Ambassadors

Elisabetta is a tiny powerhouse bursting with energy: she’s a fusion of Mexican origins, Italian blood, her years spent in London, a passion for dance, and a joyful, warm character. She’s a reflective person, and her attention to small details expresses how deeply she cares about everything.

The best way to get to know her is to visit her Yoga and Pilates studio, which is located in a small, renovated barn surrounded by olive trees in the heart of the Tuscan countryside – one of Italy’s loveliest spots, and a popular destination for people all over the globe.

At Cirque du Physique your breathing becomes deeper, your gaze becomes more focused, and your mental chatter slowly dissolves in the silence of nature. Here students can perfect their own practice while being accompanied and guided, step by step, in the search for their own true being. At Cirque du Physique there’s time to listen to the sound of the wind amongst the leaves, to recognize the deep harmony which connects every element in nature, and to allow oneself to be restored by beauty. Cirque du Physique was conceived as a place where everyone can dedicate themselves to their own practice, at their own pace, while feeling both at home and far away from it all. Elisabetta is a Registered yoga instructor: Yoga Alliance E-RYT® 200 and YACEP® and Instructor of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, The Rocket®, Stark Body-Flying® and the Postural Pilates Method®.

Wendy is originally from Whistler, Canada but spent many years living and teaching in United States. She has resided in Hong Kong since 2006. Her classes are influenced by all her yoga teachers but also inspired by her life. She teaches uplifting classes with emphasis on listening to ones inner wisdom while healing and creative self-expression. As a teacher, she inspires her students to practice truthfulness and live their yoga on and off the mat.

With many unique trainings under her belt Anusara, Bikram, Baptiste Vinyasa Power Yoga, Kundalini, Forest Yoga, yin yoga, to her Hatha studies in the ashram’s of India. Wendy is an inspired supporter of YGB. As she feels so grateful to have yoga in her life and loves the idea of going back to its source and giving thanks and support to those who need it.

One of the most well known Kundalini teachers in the West, Kia has an ability to translate the subtle teachings of Kundalini Yoga in a highly accesable way. Kia’s study of yoga began when she was 15. She is certified in both Hatha and Kundalini and teaches workshops, retreats and teacher trainings throughout the world. Kia’s passion is to share the Kundalini tradition infused with Bhakti. Kia’s classes are a powerful mix of asana, breath, meditation and chanting that will leave you uplifted and empowered.

A large part of my yoga practice is to give what I have been given, and I feel blessed to be apart of the Yoga Gives Back family for that reason and many others. I see YGB as a powerful community taking action to support others and I look forward to creating life changing ripples on this globe, all the way from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada.”

Jill owns a yoga studio, directs a yoga teacher-training program, and teaches a variety of yoga and fitness classes. Her other passion is writing. She has written hundreds of articles for many publications and has just begun to write her first novel. As an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back, Jill hopes to create an awareness of the importance of taking care of ourselves through yoga, so we can be of greater service to others.

Adri Kyser is a world-renowned Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach with a strong, and dedicated following.  Adri’s expertise has appeared in a number of publications, and she has been featured as the face of several incredible fitness and wellness brands.  Adri’s unique and authentic approach to wellness stems from her personal experience in coping with chronic back pain for over a decade, and is supported by an extensive and growing list of certifications in multiple healing and wellness modalities. Adri Kyser has helped hundreds of women worldwide live a more mindful, healthy and balanced lifestyle by providing classes, coaching sessions and specialty programs that teach how to discover and develop the innate power of true inner beauty.

Devorah has been practicing traditional Ashtanga Yoga since 1993 and for the past 17 years has been sharing her knowledge and passion with her students. In 1997 she made her first trip to Mysore, India to study with her teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and in 2000 Devorah was honored to receive Gurujii’s blessing to teach. In 2007 she founded Mission Ashtanga, a traditional Mysore Ashtanga school in San Francisco’s Mission district. In addition to her yoga teaching Devorah is also a licensed Somatic, Body-Centerd Therapist and Yoga Therapist and has a private practice in San Francisco.

Lorraine found Yoga in 2001 while working in the entertainment business as an artist manager. The hectic life of working more than 16 hours a day average for many years had been draining out her energy. Until one of her artists, the co-founder of a top-notch yoga studio in Asia, took her to her first yoga practice to release tension. Lorraine has been practicing yoga since then and felt the urge to share with more people. She is now a yoga teacher after receiving her first teacher training certificate in Florida, U.S.A in 2005. The self awareness, compassion and mind/body balance yoga gives Lorraine has become part of her daily life.

Harmony Slater has been teaching yoga for almost 20 years. After completing two degrees in Philosophy and Eastern Religion, she made her first trip to Mysore, India, to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She spent the following five years living in Asia, with long periods dedicated to practice and exploration in Mysore.

Harmony lives in Calgary AB, where she resides with her son. She has visited India on 18 separate occasions, and continues to return regularly to deepen and enrich her own practice of yoga. She has spent time expanding her knowledge of yoga under the attentive guidance of R. Sharath Jois, Sri O.P. Tiwari along with several other teachers of Philosophy and Sanskrit.

“Yoga Gives Back is an inspiring, transformative organization that invests in one of India’s most valuable and yet, underrated resources: women. By empowering these motivated women to create something for themselves, their families, and their communities, and by encouraging them to further invest in their children’s education, this simple act of micro-financing becomes powerful enough to change the lives of many generations. As a daughter, wife, and mother, my heart was deeply touched by the testimonies of the women whose lives have been forever changed because of their involvement with this non-profit organization. India is a place that is very close to my heart, and I, personally, have been forever changed because of my connection to Her, and Her gift of Yoga. India is a country where my spirit feels very much at home, and my heart breaks for so many women there who work so hard to support their families, and yet, are often victims of abuse and inequality. My life has been blessed by India in more ways than I can express, and by several great Teachers, Gurus, who have brought me out of darkness and into the light. I feel that Yoga Gives Back is an opportunity to share this light with the people, the sisters, who reside in the country of my heart and truly need our assistance. It is a tangible way for me to say “thank you” to Mother India for all that She has given to us, and continues to share.”

