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 Ben Dineen
Qigong - Ben was introduced to the art and science of yoga in 1996 by Senior Iyengar Instructor Ben Thomas, whom Ben considers his primary yogic mentor and inspiration. Ben is deeply grateful and appreciative for all that Ben Thomas has so generously and lovingly shared with him over the years. In addition to practicing yoga, Ben has maintained a regular practice of taijiquan and qigong since 1999. In 2003 he began studying qigong and Chen style taijiquan with his primary sifu, Master Wong Wai Yi (Tony Wong). Ben is deeply appreciative for being under the expert guidance of Master Wong, and for his true patience and generosity in his sharing with him the ancient arts of taiji and qigong. Although Ben has only mentioned his two primary teachers here, there are many others who have contributed to Ben's learning and development over the years, and to them, Ben offers his sincere thanks and gratitude.  Birgit Reimer
Iyengar - Birgit Reimer has studied extensively with Ben Thomas. Her schedule includes regular asana and pranayama classes at bay area studios as well as yoga at the AARS (Asian American Recovery Service), private lessons, and workshops. Her classes are a well-balanced composition of Sadhana (practice), chants , pranayama, meditation and philosophy. Birgit also teaches an Iyengar yoga module for Avalon's teacher training program.  Bonnie Linde
Intro to Yoga - Bonnie came to yoga following a career in high-tech operations management, and loved the way yoga made her feel, mentally as well as physically. She completed the Teacher Training Program at Avalon Yoga Center in Palo Alto, mentoring with her primary teacher and influence, John Berg, and then studied Restorative yoga with Jaclyn Long. Bonnie 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.  Brandy Falcon
Yin/Vinyasa - Brandy has been practicing Hatha yoga since 1998 and teaching yoga since 2002. She draws from many styles to lead classes that are slow, deep, and appropriately intense. Strongly influenced by the Buddhist practices of Vipassana (insight) and Metta (loving-kindness) meditation, Brandy encourages students to practice with compassionate awareness and to explore the many layers of our human nature. She has been certified by the YES program, directed by Joyce Anue, and has completed a Yin-Yang teacher's training course with Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley. In addition to her ongoing studies in yoga and Sanskrit, Brandy is working toward a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Clive Beavis
Vinyasa - Always athletically inclined Clive began practicing yoga over 8 years ago and became immediately hooked. He has studied both Iyenga and Vinyasa Yoga extensively. He is a product of Avalon's teacher training program and teaches at several local studios. Clive continues to study under some of the Bay Area's leading teachers. His classes are best described as Vinyasa style with an Iyengar influence. Clive's British accent and sense of humor makes his teaching both unique and fun.  Diane Byster
Diane Byster is a Registered Yoga Teacher, California State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and National Certified Counselor. She received certification as a yoga teacher in spring of 2008 through the Avalon Art and Yoga Center teacher training program, and was mentored by John Berg. Diane currently teaches a regular Vinyassa style yoga class at Devi, the Spa of Los Altos and serves as a substitute instructor for both Devi and Avalon studios. Diane is also an instructor in the behavioral health education program for Kaiser permanente and teaches courses on ‘Mind/Body Medicine’ and ‘Overcoming Depression’ where she incorporates asana, pranayama techniques and yoga philosophy. In addition to her teaching, Diane maintains a private practice in Palo Alto and sees clients for psychotherapy and career counseling. Diane has completed the 2nd year of a 3 year evidenced-based psychotherapy training program that uses moment-to-moment tracking of emotional experience in the body to help people develop more effective self-observation and self-compassion skills.  Doron Hanoch
