In September 1999, the newly organized Yoga Alliance® established a national Yoga Teachers' Registry to recognize and promote teachers with training that meet minimum training standards. Teachers who meet these standards are eligible to register as "RYT®"s (Registered Yoga Teachers).
In 2005, in conjunction with enhanced revised standards for registration, they began recognizing and registering teachers with significant teaching experience in addition to training (Experienced Registered Yoga Teachers, or "E-RYT®"s).
These teachers are trained to the highest standard recommended by the National Yoga Alliance for RYT certification. Each teacher must have spent 200 hours of training working in classroom environments on asana, philosophy, anatomy, physiology and mentoring with senior instructors.
To define, maintain, and support the commitment to training and education of Pilates instructors, the Pilates Method Alliance® was formed in 2000 as the international professional organization for the Pilates method of exercise. Members are required to participate in ongoing training, and must provide documentation to remain in good standing. The PMA® has set guidelines and recommendations for teacher training programs, and has established the first National Certification Exam for the Pilates method.
Malaurie Barber – Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher; Forrest Yoga Certified Teacher, Kundalini and Khalsa Way Pregnancy certified Teacher; Energy Healer and Certified Massage Therapist.
Read article about Malaurie in elephant journal
Malaurie was raised in Paris, France and was introduced at a very young age to meditation, eastern philosophy and healing. She moved to the United States 15 years ago and lived in Maryland for 10 years before moving to California 5 years ago.
She earned her Hatha Yoga certification by studying with Ana Forrest 7 years ago and went on shortly after to study Kundalini and Pregnancy Yoga with Gurmukh. Malaurie also works as a massage therapist and specializes in Cranio sacral Therapy, Energy Work and Sport Massage.
Malaurie's style of yoga is a blend between Forrest Yoga and Vinyasa flow yoga. She puts a strong emphasizes on the breath and body alignment while incorporating meditation and awareness of the body in every pose.
Malaurie's thoughts on yoga: "Before I found yoga I was sleep walking through life. Yoga woke me up, gave me back my breath and awareness of my own body. I became mind, body and soul instead of being an empty shell running trough life living only in the past and the future. I became able to be in the present and experience the moment. It is what I hope to bring to my students in every class I teach; an awareness and ability to remain present as they move from one pose to another, to experience their breath and quiet their minds."
Sasha Cole, RYT – Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher; 500-Hour YW Certified Instructor
Sasha came to yoga with a background in the performing arts of song and dance. For years she incorporated yoga as a supplement to her dance training for increasing flexibility. In 2001, she attended her first official yoga class. She immediately fell in love with the mind, body, breath connection unique to yoga, which before she could only experience separately through meditation, singing, and dancing. After maintaining a dedicated yoga practice for six years, she was encouraged by her teacher, Monica Matthews, to take a teacher training. She completed the 200 hour teacher training certification program with Yoga Works in Costa Mesa studying under Kim Heagele-Labidi & Carmen Fitzgibbon. She continued on to complete the 300 hour professional program certification with Yoga Works in Los Angeles where she apprenticed under Jeanne Heileman for six months. During that time, she also studied under such accomplished teachers such as Lisa Walford, Annie Carpenter, and Paul Cabanis.
Sasha uses her personal experience and training with subtle body awareness and breath control to help students get deeper in their practice in a relaxed and accepting environment. You are virtually guaranteed to walk out feeling better than you did when you walked in!
Sasha's Thoughts on Yoga: "Yoga is so amazingly therapeutic! It can treat any imbalance or disease of the body, mind, or subtle energy. The best part is you don't have to be a pro or even know what you're doing in order for it to work - it's magic!"
Jessica Corbin, RYT – Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, NESTA Personal Trainer, Certified Sri Dharma Mittra Instructor, CPR Certified
Jessica became a competitive athlete at an early age. With the assistance of amazing coaches, she grew herself into an All-American cross country runner and Olympic torchbearer in high school. Her early athletic success resulted in recruitment and scholarship to compete on the track and cross-country team at UCLA.
