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CYS Staff

Staff Bios

Tonia White

E-RYT500  |  YACEP  |  Shift Yoga Teacher Training 

Youth Trauma Informed  |  Barre Above Certified  |  Lagree Fitness Pilates Certified

FRCms  |  Kinstretch Instructor |  Thai Bodywork Certified  | First Aid/CPR

Quick background: I've been married for over 25 years to Zac - have one child: Ian, he's married to Alyssa, and one grandchild who calls me Nonna. Many of you will iikely meet him: Jack.  I adore my family!

I was overweight just about my entire life, from the tween years on up. After diet/lifestyle changes in 2001 pushed me to lose 86 pounds, I began looking for a new way to maintain my weight loss. I hit the campus gym religiously with a friend, but it was getting dull. I jogged around my neighborhood, but at that time I was miserable running. I found a yoga DVD in 2002 and fell in love. I was always in my living room floor taking up all of the space. I tried my first actual class in 2006 at a major gym franchise and I decided I wanted more live instruction. Due to a series of family tragedies beginning in 2007, I stopped yoga suddenly to spend more time with my dad and the rest of my family. All forms of exercise stopped. It did not take me long to realize that yoga was what I needed back in my life, and not just for a "workout routine". It just happened. I changed through the breathing and concentration and did not even know. A friend invited me to join them at the studio in my town and I have never looked back. I began teacher training in 2014. During that time I lost a cousin suddenly and in the following 2 weeks I lost my father. Looking back I now see that facing those situations put me at a fork in the road. At that time, it did not seem like a hard decision. I knew where I needed to be. From that point on my life has been a slow transition into something completely different than before yoga. I left my career of over 20 years in graphic design and commercial print to be where I feel called, and where I feel incredible joy. Owning YogaFire Midlothian as of December of 2016 has been quite the experience! Never in million years did I see myself teaching yoga, training instructors, or much less running studios. I have grown to appreciate life for what it is and what it can throw at us. Yoga provides you with the tools to handle all situations with the same glow/light - regardless of whether the situation is ideal. It balances you.

Through these years I've worked with yogis of so many unique lifestyles. Young, old, students, 9 to 5ers, athletes from a very young age, all the way to professional. I am honored and feel very blessed to have seemingly stumbled into this wild time. Open to see what is next.

I feel this practice should be accessible to everyone, and I will do my best to do that. 

I am also proud to say I will be carrying on the CYS legacy as of November 1, 2022. I am looking forward to working with Dawn, the instructors, as well as this amazing new yoga community.

See Tonia White's schedule

Dawn Harris

E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500, YACEP.  Dawn was the founder/owner of Crescent Yoga Studio in Midlothian, TX from 2010-2022. She has been practicing hatha yoga since her early teens and has enjoyed teaching an eclectic blend of yoga styles since 1998. Having played multiple sports in her younger years, Dawn quickly realized Cheerleading was her biggest passion, which included 12 years of regional and national cheerleading competitions - UCA in middle school & high school, and NCA in college. She received a collegiate scholarship to cheer at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma where her coed squad was nationally ranked in the top 10 squads featured on ESPN. Dawn earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree and a Business Education Certification from NSU.

Most of her formal teacher training is with YogaFit based in California, but she has also completed various other yoga trainings like the Personal Revolution Workshop with Baron Baptiste, Yoga Therapy & Restorative Yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater, and many other fabulous local yoga teachers, like Marinda Hollar & Adri Kyser, who have inspired and enhanced her yoga journey. Dawn has been a member of Yoga Alliance since 2006. She also holds other certifications which include SilverSneakers (MSROM/YogaStretch level 1 & 2), CPR/First Aid, Ayurveda, & Reiki Level 3. Dawn offers Private Yoga, Thai Yoga Bodywork, Ayurveda, & Reiki Healing Sessions at Crescent Yoga Studio - Book your private appointment online or contact us for additional availability.

She is a loving wife, mother of two beautiful adult children, and a cancer Survivor (diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in Sept.2019, stage 4 metastatic cancer Dec.2021). When she is not practicing yoga, she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing to her own beat, swimming, camping, and hiking.

See Dawn Harris's schedule

Nancy Daniels

E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP and Certified Ayurveda Counselor.  Nancy discovered yoga in college over 40 years ago, and since that time she has had a long, continuous love affair with the practice. She has had an opportunity to study and practice Hatha, Iyengar and Anusara styles of Yoga and with masters Tias Little, Erich Schiffmann, and John Friend. Nancy originally began teaching Anusara Yoga in 2003. Her teaching style is a composite of the many styles of Yoga she has practiced over the years but is rooted in the traditional Hatha style. Nancy guides Alignment oriented Basic Yoga, Gentle (Yin) and Restorative Yoga as well as Meditation and Yoga Nidra (Yoga of sleep). There is an egoless gentleness when she guides a practice that can be pleasant to both mind and body. Nancy is known for her the depth of knowledge and teaches the Yoga philosophy in many DFW Yoga teacher training programs.


