Teachers/Staff
What does RYT mean?
When you see RYT, E-RYT 200, RYT 500 or E-RYT 500 next to your teacher’s name you’ll know that your teacher is registered with Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance is the central governing body for yoga teachers in the US, and sets standards for yoga teachers across the nation. Yoga Alliance also sets requirements for continuing education and active teaching, ensuring that teachers registered with them (RYT) are remaining current in their skills and knowledge and are regularly teaching yoga classes. When you see RYT next to your teacher’s name you’ll know you are being led by a teacher who is trained and current in their continuing education, and committed to the profession of teaching yoga.
TEACHERS
Carrie Klaus: E-RYT500, YACEP, Certified Ayurvedic yoga specialist, Owner/Director
Inspired by many knowledgeable and respected teachers from many different traditions, you'll find Carrie's classes to be a mix of serious yoga focus and light-hearted fun. Carrie believes that every person can practice yoga and will help you find your most comfortable pose through the use of props and various modifications. Carrie's classes also include a good dose of yoga philosophy. Pairing the sister sciences of yoga and āyurveda, Carrie understands that just as nature has her cycles, so do we. Her classes will help you find true balance by honoring the natural cycles of life.
Carrie began her yoga practice in 2006 after the birth of her second daughter. She started yoga as a way to get her body in shape after pregnancy, but quickly realized that yoga had so much more to offer. While continuing her physical practice she began to deepen her knowledge of yoga. As a result of experiencing greater peace in her life, Carrie decided to begin sharing her love of yoga with others. She enrolled in teacher training and has been sharing her love of yoga ever since.
Carrie and her husband, Rob, opened Element Yoga (formerly Inner Spring Yoga) in 2013 with the intention of creating a heart centered community in which Southern Indiana and Louisville residents can learn the teachings of yoga and equip themselves to spread peace and kindness into the world.
Carrie completed her 200 hour teacher training at Eternal Health Yoga under the guidance of Shelli Carpenter, and an additional 300 hours of Advanced Yoga Studies at Asheville Yoga Center. In addition to holding a 500 hour certificate and being registered with Yoga Alliance, Carrie also holds a teacher training certificate in Yin Yoga Practice and Theory which she received under the guidance of Paul Grilley. Carrie is also a Certified Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist through the Himalayan Institute. Carrie has practiced under many amazing teachers including Sharon Gannon, David Life, Doug Swenson, Anna Ferguson, Julie Kirkpatrick, Michael Johnson, Desiree Rumbaugh, Saul David Raye, Libby Hinsley, Leslie Kaminoff, Kathryn Templeton, and many others. With over 5,000 hours of teaching experience, and hundreds of hours of training Carrie’s classes are rooted in a solid foundation and understanding of the practices of yoga and their evolution and application to our modern experience.
Carrie is a lifelong resident of Southern Indiana, where she lives with her husband Rob, their youngest daughter Stella, and two cats. Carrie’s oldest daughter currently lives in Bloomington, IN. When she isn’t teaching yoga or watching her daughter compete in diving and gymnastics you’ll find her out in nature hiking or foraging for mushrooms. Carrie also enjoys cooking and creating recipes, and reading.
taylor outram: RYT - STUDIO MANAGER
Taylor started her Yoga practice after finding Element Yoga (formerly Inner Spring Yoga) in 2018. Eventually, Element Yoga hired Taylor for the front desk position, which acquainted her with a wide range of local Yogis. Though she always aspired to teach, a last-minute opportunity to sub for another teacher confirmed that goal. After that first class, Taylor was delighted and felt confident that she wanted to teach Yoga.
Taylor graduated from Element Yoga and Āyurvedic Wellness’s 200-Hour Teacher Training in 2022. She is primarily inspired by her teacher, Carrie Klaus, and the rest of the wonderful teachers at Element Yoga. She also incorporates postural alignment knowledge gained from workshops with Desiree Rumbaugh, E-RYT.
In August, 2023 Taylor accepted the opportunity of becoming studio manager and hopes to further serve the community at Element Yoga in this new role.
Taylor teaches and enjoys practicing various styles of yoga, finding benefits across all challenge levels. Her classes focus on finding what works for your body by offering modifications and encouraging self-exploration. Incorporating philosophical themes into her classes, Taylor challenges students in her classes to look inward.
While free time is hard to come by, Taylor enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her adored cats. Additionally, she enjoys reading mostly fiction, traveling, live music and camping.
Keep up with Taylor and her Yoga offerings via Instagram @internal_light_yoga.
Krista Storz: RYT
Krista was first introduced to yoga through an elective college course at the University of Louisville. As a former ballet dancer, the practice felt natural and she was instantly drawn to yoga asana. She practiced on and off for many years while she was busy raising her 4 young children. She experimented with different styles of yoga over the years until foot problems caused her to fall away from a regular practice.
In late 2015, she attended a yoga class at Inner Spring Yoga on a whim. $30 and 30 days later, she knew she had found her home! What began as a physical practice quickly led to a deeper connection within herself, thus beginning a journey of healing and self-discovery.
Krista credits her yoga practice at Inner Spring with helping her experience immense personal growth and healing. Yoga has created a strong mind/body connection and fostered in her a more peaceful way of moving through the world.
Inspired by the teaching and encouragement she experienced at Inner Spring, she attended the Yoga Teacher Training and received her RYT200 hour certification in 2018. She began teaching as a way to share the gift of yoga with others.
During the day, you can find Krista teaching second graders in Jeffersonville. When she is not teaching or practicing yoga, she enjoys spending time gardening and being out in nature. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and is a self-proclaimed cake artist.
MARY PAT BEACH: RYT
Mary Pat found Element Yoga, (then Inner Spring Yoga) in 2014 and from there, fell in love with the mind, body and breath connection. She started yoga as a way to relieve stress and continue her practice to get through this thing called “Life”.
