purple Lotus and is currently registered with Yoga Alliance. Since completing her 200 hours, Deborah
has studied under some truly gifted and talented yoga gurus.
Deborah completed her teacher training in Ashtanga yoga with Manju Jois in 2004. She has been fortunate enough to have studied under Beryl Birch, Tim Miller,
David Swenson, Baron Baptiste, and Donna Farhi.
Donnette Diehl - RYT
Donnette has been a registered yoga teacher since 2003. She teaches in a moderately gentle vinyasa style and her classes have been described as lighthearted,
non-threatening, loving and peaceful yet challenging and invigorating. She encourages students to find their own rhythm at their own level in a safe way through
focusing on alignment and honoring individual abilities and limitations.
In January 2008 Donnette became certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader through The American School of Laughter Yoga. This new practice has unleashed her passion
for fun and playfulness that is evident in her workshops and classes. She feels strongly that Laughter Yoga has a special place in the journey towards world peace.
These classes are invigorating, playful and extremely healing. You will laugh all of your stress away in a safe and joyful environment.
Beginning in Spring 2008 Donnette will be offering Doga classes. This is a playful practice that provides an opportunity to bond with your pet and connect
with other dog lovers. Come share your love of yoga with your best canine friend!
Education, Certifications and Teacher Training
• Bachelors of Science Degree from TWU
• RYT200 - Purple Lotus Yoga Teacher Training
• Certified Laughter Yoga Leader – American School of Laughter Yoga
• Doga training with Suzi Teitelman (One of the founders of Doga)
Individual workshops and training: Aadil Palkhivala, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Susi Aldous Hately, and many others.
Joanne Osborn - RYT 500
Joanne started practicing yoga in 1998 in order to combat debilitating fibromyalgia, a painful condition where the muscles of the body calcify, thus radically
restricting the movement of the body.
Yoga has been an essential part of managing her disease. In order to share her love and appreciation for the incredible benefits of yoga, she began teaching in
October of 2001. Joanne completed her 200 hour certification with Samatva Yoga founder, Karen Prior. Her 500 hour certification was completed with the Himalayan
Institute in Allahabad, India.
Joanne is registered through Yoga Alliance and holds several childrens’ yoga certifications. Additionally, Joanne has pre- and post-natal training through Mamaste
Yoga, Thai Yoga training, and Reiki certification.
In addition to yoga, her greatest loves are spending time with her family and travel.
Jennifer Lawson - RYT 200
Jen began practicing yoga in the spring of 2006 during a time of significant struggle and change in her personal life. Almost immediately, her yoga practice became
the one time each day when she could feel a sense of calm and empowerment. Several months later, an opportunity for teacher training arose at the studio where she
most often practiced and she wanted to learn to share what she was experiencing with others. Jen completed the Its Yoga Cincinnati 200-hour training program, registered
with Yoga Alliance and began teaching in May of 2007. Since that time, she has also had the opportunity to participate in several adult and children's yoga workshops.
In addition to teaching yoga, Jen is an Occupational Therapist and has spent the majority of the past 12 years working with children with special needs and their
families within the school systems in New York, North Carolina, Ohio and now in Texas. Over the years, she has developed a particular passion for working with
children on the Autism Spectrum.
Brandie Werner - RYT 200
Brandie began practicing yoga off-and-on in 2000 when she was pregnant with her first child and developed a regular practice and passion for yoga in 2003. With the help of vinyasa yoga she was able to lose over fifty pounds in 2004 and transform herself into a vital, active woman, wife and mother. She finished her yoga teacher training in 2005 and is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. In addition to teaching several classes a week she maintains her own regular practice and attends workshops to continue her personal and professional growth. She taught throughout her pregnancy in 2006 and credits her yoga practice with a healthy pregnancy and beautiful home birth. Brandie encourages her students to have a deep practice which incorporates body, mind and spirit. She lives in McKinney with her husband of eleven years and three children, who practice crazy kid yoga all the time!
Lea Fritsch - RYT 200
Lea has been practicing Yoga since 2002 and in 2004 felt compelled to enter teacher training and found Purple Lotus where she received her RYT 200. During her teacher
training Lea was diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck and had to put her training on hold. While undergoing radiation she used a restorative practice and meditation
to help the body relax and heal.
With a loving, gentle style that emphasizes using the breath in conjunction with body movement, Lea encourages the body to open in its own time allowing the heart to embrace
life. She has lived in the Middle East, traveled the world and believes we are all connected at an energetic level. Lea teaches in-home private lessons and at
Liberty Rec Center in Plano where she lives with her companion Ed and their dog Lucky.
Lea has taken workshops with Manjou Jois, Manorma, Kofi Busia, and is currently enrolled with Namaste USA studying the Scaravelli Method to obtain her RYT 500 and sincerely
believes students are her best teachers.
Karyn Force - RYT 500
Karyn has taught yoga exclusively for over a decade, is a 500-hour Professional-Level Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Ashtanga Yoga Teacher and Energy Therapist. She holds her B.A. in Psychology, and is currently pursing registered nurse certification. Karyn subs from time to time and is leading the 'Hips and Hamstring Workshop' on June 14th, 2008
Dates Karyn is teaching:
JULY
Sunday 7/20 - 9:30am & 11am
Monday 7/28 - 5:45pm & 7pm
Tuesday 7/29 - 9:30am
Wednesday 7/30 - 5:45pm
Thursday 7/31 - 9:30am
AUGUST
Monday 8/4 - 9:30am, 5:45pm & 7pm
Tuesday 8/5 - 9:30am
Wednesdy 8/6 - 5:45pm
Thursday 8/7 - 9:30am & 6:30pm