Meet our Staff

Tiffany Knight

Tiffany is a massage and polarity therapist, and a certified iridologist who has been working with herbs and nutrition for over 12 years. She believes strongly in the power of touch and the benefit of a holistic outlook. Her background with aromatherapy, essential oils, shiatsu, and her ability to communicate with people through a combination of words and touch make her an effective therapist, and an incredible teacher who will not only motivate you to open your mind to new knowledge and growth, but whose energy, drive and passion for learning will inspire you to consider your health and healthy choices in new light. Visit Tiffany's Facebook Page

Holly Riker

A writer by trade, Holly has spent the last seventeen years working in the marketing, advertising and public relations fields. In trying to balance her career and raise three very active children, Holly realized she had forgotten how to breathe... enter the occasional yoga class and constant prodding from her sister Tiffany to relax and rebuild. Recently, Holly has recommitted to some of her passions including cooking with her husband and family, hiking, water and snow sports, whistling shamelessly for her children at their gymnastics meets, ballet performances and on the soccer field, journaling and reading. Grateful to be surrounded by family and friends dedicated to health and happiness, Holly is happy to be a student of life in the stunningly beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Visit Holly's Facebook Page

Mary Hensley

Mary earned her Yoga Alliance 200 hour Certification in 1999 from Nancy Ruby's YogaMotion in Bozeman, Montana and opened the first yoga studio in Rapid City in 2000. Her fitness/wellness career began in 1980 and throughout the years has received certifications in Dance Aerobics, Step Aerobics, Johnny G Spinning, and Kenneth Cooper Aerobic Institute Fitness Training. By attending numerous continuing educational conferences in Yoga, Mary has practiced with the likes of Baron Baptiste, Rodney Yee, Dana Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Judith Lasiter, Richard Freeman, and John Friend. Mary's passion for educating people is reflected in her yoga classes. www.feedearngive.com Visit Mary's Facebook Page

Melanie Lien Palm

A native of Rapid City, Melanie Lien Palm has enjoyed a professional dance career for twenty years, performing in eleven countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and teaching and choreographing across the United States. Melanie is very grateful for over 30 years of being a yoga student, for the Iyengar based yoga teacher certification she received from Catherine Ross in 1992, for the continuing teacher training throughout life, for the most recent certification in both Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and BodyTalk, and particularly for all the students and clients who have been her most humbling teachers. Melanie lives in the Black Hills with her husband, two children, and 4 four-legged's. Visit Melanie's Facebook Page

Doc Savage

After a 22 year career serving in the US Air Force, Doc retired back home to Rapid City. He started practicing yoga to help with his trail running and mountain biking. Doc is South Dakota's first Anusara™-Inspired Yoga teacher and has completed over 350 hours of training in Anusara Yoga. He earned Yoga Alliance 200 certification through Nancy Ruby's Yoga Motion. In May of 2007, Doc and his wife purchased The Yoga Studio in Rapid City. He is married to his high-school sweetheart Donna and they have 2 kids, both have 4 legs and a tail, Yogi and Ben, their Golden Retrievers. www.rapidcityyoga.com Visit Doc's Facebook Page

Donna Savage

Donna completed the Yoga Alliance 200 hour Certification in 2007 from Nancy Ruby's YogaMotion in Bozeman, Montana. She's enjoyed running as an activity, a means to better health and a stress reliever for over 24 years. Since 2003, Donna completed several half-marathons, 4 marathons and 2 ultra-marathons. She initially came to practice yoga to augment her running. Yoga took a larger role in her life than running, eventually leading her to co-own The Yoga Studio in Rapid City with her husband Doc in 2007. Donna retired from the US Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. She is an active member of two local running organizations and co-directs the local chapter of Girls on the Run, a running-based, character development program for 8-14 year old girls. Donna believes yogic breathing and core strengthening significantly enhanced her running ability. www.rapidcityyoga.com Visit Donna's Facebook Page

John "Butch" Knight

John "Butch" Knight has been cycling in the Black Hills of South Dakota his entire life. From the days of a small child jumping off of every conceivable object on a BMX bike to racing road and mountain bikes in national events across the US, John enthusiam for cycling continues to grow. Recent pursuits have involved owning and operating a bicycle shop, president and race director for the Black Hills Mountain Bike Association, sub-24 hour-110 mile Centennial Trail record holder, and pirate trail builder. Now an established mad-scientist geologist traveling all over North America in search of uranium and other precious metals, John still pulls out his telescope to view the stars and reminisce about his days as an astronomy instructor at Black Hills State University. Visit Butch's Facebook Page

Kathy Smith

Kathy's love of wine brought her to open Smith's Liquor Gallery in Rapid City with her husband, Steve, and son, Tim. By profession, Kathy is an English teacher at Douglas Middle School. She writes a monthly article for the Rapid City Journal's food page about wine, beer, and other spirits. Born in Spearfish, Kathy has lived in the Black Hills most of her life. She loves running, hiking, rock climbing, reading, and of course, yoga.

Joel Bilstein

Joel Bilstein has been teaching Kung fu and Tai Chi in the rapid city area for for 6 years. He started training in Rapid City 9 years ago under instructor Melissa Horton, and has been the head instructor for 6 years. He is extensively trained in the yang style Tai Chi, Leu He Ba Fa, and many types of esoteric arts, as well as extensive kung fu training. He is currently teaching in Rapid City South Dakota.

