Meet our Instructors | Toula Yoga | Family Yoga Studio | Cedar Rapids

Brighten Your Day with the Light of Yoga

At Toula Yoga Studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we believe yoga is for everyone. Toula means “divine light” in Greek and “balance” in Sanskrit—two values we strive to share through every class we offer.

Whether you’re seeking gentle yoga, chair yoga, advanced hatha, power vinyasa flow, hot yoga or something in between, you’ve come to the right place. We welcome individuals and families alike, offering high-quality yoga education for both youth and adults.

Our passionate and experienced teachers are here to guide you—light-heartedly and skillfully—toward greater strength, flexibility, and inner peace in body, mind, and spirit.

We’re so glad you’re here. Take a moment to meet our instructors below and find the right guide for your yoga journey.

Meet the people behind the practice

Amber Dawn

Bio for Amber – Coming soon Classes I Teach: Gentle Yoga Favorite Asana: Sukhasana (Easy Pose) – a powerful reminder that presence and peace can

Andra Dill

Hi, I’m Andra! My yoga journey has taken me through many styles of Hatha yoga, but it wasn’t until I discovered Anusara that things truly

Andrea Franz Parks (founder/owner)

Hello, friend—I’m Andrea, founder and lead teacher at Toula Yoga. I opened this studio with a vision to create a welcoming, inclusive space where yoga

Cammy Franklin

Cammy Franklin is a yoga teacher at Toula Yoga. She primarily teaches prenatal yoga, but you may also see her subbing for other classes. Classes

Carrie Mahoney

bio coming soon Classes I Teach: Gentle Yoga Foundations Mindful Flow Favorite Asana: Tree Pose (Vrksasana) – a grounding pose that brings balance and focus.

Cynthia Dennis

Cynthia Dennis has been teaching yoga since 2017 after completing an alignment-based, heart-centered 200-hour yoga teacher training program with Marsha Nieland and Betsy Rippentrop. Cynthia

Dusty Swehla

Dusty Swehla founded Panda Marie in 2018 with a heartfelt mission: to help others live the life they love, naturally. Through her holistic approach, Dusty

Erin Thomas

Erin’s Bio Coming soon Classes I Teach: Yoga Favorite Asana: Tree Pose (Vrksasana) – for its grounding energy and natural symbolism. Specialties: Yoga Check the

Gretchen Meyer

Hello friends! I’m a proud mom to four and “Gigi” to four of the most amazing littles. I’m also a wife, daughter, sister, and someone

Jasmine Dennis

Hello World! I’m Jasmine Dennis, the creator of InnerJazz Yoga—a name that honors both the joyful nickname from my childhood and the deep, soulful gifts

Madeline Omar

Madeline Omar brings a deeply intuitive and lighthearted approach to yoga, grounded in over 10 years of teaching and a rich background in Reiki. Her

Maria Zeutenhorst

Maria’s bio coming soon Favorite Asana: Camel Pose (Ustrasana) – for opening the heart and embracing vulnerability. Specialties: Kundalini Yoga Spiritual Coaching Energy Healing (Reiki,

Michelle Meier

Michelle’s practice began as a path of healing after the unexpected loss of her father in 2014, when yoga became a lifeline back to her

Mindi White

Mindi White is a certified 200 hour yoga teacher. Classes I Teach: Gentle Yoga All Levels Flow Senior/Chair Yoga Prenatal Yoga Favorite Asana: Ardha Chandrasana

Missy Buesing

Missy Buesing discovered yoga during one of the most chaotic times in her life—and immediately felt its power. One hour of mindful movement offered calm,

Mitch Bass

Mitchell Bass is a 200 hour registered yoga teacher, cross fit level 1 trainer, and certified Nutrition Coach. He is a U.S. Army veteran with

Natalie Duryea

With over 20 years of yoga practice and 7 years of teaching in multiple states, Natalie Duryea brings a grounded, heart-centered, and rock-and-roll-infused energy to

Payton Foeller

’m Payton, and I created Mending with Mindfulness after years of living disconnected from my body and watching so many others do the same. Over

Raelene Swore

Raelene Swore is a proud Cedar Rapids native, devoted mother, sister, daughter—and a passionate lifelong learner who lives by the motto: “Always a student, always

Sheri Plough

Sheri Plough began her yoga journey in 2009, drawn to the grounding and peace it brought to her life. Inspired by the transformation she experienced

Stacey Carnes

Hello Radiant Souls! I’m Stacey Carnes, a proud mother of five, a grandmother of two, and someone deeply passionate about helping others feel empowered in

Stacey Schmitt

With a background in dance, a degree in health sciences, and a love for mindful movement, Stacey Schmitt found her yoga home in the dynamic

Steffani Mesch

Steffani Mesch has been practicing yoga for many years, drawn to its ability to center the mind, strengthen the body, and uplift the spirit. Wanting

Suzi Cooper

bio coming soon Classes I Teach: AcroYoga Therapeutic Flow Strength & Supportive Yoga Teacher Trainings Favorite Asana: Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose) – for its sweet

