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, Explore & Restore, and True/Studio Yin
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. Most recently, Nikki has opened The Omni Shanti School of Yoga, where her Yoga Teacher Trainings offer beautiful and functional, heart centered trainings. Nikki Owns Shanti Yoga in Fallon, and Yoga Loka LLC in Reno. Please reach out anytime. ~Hari Om
Mindful Yoga Essentials, TCM Yoga, & Monthly Restorative Yoga
LeeAnn Maynard, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Lee Ann started practicing yoga over 25 years ago as a way to feel strong emotionally and physically while coping with anxiety and depression.
She began her yoga teacher training in 2012 (E-RYT 500) and has taught over 4,000 hours since then. In 2024 she completed a Traditional Chinese Medicine Yoga Course with Tiffany Cruikshank at Yoga Medicine.
Lee Ann incorporates mindfulness themes every month into the practices of Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and meditation . Her classes are accessible to all skill levels and she strives 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!
