 |
Shastri: Ashtanga, Dynamic Hatha -
Shastri
is one of the most respected teachers of Hatha
yoga on the West Coast. Besides Shastri's long-running classes for
advanced students at Avalon on Monday and Friday nights, he plays
a critical role in teaching yogic philosophy in Avalon's Teachers
Training program. Shastri has taught both yoga and Indian
philosophy for over two decades, beginning his career in North India
under the guidance of Shri Vishnu Prasadji. Geared for experienced
yoga students, Shastri's yoga classes provide a rigorous cardiovascular
workout combined with meditative practices that build physical
flexibility, strength, and endurance as well as mental discipline.
Kelly McGonigal Ph.D:
Kelly
McGonigal, PhD, the co-director of the Avalon 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.
Jaclyn Long MA:
Jackie
Long has been teaching yoga to adults, infants, toddlers and children
since 2001 and is another one of Avalon's most popular teachers. She
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
Rebecca Snowball: Vinyasa, Anusara Inspired -
Rebecca
first discovered yoga 1994 through Marti Foster. Inspired by the
healing potential of yoga, she received her teaching certificate from
the White
Lotus Foundation
as well as her Communications degree from San Jose State University in
2000. Rebecca’s deep and soothing voice supports her personal mission
to help people by teaching Vinyasa flow with awareness and an open
heart.
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 Vivekanada 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. Please visit www.krassiyoga.com.
Samantha Shakti: Anusara -
Samantha Shakti is a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor who is
highly regarded for her depth of yogic knowledge and playful
storytelling skills. Sam began her studies 23 years ago and has been
teaching for 16 years. As a perpetual student she has learned from many
great masters from throughout the world, including India, where she was
given the name Shakti. Samantha is also a certified AcroYoga
Instructor and is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 certified teacher trainer.
Her years of experience and multiple certifications in massage and
energy therapy give her classes a unique quality that inspires embodied
freedom. In addition to being a premier teacher in Silicon Valley, Sam
teaches workshops, retreats and teacher trainings globally. She and her
husband Bradley founded the Shakti Yoga Shala on the grounds of Big
Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek CA. For more on Samantha, see www.shaktiyogashala.com,
www.bigbasinvineyards.com.
Ro Mamone: Pre-Natal & Yin Yoga -
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.
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.
Chrissys first meeting with Emily Dubin was a propitious one, indeed.
After
her first Anusara Yoga class, she new this was the style of Yoga she
wanted to immerse herself in, and she has been diving into the currents
of Anusara ever since.
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 highly skilled Anusara
teachers. In addition to her studies with John, she has studied with
fabulously skilled teachers, like, Emily Dubin, Sianna Sherman, whom
she now assists locally, and nationally, as well as Mitchell Bleier,
and Amy Ippoliti. She has adoringly spent many hours studying in the
Philosophical traditions of Rajanaka, Tantra, with Dr, Douglas Brooks.
Chrissy
presently teaches public classes, workshops, and mini Immersions all
over the Bay area. Chrissy brings a dynamic, and supportive energy to
her classes that blend philosophy, Therapeutics, and insightful wisdom,
from her own life experiences.
Michelle Duguay:
Hatha -
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.
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.
Bonnie Linde: Hatha -
Bonnie
came to yoga after a career in high-tech operations management, and
loved the way yoga made her feel, both physically and mentally. She
completed the Teacher Training Program at Avalon Yoga Center in Palo
Alto, mentoring with her primary teacher and influence, John Berg.
After completing the program, she studied Restorative yoga with Jaclyn
Long. Bonnie has taught Introduction to Yoga, Vinyasa and Restorative
yoga. She believes that yoga is more than just a good way to stretch
and work out; it leads to a clearer, calmer state of being. She also
believes a yoga practice should feel good, whether the student is a
beginner or an advanced yogi.
Joanie Cartal, CBP, ParBP,
CYT:
Vinyasa -
Joanie entered the path of yoga through the doorway of her
meditation practice three decades ago. In 1996 she found a renewed
devotion to her yoga practice. Joanie completed her Teacher Training
program in 2005 at Avalon Yoga Center in Palo Alto studying under John
Berg. She has since trained with Max Strom, Desiree Rambaugh, Les
Leventhal, and others to enhance her teaching and personal practice.