In addition to teaching classes, Nancy also offers Private Sessions for Yoga, Reiki, Ayurveda consults (a traditional health system based on the idea of the balance in bodily systems and uses diet and herbal treatments) as well as Vedic Astrology charting. Book your appointment online or contact us for additional availability.

Nancy is a native of California, but now proudly calls Texas home and lives in Dallas. Nancy speaks several languages and has a love of Sanskrit, the language of Yoga, Nancy previously lived in Japan where she taught Yoga and studied meditation, and has also traveled extensively in India. She is a former competitive transpacific sailboat racer and has faced the 26.2 mile challenge of the marathon a half a dozen times. First and foremost, through the practice of Yoga and Meditation, she is an explorer of her own mind.

See Nancy Daniels's schedule

Amanda Simon

RYT200, I started my personal yoga practice at Crescent Yoga Studio in April 2010. Four years later I began branching out and expanding my practice and started flirting with the thought of becoming a yoga teacher to share with people what I have learned from yoga and how it has helped me in all areas of my life. Before I found yoga, I was very insecure and felt lost. My anxiety disorder that I thought was under control sneaked back up on me, which ripped the rug out from underneath my feet. I was about to give up on me. I felt alone and lost in this GREAT BIG WORLD! Finally I found something that would change my life forever. I was able to get off all my prescription medicine and live a full functioning life. Yoga has helped me to overcome fears and live a healthy lifestyle. I did my teacher training at Alpha Omega in White Rock, Texas thankful for my teacher Sheri Cherokee who is defiantly one of a kind. After completing the program I began teaching yoga in May of 2014.

I am married and we have three beautiful girls and one beautiful boy. I was born in Illinois and moved to Texas when I was about 5. I currently live in Venus and have lived here since I was 6. In my early 20's I was massage therapist for a few years. I have my CPR certification which I got when I was working with kids. I really love working with kiddos and my goal is to teach kids yoga one day!!

See Amanda Simon's schedule

Sheila Cloonen

RYT200, Sheila Cloonen began her yoga practice shortly after her son was born in the early 90's. Being a stay at home home she found that yoga and meditation was a great way to stay in shape and soothe her mind. After a trip to California in 2013 for a yoga and meditation retreat she was hooked on the yogic way of life. Intrigued with the ancient teachings of yoga she went on to receive her certification in meditation, Ayurveda and Hatha yoga from the Chopra Center in California. After receiving her yoga certification, she began teaching family and friends in her small home studio. She recently received her Reiki 2 attunement and is also enjoying working with this ancient practice of healing. "Yoga and meditation have completely changed my life. I'm excited to get out and teach these practices of health and wellbeing".

Sheila provides Private Yoga, Thai Yoga Bodywork & Reiki Healing Sessions at Crescent Yoga Studio - Book your appointment online or contact us for additional availability.

See Sheila Cloonen's schedule

Jenny Howes

I started my personal yoga practice in June of 2015 at Crescent Yoga Studio. I completed my 200hr yoga teacher training from Summit Climbing, Yoga and Fitness in Dallas in December 2017.

I work in healthcare and I am BLS (basic life support) certified. I have a love for all living things and foster various animals when I can for a 501c3 rescue based in Fort Worth. My family & I live in Midlothian, but I’ve lived in Germany and visited a few other countries as well as traveled around the United States.

It is my hope that I offer fellow yogis a positive impact in their yoga journey on and off the mat. Teaching the power of your breath and that some days that’s all you need to do, is breathe. I want to guide you through the physical practice of yoga so you can feel the benefits even after you leave the studio. And last, but not least, I hope to spread compassion; compassion for others and compassion for yourself.

See Jenny Howes's schedule

Rich Ware

Rich is an ex-airborne ranger in the US Army with over 139 jumps under his belt who also loves to be outside. He has owned The Fish Physician since 1996, which deals with maintenance, design and installation of aquariums. You can find him practicing hot yoga or enjoying quiet time on his property in Ovilla. He enjoys working with bees and taking care of 5 dogs, 2 cats, 26 chickens, 2 horses, and he's incredibly proud to be the dad of 2 great human children as well.

Rich completed his 200hr. Yoga Teacher Training in April 2018 and then got his Master Herbalist Certification in November 2019. He also provides Private Yoga Sessions at CYS by appointment.

See Rich Ware's schedule

Mary Ellen Humphreys

Mary Ellen Humphreys - I began practicing yoga in 2012 after a very serious foot injury while teaching high impact aerobics that required 

Mary Ellen

6 months of non-weight bearing. My orthopedic surgeon told me to stop jumping around! I became a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2020.

My trainings & experience include:
Silver Sneakers: Foundations, Yoga, Splash, Group Fitness, Nutrition as We Age.
CPR, Texas Select Facilitator and Balance in Motion (Texas Department of Aging).
Aerobics & Fitness Association of America: Group Fitness, American Council on Exercise: Personal Training, Midlothian Fitness Ambassador
First United Methodist Church Midlothian, Health and Wellness Program, Live Well Midlothian Fitness Challenge, Methodist Health System Wellness Facilitator, Developed and implemented the FitZone at Methodist Charlton Medical Center.

