Shastri: Ashtanga, Dynamic Hatha -
Shastri is one of the most knowledgeable and respected traditional teachers of Hatha yoga in northern California. Besides Shastri's long-running classes for advanced  students at Avalon on Monday and Friday nights, he teaches yoga and Ashtanga in Avalon's Teachers Training program. Shastri has taught yoga and Indian philosophy for over three decades, beginning his career in North India as a teenager under the guidance of Shri Vishnu Prasadji. Aimed at experienced yoga students, Shastri's classes provide a rigorous cardiovascular workout combined with meditative practices that build physical flexibility, strength, endurance, and mental discipline. Shastri's Monday and Friday night Avalon classes are regularly visited by many of the top yogis in the Bay Area, and have a fun family atmosphere. He is a teacher's teacher in the best traditional sense.

Kelly McGonigal Ph.D: 
Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a key faculty member in Avalon's Teacher Training program, is a leading expert in the mind-body relationship and one of Avalon's most popular yoga teachers for students of all levels. Kelly's classes at Avalon offer a breath-centered flow yoga practice that fully integrates postures with meditative practices, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques. Her teaching style brings together influences from traditional yoga therapy and philosophy, Buddhist psychology, and Western medicine and science. The aim of each practice is not to mechanically perfect yoga poses, but to use the poses and other yogic practices to explore your own strength, compassion, and inner wisdom.

Kelly is a health psychologist at Stanford University and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. She is also the author of Yoga for Pain Relief (New Harbinger, 2009) and The Science of Willpower (Penguin, 2011), and a regular contributor to Yoga Journal. She is a frequent invited speaker at national yoga conferences. For more information on her work, visit http://kellymcgonigal.com.

Peter Kasson, M.D., Ph.D: Dynamic Hatha -
Peter Kasson received his M.D. and Ph.D. at Stanford University. Outside of Peter's career as a medical researcher, he is also an advanced yoga practitioner with deep roots in the Avalon community. He is grateful for the mentorship of many gifted teachers, both in yoga and clinical practice. His primary yoga teacher is Anirudh Shastri, and he has also completed teacher training with Dharma Mittra. Having taught and practiced yoga in the Bay Area for several years, Peter has recently joined the faculty of the University of Virginia Medical School. This year he has also joined the staff of the Avalon Teacher Training Program, where he will teach the anatomical and physiological sides of yoga practice.

Britta Henkenjohan: Vinyasa
Healer, dancer and “amateur” yogi most of her life, Britta started fully immersing herself into the world of Yoga with Avalon’s opening in 2002. Due to her position as Avalon’s general manager for almost 7 years, she had the amazing opportunity to study continuously under many masterful teachers, for which she is deeply grateful.

Britta graduated from the Avalon Yoga Teacher Training Program in Spring 2004 and is a student of Master Yoga teacher Max Strom and Sufi Master Shaykh Muhammad Sa’ id al-Jamal, one of the greatest living Sufi-Masters in the world. She has studied Healing Touch, The BodyTalk System, and Sufism over the past 6 years and interweaves the wisdom of her teachers into each class. When not teaching Yoga, you can find Britta in her healing-practice across from Avalon, where she is offering spiritual and energy based medicine.

Britta offers her teachings as a tool to build a bridge between body, mind, and spirit, in order to experience joy, freedom, peace, and self-healing. Her heart-opening classes focus on calming the mind and nervous system through a strengthening, breath-centered flow practice. Every student is encouraged to deeply listen within and to honor his or her individual needs and experience. As the outer is a reflection of the inner, by healing the self we are healing the world around us.

