Christie: Christie Hall began studying yoga in 1995 and since 1997 has studied exclusively with Iyengar teachers. She began those studies with Karin O'Bannon in 1997 and with Manouso Manos in 2001, studying consistently with him since then. She bases her instruction on her understanding of their teaching. Her physical issues include degenerating joints and discs, scoliosis and fibromyalgia. She received her master's degree in kinesiology in 2009. Her personal background and studies mean she can work to adapt poses so that truly anybody can do them.
Cory: Cory Johnston began practicing and studying yoga in 2005 and has been a student at the UCR extension center in the Iyengar yoga program since 2006. He has been working at the F.U.N. Yoga Studio since July 2010. He was awarded the "Rising Star" of the Iyengar yoga program at UCR. He has received the certificates for the fundamentals of yoga and theory and practice of yoga and is near completing the last certificate. Cory completed the Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Kinesiology from CSUSB in 2005. He has worked with teenagers since 2002 as a football coach, special and physical education teacher aide, physical education teacher, and currently is a substitute teacher in the R.U.S.D. He has a high level of enthusiasm as well as a commitment to the study and practice of yoga.
David: Yoga was a cornerstone of David’s rehabilitation from knee and foot injuries sustained during marathon running in 2007. Subsequently, he founded yoga programs for the sports medicine department of the University of California at Riverside and Team in Training’s inland empire marathon chapter. During this time, he has witnessed the health benefits of yoga for beginner and elite athletes alike. David considers teaching yoga a privilege and strives to meet the needs of every practitioner regardless of ability.
Elena: Starting Kundalini Yoga practice after taking a college class, Elena has been a Kundalini Research Institute certified teacher for over 2 years. This experience has been life transforming and she loves to share this with others.
Emily: Emily took her first yoga class in 1996, and finally committed to a regular practice in 2001. Her background in modern dance and ballet allows her to feel right at home with Vinyasa/Flow Yoga, which links together movement and breath in a meditative practice much like choreography. She also has experience with Bikram, Anusara, “Power Yoga”, Ashtanga, and Yin. She became a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200-hour level with Yoga Alliance in 2005. Emily has studied with a variety of inspiring teachers in six states over ten years and draws on this diverse background to create a unique and challenging class experience.
John: John moved to the Riverside area from Washington State in 2001 and began practicing Ashtanga and Yin yoga shortly afterward. He studied Restorative yoga with G.L. Gray in 2003 and has been teaching Restorative, Hatha and Yin yoga classes. He enjoys being outdoors and around the water and spends time hiking in the surrounding area.
Kishor: Kishor Stein is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and has been teaching for over 15 years. He has studied in India with B.K.S. Iyengar and his family, and completed the IYASC Teacher Training Program. Kishor has also been studying with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher Manouso Manos and has assisted in medical classes at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles. His enthusiasm for the subject and his sense of humor create a warm and challenging environment to experience Iyengar Yoga.
Lauren: Fitness has always been a part of Lauren's life. She began dancing at an early age, and has training in ballet, pointe, and jazz. In high school Lauren found yoga, but it wasn't until after she graduated with her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy that she realized that teaching yoga was her purpose in life. Lauren is a registered yoga teacher who takes joy in watching others deepen their practice and in helping them find a love for yoga and fitness in general. Her passion lies in encouraging others to reach their goals and in helping them find fullness in their lives.Linda: Linda has been practicing tai chi for more than 12 years and teaching classes in Redlands for eight years. Tai chi, which is a Chinese martial art, is best known for its slow, flowing movements and its many health benefits. The focus of Linda’s teaching is the Yang short form, which consists of 24 movements and is the most popular of all the tai chi forms. Her first teacher was, Strawberry Gatts, a senior student of Marshall Ho, a world renowned tai chi master. She has also studied with Kin Lam and has been strongly influenced by Dr. Paul Lam. In addition, Linda has also been meditating for many years and puts a strong emphasis on body/mind awareness in her classes. Linda was drawn to this gentle, but powerful martial art while suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee that set in after surgery. Today, even though her knee has no cartilage, she is pain free and can do all normal activities.
Sarah: Sarah Russell took her first yoga class in 2001. Since 2008, she has studied and practiced Yoga under Scott Miller. She loves the fast-paced, breath-oriented flow of Ashtanga, as well as the relaxed and counter-balancing nature of Slow Deep Stretch, also known as Yin Yoga. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance.
Scott: More than a decade ago, Scott Miller brought Ashtanga and Yin Yoga to Riverside. He continues to teach these opposite styles. Scott also will be conducting five month teacher-training courses through his Western Yoga College programs.
Shannon: Shannon is an Anusara-Inspired Yoga teacher who has been teaching since 2008. As an ecologist, she sees yoga as a tool to explore the laws of nature through the body to help people become more self aware, authentic and relaxed in their own skin. She is known for her intelligent and real-life approach to the practice, which is infused with joyful enthusiasm, optimism and humor so students feel safe when challenged, and empowered on and off the mat. Shannon is most passionate about using biomechanical alignment principals in yoga for therapeutic benefits. Always a student, Shannon has and continues to study extensively with many great teachers, primarily Ashley Fiala, John Friend, Noah Maze, Tara Judelle, Christina Sell and Douglas Brooks. Shannon has a BA in Biology from U.C. Berkeley and in addition to teaching yoga, has been working as a forest pathologist for over ten years in the U.C. system. She lives in Riverside with her husband and chickens and enjoys world travel, backpacking, botanizing, West African drumming and Middle Eastern dance.