Teachers

Michelle began studying yoga in 1996 and quickly fell in love with its calming, balancing, and healing benefits. In addition, she was immediately drawn to the spiritual aspects of yoga; it felt true and authentic, a feeling that was reinforced as she gained a deeper understanding of yoga's ancient history.

When she discovered Yoga Shakti, she knew she had found a community that also valued practicing authentic yoga. At that time, she began studying the deeper, more esoteric aspects of yoga with her teacher, Jnana Nanda Bharati.

In 2005, Michelle received her certificate to teach yoga after completing Yoga Shakti's advanced studies training program. Using the ancient practices taught to her by her esteemed teacher, her class focuses on the breath, the foundation of any asana practice, and also on fundamental yoga postures which increase energy, strength, flexibility, and balance. These practices have helped her realize a calm, relaxed, happy way of being, and it is her intention to share the same experience with her students.

Ann Gray began practicing yoga with Judy Olsen Anderson, who led the way to yoga in 1970's Orange County. She studied with Erich Schiffmann whose teacher training program she completed in 1997. Today she practices and teaches in the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar and continues to study with the estimable Deborah Kuryan. In Ann Gray's classes, breath and movement are linked together as a way to move the body and quiet the mind. Postures are modified to accommodate individual needs. She welcomes students of all ages in all stages of yoga.

Valerie started practicing yoga in 2002, and began teaching in 2005. Her training in yoga asana has been through Yoga Shakti; additionally, she is studying ancient yoga philosophy through the Shakti Yoga courses offered by the studio. These courses have largely influenced her teaching style, as she aspires to help students cultivate not just strong and flexible bodies, but also calm and centered minds. She teaches in a flow style, sometimes dedicating part of each class to poses that develop a particular muscle group. Valerie is inspired by the integrity of her students, and enjoys helping them discover the power and potential that is unique to their own bodies. Through her calm but focused style of teaching, she is motivated to help each student explore the same, limitless benefits that she enjoys through her own yoga practice.

Holly was drawn to the non-competitive nature of yoga asana and began her yoga practice at the age of 18. In a short period of time, she had developed a body awareness that allowed her to shed excess weight. She had struggled for years with overweight and had tried many different weight-loss regimens, but it was yoga asana that was effective and she soon had a regular practice.

From 1998 to 2004, she was affiliated with Cloud 9 Yoga School and completed both the 200 and 500 hour training modules. During that time she had a modest but successful teaching practice in Long Beach, mentored recent yoga teacher trainees and was en route to becoming a member of ‘LA’s hip yoga scene’.

Having previously been taught a westernized approach to the practice, Holly experienced authentic yoga for the first time at Yoga Shakti in 2004. It was then that her yogic education truly began; she has been studying the internal aspects of yoga with Diana Pipaloff and Jnana Nanda Bharati ever since. In 2007, she re-certified with Yoga Shakti’s 200hr Teacher Training course and completed Yoga Shakti’s Advanced 300hr Teacher Training in 2010.

Holly's passion and expertise is in prenatal yoga and she teaches the Prenatal Program at Yoga Shakti. The prenatal yoga classes are designed to give an appropriate workout for an expectant mother, to create a state of internal relaxation and to assist in preparation for childbirth. The Prenatal Program at Yoga Shakti has helped hundreds of women maintain strength and comfort during their pregnancies.

Holly also teaches a regular class with creative sequencing and internal focus. She shares her excitement and enthusiasm so that advanced students feel motivation to deepen their practice and those newer to yoga will experience a focused practice with results.

Holly is also part of the Yoga Shakti Mentor staff as well as the Youth Yoga Team. She is currently working towards a BS in Nursing with a focus on Midwifery in order to expand her knowledge, passion and practice of the Yoga of Birth.