Unfortunately, her athletic career had to come to a premature end due to chronic overuse injuries. After years of searching for systemic healing, Jessica stumbled into yoga, which she initially viewed as "stretching for wimps." To her humble delight this stretch class became the cornerstone of her life. She now compares yoga to the Swiss Army knife for anyone's wellness goals. Since college Jessica has attained AFAA's certification for group fitness, NESTA's certification for personal training, and Spinning's certification for indoor cycling, and most recently Yoga Alliance's certification under Sri Dharma Mittra.
Jessica's teaching style is a hatha based devotional practice that includes vinyasa and restorative elements.
Jessica's Thoughts on Yoga: "Yoga has the power to bring light to the darkest part of our minds and reveal the true beauty of the heart."
"Love, and then do as you like" - St Augustine
Troy Cox - YogaFit Certified Instructor; Core Power Yoga Certified Instructor; Certified Personal Trainer; NESTA; NASM; NCSF; Meditation Training with Diane Ross; Amrit Desi Institute's Yoga Nidra Stress Reduction Certification
A passionate, goal-oriented personal trainer in Orange County, California. Troy has studied fitness, yoga, nutrition, meditation and stress reduction for many years. He studied meditation techniques extensively with Diane Ross, and Amrit Desai. Troy holds many certifications in both personal training and Yoga. He has taken classes with Shiva Rea, Beth Shaw, John Friend and Seane Corn. He has also studied Hatha Flow, Ashtanga, Bikram and Kundalini styles. He teaches Yoga at a diverse variety of studios ranging from exclusive spas, country clubs, resorts, and designs personalized workout plans for individual sessions. Troy is dedicated to furthering his education and sharing his constantly evolving passion with the world.
Troy teaches Yoga based in Hatha (healing yoga) or Yoga Nidra (stress reduction Yoga). Doing Yoga with Troy will aid in healing injury or disease, reshape your body and gain strength, flexibility and balance. It also helps transform stress into harmony and further your Mind Body Journey.
Troy's Thoughts on Yoga: Troy believes that the mind and body connection directly affects a person’s overall wellness. While lifestyle and the drive to succeed is important, finding balance and reducing stress are equally important. Troy shares his wealth of fitness knowledge and stress reducing techniques in his yoga classes and personal training sessions. His specialty is Yoga Nidra, or guided yoga into a state of complete relaxation teaching the benefits, tips and tools to a stress reduced life. www.trainertroy.com
Bret Gove - Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
As a life-long sports and fitness enthusiast, Bret elected to pursue a profession in physical fitness in early 2007 after a 20 year career as a partner in a small real estate development and investment company based in Irvine, CA. He is now a Level I CrossFit Trainer on his way to obtaining a Level II certification. Bret learned early the importance of maintaining a high-level of overall physical fitness year-round as a multi-sport athlete in high school. Continuing to seek out new sports activities as an adult, he has learned, participated and competed in, tennis, roller-hockey, snow-skiing, running, road biking and triathlons, among other competitive events.
Bret has been an avid participant in CrossFit training (www.crossfit.com) since September of 2006 and believes that it represents the best overall fitness program he has ever experienced. "The CrossFit prescription is constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement with the goal always being to forge a broad, general, and inclusive fitness by not specializing. The load and degree of intensity of the routines are scaled to the psychological and physical capabilities of the individual, but the program is not changed."
Whether training a client or performing a workout himself, Bret retains a strong preference for a strength and conditioning fitness approach that includes weightlifting (squats, deadlifts, shoulder presses, etc), gymnastics (push-ups, pull-ups, dips, handstand push-ups, etc) and mono-structural movements (performing a single task such as running, cycling, pull-ups, etc), utilized in one or more various combinations or individually. He emphasizes proper technique and form before adding any weight to a movement, as well as, the importance of nutrition and rest/recovery (ie, listen to your body).
Bret also performs yoga on a regular basis to maintain/improve flexibility, recovery and aid in mental relaxation/focus and also benefits from periodic massage therapy and chiropractic care. As well, he is a firm believer in the large role that nutrition plays in maintaining physical fitness and has been a long-time practitioner of the Zone Diet.
