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Meet Our Teachers
Dedicated Experts
Andrea Thompson
200 Registered Yoga Teacher/Studio Manager
Andrea Thompson is a dedicated yoga instructor who also has some responsibilities for helping with the day-to-day operations of the studio. Her journey in yoga began over 10 years ago as a student and she recently completed her 200 - hour Yoga Teacher Training. She believes yoga is a healing tool for mind and body and has cultivated a teaching style that is nurturing, grounding, and adaptable for all levels of practice. Her dual role allows her to stay closely connected with the studio community while also helping bring the studio’s vision to life. We believe yoga is for all bodies and Andrea is devoted to making sure this is something that all students experience at Emerald Elephant Yoga. When not teaching she is often found deepening her own practice, studying yoga philosophy, or exploring new ways to support her students and team. She lives in the Bertram area with her husband Gregg and their dog Pete.
Stephanie Ryan
200 Registered Yoga Teacher
Stephanie’s yoga journey began in 2017, rooted in a lifelong passion for movement and artistry. With a background as a gymnast and ballerina, she brings grace, strength, and fluidity to her practice. Today, Stephanie is dedicated to sharing the transformative power of yoga—physically, mentally, and spiritually—with others, guiding her students toward balance and inner peace. Off the mat, Stephanie is a creative soul, embracing life as an author and painter. She finds joy in hiking, exploring the outdoors, and immersing herself in nature. A nomadic spirit at heart, Stephanie travels frequently. She currently calls the vibrant Austin area her home.
Katrina Friesen
Yoga Teacher
Katrina was born and raised in Texas. She is a mother of 3 amazing boys ages 8, 7 and 4. She and her husband have been married going on 16 yrs. Katrina started Yoga in 2006 when she was studying for her Health and Kinesiology degree. She studied yoga, stretching, aerobics, and swimming. She is a certified personal trainer as well as a group fitness instructor. After school she practiced on and off, until she started teaching regularly in 2018. Yoga has always helped Katrina in so many different aspects of her life, which is probably why she has always been drawn back to it. She feels so grateful that she gets to share yoga with others.
Victor Talavera
Tai Chi Instructor
Victor was born and raised in Dallas, TX where he lived until he was promoted and relocated to Austin in the middle of 1999. Shortly after the move, he met his grandmaster and was introduced to his martial art in which he has trained over the years earning him a 3rd degree black belt. Shortly after Victor began his training, he had a car accident and was not able to train for a while. During this time., his grandmaster recommended he start training in Ip Sun, the equivalent to Tai Chi. Through this study he was able to recover quickly and understand the energies that we incorporate within ourselves and share with others.
Ip Sun is a style similar to Tai Chi and is considered a form of “moving meditation”. It is the understanding of energy within us and channeling that energy through motions, breathing, and mental clarity.
For the active lifestyle, whether you are into martial arts, sports, dance, or any other physical activity, this art will complement them by improving your balance, breathing, and focus.
Come and experience a stress-free environment that will improve your overall well-being.
Natalie Hill
500 Registered Yoga Teacher/Studio Owner
Natalie is the owner of Emerald Elephant Yoga and a 500-hour Yoga Alliance Certified instructor. Her introduction to yoga was a class at a local community center in 1998. Astonished by how yoga affected both the body and the mind, Natalie joined a yoga studio to delve deeper into her practice. Natalie's job moved her out of state and yoga fell to the wayside. After returning to Texas, a Crossfit injury brought Natalie back to yoga in 2015. Her renewed fascination with how yoga physiologically affects the body prompted her to obtain her 500 Hour Teaching Certification at Blue Anjou in Lewisville, Texas. Natalie is thrilled to offer wellness through yoga to her students.
Kaleigh Le
200 Registered Yoga Teacher
Guided by her deep love for nature and all beings, Kaleigh is dedicated to sharing the transformative power of yoga. Kaleigh's classes are a sanctuary where students can nurture self-love, deepen their connection to the earth, and honor ancestral wisdom. Through mindful movement and breath, Kaleigh strives to cultivate compassion, kindness, and optimism within each student, empowering them to live with joy and purpose in harmony with the natural world.