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Our Location:
2217-N San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583
(2 blocks north of In-n-Out, behind Awe-Dacious Salon)
Our Teachers
Anirudh Shastri
Anirudh Shastri is a well-known and highly respected hatha yoga teacher with an extensive background in yoga philosophy. He has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years, bringing his deep knowledge of the physical and spiritual aspects of yogic philosophy to his many students in the Bay Area. Shastri trained in India and studied under the guidance of Shri Vishnu Prasadji. Email Shastri at ashastriji@gmail.com.
Adrienne Lanigan
About Adrienne: Adrienne’s passion within the world of yoga is teaching Restorative Yoga and meditation. Being a Certified Yoga Instructor whose practice spans over 35 years, Adrienne first received her CYT in 1998 from Mt.Madonna Center, in Classical Ashtanga (Raja) Yoga, which is based on traditional, slow, conscious asana movement coupled with the breath, before finding her calling after completing certification training in Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater, PT, CYT and PhD. Adrienne is also Registered Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga Trainer, having completed the additional qualifications for this registration with Judith Lasater. Adrienne works with men and women (peri and post menopausal women, busy young mothers, harried corporate executives, cancer patients, dancers and athletes) and all those who need to relieve stress levels, feel rested, and naturally balance their bodies. Being a mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor, she is very empathetic to her students and cares deeply that they feel replenished, tranquil, and rested after class Adrienne also teaches Basic Pranayama and Introduction to Meditation workshops. She offers group, private sessions, and conducts workshops and retreats in Northern California and Maui. Please contact her at: nurturingyoga@yahoo.com.
Islena Faircrest
Islena Faircrest, E-RYT is a Yoga lifestyler who writes for Yoga periodicals, teaches retreats, Yoga Training intensives, and Teacher Trainings in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica. A holistic wellness innovator, she brings to bear expertise in early childhood and family development as a former doula, and a 17 year background in health & family services in Vancouver & San Francisco. A Yoga instructor since 2001 she in-joys teaching Hatha Flow, Power Vinyasa (Ashtanga influenced), Alignment Flow (Anusara influenced), Restorative, Therapeutic, Prenatal, Mom & Baby, Kids, Family, Seniors Yoga, Yoga for Equestrians, Yoga Dance, Yoga for Surfers, and SUP(Stand-Up-Paddleboard) Yoga. A Bowenwork Therapy practitioner, prenatal & postpartum educator, and bodyworker utilizing acupressure & energy work, her Yoga platform is diversely informed. A fun loving yogini recognized for classes that inspire a learning environment relevant to all, she was co-owner of a premiere Yoga Centre in western Canada. Her website is: www.onboardyoga.com.
Prabha Duneja
Prabha Duneja, Gloria Persico's meditation teacher and dear friend will be teaching the "Meditation and Spiritual Study" class on Thursday nights at 7:15, beginning on January 11th. If you've attended any of Gloria's classes, you've heard her mention the teaching of her beloved Prabha. Prabha brings the highlest level of wisdom and experience to her Meditation and Spiritual Studies class and she has written more that 25 books on the art of raising consciousness through the science of Self Realization as taught in the ancient scriptures. This woman is a rare gem, please give yourself the gift of expeiencing her and her extraordinary teaching. This free class is our gift to our wonderful student community. Visit Prabha's website: www.HolyGeeta.com.
Bliss German
Bliss has been practicing and studying yoga for over eleven years and is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor. She is a graduate of the Yoga Movement Center's Advanced Studies/Teacher Training program in Walnut Creek, CA and enjoys teaching classes (individual and group) as well as workshops throughout the East Bay Area. Her classes offer all who come to play, a retreat from their daily activities with the invitation to access the peace which naturally resides within. Through the syncing of asana, vinyasa, and pranyam, Bliss inspires and motivates students to challenge themselves, both physically and mentally, within their individual abilities - leaving them with the sense of ananda (bliss) that accompanies personal growth, in addition to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Bliss also holds two degrees from UC Berkeley, one in Psychology, the background that drives her ongoing interests and explorations into to the mental and spiritual realms of yoga. Email Bliss at blissgerman@sbcglobal.net.
Colleen Millen
I flat-out love yoga. I found yoga as a collegiate athlete with broken knees - the mat was the first place I could move my body without pushing into pain. Yoga and, more specifically, Forrest Yoga has been a constant companion in my recovery from depression and moving into more brilliant states of being. Over 10 years into my teaching journey I find myself at an incredible place: As a Forrest Yoga Guardian teacher I shepherd teachers through continuing education programs and as a student in JFK University's Somatic Psychology program I am deepening my appreciation for the healing gifts of yoga as I work toward being a licensed therapist.
