About Our Team

Joseph

Joseph Stingley, Owner/Teacher

In the summer of 2003, I said goodbye to corporate America when I left my job as an Oracle DBA (database administrator). I started practicing yoga later that year and attended the Cooper Institute in Dallas, where I became a Certified Personal Trainer. In addition to the general Personal Trainer certification, I also received additional certifications targeting special population groups, including pregnant women, individuals with diabetes, and older adults – just to name a few.

I started out by providing training to individuals in their home and offices; however, it wasn’t long before the burden of carrying equipment (medicine ball, fitness ball, hand weights, etc.) from one place to another proved to be an inefficient use of time and energy.

It was at this point that I took a closer look at yoga and saw that I could instruct and train individuals without the need for equipment. I could help clients become strong, flexible, and balanced –both inside and out–with the practice of yoga. Around that time, many of my clients needed the inner, healing workings of yoga as much as its physical benefits. They needed to reduce their stress level and bring a sense of peace and calm into their lives: something one finds in yoga but not necessarily in a traditional personal training session. I’m forever thankful for having studied under the following teachers: Julie Little Thorne, Patti Plummer Lott, Baron Baptiste, Beryl Bender Birch, Desiree Rumbaugh, Jessica Jane (Young) Smith, Judith Hanson Lasater, Kelly Haas, Rod Stryker, Shanon Buffington, Stephanie Young and Steve Ross.

Within a short period of time, I was teaching yoga at various places, including fitness and rec centers, corporations, and government agencies. Then, something meaningful happened. One weekend, I was attending church services at Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, TX. At a certain point in the service, I was given the opportunity to speak briefly about my profession and explain what it is that I do. After I had spoken, the pastor shared how he envisioned me ministering to crowds of hurting people and sharing God’s love with them. I thought that his words were a clue as to where God was leading me – back into the pastoral ministry where I had served during the 1980’s.

The message I received a few months later, however, was not about me ministering in a church setting, but rather to a community of people that practiced yoga. I knew I had some enormous challenges ahead, but I was determined and inspired to overcome them. God gave me one plan – to do whatever I can do to help this community, a place where I had met so many people that had given up on church, and even worse, had given up on God. As I continued teaching, I saw that it was easy to find people who were ready to experience a loving and non-judgmental God. I began serving them in any way I could through the practice of yoga.

There is so much more that I could share with you! But there simply isn’t enough room to say it all. In closing, though, let me leave you with this: Daily, I ask God to reveal to me how I can serve the people in my community – the yoga community. I ask Him how I can reach out and care in a way that will demonstrate His love – sometimes with words and other times, without words. Soul Motivation Yoga Studio, the first Christian Yoga Studio in Dallas is where all of this is to happen, and I know that what God plans to bring forth from this place will be much bigger than me. There is not a perfect equation for anything that God calls us to do, but it’s always exciting to go after our destiny in Him!

Love you all!

Joseph

Kristin Hill Gonzalez

Kristin Hill Gonzalez, Teacher

I am a wife mother and Christ’s child who fell in love with yoga in 2007. I’ve always been a runner but in 2007 I was feeling stuck. I saw a Shape magazine with a newly lean LeAnn Rimes in a bind. She credited her transformation to yoga. I had to check it out. I went to my first class and fell in love.

Yoga has not only strengthened my body in ways I would have never imagined. It has helped heal it. I no longer get tension headaches or low back pain that would require massages to get some temporary relief. Now I know how to strengthen and stretch those muscles and I no longer have pain. I also feel the birth of my daughter was eased through the mental and physical strength gained with yoga.

Yoga has empowered me with a confidence that has carried over to other areas of my life. I find myself saying, “I learned to stand on my head so I can learn to do whatever God puts in front of me.” It’s a cool feeling. I hope to help my students find the same empowerment that allows them to release their self-doubt and find the strength God has given them.

I’ve practiced Anusara, Bikrim, Ashatanga and Vinyasa. I began practicing with Joseph Stingley after the birth of my daughter in January of 2010. It was in his classes my strength grew the most and I was honored when he asked me to teach at Soul Motivation and help carry out his vision for teaching yoga.