Melanie has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for almost twenty years. She first discovered Ashtanga in Mysore, India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who became her teacher until his death in 2009. Melanie holds the honor of Certification by Jois, one of only 35 teachers worldwide to achieve this recognition. Melanie teaches traditional Mysore style in her hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana and believes Mysore style to be the heart of Ashtanga practice. She has a two-set DVD, “Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga,” the top seller on Ashtanga.com. Melanie’s enthusiastic approach to Ashtanga is authentic to Jois’ teaching example, grounded in the principles and philosophy of the practice and tempered by alignment and attention to detail.

Creator and President of the YogaFit Training Systems, Beth Shaw has dedicated her life to YogaFit and the transformational growth that the company creates globally. She has been extensively profiled and quoted in the media, including in print, internet, radio, and on television. Shaw is the entrepreneurial innovator behind numerous fitness trends including YogaFit Sweat, YogaLean, and the popular YogaButt.

A life-long student of fitness, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and health, Shaw is committed to helping people find their own perfect physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. On this path, she has studied yoga in India and Asia, holds numerous certificates in fitness disciplines, is an E-RYT registered with Yoga Alliance, a certified anger management specialist and has earned a bachelor’s degree in both Business Administration and Nutrition. “It is our mission to create transformation of the whole person; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”

Kathleen Kastner is the Owner of Maya Yoga in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Wade Mortenson. She has a B.S in Journalism and a M.S in Exercise Physiology and has been teaching yoga since 1996. She practices ashtanga daily and her long distance teachers are Tim Miller and Jorgen Christiansson. She is vegan, an animal advocate and loves placing homeless pets in forever homes.

Manon Simonis-Bruens, dedicated yoga practitioner and owner of two yoga studios in the Netherlands, Yogaplace Maastricht and Sittard, will succeed YGB Netherlands founder Janneke Verburg-Wiersma. Janneke built the YGB Dutch community in one year, with dozens of very successful “Thank You Mother India” and relay classes. Manon and her dedicated team at Yogaplace will now lead YGB Netherlands.

Alessandra di Prampero is a certified Anusara Yoga Teacher from Milan, Italy. She began her hatha yoga practice as a child under her mother’s teaching. In 1993, she had the great fortune of meeting her spiritual advisor, who introduced her to meditation and to all the traditional aspects of yoga.

After graduating cum laude with a degree in Roman History, she realized that what she liked most was sharing her yoga experience. So, in 2001, she began teaching hatha yoga. She has been studying and practicing Anusara Yoga since 2002 and has worked with several Anusara certified instructors, among them Jayendra Hanley, Piero Vivarelli, Andrea Boni, Ellen Saltonstall, Jim Bernaert and John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga.
In November 2004, she obtained her certification from SOLOYOGA Association, and became a member of the Italian National Yoga Teachers Association (YANI) in 2005. Alessandra’s students at Sattva Studio love her energy, her gentleness, her sincerity, and her ability to look at daily life with spiritual glasses.

Founder and director of TOKYO YOGA (TYG) Chama is one of the leading yoga teachers in Japan. He has been exploring and balancing the body and mind in order to experience wellbeing and peace through practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Craniosacral Therapy. After studying under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Judith Lasater, Chama is highly skilled at drawing out the full potential of individual bodies with a wealth of unique and anatomically-based teaching methods. To share the experience and benefits of yoga, Chama currently teaches at his own studios and many workshops throughout Japan including major public yoga events such as Yoga Fest, Yoga Aid Japan, and Yoga at Patagonia. He publishes the most popular free yoga magazine,YOGAYOMU; supervises the production of DVDs and yoga books; and appears in various media, including magazines and on the web. Chama is a leader of YOGA volunteer group “Yoga and Music(YAM).” In 2011,he led a group of volunteers to Tohoku, Tsunami area. Chama’s work has been featured in Yoga Journal.

Magnolia began practicing Mysore Ashtanga Yoga in 1997 with certified teacher Noah Williams and authorized teacher Kimberly Flynn. She first met and studied with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois in 2004 on her first trip to India. Since then she has traveled and studied in Mysore 9 times and taught in Hong Kong, Tokyo, France, and is currently running a traditional Mysore School ‘Mysore SF’ in San Francisco. She continues her yogic studies with Sharath Jois in Mysore every year.

Gary is currently based in Los Angeles where he teaches Vinyasa yoga and meditation.  His classes are challenging, yet accessible to all and emphasize the totality of the practice.  A combination of a commitment to “do the work”, accompanied with a gentle sense of humor guide his students to levels they never thought were attainable.  In his previous life, he was an Army Ranger, a combat commander, and a worldwide security consultant. Author of : Jamie’s Rock: A Story of Tibet

DAVID KIM (E-RYT 500) is a Senior YogaWorks Teacher Trainer, who leads numerous trainings, workshops, and retreats all over the world. A Brown University graduate, David draws heavily from the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions in his practice and teaching, enriched by the contemplative poise of Yin Yoga and Mindfulness meditation. Employing skillful sequencing and precise instruction, David’s classes – including online offerings at MyYogaWorks.com and YogaVibes – reflect his heartfelt dedication to a profoundly enlivening, healing practice.

Alexa Nehter is a 500 hour RYT Yoga Teacher, and the founder of Yogic.com.au. Through teaching yoga at studios, retreats and festivals across Australia and Europe, she has fuelled her passion for living life in alignment and to the fullest. Alexa has always been committed to volunteering and giving back. While travelling the world for a decade in her twenties, she worked with disadvantaged children in villages, orphanages and schools across South America and Asia. She is a firm believer that this is an incredibly powerful way of repairing the circle in a world that is energetically unbalanced.

“Yoga has profoundly transformed my whole life and helped me become clearer about the truth of human potential – that we all have the power to heal and elevate the world. YGB provides a beautiful way to channel this uplifting energy. We really can make a difference to the women and children in India. By helping this group of unseen, unheard voices to create sustainable self-sufficiency, we can ensure enhanced quality of life – not only for today, but for future generations. YGB opens another gate for the flow of energy in the right direction and gives my students and me the opportunity to be the gentle force for loving change we wish to see in the world. “

Yoga Instructor, Teacher Trainer & Mentor. Certified Professional Life Coach. Mia grew up as an avid equestrian and dancer in Murrieta, Ca. Little did she know this would pave the way to her love and devotion of yoga.