My classes build strength and empowerment and are modified for every shape, size, injury and ability level. I guide students through an eclectic deep flow class where they learn how to ride intensity and exhilaration waves with presence and breath. My classes are heated to 80 degrees to generate a cleansing sweat. Bring whatever your experience is to class and we'll rock on the yoga mat together! Colleen's website: www.bluebuddhayoga.com.
Praveena Chinthaluri
For Praveena, Yoga was a way of life growing up in India. Learning the art of pranayama, asana and meditation at the tender age of 11 was a priceless gift. She is a certified 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher and studied with master teachers Donald Moyers, Mary Lou Weprin and Kate Coughlin. She is also a certified Judith Lasater's Relax and Renew restorative teacher. She completed her training for the Balanced Body 500 hour Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training Course and is currently working towards her hours. Praveena holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and Journalism from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. Her philosophy towards teaching is to pay attention to alignment and form, technique and breath work that help students develop a deep understanding of their bodies and movement patterns. She believes in providing a safe space for students to explore and strengthen their mind and bodies. She enjoys the variety that Yoga and Pilates can provide for fitness and wellness enthusiasts, or someone who is recovering from injuries, or seeking relief from chronic pain, or prenatal and postnatal mammas. Being a mother of a nine year old, she appreciates teaching both movement healing modalities that fits perfectly into her busy life as a full time mom. She truly trusts in the energetic in her classes and life, and has faith in the transformational process of Yoga and Pilates. www.yogawithpraveena.com.
Kavita Patel
I first discovered yoga in college when I was pursuing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. We used yoga in our movement and vocal training. I found that it grounded and relaxed me for performances. Although, it was not until the birth of my first child that I was deeply drawn to yoga. I needed to reconnect with my body and find a place of peace within myself. Yoga has given me that and so much more. I find solace in my practice and sense of empowerment for having an understanding of how my body moves through space. I recently completed my 200 hour training at Downtown Yoga with master teacher Kate Coughlin. I love to teach because it allows me to share my practice and passion for yoga as a way of life. At home I have two little yogis in training; a 5 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. They give me lots of opportunities to remember to breath and be in the present!
Laurie Gallagher
I practice yoga because it works. It keeps me strong and supple. It quiets the crazy woman who lives in my head. It orients me at my center where I am more kind and patient.
Yoga is a living tradition and the practice continues to evolve at the intersection of ancient and modern. It is tried and true, and is also surprisingly adaptable. I believe that yoga – now more than ever – can offer all of us a relevant and much needed tool kit for skillful and happy living.
My experience as a teacher began in 1992 as a Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer. I expanded into the yoga world, completing my 200-hour Teacher Training Program with Clayton Horton, within the Ashtanga Method of yoga. Over the last decade I’ve explored other yoga disciplines and methodologies and have had the honor of studying with some brilliant and revered yoga teachers. In2007 I opened Cosmic Dog Yoga in Livermore with my business partner, Lisa Gray, and worked for three years as Co-owner and Program Director. Close to my heart is the work I’ve done with the Cosmic Dog Yoga Teacher Training Program, educating upcoming yoga teachers in the art and science of Flow Yoga. Currently, I am working to complete the Yoga Works 300-hour Professional Teacher Training program
.When I’m not on the yoga mat, I’m busy earning my title as Meanest Mom Ever, killing green things in my garden, and dabbling in photography. I’m a sucker for needy animals, smart non-fiction, and British television. Steamybaths, good chocolate and one egalitarian husband make my yoga world go round.
Sujatha Ganeshan
I was either bound by my heritage or bound by my health, when I walked in to a beginner's yoga class room and...it did not change my life. I did not have any life altering experience in my first class. Instead, it was boring and made me wonder why I went there. Little did I know then, that even if yoga didn't need me, I would need it. My allergies had increased and with it the dosage of my medication. I was becoming lesser human and more of a being that I could not recognize. I was feeling very disheartened, sluggish and irritated. I knew that these were the effects of the medication. I knew, but did nothing until I joined to learn Yoga again. This time there was no expectation, no judgment: just exploration. That's it! I was hooked. There was a determination to learn everything I could and somewhere in the middle, the fascination to make others understand yoga like I did. It became an agenda to pass it on. I was ready to teach. I completed my 200 hour yoga alliance certification and began teaching. I have not looked back since. I have been teaching and learning for the past 3 years and I am enjoying every minute of it.
