Our Team

 

Board of Directors

A.L. PerotkaALpic

DVM
Arcadia, OK

I was born in western Illinois, grew up on a small farm in central Missouri, graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine in 1972, and a year later followed the lure of Quarter Horse racing down Highway 66 to Oklahoma City…never got enough money together to leave; anyway, this rambunctious, big sky, red dirt land is home to me now.

Over my years of veterinary practice, I have developed a strong interest in optimum neuromuscular function of the equine body. I guess my daugher, Katy, inherited that same interest, albeit with a less distinguished species. I have drastically changed my relationship with food and exercise in the last few years, which has also improved my psyche and outlook. I’m honored to serve on the Board of an organization that can do the same for disenfranchised members of society.

 

 

Patrick McCrightpmpic

CPT, USA, AN
Oklahoma City, OK

I am an Officer in the US Army with 17 years of service. The majority of my life has been spent in the health care industry. I grew up in Louisiana, but have been in Oklahoma for about 15 years now and consider Tahlequah to be home even though I spend the majority of my time in Oklahoma City due to work. Initially, I sought out yoga thinking it would help me to relax and relieve some stress. I have found that the physical benefits have been just as powerful. I am excited to be part of Root to Rise and look forward to seeing it grow.

 

 

 

Karli McMurray

Esq.
karlipicHobbs, NM

Karli is a 2011 graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law. Her time at OCU Law was largely devoted to her involvement with public interest student organizations where she met Katy. She is most grateful for the incredible support given by Katy who has been instrumental in the inception and continued success of One Love Worldwide. As founder of OLW, Karli has been given the unique opportunity to observe the struggles faced in rural villages of developing nations and work to find solutions to those struggles. Karli currently works full time for OLW and spends much of her time in Ghana.

Karli couldn’t be more proud to be a part of Root to Rise Inc and the wonderful impact the organization is having on the lives of so many. She looks forward to continue working and learning alongside her dear friend and soul sista, Katy.

 

 

Officers

Katy Jones

kjyogateachEsq.
President
Brooklyn, NY

I’m a lawyer and former yoga instructor and CrossFit coach. Currently, I’m working as a federal agent and managing my organization from afar with the amazing assistance of my head instructor, Chelsea. I have a strong connection with anything with four legs, and I’m extremely wealthy in the love of amazing friends. I was raised to question everything, embrace life fully, and spend as much time on the back of a horse as possible. My goal is to grow Root to Rise to have as much prominence as possible in the state of Oklahoma, and eventually, the nation. Service to community has long been my passion, and I’m able to live out that passion most effectively through this wonderful organization.

 

 

 

Jeanie Fortman

Secretary/Treasurer
Pilot Grove, MO

I’m an insipid old woman falling gently into retirement with a huge grin on my face in anticipation of pleasing no one but myself. Katy, on the other hand, exudes energy and enthusiasm out her pores which is why I live two states away. But, the one thing that Kate has taught me is that the Super Bowl is a football game and not a basketball game, although they both exhibit grown men chasing balls around – but why the size or shape of a man’s balls is important still eludes me.

 

Instructors

 

 

Katy Jones

Brooklyn, NY

When I started Root to Rise, I wanted it to be an all-encompassing, far-reaching organization. Everyone suffers a traumatic experience at sometime in their lives, but many can remain “stuck” in this trauma. The more trauma-specific trainings I attend and the more I research the effects of trauma, the more I understand how much yoga can heal. I’ve gained more from my classes with prisoners, veterans, and first responders than any work I’ve ever done. You can see the physical changes in people who are settling into their body and breath for the first time. It’s life-changing. I will spread this knowledge and teach these classes as much as I can for as long as I can. Thank you so much for your support of our work.

[certifications: CorePower 200hr Hot Yoga Teacher Training, CorePower 45hr Power Yoga Teacher Training, Prison Yoga Project training, Veteran’s Yoga Project training, Yoga 4 Amputees training, Yoga Service Council scholarship recipient]

 

Janie Renshaw

Oklahoma City, OK

Janie is from Edmond, Oklahoma, currently living in Oklahoma City. She is a high school math teacher in Midwest City and a 200-RYT yoga teacher in Oklahoma City.

She grew up knowing that being a teacher was her future. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Mathematics Education degree. She found yoga in college, when the gym

just wasn’t doing it for her. She started a home-based practice before finding her way into a studio. Janie came to find yoga equally benefiting for her mind and her body. Having struggled with depression, she became reliant on her practice to balance out the negative self-talk.

