Essential Yoga is located at 210 W. Sunshine in the heart of Springfield Missouri. Our beautiful, serene studio offers classes 7 days a week with a wide variety to choose from. Whether you are just beginning or an experienced practitioner we have a class to fit your needs. Our teachers are experienced and passionate about their classes and no matter what your level of fitness, strength or flexibility they will help you find the yoga practice to enrich your life, and improve your health and wellness.

Shari McCubbins, RYT200

Shari grew up in Sacramento, California. Daughter of a yoga instructor, Shari felt like yoga was her mom’s thing, but not hers. Shari has been an exercise enthusiast all of her life and through the years has come full circle, discovering that yoga is one of the best fitness programs available.
Shari believes to achieve a optimal health and wellness you must be willing to work the Body, Mind and Spirit.
Shari has found yoga to be totally transformative, Shari has trained with some of yoga’s most recognized teachers across the country, influencing her teaching style. Her calm, nurturing, and flexible style creates an environment where all levels, from beginner to advanced, feel at home and capable of doing the various poses. Shari is certified with the Yoga Alliance.

Pam Girardot, RYT500

Pam has been practicing and teaching yoga for years and trained at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago both as a student and as a teaching assistant. Her teaching style incorporates traditional hatha yoga and Iyengar influences. Her teaching focuses on creating proper alignment, stability and breath awareness in each pose. Pam's teaching goal is to create a safe, enjoyable, yet challenging environment enabling each student to develop strength, flexibility and experience an overall sense of wellbeing.

Rod Buckner, RYT500

Rod was born and raised in Springfield, MO. Rod studied world religions and art at MSU and came to resonate with eastern  religions. Through his studies Rod recognized the benefits of a body and mind health program inspiring Rod to study massage therapy at The Professional Massage Training Center. Upon graduation Rod continued his studies at The Guild for Structural Integration studying the Rolf Method in Boulder, CO. Rod recognized after, after many years of private practice the close connections between bodywork and yoga and decided to obtain his RYT 500 teaching certificate at Teach to Inspire Yoga Center. He continued his yoga training with Rod Stryker’s Vinyasa Krama. Rod’s ultimate code for living is to leave the world better than when he came into it. Rod manages Hickory Gardens(non-profit farm)and gardens organically at his private residence.  www.RodBuckner.com    

 Emery Bryant, RYT200 

Emery earned her 200RYT yoga instructor certification in the VariYoga style from the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville, AR. VariYoga (short for "variety") is influenced by the traditions of Anusara, Iyengar, and Viniyoga creating a non-dogmatic practice that recognizes "one size does not fit all".  In her vinyasa classes she draws from this well rounded training to help students modify the practice to suit their individual needs. Emery became interested in a very different style of yoga, Ashtanga.  Ashtanga, in contrast to VariYoga, is a set sequence practiced the same way by everyone. It is a very dynamic style of yoga that builds intense internal heat. She has completed a 40 hour Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series teacher trainining at Maya Yoga in Kansas City, MO. Whether she's teaching vinyasa, adapting the practice to the student, or teaching Ashtanga, adapting the student to the practice, it is always with a gentle, supportive, and playful nature.

Tara James - Teacher in Training

Tara is currently mentoring with Shari during her class on Sunday.  In May, she will be going to Lake Tahoe, CA for a month to study with Doug Swenson and earn her RYT200 in the  Sadhana Yoga Chi Style.  Sadhana Yoga Chi is an evolution of Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga Power Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. As soon as Tara discovered yoga she fell absolutely in love with it and realized all of the benefits it  offers.  Tara knows that yoga has changed her physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the better. As a music lover, and a musician herself, she likes to incorporate fun, uplifting, modern music to her Vinyasas Power Class.