Who We Are
Get to Know us!
Angie Eckenroth
E-RYT 500
Studio Owner
As an avid runner for many years, Angie eventually learned the toll that the sport had taken on her body. She developed sciatica nerve problems in her right leg. It hurt to run, drive and sometimes walk. Desperate to find relief, Angie took her first yoga class in 2002 and was amazed at how much more mobile she felt after just one class. After an on again, off again practice, she decided to deepen her commitment to yoga and enrolled in her first yoga training.
She has since continued her training, completing her E-RYT 500. Angie opened Radiant Yoga Studio in Overland Park, Kansas in June of 2011. She has co-owned and co-lead the Kansas City Yoga Teacher Training Program since 2014. In addition, she owns Radiant Yoga Retreats which is a worldwide yoga retreat business.
Angie has had the pleasure of studying with Desiree Rumbaugh, Doug Keller, Seane Corn, Sadie Nardini and Matthew Taylor. Her desire is to introduce yoga to as many people as possible and helping them achieve balance in their mind, body and spirit through a regular practice.
Kelsea Eckenroth
RYT 500
Studio Manager
My yoga journey started back in August 2012 when my mom, who has been teaching yoga since I was a teenager, convinced me to try my first yoga class. I had just graduated from college and was stressed while trying to find a job. I finally took her advice and went to my first class and loved it! I loved the yoga studio atmosphere and the sense of community. I loved the way I felt, both mentally and physically, after taking a class.
After graduating from The University of Kansas with a B.S. in Journalism I worked for a local fitness magazine, which made me even more interested in health and wellness. I decided to deepen my yoga knowledge and go through yoga teacher training in spring 2014. Around that same time I became the studio manager at Radiant Yoga. I completed my 200-hour teaching certification through Kansas City Yoga Teacher Training in November 2014.
I'm currently working towards my 500 hour certification and will be finished in spring 2020.
Wendy Bullock
RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
I'm a hairdresser by trade for 20+ years. My body was giving out on me from standing all day and from my love of high heels (yes, I did wear them while I worked). I had back surgery at the age of 19 because of a car wreck, so at times I would deal with lower back issues. I walked into Radiant Yoga four years ago and when I started yoga I had no balance or flexibility. I had rounded shoulders and I couldn't even touch my toes. I'm a believer and I know I'm still a work in progress. In December 2016 I graduated from Kansas City Yoga Teacher Training 200 Hour Training. I enjoy sharing my love for yoga with everyone I meet.
Laurie Callan
RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
I discovered yoga in 1997, when I was starting school on the West Coast and needed a way to calm my nerves and manage my considerable energy! One class led to another, until I began yoga teacher training at the Yoga School of Therapeutics in 2009, where I earned my 200-RYT under the direction of Suzette Scholtes. In 2018, I completed my 500 hour training through KCYTT and Radiant Yoga. In addition to my RYT program, I have taken workshops and intensives from such varied teachers as Gabriel Azoulay, Renee DeTar, Sarah Kucera, Doug Keller, Judith Hanson Lasater, Elise Browning Miller, James Miller, Aadil Palkhivala, and Paula Tortolano Self.
Although I primarily trained in Iyengar, Restorative, and Therapeutic yoga, I also enjoy Vinyasa flow yoga for teaching and home practice. Throughout my fifteen years of practice, I have been continually amazed at the power of simple breath and movement for profound healing and personal change.
When I’m not teaching yoga, I am creating meditations for my 2 Minute Meditation channel on YouTube. I teach literature as an associate professor of English at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Learning and education are my passion, and in my opinion, yoga is the best tool for self-knowledge there is. Join me for class sometime and we’ll enjoy the journey together!
Shannon Connell Fischer
RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
Shannon is Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance with over 600 hours of training and 15 years of teaching experience. Her teachings are based on the classical Eight Limbs of Yoga along with the many different styles of yoga she has practiced and studied and steeped in the principles of love, oneness, embodiment, and connection.
She has lived, studied and practiced from the east coast to the west and she loves sharing all that inspires her especially in areas such as energetic movement, bhakti and tantric yoga, vinyasa, meditation and various healing modalities. While living in NYC, she had the opportunity to open and run her own yoga studio - The Fierce Club - for a few years and now resides in Kansas City where she teaches locally and travels doing workshops, events and retreats.
Shannon teaches from a place of authenticity where everything is allowed, encouraged and accepted. Her events, workshops and classes are innovative, inspiring and playful offering the perfect combination of yoga fundamentals, spirituality, inspirational music and fun. Shannon lives what she teaches.. to be in the world and of it… in a never-ending dance of intensity, integrity and fun.
