Meet Your Teachers

Pam Johnson – Founder / Director of Heights School of Yoga

Pam Johnson - owner

Pam Johnson is the director of The Heights School of Yoga.

She has been teaching yoga for 17 years. She is a certified 500hr ERYT Senior teacher of the classical form of Vinyasakrama yoga. She dedicates her energy to the teaching of proper breathing techniques. Her focus taps into subtle body energy through synchronizing movement and breath while teaching specific pranayama and bandha techniques used for healing and longevity.

She studies extensively with Srivatsa Ramaswami Vinyasa Krama, Tias Little Prajna Yoga and teaches Vinyasakrama yoga Swamahiman for Swami Vidyadishananda.

Click here for Pam Johnson‘s Full Bio.

Kristin Maresca

Kristin Maresca

Kristin Maresca, also known as Ava’s mama, has been studying yoga since 1995 and teaching since 2004.  She initially immersed herself in the practice of yoga as a way to holistically address the effects of scoliosis, find more inner peace, and engage in a practice of enlightened living.  Over the years her practice and her teaching have evolved to incorporate Buddhist and Tantric philosophy as a way to make the deeper teachings of yoga accessible.  Her teaching style blends traditional hatha
yoga postures, breath, and spirit, with a strong emphasis on bhakti (devotion) and lila (Divine play).  Her alignment-focused classes encourage a greater alignment with the highest within.  She particularly loves working with pregnant and new mothers, inspired by their strength and the creative and transformative process of pregnancy and parenthood.

Kristin is certified by Yoga Alliance at the 500-hr level in Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga, and Yoga Therapeutics through Body Balance Yoga.  She also has extensive experience studying and teaching prenatal yoga. Kristin has studied with several  prominent teachers for over a decade, including John Schumacher, Rajiv and Swati Chanchani, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Donna Farhi, Rod Stryker, Christina Sell, KK Ledford, Elena Brower, and Janice Clarfield.  She is also a devoted student of Baba Harihar Ramji in the Aghor Yoga tradition, whose teachings inspire her life and work.

In addition, Kristin is a professional doula, trained by toLabor (formerly ALACE) and is studying to be a Childbirth Educator.  She will also soon be leading Sacred Pregnancy and Sacred Birth classes, inspired by her mentor, Anni Daulter.  She embraces pregnancy as a natural and creative process that has the potential to empower, enlighten, and transform.

Kristin holds a BA from The University of Texas at Austin, and an MA from American University, where she studied international development in conflict-affected communities.

Class Price: $17 per class  Call for questions: 713-609-3228

Olga Abreu

Olga Abreu

Olga’s had her first brush with yoga in the late 90’s while in college doing graduate work. In 2001 she started practicing seriously, and driven by some avid curiosity she became familiar with many yoga traditions and styles. Her practice is influenced by many, but most notably by her beloved teacher Robert Boustany.

She is currently a full time teacher registered with Yoga Alliance (the National Yoga Registry in the U.S.) as an experienced teacher-E-RYT. In addition, she has a solid background in human anatomy and physiology, which comes from having a B.S. in Biology.

As a teacher she’s fascinated by diversity; differences not only in body types and body mechanics, but also by the light that every student brings to class. She enjoys working with students of all ages and physical abilities; from kids to older adults, athletes to injured students, and moms-to-be. She can modify the practice so it is accessible and beneficial to everyone.
Like many, she started yoga to recover from a physical injury and found out that the practice has so much more to offer. She’s living testimony that by working with dedication and intelligence one can shift the focus away from injury and pain so as to enjoy life fully.

Class Price: $17 per class Call for questions: 832-788-9509 or email olgaluizada@gmail.com

Stephanie Thomas

Stephanie Thomas

Stephanie believes in the powerful connection between physical movement, meditation, and well-being.  Stephanie has taught meditation since 2010, employing techniques from a variety of traditions and styles. Stephanie’s meditation classes are designed to relieve stress, increase joy, and bring out the body’s natural capacity for healing. She firmly believes that meditation is a beneficial habit that can be cultivated by learning strategies, developing a regular practice, and receiving encouragement and support from a nurturing community.

In 2011, Stephanie trained as a 200-hr Certified Yoga Instructor with Lex Gillian at the Yoga Institute and as a BodyHoops Hoopdance Instructor. Reach Stephanie at (832) 460-0228 for questions.

Class Price: $10 drop-in for 50 minute meditation class

Sharon Hughes

Sharon Hughes

Sharon Hughes, RYT, teaches an eclectic style of hatha yoga that blends endurance work, vinyasa and soft restorative postures into a balanced and meditative practice.  She encourages students to fine tune the inner awareness following the body’s guidance to unlock not only tension, but the deep, creative spirit that exists within.  This approach gives students the tools to practice safely and effectively at their individual fitness level, without depleting the rich spiritual and emotional benefits of yoga.

Sharon is a Registered Yoga Teacher with the National Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level.  She studied for a year with a Registered Yoga Alliance school, completing 300 hours of training that put an emphasis on modifications for all body types and experience levels.  She continues to study both modern and classical yoga.

After spending 11 years as a writer and editor at daily newspapers across the country, she took a sabbatical studying yoga and meditation at an ashram in Colorado.  She returned home to Houston in April 2004 and now teaches yoga full time.

Class Price: $17 per class  Call for questions: 713-256-2899

Harry McMahan

Harry McMahan

Harry teaches a hatha based class that helps to challenge your strength and endurance, but aid in your focus and is appropriate for all levels

Sowmya Nandakumar

Sowmya Nandakumar

Sowmya was exposed to Hatta Yoga, in her childhood and teens, while growing up in India. Her appreciation and understanding of Yoga was furthered by her fondness to learn dance, and her inclination to understand the body. She earned her 200 hour teaching certification from the Yoga Institute of Houston.