About Us
Find a Yoga To Grow Teacher in Your Area
Susan Mathis, M.Ed., RYT, CYKF
Susan has practiced Kripalu Yoga for eight years and delights in sharing the joys of yoga and movement with children in her classes. As an early childhood educator for the past 20 years, Susan has a deep understanding of a child's natural desire for exploration and movement. Her classes are centered around teaching yoga through play and imagination using stories, games, movement and literature.
Susan is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and a Certified YogaKids Facilitator (CYKF) with YogaKids International. She completed her Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in Feb of 2010. Susan is also a registered Radiant Child Yoga Teacher. A former Kindergarten and Preschool teacher, Susan worked for the Parents As Teachers program from 1990 to 2009. Susan currently serves as a National Trainer for the National Center for Parents as Teachers and is the mother of two teen-age children.
Susan is the director and owner of Yoga to Grow.
Dana Faler, CYTG Teacher
As an interior designer and certified "Yoga to Grow" teacher, Dana brings her creative energy to the children's classes. After seeing the positive changes that yoga had on her two young daughters, she feels passionate about sharing yoga with children and their families.
Dana's classes not only help develop the physical body, but also the social, intellectual, and emotional side of children. Classes are centered around playful movement through songs, stories, and games. Breathing and relaxation exercises are also incorporated to help calm and bring self-awareness.
Kelly McGowan, CYTG Teacher
Kelly McGowan is a Chicago native living in Columbia Missouri since 2001. She met her husband in Telluride Colorado, and they have been happily married for 12 years. They relocated to the Midwest to be closer to family. They have a son and daughter in elementary school where Kelly is also the playground supervisor. Kelly has been practicing Yoga for about 11 years. Recently over the past two years, Kelly has practiced regularly. She just completed Yoga to Grow training with Susan Mathis and is now a certified teacher. Kelly is a big believer in movement for everyone, but especially children. Now currently working for the public schools, she see an even bigger need for children to learn that movement is essential to a healthy body and mind. She knows in order to relax the body and mind the body must move. Her love of exercise is incorporated into every part of her life.
Karri Amelunke, CYTG Teacher
Karri has been working as a school counselor at Southern Boone Primary School since 2002. She is married with 2 young children. She recently received her training through Yoga to Grow to become a certified teacher. Karri has been interested in and practicing yoga for several years and believes in the amazing benefits that yoga practice offers both kids and adults. Karri is very excited to be able to share yoga with her all the children in her life.
Class Locations
Yoga to Grow Studio Downtown Columbia, Missouri
Most of Yoga to Grow classes and events are held at the Yoga to Grow Studio. The shared studio space with alleyCat Yoga is spacious and overlooks Flatbranch Park. The children have their own art and materials room inside the studio so creative materials are always within reach.
The studio is located at 23 S. Fourth Street on the upper level. Ample parking is available in our adjacent parking lot.
Visit www.alleycatyoga.com for information on yoga and workshops for adults.
Unity Center
The Unity Center is located on the corner of Broadway and Manor Drive. Our classroom is inside Southwest PlaySchool (the yellow brick portion of the building) in the Garden Room. Parking is available just off of Manor Drive outside the classroom.