A native Californian and graduate of UC Riverside, Bret lives in Rancho Santa Margarita with his wife, Diane, and their two kids, Jackie and Michael.
Amy Harper, RYT – Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher, YogaEd Certified Instructor, Yoga4Teens Certified Instructor, CPR Certified
Amy began studying yoga ten years ago after fracturing her spine in a water sport accident. Her physical therapist introduced her to yoga as a way to build strength, flexibility, and promote healing.
During her recovery she began the healing process through restorative yoga. What became clear to her was that yoga was much more than stretching ...it was a way to heal the body, mind and spirit, which was what she needed at that time. In 2002, she became a certified yoga instructor through Yogamotion in Park City, Utah. She currently teaches yoga for several companies in the area, as well as at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in San Juan Capistrano.
Amy's teaching style incorporates a variety of disciplines. She incorporates the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar which focuses on precise structure and support. She also uses the traditions of Anusara® which blends grace, alignment and energized movement into her classes while incorporating Viniyoga practices which teaches how to honor the person not the pose. As a student furthers their practice, she links postures creating a similar flow to the traditions of Ashtanga and Vinyasa. She enjoys including people of all ages and abilities helping to inspire students to connect with their true essence and potential.
Amy's Thoughts on Yoga: "Yoga, for me, is about finding balance, and developing a relationship with yourself while learning your strengths and realizing your full potential so you can share the peace and harmony with others in your life. Yoga is a blessing for me and has become a true passion in my life. My hope is to pass along the magic of yoga - letting the breath, asana, and your individual practice speak to you."
Bergen Haworth - Core Power Yoga Certified Yoga Instructor, CPR Certified
After practicing ballet for over 13 years, Bergen began practicing yoga in 2000 as a way to integrate her love of dance into the physical and mental challenges of the yoga asanas. After her first Bikram class she was instantly hooked and her life was transformed both on and off the mat. As yoga has become a life-long personal journey for Bergen, she was inspired to deepen her practice and knowledge by completing the Core Power Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training Program in San Diego. Bergen is currently enrolled in a Hot Yoga Teacher Training. Bergen lives in South Orange County with her husband, 2 year old daughter and two dogs. She hopes to share the positive experience yoga has had on her life with those around her.
Bergen's Thoughts on Yoga: "Yoga has taught me balance on every level and aspect of my being... the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual." As a teacher, Bergen has become more of a student of yoga by learning from her students and her quest for more knowledge. "I realize more and more how yoga is truly a lifelong journey."
Michele Heikens – BASI Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor – PMA Member
Michele Heikens has studied with world renowned Body Arts and Science International. She has studied under the BASI Pilate founder Rael Isacowitz for her comprehensive Teacher Training Certification Program, in the Pilates Method. Continuing on her journey of advancement in Pilates she trains with Leah Stewart, Senior Faculty of BASI and founder and owner of Live Life Pilates.
Michele's Thoughts on Pilates: Pilates came into my life over 9 years ago. Trying to recover from an injury, conventional rehab helped but I needed more. Pilates gave me strength, movement and balance. It gave me back my life!
My favorite quote from Joseph H. Pilates is "Physical fitness is the first requisite to happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is that attainment and maintenance of uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure."
Krystle Lord-Keller– Bachelor’s Degree in Traditional Eastern Arts (YOGA); Certified Creative Relaxation® Yoga Instructor for children, including those with Autism and other special needs. 500 Hr Certification in Integral yoga and ayurveda.
Krystle is an Orange County native, born in Mission Viejo and raised in Rancho Santa Margarita. She left RSM at 18 to see the world. This landed her in the yoga hub of Boulder, CO., where she studied at Naropa University, a contemplative/Buddhist inspired school. At Naropa her degree combined yoga, early childhood education and environmental studies. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Education for Social Change – the approach to education as a 3-fold path of spiritual, social and environmental well-being. Through this she has come to the field yoga therapy.
