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The Teachers
 Thia
Ashonoah has been practicing yoga since 1983 and teaching
since 1994. She has worked as natural foods chef and a massage
therapist. Natural healing has been her life path. After
injuring her back, her interest grew in how yoga could be utilized in
the healing process. She experienced profound benefits from practicing
prenatal yoga and had a taste of yoga's therapeutic potential.
Her quest for learning how yoga could be used in widespread therapeutic
applications led her to the American Viniyoga Institute. Under
the direction of Gary Kraftsow, author of Yoga for Wellness,
the many threads of Thia's path were woven together. Thia has used the
Viniyoga tools to heal her back and has completed the American Viniyoga
Institute's 3 year Teacher Training Program in Maui and is currently
studying to become a certified Viniyoga Therapist. She teaches
individuals and holds group classes in Occidental, Bodega Bay and Santa
Rosa. She lives in Occidental where she continues to learn from
her ecstatic marriage and her three children. She is passionate
in her service of sharing the power of Viniyoga with others. Her passionate,
caring style, coupled with the traditions' focus on the individual,
makes her class appropriate for new or experienced students as well
as those with health concerns. Thia can be reached at 707-874-2501.
Click here for Thia's schedule.
Ann Austin
is a graduate of the advanced studies program at Piedmont Yoga Studio.
With her depth of knowledge and experience in both the Iyengar and Ashtanga
traditions, Ann
creates a safe and grounded place to practice yoga. Ann
can be reached at 707-829-8102.
Stephanie
Bauer is the founder and director of Healing
Lotus. On her path of healing her own body, mind, and spirit she
has created Healing Lotus to be a place in the community where people
can go for yoga and wellness. Stephanie is a certified Acu-Yoga, Prenatal,
Postpartum, and Hatha Yoga Instructor. As a certified Acupressure Therapist
her love for eastern wellness has been her inspiration to bring awareness
and healing into peoples lives. Stephanie creates a compassionate and
safe environment for finding our inner peace deep within. Stephanie
can be reached at 707-795-6338 or info@healinglotus.com.
 Devorah
Blum has been practicing yoga since 1975. She has
studied with senior Iyengar teachers around the world including BKS
Iyengar in India
. Her strong Iyengar yoga background and her devoted personal practice
have given her a depth of understanding of the postures.
She adds her attentiveness and sensitive guidance to create a
class accessible to students of all levels.
She also draws from her experiences in pregnancy and parenting
to teach prenatal and postpartum yoga. Devorahās
classes emphasize stretching with alignment, strength, balance and concentration.
She encourages students to be in tune with their bodies and soften
with the breath. Her soothing
voice and use of poetry help students end class feeling deeply relaxed.
Devorah can be reached at 707-824-1198 or by email.
Click here for Devorah's schedule.
Nancy
Bonner-Benson, M.A., is an Art and Movement Therapist, a graduate
of the Iyenger Institute of San Francisco, and is currently training
at YREC in Therapeutic Yoga of the Vini tradition. She has been teaching
for over 30 years, and is currently teaching at Sonoma State University
and Kaiser Hospital. Nancy also holds an M.A. in Holistic Studies. Nancy
can be reached at 707.869.2925 or bonnerbenson@hotmail.com
Alexei Brown is certified in the Sivananda tradition and
has extensive experience in many other flows and styles. The most influential
figures to shape his yoga practice have been Yogi Steve North, Master
Max Thomas and Anna Forrest. His classes are full of warmth and humor
with an emphasis on the breath and alignment. Alexei can be reached
at 707-823-9482 home or 707-568-6408 voice mail. Click
here for Alexei's schedule.
Nancy Burns has been a student of Baba Hari Das and Ashtanga
Yoga since 1973. She was certified as a yoga teacher by the Ananda
Self Realization Fellowship in 1977. She teaches yoga for pregnancy
and monthly prenatal partner yoga workshops. She is a licensed
marriage and Family Therapist with a spiritually based holistic approach
to wellness. Nancy can be reached at 707-829-9876.
