If you are new to yoga and would like to know more, welcome. Your first question perhaps is, “What is yoga?” Yoga is a lifetime journey.” There are endless resources already on the web and I will not rehash them. Let’s talk about how I can help you. First, let me share with you my story on how I discovered yoga and why it is a permanent part of my life.

How I Discovered Yoga:

I was one of those who wanted to win everything. For all that I touched, I had to compete and win! Winning was not everything, it was "the only thing"! I played tennis competitively. I realized that in order for me to be number one, I must be in excellent shape. I ran and weight trained. One time I played four three set matches in 105 degree weather and won them all. I played for eight hours and had heat stroke the next day. I collected many trophies, t-shirts and memorabilias. I also collected some names of tennis players, who avoided me, or disliked me. Where are they now? Where am I now?

Then the injuries developed. I had bone spurs and feet surgeries one after another, two in the same spot. The first surgery took five weeks to heal and the second time did not heal as fast. I continued to scream in my sleep and during matches. I sought for help and did not know how.

It was a fluke! One day, I took a different road from my normal daily path and passed by a yoga studio. I inquired and decided to attend a 90 minute intermediate Ashtanga class. I "kept up" for the first 45 minutes then paused. "What are they doing?" I continued on the class with my feet throbbing during each asana. Again, I had an opportunity for another challenge. Did I have to win? How? Who was my competition? I returned again and again, over and over until I started to notice changes within me. I experienced the so called "emotion on the mat". The subtle organ, my nervous system started to change. That was eleven years ago.

Now, I am still a winner, but no trophies. Yoga humbled me. I continue my lifetime journey to seek answers from within. This I share with you. I look forward to our practice together. Namaste!

Yoga Studies and India Life:

Certifications:
Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha
Yoga Therapy (India)
Ayurveda/Massage (India)
Silver Age Senior Yoga

2008:

International Yoga Therapy Conference, Marin County.
Studies from Masters:
Joel Kramer,
Consciousness and the Yoga of Mind
YogaCharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani,
Practices to Energize the Chakras
Mudras
Yoga and Modern Medicine
Meditation Practice
Dr. Marc Halpern,
Pranayama and Healing
Mukunda Stiles,
Ayurveda Yoga Therapy and Asana
Larry Payne, PhD,
Yoga and the Mind
Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD,
Yoga and the Body
Neil Pearson,
Understanding Pain and Yoga for Chronic Pain
Lyn Prashant, MA, CT, CMT
Yoga for Grief Relief
Antonio Sausis,
Yoga for Cancer Rehab

Yoga and Yoga Therapy Instructor Course, SGS International Yoga Foundation, Yoga Research Foundation & Diploma College (Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami) Affiliated by: Yoga Olympiad, World Yoga Association, International Yoga Association Vishwayogi Dr. M. Niranjana M. Murthy, President, SGS, IYE Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher, It’s Yoga, San Francisco, California Larry Schultz, Founder

CPR, AED and First Aid Certified, Asanas (Ashtanga and Hatha) * Ayurveda Massage (Abhyanga and Kalari Marma Chikitsa) * Chanting * Human Anatomy & Physiology * Kriyas * Meditation * Mudras * Naturopathy * Pranayama * Sutras of Patanjali * Technical Teaching * Yoga Therapy

Shalas and Gurus:

Sri V. Sheshadri, Ashtanga Mandala Yoga Shala. Lakshmiparum.
Ajay Kumar, Sthalam8 Yoga Shala.
Naga Kumar, Mumuksha Gokulam
Bharath Shetty, Yoga-India International Yoga Shala (Vivekananda Kendra Yoga)
Dr. Natesa Ganesan, Holistic Center for Yoga, Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
Delegate and Speaker: International Yoga Festival, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India

Also studied Ashtanga with Tim Miller from Encinitas California.

Registrations and Memberships:
Yoga Alliance, Registered Yoga Teacher International Yoga Alliance
Member International Alliance of Yoga Therapists
Member San Francisco Vegetarian Society

My Teaching Philosophy:

Yoga is adapted in each individual’s ability. Every student has a different level of experience. Every experience is an opportunity to extend outward but focus inward, to explore which all sums to a common goal, feeling and being one with the union, to ultimately achieve peace.

I teach to encourage, support, guide, facilitate, coach, instruct, inspire and model a true yoga practice. It involves overall integration of the eight limbs and meeting students' goals.

I recognize physical limitations and challenges. I understand what motivates or limits each individual through empathy, compassion, patience and inspiration.

I connect and identify with each student’s goals, concerns and efforts and bring them to the next level of practice for even just a tad and leave them feeling challenged, inspired and fulfilled.

For a group class, I promote an equal level of participation and provide extra assistance as needed. To offer modified poses for students with physical limitations and be sensitive to their level of performance which ultimately results in deeper level of inner awareness and healthy well being.

I must listen, be patient, compassionate and empathetic.

My Teaching Style:

Yoga has many styles and forms. I call my style fusion. It is a combination of all aspects of yoga that the student can handle based on their physical abilities. It is the connection of the body, breath and the mind where I place the emphasis.