Our Teachers
At Yoga Loka you will find a family of teachers, all with exceptional training and education. The learning should never stop, and Yoga Loka strives to embody that belief.
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation, Rooted Sound Bath, Against Inertia, & Flowing Rogue
Nikki Collier BS, MS, E-RYT 500; YACEP
Owner/Teacher Yoga Loka LLC Reno, Owner/Teacher Shanti Yoga Fallon
Nikki holds a Master of Science degree as well as her E-RYT 500 and YACEP. . She is a skilled teacher of Vinyasa Flow Yoga, leads various forms of Guided Meditations, and offers Sound Healing practices. Her greatest love is serving her community with trauma sensitive offerings. Taking on ownership of studios has allowed her to expand her community, and reach more hearts. Nikki Owns Shanti Yoga in Fallon, and Yoga Loka LLC in Reno. Please reach out anytime. ~Hari Om
Mindful Yoga Essentials & Monthly Restorative Yoga
LeeAnn Maynard, E-RYT 500, YACEP
I started practicing yoga over 20 years ago as a way to feel strong emotionally and physically while coping with anxiety and depression.
I worked with Viniyoga Yoga Therapist Lyn Banas (student of Gary Kraftskow) for 6 years and became a 500 hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher with Kathleen Grace-Santor at Stress Management Center of Nevada. I have studied meditation with Khenpo Choying Rabjam Rinpoche through the Dzoghen Lineage and I am currently studying Mindfulness and Meditation with the beautiful Denise Barclay, a Dharma Zephyr Lay Leader and Yoga Teacher here at Yoga Loka.
I am passionate about teaching stress reduction techniques and wellness principles through the practice of yoga and meditation for a higher quality of life. My goal with Mindful Yoga Essentials is to bring students to a place where they can find and trust their inner teacher and to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable, supported and safe.
Immunity Boosting White Crane Qigong & Jade Woman Qigong
Erica LaFrenier CT Qigong
At the age of 22, Erica LaFrenier began a lifelong study into the healing modalities of Tai Chi and Qigong. More than 20 years later she has discovered that there is much more to learn! The journey into the innermost aspects of ones being is limitless, it's rewards life changing. Erica is a graduate of the Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School's 6 year program and teaches "Liu Dong's Methods." She has been instructing students in their own self-healing discoveries for over 13 years.
Meditation / Foundations or Yoga for Beginners
Mary Dugan, 200RYT
Mary's personal practice began in 1995 with meditation, based on the method of her spiritual teacher, Sri Eknath Easwaran. Over the years, she started dabbling in asana (posture) practice, eventually studying with Yoga Loka Director Kim Orenstein and local teacher Sally Schuster, completing Kim's Teacher Training in 2003. Mary finds that meditation and the use of a mantra provide a spiritual foundation for each day. Asana practice builds on this foundation, developing not only stamina and strength, but also providing a release for the tension and frustration that daily life can bring. Yoga, in total, provides Mary a haven from her other professional life as an attorney. And yoga, she says, is teaching her, or trying to teach her, patience. "I don't have too much trouble being patient with others, but being patient with myself is another story." Mary loves teaching and the opportunity it brings to share her commitment to yoga with others. She also credits yoga, in all its forms, with enabling her to maintain a sense of balance in her life and juggling a professional career, four children, a husband and her yoga practice puts this to the test daily!
Tai Chi, Beginning Tai Chi, Tai Chi Long Form Practice Class, and Dragon & Tiger Qigong
Brad Meyer CT Tai Chi, CT Qigong
Brad began studying martial arts 20 years ago and within the first few years was introduced to the healing and meditative arts of Tai Chi, Bagua and Qigong. After spending a few years working full time on a computer and experiencing the stress and tension that comes with that his focus began to shift to how these arts could help reduce stress and heal the body. For the last 12 years he has been focused on studying the system of Tai Chi, Bagua and Qigong that is taught by Bruce Frantzis and his students. In 2017 Brad was certified to teach Dragon & Tiger Qigong.