 Donna
Connell is certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy, which emphasizes
healing the body, mind and spirit through conscious movement and use
of the breath. She has
also studied in the Iyengar tradition for several years.
Her classes combine both traditions.
Donna focuses on centering, strength, flexibility and stamina
in a nurturing, non-competitive environment.
She uses each yoga pose as a vehicle to discover the quality
of the inner self as well as keeping the body toned and fit.
Restorative poses and guided meditation are used for deep relaxation.
Donna is also available for private instruction and substituting.
She
can be reached at 707-573-0551 or e-mail at potterybydonna@msn.com
Bonnie
Clark, CMT is a certified Integrative Yoga Therapist/Teacher
with advanced training and also is a Certified Whole Birth Prenatal
YogaTeacher. Bonnie has
been practicing yoga and meditation since 1968 and has been teaching
Yoga and offering massage therapy and nutritional counseling in Sonoma
County for ten years. She enjoys working with beginners and intermediate
students to expand and be more free in body, mind and spirit. For classes
and private sessions, contact Bonnie at (707) 577-9232.
Dana
Davis is a Senior Certified Teacher at the Balance Center, where
she has studied and worked since 1996 with Jean Couch, author of The
Runner's Yoga Book (www.balancecenter.com).
She has studied yoga since 1984 and is a graduate of the Yoga Room's
3-year Advanced Studies Program. Her classes are Iyengar-based and focus
on healing back pain and improving posture. She has an MA in Spirituality
and a background in Flamenco Dance and Authentic Movement. She
is available to sub and can be reached at (707) 658-2599 or dana@balancecenter.com
Sandra Lee Dennis, Ph.D., is a psychologist and has been
a practitioner of yoga and meditation for more than 25 years.
She loves to encourage the connection of the mind and the body
to come into awareness. In her classes she uses postures to help
contact the subtle energies that bridge the mind and body, as well as
exploring the blocks to that connective flow. She is also the
author of the forthcoming Embrace of the Daimon: Sensuality and the
Integration of Forbidden Imagery. Sandra can be reached at 829-7245.
Nataleigh
Dewitt has been teaching Kundalini Yoga to avid yogis since
1998. She is certified through the 3HO foundation established by Yogi
Bhajan. She teaches three nights a week in her private home studio,
"The White Room". Nataleigh enhances each class with pertinent
esoteric knowledge, posture techniques and applicable anatomy and physiology
so the yoga practitioner not only leaves feeling great but armed with
practical information about the body and soul development. She has developed
several Yoga Series designed to be educational as well as experiential
for the practitioner. Herbal tea is always available before and after
class. Occasional potlucks and educational videos make for great class
community. Nataleigh can be reached at 707-526-9646.
Gail
Dubinsky, M.D. received her medical degree from U.C. Davis
in 1979. She has been in private practice since 1983, initially
in general medicine and since 1988 specializing in soft tissue neuro-orthopedic
injuries, especial Repetitive Stress Injury. A yoga practitioner
since her teens, Gail has been a serious student of yoga since 1984,
with Iyengar teacher training. She has taught yoga since 1990 with therapeutic
classes for back and repetitive stress injuries. Gail has a private
medical practice, specializing in soft tissue orthopedics. Her down
to earth teaching style creates a safe place to explore expanding spaciousness
in body and breath. Gail is available to work with people with
carpal tunnel, RSI. back, neck, and other orthopedic problems by appointment
and can be reached at 707-829-7596.
Pam Field
is a certified Iyengar teacher.
She has been teaching for 16 years. Her classes are lively with
lots of individual attention. She runs the Yoga Center of Santa
Rosa. Please call to reserve your space. Bring comfortable
clothes, bare feet, an empty stomach and a sense of humor. Pam
can be reached at 707-538-2555.