Vinyasa - Doron Hanoch is a Certified 550 hour Yoga Teacher (RYI). He was introduced to Yoga and Meditation in 1992 while traveling and studying in the Far East. Since then Doron has returned to India many times to deepen his spiritual and Asana Practice and has practiced under the guidance of PattabhiJois and his family including Sharath and Saraswati. He is fortunate to have studied with teachers such as Richard Freeman (teacher training, Boulder, CO), Rolf and Marci, (Goa, India) Tim Miller (India), Adarsh and Heleen (Mountain View, CA), Amy Santos (New York), Gouda Hedwig (New York), and Shashadri (Mysore, India) and a Vinyasa teacher training with Mark Stephens (Santa Cruz). Doron has a dedicated Yoga practice and has also spent much time practicing Zen meditation. He teaches Yoga workshops at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, around the bay area, as well as privates. Doron’s teachings are based on the foundation of tradition with a practical and non-dogmatic way. Movements flow from one to another in rhythm with the breath, emphasizing grace as the opening to a meditative practice. Doron is a trained chef, a certified nutrition consultant (registered with the AADP)and an artist. He uses all his skills to share a holistic experience.  Elena Milyukova
Elena started her path of yoga several years ago under the guidance of her Guru, Ben Thomas. Ever since then, she fell in love with yoga, and after a year of her daily practice she knew that she was going to dedicate her life to yoga. Elena finished Avalon's Teacher Training Program under mentorship of John Berg. Elena has studied the whole spectrum of yoga: asanas, pranayama, chanting, philosophy, meditation, principals of vinyasa sequencing, music in yoga, and enjoyment of synchronizing breath with movement to awake the inner Self. Elena also completed 100-hours Anusara Immersion with Kenny Graham who introduced her to Tantric approach in yoga. Elena gives her students solid Iyengar foundation with emphasis on safety, alignment, symmetry, and space. Through offering to her students a challenging and playful practice Elena encourages them to find their own boundaries, which would fuel them with fresh energies, free their mind, help to discover hidden powers and fill their hearts with love and inner peace.  Eric Wesoff
Vinyasa, Yoga For Athletes - Eric has practiced and taught Yoga in the SF Bay Area since 2004. He has been certified in the Ashtanga style at It’s Yoga of San Francisco and borrows liberally from other Yoga styles. Eric has practiced with a number of distinguished teachers, including Andrey Lappa, Dharma Miitra, and David Swenson, and intends to carry on their teachings with integrity and grace. His classes emphasize breath, dynamic flow, and finding calm in the intensity of the asana.  Hillary Easom
Hillary began practicing yoga in 1997 using a book recommended by a friend. Soon after, she started taking classes in Iyengar and later Vinyasa yoga and loved the energy created in a classroom of yogis practicing together. Yoga helped her develop body and breath awareness that worked wonders during two pregnancies and childbirths. Hillary also has embraced the spiritual side of yoga and continues to explore meditation and yogic philosophy. She completed the teacher training program at Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto. Hillary’s classes combine breath awareness and physical postures in an effort to open the body, mind and spirit to all that is possible. She aims to ensure that every student—regardless of age, fitness level or experience—finds something magical in the practice.  Janya Wongsopa
Vinyasa/Restorative, Yin - Janya is a devoted yoga practitioner who has been, since 2003, deeply involved with yogic philosophy and psychology, health, and healing. She completed yoga training at Avalon Yoga Center in Palo Alto, a 200-hour certification course in yogic meditation and Vedanta philosophy at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, and a certification in Somatic Psychology at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, in 2006. Janya has been teaching yoga and meditation since 2006 and has worked as a pancha karma apprentice at Blue Sage Sanctuary. In her classes, Janya emphasizes body and breath awareness and weaves a spiritual teaching of yoga that connects with all aspects of body and mind and that allows students gain physical, emotional, and mental health. Her teaching is gentle yet challenging: with sincere guidance and support, she urges students to take an active role in creating optimum health and well-being.  Jenn Gaskin
Vinyasa Jenn Gaskin began studying yoga and pilates ten years ago. She says, "For me, yoga is more than something I do. It is who I am - something I feel I was created to take joy in. It meets and nurtures me in the deep places." Jenn has been certified by Tias Little and has had the privilege of assisting him at his Yoga Journal Conference workshops. Jenn's classes tend toward the more rigorous side of Vinyasa, but she seeks to maintain an atmosphere of solid calm and joy throughout her classes.  John Berg