After practicing yoga for about 4-5 years, she completed a 200 hour yoga teaching certification in Oklahoma City. Since gaining her certification, she teaches power vinyasa yoga and restorative yin yoga publicly and privately. The most important thing in her teaching is that students walk away from class feeling supported with a little more mental clarity and a connection to their breath and their bodies.

For Janie, the practice of yoga is never-ending and always waiting for us to return to it. She hopes to help her students find that same connection.

 

Beverly Lowe

Oklahoma City, OK

I truly believe life is a never-ending journey of exploring yourself. I am a licensed Massage Therapist of 12 years, and I have a degree in Community/Public Health with a minor in Psychology.

As I grow in my practice, I’ve learned just how important it is to connect mind, body, and spirit. You see how things manifest within, as well as out. I’ve witnessed how programs that teach movement impact individuals’ daily lives from youth through adulthood.

My life’s journey has brought me to yoga to enhance my bodywork profession as well as my overall wellbeing. I am excited to be able to use Yoga and Meditation, along with my background, to help others understand they already have the tools within to live a better quality of life.

Beverly is the current program director for RtR at Kate Barnard Correctional Center. 

 

 

 

 

Lainey Phelps

Oklahoma City, OK

My name is Lainey, and I love all things happy and good. I am involved with Root to Rise to provide mindfulness and moving meditation in places it isn’t easily available. I’ve been practicing for a few years on and off, but I always find an inner peace when I am on my mat. Making it a goal to practice at least 5 minutes of meditation or an hour long yoga practice has made all the difference for me. Yoga has brought so many new experiences and happiness to my life. I am looking forward to spreading the knowledge and joy that yoga can bring into as many lives as I can!

Lainey teaches yoga for RtR at Kate Barnard Correctional Center. 

 

Danielle Garner

Oklahoma City, OK

Danielle is a forever student of mindful living. Being present in our minds, bodies, and community is a vital part of the human experience, and sharing all of that is part of the work of living mindfully. As a trained yoga instructor and practitioner, via a mixed martial arts background, she shares alignment-based movement to build strength and awareness – skills we can use in everyday life to keep moving forward through any challenge. Danielle lives in OKC, graduated from OSU-OKC in 2019 with an A.S. in Public Service, and currently studies yoga at Spirit House Yoga.

 

 

Terra Butler

Bentonville, AR

Terra Butler is a seeker, hiker, mover, and good-vibe-giver living in the hills of Northwest Arkansas. Terra began a consistent movement practice with a teacher at a small local studio in 2014. Eventually, she moved her practice to her home and found that what began as a practice for the body quickly grew to include her mind and spirit. Terra’s
discovery of meditation and the concept that each breath offers a fresh start has been life-changing for her. After spending over 10 years in a corporate setting, in 2016, she followed her heart and intuition and completed her 200-hour teacher training at the Circle Yoga Shala in order to share the transformation she has experienced with others who are seeking to be more present “in the now.”

Terra joined RtR in 2017 and offers classes to The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter.

 

 

Chelsea Patton (Former Instructor)

Oklahoma City, OK

Chelsea began practicing Bikram yoga in 2006. At the time, it was exactly what she didn’t know she needed. She was a lost soul, disconnected from herself both emotionally and spiritually. It was on her mat that she began to notice a change in her body, mind, and spirit. She grew to appreciate the consistency and discipline of Bikram yoga. With a regular practice, she slowly began to experience awareness, compassion, and acceptance for herself. Over time, her yoga practice became a moving meditation, a journey inward, and a sacred time on her mat where she could simply ‘be.’ She came to not only believe i15910281_968384766595157_1446043406_nn the power of yoga, but in herself.

Chelsea completed Bikram yoga teacher training in Spring 2015. Teaching and practicing yoga is something that brings her great joy. She loves the vibrant energy yoga creates within the body! Chelsea brings the awareness, compassion, and acceptance that she has gained through her yoga practice into each class that she teaches. She believes that Bikram yoga creates a space for self-realization – a better understanding of who you are in your body, in your mind, and in your spirit.

Chelsea is also a STOTT certified Pilates teacher and has enjoyed working with students for 10 years. Her knowledge of mind-body movement, joint stability, muscle control, and breathing compliments her Bikram yoga teaching. When she’s not teaching and practicing yoga or Pilates, she enjoys spending time in her kitchen cooking and getting out in nature, be it gardening, walking a trail, or simply reading a good book beneath a tree.

Chelsea joined the RtR team in early 2016, leading classes at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center. She went on to gain her Yoga for 12-Step Recovery certification in early 2018, bringing together a community of like-minded individuals in Central Oklahoma for Y12SR classes.