While studying yoga at Naropa University with teacher Nataraja Kallio she was able to go out, and in, to the world teaching yoga to many different people. In 2005, during a study trip to Thailand, she taught yoga to Thai women who lived in the Landfill Community to help cleanse their lungs, rebuild posture, and empower them to take care of their health. In 2008 she traveled to Nicaragua where she had her first experience teaching children’s yoga. From 2008-2009 she taught yoga to her university students studying abroad to help them with the different stresses of being far from home. Her ongoing yoga training is with teacher Mas Vidal at the Ayurveda Yoga center Dancing Shiva, in Beverly Hills.
Krystle’s style of yoga is a blend of Hatha Yoga with a mindful touch of ayurveda. Ayurveda is an eastern science that sees the human body as made up of three constitutions or doshas. Her teaching style is to meet each class where they are at, teaching to the seasons, time of day, weather, and varying types of people. She seeks to help each of her students aspire to find physical and mental balance. Additionally, Krystle teaches typical and special needs children yoga at Lotus 7 and at Pretend City Children’s Museum.
Krystle’s thoughts on yoga: "Yoga has been a significant part of my life since I left home at age 18. However, my curiosity in yoga began when I was in high school. At the university I began practicing yoga to cure anxiety, and improve my concentration and focus. The combined practice of pranayama (breathwork), dhyana (meditation), and asana (posture) are the perfect combination for getting through day-to-day stresses, and continuing to meet my life goals. I strongly believe that through yoga and holistic medicine we can find a remedy to most of our society’s ever-growing disorders and find a balance perfect for each of us. I especially encourage parents with children who are being diagnosed with ADD and ADHD to seek out some of these alternatives. Yoga is a gift I hope to continue sharing to help cultivate love and well-being in the world”
Diane McAdoo, PMA - AFAA Group Instructor, PMA member, Pilates Allegro Reformer Instructor, Pilates Evolved, Body Art and Science Int'l
A New Jersey native, Diane started taking dance classes at the age of 5. Throughout her childhood she practiced ballet, tap and jazz through Linda Jandoli, a former member of the New York City Rockettes.
In 2001 she moved to Huntington Beach, CA, where she started to take an interest in yoga. She practiced yoga for a few years when she met her husband, who was very involved in the Pilates regimen. She started practicing with him and started to notice the changes in her body. Pilates improved her strength, flexibility and concentration.
After seeing these changes, she decided to pursue her passion and become a Pilates Instructor. In 2005, she received her Group Fitness Instructor Certification through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She began teaching Pilates in 2006, while attending different workshops focusing on the Joseph Pilates Method. She continues her education by attending conferences and seminars sponsored by Pilates Method Alliance, as well as many others.
In 2008 Diane began teaching for Pacific Hills Treatment Center in Dana Point. This has been very fulfilling for her as she sees various bodies go through healing and strengthening through Pilates. In 2009 she received her Mat Certification through Body Arts and Science International (BASI). She continues her education in BASI as well.
Diane's Thoughts on Pilates: "One of the biggest rewards is seeing my students change and grow. When someone new to the practice comes in and puts their mind and body to it, then tells me about the changes going on, that is a great feeling for me. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how heavy or light you are, with Pilates you see many improvements. Be it breathing, concentration, flexibility, or anything of the like, Pilates helps strengthen the core of your life."
"In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you will be on your way to a whole new body."
- Joseph Pilates.
Kinga Night, PMA – Certified Pilates Mat and Pilates Reformer Instructor
Kinga was born in Budapest, Hungary, and quickly found her passion in sports. At 11 years old she began competing as a rhythmic gymnast internationally. While attending a high school for professional athletes, Kinga also began a career in dance, and held feature roles in numerous theatrical productions, including CATS.
She majored in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the University of Physical Education in Budapest, and coached her own rhythmic gymnastics team before leaving for the United States in 1990 to further her education and career.
Upon arrival in New York, she immediately auditioned and received a dance scholarship to the renowned STEPS studio in NYC. Her performing career eventually led to appearances on stage and television in more than 30 countries.
