Instructors

Megan Louvin (Owner)
RYT-200

I came to Yoga late in life, but am so glad I did. The impact on my life has been profound. I began practicing in 2005, when I was 38. I have been teaching since 2010. I also teach cardio classes, and I am able to bring a heightened body awareness, that is so essential to yoga, into that arena. This makes my cardio workout much more balanced and beneficial. I had no idea when I began this journey that I would one day open my own studio. What a blessing it is to be able to do what I am so passionate about. I could not have foreseen just how beautiful and fulfilling teaching would be. It just goes to show that you CAN teach and old dog new tricks!!

Larissa Montes

RYT – 200

Zia Zen Yoga 

Hello! My name is Larissa, and I found yoga nine years ago. I graduated from Yoga Yoga Austin with the 200-Hour Hatha Flow Certification, and I’m thrilled to embark on this lovely journey of teaching. My goal as a yoga teacher is to offer a dynamic yet harmonized yoga class, so you as the student can completely enjoy and appreciate your full potential. I look forward to our voyage. Namaste.

Dana Comstock

Ashtanga
Ph.D., RYT-200

Dana Comstock-Benzick, Ph.D., RYT, was trained in Life Power Yoga through the Life Time Academy, directed by Jonny Kest. Life Power yoga is practiced at varying levels of intensity, and is based in the Ashtanga tradition. Dana leads the Ashtanga primary series at the Yoga Den and is a professor of counseling at St. Mary’s University. Dana is married to Jeffrey M. Benzick, M.D. and together they have 4 children. Dana considers herself “mom to many cool kids!” She soon be training in trauma sensitive yoga instruction.

 

Elizabeth Kertesz

Elizabeth Kertesz Yoga

EHK Yoga on Facebook

RYT-200

I have been practicing yoga for many years, but became more deeply committed to a regular practice in 2012, when I began attending prenatal yoga classes while pregnant with my son. A recent graduate of VIP Unlimited Yoga School, hosted here at the Yoga Den, I am thrilled to reach out to the community by teaching yoga to beginners. One of the many beautiful things about yoga is that you can start wherever you are right now in your journey and keep going from there. Each moment, each breath and each posture can be experienced as if it is the first time, and I strive to cultivate this sense of “beginners mind” in my teaching style and in my approach to life. Off the mat, I enjoy spending time with my son. I maintain a green beauty and wellness blog. In addition, I am a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and experienced green building consultant.

 
 

Samantha Clayton

RYT-200
I stumbled upon my yoga journey by mistake. My first official yoga class was after a cardio workout at a gym as a sort of stretch to end the day. That was the day my perspective forever changed about what yoga was and has led me to my passion today. Yoga has helped me to realize the importance of bringing my mind and body into the present moment on a daily basis. I enjoy sharing this sense of peace with those who share their practice with me. Although power flow has been my first true yoga love, I am discovering more and more the amazing benefits that come with a nice relaxing restorative class. I have recently received my 200-hour certification, but am continuing to learn with every class and every yogi/yogini that join me. When off the mat I can be found exploring the world with my kiddos, throwing a ball for one of my rescue pups or relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine with my husband.
 
 

Tracy Badders

 E-RYT 200, RYT 500, RYS 200

VIP Yoga

Yoga Teacher Training VIP Yoga
 

Tracy began her practice in 2007. She fell in love with how much deeper yoga is than just a physical practice. She says yoga truly is a lifestyle and a daily practice in and outside of a yoga classroom.

Tracy has a Level 1 yoga instructor certificate through YogaFit. Tracy has obtained a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification through American Power Yoga of Dallas, Texas and Black Swan Yoga of Austin, Texas. She earned her Adaptive Therapeutic Advanced Yoga Teacher Training 300 hour certification in December 2017. She has worked with multiple Physical Therapists to help them create yoga programs for their patients.

Tracy enjoys life and has the drive to balance her profession as a yoga instructor and to maintain a healthy family structure. Tracy’s yoga classes are influenced from Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Gentle Restorative. Her classes are also influenced from rehabilitation exercise. Tracy has a caring nature. She enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 silly boys, and 2 Pitbull Mix dogs (fur babies.) Tracy’s hope is to teach people self care to reduce chronic pain, lower stress levels, and increase strength and flexibility.
 
“Your fears are not walls, but hurdles. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquering of it.” –Dan Millman Way of the Peaceful Warrior
 
 

Jericho English
RYT-200 & CFT

Nafsi Yoga

Jericho is . . . a man like me — a relatively groovy person who enjoys a good cup of tea and conversation about the weather. In practice for 15 years, I now enjoy teaching the art of yoga, always remembering to merge the ancient groove to your specific abilities. As a certified personal trainer, I tend to blend the western training with the eastern to give a more balanced experience that can be carried “off the mat” and into your world.Hey, it is time . . . what are you waiting for?!
 