I started doing yoga about 20 years ago while teaching exercise in a health club in Brentwood CA. I’ve always been interested in personal growth and spirituality, so yoga was a natural inclination. For many years my yoga practice was on and off. I only became truly immersed in yoga after studying at Yoga Shakti with Jhana Nanda Bharati and Diana Pipaloff. Prior to studying at Yoga Shakti I was only aware of the physical limb of yoga, the asanas or poses. When I discovered that there was an entire philosophy and practice that dated back thousands of years and was available for study at Yoga Shakti studio, I was deeply interested. Through the experience of studying with these authentic teachers, I realized that there truly is a science to yoga that brings health and happiness to the body and mind. I was in my late forties and was hoping to find a practice that would deepen my experience of life. The shine had worn off a lot of material things and achievements. And so, since my first class with Jhana Nanda Bharati and Diana Pipaloff, I have been blessed to be a part of the yoga studies at Yoga Shakti. I took the advanced studies teacher training and found the joy of teaching yoga to others. I also learned how to develop a yoga program for kids with the help of Jhana Nanda, Diana and three other yoga teachers at the studio. We all work together, grow together and practice our yoga together at Yoga Shakti. It has all been wonderfully life-changing.

Shortly after Lynn was introduced to yoga, she found the Yoga Shakti studio in Huntington Beach. She immediately felt at home there and began to deepen her practice and love of yoga through the Yoga Shakti courses.

Lynn completed her teacher training at Yoga Shakti and is now certified through Yoga Alliance. Through her continued yoga practice and study, she has acquired the tools for obtaining calm, focus, introspection, and a feeling of well-being. It is Lynn’s confirmed desire to share these gifts with today’s youth. Lynn jumped at the chance to help develop and teach the Yoga Shakti Youth program. To each class that Lynn teaches she brings her eagerness, vitality and excitement. Her wish is that children attain strength and equanimity that will carry them through the trials that today's youth encounter and that they use the profound tools that yoga offers to help them become happy, self-realized, and accomplished adults.

Joy possesses a wonderful calm which permeates her classes. She began practicing yoga in 1999 during her first pregnancy. Through yoga she found rejuvenation and upliftment. A strong interest in the ancient science and culture of yoga, the Vedas and Ayurveda was sparked when she read the Bhagavad Gita. Joy deepened her yoga studies and practice when she discovered Yoga Shakti and the Shakti Yoga courses. Wanting to share her sense of inspiration, well being and belief that yoga can change our lives with others, Joy trained at Yoga Shakti and began teaching in 2004.

Tom became interested in yoga as a young boy when he read a book entitled "Beyond Biofeedback" in which the authors used biofeedback equipment to monitor the internal physiological states of meditating yogis. Shortly after reading this book he received transcendental meditation training (as taught by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) at a meditation center in Laguna Beach. He has been practicing asana and pranayama regularly since attending his first yoga class in 1991. Tom was certified as a flow yoga instructor after training with Ganga White and Tracey Rich at the White Lotus Foundation in 2002. He studied skeletal structure and comparative anatomy with Paul Grilley at the Santa Barbara Yoga Center in 2004 and studied Patanjali's yoga sutras, here at Yoga Shakti, with Jnana Nanda Bharati in 2006. His personal practice has been influenced by many instructors including; Sharon Gannon and David Life from the Jivamukti center in New York, Golden Bridge Yoga's Gurmukh, and Brian Kest at Santa Monica Power Yoga.

Mary has been practicing yoga since 1993. She came to yoga in search of a better way to find true health, strengthen her body, gain flexibility, stamina and find peace of mind. She has practiced several different styles of yoga but once arriving at Yoga Shakti in 2002 found a home for her yoga practice. She has participated in Shakti Yoga since it's inception at Yoga Shakti. She is part of the Yoga Shakti Family and received her training in the very first 200 Hr Teacher Training Program at Yoga Shakti. Mary feels truly blessed to be able to deepen her practice and continue with her spiritual studies with her esteemed Teacher, Jnana Nanda Bharati. She feels honored to be passing on the heritage of yoga to her students by gently helping them gain peace of mind and good health through a practice that comes from the heart. Mary believes yoga is a great gift that can be accessed by anyone despite their fitness level.

After many years working in the corporate world, Molly came to yoga in search of finding balance and a way of being that brings health and happiness to the body and mind. She has always been drawn to personal and spiritual growth and feels grateful to have been introduced to Yoga Shakti Studio.

In 2008 Molly enrolled in the Studio’s Advanced Yoga Studies and Teacher Training program to further her practice both spiritually and physically. As a result she found a love of sharing yoga with others and began teaching in 2008. She also discovered yoga philosophy and knew she had found her path to deepen her experience of life.

