TEACHERS

	Ben Dineen Ben began his studies of yoga in 1996 with Iyengar Yoga instructor Ben Thomas. Since that time, his practice of mindfulness has continued and has led him to pursue studies in a variety of different yogic and martial traditions. The main yogic traditions he has studied include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Sivananda, and Anusara. Ben’s yoga practice and teaching is also strongly influenced by his ongoing practice of tai-chi chuan. Some of the many yogic training courses he has attended over the years include a year of study in the Iyengar Yoga Institute Advanced Teacher Training program, teacher training with Doug Swenson, as well as living and practicing in a traditional yogic ashram for several months. Ben has also earned certification to teach Guang-Ping Yang style tai-chi chuan. To learn more about Ben and his offerings you may visit his website at www.wakefulway.com.
	Courtney Woodrow Courtney Woodrow is blissfully involved with all facets of yoga. A practicing yogi since 1990, she is constantly questing for more knowledge, experience, perspective and understanding. Courtney has pilgrimaged to India , studied Buddhism and meditation in Thailand and seeks out meaning and knowledge from all teachers, great and small. Courtney is formally trained at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (1997), by Ganga White at The White Lotus (advanced Teacher Training. 2004) and at San Francisco ’s Yoga Tree (2005). She is inspired by everyone under the sun and can always be found with yoga in her heart, mind and spirit.
	Janaka Prins Janaka Prins has been teaching since 1992. He holds certifications in both Integral Yoga Hatha and Sampoorna Yoga at the 500 hour level. The metaphysical and psychological aspects of yoga are of special interest to him.
	Karen Stepp "When we come to a place where we accept and allow, we create space for life to flow." Karen began her yoga practice in 1990. She trained at Yogi Hari's Ashram in Florida and is certified in Sampoorna Yoga. Her philosophy is that yoga is the teacher and she is the guide. Karen enjoys helping others discover what yoga teaches them about their bodies, themselves and life.She invites her students to experience her class as a moving meditation, turning inward connecting mind, body and spirit. Her ultimate goal is that her students will be in the moment, able to accept and allow, so that for them not only does the energy flow but also life will flow.Karen is also certified in Whole Life Integration, Hypnotherapy and Reiki. Website: www.achievingbliss.com
	Kristen Atkinson Kristen is a certified Vinyasa teacher, Levels I & ll. She studied under Paula Tursi of Reflections Yoga in New York City . Her passion is conservation and living in harmony with nature. She likes to integrate the outdoors into all of her classes and her life. Email: kristen@rootsfitness.com Website: www.rootsfitness.com
	Leslie Ottavi, RYT* Leslie is a certified Atma Yoga and Pre/Post Natal teacher. Atma Yoga encompasses three styles of physical yoga asana practice: Power, Slow Deep Stretch/Restorative and Kundalini. She strives to create an atmosphere for students to enjoy a wonder of the body, mind and spirit experience. She is also the creator of the yGuide Yoga Software concept. Email: leslie@yoga-software.com Website: www.yoga-software.com
	Lina Guillen, RYT* Lina first discovered Yoga in 1997 when seeking a way to de-stress from the pressures of law school. Yoga improved the quality of her life by providing a path to a strong body, clear mind, and emotional serenity. In 2000, Lina traveled to Hoshiarpur, India where she was introduced to Vipassana Mediation under Sh. Prem Prakash Sharma. Inspired to share her discoveries with others, Lina completed teacher training at It’s Yoga San Francisco where she studied Ashtanga Yoga with Larry Schultz, Katie Cariffe, and Marie Hajjar.
	Maria Fernanda Calabria Maria is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor. She is dedicated to teaching yoga in the Iyengar tradition. Email: mafer@tvamevayoga.org Website: www.tvamevayoga.org
	Marly Cardozo Marly received her certification in yoga instruction from the White Lotus Foundation. Her classes combine the refinement of classical yoga postures with the grace and fluidity of vinyasa-style practice. Yoga is the practice, the performance is life! E-mail: marly@rasavinyasa.com or visit www.rasavinyasa.com
	Michelle Mendoza Michelle's yoga practice really began to evolve in college while receiving her degree in dance. While movement was never a stranger to Michelle's life, yoga taught her to move more mindfully and fuller, enjoying all the sensations from the deep breathing to heart opening asanas. Yoga is this beautiful opportunity to come to yourself, free of judgment and really explore all the ways in which we move while being supported by the energy within us and around us. Michelle completed her Teacher Training Certification at the Yoga Tree in San Francisco and combines it with her extensive studies in Dance Movement Therapy to create a playful and graceful vinyasa flow class to help you explore all your ins and outs in a non-judgmental supportive environment.
	Nancy J. Hoebelheinrich From Nancy's first Nia class experience in 2000, she was intrigued by its innovative blending of movement styles, and by the freedom to move hips, shoulders, head, feet, fingers, and voice creatively to music. When taking Nia classes was not enough, she went on to become a certified Nia teacher in 2003 at first to improve her own practice, but later to share Nia’s technique, method, and magic. As an instructor with an athletic style and dance background, she offers her students the opportunity to use Nia to transform themselves by developing self awareness and self healing of and through the body. Currently certified at the Brown Belt training level, she teaches classes in Palo Alto, Los Altos, and San Mateo that are adapted to meet the needs of students of all ages and levels of experience.
	Penni Thorpe, ERYT* Penni is a certified Integral Hatha Yoga teacher, Level I&II, Pranayama and Meditation instructor. Penni specializes in pre-natal, Mom/Baby and children's classes. She is also AcuYoga and Aromatherapy certified, an FES certified flower essence practitioner and a Therapeutic Touch practitioner. E-mail: pthorpeteacher@comcast.net
	Serena Lucchesi, RYT* “Uniting body, mind and spirit using breath as the bridge” During her recovery from breast cancer Restorative Yoga seemed to be all that Serena’s body and psyche could tolerate. Her teacher, who taught her how to use props to support her body in ways that helped me heal quickly and easily, inspired her. Out of her enthusiasm she began to share what she learning with her friends and they encouraged her on her path to become a yoga teacher. Serena gives private and group instruction on the Peninsula at various locations. She work with people of all ages and all walks of life including but not limited to seniors, women in recovery from substance abuse, cancer, and people suffering from depression. Serena holds certifications in Kripalu Yoga, Advanced Relax and Renew Restorative, and NIA White Belt. She incorporate what she has learned from her own experiences of Feldenkreis and Thomas Hanna Somatic movements and draw upon all these modalities for the greatest benefit to the student. Life is more fun when you’re feeling good!
	Shikha Littlefield Shikha is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor who received her training at Avalon Yoga Studio in Palo Alto, CA. Her accessible teaching style is reflective of her great appreciation for the transformational power of yoga. She incorporates asana (postures) with pranayama (breathing techniques) to quiet the mind and relax the body. She joyfully teaches students of all ages and levels.