Instructors
Johnna Smith
Johnna has studied Ashtanga Yoga and the Yoga Sutras since 1995 and is Authorized Level 2 in the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition from KPJAY Mysore, India. She is a certified teacher of Yoga Philosophy and Practices within the Sri Vidya Tradition of the Himalayan Masters from the teachers of the Himalayan Institute, and Certified Yoga Nidra Teacher from the ParaYoga Lineage. Johnna is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda as well as Shakti School’s feminine-in- formed Ayurveda. Johnna has been teaching Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda since 2001, with humor and spirit she creates sacred spaces for greater love, self-remembrance, and connection. Johnna was instrumental in creating the first Grow Yoga 200 HR yoga teacher training curriculum with Susannah Herring.
Dr. Sara Michael
Dr. Sara is a native Memphian and 901PT's lead running specialist. She has helped teach anatomy in Grow Yoga’s 200-hour yoga teacher trainings since 2019. In her physical therapy practice, Sara is tenacious in problem-solving her patients' pain and a loyal guide for those who need someone to figure out why they're hurting and how they can overcome it. Sara is always active and enjoys running, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, and yoga. She practices what she teaches: movement is medicine!
Emily Smith
Emily discovered yoga in 2015, looking to balance her love of running. Emily became a 500-RYT in 2018 focusing on power vinyasa and ashtanga vinyasa. She completed an additional 200-hour Awakening Yoga vinyasa training with Patrick Beach and Carling Harps in 2020, and Sculpt training in 2021. Emily seeks to empower others to honor their bodies, overcome fear, and believe they are worth every moment they spend on their mats. She loves sharing her personal mantra, “It’s fun to try!” Emily teaches Power Flow, Handstand Flow, Ashtanga, and Sculpt.
Tegan Reeves, PhD
A post doc and professor studying yoga, Tegan Jemma came to yoga by way of her movement and teaching background. As a former collegiate coach, choreographer, cheerleader and dance major, Tegan has studied human movement for two decades. She has been a highlight instructor and speaker in 19 states and 9 countries and holds certifications in dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, and yoga. Tegan teaches a variety of yoga modalities from therapeutic to power-training. She considers her classes to be client-centered, so she will always ask you what you are looking for when you walk in the door.
Tori Anito
Tori Anito began the exploration and study of sound throughout her childhood. Not until 2018 did she begin to explore the healing modality of sound within the body, mind, and spirit. "The palm sized Sound Bowl I received for my 21st birthday changed my life." Everything that exists holds information and energy vibrating at specific frequencies. Sound Healing is a powerful, holistic, healing modality to guide consciousness into higher realms and induce healing within the mind and body. Tori Anito is passionate about Sound Healing and dedicated to the belief that sound allows nourishment to life and well-being on a cellular level.
Whitney Jayne
Whitney discovered power vinyasa in 2014, and it forever changed her life. In 2018 she became a 200-RYT and has completed additional trainings in yin yoga and sculpt yoga. Sculpt has become one of her favorite styles of yoga to teach. During these classes she incorporates hand weights, cardio bursts and signature yoga poses, providing a calorie and fat-burning workout alongside the mental benefits of yoga.
Lauren Vestal
Lauren’s yoga journey began her freshman year as a college athlete, taking a class to fulfill a PE requirement. She moved from Manhattan to Memphis in 2015 and began yoga teacher training, becoming both a 500-HR YA certified teacher. Yoga is a healing presence in Lauren’s life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and she seeks to foster strength and growth by empowering students to take one more breath for themselves and their communities. Lauren teaches Power Flow, Sculpt, Ashtanga, Yin, and Restorative.
Emily Kamm
Emily is a native Memphian and former kindergarten teacher who started taking yoga classes as a way to relax and incorporate stretching into her fitness routine. Practicing yoga gave her permission to take a deep breath and has provided an important outlet from the busyness of life as a wife and mother of two. She started teaching yoga in 2018 and became a 500-RYT in 2020. Emily has completed additional training in yin and prenatal yoga, and doula training.
Caroline Schmidt, AHC, AYS, RYT, CYT
Caroline is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, 500hr RYT, certified Yoga Therapist, Reiki Master and plasma pen technician. With over 16 years of teaching experience, she combines ayurvedic principles, yoga, pranayama and the healing energy of Reiki for a holistic health and healing experience. For more info about public & private classes, Ayurvedic consultations, educational workshops, reiki sessions, plasma pen and more follow @carolineschmidtyogaayurveda.
Melissa Meadows
After running for 15 years, Melissa found yoga. She thought yoga would save her knees and keep her in shape, but found herself staying for the mental benefits. In late 2016, she fell in LOVE with heated power yoga. Now, 500 hours of teacher training and over a thousand classes taught later, she has gained the best circle of friends, teachers, and yogis. Melissa loves to share the connection between mind, body, and spirit through the practice of yoga. She enjoys teaching arm balances and adores seeing her clients grow physically and mentally in their practice.
Laura Gray McCann
Laura Gray is a former college athlete and fitness enthusiast who has been practicing yoga since 2010 and teaching yoga since her 200hr teacher training through Grow Yoga School in 2016. The greatest influence on her teaching has been her 20+ year experience with Pilates, as it helped her overcome a back injury. Laura Gray is passionate about helping her students challenge themselves to get stronger through healthy alignment and mobility, combined with the psychological benefits of yoga. Laura Gray teaches Power Flow and Sculpt.
Susannah Herring, ERYT 500
Susannah first tried yoga yoga shortly after college in 2000. As with many people, a difficult situation pushed her to pursue yoga more seriously beginning in 2008 when she regularly began practicing vinyasa flow, power flow, kundalini and Bikram. Susannah has studied and led several teacher trainings in Memphis, Nashville, Colorado, Nashville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Bali, Indonesia. Susannah completed her 500-hour training with Johnna Smith in 2013. Susannah is passionate about teaching and helping aspiring teachers to find their voice, confidence and power by landing fully in the present moment and breath.