Her path is to continue her studies and practice. Molly aspires to help students not just physically but also experience a sense of inner peace. She believes yoga can be for anyone despite his or her age or fitness level and can be a life changing practice.

Carlyn's dedication to Yoga began in 2001 while she was living in the United Kingdom. Since then, she has completed the 500hr teacher training in prana vinyasa flow yoga, traveled twice to India, and has now returned to the US.

Prana flow is an energetic, creative full spectrum approach to embodying the flow of yoga created by Shiva Rea. This practice has allowed Carlyn to deeply understand the importance of the flow in life and in Yoga. "My passion for working with people and enhancing the lives of others has been ever evolving. I feel blessed to have come across the path of Yoga and to be able to share that with whoever comes into my path."

Bill Russell has studied many forms yoga and weaves them together to meet the specific needs of his students’ bodies, minds and spirits. He graduated from Yoga Tree’s 200-hour certification program in 2007. He has studied Kriya yoga with Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, Kundalini yoga at Guru Ram Das Ashram, Naad yoga--the yoga of divine sound--and Kirtan with Bhagavan Das, as well as Tantric philosophy and Sanskrit. He has also studied Soto Zen Buddhist meditation and Transcendental Meditation, and has led yoga and meditation classes in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County and Melbourne, Australia. He currently lives and serves at Prema Drala Ashram in Laguna Hills, under the training of spiritual Master Louix Dor Dempriey. He specializes in a challenging, Iyengar-influenced vinyasa flow, where the mind is patiently brought to subtle actions in the body, in an effort to increase one’s inner awareness, endurance, focus, willpower, and strength. His classes are designed to take students deeper into their practice, incorporating more challenging postures and variations, pranayamas, and bandhas.

Kathy began practicing yoga over ten years ago, primarily to help stretch and balance muscles that were over used in other sports. Years of windsurfing and hard running were beginning to take their toll and Kathy found herself gravitating toward yoga as a means to bring balance back to her body. Over time, she found the practice brought a sense of balance and calm that extended to other areas of her life. Kathy began to deepen her practice in the winter of 2008 at Yoga Shakti Studio. She has studied Yoga Philosophy and Meditation under Diana Pipaloff and Master Yogi Jnana Nanda Bharati and completed the Yoga Shakti 200 hour Teacher Training course. Kathy believes yoga is for everyone regardless of age or fitness level. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her joy for the practice with her students.

I fell in love with yoga in my first class over ten years ago and immediately asked the teacher how I could learn more. Over the next few years, as I taught creative dance, yoga helped me to find peace of mind during difficult times in my life. After I attended a 10-day yoga retreat with master yoga teacher Annie Carpenter that I knew that I wanted to teach. I completed the 200-hour teacher training with Annie Carpenter and Sonya Cottle in Los Angeles through Yoga Works in August 2007 and began teaching immediately thereafter.

I am continually practicing and glean from different styles including Iyengar, Vini Yoga, Anusara and mostly Vinyasa. I have grown to love Vinyasa style as it links movement and breath so completely with flowing movement. Strength, flexibility and balance are all key components to yoga, but I find benefits way beyond the body. I do yoga for my sanity... ok, peace of mind. :) Every day I look forward to sharing my passion with my students. Namaste.

Alexandra began studying yoga as a quest for deeper knowledge and understanding. While studying Psychology and Social Behavior at UCI, she repeatedly found herself unsatisfied with the explanations and nature of book learning. There was a fire inside driving her to seek direct experiences. Having observed her father practice meditation from a young age, she naturally turned to yoga. Previously a dancer, yoga became a fine replacement for the expression and challenging physicality that dance once offered as well as a pathway to self discovery.

Since discovering yoga, Alexandra dedicates herself to a disciplined practice, continuing her study in interpersonal and health psychology, nutrition, yogic philosophy, and yoga asana. The holistic approach to health and well-being that Yoga offers is one that will allow the practitioner to experience lasting effects within and become an exceptional student of life. Alexandra invites you to join her in a fluid and dynamic class, opening up the space for you to explore and discover the internal world.

