yoga-2

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I dipped my toe into yoga as a teen, but I truly stepped into the space with all my heart 6 years ago, after I shifted from a path of self-destruction and addiction to a path of healing and recovery. I found solace in the yoga room and found that the more I moved my body and tapped into my breath, the quieter my thoughts became, and the more I was able to sink into the present moment. This practice led me down a path of healing and self-discovery that I believe truly saved my life. The physical body is a vehicle through which we can transcend the trappings of the ego-mind and elevate to our highest self. Yoga practice, in all its forms, is VITAL to my well being and happiness.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I felt the calling to dive deeper into the practice in 2015 when I found myself at a place in my life where I was seeking more purpose. I enrolled in Teacher Training at Corepower Yoga in Encinitas, CA, and was TERRIFIED. My ego was trying to trick me into thinking that everyone else in the program would be better, more flexible, stronger, more spiritual… I could go on. What a gift it was to meet everyone on the first evening and realize that we were all feeling the exact same way. This is how a community is built. Yoga is a connection, yoga is love, and yoga is freedom from the illusion that we are all alone. This is why I choose to teach, and to lead others through their own path to becoming yoga teachers. The connections made, the trust built, and the feeling of community and family are what life is all about.

3. What makes your classes unique?

What I hope to offer to my students is a safe space to truly let the armor go. So often, we walk around all day long feeling like we need to shield ourselves from judgment, to put up a wall and protect our truest selves. We often push down emotions in order to function in our society, which is why I believe it is so important to provide a space where my students can release the tension, the emotion, and the stored up energy that we collect throughout our lives. Through music and movement, along with words of encouragement, inspiration, and sharing my own story, I hope to allow my students to fully be themselves in the studio, free from judgment. I teach challenging physical postures in layers to allow every level of student to feel successful and leave uplifted rather than depleted.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is my partner in this teaching journey. The power of sound to create an experience is incredible. I look for music that will let my students drop into the present moment, feeling the rhythm in their bodies through the pairing of sequence and sound.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I just moved to Oahu, Hawai’i, and am currently teaching at all three Corepower Yoga studios on the island! Come to take the class!

You can follow me on Instagram at @clairebearsd. Follow me and stay tuned for upcoming events on Oahu!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

Below is the Facebook Live Interview Featuring Claire Alexander, check it out!

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I was introduced to yoga at the age of 9 and has been in my field. I later adopted the practice to help with mobility and balance for surfing. Today yoga is a place for me to stay connected with my body. Through asana I can feel into my subtle body and listen to what I need for physical nourishment, and through the meditation practices I maintain an open connection to my higher self. I include ayurvedic principles into my everyday life which enhance the experience of living and breathing in todays world.  

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I began teaching in 2015. Moving into the role of a leader, teacher, mentor and guide has been nothing other than scary, different, challenging and deeply fulfilling. It was a calling from within that led me to begin teaching and the perspective of always being a student that grounds me into the position. I value the role of the mentor, and someone to be an anchor for support and guidance, who is actively doing the work themselves to show up for the greater community.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I teach from my personal experience with yoga and meditation, and how to relate it to the everyday life situation. To my knowledge I am currently the only me, so unless I have this all wrong I am the only one doing me!

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

It is a powerful tool to help bring the practitioner into a peak state very rapidly. I use it as a support system to the experience of the yoga practice and the type of experience I intend to facilitate for the practitioner.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I will be guiding a group of committed yogis who are ready to upgrade their life off the mat. We use simple practices from ayurveda that help deepen the hard work done on the yoga mat. It is the other side of the yoga lifestyle coin for restoring wholeness, balance and connection between your self and the cosmos.

Personal Instagram

Higher Self Instagram

Website

DTO was recently featured on Alec Hurley’s Podcast! Click on the image below to check it out!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

It is to live better both in mind and body.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I did yoga for the first time about ten years ago. But I was young, so I did not know there was any effect. However, when I went to yoga in India six years ago, I felt very comfortable after finishing. I started studying from there.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I am teaching Ashtanga Yoga and Vinyasa Flow.