At 18, she went on to dance professionally, working in film, TV, stage and music videos. While simultaneously earning her degree in Psychology from UCLA, the competitive world of dance revealed self-doubt and insecurities that needed attention and healing which led her to work with Mona Miller, her teacher and mentor. Mia’s yoga practice began in 1996 with many teachers studying different styles and philosophies, ultimately finding her passion in vinyasa flow. Mia began teaching in 200 and is a YogaWorks certified teacher and teacher trainer, as well as mentor for the YogaWorks 300-hour program. Her purpose as a teacher is to allow the student to have an authentic experience that is sacred, healing, uplifting, and inspired by spirit.

Tanja is a London-based teacher who has been teaching since 2005. Since beginning her yoga journey in 2000 she has explored many different styles of yoga, all of which inform her practice and teaching – the discipline and rigor of Ashtanga, the creativity and freedom of Vinyasa Flow, the grace and alignment of Anusara, her deepest inspiration being the energetics and philosophy of ParaYoga founded by Rod Stryker. Tanja is known for her varied and creative sequencing, challenging yet centering practice whilst creating a nurturing atmosphere. Tanja continues to be inspired and amazed by the truly transformative power of yoga and she feels it is a privilege to share the joy and the depth of the practice with her students.

Musician and Yogi Amit Heri has traveled the world sharing his art, skill and life experiences with the purpose of bringing joy and connection between people.

His focus is on oneness and the process of integrating different realities – traditional/contemporary, Indian/Western, physical/spiritual etc.

He has performed with World music icons Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Salif Keita and Robert Miles at prestigious festivals including the Montreux Jazz festival, Berlin Jazz festival, WOMAD, London Jazz festival, Rome World Music festival and the Paris Jazz festival.

He is also an E-RYT 500, certified/authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and teaches presently at studios in the Los Angeles area.

Ami is a visual artist living and working in London, UK. “From the beginning, my Indian heritage planted the seed for spiritual growth. Nowadays, this seed continues to be explored, nurtured and cultivated and has brought Yoga to be an integral part of my life and well-being”.

Prior to becoming a yoga instructor, Jennifer received a masters degree in special and elementary education. After spending several years in the financial industry, she opened a specialty retail store catering to children and adults in the New York area. Eleven years went by and she is now teaching yoga in the beautiful mountains of Telluride, Colorado.

Jennifer received a certificate from Karma Kids in NYC to teach yoga to children. She then went on to a 200 hour certification and completed 500 hours of teacher training with Ohra Yoga and Wellness in Mount Kisco, New York.

There is no end to what can be learned through yoga. She is completely inspired and honored to study yoga techniques and meditation with esteemed physicians and continue to attend workshops with master teachers from around the world.

Dana is an Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, a classically trained Pilates Mat instructor and Restorative Yoga teacher.

She is continuously fascinated with the challenges and rewards the practice of yoga has been yielding since she first stepped on the mat in 2004. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communications back in 2009 she completed a Registered Yoga Teacher Training and, beginning in 2011, has made annual month-long trips to Mysore, India, to study Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, philosophy and Sanskrit at the KPJAYI and to further her connection to the roots of the practice.

Since 2013, she has taught daily Mysore Ashtanga classes at Land Yoga in New York City. She also currently teaches at New York Yoga and Pilates on the Square, and is a published poet featured in the Poetry of Yoga. Dana’s travels have led her to teach classes and workshops in Florida, California, Israel and Costa Rica.

Stewart is known throughout London for his popular, innovative, authentic dynamic classes. He infuses his high energy and challenging teachings with yogic knowledge, as well as his unique charisma, politics and humour. His classes include an emphasis on breath, vinyasa and philosophy with strong physical adjustments. Stewart applies the original teachings of yoga to the modern world to create a thought-provoking class.

Having trained in astanga and as a Jivamukti teacher Stewart’s spiritual journey led him to train all over the world with teachers who have had a profound effect on his unique style of teaching.

He offers his eternal gratitude to all his teachers: Sabel Thaim, Jennifer Dale, Hamish, David Life, Sharon Gannon, Swami Niramalanda and Sri K Patthabi Jois.

Jeff Lichty is an avid adventurer and thoughtful seeker of truth and wisdom. Sixteen years as a critical care paramedic along with his pre-existing existential inclinations led him to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and the direct study with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sri R Sharath Jois. He has traveled to India over 17 times to study directly with the masters of Ashtanga Yoga. Authorized to teach the practice by Guruji and Sharath in 2006, Jeff has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga full-time in Canada and internationally. The Calgary Ashtanga Yoga School provides a space for a thriving community of practitioners, and Jeff continues to infuse the city with the dynamic & practical teachings of Ashtanga Yoga. He has a real talent for expanding the ordinary definitions of yoga beyond the reach of our current body centric-culture and revealing how these practices powerfully penetrate into all areas of life .

Beate started to practice Yoga in 2005 but it was not until meeting Cheri Rae, owner of Peace Yoga Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles in 2011, when something really shifted inside of her. Yoga became her true passion and purpose in life. After many years of owning a successful business in the fashion industry, she felt the call to slow down …Yoga opened the door to leading a much more wholesome way of living and started the inquiry within. A complete transformation occurred in the years that followed in every aspect of her life. She decided to sign up for her first Teacher Training with Annie Carpenter in 2013 and in the following year she took her first trip to India to study at a remote Ashram north of Rishikesh as well as a trip to Vridavan. Beate studied with well-known teachers, Annie Carpenter (Smart Flow) & Govind Das, founder of Bhakti Yoga Shala (Bhakti Yoga) as well as a team of amazing teachers at Core Power Yoga (Hot Vinyasa Power Yoga) and received RYT 200-hour certifications from all three studios. Beate fully embraces all aspects of a Yogic life style with daily Asana, Pranayama and Meditation practice, chanting, kirtan, vegan life style and Seva. Beate teaches a strong Vinyasa flow with an emphasis on the devotional aspect of Yoga as a scientific system of well being, following the eight-limbed path by Patañjali, with the ultimate goal of Self-realization and Happiness.

E – RYT 500, 800 – Hour Jivamukti Certified, AADP, VLCE

Nina Hayes is an LA based Advanced Certified Yoga Instructor & Retreat Leader. She credits her yoga practice with providing the tools to heal from a once debilitating illness and she is devoted to facilitating both physical and spiritual healing in others.

