Meet your Instructors 

Chrystal Taylor

Chrystal Taylor is the owner of Nirvana Hot Yoga & Massage since 2010. She is a certified Barkan Hot Yoga Instructor, 500 Hour E-RYT, and Prenatal Yoga Instructor. Chrystal is also a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Arkansas. Yoga is her passion and she loves sharing it with others. 

Chrystal and Farrah King founded Thrive Yoga, LLC., a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School. Together they offer a 2ooRYT yoga teacher training program twice a year at Nirvana Hot Yoga.

Alex Crawley

Alex completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in December 2020. She teaches a heated power yoga class that includes stretching, strength building, and breath work. 

"My favorite thing about yoga is that it helps me relieve stress and find peace. Personal growth through practice and the sense of community at the studio inspire me to teach. Some of my hobbies include painting, traveling, discovering new music, and of course yoga!" 

Cheryl Russell

Cheryl completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in July 2022.

"I began practicing about 20 years ago at Nirvana Jonesboro, where I fell in love with the challenge, mind-body experience, and life application. I love how yoga applies to other areas of my life.  My practice has improved my physical as well as mental health. The judgement free zone allows me to create my own yoga practice while at the same time being a part of a bigger community. It teaches me not to overthink. I am inspired to teach by sharing and growing with others in the same way along with building relationships while knowing I am making a difference in the day and life of others. My Hobbies/Passions include Hiking, being outdoors, creating art, my faith, family, , and yoga." 

Cindy Vaupel

Cindy is an RYT 200 who has been practicing yoga for over 10 years.

"I love teaching yoga and helping others find balance. I’m inspired to help others achieve mindfulness. Im always learning and love to teach others. I’m passionate about working outside with plants, gardening, exploring the world and I love my family."

Emily Pearson

Emily completed her 200RYT in March of 2024.

She teaches a heated hatha style class focused on building strength and flexibility.

"My favorite thing about yoga is the mental stillness and stress relief that comes with it. Getting to challenge my body further each class and to see improvements with flexibility is so rewarding. The clarity I feel mentally keeps me coming back to the mat, I love that I get to share that with others."

Jade Yee 

Jade recieved her 200RYT in March of 2024

She teaches hatha based, heated power classes that focus on muscle-mind connection, breath work, & improving strength, flexibility, & mobility both physically & mentally. 

"Practicing yoga has had the biggest impact on my life in all of the best ways. I am passionate about spreading the benefits yoga offers on and off the mat. My favorite thing about yoga is how it works your mind, body, & soul all at once as well as how universal and useful it is to every person no matter what walk of life they live, yoga dissolves division and bulids a bridge to connection. Our yogi community is made of love, kindness, & compassion.

Outside of yoga I spend time growing my business & spending time with friends, family, and my fur babies who I adore. Making time to travel and get outdoors is important to me, and getting lost in a great book during downtown will always leave me feeling fulfilled."

Jonathan Schaufler

Jonathan completed his 200RYT in June of 2024.

He teaches a heated power yoga class that focuses on strength, balance, and quieting the mind.

"My favorite thing about yoga is the mental clarity and peace you find after practice. If you're anything like me and have a crazy packed schedule yoga is a perfect avenue to relieve stress and take time for yourself, while also benefiting your mind and body. I also love the intimacy of the studio and the friends you can find along the way!"

Patience Cross

Patience completed her 200RYT in March of 2024.

She teaches a heated hatha style class focused on building strength, balance, and flexibility.

"When I needed balance in my life, I found yoga. I have since found a love and appreciation for living in the moment; to observe and enjoy life without the need to "fix everything" or overthink scenarios. When I'm on my mat, that balance flows naturally, there's no worry or stress about parts of my day that are out of my control. This mindfulness and peace always keeps me coming back to the mat, and as a teacher it's something I'm excited to help others achieve as well.

Rachel Klasky

Rachel was certified in 2019 through Edge Yoga. Her favorite thing about yoga is that it is accessible to all. No matter one’s age, gender, size, or experience-they can find a connection to their mind, body, and breath

"I fell in love with yoga back in 2009 at Nirvana. After practicing for a decade, I knew yoga was something I’d continue for the rest of my life. I decided to become certified to I could share my passion for yoga with others."

Amy Hyman

Amy completed her RYT 200 certification in March of 2022.

"My favorite thing about yoga is that it teaches you life lessons both on and off the mat, yoga is always there for you no matter your journey or what season of life you’re in. I was inspired to teach because I love sharing how yoga changed my life.. I broke my back, pelvis, tailbone and ribs in a car accident in 2013, and yoga has helped me heal and maintain freedom of movement. Hopefully my lived experience can inspire someone in a similar situation to push through and learn how the body can heal itself while becoming stronger. Besides yoga, my hobbies and passions include running, gardening, baking and reading."

Evelyn Watkins

Evelyn completed her 200 hour RYT in March of 2021 . 

"I am inspired to teach by the overall effect yoga had on me both physically and mentally, I want to be able to share my journey & experience with others and hopefully make a difference. My favorite thing about yoga is the ability to always learn more & become more advanced! I am also passionate about being outdoors, cooking, & traveling " 

Myranda Ogles 

Myranda recieved her 200RYT in March of 2024, she is also a certifed Mindfullness Coach. 

She leads a hatha yoga class with a focus on mindfulness, breath work, and mind-body connection.

"Yoga and mindfullness have transformed my life and I want to share with others how beneficial these self-care practices can be"

Rachel Graham

Rachel competed her 200hr yoga teacher certification in March of 2020.

"My passion for yoga comes from the subtle calmness that I am left with after every class and if I can bring that stillness to the mind and body for others, I would love to see myself as a vessel for that. I also love hiking in nature, as well as gardening and learning to cook from scratch with the ladies in my family."