I teach a flowing Vinyasa style that will challenge all levels of fitness in a safe and encouraging environment.

Ashley Boston Kay

Ashley Boston Kay, Teacher

Since my teenage years, something deep inside kept pointing me towards yoga. I didn’t know much about yoga and never had access to take a class, but once I began studying with Joseph years later I immediately understood why this desire had always been there. I fell in love with not only the physical aspect but the spiritual side as well, and realized that yoga went much deeper than simple enjoyment – it was a lifelong path that I was meant to be on. Yoga and meditation are now a daily part of my life and I can’t wait to share the joy and peace it brings me with others!

I believe in the power of yoga because I believe it is universal. Anyone can practice yoga and experience the benefits. It opens the heart and can lead people to an experience that extends beyond a physical practice. This love is something I want to help all my students experience and grow in. Though everyone is in a different place physically, spiritually and emotionally, we are also all the same. Yoga nurtures the divine light inside that we all share, and that is something that will remain long after leaving the studio.

Erinn Duncan Zielke

Erinn Duncan Zielke, Teacher

My yoga journey began 13 years ago, and it has been a part of my life ever since. I was always searching for the perfect balance of a great workout, a stress reliever and a place where I could quiet my mind — I found all of things and much more in yoga. Yoga changed my life and how I viewed myself and others. It has given me a place to challenge myself, a place to breathe, find my peace and a place to practice my moving meditation. I hope that I can encourage my students to find those places as well as meet their own personal goals.

I have been blessed with an amazing husband, two precious children and friends and family that love and support me. And, I am so grateful that Joseph is my teacher on this journey.

Yoga is good for my soul. My hope is that my passion and love for yoga will shine through me in every class that I teach and spill over into my every day life.

Tamara Lightfoot

Tamara Lightfoot, Teacher/Sub

Curiosity is what first brought me to yoga. As my practice developed, that curiosity turned into deep commitment and excitement for what yoga has to offer. Yoga not only became a physical, mental, and emotional journey for me, but a spiritual one as well. I see my yoga teaching as a way for me to share the love and peace of God to others.

I believe yoga is for everyone. Through my classes I aim to inspire my students to feel compassion toward themselves and others, to aspire to take themselves to new heights, and to always embrace playfulness in their practice.

My time studying under Joseph has been revolutionary to my personal practice and teaching ability. I am so grateful to be a part of the Soul Motivation family. I look forward to growing with you!

Sally Ash DiRe’

Sally Ash DiRe’, Teacher/Sub

It was pride that brought me to yoga. And it is the setting aside of pride that I humbly receive the gifts of yoga. And with even more humility, attempt to teach what I have learned!

Each time I step on the mat I am connected to something far greater and worth engaging in than my own little controlling life. Fear is replaced by strength, weaknesses become challenges, triumphs. I find clarity, mental release, physical and emotional healing, and finally a connection with the reason we are all even on this earth…to be loved and love in return.

While I am the most imperfect person that I know, I do know that I love to teach. Taking a leap of faith and getting my 200RYT was one of the best decisions I have made. It’s interesting to see the creative ways life moves as we let go of our plans and ask life what our purpose really is.

I am a wife to a handsome man who believes in me. We have 2 kids who prove daily that knowing of God’s love is the only way to truly be happy and fulfilled. I have THE sweetest pug that sleeps with her head on my pillow.

My favorite classes to take, and what I hope to pass on to classes I teach: a mix of finding stillness in my A.D.D mind, turning a challenge into an opportunity for growth, finding strength in peace as I let go of my agenda. Leaving with a sense of release and a restored sense of contentment in who I am created to be… on my way day by day.

Natalie Ramirez

Natalie Ramirez, Office Staff

I was born and raised in California. I moved to Dallas, TX a year ago with my fiance for work advancement and I am really enjoying Texas, especially the food and exploring a whole new state for the first time. One of my biggest hobbies that I have picked up since living in Texas is Yoga.

I have been practicing Yoga for almost a year and have practiced Yoga with Joseph for about 7 months now. I learn something new each day in class and am surprised with how far I came along since the first time I’ve started.

When I’m not practicing yoga I enjoy going to new restaurants and trying different foods, shopping, and being around good company.