So come on to my class and hear what I have to say about yoga. Be open and you will enjoy the experience. Come with no judgment, no expectation, just exploration and leave the rest to me. What I love now about imparting and teaching is the Sanskrit language, the aphorisms, the poses and its physical, physiological and the mental benefits, as well. It amazes me that each pose a mastermind of an ancient yogi, can still be used for the same reason it was created for even after so many centuries. That makes Yoga fascinating to me.
Julie Conrad
“For me, yoga is the personal discovery of the potential of mind, body and spirit.”
I began my yoga journey when I stepped onto the mat in an Ashtanga class in Oakland and found the perfect blend of athleticism and focus. Over the last decade I have branched out to try many styles and teachers throughout the East Bay and San Francisco. Over time I came to realize yoga brings opportunity for enormous personal growth, peace and contentment that extends deep below the surface of the physical practice. I strive to bring the lessons learned on the mat into my everyday world which has helped immensely in my on-going pursuit to live in a place of balance and harmony.
I am a graduate of the YogaWorks 200-hour Teacher Training Program and the YogaWorks 300-hour professional program. My classes blend several of the classic yoga styles with particular emphasis on breath and alignment.
Leslie Clohan
Leslie has worked in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a preschool teacher since 1998 and has been practicing yoga since 2001. She has Associates of Arts degrees in ECD and Liberal Studies as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development emphasis in ECD from CSUEB. While studying at CSUEB she was drawn to yoga even more intensely as she balanced her studies, family, and work, but more importantly as she became aware of the benefits yoga offers children in all areas of development and with varying learning modalities. While finishing up her Bachelors degree she started her training with YogaKids International finishing her Certified YogaKids Teacher (CYKT) training in April 2011. She continues her yoga studies, practicing daily, adding yoga into her preschool classroom, and sharing her knowledge with children, parents, and fellow teachers.
Leslie enjoys kids yoga as it brings together aspects of movement, nature, art, stories, music, and social contexts, developing the whole child, giving a good root base for a life full of observation, learning, and wisdom. Please visit Leslie at her website www.yoga2sprout.com.
Loan Dorst
Ran "Loan" Dorst was born in Viet Nam (Ho Chi Minh City). She graduated from Economic University with a Bachelors Degree in 1996. She worked for JICA (Japan international Corporation Agency) as a Project Assistant for Forestry and Environment in Viet Nam. She moved to Japan in 2000 with her husband and son. Loan was introduced to yoga in 2003. She found that yoga helped her to center herself during the difficult transition in her life. To help deal with her feelings, she would go to the studio to practice yoga. Yoga provided an anchor to secure her as well as the sail to help her move through life with grace. She has continued practicing yoga ever since.
She moved to the bay area in July 2010. Due to her love of yoga, she continued to study. Loan graduated from Leah Gillman Barefoot Movement Flow Yoga Training in Oakland, California, December 2010. She continues to participate in classes and workshops in various traditions, including; ashtanga, vinyasa, yin and prenatal yoga. Because of the great enjoyment and satisfaction Loan gets from yoga, she decided to share that with others. As a teacher, Loan shares yoga as a day by day, movement by movement practice of well being. In her classes she guides you through dynamic sequences of movement while providing subtle alignment cues for the correct posture. She draws your awareness to the quality and presence of your breath. In a yoga class with Loan, students are physically challenged while also feeling a sense of being one with nature, safe and supported with a connection between body and mind.
Jody Weltz
I have been practicing yoga for eight years while completing my Yoga teacher training certification. I had the benefit of having Gloria Persico as one of my first teachers and with her considerable influence, I was hooked immediately. While going through my teacher training, it became clear to me that my path was to teach restorative and gentle yoga in order to help people who are intimidated by the practice. I believe that the body can be gently coaxed into realizing the amazing benefits yoga has to offer. In addition to yoga, I enjoy all things equestrian, riding and training horses and performing on the rodeo circuit. I love the healing arts and include herbology and energy work in my therapeutic approach. I love to seek out the positive while politely shying away from negativity.
Jody comments on her teaching approach at The Yoga Fusion: "I am very excited to bring my “Plus Yoga” class to The Yoga Fusion. For so many, the thought of Yoga conjures images of lean and muscular people shaping their bodies into perfect poses. This intimidating image of Yoga prevents countless potential Yogis from reaping the benefits available to all shapes, sizes, and abilities. I get the greatest satisfaction by helping new friends become Yogis by adapting traditional Yoga postures to accommodate all body types, whether you’re hyper-flexible or stiff as a board. Above all, you do not have to be thin to enjoy the benefits of Yoga! I create a relaxed atmosphere in my class which encourages those who tend to shy away from physical activity to participate in a safe and progressive program of movement without overexertion or threat of injury. If this class description speaks to you, I eagerly look forward to meeting you at The Yoga Fusion!”