Vinyasa John, an artist, musician and yoga explorer has studied under many teachers and styles, each one contributing a facet to John's style. A foundation in Iyengar yoga (Ben Thomas) brings an emphasis on safety and alignment; studies in traditional Hatha yoga, philosophy and Sanskrit (Anirudh Shastri); the art and power of creative vinyasa sequencing (Max Strom), and the integration of meditation into the physical yoga experience, creating one's own yoga (Erich Schiffmann). John is a graduate of the teacher trainings programs at Avalon Yoga (Palo Alto, CA) and Sacred Movement (Santa Monica, CA).  Keith Erickson
Vinyasa - Keith has been teaching yoga full time since 2002. Beyond an “earthy-crunchy spiritual type”, Keith was an investment banker with an MBA. This diversity of backgrounds enables him to understand and share the importance of bringing balance to life. That balance involves getting your body to the yoga mat and carrying the yoga spirit with you when you leave. Since beginning his yoga practice in 1997, Keith has spent almost 3 years traveling in India and Southeast Asia studying yoga, meditation and shiatsu massage. In addition to his formal teacher training (by Yoga Arts of Australia), Keith incorporates aspects from Kripalu, Sivananda and The Bihar School of Yoga into his classes. Keith's classes offer a unique blend of eastern and western philosophies. After an energizing Vinyasa Flow emphasizing fluid transitions between postures coordinated with the breath, you are invited to go inside and explore your sensations.  Lauren Anas
Vinyasa - Lauren began with 15 years of classical ballet training before she was introduced to yoga. She practiced Ashtanga yoga for 2 years and then enjoyed experiencing all styles with Vinyasa being her favorite. Lauren graduated from the teacher training program at Avalon Art and Yoga Center where she studied under John Berg. Lauren likes to think of her classes as explorations into the self, bringing our attention inward, finding both peace and love within our hearts. With compassion for the self and awareness of the body, yoga can be both physically and emotionally healing. As we let go and surrender into the moment and into the pose, we create space for healing to occur. Each breath, each moment, is another opportunity to experience what yoga ultimately embodies, unified grace.  Louis Jackson
Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa Louis Jackson has been practicing since 1995 and is currently studying with master Iyengar Instructor Mr. Ben Thomas (http://www.thomasyoga.com). He completed his teacher training at Palo Alto's Avalon Art and Yoga Center in fall of '06. In his classes, you will master the foundation needed for a safe practice and for the exploration of advanced asana. With his deliberate approach, you will strengthen and lengthen muscles and ligaments, learn to isolate the four regions of the spine, build endurance, and integrate movement and breath. By applying these basic principles in your everyday life, you will be at ease sitting, walking and sleeping.  Marly Cardozo
Rasa Vinyasa - Marly has been teaching since 2000. While first attracted to Yoga for its many physiological benefits, Marly made it her passion once she realized its healing and transformative effect on the mind and spirit. Marly is a certified Yoga teacher by Ganga White and Tracey Rich, founders of the White Lotus Foundation, and by Tias Little, founder of Prajna Yoga, whom she has assisted at the Yoga Journal Conference and other workshops. She studied Yoga therapy and the Yoga Sutras with TKV Desikachar, and she is currently training under the guidance of Kofi Busia; in addition, she has trained extensively in bio-energetic healing. Marly’s teaching encourages conscious awareness, skillful alignment, a strong stable core, and fluid movement. Her classes are attentive, well informed, spontaneous, playful, and have a consistent depth and completeness that offer students challenges and nourishment. Marly believes that the true force behind Yoga lies in its power to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves, that it is one of the most hopeful methods for becoming mindful of our strengths as well as our deep-held patterns of conditioning, and that it allows us to appreciate our own lives and the lives of all others. She teaches Yoga workshops and retreats in the Bay Area and abroad, offers private Yoga instruction and bio-energetic healing sessions, and is an Ambassador to Lululemon Athletica, which offers classes to the Burlingame and San Mateo communities. From its inception, Marly has been a healer at the Stanford School of Medicine’s Healing Partners program. Click here for more information on Marly and her Rasa Vinyasa class.  Mary E. McKee
