a movement studio, gathering place,
and dynamic learning community
focused on creativity, freedom,
embodied spirituality and
evolutionary human potential.
3716 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45207 513.313.1018
Cincinnati's Home For:
yoga
dance
movement
meditation
our TEACHER FAMILY
Lisa Stegman, co-owner & teacher
Lisa Stegman is a dancer, a yogi, a mother, a writer, an entrepreneur, and an evolutionary.
She has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Systems Leadership and Development and is a PhD doctoral candidate in Transpersonal Psychology.
Lisa started The Shakti Factory with Meredith Hogan in 2012 as part of a shared vision and sense of sacred activism they wanted to manifest together.
At the Shakti Factory, she loves helping birth integrative practices that support authenticity and nourishing human connections.
She hopes to continue waking up to her own true nature.
Meredith hogan, co-owner & teacher
Meredith Hogan is a yogini, singer, dancer and healer. A humble and constant student of life, Meredith was born with an understanding that at the core of human existence, we are all sound and light.
She was dancing and singing from the first moment and has been practicing yoga for over 16 years. Her yogic life began when a physical injury met emotional heart break.The longing to heal and to thrive gave her the humility and thirst for the spiritual medicine that is the quenching nectar of practice.
After an Afro-Brazilian dance immersion in Salvador Brazil, she recognized that the most joyous culture she had ever tasted had once been the most repressed and abused. A place where slavery and violence reigned for more than 200 years had become a place of constant drumming, dancing and play.The inextinguishable flame of the spirit had introduced itself to her.
Meredith has studied intensively with world renowned yogini Ana Forest and continues to study with Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Guru Singh, Lucia Horan and also many more than can be named here. She has been and continues to be highly influenced by the dancing path including Gabrielle Roth's 5 Rhythms, the Sri Vidya lineage of Tantra, and the sacred practices of the medicine men and women of this earth.
Meredith currently lives and teaches in Cincinnati and leads retreats locally and internationally. She recently released her debut album Saturn Returns with her band GOODBYE GEMINI, a sacred healing record that weaves elements of ancient mantras, modern beats and contemporary electronic based musings.
Meredith is light keeper and a living expression of Sri Devi Shakti.
Suzie Nagy, Studio manager & yoga teacher
Suzie was drawn to natural healing from an early age; but before finding her calling as a yoga teacher, she was an academic enthusiast who never wanted to leave college. She spent several years at the University of Cincinnati studying and earning degrees and certificates in everything from Marketing and International Business, to Deaf Studies, Philosophy, and International Human Rights. A yoga practice has been an integral part of her life, bringing mental calm and clarity, helping her overcome chronic anxiety, and relieving chronic pain from a connective tissue disorder. Her RYT 200-hour training at Bija School of Yoga focused on Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga.
Letting go and quieting the ego can be the most challenging things people encounter when they first start their yoga practices. Suzie encourages students to practice toward progress rather than perfection. To that end, she works to create a safe and supportive space where students can tune into their bodies and emotions, fully embrace their vulnerability, and let the mindfulness of practice radiate into daily life.
Suzie is also a True Body Project Leader in area schools where she teaches classes on mind-body connection to young women and girls. She is continuously doing everything she can to keep learning and fill her "yoga tool kit" by attending workshops to enrich private and group yoga classes and make her classes accessible to every age, ability level, and body type. Some of these intensives have been with Saraswathi Jois, Kino MacGregor, and Taylor Hunt. She has a passion for world travel and likes to tour different studios and yoga teachers while on her trips.
Starting in August of 2015, she will be advancing her yoga education as she trains to be an Urban Zen Integrative Therapist through Yoga on High. UZIT's 5 modalities include: yoga therapy, reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition, and contemplative care.
Emily Marie Cannon, belly dancer
Emily Marie is a Professional Belly Dancer originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She has performed and lived in Vancouver, Canada and in Israel. Now she is currently back in Cincinnati, Ohio, belly dancing and teaching.
