Meet The Team
NIKKI MYERS
Founder
An accomplished speaker and teacher, Nikki is an MBA, E-RYT500, Yoga Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Addictions Recovery Specialist, and Ayurvedic Specialist. Born from her personal struggles with addiction, deep study, and work with countless students, Nikki is the founder of Y12SR: Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. Based on its theme ‘the issues live in the tissues’, Y12SR is a relapse prevention program that weaves Yoga, Vedanta, neuroscience and trauma healing with the practical tools of 12-step and cognitive behavioral programs .
Y12SR meetings are available internationally and the curriculum has rapidly becoming a feature of addiction recovery treatment centers. Nikki’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, Origin Magazine, CBSnews.com and countless podcasts. She is honored to be a co-founder of the annual Yoga, Meditation and Recovery Conferences at Esalen Institute and Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Nikki has been featured as a speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapist (IAYT) conference, International Conference on Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the 2022 Clinton Global Initiative. She was named a Yoga Journal Game Changer and is an honored recipient of the esteemed NUVO Cultural Visionary Award.
mYSH caLDWELL
Operations Coordinator
Mysh Caldwell, RYT-200, served as Director of Operations for CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health – one of the Midwest’s largest and most successful yoga schools – for nearly 10 years. Her keen wit, organizational skills and vision empower her to bring out the best in any collaborative undertaking.
KYCZY HAWK
Y12SR Leadership Trainer
Kyczy Hawk, E-RYT 500, teaches in treatment centers and yoga studios in San Jose, CA, and volunteers in the local justice system. She has also served on the staff of the Niroga Institute, teaching Yoga and Addiction Recovery. She specializes in somatic yoga techniques. Kyczy has taught Y12SR for over five years, and she has published several books and written for numerous magazines.
Lynn Gifford
Y12SR Leadership Trainer
Lynn Gifford, E-RYT 200, has been an active Y12SR spaceholder on Boston’s South Shore since 2010. She is deeply grateful for Nikki Myers’ leadership, inspiration, and motivation. She feels truly blessed to offer Y12SR’s combined somatic approach of yoga and the cognitive approach of 12-step programs in her community and recognizes the importance and value of being of service.
Kristen Merrit
Director of marketing
Kristen Merritt, E-RYT 200 comes to Y12SR with 20-plus years of experience in marketing, sales, event planning and development (for not-for-profit and for-profit organizations). She teaches weekly studio classes and is a certified Y12SR Leader. Kristen is so very grateful for the opportunity to work with Nikki Myers, her teacher and mentor, and the Y12SR community.
ERIN THOMAS
Director of ADMINISTRATION
Erin Thomas, E-RYT 500, has been teaching yoga for over a decade in Bloomington, Indiana where she invites students to approach the practice with dedication, compassion, and a sense of humor. Her 20 years of experience within small businesses has fueled a passion for supporting inspired leaders in making lasting impact in the world. Erin is grateful to be joining her teacher, Nikki Myers, and the Y12SR team in sharing this work.
Dana Keegan
Y12SR Leaders Advocate
Dana Keegan is an E-RYT200 yoga instructor working on her 300hr advanced teacher training. She is a Level I Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner and Level I/II Reiki Practitioner. Active in the 12 Step community since 1995, she has been holding space for Y12SR meetings twice weekly since 2013. Dana worked for 23 years with juvenile inmates and holds Yoga Behind Bars certification. She feels deep compassion for all who are affected by alcoholism and addiction and is passionate in sharing her experiences with yoga and recovery to help others. She holds Joyful Energy Yoga and Recovery retreats internationally and loves bringing fun, in-the-moment experiences to her practice and her classes, always with a deep sense of gratitude and awe at how sweet transformation can be.