puja chance
Believing that anyone can begin their own yoga journey at any time, I try to teach each class to the level of the students that are present. I am forever growing in my own practice as a student and a teacher, and love the sense of yoga as always evolving and bringing new insight.
MARCIA GRACE CHARLAND
Yoga has greatly enhanced my wellbeing over many years as a student. I'm excited and inspired as a teacher to share the remarkable benefits of yoga with others. In gentle Yoga, I present options, modifications and ways to breathe that allow the postures to work best for your body, making it a safe, sustainable and mindful practice. I have learned so much from all my teachers, especially Mark Stephens. In 2012, I completed the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification with him and I'm currently enrolled in his 500-hour certification program. It is deeply satisfying and meaningful to me when students say, "That was just what I needed." Discover for yourself the power of yoga to increase your awareness and aliveness!
Corinne leblanc guihaire
Vinyasa yoga is my yoga of choice, I identify with it, rather than with a particular tradition or lineage. To me, vinyasa is the yoga that embodies in the most sensitive way the natural pulse of life, allowing us to spontaneously flow with grace, embrace change, and with attention and dedication, uncover the delight of the present moment. In my classes, I offer unset and variable flowing sequences, with an emphasis on alignment and action in the poses, all the while abiding by the potent teachings of yoga philosophy. The intensity of the practice I am offering is built through a slow and gradual progression of precise mindful actions and postures, continually harmonized with the breath, rather than through physical prowess and rapid movement. All levels are welcome.
MICHELLE McNamara
Michelle teaches vinyasa flow infused with yin, meditation, pranayama, a bit of humor and A LOT of gratitude. She uses inspiration from daily life to build fun, heart opening classes, emphasizing strong alignment, and connectedness. "The connection to ourselves, others, nature and those things that truly nourish us is an important part of this practice for me." Michelle draws her knowledge and inspiration from a variety of teachers including Nancy Goodfellow, Mark Stephens, Sarah and Tai Powers, Noah Levine, Jason Murphy, Rusty Wells, Eoin Finn(just to name a few) as well as the great ocean, mountains, and mother nature!
Jessica Weitzenhoffer
Jessica, RYT 500, brings her embodied wisdom and somatic lucidity into each of her classes. Beginning each class with a short dharma talk, she weaves philosophy and breath into a deep slow alignment flow. This practice invokes a sense of presence as we dance between flow and form, movement and sustained postures, engagement and release designed to illuminate the subtleties of practice, and bridge body, breath, mind, and spirit. Jessica invites us to show up as we are, and where we are, holding a compassionate and steady container for self-awareness, self-expression, self-transformation, and, ultimately, self-love. All-levels of practitioners welcome to join us in an energizing and nourishing practice as we slow down, drop in, breathe, move, and reconnect to what matters.
Amanda Harper
Amanda finds yoga to be an invaluable part of her routine. It helps her maintain her center, ground herself emotionally as a mother and compliments the other physical activities she enjoys, such as swimming, bike riding and her greatest passion, surfing. Her personal practice and curiosity has allowed her to explore a number of yoga lineages. She enjoys the anatomical accuracy of Iyengar Yoga, the energizing qualities of Ashtanga, the healing nature of Restorative, Therapeutic & Yin and the beauty and grace of the Vinyasa yoga practice. Amanda feels that the role of a yoga teacher is to provide expert guidance to a practitioner, helping them to fully utilize whatever unique tools and qualities they possess to develop their own individual practice to suit their needs. As a teacher she aims to cultivate a non-judgmental, safe environment, promote a student's mental and physical well-being, reduce suffering and share the love and benefits of her yoga practice with her students. Her goal is to be a compassionate, patient, enthusiastic, approachable, articulate teacher and possess a deep knowledge of human anatomy and the philosophy of yoga.
