Dragonfly 360 Yoga & Wellness

Sam Stipp, owner and instructor of Through the Ages Fitness, has a Health Science and Geriatrics degree from Ball State University. After seven years of engaging with the geriatric population through working in Healthcare, Senior Wellness and Life Enrichment, she has acquired several different certifications to pursue her company goals. Sam is SilverSneakers Foundations Certified (Flex Instructor), Activity Director Certified, Group Fitness Instructor Certified and PWR!Moves Certified while also taking great interest in assisting with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) and improving brain function.

Charlie Dewes is an RYT 200 HR Certified Instructor with the Yoga Alliance. A native of Indianapolis, Charlie grew up with a love of nature and adventure. He attended Purdue University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Environmental & Natural Resources Engineering which he has used in his profession as a Hydraulic Engineer working for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He has practiced yoga for 7 years and has been teaching since fall of 2012 with family, friends, and clients in Indianapolis. Charlie strives to give students a creative practice with emphasis on alignment, body awareness, and self-acceptance. He studied under both Eric Bryant and Anha Hoke in the Vinyasa tradition at Invoke Studio and credits both individuals for helping to shape his teaching inspiration and style.

Cynthia is an ERYT-200 yoga teacher with over 14 years of teaching experience. She is certified through YogaFit and has had the opportunity to study with several well-known teachers including Jyoti Hansa, Nancy Schalk, Marsha Pappas, Paul Grilley, and Sadie Nardini.

For over 20 years, Cynthia has explored different styles of yoga and combines these in her classes to meet the unique needs of each student. Her primary goal for her students is that they feel more comfortable in their bodies and more peaceful in their minds.

Dr. Kim Allen a student of yoga since 1993 with the majority of her training in Viniyoga - a therapeutic style of yoga utilizing adaptation and breath to best meet the needs of the practitioner.  She has completed over 1000 hours in training as a yoga teacher and is a certified yoga therapist. She also has bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in Wellness Management with research in Mindfullness Meditation, and a doctorate in Health Education completing research on the effect of yoga on the well-being of older adults. Kim's certifications include Certified Health/Wellness coach through Wellcoaches Inc., certified personal trainer with ACSM, and licensed massage therapist for the state of IN. She currently teaches yoga classes around the Indianapolis area, works one-on-one as a yoga therapist and wellness coach, provides massage therapy, and is an adjunct professor at IUPUI in the Kinesiology department.

Lisa Meece was drawn to the practice of yoga in search of peace. She trained as a yoga teacher at All People Yoga, studying with Nancy Schalk. She began teaching in 2002. She loves seeing students find the sense of peace and comfort that she continues to seek and find on the yoga mat.

Dr. Melanie MacLaren is a naturopathic doctor and registered yoga teacher who is not only passionate about natural health but also the individualized needs of each of her clients. She founded Dragonfly 360 Yoga & Wellness to help educate others on the benefits of holistic, naturopathic practices. With a previous degree in Civil Engineering, she went on to become a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor with the ANMCB, a Certified NAET Practitioner, and a 500-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. 

Nancy Schalk found yoga in the mid 70’s and began teaching in 1984. She holds advanced certifications in Hatha Yoga and Yoga Therapy including her C-IAYT, an international certification as a yoga therapist.

Nancy helped establish the Indiana Yoga Association in 1998 and served on the board for 4 years. She trained yoga teachers from 1999 to 2011, and in 2000 opened and directed All People Yoga Center (now Dragonfly 360) through 2005. She has been a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists since 2007.

She saw the need for continued yoga classes in the community for veterans after their research is complete and founded YES to Vets – Yoga Education and Service to Veterans. Learn more about Nancy and YES to Vets program at www.heartlandyogatherapy.com

Olga’s youngest son, Ian, introduced her to yoga in 2013, the year before he left for college and emptied her nest. After 15 invigorating years of teaching Jazzercise fitness classes, she longed for something more to share with others. She fell in love with yoga philosophy, the fluidity and challenge of vinyasa class, the connection of movement to the breath, and the serenity she felt after yoga practice. Her spirituality became deeper as a result of daily yoga and meditation.