about us

Welcome to Spirit House Yoga, Oklahoma City’s premier yoga studio, proudly standing as the city’s oldest establishment since our doors first opened in 2004. Founded by Ted Cox and Martha McQuaid, two seasoned experts with decades of teaching and life experience, Spirit House Yoga has become synonymous with longevity, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to our community.

yoga classes & trainings

Our classes are welcoming for all levels of students – our highly experienced teachers instruct to who is in the room, and teach off the mat in order to allow students to feel seen and well served. We offer safe, functional movement classes, providing individualized instruction and modifications. Our classes are body-positive and inclusive of all ages and abilities. Classes are free of the distractions of heat, music and fast pacing, giving students the time and space to direct their focus inward with movement meditation.

Our trainings include comprehensive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Advanced 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training with two highly experienced 500- hour level teachers with over 2 decades of teaching expertise. We also offer Level 1 and 2 Thai Yoga Bodywork training, taught by Martha McQuaid who has been practicing this work for over 2 decades.

MEET OUR

fully qualified instructors

Martha McQuaid – Owner, E-CYT 500, C-IAYT

Martha McQuaid C-EYT 1,000, C-IAYT Martha’s impressive credentials showcase her extensive expertise in the field of yoga and holistic wellness. As a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists, she possesses a high level of proficiency in applying Yoga as a therapeutic tool for health and well-being. Her certifications in Anusara Yoga and the Thai Yoga Method further highlight her dedication to diverse and comprehensive approaches to Yoga practice and bodywork. Martha’s extensive experience of over two decades in teaching Yoga and practicing Thai Yoga Bodywork underscores her commitment to helping others on their journey to physical and mental well-being. Her Advanced Practitioner status in Integrative Restoration® (iRest®) Yoga Nidra offers proficiency in guiding individuals through deep relaxation and meditation practices. Furthermore, Martha’s background in Music Performance, along with her impressive tenure as a professional symphonic musician and University instructor for 20 years, adds a unique dimension to her teaching. This combination of expertise in both Yoga Therapy and music provides a rich and multifaceted foundation for her approach to wellness and transformation.

Ted Cox, E-CYT 500 – Owner

Ted Cox C-EYT 500. Ted’s extensive experience in teaching and practicing Yoga spans over four decades, reflecting a deep dedication to the discipline. His approach to Yoga extends beyond the physical practice, emphasizing the timeless wisdom Yoga imparts. This includes an understanding of how our actions, thoughts, and words impact our lives, and the importance of aligning with our true selves and living authentically. As an author, Ted has contributed significantly to the discourse on Yoga with his two books: “Warrior Self – Unlocking the Promise of the Bhagavad Gita” (2014) and “Warrior Truth – Discovering the Power of the Bhagavad Gita” (2016). These works provide valuable insights into the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of Yoga, particularly through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita. Ted’s academic background includes graduating from the Indiana University School of Music and enjoying a distinguished career as a professional symphony musician for nearly four decades. His live solo CD, “Bach to Bix,” further showcases his musical talents and is available for listening on Spotify. Ted’s multifaceted expertise in both Yoga and music adds a rich layer to his teaching, offering a unique perspective that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. His emphasis on living authentically and following one’s heart aligns with the broader philosophy of conscious living and personal transformation. Visit Ted’s website: www.dharma-strategies.com

Holly Ely – E-RYT 200

Holly began practicing yoga over ten years ago as a way to manage chronic pain from a back injury. She quickly fell in love with the practice, and the physical and emotional benefits she saw emerge led her to begin teaching in 2012. Holly received her 200 hour certification in 2013 at Yoga Life in Norman, OK. Her passion is teaching proper modifications and alignment to make yoga accessible to everyone. When she is not in the studio, Holly is usually busy in the kitchen or her backyard raising her two daughters, a large vegetable garden, and a flock of chickens. – https://hollylove.yoga/

Jackie Ellis – RYT 200

Jackie attended her first yoga class some 20 years ago with the intent of teaching her hamstrings a lesson. What she discovered was a lifetime practice of learning how her body, mind and spirit work. Several years ago, Jackie started her journey towards becoming a Hatha yoga instructor. She received her 200-hour Yoga Certification from Spirit House Yoga in 2018 and has been teaching steadily since then. Jackie’s special interest lies in the therapeutic applications of regular yoga practice and teaching her yoga students how to apply the lessons learned on the mat to their everyday lives. Along with her yoga practice, Jackie is an avid skydiver, hiker, mountaineer, Jeep fanatic, and is a certified Thai Yoga Bodywork practitioner. Jackie and her husband Alan are freelance writers and bloggers, who have many published articles in these fields. When not practicing yoga or one of her many hobbies, Jackie spends time with her husband, her children and grandchildren, and her active Labrador Retriever puppy, Tucker.

Rachel Yates – RYT 200

Rachel completed her 200 hour certification in February 2016 with Spirit House Yoga. She believes everyone can experience deeper awareness, empowerment, and self-love through yoga. Rachel’s teaching method focuses on breath, muscle engagement, and alignment. She integrates yoga philosophy into her classes to facilitate deeper learning for transformation on and off the mat. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership and has previously worked in suicide prevention.

Danielle Garner – CYT 500, C-TYBP

With a rich background in high-level competitive sports, Danielle has seamlessly transitioned into a dedicated practitioner and instructor in the areas of Yoga and Thai Yoga Bodywork. Danielle holds a 500-hour certification in Yoga and Thai Yoga Bodywork from Spirit House Yoga, as well as a Trauma-informed Yoga certification, bringing a holistic approach to movement and well-being. After extensive training in Thailand for Thai Yoga Bodywork, she is not only enamored by the culture and people, but is also committed to continuously honing her expertise in this traditional healing art. Danielle also draws upon years of experience as a personal trainer to deliver anatomically-driven, functional, sustainable Yoga practices to her community, sharing the transformative power of movement on a global level.

Gwyn Davis – Zen Zone Owner

Gwyn Davis has a Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Psychology, is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and is certified in Personal Training, Holistic Lifestyle Coaching and Functional Medicine. As a wellness coach Gwyn helps her clients pinpoint what area of their life has gotten off track be it diet, exercise, coping with stress, managing symptoms of illness, or dysfunctional relationships with self, or others. Once those areas have been identified a program is created that addresses the client’s specific needs through diet, bodywork, stress management and the most productive form of movement for their constitution. By helping her clients learn to slow down, tune into their inner wisdom and begin to trust the natural processes of healing the body undergoes when given the correct environment, they can enjoy a life of greater health and happiness.