 
 

Melissa Hernandez

SCW Pilates level one Certification
Fitour Pilates level two Certification
SCW Yoga fitness level one Certification
Hi my name is Melissa. I’m a San Antonio Native and I’ve been practicing yoga/pilates for nearly 15 years. With a deep passion for it, I became an instructor 6 years ago. I’m happy to be back at The Yoga Den. I’m married with two daughters. I enjoy music and the outdoors. I look forward to helping you achieve your fitness goals.
 

Tiffany Murphy

RYT-200, Pilates Certified

Organic Yoga

200 hr. certified
Hello, my name is Tiffany. I started practicing yoga in 2015. I started practicing at home, then I stumbled into The Yoga Den. The Yoga Den had become my happy place, I was attending everyday to get a sense of peace in my life. I noticed yoga was helping me mentally and physically. I started to focus more on reality and not the pictures of my past, nor the fears of my future but rather the present tense (reality). I started to become more aware of my thoughts. This gave me the sense that this will be a lifetime practice for me. The owner, a few students and some instructors were encouraging me to become a teacher. With much persuading, I took my classes to become an instructor, and I am happy I did. I enjoy teaching, I enjoy meeting different people, and the energy they bring while in class.
 

Donna Dufrene-Alvizo

Barre, POP Pilates, Barefoot Boot Camp, NASM CPT, FNS, CES
I began my career in the fitness field late in life. I had spent 22 years in the dental field, but had always been interested in fitness and health. My opportunity came when I was able to cut back on my full time job and go to school to study personal training at Northwest Vista College. About a month into schooling, my fitness idol, Cassey Ho, creator of POP Pilates had an instructor training in Austin, and I jumped at the chance. Not thinking I would start out teaching so soon, I found myself teaching POP Pilates at YMCA just a month later. I love being able to share the Good Vibes that POP Pilates is all about and growing our POP Army.  I also became certified in Barre Above and PiYo, and it’s a blessing to able to help people reach their fitness goals with these fun formats. I graduated with an AAS from Northwest Vista College as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer.  I recently received my Fitness Nutrition Specialist Certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and now working on my Corrective Exercise Certification.  Meanwhile, my 2 little boys and husband keep me a super busy mom!
 

Harini Srinivasan

E-RYT 200 and RYT 500 with emphasis in level 1 yoga therapy

harinino1@hotmail.com

Harini’s yoga journey began in chidlhood and she grew to love the practice.  Originating from in Southern India, yoga grew to be Harini’s passion and part tradition.  After completing her Masters in Microbiology, she decided to deepen her practice and completed her first teacher training in Hatha Yoga in India in 2005. After coming to the US and having a family, she again turned back to yoga, all the while practicing.  Again, she became certified in flow based Hatha, from Yoga, Yoga in 2013.  Additionally, she completed a 22hr restorative training from Judith Lasater.

Continuing with the passion of the healing aspect of yoga, she went on to complete a 500hr certification with the emphasis in level 1 yoga therapy. During the course, there was a deeper understanding on the anatomy, physiology and also philosophy with advanced pranayama and meditation.

Her teaching style includes Hatha, flow-based Hatha, Viniyoga and Restorative yoga.  In her class, she encourages students to find their edge, yet be compassionate to themselves and awaken the inner spirit.  Her personal practice includes chanting, pranayama and meditation.

 

Caitlin Skinner

RYT – 200

 

Hey I’m Caitlin! I started my yoga journey at a gym, just on a whim in 2011. I wasn’t really serious about practicing until I moved to Colorado in 2013 where I started going one, two, even three times a week. I worked as a seva for the studio and eventually one of the teachers, of a class I frequented, asked if I had ever thought of becoming a yoga teacher. HA! Me? Teaching yoga? Yeah right. Yet, I began thinking about it more and more. Finally, in the summer of 2017, I completed my 200 hour teacher training program. It was the hardest, most intense emotional, mental and spiritual time of my life. I actively began teaching in January 2018.  Upon moving to San Antonio earlier this year, I found The Yoga Den to be an amazing welcoming community and I am so excited to be part it! You can find me on Saturdays at 1230 for Vinyasa Power Flow. In my down time, I enjoy cooking, exploring open spaces/backpacking, travel and scouring Hallmark for the perfect card. Oh, and the way to my heart is through peanut M&Ms, dark chocolate and almond joys.

Jennifer Mason

200 Hour Sacred Teacher/25 Hour Restorative Teacher

Jenn Mason is a certified integrative life coach and yoga instructor. Jenn’s experience ranges from working in corporate wellness in San Francisco,  relationship coaching in Ohio and most recently doing diabetes prevention  coaching for a start up in New York City. Her specialties are in stress reduction, hypnotherapy, women’s health and mindfulness. Jenn recognizes the importance of the mind-body connection, and helping empower her clients discover their own vision of wellness.