Teacher Profile:
Christina Gerdes (current studio manager/teacher)
Christina was introduced to yoga in the early 90’s as a teenager when her mother brought home a yoga video and told her it
might help with some of her “teen angst”. She continued to do yoga throughout college and beyond until in 2003 she began Five
Elements School of Yoga’s yoga teacher training to further her own practice. During the 8 months training, she fell in love
with teaching. She has taught at multiple studios throughout the Southeast, has been a member of Yoga Alliance since 2004,
attended the first Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research sponsored by the International Association of Yoga Therapists in
LA, and has taken many continuing education workshops. Christina tries to create a fun, peaceful and accepting environment
where students can practice yoga and have the confidence to take it off the mat. She believes yoga is a way of life and that
there is a style of yoga that suits each student, and she tries to create a class that is “flexible” for all. She is honored to be the new owner of ‘Open Heart Yoga’ and invites anyone to come to a class, send an e-mail or call with any questions or comments. She intends to continue ‘Open Heart Yoga's’ tradition of providing an atmosphere for all to feel safe and comfortable, to learn and explore and question.
Off the mat, Christina also has her Doctorate as a Naturopath, is a Master Herbalist and has received a
Reiki I attunement. She loves gardening, hiking, camping, reading, dancing, listening to music, and spending quality time
with her family and friends.
You can contact Christina at: christina@OH-Yoga.com
Former and Guest Teacher Profiles:
Whitney Rubison (previous studio manager/teacher)
Whitney came to Yoga fifteen years ago and has been striving to deepen her practice ever since. In yoga she found the
stillness and quiet that she had long yearned for. It was the connection to the universal energy that she had craved
since she was a child. Several years into her journey she was guided toward Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (also known as Amma),
whom Whitney accepted as her Guru. Amma has taught Whitney about love, devotion, selfless service, and the true nature of
human beings. After a few years working on her personal practice Whitney felt it was time for some local experienced guidance,
which led her to Barefoot Works Yoga Studio. Sharon, the owner/head instructor of Barefoot Works, and her fabulous group of
teachers opened many doors for Whitney and gave the information and tools she had been looking for. Whitney teaches several
classes a week including two in Nicholasville. She has also received Reiki I and II attunements and uses all of these skills
to offer a unique Yoga experience.
Off the mat, Whitney enjoys spending time with her favorite men, her husband Paul and her son Will. She also
enjoys connecting with nature and experiencing live music. Yoga is a lifestyle that should be felt in every moment of the day.
Jennifer Christmann (kids' yoga teacher)
After completing Barefoot Works Yoga teacher training Jennifer found herself being drawn to delve deeper into understanding Kids
Yoga. She has attended a Children's Yoga Teacher Training in Asheville, NC. She has shown exceptional wisdom and strength during
her study and practice of yoga. All of her classes are taught with awareness and love.
Off the mat, Jennifer is a bit nomadic as she likes to try out new towns and spaces. She diligently works her
heart out at UK Hospital and has been fervently helping the hospital move the emergency room to their new facilities.
Danielle Dovner (teacher)
Danielle took her first 2oo Hour Teacher Training in her hometown of Sharon, Massachusetts, in 2008. Additionally, Danielle has completed Ana Forrest’s 200 Hour Teacher Training, concentrating in Forrest Yoga. She also finds influence and guidance from Iyengar & Anusura Yoga. Danielle is constantly amazed by the evolvements her body makes through a committed and consistent yoga practice.
Julie Ransdell (teacher)
Julie began her yogic journey several years ago, with the intention of getting fit and staying there. She soon realized that
yoga isn’t just an exercise routine, but also an outlet for calming the mind and relishing in the present moment. Her time on
the mat is sacred not only to her body but to her spirit and creativity. And she longs to share her passion for yoga with
everyone.
Off the mat, Julie is the office manager for Coffee Times Coffee House. She has been happily married for 2
years and just bought her first house! She loves traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, riding her bike, nurturing her
vegetable garden and flowers, playing with her nieces and nephews and spending time at home with her husband.
Diane Robinson (teacher)
Diane began enjoying yoga in a very casual way as a teen. When her son was born yoga facilitated a wonderful natural childbirth
experience. Diane recently is making a transition from teaching elementary special education for 28 years to teaching yoga part
time and seeing what's next ;-). She completed the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with the Cincinnati Yoga School at Frankfort
Yoga Studio in 2009. Diane has studied yoga with Kali Ray (Tri Yoga) and Christopher Baxter (Kripalu) as well as many other
wonderful yoga teachers. She emphasizes listening to one's body and that breath, and allowing movement to be led by the breath,
is key to yoga. Diane loves studying/learning to deepen her own practice and sharing the healing joy of yoga in her teaching!
Off the mat, Diane enjoys friends, NIA (Thanks Amy!), dancing, Tai Chi, gardening, hiking, and travel.
You can contact Diane at: yoginidiane104@yahoo.com
Ashley Waechter (kids' yoga teacher)
Ashley has been practicing yoga regularly for the past few years and is nearing the completion of her yoga teacher training
at Barefoot Works Yoga and Wellness Studio. She loves teaching children yoga through stories, games and music in a fun and
engaging manner. She believes that teaching children is reciprocal; she learns as much from them as they do from her. Ashley
has co-taught a Kids Yoga Camp at The Om Place in Winchester and has attended a Children's Yoga Teacher Training in
Asheville, NC.
Off the mat, Ashley is mother to a seven year old daughter and four year old son. She also publishes The
Best of Lexington, a visitor's guide to Lexington, Ky.
Anne Dean Watkins (teacher)
The practice of yoga rapidly began to steal Anne Dean's heart in October of 2009 when she found a yoga studio that immediately
became her "safe place" and her home away from home. Anne Dean then went on to complete the Barefoot Works Yoga 200 Hour Yoga
Teacher Training in June of 2010. All of Anne Dean's life experiences, her passion for mindful living, and gratitude for all
the amazing things the body can do tend to flow into her teaching.
Off the mat, Anne Dean can be found surrounding herself with books as an Acquisitions Editor at the University
Press of Kentucky and a part-time bookseller at The Morris Book Shop. She spends her free time reading, journaling, dreaming,
making mixed CDs, frolicking with her pets, cooking, relaxing on her front porch, and spending time laughing with her best friends.