Chris
Englehorn Fortin has been exploring the integration of body,
mind and spirit for over 30 years. She studied Buddhism and meditation
while living at Green Gulch Farm and Tassahara Zen Center. She
has belonged to a women's group dedicated to spiritual exploration for
over 10 year and has studied with Lorna Culter and Tsultrum Allione.
She is a psychotherapist in private practice, interweaving Jungian and
depth psychology with hypnosis and spiritual exploration and insight. Chris
teaches at Yoga Studio Ganesha
in Sebastopol and can be reached at 707-527-8106.
Kiva
Grega has been studying yoga since 1983 and is a registered
teacher with the International Yoga Alliance. She embraces and integrates
many styles of Yoga, and also spent ten years studying in the Iyengar
tradition, honoring the wisdom of its precision, which helps create
the foundation for her practice. As an intuitive instructor, she shares
her experience with humor, gentleness, and compassion. Kiva teaches
classes and privately in Sebastopol and at Kaiser Hospital in Santa
Rosa. Kiva can be reached at 707-824-0357.
 Jean
Grant-Sutton CMT, IYT, has been studying yoga and bodywork extensively
for 20 years. She is the founder and director of
BodyWorks Yoga in Petaluma, CA. She blends her 10 years of training
with Ian Rawlinson in the style of TKV Desikachar with her advanced
certification training in Integrative Yoga Therapy and Massage Therapy
to offer a style that supports, challenges and encourages individuals
to use yoga as a tool for self-discovery and high level wellness. Jean's
knowledge of the body and it's systems integrated with deep spiritual
conviction invites and inspires students to experience the wholeness,
blessing and healing benefits of the ancient art of yoga. Jean offers
classes, workshops and private sessions. Jean can be reached at 707-762-5434.
Melanie Heysek CMT, RYT, and certified Yoga Instructor, has
over ten years experience with yoga and dance and continues to study
as the journey is endless. Melanie brings her bodywork knowledge into
her classes and combines vinyasa flow, ashtanga, and Iyengar styles
to release the whole body using breath, flow, and alignment awareness.
She creates a space to more efficiently stretch, strengthen, and relax
the whole body inside and out, while encouraging the discovery of a
balance between effort and ease. She teaches yoga and digestive health
workshops, private sessions, and public classes throughout Sonoma County.
Melanie can be reached at 707-778-96421or shivatay@aol.com.
Carol
Hince, P.T. IYT, provides a unique
combination of extensive physical therapy experience and 10 years of
teaching yoga and doing yoga therapy. If you are a new or continuing
student of yoga, have injured yourself, or have any physical discomfort
that has made you shy of yoga, Carol‚s classes and private sessions
provide a safe, down-to earth, friendly atmosphere and individualized
attention in which you can flourish. Carol can be reached at 707 829-6943.
. Click here for Carol's Schedule
Elizabeth Kraatz, PT combines 18 years of physical therapy
practice with a deep personal commitment to healing and wholeness.
She has enhanced her knowledge of the physical with extensive training
in the complementary healing arts. She has been on staff with
Dr. Dean Ornish's Reversing Heart Disease Program, been involved with
the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
and co-authored a book entitled "Freedom From Back Pain - What
Your Doctor Isn't Telling You". She
directed The Healing Loft - A Center For Healing, Education and Yoga
for several years before returning to private practice. You may contact
her at (707) 823-2692.
Dr.
Deborah Karish has been a chiropractor for 26 years and currently
practices in Healdsburg, CA. She has been teaching Hatha
Yoga since 1985 and is the founder and director of the
Healdsburg Yoga and Movement Studio. She has taught anatomy
to chiropractic students, naturopathic students and yoga teachers.
"My purpose in teaching is to create yoga classes that are intelligent,
enjoyable and accessible to everyone." Deborah can be reached
at 707-431-0615.
 Audrey
Leach has practiced Iyengar Yoga since 1987. She
is a fully-trained Iyengar yoga instructor, having completed the teacher
training coursework at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco.