Brynn has been a lover of yoga since the age of 11 and as a 15-year practitioner of yoga, she has studied with masters from many yogic traditions. A Registered Yoga Teacher since 2001 (under the tutelage of Karin O’Bannon at Yoga Works) she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Chapman University, where she explored psychology, social consciousness, philosophy and religious studies. Brynn’s continuing education includes post-graduate studies in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physics to further her understanding of the human body. With over 8 years of teaching experience, she has come to find a voice and style that synthesizes her interests in anatomical precision, philosophical eloquence and spiritual curiosity.

Brynn teaches an innovative blend of traditional yogic disciplines combined into unique and vigorous vinyasa flow sequences focused on synchronizing breath with movement. With equal attention is given to strengthening and stretching, her classes prime the body to become balanced, toned, supple, and free from injury. Guided into ease, practitioners in her classes challenge their boundaries and leave with a renewed feeling of invigoration and awareness.

Brynn strongly believes in the personal benefits of yoga, but also holds that the true purpose of yoga is to make the world better by bringing more consciousness and compassion into it, one yogi at a time. To help students bring their practices off their mats, Brynn posts monthly inspirational writings and musical playlists on her website (www.trueflowyoga.com).

Diana's thirst for the spiritual runs in her veins as she comes from a family of yoga practitioners; in 1850 her great grandfather practiced yoga in Eastern Europe. Her father had a very disciplined practice at the age of 15. Her mother also practiced and introduced her to yoga while still in her teens. Prior to discovering yoga Diana was seeking to find a true spiritual path. At the age of 16 she began intense study and practice of martial arts, became vegetarian and searched for understanding in the field of psychology. Through her martial arts training she also began the study of Eastern philosophy. Diana had an intense desire to have a true teacher, an authentic spiritual practice and to experience the mystical truths of the Universe. Her search led her to the practice of yoga. She delved into yoga with passion and devotion, knowing that she had found her path. Her dedicated yoga practice helped her through her BA Degree in Health Psychology from UCI, which she graduated Cum Laude. At this point she followed her heart and made the difficult decision to study yoga and Ayurveda and not pursue a Ph.D. After three years of study and practice she received her Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist Certificate from the California College of Ayurveda. The deep thirst for spiritual growth was not yet satisfied until she met her Guru Jnana Nanda Bharati. From their first meeting Diana knew Jnana Nanda Bharati was a true Yogi, with many years of dedicated and disciplined study with his Guru and other masters from the Himalayas, and an incredible ability to live in and balance the spiritual realm and this world. She is extremely grateful and blessed to be his student. Under her teacher she was initiated into the ancient, most highly respected and deeply esoteric lineage of Shri Vidya and the ancient Bhramanical Tradition, and has been continuing her intense spiritual studies with her Guru since 1999. She has a dedicated daily practice and her path is to continue her studies, live in accordance to the ancient Vedic ways and put her spiritual lessons to practice in her life. She is studying various Vedic sciences such as Yoga, Pranayama, Mantra, Tantra, Jhyotish, Ayurveda, Yantra, Puja and Sanskrit. She can trace Her Guru's unbroken lineage (Parampara) for thousands of years into ancient India. She is fully dedicated to the life transforming work of Shakti Yoga, which she teaches with her Guru and continues to inspire her students to turn inward, grow and find their spiritual self. She is certified at the highest level as a E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance.

Christine has been teaching Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga for five years, since completing her Ashtanga teacher certification with David Swenson in 2002. She has also taken workshops under many highly respected yoga teachers including Ana Forrest, Richard Freeman, Pattabhi Jois, Bryan Kest, Tim Miller, Shiva Rea and Rodney Yee. Her studies in other yogic disciplines include Shaktipat meditation, Kriya yoga, Simplified Kundalini Yoga, and Tibetan sound healing. Rehabilitating from a near fatal car accident and a serious back injury, along with Kriya Yoga training has taught her the importance of the breath and honoring where you are on a daily basis. Christine finds an immeasurable joy watching her students progress physically and spiritually and in facilitating a community of like-minded hearts. She creates a challenging and exhilarating experience for students, focusing on flexibility and strength.

