Based in Los Angeles, Marla is a Senior Intermediate level Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. Her 20 years of experience have made her a prominent instructor both throughout the United States and abroad where she leads workshops, intensives, retreats and teacher training programs.
Marla teaches at Iyengar Yoga Institue of Los Angeles (http://www.iyila.org/)
Lisa Walford holds an Intermediate Senior Iyengar teaching certificate and has been teaching yoga in Los Angeles since 1982. She continues her studies annually with the Iyengars, in Pune, India, and teaches worldwide.
In her rigorous and technically informative classes, she creates an ambiance of internal focus inspiring to both beginning and advanced students. Through yoga, she continues to explore the introspective process of balancing the physical with the energetic body while deepening her appreciation for the creative spirit. In her words: “Yoga brings us from the finite to the infinite, from pain to purpose and passion, and from disease to discriminating awareness.”
Lisa is on the Board of the not-for-profit organization Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics and the Iyengar Yoga Association of Los Angeles.
She was the curriculum director for the Teacher Training Program at YogaWorks through 2006, and was instrumental in its development. She is on the advisory board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Yoga Studies program at Loyola Marymount University. Lisa has a BA from UCLA and is co-author of The Longevity Diet, now in its second edition, and The Anti-Aging Plan.
Lisa teaches at Iyengar Yoga Institue of Los Angeles (http://www.iyila.org/)
Ms. Joey Soto is a yoga teacher who specializes in teaching meditation and vinyasa yoga to beginner and intermediate level students. She has practiced and taught yoga around the world and brings her expertise to private and public classes throughout southern California.
Training corporate executives, attorneys, parents, pregnant women, and teens, her clients have said that they enjoy the emphasis on alignment, breath and meditation she brings to her classes. She is a published author, a Manduka Ambassador and donates yoga sessions to support important causes, including ThirstProject, NextAid, and Cancer Support Community. In addition to teaching yoga, Joey has been a leader in environmental issues over the last decade through her work as a water resources consultant and community philanthropist.
Joey is a 500-hr National Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor, CPR/AED Certified for Infant, Child, and Adult, holds a M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from California State University, Fullerton and B.A. in Environmental Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Learn more about Ms. Soto on her website, www.sotoyoga.com or contact her at: [email protected]”
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
The founder of ParaYoga, Rod Stryker, is widely considered to be one of the preeminent yoga and meditation teachers in the United States. He is renowned for his depth of knowledge, practical wisdom, and unique ability to transmit the deepest aspect of the teachings and practices to modern audiences and students from all walks of life. Rod has taught for more than thirty years, training teachers leading corporate seminars, yoga retreats, and workshops throughout the world.
Acclaimed as a leading voice for the ancient traditions, accomplished Yogi, teacher, lecturer, and writer, Rod’s down-to-earth approach is informed as much by his mastery of the sublime teachings, as it is by his love of life and devotion to his wife and four children.
Jivamukti and Yin Yoga – An Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and E-RYT 500, Giselle’s introduction to yoga in the early 90’s was a natural progression from her gymnastics/dance background, her passion for music and being raised by a bohemian flamenco dancer; all of which have influenced her style and approach to teaching and life.
Described as “spunky” by her teacher Sharon Gannon, Giselle is known for her dynamic classes that have a down to earth approach to the practice of yoga. Her classes infuse funky eclectic music, Sanskrit chanting, skillful and intuitive hands-on assists, an insightful topic for mind, body and spirit and an asana practice that will light your fire and send you home glowing. This experience invites the student to investigate perceived limitations with an open heart and humor to facilitate the allowing of “what is”. Studied in Yin yoga as well, she appreciates the potency of this practice and enjoys coalescing these two powerful methods to create a visceral balance positively influencing how we see ourselves, and the world.
Ever a student, Giselle continues to study under the direct guidance of her guru’s Sharon Gannon and David Life. She assisted them throughout the western U.S. for almost 5 years and has had the honor to serve on the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training faculty as a mentor in 2012 & 2014. She is eternally grateful to Sharonji and Davidji for their mentorship, generosity, teachings, and love. She is also grateful to her Sanskrit teacher Manorama for taking her deeper into the language and philosophy of Yoga. Her other teachers that continue to inspire and guide her are Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley, Aadil Palkhivala, Duncan Wong and Jai Uttal.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Giselle also presents at yoga studios, conferences and festivals around the world. She’s also been on the cover of Yoga Journal and Yoga International Magazine as well as appearing in many of their articles. She’s also featured in Kathryn Budig’s book “Women’s Health: The Big Book of Yoga”. She’s an ambassador for Gaiam, a columnist for Origin Magazine, serves on the advisory committee for The Art of Yoga Project and is a teacher on YogaGlo. When not teaching, she loves being with her amazing husband, daughter, and four dogs all of who are her biggest inspirations and support.
Meet Faith Hunter, Yoga teacher & Lifestylelist, sprinkled with a dash of Louisiana charm. Faith began her life long love affair with yoga in the early 90s as a way to cope as her beloved brother Michael was dying from a complication related to AIDS. Through meditation and mindfulness Faith was able to release her fears and experience an awakening from within. From that day forward, she committed herself to sharing these practices with the world.
Janet’s personal yoga journey began in 1996 when she traveled to India, the birthplace of her grandfather, where she met an inspired yogi and became dedicated to a conscious evolution through yoga. She blends a wealth of knowledge and experience to create a unique, vigorous-yet-sumptuous approach to Vinyasa yoga that melds awareness with movement, breath, heart, and humor. She teaches workshops, retreats, and teacher training around the world.
Janet is a Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, having completed the 200-hour & 500-hour E-RYT program. (E-RYTs are qualified to train teachers and to conduct continuing education trainings). She leads a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified vinyasa yoga teacher training program structured around the 5 elements, as well as a 500-hour advanced training.