Seventeen years ago, due to the suggestion of one of my teachers, I decided to share my experience and started teaching. Since that first day in class, I have never looked back only forward, with a passion and joy that I find in every opportunity I have to work with students, believing there is a form of yoga suitable for everyone, regardless of age or physical limitations.
My knowledge and quality as a yoga teacher is based on a solid educational background: I’m registered and certified as a Yoga Teacher in Hatha Yoga, by Yoga Alliance, USA and the European Yoga Union, having completed 400+ hours at Yoga Vidya/Sivananda, BYV, in Germany, and E-RYT-500 USA. I also joined workshops and gained additional certifications with the following teachers :
Judith Lasater (Anatomy, Relax & Renew Teacher Certified), Dr. Larry Payne Ph.D. (Prime of Life Teacher Certified), Liz Franklin (Chair Yoga Teacher Certified), Dr. Amy Wheeler PhD. (Case Studies), Surendra Mehta (Pranayama – Breathing), Gary Kraftsow, Desiree Rumbaugh, Richard Rosen, Cindy Lee, Frank Jude Boccio, Tias Little & Jason Crandall, Dr. Richard Miller.
I also finished four years of Yoga studies at Loyola Marymount University and an Internship Program at the Venice Family Clinic’s Simm/Mann Health and Wellness Center with Dr. Lori Rubenstein Fazzio and Dr. Myles Spar.
While I offer classes for all ages (15+), my focus belongs especially to an often neglected age group: Mature (50+) and Seniors. In the meantime I’ve established more than a dozen classes, which are adapted to the special needs, wishes and requests of this target group. Generally I give priority to the art of breathing, movement in synergy, with a focus on a solid foundation of asana and alignment while also developing flexibility, building strength and increasing balance. Always offering students optional variations/adaptations of asanas to suit their individual bodies, asking students to challenge themselves but never asking them to leave their comfort zone, as pain is not gain. Emphasizing function over form but always considering when form is necessary for the integrity of the body. I enjoy teaching my students how to be able to help themselves, clarifying their values and living their lives with integrity, conviction and consistency. Practice and life are not that different.
My Gentle Yoga classes are for all ages. “Yoga as a Solution” for Boomers/Seniors, which takes you from doing yoga … with the Chair (basic and advanced) to … on the Mat, with an emphasis on prevention and independence, seeing the ability to do tomorrow something which you can’t do today, teaching life skills for living.
My teaching philosophy is based on a contemporary interpretation of ancient sources without fashionable trends, giving up something in your life which may not be working and replacing it with something which will bring you closer to your goal of living a healthier balanced life.