Laura Galler
Yoga Teacher
Ashleigh Heldstab
RYT 200
Occupational Therapist
Yoga Teacher
I first discovered yoga in 2009 when I enrolled in a semester long course at JCCC. This was a beautiful introduction as I got to learn a lot about the history as well as the physical practice. From then on I had had a very on again off again relationship with yoga. I decided to begin my journey to becoming a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher through YogaFit.
Since then, I have become a registered and licensed occupational therapist specializing in pelvic health. I am passionate about supporting women through all stages of life. I combine my knowledge of the body and mind with principles of yoga to help women through life’s transitions and support their pelvic health.
My classes are very nurturing and grounding, leaving students with a sense of peace and tranquility.
Shelley Ippolito
RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
I began my yoga journey in 1997. My husband and I had 2 little boys and were living in Honolulu. It was there that I was introduced to all the calm yoga could bring to a busy life. In 1999 we moved to Overland Park and were blessed with 2 more children. With 4 kids under 10 and a husband who traveled a lot, I knew I needed to take care of myself in order to take care of my family.
I was immediately grateful for the positive effects exercise had on my life and decided to pursue a career in Fitness. I am currently certified in Group Exercise, Personal Training and Kickboxing. In addition, however my passion is teaching yoga. I have taught yoga for more than 15 years. I received my 200 hour yoga teacher training from Darling Yoga and completed my 500 hours with KCYTT and Radiant Yoga. I have received in depth training on teaching beginners from Jason Crandell.
Ali Jacobson
Yoga Teacher
Brian Landers
E-RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
Brian Landers is an E-RYT 500 Hour with Yoga Alliance and has trained 400+ HRS with Annie Carpenter in SmartFlow Yoga. He currently assists her in her 200 HR teacher training program. and is one of the lead trainers for Kansas City Yoga Teacher Training's 300 Hour Advanced Training. He has had many great teachers in Kansas City and Los Angeles: Gretchen Robinson, Mark Blanchard, Eoin Finn and Seane Corn. He is also an ACE certified personal trainer.
As a fitness devotee, Brian didn’t come to yoga for the physical practice. He came to the mat to increase his focus and awareness in an effort to go faster in a race car! After only a few practices, he realized he had embarked on a life changing experience, both physically and spiritually.
Brian’s classes are challenging and unique. While his passion is intense, he teaches with a calm and nurturing style. This combination of intensity and sensitivity is why Brian has been described as the “perfect dichotomy”. Through yoga, he enjoys giving people tools to live a more fulfilled life. He is excited to see where his yoga journey takes him.
Crystal Chaplick
RYT 500
Yoga Teacher
A yoga teacher for 10 years, Crystal began practicing 23 years ago and still considers herself a beginner. Crystal weaves her passion for a healthy body and wellness through movement into each of her classes. Her classes emphasize having fun while feeling good in your body as it is today.
Passionate about teaching beginners and 55+, Crystal loves sharing what she calls “practical poses” that relate to the activities of daily living. There are no fancy poses or terminology, just an opportunity to explore breath and movement. Crystal hopes this leads each student to a greater understanding of their body, the importance of self care and joy.
Crystal received her 200 hour training from Darling Yoga and completed her 500 hour teacher training from Asheville Yoga Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
My "WHY" in life is learning . . . for others and myself.
Every body is different, with different needs. Exploring and increasing knowledge, both for student and personally, through the new challenges presented as we meet together on the mat is what keeps my passion for yoga burning. My desire is to understand what students are looking for and to help them explore new ways to meet what they are seeking in yoga with a sense of humor, and a kind inquisitive approach as a way to care for the mind, body and spirit.
Initially drawn to yoga in 2004 as a great way to close a session of cardio or weight training at the gym, I quickly discovered that there must be something else going on than just stretching with how great I felt afterward. Increasingly being inspired by my practice for the next 10 years, I decided to combine my passion for learning and love of yoga and completed my 200-hour teaching certification through the Kansas City Yoga Teacher Training in December of 2015 under the guidance of Kelly Colln, Angie Eckenroth and Leah Morgan. Almost before I knew it I was continuing my education and completed my 1000 RYT through the Institute of Interdisciplinary Yoga Studies with Renee DeTar. Through that training, I found my love for the Great Yoga Wall, Yamuna Body Rolling, and working with clients one on one. I have taken workshops and intensives from varied teachers which include Ray Long, Doug Keller, Max Strom, Paula Tortalano Self and Jack Self, Renee DeTar, Judith Lasiter, Bryan Legere and am currently studying to become a Yoga Therapist.