In a class with a lot of momentum, I use up-tempo music. I also enjoy posing as a challenge. Shaba asana after a hard class is extraordinary as well as a massage after. When it’s time to rest, I use the candle and aroma to relax the mind and body.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

If I can relax further by listening from the ear, I feel happy and I think that music has a delicate effect on the body as well.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

My next event is a teacher course in Milan (19 Oct-10 Nov)

I also have a workshop coming up in December in Japan

You can also see updates on my Instagram, Facebook, and my Website!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

When I was 4 years old I was diagnosed with Scoliosis. I wore a back brace for nearly 3 years before asking my parents about other options and luckily there was a spine stapling procedure that was new in the field of spine curvature correction. So, at 7 years old, I told my parents that I wanted it done. I flew out to Philadelphia where 6 staples were placed internally alongside my spine. Ever since then, I have had freedom in movement, and this is where I found dance and fell in love. But still, something was off. I was still in pain, especially in the winter months, that is until I found yoga. Yoga has not only rid me of physical pain but emotional pain too. After practicing, yoga connects me to Earth and its inhabitants on a deeply spiritual level. Yoga has, is, and continues to be, the reason I am here. I am here to learn the medicine and share it with others. And I continue to be humbled to share my journey and heal others in the process.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I recently received my RYT-200 hour from Shawna Schenk in early August. My dad, a native of San Diego, forwarded me the link to her training back in January, and ever since then, I saved up from working retail. I didn’t know if I was ready to be a teacher, but I knew that I wanted to learn more about the practice and become more knowledgeable. Little did I know that her training would drastically change the direction of my life. Now, having left my retail job, I teach dance and yoga to young women. Through my YouTube channel, I also plan to teach movement and breath work so I can share the message with the masses. I have always felt in my soul that I was meant to help others, whether it be from a leadership position or a peer position.

3. What makes your classes unique?

My classes are unique because of my ethnicity and sexuality. Growing up in the Bay Area, I have seen firsthand, how disadvantaged people, particularly the youth are affected by their identity. I am Jewish, and therefore represent a people who have been persecuted against. I also identify as queer and therefore represent the LGBTQ community. In my classes I am open about my fluid and intersectional identity and therefore know how to hold space for people, particularly those whose lives are difficult outside the studio. I hold space for every walk of life and being only 20 years old, the youth can relate and feel comfortable in the space because I am somewhat of a peer to them.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music sets the tone for the kind of class I am teaching. Whether it be a fast-paced Vinyasa or a slow meditative Hatha. Having danced for over 10 years, I have seen first hand how music can affect the space, the teacher, and the students. I use music as an incredible tool to hold space and set the tone for the class. Music holds a very important role in the studio because without it the silence between questions would assuringly make the space uncomfortable to some who are new to yoga. By incorporating all kinds of music, my students are able to fully invest in the practice and let go of all other wandering thoughts before stepping onto the mat.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

Being a full-time Communications student, my education is my number one priority and takes up much of my time. Alongside school, I intern for the UCSF Women’s Health Center and have recently stepped into the role of Treasurer for the Meditation Club on campus. So, unfortunately outside of the studio once a week, I am not teaching publicly, unless I am doing private lessons.

But, you can follow me on:

Instagram

Facebook

Snapchat- julespearl

Youtube

LinkedIn

Yoga Alliance

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

My yoga practice is an ongoing journey as I peel away my shadow to reveal the light within myself and tap more into my authentic and divine nature.  Yoga originally started for me as a physical practice and a way of coping with anxiety and stress at university. There was a shift in my practice about 2 years ago where I fully experienced the mind, body, soul connection through activating my breath with movement. It was during this practice where I was practicing alone at home and I really fully recognized my own power. From that developed a level of self-love for my mind and body that I had never felt before. Since then life has become more about healing, listening and opening my heart and feeling into life’s experiences. Yoga changed my entire world for the better. I want to help inspire others to develop a deep connection and love for their own minds and bodies and to come back to themselves. The mental and physical benefits of yoga are incredible. I am able to live my life with a calm, relaxed mind. Whenever I am challenged through life experiences (which of course is inevitable) is where I can truly put the philosophy of yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation into practice off of my mat.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I recently just completed my first yoga teacher training course. I wanted to transition into a leadership position because I want to create space for others and guide them through strengthening their own practice and connection with themselves. I’m nervous to put myself out there and be seen but I also feel incredibly ready to soar!