Jnana Nanda Bharati has dedicated over twenty five years to intense study and training in the ancient texts of the Vedas and Tantras, under the guidance of his esteemed Teacher, as well as, other Himalayan Masters that his Teacher sent him to for specific training. His teaching expertise also includes texts such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Soundarya- Lahari, Vivekchuramani and the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. He is proficient in the various sciences expounded in the Vedas such as Mantra, Yantra, Tantra, Yoga, Pranayama, Jyotish, Vastu Shastra and Puja. Jnana Nanda Bharati hails from the ancient, most highly respected Shri Vidya tradition. His unbroken spiritual lineage (Parampara) can be traced back in India for thousands of years. This esoteric tradition is highly regarded and considered by most spiritual masters as the highest path as it integrates the wisdom of Vedanta with the practice and strict mental discipline training of Tantra and Raja Yoga. There are only a handful of people in all of India who are initiated into this practice.

Sarah began her journey into yoga the day her son was born and placed on her chest. The moment he looked into her eyes she had an awakening of a peace and tranquility that always lived inside of her that she was never aware of until that moment. She embarked on a journey from that moment on to seek out ways to keep this peace alive and awake inside her. In her search she studied and practiced Japa Meditation where she was able to create a quiet space inside herself as well as a hunger for more of this serenity in her everyday life. This search for peace is what drew her to yoga and peace is what she has found. The path to Yoga is often begun from the outside in but for Sarah it began on the inside and worked its way out to the physical practice of asanas. Sarah has such a fervent desire to share the benefits that Yoga has brought to her own life with any who care to learn. She studied under Diana Pipaloff in the Yoga Shakti 200 hour teaching certification program. She also has a degree in Psychology and has been a behavior therapist for children with pervasive developmental disorders for the past 10 years. Sarah enjoys taking each of her students through the journey of deepening there practice both spiritually and physically. Allowing each student to take there own pace she gives variations as well as adjustments to help them along the path.

Born into a family of yogis, Shanti Walling began to learn about the Indian culture and the philosophies of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda at a very young age. She received her first Mantara when she was five, and has continued her mediation practice ever since. At the age of 22, Shanti committed to a dedicated yoga practice, which eventually led her to Yoga Shakti. It was there that she completed her 200Hr Teacher Training with her teacher, Diana Pipaloff.

Shanti remains passionate about maintaining the integrity of the deep roots of yoga, which reflects in her classical, yet well balanced approach to teaching. She believes that the utmost important role as a yoga teacher is to create an environment where everyone can feel and experience accessibility to their own yoga practice. She is thrilled and inspired to have the opportunity to offer this to her students.

Shanti will be participating in Yoga Shakti’s Advanced 500HR Teacher Training in 2009 and is deeply committed to the everlasting learning experience of being a yoga practitioner/teacher.

Ivy graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting. In 1987 she left New York for sunny California! Pursuing a career as a freelance graphic designer, while somewhat profitable, didn't satisfy her. In 1989 her brother died suddenly and this first close encounter with death changed her forever. After a mourning period an awakening began, which led her to the path of yoga, opening her to meditation, metaphysics, astrology, breath work, energy healing, emotional healing, nutritional healing, chanting, intuition and empowerment.

In 1993 Ivy attended her first yoga class. The relaxation/meditation at the end of class felt like "coming home" and kept her "coming back". In 1996 she completed 150 hours at Santa Monica Healing Arts College earning certification for Massage Technician. In 2002 she volunteered to work reception at Full Spectrum Yoga in Newport Beach and soon was granted an opportunity to co-manage the studio and participate in teacher training. In 2003 she completed the 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training. Everything unfolded so naturally, effortlessly and beautifully.

Ivy integrates guided imagery, breath awareness, yogic philosophies and the higher mind, in a nurturing and supportive environment. Her classes include gentle asana and breath awareness to calm the mind, open the body, and invite length in the spine. Yin and Restorative yoga practices allow deep relaxation, integration and time for meditation and being. She loves turning people on to yoga and encourages the discovery of their own inner light, inner teacher, and skillful use of the transformative powers of yoga. All are Welcome! Ivy has been teaching yoga for 6 years and practicing yoga and meditation for 16 years. Ivy is devoted to living her spiritual life, teaching peace, inspiring well-being and consciousness. She believes in answering the call for restorative action and revitalizing our spiritual selves. Namasté.

