Peace through Yoga

Sally Brown Bassett, Ph.D. (Shakti)
President, Peace through Yoga

     Dr. Sally Brown Basset is an accomplished teacher and practitioner on the path of Yoga. Sally teaches a variety styles ranging from a power vinyasa to yoga therapy.  She has had the fortunate opportunity to have been instructed by some of the world’s top teachers. As Founder of Peace through Yoga, Sally has expanded yoga through international yoga retreats as well as outreach programs into corporations, schools, and hospitals.  A unique focus of her path has been the integration of activating and meditating on the Chakras. 

     Sally leads annual yoga and meditation retreats to destinations like Costa Rica, Africa, and India, mixed with adventure and humanitarian service.   She has traveled to over 130 countries and enjoys teaching yoga to children as she travels around the world.  Sally has also  led and coordinated programs with Seane Corn and the Off the Mat Into the World organization to Cambodia, Uganda and South Africa.   

     Sally is also president and co-founder of a non-profit called Women Like Us Foundation, dedicated to empowering and inspiring women and girls to make a difference globally and locally.   This foundation has evolved with Sally’s desire to make more of an impact with global sustainable projects.  Click here for more information.

Carrie Ballard

     Carrie Ballard came to yoga in 2006 following a bicycle accident that caused her pain and discomfort in the head, neck and shoulder area. After going from doctor to doctor only to be left frustrated, still in pain and with more bottles of medication she decided she must become responsible for her own well being. After researching and trying a variety of exercises and diets she slowly started to figure out what was right for her and her body. She started with minimal asana practice and a large amount of meditation, and firmly believes in yoga as medicine.

      Carrie has completed her 200 hour here at Peace through Yoga, and maintains a very strong personal practice. Carrie has also spent the last 8 years in Neuroscience studying pain, particularly head pain (migraines). Her Neuroscience background along with her ability to effectively manage her own pain has lead the way to a strong interest in yoga therapy. She really wants to help encourage people to take responsibility for their own health and help people maintain or gain more flexibility, strength and balance as they go through their daily lives.  For private sessions at Peace through Yoga, please contact Carrie at cjballar4@gmail.com.

Karla Becker

     Karla began teaching Hatha Yoga in 2002 and Kundalini Yoga in 2003. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher as recognized by the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association.   Karla took teacher training at Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles, CA from 2003-2004.  She studied Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh at Golden Bridge in LA and experienced its life changing effects, which she would like to share with others.

     She is also a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher as recognized by the Yoga Alliance and took yoga teacher training in Indianapolis, IN with Narayani Schalk from 2002-2003. Karla has since completed requirements towards Level 2 training in Kundalini Yoga.  She is a Reiki Master and a professional member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals.  Karla works as an artist and Kundalini Yoga teacher in Indianapolis.  Her art website is at karlabecker.com.  Her yoga website is at karlayoga.com.

Kay Ecken

     Kay Ecken came to yoga as a self-professed "runner who doesn't stretch" just to spend time with her friend and mentor, Sally Brown Bassett.  Since beginning her practice 10 years ago she has grown to understand yoga as much more than just a physical practice and is excited to continue studying the interaction of breath, brain and body.  Her background includes undergraduate work in Exercise & Health Science and Psychology.  She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Peace through Yoga under Christine Yovanovich.  Kay will be teaching beginning yoga and welcomes all yogis, novice to experienced!  Come grow in community with us!  

Patrick Kinsman

      Patrick Kinsman came to yoga from rock climbing.  He discovered Ashtanga yoga in Bloomington in the summer of 2004 and has never looked back.  In May 2007 Patrick undertook teacher training at It's Yoga in San Francisco and has been teaching classes around Indianapolis since July 2007.  Patrick teaches both classical and modified Ashtanga yoga, the "Rocket" series, and creative vinyasa classes.

      Patrick enjoys teaching inversions and other challenging poses, and thanks many teachers who have helped to develop his yoga practice, including Debby Harris, Wendy Gleckler, Clayton Horton, Matthew Sweeney and Kate O'Donnell.

Ogle Lowry

     In 1993 Ogle walked into his first yoga class in Okinawa, Japan.  He practiced various types of Hatha yoga over the years as a form of physical exercise and found Vinyasa was the type of yoga calling to him. He also studied meditation during his time in Okinawa which helped him to shift his concentration on and off the mat. In 2010 he chose the path of teaching yoga. He finds yoga to be a spiritual path much more than a form of exercise.  Ogle’s classes stress mindful asanas with proper alignment, breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques. In addition to being a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Ogle is a retired 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of IUPUI. In his spare time, he likes to hike, bicycle, and spend time with his 4 grandchildren. 