Before moving to LA, Nina instructed yoga and meditation workshops for corporations and universities throughout the U.S., taught movement for children with special needs at the Boston Ballet, and researched exercise & nutrition initiatives to benefit underserved populations with Children’s Hospital and Harvard Cancer Center. As a plant based chef, Nina founded an award-winning vegan Bonbon Company and provided greenroom vegan treats for artists’ Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Her personal practice and teachings have taken her around the world to Australia, India, Europe, and Bali. Instructing since 2009, Nina has trained extensively with Jivamukti Yoga NYC, Samadhi Yoga in Sydney, and received specialized training in Yoga for Cancer from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Dance from the University of Massachusetts. Presently, Nina is thrilled to cultivate compassionate community at Tantris, her new “yoga home”, and serve as an International Ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. Nina’s classes are authentic yet accessible to practitioners of all levels at all stages of life. Students connect with Nina’s warmth, enjoy her scriptural lectures, and appreciate her embodiment of love and light.  Nina is deeply grateful for her teachers, notably Sharon-ji Gannon, David-ji Life, and Joshua Greene (Yogesvara).

Sol Barros always had the need to express her emotions, thanks to this and her experience made her interested in how the different religions manifest themselves, taking shelter in Tibetan Buddhism. She began to enjoy the pleasure of the meditation, to contemplate her own being and everything that redeemed it, but she felt that there was still something else. It was there when she began with yoga practice almost 20 years ago, finding a deep passion for it, which remains intact.

She began the study of Yoga through Ashtanga Yoga, then studied a degree and pre-teaching Yoga at USAL (University of Salvador) in Buenos Aires.

She shares and experiences the different branches of Yoga like Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Restorative Yoga, Yoga nidra, learning and teaching around the world.

Mariko is a Yoga-Ayurveda Expert with over 20 years of teaching experience. A former professional dancer as well as an Ayurvedic physician trained in India, she combines scientific knowledge with an intuitive understanding of the body. Mariko has been travelling to India every year since 1999 to study Yoga, Ayurveda and allied disciplines with renowned masters in their field. In 2003, the experience of working with numerous terminally ill patients caused her to apply for and win a full scholarship to study Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing science in one of the top Ayurvedic universities in India. Proficient in Hindi and Sanskrit, she is one of the very few in the West to have completed the rigorous 5 ½ year B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree program at an internationally recognized Ayurvedic university in India. When she is not conducting retreats and workshops around the world, Mariko teaches her signature fluid Yoga classes at Equinox Fitness and Peninsula Spa, and runs a private Ayurvedic practice in New York City.

Mikey Budd is a Jersey boy, and proud of it. He’s always had an active lifestyle as a soccer player, runner and of course, break dancer! But, it wasn’t until he found the beauty & benefit in yoga, that he finally felt centered. After traveling to India for 5 weeks, Mikey became a certified yoga instructor and wanted to share his knowledge to all. As an active part of the community, he brings yoga to places and people who don’t have access to classes including low income families, at-risk students, and prisoners at no cost. Mikey also currently teaches at Playlist. Yoga in West Hollywood and his days as a “b-boy” are the baseline for his innovative hip-hop flows.

Dana Blonde is the Director at Yoga Shala Calgary, an Ashtanga Yoga school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Brigitte grew up in Denmark and moved to Los Angels at 19 where she started studying psychology, massage therapy, meditation & yoga. Yoga became her passion and started teaching full time since 1993.

She studied with many great teachers, who at different times in her life taught me about myself and helped me grow. These are the teachers who influenced me the most: Erich Schiffman, Lisa Walford, Maty Ezraty, Rod Stryker, Gary Kraftsow and John Friend.

Catia’s yoga journey to self enquiry began back in 2003, and ever since Its been a healing experience, a life transformation which deeply changed her views on life. Her quest led her to try many styles of yoga. Power yoga ( vinyasa) Ashtanga, Jivamukti. She drew inspiration from David Swenson, Matt Corigliano, Kino, Mathew Sweeney, Anne Marie Newland, and Stewart Gilchrist who still remains her main teacher and inspiration today. She continues to work alongside him, assisting/mentoring during teacher trainings.

Alessandra, a yogini of 26 years , has studied from an early age in many traditions such as: Bhakty, Surya , Astanga, Prana Flow, Kriya, Raja, Tantra and Ayurveda. She has been a direct student of Swami Kriyananda (Kriya Yoga disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda) from the early nineties, Patthabi Jois (the founder of Astanga Yoga) and a very dedicated student of Shiva Rea (Prana Flow Yoga) for the past 12 years. She is a Senior Yoga Teacher SYT with Yoga Alliance UK. This accreditation sets excellent standards as set by the Yoga Alliance UK. Alessandra has been teaching Yoga for the past 11 years. She runs inspiring and challenging Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes, events and Workshops where she aims at integrating the ancients techniques of yoga into our contemporary living. She is the founder of Aditya Yoga School and offers Vinyasa Flow Foundation 200hrs and Advanced 300hrs Teacher Training Programs accredited and Registered with Yoga Alliance UK. Alessandra holds a Master Degree in Electronic Engineering from The University ” La Sapienza” in Rome, Italy with a major on the Electromagnetic Field of the Human Body. She has done studies in Nutrition and has lived according to Yogic and Ayurvedic principles for nearly three decades.

Sarah Platt-Finger is the co-founder of ISHTA Yoga with her husband, Yogiraj Alan Finger, ranked one of the top 7 yoga studios in Manhattan by Citysearch. She is a celebrity renowned yoga teacher who also leads trainings and workshops internationally. Her signature class, “Sweat and Samadhi” has been featured in Well and Good, Yoga U Online and Origin magazine. She is a brand ambassador for Lululemon and on the Board of Directors for Exhale to Inhale, a non-profit organization that teaches yoga to survivors of domestic violence. Her daughter, Satya, inspires her every day to live a life based on love and unbound potential.

Kerill is a dedicated yoga practitioner whose fundamental motivation in teaching is to work with the integrity of the body as a means of accessing the alignment of the breath and spirit. She has a true love of the yogic tradition, modern sciences and the nitty gritty of life. Bringing these together with a touch of humour, she challenges students to step outside their habits and break free of their self-imposed limitations. She believes strongly in the power of breathwork and mindfulness as means of accessing the deep recesses of the mind body connection. It is through this that she sees the true workings of yoga in practice.