Bikram - Mary practiced Jiu Jitsu for over 10 years, and a knee injury during this art martial practice brought her to discover the healing power of Yoga. Since this transition, Mary has been practicing and teaching Yoga in the Bay Area. Mary completed her training and certification with Bikram Choudhury in 2001. In addition to Bikram, she enjoys studying other Yoga styles. She teaches Yin, Flow, Bikram, and private classes weekly. Mary meditates daily and brings this experience into her teaching through the powerful vehicle known as "stillness.”  Mercedes Delaney
Intro to Yoga- Mercedes was introduced to yoga in 1998, at the beginning of her graduate school program. Even though the process of getting her Master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science lasted only three and a half years, the threads of yoga continue to inform her life. In 2007 she received her Yoga teacher certification from Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto, and is currently enrolled in the Mindfulness Training for Yoga Teachers offered through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She continues to study under a variety of yoga and vipassana teachers, including Tias Little, Max Strom, Stephen Cope, Ben Thomas, Sarah Powers, Mark Coleman, Howard Cohn, and Anna Douglas. Mercedes has completed level one of the Anusara Imersion program offered by Samantha Shakti-Brown, Stacey Rosenberg and Kelly Blaser. Mercedes’ teachings guide us to first find our breath and our heart, thereby allowing the body to open more fully to the asana practice. Her classes include mindfulness teachings that integrate meditation and self-study to the asana practice. She teaches gentle, restorative, and foundation-level classes.  Rebecca Snowball
Anusara Inspired Yoga - Rebecca Snowball fell in love with yoga in1996. In 2000 she completed her Vinyasa yoga teacher certification program at the White Lotus Yoga Foundation. In 2002, Rebecca was introduced to John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, while attending the Yoga Journal Conference in Colorado. John was teaching a workshop called, "Growing a Lotus." By applying the "Universal Principles of Alignment " of Anusara, Rebecca grew her lotus and sat with ease in padmasana, a pose that never seemed available. She then devoted the next several years to studying this life-affirming hatha yoga. Rebecca studied regularly with Klaus Lehrach and Kenny Graham and completed a 40-hour Anusara Immersion with Kenny Graham in 2006. In 2007-2008, she completed Anusara Teacher Training Level I with Stacey Rosenberg and subsequently Level II with John Friend. In March of 09, Rebecca completed John's Teacher's Intensive in Tuscon, Arizona. She is a licensed Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher working toward Anusara Certification.  Theresa Tomlin
PilatesTheresa became a professional dancer at age 17 and continued dancing for ~10 years for such companies as Paramount Great America, Disney on Parade, and MTV. She first came to know the work of Joseph Pilates in 2001 when she began taking Pilates classes to help her maintain and improve her dance technique. Almost immediately, Pilates proved to be highly effective at increasing her body's core strength and flexibility as well as being an ideal complement to dancing (or any other cardio exercise). Theresa completed beginning and intermediate Pilates Mat training in 2005 and recently completed advanced Mat and Apparatus work. When not teaching Pilates or dance, Theresa can be found attending Hatha yoga classes or practicing acrobatics at the Circus Center in San Francisco.
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 Celebrate spring! Special SALE: 25% off all Pink Lotus clothing (code: LotusMarch) John is Back! John is easing back into teaching, starting March 8th. Click on our "online schedule" for other class dates. Enjoy our Winter Morning Warm-Up Special (now extended through end of April). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Devi's Business Hours: Monday through Friday - 9:00am-2:00pm Saturday - 10:00am-2:00pm The studio is open 15 minutes before each scheduled class. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Online check-in saves time. Click on "Sign-up Online" to create an account, make payment, check on purchase history and make reservations.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you'd like to receive Devi Yoga Updates by email, please send request to info@devi-yoga.com. |
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