Andrea Creel, MSW, LMSW, E-RYT 200, YACEP
Owner & Educational Director
Andrea is the founder of Shining Kids Yoga, which began as an after-school program at her son's elementary school in 2014. She has been teaching yoga to all ages since 2005. Andrea completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training & prenatal yoga training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. In addition, she received specialized training in children’s yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga program, training in postnatal yoga from Baby OM, and training in therapeutic yoga from The Samarya Center.
Andrea is also a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) through the State of Maryland, having received her MSW degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore.
She has taught yoga for children at yoga studios throughout the DC area and is on the teacher training faculty at extendYoga in Rockville where she teaches the children & teen and chanting training modules. Andrea has served as a panelist and content expert for the National Kids Yoga Conference, including presenting the sold-out workshop Adapting Yoga Games for Online Kids Yoga Classes.
Andrea is the creator and lead instructor of the Shining Kids Yoga Teacher Training program, a 20 hour certificate program for teaching for children’s yoga. She also creates audio and video content for the Shining Kids Yoga YouTube Channel.
She is the author of Mystery Pose, a Yoga Guessing Game for Kids (now available on Amazon) as well as the creator of several yoga games and cards for children.
When not teaching or practicing yoga, Andrea enjoys playing board games with her son, Quinn, singing karaoke, and trying out new vegetarian recipes!
Nicole Dockx
Nicole Dockx, BA, 500 RYT 500, 200HR Barre Certified
Nicole is an experienced certified yoga, barre and conditioning teacher that adds motivation from personal experiences to connect with her students. She shares her teachings with all ages and abilities. Nicole is especially interested in educating athletes about how yoga can benefit them and has developed and taught classes specifically for athletes who are looking to increase flexibility, build strength and quiet the mind. One of Nicole's greatest accomplishments was connecting with hundreds of elementary students via zoom during COVID through school programs when they needed connection most.
Nicole has been living fitness and wellness since she can remember. She believes that taking time to do yoga or any physical activity is an opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and ultimately self acceptance. Nicole continues to study the science of yoga, breath and movement and looks forward to sharing it with everyone.
Allyson Ger
Always curious about other people's stories and what they have in common, the mind-body-spirit-heart connection and being active has always been part of Allyson's life. Allyson has practiced and taught all types of yoga, movement and dance for many years. This led her to go deeper and get her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Thrive Yoga in Rockville, Maryland. She has also received specialized training in teaching mindfulness to children through Mindful Schools. As a yogi, educator, and artist, Allyson has taught people of all ages and populations.
In her classes, she creates space for joyful exploration, fun, learning and collaborations to connect and empower others.
Allyson is a certified life coach (CPCC, ACC) with training from The Co-Active Training Institute and The International Coaching Federation. She provides life coaching through her business, Soul Sky Coaching. Allyson's other interests include hiking, biking, being in nature, discovering new places, creating, dancing, playing music, and performing with friends.
Mariela Gomez
Mariela Gomez has been teaching yoga to babies, parents and children since 2013. After receiving her Budding Yogis certification, she found out she was pregnant! Plans went on hold until motherhood sunk in, and her daughter has been 'teaching' and practicing with her ever since. Mariela's daughter brings such joy, fun, energy and love to her life. As a certified kids, postnatal and adult yoga instructor, she wants to share that experience and playfulness with her students, helping them disconnect from their everyday stresses and connect positively with their children and families. Her kids yoga classes are aimed at helping children focus on breathwork, body movement and overall awareness as tools to help cope with big feelings. Mariela is the owner of My Little Light Yoga in Silver Spring, MD.
Carla Kasun
Carla has over thirty years of experience in special education, behavioral intervention, residential counseling and therapeutic recreation with children and adults. As a certified yoga instructor, she has been instrumental in developing the yoga program at The Maddux School, as well as providing direct yoga instruction to young children.
Amy Morrison
Amy developed a passion for yoga after her twins were born in 2008. Yoga provided stress relief from the demands of balancing a full-time job as a graphic designer and two infants. She began teaching kids yoga in 2013 after completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training with YogaFit International, and has also completed training programs focused specifically on children's yoga with YoKid and Move with Me Yoga Adventures.
Since becoming a teacher, Amy has taught yoga to participants ranging in all ages and ability levels, including baby/parent classes, preschool and elementary aged classes. She also teaches classes tailored to the needs of the elderly and disabled, individuals with Parkinson's disease, cancer, dementia/Alzheimer's and autism.
She loves getting to work with children and has fun showing them the benefits of yoga. Amy uses age-appropriate approaches and offers children tools for keeping their minds and bodies healthy.
In her free time, Amy likes to do yoga, paddleboard, travel (especially to the beach!) and spend free time with her mother, twin teen daughters and dog(ter) Darla.
Kathryn Toussaint-Williams
Kathryn has over thirty years of experience in K-12 education and has served as a teacher, teacher leader, assistant principal, and principal. Mindfulness for staff and students (including breath work and asana) was a hallmark of her work as principal in her last school.
Throughout her life, Kathryn has lived in many countries/territories (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Iran, England, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.) Her yoga journey began by living in communities where calmness and present moment living surrounded her. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher ( RYT 500) and enjoys teaching adults and children yoga and supporting them in creating their own yoga practice. Most recently, she taught classes on the beach in Manati, Puerto Rico!
When not teaching, Kathryn enjoys painting, gardening, and spending time with her husband George, their dogs Amanda and Samantha, their four adult children and one granddaughter.