Shannon Thomas
My yoga journey began in an unconventional way. In my mid-twenties, while living in a primitive shelter 6 miles on foot from the nearest town, I discovered yoga through an Ashtanga book from a discount bin. My first yoga "studio" was a sand firebreak where I practiced poses directly on the ground, learning through trial and error.
Over the past 22 years, my practice has evolved dramatically. When I eventually returned to mainstream life and began taking classes in a studio, working with teachers helped me correct habits I'd developed on my own and added incredible depth to my practice. This journey through various forms of yoga—from Dharma to Yin to the modern edge of Trauma-Informed Yoga —has shaped my unique teaching style.
As the owner of Open Way Yoga, I believe yoga should be accessible, healing, and transformative for everyone. My personal mental health experiences have taught me firsthand how powerful mindful movement and breath can be for nervous system regulation and overall wellbeing. I teach what I know through my own body, and this embodiment helps me translate theory into practice and create meaningful classroom experiences for students.
Beyond my 3000+ teaching hours and health coach certification from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC, my life experiences have deeply informed my approach. In 2014, I even appeared on The Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid" episode in Belize, where my yoga and mindfulness practices were crucial to completing the 21-day wilderness challenge.
I'm passionate about bringing trauma-informed yoga practices to our community, ensuring that our space feels safe and supportive for all bodies and experiences. I'm also deeply committed to diversity and inclusion in the yoga space. I work on embodying anti-racist and accessible values and strive to create a studio culture that acknowledges yoga's roots while making the practice accessible and welcoming to practitioners from all backgrounds and abilities.
Beyond teaching classes, I also teach privates, lead workshops and facilitate our teacher training program, helping to nurture the next generation of mindful instructors.
I love helping others dissolve the illusive barrier between mind and body and discover the wealth of knowledge inherent in their own bodies. Every class is an opportunity to come home to yourself, exactly as you are. I believe that yoga is for everybody and Every Body. Our space is centered around yoga, wellness, art, and community. I seem to have inexhaustible enthusiasm for our beautiful Lake Erie, a variety of self-healing practices, yoga, wilderness skills, plants, dogs... and about 50 other things, and I love sharing that passion with our community.
If you see me around the studio, please don't hesitate to say hello! I'd love to learn more about what brought you to our community and how we can best support your practice.