In 1998, now making Orange County, California her home, she returned to physical fitness. She became a member of AFAA, and taught numerous fitness formats before falling in love with Pilates. Kinga was accepted for the Pilates Certification program at Aline Studios, a studio that specializes in personalized, one-on-one training. She has been teaching Pilates full-time since 2002.
Kinga's Pilate Mat classes emphasize proper breathing and correct body alignment while focusing on purposeful movement patterns increasing your awareness of how your body moves and feels. Quality over quantity of movement prevails, giving you maximum power and efficiency.
Stacey Parker, RYT - Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher; 200 Hour Empowered-Yoga Certified Instructor; Kriya Kundalini Pranayama and Meditation Teacher Training; Power Vinyasa Teacher Training with Rolf Gates; Shambala Meditation Training with David Nichtern; Karma Yoga Training with Charu Rachlis; and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky
Stacey relocated to Southern California in late 2008 after growing up in the South and spending the last six years on the east coast. She started her personal yoga practice in 2003 at Empowered Yoga in Wilmington, Delaware after a lifetime of gym workouts. Stacey quickly discovered yoga was the perfect exercise for aerobic capacity, strength development, balance, increased flexibility and stress reduction. Additionally, she immediately embraced the sense of family and friendly, open environment within the yoga community. In addition to the physical benefits, she found yoga helped to create a sense of balance in her otherwise hectic life.
After almost five years of dedicated personal practice, Stacey decided she wanted to share her love of yoga and the transformative power of a consistent practice with others. She trained with her first yoga instructor, Johnny Gillespie through Empowered Yoga’s 2007-2008 Yoga Alliance 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program, with an influential blend of Anusara, Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa Flow disciplines.
When you walk into one of Stacey’s classes, look for her inviting smile and encouraging, warm voice to guide you through your yoga practice. During class, she will focus on proper alignment and the breath to further guide you deeper into your personal yoga practice. Expect to be inspired to move throughout your day in an open and joyous manner!
Stacey’s Thoughts on Yoga: “Yoga makes me more in tune with the person I strive to be and more comfortable with the person that I am.”
Fay Pastel, RYT – Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher, Yogafit Teacher Certification, Erich Schiffmann Certified Yoga Instructor, YogaWorks Iyengar® Teacher Training (48 hours), Yogaworks Teacher training (multi- formats - 150 hours), A.C.E. Personal trainer and A.C.E. Group Fitness Trainer, Irvine Valley College Certified Fitness Trainer
Fay is a native New Yorker, who has been a southern Cal girl for 27 years. Dance and performing for people has been a joyful "high" for her since she was a child. Her dance background covers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballroom, African, and Hip-Hop. Fay took her first yoga class 35 years ago, and was hooked. Like other high -energy people, she enjoys the way yoga balances and soothes her soul, while satisfying her quest for self-discovery. Fay has been teaching yoga throughout Southern California for over 7 years to special populations such as senior centers, college campuses, and drug/alcohol Rehab women centers.
Fay's style of teaching is an eclectic vinyasa style that caters to children, seniors, and those suffering from injuries or chronic issues.
Fay's Thoughts on Yoga: "Working with special populations is the greatest reward in itself. Working in a community outreach setting will be a heart-warming and exciting opportunity to exchange ideas, and love of yoga."
Tim Senesi, RYT - Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher, 400 Hour Certified Iyengar Instructor
Tim has been teaching yoga for the past seven years. He began his yoga journey as a means of releasing muscle tension and practicing healthy exercise, but he soon began noticing a significant mental and bodily shift in addition. Negative feelings and emotions were being replaced with a sense of calmness and serenity, and a new feeling of bodily strength and ease was becoming apparent. Tim has studied several disciplines of yoga, and spent a number of years teaching Vinyasa flow in San Diego. He became familiar with B.K.S. Iyengar through his book, "Light On Life" and has since devoted his practice to the study of the Iyengar Method. His attention to detail and alignment in Asana is directly inspired by his teachers, Manouso Manos and Megan Bello. He holds a 400 hr certification. Tim’s classes at Lotus7 are a blend of his experience in yoga: a mixture of energetic flow and precision in alignment.
