Our Teachers

Amy has been part of Urban Yoga since its beginning in 2010 and became owner and director in 2019. She began teaching Urban Barre in 2012 and has cultivated a signature style blending yoga, Pilates, ballet, and deep stretching.

Well-versed in anatomy, Amy is known for her clear, direct alignment and engagement cues, offering students accessible pathways to strength, stability, and body awareness. Her own journey through significant health challenges deepened her approach to teaching and inspired the evolution of Urban Barre into the thriving, inclusive program it is today.

In every class, Amy combines deep muscle strengthening with intentional recovery moments to help reduce soreness, support longevity, and create a balanced movement experience.

“I love teaching Barre & Yoga because of the deep connection they create between body and mind.” I draw inspiration from music, art, dance, and the constant support of my husband and daughter.”

M.A., J.D., E-RYT 200, PranaFlow™ 200 HR and Advanced Studies in Krama Vinyasa in the lineage of Krishnamacharya with Shiva Rea

Surya has been a devoted dance, movement and yoga instructor since 1995.  In 2010, she opened Urban Yoga to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive movement and yoga studio in Fort Worth’s Near Southside. Surya is a loving, passionate yoga teacher who brings chanting, spirituality, self-love and inspiration to each of her classes. You’ll sing, chant, flow, meditate, laugh, and experience your true essence in each of Surya’s classes.

Surya has done additional specialty studies in Meditation and Mindfulness; Bhakti Yoga and Sanskrit; Yoga for PTSD and Resiliency After Trauma; Pranayama and Kriya Yoga in the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda; Shamanic Healing Arts; Astrology and Tarot; and Myofascial Release and Yoga Therapy; the Divine Feminine; Tibetan Buddhism (these trainings are separate from and do not derive from my status as a RYT with the Yoga Alliance Registry).  Important teachers that I honor with gratitude are:  Shiva Rea, Jai Uttal, Saul David Raye, Thaddeus Hedges and Lama Tsultrim Allione.

Carly Burson has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the practice became a true way of life. After a lifelong struggle with acute anxiety and a formal diagnosis in adulthood, Carly turned to yoga, meditation, and breathwork not just for movement—but for healing. It was the first methodology that brought lasting relief, and it shifted everything in Carly’s life.

In 2024, Carly earned her 200-hour yoga certification and quickly went on to deepen her studies with advanced training in Spiritual Psychology, Yin/Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra through accredited yoga institutes around the world.

Carly’s classes are rooted in breath-led movement, combining strength, balance, and mobility to support healthy aging and long-term wellness. She is especially passionate about powerful, energizing flows that help students feel grounded, strong, resilient and present—on and off the mat. Her approach honors the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the practice, and she believes most deeply in yoga as a path to self-discovery and self-love. Carly teaches with the intention of helping others return to themselves and live more connected, intentional, and balanced lives.

Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance RYT-500, Lead Training Teacher

Lou has been teaching yoga since 2006. His classes are focused on optimal alignment for every body with breath awareness. Steady and highly skillful, Lou’s teaching will allow you to understand each posture more fully while integrating a greater understanding of how yoga relates to your life — how to use the poses, not just do the poses..

My classes derive from my rich knowledge of yoga, my dedication to my work, my sense of humor, and a powerful teaching style that I hope all combines to open students to offering each pose with an intention to connect to yoga’s larger purpose, while always staying aware of their body alignment and finding the balance between steadfastness and freedom. It’s a joyful and fun teaching style that is uplifting and inspires students of any level to live fully from their hearts and celebrate life.

Urban Barre Teacher Training; UY 200-hr. Deep Study & Teaching Apprenticeship, Nia White Belt & Reiki Certified

In 2012, Emily joined the UY family as a student and her practice evolved quickly after she began sharing as a certified Urban Barre instructor in 2013. She subsequently completed 200-hour RYT, mini yogi Kids, Teen & Tween RYT, Nia White Belt, Nia Moving to Heal, Nia Move IT, Reiki Level I & II, and Reiki Master certification.

