Meet Our Teachers
Founder, Individual Session Facilitator, Group Facilitator
E-RYT200/RYT500, TCTSY-F, YACEP
Marysa Manning (she/her)
I’ve been practicing yoga since 2008. What began as a way to reduce stress and increase flexibility soon became so much more: a way to connect, listen to, and make peace with my body. As a trauma survivor, I knows firsthand what a powerful and complicated process developing a yoga practice can be. I believe our bodies are our best teachers, and that by practicing yoga we can practice connecting to ourselves, so that we can better connect to others. I have a passion for adapting shapes and sequences for individual students, and I believe that yoga really is for every body! I practice from a place of deep respect and gratitude for the Asian cultures that gave us these practices, and for all the teachers known and unknown to me whose wisdom continues to enrich my life every day.
I earned my 200-hour Hatha Vinyasa yoga teacher certification from Steadfast and True Yoga in Nashville, TN and am a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. In 2022, I completed my 300-hour advanced certification in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), an evidence-based clinical intervention for complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the Center for Trauma and Embodiment in Massachusetts. I have additional certifications in Yin Yoga (20 hours), Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yin Yoga (50 hours), Meditation (50 hours), mindful hands-on assists, and teaching yoga for beginners. My influential teachers include Gillian St. Clair, Allie King, Kristen Stanley, Josh Summers, and Terry Cockburn.
In addition to my yoga training, I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Vanderbilt University and have 15+ years of experience in nonprofit community programming, healthcare advocacy, social work, and higher education.
You can read more about my story and my path to yoga teaching on Nashville Voyager.
Follow Marysa on Instagram and find her community teaching schedule at @yogawithmarysa.
Group Facilitator
E-RYT200/RYT500, YACEP
Mary Beth Harding (she/her)
I began my yoga practice in 2010 with Gillian St. Clair, owner of Steadfast & True Yoga, and realized I wanted to share the power of this practice with others when I completed her 200 Hour Teacher Training in 2017.
Since then, I received my 300 Hour certification with the Summers School of Yin Yoga in 2022. I’ve taught nearly 2,000 hours of class receiving my Yoga Alliance “Experienced” status in 2021. I strongly believe that everyone can practice yoga and I love working with beginners, those skeptical of the practice, and those marginalized by the mainstream Western Postural Yoga culture. I enjoy taking this practice out of studio spaces and into the community. In fact, many of my favorite classes are taught in unconventional spaces such as warehouses, offices, senior centers, recovery centers, lunch rooms, and hotel conference rooms.
I have also completed trainings in meditation, adaptive chair yoga, trauma-informed yoga, and Jess Thompson's Wellness Includes Me Mastermind (as well as other inclusive wellness trainings). I am a lifelong learner and am always looking for more opportunities to improve my own practice and teaching.
Learn more about Mary Beth at MaryBethHardingYoga.com
What People Are Saying
“
Marysa helped me when I was recovering from a procedure and couldn’t stand on my feet. She made an amazing yoga flow to help keep my body moving and my spirits up! I highly recommend her one-on-one sessions! If you are thinking about it, definitely do yourself a favor and give it a try.
”
— EMILIE
“
I SO enjoy your classes, Marysa.… I always know I’m going to be challenged but also encouraged to take what I need and leave the rest and I always feel safe AND leave feeling more open at the end than when I started. Freedom to explore in a practice works when you feel safe and supported and you offer that so well!
”
— STEPHANIE
“
If you are new to yoga or just don’t really get it (hi, me for the last 20 years), or need info for adjustments/alternatives for shapes that work for you, Marysa is your person. Trauma-informed. Supportive. Just the best. So much love.
“
— EMILY
“
Learning to listen to my body continues to transform my physical, mental, and emotional health. The curated yoga practices are tools that I use when I’m feeling anxious AND when my physical injury needs a gentle approach. Gamechanger!
”
— LAUREN
“
As a lifelong athlete, I’m in the process of unlearning a performative and perfectionistic approach to any form of exercise. I would practice yoga as if I was going to somehow ‘win’ the class, even if I was just competing with myself. Listening First Yoga is teaching me a gentle way that honors where my mind and body are, one moment at a time. As it turns out, listening to my body first is also transforming my anxiety. The gentle approach is a win-win all around.
”
— EMILY L.
“
I really didn’t expect there to be such a FELT experience of change in the 8 weeks. This course provided a container, guidance, and connection that has noticeably improved my relationship with myself and the world. Weeks after it’s ended, I find myself feeling more empowered, safer in body, and more trusting of myself.
“
— TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA GROUP MEMBER
“
Marysa is such a wonderful teacher! She creates a welcoming and inclusive space for participants to be where they are, with encouragement to bring and embrace their full selves. I really appreciated the care, compassion, and guidance that she brought to our practice each week, as well as the opportunity to share and connect with others in the class.
“
- TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA GROUP MEMBER
“
I’m a trauma survivor. Stepping into a yoga studio with hands-on assists was triggering for me. Even experiencing body memories that bubble up during a yoga practice was overwhelming. I was angry that yoga was another area where I felt powerless. BUT it’s different with Marysa! Her hands-off assists and listening first approach create a safe space for me to practice.
”
— ANONYMOUS
“
I felt that this group offered me the chance to truly connect with my body for the first time. Before, I felt trapped in my body and like I was completely powerless to it. I also feel that this group helped me understand some of the therapy “catchphrases” about trauma and healing and how those can actually apply to me.
“
— TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA GROUP MEMBER
“
This time was SUCH a gift! Marysa is conpassinate, caring, and and well trained, which reflects in her beautiful teachings. These classes were great for my nervous system and always a bright spot in my week.
“
- TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA GROUP MEMBER