Lisa Gustin

Lisa Gustin is a Rapid City native. She works as an occupational therapist in the public school district, and has summers free to enjoy biking, running, swimming, climbing, and being out in the Hills. She is an active member of the local bicycling association, and instructs women's mountain bike classes for the City Recreation Dept. Lisa's greatest biking accomplishment~"Riding my bike no handled all the way to the softball diamond while carrying my bat, ball, and glove." Visit Lisa's Facebook Page

Jill Bunkowske

Jill has a broad background of teaching which includes a Master’s Degree in Education with minors in Physical Education and Dance. She has taught 26 years of elementary education and 4 years of adaptive physical education. Jill has been involved in fitness instruction for over 30 years. Her dance and fitness background is extensive including many years as a dance teacher, owning her own dance and fitness studio, and certifications in aerobic fitness, kickboxing, yoga, Spinning, and Pilates. She also teaches at Prima School of Dancing in Rapid City. Jill’s Pilates training includes Physical Mind, Polestar, and the most highly respected name in Pilates - STOTT Pilates. She is trained in STOTT Mat Pilates, Professional Reformer, Chair, Barrel and Cadillac. She is also a Certified Spinning Instructor. As part-owner of All About Pilates and 360 Cycling Studio, Jill is dedicated to continuing education and quality instruction. www.allaboutpilatesrc.com

Melanie Cruse

Melanie opened All About Pilates and 360 Cycling Studio with her mother Jill Bunkowske in 2007. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wyoming in 2005 and has been involved in dance and fitness her entire life. Melanie had hurt her back in gymastics as a high school athlete and once getting to college her back pain increased. Though her mother had been teaching Pilates for many years, it wasn't until college that Melanie worked with Pilates and has been pain free ever since. She went through the STOTT Pilates Matwork in 2005 and has since completed all the STOTT Pilates Instructor Training. In 2008, Melanie became certified as a Spinning Instructor. She was drawn to cycling because of the fun classes, low impact, and amazing cardio conditioning. It is a great addition to the Pilates trainings and a fun way to complete a fitness program. Melanie feels very blessed to be able to watch her clients reach their fitness goals and enjoy exercise through personal training. Melanie also teaches dance at Prima School of Dancing and loves to the opportunity to educate young dancers on the importance of smart training and infusing Pilates into their dance training. Visit Melanie's Facebook Page

Lisa Marie Hughes

Lisa writes: I have studied Yoga most of my life. My mother, father and grandparents were my first teachers, and my dance instructors my second. It was not until 1996 when I encountered a book on Yoga postures. After taking that home to my rented 100-square-foot room, everything I had learned from my family had illuminated. I have been practicing, exploring and learning since. I would love to share with you the way that what we do on the mat informs all the things we do, feel, think and speak. Website: www.lisamariehughes.com Weblog: lisamariehughes.posterous.com Facebook: Yoga with Lisa Marie Twitter: lisamariehughes

Kerri Severson-Stover

Even though Kerri's lived in the Black Hills nearly all her life, Kerri Seversn Stover can't imagine being anywhere other than here. Where else can you enjoy a million acre, forested playground? After several years in education and the non-profit work world, Kerri loves her current role as high school guidance counselor. She also teaches yoga at the Yoga Studio in Rapid City. "I am hooked on yoga because I love the way yoga's physical intensity with movement is combined with a sense of grace." Visit Kerri's Facebook Page

Melody Trimmer

Melody writes: I fell in love with the practice of yoga ten years ago. For the last five years, I have fostered the spiritual side of my pactice and blissfully watched my physical practice expand. Although my RYT is based on traditional Hatha yoga, I have also studied Kundalini yoga, Anusara yoga, and yin yoga. In all styles, I embrace the connectedness of all beings! Melody teaches Yoga in Rapid City, South Dakota and runs a reiki business as well. Visit Melody's Facbook Page

Fr. Mark McCormick

Fr. Mark McCormick was born in Montevideo, Minnesota. After his baptism the family moved to Rapid City, which he considers his home town. His mother is Joann McCormick and his father was the late Frank McCormick. He has two sisters and five brothers. He is a graduate of St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained June 6, 1991. Fr. Mark is an avid yoga practitioner.

Jake Fleming

Jake writes: I have been dedicated to the art of music and music education for 25 years. As a composer, songwriter and arranger, my expression and influence can be heard in the various ensembles I perform with as well as the many students I've collaborated with over the years. As a saxophonist I play in bands spanning the genres of Jazz, R&B, Salsa, Pop, Rock and Folk. Having just completed a project in which I set the Tao Te Ching to music, I have now begun to do the same with Shakespeare's Sonnets. I am dedicated to the path of art with the dual intention to continue to learn to make my art (music and teaching) and to help others do the same. My Yoga practice began sporadically about 10 years ago, when I was simply intrigued by it. Being a heavy pendulum swinger, once I found Yoga, I studied the Yoga Sutras, became vegan, etc. Over time I have found a middle ground where my practice befits my lifestyle and compliments other exercise routines. I do like to tell people when I talk about Yoga that it saved my life. As a young artist/teacher in his mid-20s who couldn't touch his toes, I thought, "This life is going to be a long, painful ride." It was Yoga that brought me to a more supple place where I could flow through life physically, mentally and spiritually. Visit Jake's Facebook Page

Susan Turnbull

Susan Turnbull

Chris Ormseth

Chris Ormseth - Visit Chris's Facebook Page