While Mary Pat finds joy in all kinds of yoga classes she seems to gravitate towards Hatha Flow the most. She enjoys the flow of the poses and the connection of breath work that helps to keep her in the moment.
Mary Pat decided to enroll in teacher training at Element in 2020 to deepen her knowledge of the history, language and philosophy of yoga. The training has enabled her to teach a level 1 Hatha class at Element.
Mary Pat tries to incorporate a bit of lightness in her classes and she has a motto, “come as you are, where you are and do what you can do today to honor yourself!”
Mary Pat has also worked through 2 injuries while practicing yoga and with the help of her mentor, Laura Dement, she has learned many lessons that come with injuries. She believes more importantly, she made it through stronger and more resilient on the other side. Learning to accept day to day what her body was giving her, adapt and keep moving at her pace and in her bodies’ time.
Off the mat, Mary Pat nourishes her soul with gardening, walking her dog Bailey and spending time with her Significant Other, Paul and ever-growing extended family and friends.
Crystal Alterson: E-ryt 200, YACEP
Crystal has been teaching yoga for over 8 years and she was in Carrie’s first ever teacher training group. Crystal loves teaching a gentle Hatha or Yin style class the best. She blends mindful movement with breath work to create a moving meditation in every class she teaches.
Crystal is also a full time nurse at Baptist Health Floyd. In her free time she loves tending to her own yoga practice, cooking, reading, and trying new restaurants. She lives in Memphis with her husband, her two sons, her two dogs and two cats.
Brandi Smith: RYT
Brandi lives close to the studio in Uptown New Albany, with her other half (Joe) and her 5 fur babies (2 dogs, 2 cats and a bunny!). Brandi has been practicing yoga for the past 11 years, 8 of those being at Element Yoga. Consistent Yoga and meditation practice has helped her find stability and renewed direction in life. In 2022, she earned her Certification as a Registered Yoga Teacher from the Teacher Training program here at Element. Through sharing yoga with others, she hopes to help others find personal growth. She enjoys teaching Hatha, Vinyasa, and Restorative Yoga styles, incorporating the yoga philosophy and engaging the energies of the cakras in her classes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with Joe, loving on her fur babies, reading, and various arts and crafts. Brandi and Joe enjoy traveling together, going to concerts, finding new and delicious culinary experiences, spending time with friends, and staying active, while also finding time to balance that with rest and rejuvenation.
Chris Logue: Licensed Physical therapist, RYT
Chris has been a physical therapist for 36 years and has practiced yoga for many years. In 2016 she completed her 200-hour teacher training at Yoga For All in Cincinnati Ohio. She has taught classes at her hospital’s health and wellness center as well as chair yoga for her patients on the rehab unit.
Her focus is Hatha-style Therapeutic Yoga. Chris is heavily inspired and influenced by mind-body- spirit concepts from “Love Your Brain” yoga as well as Feldenkrais’ “Awareness Through Movement” and Suzie Hitzmann’s ”MELT" (Myofascial Energetic Length Techniques).
In her free time, Chris enjoys spending time with her husband, exploring her new hometown of Sellersburg and spending time with her 2 daughters, sons-in-law and her young grandson.
MARISSA OLSOn: ryt
“A Yogi is one who makes an effort.” Marissa believes that if you choose to show up to practice yoga—whether it’s flowing through poses or simply rolling out your mat—you’re doing an amazing job.
Marissa discovered yoga at a leadership workshop when she was 11 and instantly fell in love with the practice. From occasional yoga classes with her mom to exploring yoga further during college, her journey deepened when she moved to Louisville, KY, in 2016. She completed her Yoga East Teacher Training in October 2020 and has been sharing her passion for yoga ever since.
Her classes combine Hatha and Vinyasa styles, blending strength-building foundations with graceful, creative flows. Expect a practice that is both grounding and uplifting, designed to help you find balance and calm in the midst of life’s busyness.
In August 2024, Marissa welcomed her first child, an experience that deepened her appreciation for finding peace in a world of constant activity. She understands the value of yoga as a tool for cultivating calmness and connection, both on and off the mat.
When she’s not teaching or practicing yoga, Marissa enjoys spending time with her family, curling up with a good book, diving into an engaging podcast, or savoring a great cup of coffee.
Danielle Corley: RYT
Danielle has been a part of the Element Yoga community since 2013. She has practiced at Element Yoga for 11 years and taught since 2016. She is excited to join a regular class rotation after subbing classes for the last few years.
In addition to her day job and being in a busy family of 5, she enjoys teaching yoga, book club, running, hiking, concerts and all the coffee to keep up with all the things she enjoys.
Come say hello at her next Sunday morning class!
Paula Struck: LCSW, RYT (she/her)
Paula was first introduced to yoga asana as an undergraduate student at Indiana University through an elective course. She gravitated toward vinyasa yoga and practiced intermittently until developing a consistent practice while expecting her first child in 2013. During this time, Paula began to explore the deeper mind, body, and spirit connection throughout the practice of yoga.
She completed 200-hour yoga teacher training at Element Yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness in 2022. Paula teaches a variety of styles of yoga and works to foster elements of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness in classes. She is drawn to teaching courses that encourage mindful movement, flow, creativity, and playfulness throughout the practice.
Paula is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that practices as a Clinical Therapist and Athlete Mental Wellness Director. She is also a Mindfulness Sports Performance Enhancement Instructor.
Paula enjoys spending time with her spouse and playing with her two sons and dog. Other than yoga, she also likes to cook (sometimes), workout, sing, hike, and see live music. You’ll mostly find her attending her kid’s activities or curled up with a good book in her free time.