Her classes offer clear instruction in the classic yoga postures focusing
on alignment, strength, flexibility and balance. Audrey offers restorative
yoga classes on a monthly basis. You may reach her at 575 9735
for details. Click here for Audrey's
schedule.
Amy
Jo Levin Amy's fascination with movement has given her
years of experience in yoga, dance, Yang style Tai Chi, and pilates.
She is a dedicated student of accomplished Tai Chi master, Jane Golden,
and is certified as a pilates instructor by professional dancer, Mercy
Sidbury. This combination of disciplines has greatly contributed to
her overall knowledge, and has enriched her approach to teaching. Amy
teaches pilates-based yoga classes that combine Iyengar and vinyasa
yoga with fundamental pilates concepts. She also teaches Yang style
Tai Chi Chuan, Amy's focus is to assist the student in developing a
relationship to the body that brings consciousness to the movement involved
in day-to-day life. Amy can be reached at 829-6323 or E-mail her at
amelah68@hotmail.com.
Ruth
Mankin began her yoga practice in 1978 with Erich Schiffman,
who was a student of B.K.S. Iyengar, Krishnamurti and Joel Kramer.
She continued to study with Erich for 8 years and was the first teacher
to be trained by him. Since then she has studied with many other
teachers including Alexandra Teague and Tony Briggs. Ruth can
be reached at 707-829-6846. Click here
for Ruth's Schedule
Denise
McCullough has trained in the traditional eight-limb yoga system
under the teachings of Baba Hari Das. Denise believes that yoga
is a way to bring awareness to the breath, rejuvenate the body, and
calm the mind. The union of these three energies helps to renew a deep
peace within each individual. Her sensitive, compassionate, and
warm nature welcomes all students. Her beginning yoga class is
designed for students interested in an introduction to yoga or continuing
beginning students who wish to strengthen their practice. Denise
can be reached at 707-874-1169.
Kathleen Miller is a Feldenkrais practitioner, with a background
in exercise physiology and dance. Her yoga study began in 1972, exploring
several traditions and styles, and she began teaching in l985. While
editing the book, Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind for A.G.
Mohan during 1989 - 1991, she was steeped in the teachings of Krishnamacharya
and the Viniyoga tradition. She has been studying with Gary Kraftsow
and T.K.V. Desikachar since then, and is currently a certified Viniyoga
instructor and yoga therapist in Santa Rosa, working with individuals
and groups. You may reach her at 707-541-0443 or Click
here to email Kathleen at: kmiller@sonic.net Click
here for Kathleen's Schedule
Richard
Miller, PhD Richard's teachings reflect
his years of exploring, integrating and awakening into the profound
understandings put forward by eastern and western approaches to nondual
wisdom and spiritual freedom. Richardās teachers have included his spiritual
mentor Jean Klein, a teacher of advaita nondualism and T.K.V. Desikachar.
He has published widely in the field and leads retreats throughout the
U.S. and Canada. He was co-founder of The International Association
of Yoga Therapists and the founding editor of The Journal of IAYT. Richard
is also a clinical psychologist with practices in San Rafael and Sebastopol,
CA. Richard can be reached at 707-824-1636 Sebastopol and 415-456-3909
in Marin. Please
visit his website at www.nondual.com
or call/email to be on his mailing list.
Click here to email Richard
 Jill
Edwards Minye has been teaching Yoga since 1988 and is
certified in Kripalu Yoga and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. She was teacher
to the staff of Yoga Journal for five years and was founder/director
of The Open Hand Studio. Her intensive study of Chen Tai Chi with grandmaster
Li Shu Dong and most recentstudy of Taoist practices with Gilles Marin,
have informed her Yoga and life with a greater awareness of energy management.
Jill is a heartful, creative and fun teacher, weaving together teachings
and practices from various traditions for an enriching and deep experience.