3. What makes your classes unique?

I would say the flow dynamic and sequencing is what makes my classes unique. I am creative with my transitions in a vinyasa class, my goal is for people to really find their own flow by feeling into their body, softening into it and connecting with their breath. At the end of the day, our body can be our greatest guide and teacher, but we need to listen to it and tune into that.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I LOVE flowing to music. Music actually helped me to strengthen my own home practice. I would put on some tunes that my body felt safe to release and move to and then I would guide myself through my own flow sequence of intuitive movements. Music really helped me to turn off my mind and feel into my body and to let my body take the lead through each asana. Practicing in this way almost always leaves me feeling elevated.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I don’t have any upcoming events (YET). You can find me online on Instagram at @zenblissyogini and on Facebook!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Yoga gave me a connection to myself at a time in my life when I was deeply shut down. I started my practice in the midst of a blizzard during a long Canadian winter. What started as a means to warm up quickly evolved into a healing practice. Gradually, I began to make better choices for myself and started to feel hopeful that my life could turn around. I grew stronger and more inspired class by class. I believe it was yoga that gave me the courage to leave my career, my country and put all my trust into love. I continue to practice to feel that deep connection to myself; my spirit and my body united as one. But I also practice yoga to connect with a beautiful community of soul-searchers and freedom-seekers.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I began teaching yoga in 2017. I’d left Canada and was waiting on my residency status to be approved here in the USA. I knew I wanted a radical change of career, and yoga had been gently calling me for years. It was a way for me to give back some of the gifts that yoga had given me, in a time that I so greatly needed connection.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I teach with yin vibe and a focus on holding space. I encourage my students to make their time on their mat exactly what they need it to be. I’ll often teach to a theme or intention, but I love it when I see individual processes unfolding in bodies, minds, and hearts. Each student is unique and I aim to lead in an accessible way, where the yoga is the real teacher.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is the heartbeat of the room! I find so much healing in music myself, and I love to incorporate meaningful lyrics, chants and smooth beats into each class. It brings the studio into a state of unity.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I am coaching Power Yoga Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga in Poway starting in October!! I’m so excited to dive deep into the realms of yoga with eager students once again. There is always so much more to learn!

You can find me on Instagram @lindsaygaugler and at CorePower Yoga.

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Yoga has transformed my life.  I started channeling Yoga in my early twenties a form I call NinChi-Nina’s(Grace) Energy Flow. It’s a form of energy healing, combined with Intuitiveness stretching/strength and flexibility poses.  I now practice Acro Yoga, one of my greatest passions & I can honestly say it has completely transformed my life. I’m more aware of my body, mind, and spirit than ever. It grounds me and helps me stay in flow states.  

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I first started by teaching friends & family.  Inspired by how wonderful it made me feel, I wanted to share it with the world.  I now host transformational festival retreats that include Acro & Yoga. I’m about to start teaching NinChi @theurbanhealingcenter.  I’m excited to share what I’ve discovered through meditation. My daughter Ayana has recently been channeling her own yoga poses as well and wants to start teaching kids with me.  She is inspiring me to fully step into my leadership more and more every day.

3. What makes your classes unique?

They have completely channeled messages from the higher self(source).  The “original yoga” with no loss of translation since it’s direct from the universe.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is a wonderful way to heighten the frequency of any space instantly.  I’ve seen magic happen when the right playlist is on it literally speaks to your soul.  You can have a conversation with “God” (your higher self).

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

My next event is a divine feminine awakening retreat.  You can follow me on Facebook @ninachristine or on Instagram @nina.christine.peridot

Also in February 2019, I’ll be creating my next transformational festival retreat in Greece featuring San Diego’s best talent.  Acrobatic performance art, Conscious Music & inspiration!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

To be short and simple, yoga and my yoga community saved my life.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I first began teaching in February of this year.

pc: @lizorsiniphoto

3. What makes your classes unique?

I want all my students to feel love when they leave. Whether it be for yoga, themselves, the people in the room or who/whatever, feeling love is the goal!

pc: @lizorsiniphoto

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

It is so essential to me to create the right environment through music.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

You can follow me online at my Instagram handle @FindingLise and that’s the best way to see what I’m up to.

