Our Heart. Our Why.

Our purpose is to share love and joy through wellness arts.

Our mission is to open space for love and joy in communities and organizations through intentional approaches to wellness.

Our vision is to show up with heart and consistency in the DFW community as we bring awareness and action to wellness.

 

Our Values

Joy

Look for the joy in every reality and see it reflected back to you.

Love

Lead with your heart and always come from a place of love.

Compassion

Take action knowing and understanding that every person’s experience is different.

 

Collaboration

Work in a spirit of collaboration knowing that we are stronger together and should always remember our shared values.

 

Wellness

Your mind, body and soul are sacred and should be treated with kindness, love and respect.

 

Resilience

When joy is hard to find, give grace, be flexible and find the path back.

 

Courage

Show up for yourself and others -- even when it seems uncomfortable.

 

Authenticity

Be who you are at this very moment knowing that we are on a lifelong journey towards self-realization.

Teaching Staff

 

Stefanie Tovar (she/her/ella)

Wellness Advocate | CEO, Founder, Yoga (adults and youth), Sacred Storytelling, Racial Healing, Board President

Lead Instructor at St. Cecilia’s, Klyde Warren Park, and Poetic among Sites across DFW

Stefanie’s Why: “As a child that grew up through unstable circumstances, I understand the Grounded Love and Spiritual Parenting that can come from adults ready to Lovingly Guide. It is my hope that Yena can be a Resource for the Inner Child in us and our Children. We hope to join this beautiful village of Spiritual Parents that arrive in titles of teachers, social workers, services providers etc. to help Raise our children; and I hope you join our Village as well.”

  • Stefanie is honored and humbled by the rapid growth, conscious change and expansion of this organization.

    Stefanie began her yoga journey in 2008 as a performing artist craving an opportunity to hold space for herself and others to make a lasting impact. At that time she was performing for children internationally and fell more in love with children; and looked forward to sharing her Love of the many modalities of Healing Arts with them.

    When Stefanie began her Journey as a Yoga Facilitator, she taught children in studio settings as soon as she could in 2008, and soon realized how incredibly receptive children are to the practice.

    In 2017 Stefanie's Yoga Outreach Facebook Group became a 501c3 nonprofit with the encouragement and generous grant from Lululemon. Stefanie facilitates yoga practices across DFW for the public and is ECSTATIC to help serve her community further through her this Outreach 501c3 nonprofit: Yena. Stefanie is able to incorporate the many lessons she has learned from Studying Kids Yoga with Yoginos Yoga for Youth (2008), teaching ballroom dance in DISD schools through Dancing Classrooms North Texas (2008-2010) and her time devoted to performance and collaborations with schools (2004-2012).

    Instagram: @stefanietovar

 
 

Shawn Burns ( he/him/his)

Wellness Advocate | Yoga, Meditation (adults & youth)

Shawn’s Why: “The youth are our future, and how we empower and connect with them impacts our today and most importantly our tomorrow. YENA bridges two of my passions, youth empowerment and teaching Yoga. I’m honored to have this wonderful opportunity to teach the practice of yoga, and while along the way empowering youth in a unique way.”

  • Shawn’s Burns is a dynamic certified fitness coach and RYT- 200hr yoga teacher, who’s passion for teaching stems from over 10 years’ experience in the fitness industry as a trainer, collegiate coach at The University Arkansas, and youth motivational speaker.  A graduate and former athlete of the University of Arkansas, he believes in a relentless effort to seeking stillness of the mind and compassion with one’s self while on and off the mat. To cultivate a practice that builds determination and strength within. The beauty of yoga is that everyone is on their own path in their practice. Through poses and postures, we rely on the equality of our breath as a moving meditation. Finding the balance between strength and flexibility. Shawn’s goal in his spiritual practice is to help people discover the power of being their authentic self.

    For over a decade, Shawn has devoted his life to youth leadership development and empowerment.  His captivating approach to difficult and complex life issues that youth across America face has continues to take the world by storm.  His ability to capture the hearts and minds of his audience, no matter the setting allows him to make a deeper connection and take a different approach to youth empowerment, prevention education, and motivating youth and families in the development of healthy lifestyles.

 
 

Sha’ Roehm (she/her/hers)

Wellness Facilitator | Yoga, Meditation, Breathwork

Sha’s Why: I absolutely adore working with Yena because I am passionate about sharing resources that guide people to reveal what is and will always be within them…, LOVE, STABILITY, AND COMFORT. It’s so beautiful to witness people coming home to their journey of self-awareness. I’ve learned, still learning, that it takes presence to unwind issues unconsciously stored in our cells. Having reverence for our human experience is glorious! Being on team Yena, I get to share that healing doesn’t have to be linear and assist my community with accessing conscious awareness of their intrinsic nature. We are all works in progress!

  • Sha’ is a health & wellness ambassador who implements meditative modalities with somatic movement to create space for healing, empowerment, and fulfillment. It is her belief that we must be patient and trust in our own creative and spiritual rhythms on the personal journey of self-discovery. Sha’ specializes in creating reflective practices derived from embodied living, scientific research, and living traditions that cultivate one's own internal reservoir of resources.