Mariza was introduced to the science of Yoga when a friend invited her to attend a Yoga Philosophy course being offered through Yoga Shakti Wellness Center. Mariza knew early on that she wanted to share the experience of classical hatha yoga with others.

In 2006 she completed Yoga Shakti’s Teacher Training Program. Thanks to the guidance of Yoga Shakti’s Director Diana Pipaloff and esteemed teacher Jnana Nanda Bharati Mariza has gained a deeper understanding of the different practices of Yoga. From the philosophy, practices and subtle concepts of yoga to the history of ancient Vedic and yogic culture, the programs and loving community at Yoga Shakti have contributed in the development of Mariza’s internal well being as well as her abilities to guide students in their asana practice.

Today Mariza is dedicated to incorporating her spiritual studies into a daily practice and continues with her focus of the deeper, more esoteric aspects of yoga with her teacher Jnana Nanda Bharati. She invites you to experience an authentic asana class that incorporates ancient practices developed over 5000 years ago passed on to her by her teachers and the entire Yoga Shakti community. Through a sequence that incorporates classical sun salutes and a strong foundation of yoga postures Mariza’s class offers a well balanced asana practice that will increase your strength and energy while helping to calm your mind.

Celene Bond

Jon loves leading classes that are fun, safe and inspiring.

Originally introduced to breath work by his doctor, his full pursuit of yoga began as a form of stress management. After his first yoga class and the extraordinary feeling of relaxation while resting afterward - he knew he had found something great. For Jon teaching yoga is an important way to share his gratitude for what he has received.

Jon graduated from UCLA with studies in Economics and Cell & Molecular Biology. He certified as a Yoga Teacher at the 200-Hour Level after completing a teacher training through YogaWorks - Santa Monica and has studied since 1997 with Juris Zinbergs in the Viniyoga tradition. His own daily practice is a source for transformation and he continually seeks to further his understanding through additional training and study.

Jon welcomes all and provides encouragement, compassion and a sense of humor along the path.

Kathryn Carlson took her first yoga class at a summer camp when she was just 11 years old. She found it to be one of the defining experiences of her life and continued signing up for the class until the camp ended. She loved everything about yoga....the poses, the breathing, the history...and hoped to continue practicing even after the camp had ended. Later she found Yoga Shakti Studio and started taking classes there as often as possible through her years in high school. During this time Kathryn decided that some day she would become a yoga instructor. Thinking of it as a far off dream, she was excited to hear that Yoga Shakti Studio offered teacher training. Shortly after completing the training in 2008, she was invited to come teach at the studio that has been such a huge part of her yoga experience. Kathryn is very pleased to be teaching at Yoga Shakti Studio, and hopes to help bring the joy of yoga to many others.

Lauren Agresti was first introduced to yoga through her dance teacher in junior high school, and continued to take classes in Hatha Yoga until college. Six years later she took a class at Dhyana Yoga in Philadelphia, and later completed teacher training program there. Following the completion of the program, she enrolled in the Himalayan Institute’s advanced training program and is still a student there. She studies Raja Yoga, Sanskrit, Tantra and teaches Hatha Yoga, Meditation and relaxation. She is ever grateful to her wonderful teachers Rolf Sovik and Sandra Anderson of the Himalayan Institute.

Yoga feels natural and inviting to Lauren, and she is especially drawn to the discipline and surrender of it. She sees many connections between yoga and environmental protection/social justice, which are very important components of her life. Lauren is excited to learn new things everyday, especially when she is teaching. She loves to see students comfortable and encouraged, and above all enjoying themselves while being inspired by the amazing things our bodies and minds can do.

"It is the mind itself which builds the body." Fredrich von Schiller

After a lifetime of dance and competitive athletics, Debra discovered the Pilates Method in 1995 while studying dance at Riverside Community College and found herself at home with the body awareness and mindful movement of Pilates. It was clear to her that Joseph Pilates' Methodology was a great remedy for our society's sedentary lifestyle and lack of body awareness. She found in Pilates a method of developing true strength, not just the appearance of strength. In addition, she found the concentration on breathing and flow to be powerfully healing and a stress reliever. As a result, she studied to be a Pilates Instructor with the Physical Mind Institute and began teaching Pilates in 1996. Corporate America called to her and she stayed there for many years, but found her life lacking balance of body and mind. She longed for the healing movement of Pilates, so she decided to renew her dedication to teaching the Pilates Method by pursuing Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training with Dance Specialization at Body Arts & Science International. In her classes, she strives to help her students discover the healing potential in their own bodies made possible through the breathing, flow, and mindful movement of the Pilates Method.