Through her love of yoga and desire to help others obtain
maximum well being, Joanie became interested in the healing arts. She
is a BodyTalk practitioner (an energy based healing modality), trained
at the highest level of the system. She has also studied Reiki, Sound
Healing, and Healing Touch. The sensitivity and awareness brought about
by her healing practice has augmented her yoga practice and teaching
abilities. Her classes offer a welcoming environment that encourages a
conscious experience. Allowing the space for the student to create a
relationship with body and spirit while deepening awareness of Self.
Stacey Rosenberg:
Anusara -
Stacey Rosenberg is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher. You'll enjoy
Stacey's playful and supportive teaching style as she encourages you to
explore the boundaries of your mind, body, and spirit. Stacey infuses
the biomechanical principles of Anusara Yoga with its heart-centered
and life-affirming philosophy of looking for the good to help inspire
her students grow and heal, on and off the mat. Her dynamic and joyful
classes provide a fun, safe, and nurturing place to step deeply into
your own heart. For more information see www.namastacey.com.
Stacey's classes at Avalon are open to yogis of all levels of
practice and experience. We will explore a more dynamic practice while
welcoming students from experienced beginner to advanced levels.
Handstands, backbends and more challenging poses may be taught.
Demonstrations and modifications are given to accommodate students at
all levels.
Srutih Asher Colbert:
Sivananda -
Srutih's personal practice began 12 years ago, and she was amazed
to find how the body can become stronger and more flexible by using
breath and learning how to relax into the postures. Coming from an
athletic background, she reluctantly attended a Yoga class in 1996 that
changed her life. After her first teacher training, Srutih felt there
was something missing from the purely physical practice of Bikram Yoga.
She then found Sivananda Yoga and spent time on the Ashrams in New York
and the Bahamas where she was able to go deeper into her spiritual
practice, as well as refine her teaching skills. Recently, through the
transformative experience of the births of her two daughters, Srutih
has learned how important it is to honor the ever changing body through
all of its many forms.
She has been teaching since 1999 and enjoys working with all
levels of students. Her Yoga training and certifications include:
Bikram, Sivananda, and
Vinyasa Flow with Shiva Rae. She enjoys teaching with an emphasis on
classical postures and breathing techniques, incorporating attention to
detail and alignment. Srutih encourages everyone to accept themselves
and
their bodies exactly as they are, creating a safe haven where you can
have fun and explore all the possibilities to take your practice to the
next level.
Doris:
Iyengar, Restorative, Gentle, & Beginners-
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 tends to draw upon many styles of yoga, since she believes that
each style brings new 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.
Janya Wongsopa, CAS, PKS, RYT:
Vinyasa-
Janya is a graduate of Avalon Yoga Center, where she trained under
John Berg. She received the Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree from
California College of Ayurveda and American Institute of Vedic Studies.
She has completed 200 hours certification course in yogic meditation
and Vedanta philosophy at Sivananda Ashram, Grass Valley. She also
completed a 50 hours certification course in Somatic Psychology from
the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Janya had a few colorful past
endeavors before settling into her diligent yogic path. She was a model
and actress in her teenage years in Bangkok where she grew up. She
studied fashion design at F.I.T. in NY and after her graduation went on
to work for Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. She is grateful that her path
has magically led her to yoga and Ayurveda.
Since 2003 Janya has been an avid student and devoted
practitioner of the two sister sciences. As a Clinical Ayurvedic
Specialist she guides her clients through diet and lifestyle changes as
well as implementing 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 aspect of themselves and gain
physical, emotional and mental health. Her teaching is gentle yet
challenging. With sincere guidance and support she urges her students
to take an active role in creating optimum practice for themselves. For
more information visit www.medicine-yoga.com.
Patrica Becker:
Anusara Inspired-
Patricia has studied extensively with John Friend, Desiree
Raumbaugh and Laura Christensen. She received her Yoga Alliance Teacher
Certificate from Sianna Sherman. Sianna's Tantric-based
system combines attention to alignment with awareness of energy flow in
the body. Patricia's classes will make you stronger and more flexible
and
will fill you with ease and grace. Making yoga a regular part of
your schedule adds so much more joy to every day. Patricia inspires you
to "Feel Better Now" on and off the mat. You can find more information
on Patricia at patriciajoy.wordpress.com
Patricia also offers macrobiotic nutritional counseling and is
the Director of Common Ground Garden Center in Palo
Alto.