Emily is certified to teach all movement modalities currently offered at Urban Yoga in both group and one-on-one settings.

Rooted in the principle of loving kindness, bolstered by her curiosity and love of learning, Emily’s teaching style is inspired and playful. People who know her well may tell you she has never met a stranger, and is always up for adventure. 

Emily’s Gentle Yoga & Movement practice is an intuitive blend of yoga styles and movement forms designed to nurture, strengthen, and heal. All are invited to explore form and freedom, and honor their body’s way of moving from one present moment to the next.

Contact the studio to inquire about private instruction, Reiki, or intuitive healing work. 

Dustin began practicing yoga in 2014, and ultimately completed a 200 HR teacher training in 2018. He’s continued to pursue personal practice, teaching and further training since. Dustin uses his teaching to facilitate a more intentional, richer experience of embodiment for his students.

Dustin’s class, Mindful Flow, focuses on mindful integration through core stabilization, longer holds to create presence and heat and plenty of time at the end for release and rest.  

Drawn by a deep desire to explore the essence of yoga, Danielle embarked on a seven-month pilgrimage to Rishikesh, India, where she completed her 500-hour RYT at Sattva Yoga Academy, along with studies in the Chandogya Upanishads and Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Her practice integrates the wisdom of Vedantic yoga with Hatha, Vinyasa, meditation, breathwork, and kriya.

Previously trained in Baptiste Yoga in New Orleans, Danielle taught for over three years and holds additional certifications in Yin, Restorative, Trauma-Informed, Hands-On Assisting, and Kids Yoga. Her teaching reflects a holistic philosophy—bridging mindful movement, regenerative living, and connection to the natural world. Outside of Urban yoga, you can find her in her art studio in Fort Worth. Follow along at @miss_hein!

Urban Yoga 200 hour Deep Study and Teacher Apprenticeship (2019)

Blake is a RYT-200 hour certified yoga instructor, ecstatic dance facilitator, and is completing his certification as a Koru Mindfulness Meditation teacher. His yoga classes are an exploration of embodiment through careful attention to the dynamic interrelation between breath, movement, and stillness. He focuses on intention setting, visualization, and alignment to help students deepen trust in themselves and sustain life-long flourishing. Koru Mindfulness Meditation is grounded in traditional Buddhist practices and fully supported by evidence-based research on how mindfulness meditation can contribute significantly to personal and collective well-being.

Blake is Professor of Philosophy and the associate director of CALM Studies at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. ‘CALM’ stands for Compassionate Awareness and Living Mindfully. He acknowledges and honors the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes on whose sacred ancestral lands Fort Worth rests. He is co-founder and co-director of The Mind Body Ecology Institute and a member of the Flourishing Academic Network.

He enjoys nature wandering, yoga, leading eco-retreats, listening to music, storytelling, and dancing, and has travelled throughout North America, Japan, South Korea, Europe, and parts of Central America.

Blake’s favorite quote:  “We all become the composite of the places we’ve been and the people we see.” –Bill Withers

500-hr Yoga Therapy/Reiki I & II

Nia Black Belt, 200hr and Yoga Therapy certification through Priya Yoga, Yoga for the Special Child certified, Pre and Post-natal yoga certified, Nia MoveIT certified instructor, Nia DJ, Moving to Heal trained, Mindful Schools trained, Reiki I certified

Katy’s classes are playful, grounded, and inspired. With over a decade of yoga and Nia teaching experience, she will leave you feeling more connected body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

I practice Nia, yoga, and meditation to fill myself up; “you cannot pour from an empty cup”.  

I teach to pass on what has been given to me and to witness others grow and transform their lives both within and without.  I draw inspiration from my Faith, family, friends, fellowship, dancing, reading, playing, creating, nature, learning, running.