Photo Credits: @lizorsiniphoto

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Yoga has always been with me, even when I wasn’t aware. As a young girl, I was drawn to movement, gymnastics, using the body as a way to process and express my joy and emotions. Heading into my 20’s I felt something was missing, but I didn’t know where to look. After being sedentary for some years, I desired to get active again and I recalled people talking about this thing called “Yoga.” Upon my discovery, I knew this was what I had been searching for. I immediately was hooked as I kept practicing the handful of postures I knew at the time until I could learn more. It’s been almost 10 years now and I continue to find deeper aspects that draw me in. This is important to me because what began as a way to become healthy has transpired into finding my purpose and joy.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

Naturally, I wanted to dig deeper and took my first yoga teacher training in 2014. As an extremely shy person, teaching was a hurdle for me to conquer. Thankfully the love I have for the practice won over and helped me to heal and appreciate my struggles for having led me here. I believe some of the hardest things we have to face will be the very things that connect us to inspire the greater whole. It’s not something I had planned, but rather I saw it as a beautiful synchronicity to set myself free and hopefully be an inspiration helping others in the process.

3. What makes your classes unique?

In my classes, I allow space for students to notice what they are feeling with the body/mind connection to the postures we practice. We practice utilizing Yogic breath to lead us into the true alignment of the moment along with all the body awareness we can conjure up for safe harmonious practice. The styles I derive from include a fusion of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Tantra, and inspiration from my personal discoveries.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I absolutely love music! It’s a powerful tool when used mindfully in a yoga class. It can help assist the experience in being more aware and riding on the notes of the music. That said, I don’t use a lot of music as I want them to hear the rhythm of their breath. Music serves as a great tool for keeping the energy flowing for a Friday fun flow!

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

To schedule or learn more about me: elfeatheryoga.com

I’m available for privates, small groups, events, workshops, and corporate wellness.

Also offering private 1-1 sessions from home, via Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Ball

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I’ve read so many yoga teacher bios outlining their ‘aha’ moment in yoga where they were dragged to their first class in the midst of despair, got into a down-dog and were radically and instantly transformed. I feel that is entirely misleading in that it disregards yoga asana as a process, rather than a state of arriving at perfection. I have no fairytale romance for my relationship with yin yoga.  It’s been a long-term, sometimes arduous, daily development into stillness. Sometimes it feels dull or dark, other times it’s quite light and lifted. The passion stems from a willingness to be there, with and for yourself, in every moment. This is a practice you return to throughout every realm of the life process.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I think I started teaching yoga lifetimes ago. The transition into leadership will be happening for many more lifetimes ahead.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Ball

3. What makes your classes unique?

I’ll outline some essential elements, or the main ingredients, of my offering:

-A gentle, restorative textured longevity practice to approach sustainable health of connective tissues, joints, and ligaments normally neglected in a more active yoga practice.

-The observation of internal stillness as you hold each posture anywhere from one to twenty minutes! This allows us to develop the inner resources for tranquility even amidst discomfort or chaos. Meanwhile, the effect of gravity over time deepens and compresses the stretch to eradicate toxins, and lengthen and lubricate the denser tissues.

-A switch to the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest & digest component of our neurology) as we release deeply into the body, allowing for rejuvenation and vital healing on many levels, physiologically emotionally and otherwise.

Lastly, my classes are unhurried, still, and contemplative. We relax deeply into our essential Self and give ourselves the permission to simply exist, exactly as we are.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Ball

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I love to work with sound healers and live musicians to intermingle with a deeply resonant live Soundbath to experience therapeutic resonance and vibration in the deepest aspects of the connective tissue.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

Los Angeles Weekly Classes:

-5 Elements Yin Yoga & Soundbath – Bhakti Yoga Shala, Los Angeles – Thursday’s at 8:30 pm

-Yin Yoga – Sanctum Urban Temple, Los Angeles – Wednesday’s at 8 pm

Upcoming Teacher Training:

-5 Elements Yin Yoga Teacher Training – Sedona, Arizona – September 2018 – {$100 Discount with the code: DTO}

https://durgaexcursions.com/sedona-yin-yoga-teacher-training-september-2018

Summer Festival Appearances:

TELLURIDE WOW FESTIVAL – TELLURIDE, CO – JUNE 7-10

HEART AND SOUL SOULSTICE GATHERING – ANGELS CAMP, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 11-12

BEANSTALK FESTIVAL -BOND COLORADO -JUNE 28-30

Instagram: @kali_durga

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalidurgayinyoga/

Website: http://www.kalidurgayoga.com

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.