Karen combines a background in hatha yoga with her deep understanding of pregnancy and birth. She has worked with pregnant women since 1995, first as a prenatal yoga teacher then as a doula and most recently as a childbirth educator. A Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level, Karen currently runs Samatva Yoga, a state licensed vocational school that offers specialty courses for prenatal and postnatal yoga teachers under the brand, Mamaste Yoga. Karen has personally trained over 90 prenatal yoga teachers since the birth of Mamaste Yoga.

She received her initial yoga teacher training at Boustany Hatha Yoga Studios. Karen has since studied at The Center for Yoga of Seattle; at Kripalu in Lenox, Mass; with Jyothi Larson (author of Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby); has completed Levels 1 & 2 Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist Training; is certified to teach both the Radiant Child and Indigo Yoga programs to children; and holds certifications from Integral Yoga in Postpartum Yoga and Laughter Yoga. Karen has studied with Judith Lasater and is a certified Relax and Renew Restorative yoga teacher.

Karen is an ACE certified Group Fitness Instructor and has completed training/certifications in prenatal/post natal fitness through NDEITA, AFPA, AAFA and Moms in Motion. Karen is the former owner of Yoga for Women studio in Houston, Texas and Samatva Yoga in Dallas, TX.

Karen practiced yoga in her own pregnancy, right up until a few hours before the birth of her daughter. Karen has an extensive knowledge of therapeutic uses of yoga, nutrition and prenatal fitness. Karen is on the advisory board of Natural Family Online, where she answers monthly questions on breastfeeding, nutrition and Yoga.

Her non-fitness related credentials include being a Certified Doula through both DONA and CBI, she holds a childbirth education diploma with Childbirth International and is a Certified Happiest Baby Educator.

Karen is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, a member of DONA and the Doula Association of Central Oklahoma and a retired La Leche League Leader.

Karen currently teaches prenatal yoga at Art of Yoga in Oklahoma City and postnatal yoga at Studio-MidDel.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Karen Prior
E-RYT 500, CD(CBI), CD(DONA), CHBE, Dip CBEd (CBI)
(405) 474-3302
Click here to email Karen