Thoughts on yoga: “Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of consciousness.”
I am thankful for what I have found through my practice of yoga and especially for the teachers who have shed light on the matter. I hope, if anything, that I can accurately pass on what I have been given and continue to cultivate the positive.
“Do not think of yourself as a small compressed, suffering thing. Think of yourself as graceful and expanding, no matter how unlikely it may seem at the time” BKS Iyengar
Danarene Tizenor - Meditation Dance Instructor, Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Massage Therapist
Danarene attended her first Kundalini yoga class at the East West Cultural center on Robertson Boulevard, a Sikh community, when she was in elementary school learning The Yoga of Awareness as taught by Yogi Bhajhan, the founder. She grew to truly appreciate the beauty of this artful science when returning to the practice in 1994, when a family tragedy brought her back to the mat. By 1997, Danarene was on the career path of body-mind health and healing. She studied massage therapy and clinical hypnotherapy in 1998 and became certified in both in 1999. She had been studying yoga from various masters, practicing at home and teaching at community centers but felt the call to deepen her understanding of Yoga philosophy and to learn a broader range of teaching methods and eventually found her way to the Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary in Pasadena, California; a 200 hour teacher training and 3-month residency program. In 2001 she was certified in the Hatha Yoga tradition by Master Teacher Naader Shaghagi and continued to work at the Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary for another 3 years teaching yoga to all levels of practitioners from beginner through advanced adults, teens, and pregnant moms, in addition to her massage and hypnotherapy practice.
Danarene has always danced, starting with ballet lessons at the age of 6. She loves the structure of ballet, the joy of belly dance and the tango but found her passion in ecstatic/trance dance. It allowed her to experience a freedom and creativity that no other type of dance or fitness had before. Through the early 2000’s she attended the 5 Rhythms classes taught by Jo Cobbett and Michael Skelton in the Los Angeles area and during her year in Ashland, Oregon (06/07) she participated in the Ecstatic Dance classes taught by Diane Horbacewicz.
Danarene’s Thoughts on Yoga and Dance: “ It's a wonderful experience and the true beauty is that it's completely accessible. When something excites and inspires us we want to share it with others. I have found that my studies and practice in the healing and creative arts have enabled me make positive changes in how I live; to be more balanced, more open in heart and mind and to deal with life’s challenges with grace. To be able to guide others toward pragmatic and effective tools for better living is my life’s purpose. I am indebted to the many people who have provided me the opportunity to do this, to my yoga students and therapy clients I am especially grateful. They have been my greatest teachers.”
Robin Ward, BASI Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor – PMA Member
Robin began practicing pilates nine years ago and has been an avid student ever since. In 2004 she decided to take her love and passion of pilates to the next level. She entered the Body Arts and Science International certification program and received her mat and apparatus certification under Rael Isacowitz. Robin loves sharing her knowledge of pilates with clients of all levels. Her classes focus on anatomy, proper alignment and technique. She promises and exciting, challenging and fun workout.
Lina Wu – Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher; 500 RYT
Lina first started practicing yoga 10 years ago as a means to de-stress from her job as a college instructor. Lina teaches yoga at various studios, a woman's gym and the MS Society. She also works with private clients and corporations, and is interested in contributing to her community and making yoga accessible to everybody. She specializes in creating customized sequences and postures that can be easily integrated in one's daily exercise routine. Lina completed her yoga certification with Yogaworks. From her own experience, Lina believes that one is never too busy, too old, too out of shape or too stiff to do yoga. Aside from teaching the practical aspects of yoga, Lina hopes to bring the universal spirit and energy back into yoga. For her personal practice she incorporates mantras, meditation, mudra dance and qigong into her routine to enhance her yoga practice. She also designs and makes her popular line of energetic yoga jewelry, which are available for viewing by emailing her at krystalyoga@yahoo.com.
Lina's Thoughts on Yoga: "Yoga has transformed my life inside and out. Not only has it reshaped my body, it has deepened my mind perception and enlarged my soul. It is like a gift that doesn't stop giving. Yoga never ceases to bring me a new surprise gift at my doorstep every day."