Charlie Lucas

     Charlie Lucas completed his yoga teacher training at CITYoga School of Yoga and Health under the excellent tutelage of Marsha Pappas and Nikki Myers. Charlie found yoga as a means to strengthen an ailing lower back, studying at first on his own via books. After reconnecting with an old friend, he finally stepped into a class. Once on the mat, it became evident that there was a greater benefit of yoga in addition to the physical; the centering of the mind, body and spirit with the breath. As an avid student of philosophy and meditation, this former DJ weaves affirming themes throughout his practice with uplifting quotes and thoughts set to well crafted soundtracks. He draws upon his many musical influences to assemble his class play list. Selections from Motown, Electronic, Rock-n-Roll, Singer Songwriters, Reggae, Funk, World, New-Age, Soul, Classic Rock, Pop to Alternative dot his musical landscape.

     Charlie keeps a light hearted approach to his teaching, encouraging students to smile, even laugh; to find joy within their practice. Charlie is also the creator of "80's in the 80's": A heated yoga flow class set to the music and fashion of the early 1980's. Charlie has been influenced by many teachers either via personal interaction in classes or videos and books. Some of his favorites have been Rolf Gates, Baron Baptiste, David Romanelli, Steve Ross, Matthew Sanford, Seane Corn, and Chris Roche. Ultimately, Charlie invites his students to breathe in the experience that is his yoga flow, get centered, and enjoy.

Cheryl Page

     Cheryl’s yoga journey began in 1985.  She was looking for some type of gentle exercise that would stretch the muscles and maybe provide stress relief.  She discovered yoga provided many more benefits.  Cheryl was amazed at the over-all improvement in her health and well-being.  She decided that teaching yoga would be an excellent way to share all of the benefits she had received from yoga through  the years.  Cheryl graduated from the 200 hour yoga teacher training at Peace Through Yoga.  She is registered through Yoga Alliance and Indiana Yoga Association. She continues to pursue her yoga education by focusing on newcomers to yoga, stress relief, restorative and gentle forms of yoga.

Cassie Stockamp

     Cassie Stockamp is a dynamic and enthusiastic Vinyasa teacher who was trained under Nancy Schalk of Heartland Yoga in Indiana.  She has enjoyed studying with Seane Corn (Vinyasa), Gurmukh (Kundalini), Brian Kest (Ashtanga), and also with many teachers while at the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India.

     Cassie enjoys teaching a flowing and athletic form of yoga to help build strength and to improve balance and flexibility.  She brings to the mat a Buddhist understanding of how to balance business and life pressures with mindfulness and has spent retreat time with Tich Nhat Hanh’s teachings in Colorado.

Keema Walden, Ph.D.  

      Dr. Keema Walden has a Kripalu/Vinyasa Yoga teaching style, so students are given the option to explore and show compassion for themselves through flowing asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work), meditation (awareness), and deep relaxation.  She is a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher.  Yoga has been her passion since 1997 and she has loved teaching since 1998.  She is also a practitioner of Reiki (Usui and Kundalini), SomaEnergetics Tuning Forks, Integrated Energy Therapy, Healing Touch, Sai Maa Diksha, and the Oneness Blessing. 

      While she has been self-taught for most of her Yoga career, she has been blessed to train under Lynda Mitchell, Judith Lasater, Rashmi Sue Jenkins, Randall Williams, and Stephen Cope.  She enjoys teaching students of all ages, body types, and fitness levels.  She teaches with beginners in mind, so there is no need to be shy.  As Keema continues to grow as a Holistic Health Practitioner, she invites you to come and share this journey with her.  Click here for more information.

Christine Yovanovich BA, ERYT

     Christine Yovanovich began her journey with yoga in 2002 after dealing with chronic fatigue and joint pains during the prior 6 years. She decided to practice breath work and meditation for pain control.  Eventually, she was able to practice the asanas/poses.  After discovering the healing effects of yoga, she decided to retire in her previously stressful job and dedicated her life to sharing with others the healing aspects of yoga.

     Christine began studying Kriya yoga in 2005 at The Self Realization Fellowship located in Los Angeles, California.  She is Kriyaban-eligible.  She received her 200 hr. yoga teacher certification in 2005 at Cityoga located in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She continues her studies for her 500 hr. certification.  She is registered through Yoga Alliance and Indiana Yoga Association.  She has been blessed to work with many seasoned and prominent teachers of yoga some of which include, Jyoti Hansen, Todd Norian, Desiree Rambaugh, Ramaswami, David Swenson, Marsha Pappas, Nikki Myers, and Sean Corn.  The styles of yoga most studied thus far include Kriya, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Anusara yoga, which are all Hatha-based.

     Christine is most grateful to her teachers for passing on this ancient and healing art and especially to her family for their love and encouragement.

 Michael Fischer and Eva Earley

Teachers for Partner Yoga

     Michael has been studying and teaching movement therapies for 13 years.  Eva has been a student of Viniyoga and Gary Kraftsow since 1989.  She has been a chiropractor for 23 years, and is also a certified craniosacral therapist.