Anne-Lauren Graham
Anne-Lauren, founder of Radiant Spiral Retreats, is an Elemental Therapist, Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, and International Retreat leader guiding humans, just like you through life-changing retreats and therapies for over 15 years! Anne-Lauren draws most of her healing insights from nature and the elements. She came to the healing arts around 2003 when she left her home in Alabama and began an inner and outer journey to connect with sustainable peace and expansive joy. Throughout her travels she has been able to study, in depth, different healing practices with different cultures around the world. She is eager to share the essence of what she has gathered in classes with you! Anne-Lauren's mission in this life is to hold space for humans to re-connect to themselves and with each other. You feel this in her dynamic flow classes as she guides us to listen a bit deeper and explore this expansive landscape of peace and joy that resides within. She firmly believes that -you are the medicine- and by walking into a yoga class you are gifting yourself the opportunity to return to alignment with deep peace, steady joy and a profound wisdom of the heart.
Chelsea Biklen
Chelsea believes each yoga practice to be sacred- an intentional space to connect with our bodies, breath, and a power greater than ourselves. Initially trained in a Vinyasa-style flow practice her classes are strong and smooth, with an invitation to go deeper (into postures, into breath, into presence). Later trained in Classical Hatha through a lineage of Ramana Maharshi, her interest in pranayama, energy meridians, and Self-Inquiry grew and frequently weaves its way into her classes. Rather than a teacher, Chelsea calls herself a facilitator of yogic space, as she believes each student to be the master of their own body and their own practice. Her aim is to help each student drop into practice with a beginner's mind…little words, lots of breath. In addition to yoga Chelsea is an energy worker, deep dancer, and ecstatic dance DJ and she integrates elements of these into class as well. Each one of Chelsea’s classes is a ceremony, come as you are.
Steve Clark
My yoga journey began when I was 55 and seeking a way out of a mid-life downward spiral. Through ‘fortuitous happenstance’ (divine inspiration?), I realized that yoga might help with my troubles. I started regular practice in the spring of 2011 and have never considered quitting. These days, and for the past few years (despite the pandemic lockdown), my practice has focused on the Mysore-style ashtanga vinyasa patterns of postures and flow, along with more typical western-style, teacher-led vinyasa.
Over the years, I learned that if you practice yoga long enough and show some ability to “make the shapes,” eventually you are asked, cajoled, and pushed to take the teacher training and share what you’ve learned (…and it’s so much more than shapes!). And so it happened to me. Full disclosure: I’m a freshly minted yoga teacher, so my classes/practices will primarily focus on more basic postures and shorter, more straightforward flows.
Marissa Victoria
Personal and spiritual growth kept Marissa practicing yoga and meditation daily while increased physical health, strength, and a deeper relationship to life became the outcome. Marissa chose to step onto her mat dedicated to her purpose to teach, with a passion for sharing and spreading such a potent way of life. She weaves yogic philosophy, pranayama, meditation, biomechanics, and alignment into her classes. Her classes are dynamic and fun, challenging yet accessible, invigorating, and expect to enrich your mind, nourish your body, ease your nerves and drop into the heart. Classes are often curated with sound, aromatherapy, and an occasional live musical offering from one of the several instruments Marissa plays. She has led international and local yoga retreats, teaches at yoga & art festivals, and hosts an expansive variety of workshops in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz, CA.
Marissa holds her 200 & 300hr(IP) certifications in yoga alongside her current completion of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) personal training certification and is completing her B.S. in Kinesiology. Some of the many teachers who have inspired her include Ana Forrest, Shiva Rae, Giselle Mari, David Swenson, Ty Landrum, Kino MacGregor, Tias Little, and Katie Silcox.
Andrea Marcum
Andrea Marcum is a yoga teacher and author who leads retreats and workshops around the world in both intimate and conference hall settings. Teaching for over twenty years, she has a unique ease and familiarity about her, weaving accessible philosophy into the poses appropriate for a variety of experience levels.
Named one of LA's Best by a number of sources including Culture Trip, Andrea loves guiding the most unassuming newbies to yoga and mindfulness. She has prepared celebrities for the Oscars, worked with athletes (Matt Kemp, LA Dodgers – NFL Network, U.S. Tennis Association) collaborated with global brands (lululemon, Vogue, Equinox, Travel & Leisure, NBCUniversal, Well + Good), created content for Medicare’s Silver & Fit, and built her own internationally recognized platform at andreamarcum.com.