Birgit Reimer:
Iyengar-
Birgit Reimer teaches Iyengar Yoga in the style of her mentor Benjamin
A. Thomas, an internationally known master teacher in the Iyengar
tradition. She is personally certified by him to teach intermediate
asanas and pranayama techniques of levels I-III. She has completed his
Advanced Teacher Training Program, spending over 2000 hours of personal
training with him over the last 7 years. She also frequently travels to
India to study directly with the Iyengar family.
Birgit offers private and public classes, a monthly pranayama (breath
control) class, and Workshops in both the Bay Area and nationally. She
has been a member of the Avalon Teacher Training Program staff since
2008, where she plays a key role in teaching level I and level II
asanas and pranayama techniques . Her deep roots in Soto Zen
meditation, Shotokan karate and energy work over more than 30 years
contribute to her well-balanced yoga classes. Her classes are composed
of yogasana practice, pranayama, meditation, chanting and philosophy.
Birgit's students also have the rare opportunity to learn the Yoga
Sutras, ascribed to Sri Patanjali, which lie at the heart of ancient
yoga. She encourages her students to create balance and equilibrium
through alignment and precision, moving with the rhythm of the breath
and keeping their hearts and minds open, humble and free. Please visit
her web page at www.yoga-is-all.com.
Annika Autumn Williams,
R.Y.T. : Vinyasa (with Anusara Inspiration) &
Shakti Flow -
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.
Lauren Anas: Vinyasa & Kids Yoga -
Lauren likes to think of her classes as explorations of the
self, bringing our attention inward, finding both peace and love in
our hearts. By building heat within the body through dynamic vinyasa
sequences, we can open up areas of the body that often become tense in
our daily lives. As we let go and surrender into the moment and pose,
we create space for healing to occur. Each breath, each moment, is
another opportunity to experience what yoga ultimately embodies,
unified grace. Lauren graduated from Avalon's teacher training program
where she studied under John Berg.
Pat Statsky: Vinyasa, Pre-Natal -
Pat
has been on the yoga path since l968 when she met Sri Swami
Satchidananda, who awakened in her a deep love of of
yoga. She is certified in the Synergy tradition - a blend of Sivananda,
Integral Hatha, and Bikram styles of yoga. She also has certifications
in Restorative Yoga, Pre-Natal Yoga, and teacher trainings in Swaroopa
Yoga, and Iyengar Yoga. Pat is also a certified Doula (Birth Partner)
and has extensive training in the Energetic Healing arts, is a Reiki
Master and an Embodyment Yoga Therapist. Pat's hope is to guide
others to find
the deeper dimension of yoga for themselves, looking at the asanas as
angles that provide opening rather than imposing the pose upon the
body. This perspective grew out of her
1990 Siddha Yoga Kundalini initiation which has awakened her to a
powerful and deep experiential understanding of the essence of yoga.
Katrin Kuttner:
Flow Yoga / Shakti Flow -
Katrin
has lived and studied in Shanghai, where she certified with Inspya Yoga
founder Lance Schuler and completed Hot Yoga Teacher
Training. In California she is a dedicated student and assistant of
Anusara Yoga teacher Samantha Shakti Brown. Katrin is a registered
teacher with the Yoga Alliance and holds Master degrees in Fine Arts
and Communication.
Her creative classes intend to liberate and to bring joy. The
synchronization of movement and breath conveys the flow of nature.
Every pose finds many variations that help the students to open to
their full potential. The intensity of the practice ranges from
vibrant, heat creating to smooth, deepening movements. In her classes
students find devotion, clarity and an empowering practice that opens
their bodies, minds and hearts to a deeper connection from within.
Katrin’s mindful sequencing is inspired by her many wonderful teachers
who come from Inspya, Anusara, Yogic Arts, Ashtanga and Iyengar. For
more on Katrin, see yoga.katrinkuttner.com.
Louis Jackson: Yoga
Fundamentals, Vinyasa, Iyengar, 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), Samantha Shakti, who reminds him that tenderness and rigor
can coexist, 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.)
 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 Art & Yoga Center in Palo Alto. 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.
 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.
Back to top
|
|
