Meet Our Instructors

Yoga classes and workshops offered at Mystic Meadows Yoga Studio are led by trained certified yoga instructors. A certified yoga instructor has completed at least 200-hours of yoga training to learn yoga techniques and postures; yoga philosophy, history, ethics and lifestyle; human anatomy and physiology; proper alignment and adjustments; and safe methods of teaching yoga.

Teaching style and tradition may vary from teacher to teacher. We encourage students to explore new styles of teaching and benefit from the lessons of multiple teachers.

Lex Stuck

"Hey, I'm Lex. I like to teach all styles of yoga and my absolute favorite classes are vinyasa flows and yin. I focus on cueing to safely move your bodies through the physical practice while reminding yogis that there are all ways to practice yoga. I strive to provide a space where all body types and levels feel welcome.

I started practicing yoga after a very stressful life, particularly when I started college and no longer played softball. I fell in love with the fact that yoga wasn't just a workout. It created the space for me to tap into my internal dialogue and learn the breathwork that I have had in my life ever since. After a while, I jammed myself into the corporate world, and the stress intensified so bad that my life felt like it was falling apart. I came back full force into my yoga practice and it changed my life for the better once again. At that time, I was determined to try and provide that life-saving feeling for my fellow humans and took the teacher training course that forever inspired me to continue my yoga journey.

I grew up in Southern California, relocated to Colorado, and now live in Missouri working full-time in conservation. I love to snowboard, take care of my chickens and ducks, hang out with my dogs, and do all things outdoors. I wait for Halloween to come around each year and love to cook plant-based foods.

I currently teach at one of my favorite studios ever- Mystic Meadows and I taught on retreats around the world. I am the founder of Dirty Lavender which hosts nature-based yoga and retreats."

Shelby Leppin

"I started doing Buti yoga in 2016 after I had gained about 40 pounds during nursing school and felt very uncomfortable in my body. Buti yoga gave me permission to be creative. I learned how to get comfortable in my own skin without criticizing or judging myself. I became certified to teach Buti in 2016 and continued my yoga education with Amanda by completing my 200 hour CYT in Ashtanga in 2018. Now after becoming a mom to 6 beautiful children, I'm returning to yoga to help my body move and heal.

My classes are typically high energy and expansive. I will ask you to do things that might feel weird or uncomfortable. I very intentionally teach you how to get out of your head and into your body. Movement is very powerful. It allows us to confront our weaknesses. It forces us to get into the present moment. In India, Buti means a secret remedy or cure. It's time to let go of self judgement and let yourself move. I'll see you on the mat!"

Kim Petre

“My background is in Asthanga Yoga, with some aerial, Kunadlini and Hatha experience. I spent a week at an ashram on paradise island in the Bahamas practicing Hatha. I started doing yoga in 2010 as a way to help keep my flexibility and strength from my dance and gymnastics days. I was looking for something to help with lower back and knee joint pain. I became RYT-200 certified in 2013 from “It’s Yoga” in Cincinnati. I enjoy reading and spending time with my husband and daughter.”

Catherine Steitzer

"I love teaching flow based classes with a strong emphasis on anatomy and accessibility. I've practiced yoga for over twenty years, and my teaching style is strongly influenced by my background in dance, figure skating, and alpine skiing. I taught yoga (and skiing) in Colorado and Maine before I settled here in Kirksville. I believe deeply in the power of yoga to bring us into alignment with ourselves, and to serve as a vehicle for greater compassion and service to others.

I completed my 200hr teacher training through ShambhavAnanda Yoga in 2017 at their Shoshoni Ashram, and in 2018 I completed "Yoga, Anatomy, and Injury Prevention for Yoga Teachers" with Jen Deraspe. I sat my first SN Goenka Vipassana meditation course in 2016, and since then I have cumulatively spent over a month on meditation retreats, both as a student and a server.

When I am not on my mat you can find me working in the autism field, pursuing my MS in Educational Psychology, meditating, cooking, or laughing at old SNL bits."

Gigi (Root) Wahba

"I began yoga during an emotionally stressful time in my life. I found it brought me calm, friendship and self confidence. Over the years I continued taking yoga classes for these benefits as well as a gentle way to strengthen and enhance my physical being for activities like tennis, swimming, biking and farm work. I have studied various forms of yoga in Amsterdam, Austin, Eugene and New York before moving to northeast Missouri.

In 2019, I took the Yoga Teacher Training Course with an Ashtanga focus offered by Amanda Montgomery. Since then, I have led Yoga Flow and Restorative Yoga classes at Take Root Studio as well as several, 6-week Seasonally Focused Yoga Workshops at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage.

In 2020 I completed Yoga for Trauma Sensitive Healing workshop from Simona Lederman.

All in all, I hope to encourage everyone on their yoga journey, both on and off the mat."