Jill can be reached at707 874-3757
Anne
O'Brien teaches and enlivening style of yoga in which she integrates
elements of Sivananda, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara traditions. She
encourages students to experience their yoga from within to invite true
transformative benefits. Anne's teaching is influenced by her background
in dance movement; her studies with Rodney Yee, Dona Holleman, Edward
Clark, and John Friend; and discoveries in her own practice. Anne teaches
in Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and at the Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland. She
is the Director of Yoga Programs' Advanced Studies/Teacher Training
School in Santa Rosa which offers 200 hour Yoga Alliance accredited
curriculum where students have the opportunity to study with a wonderful
faculty of depth, breadth and knowledge. Anne is on the Board of Directors
of Yoga on the Inside Foundation and is past Conference Director at
Yoga Journal. Anne may be reached at 707-996-2617 or emailed at yogaprograms@aol.com.
Please check her website www.yogaprograms.com
for information on the upcoming Advanced Studies/Teacher Training course
 "Parmatma"
(Ann Marie Simone), RYT. is the co-owner of Evolution
Yoga. She is a certified Kundalini instructor with advanced training
in conscious communication, humanology, and yogic healing techniques.
She has trained and studied with Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., the master of Kundalini
Yoga. The Kundalini classes at Evolution Yoga will be conscientiously
taught according to the original teachings. Parmatma has also studied
and trained with Baba Hari Das in classical Ashtanga Yoga (traditional
8 limbed Hatha Yoga). Her personal growth and transformation through
Yoga stirred the desire to spread these teachings, so that you, too,
can experience your "True Identity". Emphasis on the breath,
moving from center, and experiencing the connection of the divine within
are always a part of her classes. Parmatma can be reached at 707- 525-YOGA
(9642) or email at parmatma@evolutionyoga.com.
Jennie
'Eoanna' Passidakis is certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy.
Her inspiration comes from her studies in Somatic and Expressive Arts
Therapies, her personal meditation practice, and deep reverence for
the unity of mind, body and spirit that arises from a regular yoga practice.
Her caring, sensitive style invites students to explore inner peace
and centering. Jennie is also available for private instruction
and can be reached at 707-799-8903.
Jeffrey
Seligson has been studying a vigorous style of hatha yoga
with Rodney Yee from Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, since 1988.
He has studied with the Iyengars in Pune, India, and has also practiced
with Erich Schiffman and Mary Paffard. Jeffrey has been a certified
massage therapist since 1989. The combined therapeutic aspects
of yoga and massage help him to work with his yoga students on an individualized
level, paying attention to personal limitations. Jeffrey guides his
students to use their breath for instruction on how to move in each
pose, honoring theessential wisdom of their own bodies. His classes
go deep and focus on alignment, stamina and inner calm. Jeffrey
can be reached at 707-829-7661.
 ANUSARA
Yoga with Shyama! Shyama has been devoted to the practice of
yoga and meditation since 1984. Her teaching style is passionate and
precise. Her classes offer a strong, balanced practice with a deep meditative
focus. She helps students refine their structural alignment and integrity
while increasing awareness of their essential core being ~ or divine
nature. Her class environment includes the sweet discovery of learning
to balance our masculine and feminine energies as well as an integrative
approach that includes all of our bodies or koshas (physical, breath,
mind, emotion, intellect, wisdom & bliss body). Shyama studied under
Siddha Yoga Master Gurumayi Chidvilasananda for ten years, has certification
from 5 hatha yoga schools, and is most influenced by Anusara Yoga. Shyama
welcomes experienced practitioners as well as beginners. She joyfully
offers her class personally to each student present. Call Shyama at
707-827-7931 or shyama@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Simone
Simon, RYT teaches a strong and creative vinyasa style with
influences from the Ashtanga and Iyengar traditions. She has 25 years
of experience with yoga and dance. She sees the practice of yoga as
lyrical and uplifting... truly an inner dance. She has a deep rooted
spirituality and teaches how to pay attention to your inner guidance...
to be your own light. She is aquainted with the art of moving energy,
through yogic work and shamanic practices. Simone offers the opportunity
to practice in community with a deep reverence for self and spirit as
one, blended into an athletic and delightful experience. Simone is a
clinical hypnotherapist, a Reiki practioner, and a long time student
of the ancient Sufi Enneagram system. Simone can be reached at (707)
765-1367.
