About PLY

And the Purple Lotus Blooms. . .

Purple Lotus was founded in 2003, and borrows its name from the symbolism of the lotus flower which grows best in the muddy bottoms of ponds and rises up through the mud to break the water's surface and bloom.

However Purple Lotus' roots go back to 2001 when I started teaching group yoga classes at the McKinney Community Center. Not an ideal place with its dirty floors and cold temperatures, but the first class had 10 curious visitors and it continued to grow from there.

In April 2002, I opened my own studio, Esprit de Yoga where students from McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Melissa and other neighboring towns came for classes. With a space of my own, I was able to offer 25 weekly yoga classes and provide workshops like Guided Imagery, Assisted Yoga, Partner Yoga, and Day Retreats at Lake Texoma.

After a lackluster experience in an in-depth studies program, I decided with my background in journalism and corporate training (and yoga!) that I could provide quality, content-rich programs to yoga students and teachers who wanted to learn more about this incredible thing called yoga. The first session launched in January 2003 and had five participants. Since then, hundreds of participants have chosen Purple Lotus Yoga because of our content, integrity and reputation among local and national yoga studios and practitioners.

Co-Conspirators

KIM BATTEFORD, JULIE CHAVANU, BECCA HEWES, DEBBY RIORDAN

Thank you ladies for the beautiful pictures and incredible, transforming first 500-hour advanced studies. You are some of the most beautiful spirits I've had the pleasure of meeting and wish you every good blessing in every endeavor you undertake.

Kim owns a studio in Louisiana, Julie opened one in Florida and Becca owns one in Oklahoma!

KAREN L. MERTEN & TINA ROGERS

Karen attended Purple Lotus in 2008 and since has provided creative inspiration to many of the Purple Lotus family members. She has been a graphic artist for many years and currently is putting her talent to good use at JCPenney in their online division. She is the creative soul behind the new logo and many of the graphics throughout the website.

Need some graphic artistry for your logo, website, t-shirts and more? Karen is the cool chick who will take care of you!

Tina Rogers is a photographer located in Allen, Texas working both on-location and within her home studio. Many of the yoga studio shots and head shots were done by Tina. You can view more of her incredible work at her website.

MCKINNEY COMMUNITY CENTER

ESPRIT de YOGA STUDIO

BRICK HOUSE YOGA

ASSISTING WORKSHOP

500-HOUR TRAINING