Jaclyn Long MA: 
Jackie Long has been teaching yoga to adults, infants, toddlers and children since 2001 and has long been another one of Avalon's most popular teachers: due to a growing family she no longer teaches regular yoga classes, but returns regularly for sold-out yoga Workshops, attended by her faithful students. Jackie holds a degree in neuropsychology from Princeton University and another in counseling from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. She has further training in meditation techniques at Ajahn Chah's Buddhist monastery in Thailand and in yoga from the late Swami Satchidananda (1914-2002).  Drawing on her diverse background, Jackie seamlessly weaves together wisdom from Buddhism, yoga, neuroscience and psychology in each of her classes.

Jackie has special expertise in developing family-oriented yoga practice. Jackie has created a DVD, Yoga With Your Baby, to help parents bring a mindful presence and a wakeful heart to their newborns. To find out more, visit Jackie's website at www.yogawithlove.com

Krassi Harwell CYT, CMT: Vinyasa
Krassi has been involved in dance and theater since childhood. In 1996 she discovered yoga and has been an avid student of the art ever since. In 2001 Krassi took a trip to India where she experienced many different approaches and teachers of yoga and received her teacher-training certification from Vivekananda Prashanti Kutiram Yoga Institute in Bangalore, India. Krassi's training was focused on integrating the spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of yoga within a physical practice. 

Chrissy Graham: Anusara -
Chrissy has been a student of yoga for 9 years, and is a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor. Her goal in starting a practice in Yoga was to heal her body, and to find a higher path of fulfillment and enjoyment in life.  Chrissy was first introduced to Anusara Yoga through a chance encounter with Emily Dubin, also a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor.

Following one year of introductory studies with Emily Dubin, Chrissy went on to study directly with John Friend, Anusara Yoga's creator. She has taken all of her teacher, and therapy trainings directly with John, and has accumulated over 350 hrs with him.

She has also studied with a number of other prominent Anusara teachers. In addition to her studies with John, she has studied with skilled teachers including Emily Dubin, Sianna Sherman,  Mitchell Bleier, and Amy Ippoliti. She has spent many hours studying in philosophical traditions of Rajanaka and Tantra with Dr. Douglas Brooks.

Chrissy presently teaches public classes, workshops, and mini Immersions all over the Bay area. She brings a dynamic, and supportive energy to her classes that blend philosophy, therapeutics, and insights from her own life.

Doris:
Hatha Yoga, Dynamic Flow, Partner Yoga, Restorative -
After graduating from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a degree in International Relations, Doris continued her studies in academia and received her Masters in Mass Communications. She began practicing yoga in 1996. Doris has studied extensively with Ben Thomas, a Senior Certified Iyengar teacher with over 30 years of experience. Doris received her teaching certificate in 2004. She also had the opportunity to study in San Francisco with the globally known restorative teacher, Judith Lasater at the Iyengar Institute in San Francisco, where she received her restorative teacher certification.

Doris draws on many styles of yoga, since she believes that each style deepens our understanding to the yogic path. She tunes into the unique needs of each student, whether it is building strength and flexibility or becoming more self-aware during his or her personal practice. She focuses on alignment, infusing balance, and creating space with each asana, since she feels that most injuries are caused by either being misaligned, by being out of balance or from a lack of space. She joined the faculty of Avalon's Teachers Training Program in 2010 and consistently gets rave reviews from the Program's students.

Janya Wongsopa, CAS, PKS, RYT:
Vinyasa-
Janya is a prominent graduate of Avalon's Teacher Training Program and now serves as a core member of its Faculty, teaching Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Restorative Yoga. Beyond her yoga training, Janya holds a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree from the California College of Ayurveda and American Institute of Vedic Studies. She has completed a 200 hours certification course in yogic meditation and Vedanta philosophy at Sivananda Ashram, Grass Valley as well as a 50 hours certification course in Somatic Psychology from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Janya had a very colorful past before settling into yoga professionally. She was a model and actress in her teenage years in Bangkok, where she grew up. She studied fashion design at the prestigious F.I.T. in NY and after her graduation went on to work for Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. 

