meet our instructors!
Our intimate class size gives you unparalleled access to our instructors expertise. With artful and clear guidance, our instructors ensure a safe and gratifying experience. Instruction based on study, experience, years of training, practice and real life lessons.
Sarah Driscoll Her/She
Sarah has been practicing yoga and meditation since college. "With the help of yoga, I found that I could focus better and sit still longer in class." Sarah studied with James Miller in 2011 and started teaching out of her home later that year. Breathing Room Yoga opened in Downtown Cedar Rapids, May 2016. Sarah's mission is to make yoga accessible to all. "I want to take yoga to the streets and show everyone that they can do it and their lives will be better for it."
Akira Allen He/Him
is free-spirited, nimble, playful, compassionate, energetic, comforting, loving, kind, curious, laid back & optimistic. He became an instructor for many reasons. Yoga is something that has profoundly impacted his life in a positive way and he could not see his life without it. He wants to help impart a similar experience to others. He would like to teach others not only the asanas for their physical wellbeing but the other philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga that help nurture and nourish our emotional, mental and spiritual lives. The asanas are just one part of the system that feeds into the others and he wants to show people just that. He likes to refer to his style of teaching as Dynamic Hatha Flow. Using Hatha as the basis to link mind breathe and body in movement between fluid movements with pauses for static restorative and introspective postures. This will is informed by dance, martial arts and other fluid movement systems Welcoming and comforting aura with an emphasis on holding space for people to accept others and themselves as well as connect their mind with their body. Fun and playful dynamic and flowing sequences alongside static restorative postures to catch a break and introspect. Every shape is welcome with an emphasis on attaining your personal fullest expression in your poses for your body
Ann Fleckenstien She/Her
My yoga practice started 10 years ago- invited by a good friend to attend a yoga class, I wasn't sure what I had signed up for, but was super excited after my first hour in practice and I was "all in". The classes I attended really encompassed the full philosophy of yoga, and that resonated with me.
In the summer of 2015, I took a deep dive into studying yoga. Colleen Yee and Rolf Gates were my inspiration and I started learning more about all 8 limbs of this ancient, beautiful, time tested practice. In the winter of 2016, Andrea Parks, a long time friend, and someone I consider family and an inspiration, asked me if I would like to do a 200 YTT. The timing was perfect, and with the noted enthusiasm on my part, my family and friends gave me the support I needed to start my training. I graduated as a Cloud Nine Yoga Teacher in July of 2016 under the careful instruction of both Andrea Parks and Erin McGuire. I also had the most amazing benefit of being mentored by both Sarah Cram Driscoll and Maria Dummermuth during my time in training. Cloud Nine Yoga is new to Iowa and based out of California with studios located in the western United State and Hawaii. Erika Faith is the founder and she is an amazing soul!
On a more personal note, I am the very proud mother of 2 amazing and creative children- Julian and Grace. We are a close knit group of 3 that love to create, cook, travel, and just hang together.
Ken Appleby He/Him
Ken teaches how Ken lives, from the heart, authentically and compassionately. Ken discovered yoga and dove in head first. By the time Ken reached the one year anniversary of his personal practice he was a registered teacher touching the lives of others on the yoga path. Ken coordinated and teaches the Trans and Queer Community classes at the Breathing Room along with community classes at Life Connections. Ken also grows food at Ecollective Farm, fosters and adopts dogs and animals in need. Ken loves being outdoors, kayaking, camping gardening, traveling and seeing live music with wife Reegan.
Darcy LeFevre She/Her
Darcy began teaching in 2005 after completing her 200-hour certification with Jimmy Barkan. Since then she has trained to teach Vinyasa yoga, mat Pilates, and Yin yoga. You can expect a class suited to your body, whether you need a pose to be less intense or more challenging. You can also expect, even after all these years, that she will mix up left and right at least once per class, but she doesn’t mind if you let her know.She lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband, two children, and a couple of cats. The kids and kitties make practicing at home extra challenging, so you are likely to see her in class, because yoga helps to keep her (mostly) sane.
Donna Heyvaert. She/Her
Donn began her journey in meditation in 2010 by attending a 10-Day Silent Meditation practice known as Vipassana. Since then, Donna became a 200 hour certified Yoga Instructor and has taught yoga continuously since 2011. She has attended Mindfulness Meditation courses and participates in group sits.
She encourages participants to come with an openness to continue this journey together. Meditation is a journey, not a destination
Wendy Stokesbary Her/She
Wendy is a licensed mental health counselor and yoga teacher in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With over 25 years of experience she provides a range of mental health and body based interventions to treat the whole person.Wendy works with individuals of all ages, and she is particularly interested in working with youth who have experienced trauma, or are struggling with mood and interpersonal challenges. She utilizes evidence based therapies tailored to the needs of each person. And she is also an advocate and community partner for developing healthy and resilient kids and families. Wendy began teaching yoga in 2018 and weaves mindfulness and yoga based philosophy into her work.
You can learn more about Wendy's community work through her blog and the Kingston Therapy Services facebook page.
Blog: https://kingstontherapyservices.com/?blogcategory=Wendy%27s+Blog
All are welcome at Breathing Room Yoga! Here we believe Black Lives Matter, love is love, gender is a spectrum, people are never illegal, every human deserves housing, food, and respect. We are here to support one another, love, learn & just be.
We are located at 608 2nd Ave. SE, Downtown Cedar Rapids, IA. Our studio is open and we are happy to be offering “in person” classes, join us! We also offer classes via Zoom, You Tube, and special events outside. Check out our YouTube Channel here: https://www.yohttps://www.youtube.com/c/BreathingRoomYogautube.com/c/BreathingRoomYoga
Frequently Asked Questions:
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
We have everything you need here, like mats, props and water. Our teachers are excellent at working with beginners and can give you any special attention you would like during class. If you have any questions or would like a complimentary one on one consultation before coming to a class please email breathingroomyogacr@gmail.com or call Sarah at 319-241-7333.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is a very welcoming environment, so come as you are! Wear stretchy comfortable clothing you can move in, try not to wear anything too baggy as it can get in the way as you move through poses. We have restrooms and changing space for you to use before or after class. We practice with bare feet. A yoga class is a quiet setting, please feel free to address any questions that arise quietly or after class. Come a few minutes before class to allow time to sign in and settle in.