John
Smith has been a devoted practitioner and teacher of yoga
since 1985, studying with a variety of yoga masters around the
world. John's teachings are rooted in the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga
system of his teacher K. Pattabhi Jois. His one on one supportive
classes are conducted according to the individual needs of the students.
He offers yoga therapy to heal chronic ailments of dis/ease and also
inspires the students to healthy habits and a deeper understanding of
yoga practice. His easy manner and sense of humor help to make
the joy of yoga accessible to students of all levels. John can
be reached at 707-829-3855.
 Stanlee
Smith is a certified Integrative Yoga Therapist, a somatic
educator and has trained extensively in Tri-Yoga. Emphasis is
on strength, correct alignment, body awareness and stress reduction.
Her classes integrate the breath with wave like flows of Tri-Yoga as
well as somatic movements to release chronically contracted muscles.
Stanlee can be reached at 707-566-7116.
Cynkay Morningsong
Sullivan, M.A. has been a student of Yoga since 1977.
She has taught privately in various venues over the past 10 years and
is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. Morningsong's background is in teaching,
writing, and counseling. She works primarily with people who are
seeking to develop a personal spiritual practice and are ready to make
changes in their lives. Through asana, pranayama, meditation,
and needed lifestyle changes, Morningsong supports people in creating
a life worthy of their unique and wonderous Self. She can be reached
at 707 321-4431 or morngsong@peoplepc.com
for individual and small group lessons.
Judy Van Orden
has been practicing Yoga for over 10 years. She teaches a creative,
varied and challenging class suitable for all levels of experience.
Her teaching style is a blend drawing form the Vinyasa, Iyengar and
Ashtanga Yoga traditions. Judy can be reached at 707-887-8552
Clare Venet teaches in the Iyengar tradition of hatha yoga.
She is certified by the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco. She
has a background in dance, creative movement and hypnosis and is a graduate
of UCLA. Her classes focus on balance, strength and flexibility.
She is available for private sessions and workshops. Clare can
be reached at 707-538-8839.
Connie
Wolf has her MA in dance and has been working in the field
of dance for over 30 years. Her class blends Western modern dance
with Eastern body sciences. The exercises emphasize rhythm and
flow, grace, flexibility,and strength. Connie can be reached at
829-6471.
Roseanna
Woods is an Integrative Yoga Therapist and acupuncturist
who has been practicing yoga for over fifteen years. She has studied
a variety of mind/body disciplines including creative dance therapy
with Anne Krantz and the movement work of Gabrielle Roth. In her
classes Roseanna encourages people to listen and move to their inner
voice. Our health and well being depend on our response-ability
to our deeper feelings. The practice of yoga develops inner listening.
Roseanna can be reached at 707-528-1777. You can email
her at yogawoods@juno.com
Roseanna is available for subbing.
Jan Zeitlin has been studying dance and yoga her entire
life. Her technique is based on finding and using the core muscles
of the body, proper alignment, attention to the breath and listening
to the teachings of one's own body. Her teaching, through the
lineage of Linda Lack, encourages serenity, joy of movement and comfort.
Jan can be reached at 707-874-2635.
Kenn
Zendels has been teaching yoga since 1997 and studying yoga
since 1993. He has been trained and certified by Erich Schiffmann
who has been studying for over 33 years and has worked with Iyengar
and Joel Kramer. He teaches hatha style mixed with Iyengar, more of
a flowing styling. The emphasis of his classes is on the breath
and being in the moment. Each class starts and ends with meditation.
Kenn can be reached at RetroKenn@aol.com.
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