Since 2003 Janya has been an avid student and devoted practitioner of Yoga and Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine). As a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist she guides her clients through diet and lifestyle changes in part using herbal medicines, five sense therapies, yoga and meditation. As a yoga teacher Janya emphasizes body and breath awareness. She weaves spiritual teaching of yoga into her classes, allowing students to connect with all aspects of themselves and gaining physical, emotional and mental health. Her teaching is gentle yet challenging. With her guidance and support she urges her students to take an active role in creating the optimum practice that fits their personalities. For more on Janya, visit  www.janyawongsopa.wordpress.com.

Louis Jackson: Yoga Fundamentals, Vinyasa, Dynamic Hatha -
Louis’ love of yoga blossomed while living in the 1990s in a Krishna ashram in Hawaii, where a fellow monk showed him a copy of B.K.S. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga.  After pledging to learn all 202 poses by himself, he injured his back and sought tutelage at Julie Lawrence’s Iyengar Studio in Portland, Oregon, where he learned to cool his fire and practice with impeccable alignment.  In the Bay Area, he began studying with master Iyengar Instructor Ben Thomas, who mentored him during his teacher training at Avalon Art and Yoga Center and taught him how to breathe.  He continues to draw inspiration from Avalon faculty members Anirudha Shastri, who gives him the dynamic beauty of Surya Namaskar (sun salutation), and Kelly McGonigal, who embodies yoga’s healing touch.  Most recently, Jill Miller’s YogaTuneup has taken him deeper into his core and brought a new  balance to his practice.

Louis’ classes are rigorous, deliberate, well rounded, and provide a strong foundation for deep exploration in personal practice. “It is only when the correct practice (abhyasa) is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that it can succeed.”  (T.K.V. Desikachar, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Book 1, Sutra 14.)

Misako Matsuoka, RYT, MSEE: Restorative Yoga, Yin, Vinyasa -
Misako, a lifelong student of yoga, holds degrees in Biology and Engineering, is a student of Chinese Medicine, and is a certified yoga instructor registered with the Yoga Alliance.

Misako’s first Teacher Training certification came from Avalon under the mentorship of Samantha Shakti Brown, a prominent certified Anusara teacher. Misako has since completed an advanced immersion in Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley, the world's leading expert in Yin; has been certified in Restorative Yoga with the founder of and best-known specialist in Restorative Yoga, Judith Hanson Lasater; and has studied the Shadow yoga style with Scott Blossom.

Misako is also a registered "Anusara Inspired" teacher, and continues to study Anusara with internationally known Anusara teachers including Kenny and Chrissy Graham, Sianna Sherman, and Anusara's founder, John Friend.

Misako hopes to share her belief with her students that yoga can offer opportunities to discover the healing and vitality of the body and to open the heart and mind.  Her classes offer a warm and grounding energy facilitated with a deep awareness of breath.

Ro Mamone: Slow Flow, Yin, Meditation  -
Ro began her yoga -practice in 1995 and has been a student for many years in the Buddhist tradition of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. Her background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker includes working with individuals, couples and families. Her yoga style integrates meditative breath awareness, directing the flow of energy through the body and alignment based teachings influenced by Zen/Yoga retreats (Patricia Sullivan), Iyengar Yoga (Ben Thomas) and Yin Yoga (Intensive Teacher Training with Sarah Powers). By interweaving these teachings, Ro's classes offer the opportunity for revitalizing the body and mind and cultivating inner awareness. This blend of practices also serves as an invaluable process for women preparing for the transformative experience of labor and birth.

Tony Giannetti Ph.D.:
Anusara Inspired -
Tony has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the California Institute of Technology, but also has a great passion for yoga. He values the practice for its power to enhance personal well-being. Tony started his practice in 2000 in the Anusara community of Los Angeles and completed his teacher training with Noah Maze and Naime Jezzeny. He continues to study with Sianna Sherman, Desiree Rumbaugh, and John Friend. Proper physical alignment and a fun light-hearted, non-judgmental, and supportive environment and community are key to the process of embracing our own personal truth and connecting to our inner-strength. Tony's classes focus on the proper knowledge and use of physical alignment principles to move into invigorating flow, build up to challenging poses, and heal and prevent injuries.