Her dance is a modern blend of classical Egyptian style with influences of American Cabaret. She is a hired working professional belly dancer for many events, in the area. She has studied with many professional teachers in belly dance, and shares her knowledge to her students that she teaches. For more information about Emily Marie go to her website at www.emilybellydance.com.
Lauren Pyne, dance baby dance teacher
Lauren grew up with a love for dance and music. One of her first memories was being three years old and dancing to "Uptown Girl" with her father in the living room. Growing up she would choreograph routines for her and her friends, and put on performances at the school dances with friends. Though this love led her to pursue dance and theatre in college, she found that after a year, her passion for freedom in movement felt stifled by rules. She only wanted to dance freely with no guidelines and no judges. After moving to Oregon, she discovered esctatic dance and fell in love. This is what she had been dancing all along! She felt at home. When Lauren made the plans to move back to Cincinnati, esctatic dance was the first thing she looked for. And there she found The Shakti Factory. She loves holding the space for parents and their children to connect, dance, let go, and discover with music and free movement.
Christie Bray, hoop yogini
Christie is a Reverend, Reiki Master Teacher and Creator of HoopChurch. She is a certified Integral Yoga Instructor, certified HoopYogini™ Instructor, licensed Cosmetologist and inner and outer beauty artist.
Christie lives the precepts of Integral Yoga which upholds the idea that "... the birthright of every individual, is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the entire creation and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural condition of a body of optimum health and strength, senses under total control, a mind well-disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, an ego as pure as a crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy.” – HH SRI SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA
Christie was given the spiritual name Mangala upon graduation from IYI which means "destroyer of disharmony." She has embodied this her entire life. Her philosophy is that the quickest way to be connected to Source is through joyous and creative play. She believes in the concept of Lila or Leela which is a way of describing all reality, including the cosmos, as the outcome of creative play by the divine absolute. HoopYogini™ for her, is the perfect way to attain this state of pure bliss.
"HoopYogini™ is a deeply blissful part of my spiritual practice. It truly keeps me rooted and connected. It is a gift to practice and to teach. Become like a Child, as we touch heaven, samadhi." ~ Reverend Christie
Davidia Turner, Yoga Teacher
Davidia is a teacher, healer and she promotes health, wellness and self-healing through natural therapies. She believes the deepest and most profound work that we can do is to heal ourselves through constant mindful practices that can increase our connection to our spirits. Then we can begin to extend the compassion, gratitude, and love we cultivate for ourselves to all those around us. Her mission is to help others connect their mind, body, and spirit and live whole-hearted lives. Through the conscious and practical application of Yoga, Thai Yoga Therapy, and Tarot we can learn to reconnect with ourselves and use the information obtained to facilitate deep healing.
Jerome (Jerry) Cook, neigong qigong instructor
Master Jerome will introduce ancient styles of Chinese "Internal Arts" called : Nei Gong. Training and traditional choreography from Shaolin and Wu Tang systems of Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Qi Gong all hold the promise of robust life-force, powerful core strength and a bright spirit!
Jerry is known for his gentle nature, his deep level of study and his graceful and intense performance of over 300 animal style, empty hands and weapons forms.
Hadley Corpus, yoga teacher
Hadley has been practicing yoga since 2009 after needing help in recovering from a reoccurring sports injury from college. Since then the practice has brought so much more than just physical recovery but it has helped her grow stronger, more flexible, and fearless both on and off the mat, and continues to inspire Hadley to live each moment more mindfully and with compassion for all things in our world.
She completed her 200 RYT training in 2014 with the Bija School of Yoga in Cincinnati, OH focusing in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow.
In class, her goal is to combine creative sequences that bring a balance of strength and peace which can help students deepen their practice as well as heal their bodies and minds. Her hope is that you step off your mat feeling refreshed, nourished and balanced.
Trisha Durham, yoga teacher
Both a dancer and yogi, Trisha has been a mover her whole life. She believes yoga is an infinitely healing practice that all types and stripes can benefit from. Trisha has a specific interest in widening the circles of access, fostering diversity, and engaging those not often encountered in the yoga studio. In 2014 Trisha Founded Cincinnati Queer Yoga after experiencing the lack of diversity and safe space within the yoga community. Trisha holds both a Bachelor and Masters degree in International Affairs and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati.