Nia Black Belt

Yoga 200 hr RYT, Nia 1st Degree Black Belt; Pop Pilates, LM Bodyflow

Kellie began teaching Nia in 1998 and later became certified in various fitness formats including Yoga,  Les Mills Bodyflow, and Pop Pilates. Being a Licensed Professional Counselor, Kellie adds the intention of physical, mental, and emotional healing to her classes.

“The connection I experience through the Urban Yoga community keeps me motivated in my practice and teaching skills. Moving with others is inspiring, fun, and fulfilling. I believe in the healing process and enjoy being  part of others in their healing process through movement and fitness.”

Megan Reece is not here to teach you something new.  She’s here to guide you back to what’s already inside of you.

As a non-traditional somatic facilitator and nervous system guide, Megan’s work is rooted in the belief that healing doesn’t have to be heavy to be powerful. Her presence is soft, yet deeply anchoring. Her sessions feel like exhaling in a world that’s been asking you to hold your breath.

She’s known for her nurturing energy, her ability to hold space for transformation, and the joy that radiates through everything she offers. Her clients often arrive anxious, disconnected, or stuck in the chaos of the mind and they leave feeling grounded, open, and reconnected to a deeper sense of self.

Megan guides people inward into the body, into the breath, into the quiet wisdom that’s often been drowned out by doing, striving, or performing. Through intention-led movement, emotional awareness, and nervous system recalibration, she facilitates experiences where physical alignment meets emotional release and where healing becomes a lived, joyful reality.

ERYT-500, IATY Certified Yoga Therapist

I fell in love with yoga in 1999, and have been lucky to study under amazing teachers in the art of creative yoga flow and yoga therapy. Since I first began teaching yoga, 20 years ago, I’ve led students aged 12 weeks to over 90 – yes, everyone can do yoga!

I believe that a yoga practice is really about working with our habits, patterns and beliefs – moving more energy to experiences that provide joy and learning to see and shift out of the things that bring pain.

I strive to provide each student with new insights into their body-mind-spirit, while nurturing acceptance, gratitude and playfulness.

Gina studied yoga therapy at Loyola Marymount University with top doctors, chiropractors, physical  therapists and yoga therapists from around the country and completed a year-long gait training program for physical therapists.

Ursula’s yoga journey began a decade ago when she was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Through her practice, she experienced a profound transformation in her mental health and overall well-being, inspiring her to share these powerful tools with others.

Originally from Peru, Ursula is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certified by schools in India, the U.S., and Peru. She is an Advanced Breathwork Instructor certified by Oxygen Advantage and a Mindfulness Instructor accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. Her background also includes training in Pranayama, Sound Healing, and Trauma-Informed Yoga. Beyond teaching, Ursula finds joy in traveling and immersing herself in nature, where she feels most connected and inspired.

UY 200 hr Teaching Apprenticeship, 200 hr Alchemy Advanced Training, Outreach Yoga and History and Philosophy of Yoga with Indigo Academy, Mindfulness Foundations training with Mindful Schools, and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness with David Treleaven.

I practice yoga and mindful living to stay connected to my true self. To learn and to grow, to be present in the moment, and to be open and grateful.  It is a true blessing to share our practice and to evolve together through yoga. I aim to teach a very welcoming class with gentle, mindful movement and lots of attention on breathing. We will move with the breath and pause in the moment. This class is for all levels and aims to leave you feeling both relaxed and energized.

Born in Ukraine and shaped by movement traditions across three continents, Anya has taught yoga and somatic practices around the world for over a decade. She received her yoga certification at Yoga Vida in New York City and blends functional movement, somatic wisdom, and trauma-informed philosophy into a practice that is both grounding and liberating.

A mother and a trained tantrika, Anya guides students into deeper breath, softer presence, and authentic expression. Her classes invite intuitive movement, playful exploration, and nervous-system-centered release. Gentle, mindful, and welcoming to all bodies — Anya offers a space to unwind, reconnect, and remember your aliveness.

Expect curated music, soft chimes, and occasionally even a live song to support you in dropping more fully into the moment.