Annika Autumn Williams, R.Y.T.: Vinyasa (with Anusara Inspiration)  -
Annika Williams RYT was introduced to yoga while studying English Literature and Dance at the University of Oregon. Reflecting her dance and Yoga influences, her creative classes combine a flowing Vinyasa style with an emphasis on opening, strengthening, and healing alignment. She is known for her eloquent explanation of yogic postures, her ability to help students find freedom and healing in their bodies, and her skill in teaching beginning and advanced Yoga students.

Annika also works in the field of Yoga therapeutics with a leading physical therapy clinic in Portola Valley and Los Altos, helping clients to heal and rehabilitate from injuries, surgeries, and illnesses. Annika is a Yoga Alliance Certified graduate of the Avalon Yoga Teacher Training Program, where she apprenticed with Senior Iyengar Instructor Ben Thomas. She has also mentored with Anusara Instructor Samantha Shakti Brown for the last three years and is dedicated to the practice and study of Anusara. Beginning an additional mentorship with Anusara Instructor, Kenny Graham, she has also studied closely with teachers Anirudh Shastri and John Berg.

Mercedes Delaney: Slow Flow, Restorative, Yin, Pre-Natal, and Beginner-Level Classes -
Mercedes was introduced to yoga in 1998, when she started graduate school at the University of New Mexico.  Having a background in competitive sports, she was especially drawn to yoga practices that redirected her competitive impulses in inward directions, focusing on breath control and meditation.

In 2007 she received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Avalon's Teachers Training Program. In 2009 she completed an 18-month Mindfulness Training for Yoga Teachers course offered through Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Mercedes has completed level one of the Anusara Immersion program offered by Samantha Shakti, Stacey Rosenberg and Kelly Blaser.  She continues to study with a variety of yoga and
vipassana meditation teachers, including Tias Little, Kelly McGonigal, Max Strom, Sarah Powers, Mark Coleman, Jill Miller, and Anna Douglas.

Mercedes’ teachings focus on connecting the breath with the heart, moving the body in gentle flowing ways in sync with respiration. Her classes include mindfulness teachings which integrate meditation and self-study with traditional asana (posture) practices.

Bart DeGreef: Hatha (Vinyasa, etc.) -
Bart has combined yoga with a high tech career for more than 10 years. In 2006 he was introduced to Anusara by Samantha Shakti Brown. Since then, Anusara has been his main style of practice. In 2009, Bart completed an Anusara Immersion with Kenny Graham and in April 2010 Anusara Teacher Training with Stacey Rosenberg.

Since the summer of 2008 Bart has been teaching weekly semi-private classes. His private classes are based on Anusara and emphasize safety through proper alignment and sequencing.  He encourages practitioners to ‘play their edge’ in a safe and fun way. Bart continues yoga study and practice with major Anusara teachers, and therapeutic application of yoga plays a significant role in his work.

Michelle Duguay: Restorative Yoga -
Michelle loves the joy and peace that yoga brings, and has felt a deep connection to yoga since she was a child. A certified Hatha yoga instructor and Ayurvedic practitioner, she has studied many different yogic styles and has taught for many years. Her dance, gymnastics, modern plus holistic and alternative medicine background, along with her study of many different religious and spiritual practices, adds depth to her classes. Michelle guides her students in finding health and happiness in life, peace and grace in their practice, and an inspiration to express these feelings if life. Students describe her as energetic, fun-loving, and compassionate. Here at Avalon Yoga, Michelle teaches the restorative Classes for the Cancer Supportive Care Yoga Program of Stanford University Hospital A program free of charge for cancer patients and survivors, independent from their health care provider.

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