Kylie Hartman, BarreAmped teacher
Kylie was a dedicated student of BarreAmped before becoming an instructor in Nashville. She values the intense mind body connection of BarreAmped and sees every class as an opportunity to improve strength, balance, and flexibility.
Barre has transformed her body and left her feeling healthy, lean, de-stressed, and strong. Kylie is excited to bring BarreAmped to Cincinnati and help clients of all skill levels achieve their health and fitness goals.
Randy Evans, yoga teacher
With a focus on mindfulness and remaining present through the breath, Randy's classes bring a peaceful sense of balance to your life. His teaching is geared towards students looking to move beyond the physical asanas and explore all eight limbs of yoga, and ultimately those interested in gaining a deeper sense of how to integrate the practice fully into their life.
“Coming to my mat and sharing my practice with others helps me to express my devotion for the inner divine sense that dwells within each of us. I feel so deeply in love with the practice, and want to share it with others in the hopes of them cultivating their own love for it.”
Randy has been actively practicing yoga for over 3 years and completed his RYT 200-hour training through The Yoga Bar's Bija Yoga School, with a focus on Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow yoga.
Kim Lauch, yoga teacher
Kim is a native Nashville, Tennessean, mother of four, yogini, and an internationally featured Radiant Child Yoga teacher, whom is compassionate about facilitating the growth of love in the mind, body and spirit of all living things. She was called to Yoga in 1999, and has since followed her path leading her to found OM DOME and RELAZENSHIPS (www.RELAZENSHIPS.com).
She is dedicated in the practices of Vinyasa, Hatha, and Kundalini Yoga, as well as a teacher and workshop presenter.
Kim is certified as a Virtues Project Facilitator (Betsy Lydle Smyth and Heather Acres); 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (yogahOMe); 95 hour Radiant Child Yoga Teacher (Shakta Khalsa) - plus specializes in teaching yoga to children with ADHD, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy; 20 hour Karma Yoga (Lila Lolling); Women’s Healing Arts Teacher (Kara Maria Ananda); 200 hour Pilates instructor (Pendleton Pilates); and Reiki attuned (Jeff Emerson). She has continued her studies with many leading instructors from around the country in the fields of Yoga, Pilates, Shamanism, Religion, Occupational Therapy, Healing, and Virtues.
Kim guides her students with a unique blend of mindfulness, strength, and virtues guidance drawn from her training, her practice, and from her life’s experiences.
Andrea Kern, yoga teacher
Andrea’s unwavering desire to inspire, teach, and heal combined with her connection to the study of Mindfulness innately brought her to the divine practice of Yoga. Upon sensing her first yearnings to heal and teach, Andrea acquired a B.S. in Psychology from Miami University and a Masters in Montessori Education from Xavier University. While both areas of study provided her with invaluable knowledge and skills, she sensed that her calling still remained elsewhere.
It was then that Andrea fell deeply in love with the practice of Yoga and felt a compelling pull in it’s direction. Andrea completed her 200 RYT with the Bija School of Yoga in 2013 with a focus in Ashtanga/Vinyasa. She knew instantly that this was it, this was her dharma, her intrinsic calling, a means to combine Mindfulness, teaching, and healing, and she dove right into teaching. Andrea’s wanderlust heart + passion for sharing the gifts of yoga has led her to assist on several yoga retreats, locally and across the world in Bali, Indonesia. Andrea led her first Yoga + Mindfulness Retreat this past summer and plans to continue fulfilling this dream by leading retreats all over the world. She also had the opportunity to serve as a Mentor for the 2015 graduates of the Bija School of Yoga.
Andrea recently completed Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga Teacher Training through Stoked Yogi and Paddle Fit which she plans to incorporate in her retreats. She has deepened her studies under the instruction of such renowned teachers as Kino Macgregor, Taylor Hunt, Richard Freeman, and Mary Taylor and plans to continue her studies locally + internationally.