Kerill is a Yoga Alliance Experienced 500 Hour Teacher, a registered PreNatal Teacher and has undergone  extensive training as a Yoga Therapist, in Pranayama and in specialized anatomy. She has had a dedicated Ashtanga asana practice for over a decade and has been teaching for over 6 years.

She regularly holds specialised yoga workshops in Australia, China and Macau. She has introduced and remains the only Mysore teacher in Macau.

Kerill is inspired by Michel Besnard, Roslyn Ying, Paul Dallaghan, Arielle Nash-Degagne, Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Carlos Pomeda.

Pranidhi Varshney is a devoted ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher, and the founder of Yoga Shala West, a community-supported ashtanga yoga studio in West Los Angeles. She teaches to share the deep love she has for ashtanga yoga and for all students who follow this path. She aims to cultivate, for herself and for her students, a sense of balance on and off the mat- simultaneous strength and surrender. Her goal is to inspire her students to build a regular practice, for committing to practice is the surest way she’s found to live an authentic, compassionate life.

She also has a deep passion for the arts, and has released an album of Sanskrit chanting. Pranidhi is active in the global yoga community, working as a Yoga Gives Back ambassador and sitting on the advisory board of the Yoga and Body Image Coalition. Through all her work, she aims to inspire, provoke, build community, and ultimately touch the heart.

Kiyomi is a dedicated and passionate practitioner and teacher of Yoga and Meditation. Helping others lead joyful lives guided by deepest heartfelt desires is her primary intention. Her teaching vibe is light-hearted, yet energizing. rich with detailed instruction, encouragement and modification. She is a certified YogaWorks Teacher, Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher, IKYTA-certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher, a Certified Yoga Therapist (LMU) and a certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

Kiyomi teaches group and private classes at yoga studios and corporate clients, leads teacher training and workshops at studios, events and festivals in Los Angeles and internationally.

After thirty years of running, cycling, and competitive sports, Pete was astonished to learn that his biggest challenge and adventure would happen on a yoga mat. Pete spent several years and over 600 hours training with world renowned yoga instructor Ana Forrest. It is through this experience that he learned how to compassionately guide students of all levels through a vigorous yoga practice with integrated breath work and awareness.

Known for his joyful energy, compassionate guidance, and sense of humor, Pete creates a spiritual yet light-hearted environment for his students to uncover the deeper benefits of yoga. He is ERYT-500 registered and graduated from the Forrest Yoga Teacher Training program in 2006, he is on staff as one of Yoga Tree’s teacher trainers. He also teaches yoga at Yoga Festivals and Conferences including the Yoga Journal Conference, Asia Yoga Conference, Wanderlust, Tadasana Festival, and Bhaktifest.

Simona teaches vibrant, soulful classes with creative sequencing. She lives yoga as a spiritual practice and is passionate about sharing it as powerful techniques that help us cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves and each other to live more fully from an open heart. After discovering her love for yoga 8 years ago, Simona has been practicing in a variety of styles – from Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Dharma Mittra, Jivamukti, Sivananda, Yin to Acro yoga. She is grateful to all her teachers who inspired her and opened her to deeper levels of the practice. On her travels she has spent several months in India, deepening her yoga practice and connecting to its ancient tradition. She trained in London with her teacher Alessandra Pecorella and is a certified Vinyasa Flow teacher with Yoga Alliance UK.

Kathryn Budig is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher and author known for her accessibility, humor, and ability to empower her students through her message, “aim true.” She is a warrior for self-acceptance, honesty, and helping her students and readers find true balance. The Kansas native graduated from the University of Virginia with a double degree in English and Drama before moving to Los Angeles, where she trained under the tutelage of Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller. You can practice with Kathryn around the world at workshops, festivals, and conferences, or save yourself the plane ticket by practicing with her weekly online at Yogaglo.com.

Amanda is a dedicated student and teacher of Yoga in Traverse City, Michigan. She studied Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yoga Therapy at Abhijna School of Yoga in Varkala, Kerala, India. In 2012, she spent the year as an ESL and Yoga instructor in Seoul, South Korea. Through taking her practice abroad, she was able to experience Yoga as a universal language, bringing people to a place of shared gratitude, compassion, and community. The practice of Yoga has allowed Amanda to experience the freedom of standing in her personal power. She feels privileged to work toward providing women and children the opportunity to experience the peace and empowerment that Yoga has gifted her.

David began yoga in 1989 and within a few months began learning Ashtanga Yoga with Guruji, K. Pattabhi Jois. He’s made numerous trips to Mysore, where he also began studies in Sanskrit, chanting and yoga philosophy. Today his studies continue with Vidwan Srikantha Shastri of the Veda Geetha Foundation in San Diego, CA. Blending physical with philosophical David aims to ignite a dedication to daily ongoing practice so that people can come to actualize Guruji famous quote, “Practice, practice, practice… all is coming!”

A Los Angeles native with French and Tahitian roots and a deep passion for world travel, Stephanie Crochet embraces different cultures and all ways of life. In 2013, Steph completed 500 hours of Teacher Training at YogaWorks with mentor Kia Miller. That same year she quit her job as a successful recruiter to pursue a passion and career in yoga. To this day, she’s never looked back and continues to manifest her dreams. Steph believes when we live from a place of being calm, clear minded and stress free; one can connect to their unique truth and light!

The daughter of a jazz pianist, Marti Nikko spent her childhood in nightclubs, absorbing the art and wisdom of many great musicians. Enthralled by what she heard, she began to sing and perform her own music, infusing her innate grasp of jazz and soul into a warm, natural voice. Marti met DJ Drez shortly after high school, when they began performing and recording together. Over nearly two decades, their collaboration has become an intimate musical language that effortlessly translates into and between many styles of music, including hip hop, reggae, kirtan, jazz and soul. Listen to any of DJ Drez’s albums and you’ll hear Marti Nikko’s unmistakably rich and nuanced voice. Her first full-length album — due out in early 2015 on Black Swan Sounds — combines her instinctive musicality with deeply devoted mantra practice. In addition to Marti’s talents as a singer, songwriter and performer, she teaches yoga and pilates in Los Angeles where she and Drez live and love their 10-year-old son. 

Aparna Khanolkar is a Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. She teaches workshops and works privately with clients in retreats and intensives. The focus of her work is on wellness as a way of life and that one’s lifestyle directly contributes to longevity. She is an advocate of practical Ayurveda for the Westerner. A former chef of the Chopra Center, she is a an author, speaker and creator of several programs for women.