Michelle Martone
Michelle believes strongly in the power of Yoga to strengthen the health of our body, improve our mindset, and enhance our entire way of being and relating to this world. I have been studying and practicing Yoga for 22 years and the path continues to unfold. I received a Doctorate in Pharmacology in 2009, completed my first Yoga Teacher Training in 2014, and have been teaching ever since. I study in the Sivananda lineage. In addition to daily study, I travel to India to sit with my teachers, study meditation, Yogic and Vedic texts, and honor this sacred tradition. The philosophy and teachings from these texts are woven into my Vinyasa classes, along with pranayama, meditation, and mantra.
Health is a state of equilibrium and harmony in the mind and body and is attainable for all. While Yoga does not promise a fountain of youth, with a little bit of consistent dedicated effort, the teachings of Yoga give us a path towards proper management of diseased conditions, understanding ourselves deeply through inquiry and reflection, and encouragement to live our highest potential. It is with great sincerity and humility that I offer Yoga classes. It is a very sacred and special thing to sit together in community at the feet of this great tradition of Yoga.
Mark Stephens
Mark Stephens is passionately devoted to sharing yoga as a personal practice for making every moment of one’s life better – healthier, clearer, and altogether more joyful. Described by Yoga Journal as "the teacher's teacher," he is the author of five bestselling yoga books available in 12 languages (Teaching Yoga, Yoga Sequencing Yoga Adjustments, Yoga Therapy, and Yoga for Better Sleep) and is presently completing a new book on Yoga Histories and Philosophies from Ancient to Modern Times. He's been the "For Teachers" columnist for Yoga International, Yoga Journal China, and Yoga Journal Deutschland.
With a rich background in Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow, Tantra, and Yoga Therapy, Mark brings an eclectic perspective to the practice that's all about making yoga more accessible, sustainable, and deeply transformational. Consistently practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching since 1996, Mark has trained thousands of yoga teachers worldwide, most significantly all across Europe, while being especially inspired to work with new students and as well as experienced students who are open to deeper learning. Find out more about Mark at http://www.markstephensyoga.com
Amanda Hamilton
Amanda’s heart centered approach offers a safe space for students to deepen into their practice. She invites you to slow down and connect to the healing wisdom of your body. Amanda approaches yoga as a ceremony, and a chance to build community. She currently offers Yin Yoga, and has a background as a Vinyasa instructor and kirtan leader.
Amanda’s journey into yoga began in 2008 when she healed a chronic lung condition through the practice of yoga. After this experience she felt called to teach. She completed her teacher training at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica with Govind Das in 2010 and trained with him again in 2017.
Amanda received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2018 and is a mind body psychotherapist. She weaves somatic healing practices into her classes.
Amanda grew up in the Monterey Bay, and enjoys travel, nature, time with her partner and black cat, and being a student of life.
DENISE KIRPAL LAPIDES
E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga Therapist, IAYT, and Board Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. Denise's classes are focused on wisdom-based alignments oriented to enhance Prana's flow. Whether it is a slow flowing vinyasa, Yin and restorative, or functional therapeutics, her teachings are founded in the Krishnamacharya lineage, that the yoga must be fit to the individual. An abundance of compassionate cues, keen observations from over 25 years on the mat, humor, and vibrant encouragement make each class a unique and uplifting experience. Within you is that Divine Light that desires to be fully shining. Rooted in compassion and heartfelt understanding, Denise Divine knows these practices give us a way, a place, and a means to uncover that inner light and balance to live fully and wholly, exactly how we are meant to live. The key is accepting us as we are, beginning where we are, and seeing the Light in all. Experience how to create and maintain balance, peace, and more love in your life. Choose from a myriad of ways to begin to heal and harmonize with classes, yoga teacher training, Ayurveda, or a private holistic yoga session. www.divinelightyoga.com