Sarah Laubacher, ballet teacher
Sarah Laubacher is delighted to join The Shakti Factory family this fall for “Breathe In Ballet” — a beginner friendly class designed to make the beauty and benefits of ballet accessible to everyone. Sarah has over ten years of experience teaching ballet, jazz and lyrical in dance studios across Ohio. (Robertson’s Schoolhouse of Performing Arts, Starmaker, Spotlight, Factory Street, ARTS/West and private lessons.) She has also choreographed musicals for local theatre groups, drawing on her summers spent dancing in Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre shows. She has maintained a love for ballet throughout her dance career — during her teenage competitive dance team years, her modern dance studies at Ohio University and while sampling specific contemporary styles and various boutique fitness classes in New York City. Since returning home to Cincinnati in 2010, she has been a dedicated DANCEFIX student at Cincinnati Ballet (you might run into her signing students into class.) Sarah is also a full-time photographer specializing in women’s portraiture.
Cory Nowlin, yoga teacher
Cory Nowlin is a flow~er of life, learning and remembering to be centered and balanced in her unique whole self and offering her healing arts in this world. Flow reminds us of the law of impermanence, asserting that change is the only constant in life. We cycle with nature's rhythms. " I have learned that the body listens to rhythms the mind can't even hear." - John Lee
Trained as a massage therapist (Lexington Healing Arts Academy), doula (DONA and various birthing workshops), and yoga teacher (Bija Yoga School), Cory is cultivating healing for herself and others. Her intention is to bring conscious empowerment to relationships of all kinds, calling in the wise use of power. Currently Cory is deepening her studies in Constellations and CranioSacral Therapies, and is finding her voice as a yoga teacher. She is honored to share these journeys with you.
"You were, you will be. Know this while you are. Your spirit has travelled both long and afar. It rose from the source, to the source it returns. The spark that was lighted eternally burns." ~ The Maori
Mija Speakman, yoga teacher
Mija Speakman is a yoga and meditation teacher based in Cincinnati, OH. Mija’s trainings include; 300-Hour Hatha Yoga and 40-Hour Prenatal Yoga.
•Teaching and leading yoga classes in a studio setting, corporate based setting and personal private classes. Mija is also reiki Level II certified, and integrates this healing into the yoga classes when needed.
•Believing in the holistic health care system, Mija works with The Christ Hospital Wellness Services to integrate healing to corporations within this network. Mija loves the practice of meditation and believes we can change our lives, and the world we live in with one breath at a time.
A few words that Mija lives by: “An attitude of gratitude opens doors to possibilities”
Thomi Marshall, barre teacher
Thomi has preferred dance and yoga for fitness her whole life. After college and a newborn son, she received her barre certification and completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Cincinnati Yoga School.
She is interested in using movement to heal and tone the body. Since barre has made her feel stronger and in the best shape of her life, she wants to share it with the world! Thomi is honored to be a part of The Shakti Factory and brings a fusion of ballet, pilates, and yoga.
Julia Vonderheide, yoga teacher
The Practice of Yoga helps Julia see through the darkest clouds, feeling refreshed, cheerful & sunny. Stumbling into her first Yoga class as a high school student is where the spark of Yoga was ignited. It wasn’t until she began her Yoga Teacher Training at Cincinnati Yoga School (CYS) at the age of 19, where she became aware of the deep, inner healing of the practice of Meditation and Yoga. The CYS Community provided an accepting, safe environment for her to let go, release and surrender her fears, find courage within her heart and build a strong foundation to begin her adult life. During her training she found her passion of Yoga and love of life. CYS also opened her up to many natural therapies such as Thai Yoga Message, Ayurveda, Reiki, and Elemental Yoga Therapy. Julia uses Yoga and Meditation to rise above life’s challenges and to conquer her inner battle of anxiety. Julia believes that she will always be a student of life and that Yoga is for every body. She encourages students to listen within, while using their bodies as an instrument of understanding.