Wilmien is the Owner and creator of One Flow, a personalised system that combines Eastern Practices like yoga, Qi Gong and meditation with Nutrition and lifestyle for true health and wellbeing.  She still continues her studies and practice in Qi Gong and yoga today whilst actively teaching at various studios as well as working for The Life Centre and Yogacampus as their expert marketing and communications consultant. She has her own blog and some of her articles have been published in Runners World Magazine. She has previously reached out in the community working with On the Right track. On the Right Track was a two year project (April 2011 — March 2013) funded by Comic Relief. It provided a range of activities to improve young people’s access to counselling and several well-being services, such as yoga and other movement activities. www.oneflow.guru

Lauren Peterson (E-RYT 500), is a well-respected yoga instructor who travels worldwide teaching workshops andteacher trainings. She has been practicing yoga for over 25 years, and teaching since 1992. She had the privilege to study with, and assist, Chuck Miller for over 10 years. Chuck taught her through fourth series in the ashtanga yoga system. She has also played with the first few poses of fifth series as shown to her by Richard Freeman.

 Lauren has been featured in the television series Healing Quest, and in Yoga Journal Magazine, for the yoga program she started at the Monte Nido Eating Disorders Center for women struggling with eating disorders.

She teaches classes at Malibu Fitness and at her studio, The Yoga Salon, in Los Angeles.

Founder & Director of Spirit Yoga Studio/ Spirit International Yoga School in Osaka,Japan since 2007.

Haidar was born in Bagdad, Iraq, as the youngest member of a family of nine.  His mother tongue is Arabic, but also speaks English, Japanese and Thai. At the age of 13, Haidar started Taekwondo to increase strength in body and mind, and built self confidence. At the age of 16, he started yoga for better understanding of himself.  Haidar believes that Yoga is a philosophy that teaches us how to live our lives & discover ourselves to be close to perfection but no one is perfect.
”Find Happiness Through Sharing Happiness”—During my first yoga trip to Rishikish, India in 2004, I saw this inspirational words in the gate of a temple wihch really touched my heart at that moment. India is a home of yoga and we can’t forget to give back as much as we can to make some positive changes for people there. I believe I am here in this life to give back to anyone who need our help and supporting them is one of my responsibility as a yogi. Never Give Up My Friends.”

Stephanie began practicing yoga in 2001 in Houston, TX. Once she found Ashtanga Yoga, she quickly started adapting the practice as a lifestyle and wanted to know everything. In 2007, she moved to Los Angeles primarily to be a part of a thriving Ashtanga community.

In January of 2014, Stephanie founded Spring St. Shala an Ashtanga Yoga collective in Houston and feels truly blessed to have had the opportunity to practice with so many amazing teachers and students of this practice. Her goal is to share this beautiful practice and to grow the Ashtanga Yoga community in Houston.

“YGB, immediately resinated with me, growing up with a working single mother that faced many obstacles and worked very hard to provide for my sister and I. I am honored to be part of a foundation that empowers women and gives them accesability to micro credit programs, vocational training and educational assistances to make changes in their lives. Yoga has made such an impact on my life and also seeing the benefits in my students lives is a true gift. I am greatful to be a part of YGB and express my grattitude to Mother India for giving us this beautiful practice.”

Drez blends yesterday’s roots with the innovative urban beats of today. His accomplishments during his gradual evolution from Hip Hop DJ to World Music Taste Maker have made him one of the top DJs and producers in LA’s eclectic music scene. When he isn’t in the studio producing, spinning at an underground Hip Hop club or jamming with local artists in impromptu late night sessions, you might find him on his yoga mat. Drez’s unique talents are highly in demand at yoga classes and retreats, as well as, nightclubs and music festivals from Europe to Asia. His trailblazing, genre-bending body of work has been documented in magazines ranging from The Source to Yoga Journal.

Shannon has been practicing yoga for 18 years and teaching for 7 years. She is a certified Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher who resides in Chicago and teaches at YOGA NOW CHICAGO.  Shannon has studied with many different teachers and her style is her own unique combination of challenging poses, creative sequences and heartfelt messages/inspiration that she loves to share with her students. Her goal is to simply help share this beautiful gift of yoga and it’s amazing ability to bring all beings and things more into “union”. She challenges herself and her students to take the beautiful lessons learned in body, heart and spirit off the mat and into the world where the gifts of yoga can be shared most fully.

Guru Jagat is founder of RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology, a premier yoga school located in Venice, California offering classes, workshops and group cleanses. She has launched RA MA TV, as well as the indie yoga music label RA MA Records with a mission to trailblaze a new genre of music for mass consumption-in and out of the yogaspace, on the dance floor, radio and beyond. Deemed the modern face of Kundalini Yoga, Guru Jagat brings a fresh perspective to this ancient practice. Guru Jagat studied under Yogi Bhajan, the Kundalini Master responsible for bringing the practice to the US. Her profound classes that teach Kundalini as a technology that can be used as a tool to achieve and sustain long-lasting happiness have earned her devout fans amongst Hollywood and LA tastemakers alike.

Nea is a KPJAYI level II authorised teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. She has been making annual trips to Mysore to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute since 2006 and received the blessing to teach in 2010. Originally from Sydney, Nea has shared her love of Ashtanga Yoga with students in Australia, China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Turkey and now Dubai, where she runs Ashtanga Yoga Dubai, the only KPJAYI authorised yoga school in the UAE. She continues to study with Sharath Jois in Mysore every year, where she is learning the Advanced A series.

Seane Corn is an internationally recognized yoga teacher known for her impassioned activism, unique self-expression, and inspirational style of teaching. As one of the world’s leading yoga experts, Seane has been featured in countless magazine articles and news programs including The Today Show, Oprah’s Sacred Spaces, NPR, and on the cover of over 27 magazines internationally. A strong and articulate voice for personal transformation and social change, she has utilized her platform to inspire and mobilize the yoga community in activating grassroots projects worldwide.  Since 2007, she spear-headed the organization Off the Mat, Into the World® (OTM),with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling, training leaders and raising awareness about global humanitarian issues such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic and sex trafficking. Since its start, OTM hasraised over $4.5 million through their Global Seva Challenge, which providesfunds for our many partners committed to serving communities in need. In 2005, Seane was honored with the “Conscious Humanitarian” award for her efforts in raising funds and awareness around the HIV/AIDS crisis. In 2013 she was honored with “Global Green Millennium Award” for her international outreach efforts and as an acknowledgment to OTM’s commitment in creating environmentally sustainable service projects worldwide. In 2013 the Smithsonian Institute also honored her for her ongoing commitment to yoga and activism. Seane has been seen in many documentaries on spiritualty and yoga including Yoga Is, Y Yoga, Titans of Yoga, Femme, The Invocation and Yoga Woman and has contributed to the books The Poetry of Yoga and Yoga and Body Image. Seane has many self-authored yoga DVD’s available through Gaiam, Yoga Journal and Sounds True, and is deep in the process of writing her first book.