I started my professional career in the field of Radiologic Technology. I worked 40 years in the medical field and corporate fitness. Methodist Health System moved us to Dallas from Michigan where I worked as the Director of Imaging Services, the Midlothian Imaging Center, Cardiology Services, and FitZone Manager.

I have been married to my husband Brooks for 50 years. We have two adult children and 5 very active grandsons!! I am a die-hard sports fan and love watching my grandsons play almost every sport! Brooks and I have lived in WV, Ohio, Houston, Michigan and Dallas.

My passions in life are health and wellness, watercolor painting and reading.

See Mary Ellen Humphreys's schedule

Becky Franklin

RYT 200, Becky has worked in healthcare for over 15 years. She has attended yoga classes sporadically through the years, but in November of 2017, she stepped foot into a yoga studio and never looked back. She recognized increased focus, peace of mind and inner strength in addition to the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice. She graduated from a 200 hour yoga teacher training program in October of 2018 so that she could share yoga with others. Becky is also certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork offering Private Yoga Sessions at CYS, book your Private Appointments online.

Becky is a wife and mother of 3 beautiful children and faith is important in her family. Juggling work and home with grace is a challenge. Becky is passionate to share what she has learned with other busy individuals so that they too can live their fullest life.

See Becky Franklin's schedule

Liz Willis

RYT200, In 2010 Liz stepped into her very first yoga practice and immediately noticed a change within herself. Through mindfulness and power of breath she found ease from stress and anxiety; a personal struggle in which no other source provided relief. Yoga has been a constant support and a balm of healing in her life.

Liz completed her therapeutic yoga teacher training through the Guiding Wellness Institute at Life Moves Yoga in Killeen, Tx. She also holds a Warriors at Ease certification, Levels I and II, and is trained in trauma sensitive, therapeutic, and adaptive yoga. Liz is very active with the veteran community and volunteers much of her time as an ambassador for Warrior Spirit Project.

She has an incredible love for the outdoors and from here she draws much of her inspiration as she believes that nature holds a parallel to all of life's journeys. Her personal vision is to help others pursue a path of healing. By offering the powerful tools of yoga, she hopes that others may find restoration and wholeness in their lives.

Liz is also certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork offering Private Yoga Sessions at Crescent Yoga Studio, book your Private Appointments online.

See Liz Willis's schedule

Gwen Foster

Gwen was certified as a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapist, and Personal Coach in 2002 by Bennett Stellar University. She also took Reiki I and II from Michael Bennett in 2002.

She received her Bachelor of Natural Health Studies with Highest Honors from Clayton College of Natural Health in 2003.

Gwen was introduced to the QXCI in 2003 at Peaceful Meadow Retreat and started using devices in conjunction with Hanna’s work to determine underlying causes and solutions for her clients. Other devices she has used in her office include the SCIO, LIFE, CoRe, Scenar, Q1000, Medical Thermal Imaging, and PIP. Gwen became a Certified Biofeedback Technician in 2007.

She earned her Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM) from the World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners in 2008, and became a Certified Alternative Health Practitioner in 2009.

Gwen was led to natural medicine because of her prior health issues of asthma, lupus, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia and suffered from allergies, insomnia, acid reflux and shingles before recovering her health in 2004. She decided to follow Hanna’s advice of “Help Yourself and then Others”. She has taught Hanna’s work and how to use the SCIO, LIFE and CoRe devices to people from all over the world.

She has been a Hanna Kroeger practitioner for over a decade, and attended the Hanna Kroeger Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 trainings in June, 2003. She has always used Hanna’s teachings as her primary method of helping others. In 2009, Gwen and Eric Kolesar created nuvisionusa. Gwen and Eric worked with Hanna’s daughter, Gisela Kroeger Hoffman, to develop the AccessHanna software application for en|vision. In 2010, Gwen started teaching Hanna’s Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced courses at Peaceful Meadow Retreat with Gisela. Starting in January, 2011 further development went into AccessHanna to create AccessHanna Express, the Facebook application being released in December, 2011. Gwen also uses Matrix Energetics, herbs, homeopathy, flower essences, nutrition and informational remedies with her clients. To see previous workshop topics see her YouTube Channel 

https://gwenfosternd.com/

See Gwen Foster's schedule

Crescent Yoga Studio

306 W Ave F (downtown Midlothian)

Office Hours

Open 7 days a week - see schedule for class times.

Crescent Yoga Studio & Eco-Boutique

Monday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

5:30 pm-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

5:30 pm-7:15 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

5:30 pm-7:15 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

Saturday:

8:30 am-11:30 am

Sunday:

4:30 pm-7:30 pm

Client Testimonial

  • "I loved class today! I felt comfortable and didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated. People of every size and color there and I felt amazing after. Definitely plan on coming back to class."
    Zina M - Midlothian, TX