    Born in Orlando, FL, Sha’s love of culture and travel began as a child while growing up with parents in the United States Air Force. She has lived in numerous countries and now resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and daughter. Receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas State University in Geography: Resource and Environmental Studies, Sha’ began a career in the cartographic industry. A passion for real estate prompted Sha’ to head a successful brokerage business. With the pressures of maintaining a fast-paced career and family life, Sha’s then informal meditation practice became essential to her well-being. Which led to her passion professions of a certified 300-hour meditation guide, 200-hour yoga teacher, and Somatic Experiencing for Trauma practitioner.

    Instagram: @meditationswithsha

 
 

Jovita Castillo (she/her/hers)

Wellness Facilitator | Yoga, Meditation

Jovita’s Why: “The concept of Yena is over feeling whole and full through wellness. Wellness looks and feels different for different communities, and it all starts with providing and holding a safe space. A safe space where one can feel seen and heard, and be your whole authentic self. I feel “llena” and so connected to Yena’s work. I’m excited to show up as my whole authentic self and offer my joy, compassion for wellness in all comunidades.”

  • Proud daughter of Mexican Immigrants, born and raised in the heart of Oak Cliff, Texas. Jovita is a bilingual yoga instructor and has been teaching for over two years. Yoga became a part of her lifestyle after dealing with anxiety and in search of self-discovery.

    Her goal is to guide others to find the best version of themselves by getting them out of their comfort zone and allowing them to be their most authentic self. She hopes to empower every soul in their yoga journey and provide opportunities for minorities to have access to this beautiful practice. When not on her yoga mat, she is in search of the best chilaquiles, reading, and enjoying the outdoors. Y si, le encanta el Reggaeton :)

 
 

Lauren Margolies (she/her/hers)

Wellness Facilitator | Yoga, Meditation, Sound Healing

Lauren’s Why: “I work with Yena because I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of this beautiful organization. The impact that Yena is making on children is so profound, and as an adult I understand the true gift of accessing the tools that Yena teaches. It is an honor to be part of something so powerful."

  • Lauren Margolies is a holistic wellness teacher offering modalities such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, breath work, energy healing & is also a practicing astrologer. Her purpose as a facilitator is to compassionately guide humans into a deeper connection within themselves.


Board Members

 

Megan Bird Williams (she/her/hers)

Board Member | Secretary

Megan’s Bio: Megan is a school teacher in GISD and the secretary for Yena. Megan has been with the organization since 2018, and during that time has supported Yena in many ways, including facilitating yoga through the schools she has taught at. From her experiences as an educator, Megan has seen first hand how Yena can change the lives of young people. She is proud to be with an organization that works hard to bring yoga and mindfulness to our children and teens. Megan believes that teaching these skills now will create a foundation of support that will go with them throughout life.

 
 

Sonia Azad (she/her/hers)

Board Member | Events and Video Production

Sonia’s Why: “I have a deep love for the practice of yoga and meditation. As a yoga & meditation guide, I believe that these forms of movement and mindset can help us to shift gears, and ultimately, transform our lives. My final thesis/ paper for one class in graduate school focused on Yoga in Public Schools. I remember back then (2007) it was still an uncomfortable and unpopular approach, especially in the southern part of the United States. Fast (or slow) forward-- a decade and change later, we have research to back the benefits of sitting, breathing, stretching and moving... particularly as it relates to healing. We can not step into recovery mode until our bodies are out of fight or flight mode. This is also true for our youngest citizens. As an aunt to an 8 year old niece and a 6 year old nephew, I encourage these habits early. While I would love to shield them from any future suffering or aggravation-- I know that's unreasonable. These tools equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a change when stress or trauma arises. They learn that there is a capacity to feel different, and that no matter what's happening in the outside world-- they can change their inside worlds... and they're able to do it for themselves.

I believe that through consistent practice, loving guidance and attention from positive influences, students can translate the gifts discovered on the mat into living with presence, patience, gratitude and courage off the mat.”

  • Sonia is part yogi, part news junkie, and fully committed to exploring what it means to live a healthy and dynamic life.

    As a Health & Wellness journalist for WFAA, she shares stories about fitness, nutrition, medical research and overall healthy living. When not at work, Sonia often teaches yoga and meditation- and leads groups on domestic or international yoga retreats.

    Before focusing on health reporting, Sonia gained extensive experience covering breaking news, crime and politics, including everything from natural disasters to global affairs.

    Prior to WFAA, she spent 6 years at KTRK-TV in Houston. She also reported for TV stations in San Diego, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and worked internationally covering news in the Netherlands, Africa and the Balkans.

 
 

Sireesha Chirala (she/her/hers)

Board Member - General Counsel | Integrity, Wellness and Inclusion Advocate

Sireesha’s Why: I work with Yena because it allows me to be of service to my community and the members of my community that need a little extra support. Yena truly enables us to come together as a collective unit and practice, fundraise, gather, and provide for each other in a special way. I see yoga as such an empowering tool that can help the population that Yena serves directly and those that want support Yena.

  • Sireesha supports Yena's operations and activities through strategic planning, brainstorming, and organizing. She provides this guidance through a unique lens of ethics and integrity because of her yoga training and her legal background as a compliance professional and a former public-sector attorney. Sireesha has extensive volunteering experience and has been a member of service organizations in the past. She leverages this prior experience to channel her passion for service/seva and inclusivity -- the perfect combination for Yena's goals and mission for the community.