Stan Woodman is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher for the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI), in Mysore, India and the co-owner of Kaia Yoga (www.kaiayoga.com), the largest integrative wellness center in Connecticut. Having first met Sri K Pattabhi Jois in NYC 2001, Stan eventually went to the source in Mysore India in 2003 to study with Guruji. Since then, he has made several trips to the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, studying with its founder until his death in 2009 and eventually with Jois’ heir and grandson, Sharath Jois. Today, Stan continues his yearly pilgrimage to Mysore to study at the KPJAYI with Sharath. He also heads the Ashtanga Mysore program at Kaia Yoga in Greenwich, CT. He is often found offering workshops at Wanderlust, Kripalu, Omega Institute and International Retreats. Stan has been featured in numerous magazines including Fitness, More, Organic Spa and Mantra Yoga & Health Magazine.

An avid extreme sports enthusiast, Stan loves a good challenge, especially when snowboarding or skateboarding. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Gina, and their two children.

Marysia began practicing yoga when she was 16 years old. Yoga is her continual source of strength and peace. Marysia teaches empowerment by believing in her students and their ability to achieve their goals. She is also a handstand enthusiast! In addition to teaching yoga Marysia is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. She grew up in New York and then relocated to Los Angeles where she attended USC and YoSan University for college and graduate school. In 2013 she moved to Singapore with her amazing husband and teaches yoga at Pure Yoga.

Steph lives on the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey, which is only 25 square miles, so nowhere is far from the sea! Nature is a huge inspiration for her classes and she loves to take her participants outdoors in the summer months to connect with the Earth’s energy. She has been teaching yoga for five years and also runs Pilates classes and Les Mills group exercise classes. Steph recently undertook some extra training with another YGB Ambassador and founder of My Kind of Yoga™ – Ann-See Yeoh – and shares her love for the intentional movement system which creates a simple, no-fluff and straightforward approach to yoga. Steph’s classes encourage a mindful practice, with participants being encouraged to feel the moves in their body and find the unique option that works for them, while staying true to the essence of yoga. Students are also encouraged to apply their intentions both on and off the mat, to fully embrace their yoga as a way of living, not just moving.

Daphne is a spirited, soulful artist and teacher originally from Texas. Since her initial yoga class over 20 years ago, she has explored merging her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She studied music at The University of Texas at Austin, Berklee College of Music, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, mantra music with kirtan master, Jai Uttal and sound healing with sound troubadour, Jonathan Goldman.

Her music has been featured on yoga music compilations with Shiva Rea and has released three albums, Mata (recorded on the island of Bali), Finding Water (recorded on the island of Kauai), Samahita Live (recorded on Koh Samui, Thailand).

While living on the island of Bali in 2008, Daphne was inspired by her friend and mentor, Ellen Watson and co-founded SpiritDance SoulSong (fusing together two of the oldest forms of healing on the planet… Singing and Dancing). Ellen brought decades of experience with her teaching movement meditation (from Esalen massage to the 5 Rhythms) and Daphne brought years of singing and working with students to find their true voice.  Ellen and Daphne lead annual SpiritDance SoulSong trainings and retreats in Bali and beyond.

Daphne completed her initial teacher training 12 years ago in Los Angeles specializing in kids yoga. She found joy & light working with little people and began branching out and teaching students of all ages. She is inspired by her friend and teacher, Shiva Rea, with whom she has completed multiple teacher trainings. She also embraces the teachings of Erich Schiffman, Mark Whitwell, Pema Chodron and Ammachi in her daily practice.

Michiko is one of the pioneers of fitness exercise in Japan, who was qualified as Oki Yoga Instructor in 2000. Her popular approach to physical practice is based on her own experiments and experiences. Michiko also uses props in many creative ways, which led her to innovate YogaBo (stick) as a tool. Michiko’s vision is “Yoga is for everyone.“ She continues to expand her yoga teachings to people with disabilities, psychological issues and Japan’s growing aging population. Her studio Body & Mind Yoga Studio reaches out to a local community. Michiko also teaches very popular classes nationally and internationally including Asia Yoga Conference, Korea Yoga Festa, and Bali Spirit Festival.

Neva Ingalls is a registered Yoga and Ayurveda lifestyle therapist with APPNA, an E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and Director of Inner Domain Yoga and Ayurveda Teacher Training School. She has a lifetime of practice and study of many branches of Yoga, Meditation, Sacred Dance and the Healing arts, thus is uniquely qualified to guide you personally into greater well-being on inner and outer levels.

Anjan began his yoga journey at the age of 6. Since then, he has attended and won accolades in more than 350 yoga competitions across India. Through the practice of yoga, Anjan has become a more mindful person and a tremendously knowledgeable teacher. He has been teaching since 1997 when he was still in high school. After acquiring qualifications for Rope Yoga, Kids Yoga, Thai Massage, Pilates Mat and Reformer, PG Diploma in India, as well as studying B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga, Sarbhabharatya Sangift and Sanskrit Parishad, Ratna Yoga, he now teaches Yoga and Pilates in Pure Yoga, HK. He also teaches at the  Cancer Fund and other charitable  organizations in HK and other countries.

Christine began a dedicated Ashtanga practice in 2001. The practice is a keystone, which uses the laboratory of the body to entrain fundamental patterns that ripple into other facets of her life. The Ashtanga practice continues to fascinate and surprise her. Her passion for the practice and for sharing it in the traditional way inspired her to begin to learn to teach this method in 2007. David Keil (yoganatomy.com) has been her primary teacher since 2006. She continues to practice with him several times a year, so that she always remains a student first. She was fortunate to make one trip to Mysore, India to practice with Sharath Rangaswamy in 2013. Christine is also a licensed massage therapist (NC license # 15593) specializing in connective tissue therapy and structural integration. You can learn more about her massage work at themovementpuzzle.com.