Debra's classes focus on developing overall balanced strength and flexibility with special attention to strengthening the core, creating a power center for balance and strength in the body.

Yoshi spent the first few years of her life living at a Zen monastery in Los Angeles. Her father was a Zen master and her mother is an anthropologist and artist. From the time she was born her mother would cradle Yoshi in her arms while she meditated. Over time, this instilled a reverence for peace and an understanding for the passion, dedication and discipline that it takes to train in a spiritual practice.

Yoshi has been practicing yoga since 2002. She began yoga as part of her rehabilitation from a severe car accident that derailed her career path as a professional dancer. She was immediately drawn to the physical and spiritual blend of yoga. As a personal trainer and a tri-athlete, she was drawn to more physically demanding styles of yoga asana including Power Vinyasa and Ashtanga. A more challenging asana practice led to a deeper meditative state than she was able attain during her years of Zen training. In search of a more traditional and authentic spiritual practice, Yoshi discovered Yoga Shakti. She completed her 200-hr teaching certification and is continuing her 500-hr training under the guidance of Yoga Shakti’s Director Diana Pipaloff and esteemed teacher Jnana Nanda Bharati. She teaches a physically challenging asana practice while emphasizing the yogic ujjai breath. Yoshi is also finishing her Masters Degree in Archaeology at CSU Long Beach.

Julie fell in love with yoga 14 years ago, and she wishes to share her love of this transforming practice with everyone she meets. She graduated from UNLV with a degree in Psychology and has studied tap, ballet, jazz and modern dance forms most of her life. Seeking deeper meaning in life, yoga has proved to be the answer.

Julie completed yoga teacher trainings from the Yoga Sanctuary in Las Vegas and also from YogaWorks in Costa Mesa, and she continuously attends master workshops, retreats and yoga conferences. She has a dedicated daily practice, and she strives to continuously study with teachers from around the world. She is interested in helping to heal bodies and spirits through yoga and continues to study Yoga Therapy and Transpersonal Psychology.

With a strong background in Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha, and Yin yoga, Julie teaches powerful vinyasa flow classes that encourage a deep connection between breath and movement.

Elizabeth Peckenpaugh is a southern California native and grew up in a health conscious family with a great appreciation for the arts. She has an extensive career in the medical field; first as a radiologic technologist, MRI technologist and educator, and then starting her own medical transcription business as she raised her two children. The physical demands of computer work propelled her toward finding a gentle yet effective form of exercise for rehabilitation and postural correction. Thus began her passion for Pilates. As she continued to explore all that Pilates had to offer and witness the amazing results, she became excited about sharing that knowledge with others as a Pilates instructor; she certified through Balanced Body University and Orange Coast College. Being a Pilates instructor allows Elizabeth to utilize her lifelong acquired skills in medicine, dance, creativity and the concept of a mind-body connection in achieving optimal overall health.

Laura has studied yoga for the past 8 years. She completed 2 teacher certifications in 2003; one with Dianne Harman and one with Erich Schiffman.

In the past 7 years, Laura has established herself as a respected member of the Orange County yoga community. Her classes at the top two fitness facilities in the county are filled to capacity. She has collaborated with Lululemon on many community events with them.

Laura is continually expanding her yoga education by participating in ongoing classes, workshops and trainings by renowned yogis such as Max Strom, Erich Schiffman, Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest, Paul Grilley, and White Lotus’ Ganga White and Tracey Rich.

Since Laura comes from a very athletic background of kick-boxing, running and biking, she is passionate about offering a class where one can blend his/her athletic capabilities with the beauty and philosophy of yoga... "I enjoy offering a class that not only challenges one's endurance and strength, but their spirit and will as well." Laura's classes are powerful, creative and fun. She is always eager to go to another level in her own practice and in turn offer something new to the dedicated students that come to her classes week after week!