Tammy Bayer

Tammy Bayer brings a compassionate, educational, and joyful energy to her yoga classes. She invites you to arrive to your yoga mat, and to also bring

Tyler Lautke

Tyler Lautke is a yoga instructor at Toula Yoga. Classes I Teach: Yoga Flow Hot Yoga for Strength and Balance Favorite Asana:Wild Thing (Camatkarasana) –

Wahneta Dimmer, LMT

Wahneta Dimmer brings over two decades of experience in massage therapy and wellness to her work as a healer, educator, and yogi. She is a

Reviews

(46)

Review us on Google

5 months ago

I. Love. Toula! Having been only practicing yoga since Sept. 2025 religiously through my Peloton app; I thought I should get involved with a local studio. I started attending Toula late 2025. I was looking for a local option without a franchise brand-name / feel. Toula has been the most perfect place. With so many offerings, there is no way I can see how there isn't something for you. The community is the best part, Toula is surrounded with amazing teachers and yogis of all shapes, sizes, and experience levels: from 1st timers - decades long practictioners. The hot studio is a personal favorite of mine, the infrared panels--give not only all the amazing benefits of infrared--but keep the temps less humid so you can actually breathe. You are still in healthy HEAT though, so definitely an amazing experience! Hot yoga will literally change your life. Literally every instructor is enjoyable, and even with my favorites, I would take classes from everyone there again and again. There is definitely a teacher style there for you. Because of my experience with the studio, I jumped into my 200-Hour YTT with Toula's Cloud Nine Yoga Teacher Training Program and I have no regrets. If everyone in the world took a 200 hour YTT, I believe the world would be a completely different, better place! Thank you to all at Toula, if only more than 5-stars were an option...

Megan Coleman

3 months ago

Had a 3 hour beginner yoga class. Instructor was patient and thorough and made sure all understood before moving on to the next topic. I am excited to continue going to sessions here!

Colleen Marshall

I started yoga recently and have really loved the vibe of Toula yoga! They’re incredibly welcoming and have something for all levels!

Audree Larson

a year ago

Andrea has decades of experience with students of all backgrounds and needs. She exudes a calm inner strength that permeates to her students while they on the mat in her studio and off the mat in the 'real' world. If you're looking for an altering shift, I highly recommend Toula.

Louisa B

2 months ago

Absolutely wonderful experience for gentle yoga with Tammy. Love going to Thursday night yoga.

Calla Kleene

2 years ago

Miss Andrea was kind enough to allow me to host a private IR class for 17 good friends! It was wonderful and perfect in all the ways. I appreciate the many types of classes and options from Mommy and Me yoga, Ariel Yoga, IR heated, and everything in between. All of the teachers and dedicated providers affiliated with Toula have unique gifts and skills the share with our community. I always have a great experience at Toula and am always warmed welcomed.

Sydney Parks

Toula is an environment thoughtfully curated to uplift all individuals looking to improve both their mental and physical health. Each space in the building brings a comforting feeling and every member of the Toula "team" provides a warm welcome. They offer a wide variety of yoga classes, meditation, reiki, and many other wellness services. Their newest addition is the most beautiful heated studio I have ever seen!

Alysia McAfee

What an amazing studio! 3 separate rooms to practice in. CR is lucky to have such an amazing place for yoga. Hot yoga with Suzi was awesome and looking forward to going all summer long…

Amanda Wendling

9 years ago

I love this studio! A hidden gem in Cedar Rapids. I did prenatal yoga here throughout my pregnancy. I really appreciate the supportive environment and owe a portion of my great birth experience to the preparation they offered.

Jodi Ames

3 years ago

Ray is sweet and encouraging and made me push past my comfort zone. The class was amazing and I highly recommend her Aerial Silks class. I'm going to go back again soon!

Cortney Smith

8 years ago

Loved the moms and babies class - It was my favorite baby class in CR! Wonderful time to relax, stretch and bond with your little one in a supportive atmosphere.

Ellen Huerter

Welcoming and feeling so comfortable in my practice here, at this beautiful yoga studio. The relax and renew classes, mindfulness meditations and power yoga classes are the variety I need to stay balanced.

Olivia Banowetz

10 months ago

Great prenatal class! Loved Tammy’s instructing and the gentle flow!

Genie Maybanks

Elainne gave our Girl Scout troop a lesson. Her temperament was kind and generous. The interior was calm, clean, peaceful, and lovely! Thank you, Tula!

Jenny Chadima

The studio is absolutely adorable and each instructor is unique and lovely in their own way. So happy to have found Toula!

Lucy Lillie

I loved Stacey’s Baby and Me yoga class. It such a welcoming environment and sense of community!

Love the community the studio has created. Love everything from power flow yoga classes for me to the baby and mom class I am taking now.

Beach Witch

7 years ago

I absolutely love all the instructors, the atmosphere, everything about this studio! Very friendly...lots of different classes for different schedules...beginner to advanced!

Brayzia Bailey

Kate is professional while also making it feel like a bunch of besties are doing yoga together. Fun and supportive

Michelle Barker

Lovely studio with a great teachers. Variety in classes and welcoming for all levels of practice.