Jessica Walden is a long time Ashtanga yoga practitioner, teacher, and mother. She’s spent a lot of time in India and was granted a Teaching Authorization Certificate (Level 2) from the KPJAYI in Mysore. Jessica has also worked in organic food production for over 20 years. 4 years ago, Jessica suffered a major spinal injury and was diagnosed with a severe spinal condition. While initially this injury caused a lot of fear and pain, Jessica used it to inform how she would not only practice yoga from that day forward but how she would approach life. With an awareness of what is happening on the inside and an observance of how to access the subtle energies deep within, she has cultivated a gentle strength, grace, flexibility and relationship with her practice and with life. <br>Jessica’s approach to her teaching is to use humor, stories, and techniques for students that help them to find their own strength, grace, and effortlessness in their practice.

Bea Whitton is a Jackson Hole, Wyoming based Yoga teacher. Her passion for fitness, wellness and a holistic lifestyle began while living in New York City. During this time she received her 200 hr yoga teacher training at Yoga Vida Studio. Bea also received an additional 100 hours of yoga training, studying under Yogrishi Vishvketu in Rishikesh, India. Bea left behind New York City life and moved to Wyoming in early 2016, relocating to an outdoor-focused, healthy environment where she feels her interests and passions are best suited. Bea is also a certified Vipassana Meditation and spinning instructor.

Tim Feldmann is the director of Miami Life Center, the yoga shala he founded with his wife Kino MacGregor and runs with Matt Tashjian. He was set on the yoga path by his first teacher Lino Miele and is Authorized to teach directly by the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Method, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, R. Sharath Jois. A practitioner of the Advanced A series Tim is dedicated to Ashtanga Yoga’s traditional method.

“The body is the way to our spirit, to our true Self. That’s what asana is for”.

A near fatal falling accident in 1992 led Tim on the yogic path. His teaching integrates extensive studies of F.M. Alexander Technique and sitting meditation with 20 years of experience as a professional dancer and an internationally acclaimed choreographer. His in-depth knowledge of functional anatomy, alignment as well as the idiosyncratic body and mind in stillness and in motion creates the platform upon which his solid understanding of the Ashtanga method rests.

Tim’s humorous, straight forward yet profound teaching style makes him a cherished teacher, traveling extensively throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.

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As a lifetime student of Yoga and a mother of three boys, Gwen finds balance, compassion, peace and resilience in her practice on the mat and endeavour to bring these teachings into her daily life. Gwen is committed in sharing the multitude offerings of yoga practice and is in constant awe of the all the benefits it brings – physical, mental, emotional and psychological.

Gwen’s teaching is shaped by her first teacher, Wanda Hewitt. Gwen feels a deep gratitude to, and draws inspiration from the wise and knowledgeable Judith Hanson Lasater and Tiffany Cruikshank from Yoga Medicine where she learnt how to heal herself and help others.

When Gwen is not studying or teaching, she can be found running after or with her family of boys, and traveling around the world to explore the magic and vibrancy of our beautiful planet. Mostly, she strives to stay present within all the complexity that life presents.

Mandy Ingber, The New York Times best-selling author of Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover and creator of the yoga-hybrid DVD YOGALOSOPHY, is a celebrity fitness and wellness expert. Her twenty years of teaching experience have attracted such clients as Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Helen Hunt, Ricki Lake, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Meyer, and Brooke Shields.

YGB’s core mission to “give back” and support women through micro-lending truly resonates with me as an effective and empowering approach for Indian women, tackling poverty at its roots. It allows me to to express my gratitude for India’s transformative teachings that I embraced more than 20 years ago, while being of service. I also truly enjoy working with YGB: a wonderful team of visionary and kind individuals.

Janná is a Certified Prana Flow®: Energetic Vinyasa yoga instructor, who is passionate, dynamic and creative. Her first exposure to yoga was as a child, witnessing her mother practicing in the early seventies. In late 2007, a serious but unrelated neck injury forced a lapse in Janná’s teaching and performance schedule. While using her personal yoga practice as a method of healing, she attended one of Shiva Rea’s Prana Flow® teacher trainings and was so inspired that she immediately registered for the certification program.  Ever-expanding her practice, Janná is currently earning the final 300 of a 500 hour certification in Prana Flow®, she also assist Shiva Rea in Prana Flow® teacher trainings, and has begun her Living Ayurvedic Consultant certification.

Denise Woods is a classically trained dancer with a degree in Dance and Communications from California State Long Beach. She has performed professionally in Los Angeles, New York City, and Santa Barbara. As a graduate of the Rainbow Kid’s Yoga and the White Lotus Foundation, she now teaches throughout greater LA. Teaching at various dance and Yoga studios, corporations and schools she has the opportunity to work in various settings and has learned to adapt to the unique needs of each class. Denise is continually inspired by the way Yoga can positively transform a life at any age by setting constructive thoughts and habits. Supporting the growth of two organizations that are dear to her heart she takes on the role of Ambassador to lululemon athletica Glendale and Yoga Gives Back. Denise finds the sparkle in each day by bringing out the essence of a person through the sacred practice of moving from within. By instilling a deep sense of joy, balance and awareness, her hope is that students take these virtues off the mat and into their lives. Denise is forever grateful to her teachers and students for all of the guidance and support along the way.

Ali Valdez is a RYT 500 with a profound life-long love for yoga and contemplative practice. She leads workshops and teacher trainings around the world and has been blessed with two amazing teachers: Andrey Lappa and Edward Clark.

YGB is thrilled to have Mara Healy as YGB Ambassador, who has taught TYMI at Yoga Flex, Charlotte for the lat two years!! Mara Healy is a Level 3 certified Universal Yoga teacher and yogini practitioner in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. She travels the USA teaching Universal Yoga workshops and Universal-based teacher trainings. She is fortunate to call Andrey Lappa, creator of Universal-Yoga, and Shiva Nata & a recognized Lama in the Karma Kagyu lineage, as her yoga teacher.

YGB is thrilled to welcome Denise Waling,dedicated yoga teacher and the owner of The Yoga Place LA (the yogaplacela.com) as YGB Ambassador!!!

Kim is a yoga teacher and healer known for her holistic approach to spirituality.