Our Location:
2217-N San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583
(2 blocks north of In-n-Out, behind Awe-Dacious Salon)
Our Teachers
Anirudh Shastri
Anirudh Shastri is a well-known and highly respected hatha yoga teacher with an extensive background in yoga philosophy. He has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years, bringing his deep knowledge of the physical and spiritual aspects of yogic philosophy to his many students in the Bay Area. Shastri trained in India and studied under the guidance of Shri Vishnu Prasadji. Email Shastri at ashastriji@gmail.com.
Islena Faircrest
Islena Faircrest, E-RYT is a Yoga lifestyler who writes for Yoga periodicals, teaches retreats, Yoga Training intensives, and Teacher Trainings in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica. A holistic wellness innovator, she brings to bear expertise in early childhood and family development as a former doula, and a 17 year background in health & family services in Vancouver & San Francisco. A Yoga instructor since 2001 she in-joys teaching Hatha Flow, Power Vinyasa (Ashtanga influenced), Alignment Flow (Anusara influenced), Restorative, Therapeutic, Prenatal, Mom & Baby, Kids, Family, Seniors Yoga, Yoga for Equestrians, Yoga Dance, Yoga for Surfers, and SUP(Stand-Up-Paddleboard) Yoga. A Bowenwork Therapy practitioner, prenatal & postpartum educator, and bodyworker utilizing acupressure & energy work, her Yoga platform is diversely informed. A fun loving yogini recognized for classes that inspire a learning environment relevant to all, she was co-owner of a premiere Yoga Centre in western Canada. Her website is: www.onboardyoga.com.
Prabha Duneja
Prabha Duneja, Gloria Persico's meditation teacher and dear friend will be teaching the "Meditation and Spiritual Study" class on Wednesday nights at 7:15, beginning on January 11th. If you've attended any of Gloria's classes, you've heard her mention the teaching of her beloved Prabha. Prabha brings the highlest level of wisdom and experience to her Meditation and Spiritual Studies class and she has written more that 25 books on the art of raising consciousness through the science of Self Realization as taught in the ancient scriptures. This woman is a rare gem, please give yourself the gift of expeiencing her and her extraordinary teaching. This free class is our gift to our wonderful student community. Visit Prabha's website: www.HolyGeeta.com.
Bliss German
Bliss has been practicing and studying yoga for over eleven years and is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor. She is a graduate of the Yoga Movement Center's Advanced Studies/Teacher Training program in Walnut Creek, CA and enjoys teaching classes (individual and group) as well as workshops throughout the East Bay Area. Her classes offer all who come to play, a retreat from their daily activities with the invitation to access the peace which naturally resides within. Through the syncing of asana, vinyasa, and pranyam, Bliss inspires and motivates students to challenge themselves, both physically and mentally, within their individual abilities - leaving them with the sense of ananda (bliss) that accompanies personal growth, in addition to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Bliss also holds two degrees from UC Berkeley, one in Psychology, the background that drives her ongoing interests and explorations into to the mental and spiritual realms of yoga. Email Bliss at blissgerman@sbcglobal.net.
Colleen Millen
I flat-out love yoga. I found yoga as a collegiate athlete with broken knees - the mat was the first place I could move my body without pushing into pain. Yoga and, more specifically, Forrest Yoga has been a constant companion in my recovery from depression and moving into more brilliant states of being. Over 10 years into my teaching journey I find myself at an incredible place: As a Forrest Yoga Guardian teacher I shepherd teachers through continuing education programs and as a student in JFK University's Somatic Psychology program I am deepening my appreciation for the healing gifts of yoga as I work toward being a licensed therapist.
My classes build strength and empowerment and are modified for every shape, size, injury and ability level. I guide students through an eclectic deep flow class where they learn how to ride intensity and exhilaration waves with presence and breath. My classes are heated to 80 degrees to generate a cleansing sweat. Bring whatever your experience is to class and we'll rock on the yoga mat together! Colleen's website: www.bluebuddhayoga.com.
Praveena Chinthaluri
For Praveena yoga was a way of life growing up in India. Learning the art of pranayama, asana and meditation at the tender age of 11 was a priceless gift. She is a certfied 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher and studied with master teachers Donald Moyers and Mary Lou Weprin at The Yoga Room in Berkeley, CA. She is also a certified Judith Lasater's Relax and Renew restorative teacher. She is currently training to be a certified comprehensive Balanced Body Pilates instructor. Praveena also holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and Journalism from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Her classes include attention to alignment and form, breathwork and meditation. She believes and honors in providing a safe space for students to explore and strengthen their mind and bodies with the practice. She honors the energetic in her classes and has faith in the transformational process of yoga. To contact Praveena: www.yogawithpraveena.com.
Iliana Lefevre-Ramis
I am originally from Peru, where I took my first yoga class in the mid 70's. Over the last decade, I have found yoga to be my true passion. Through the years I was blessed with the opportunity to practice and be inspired by many wonderful teachers, such as Sri Pattabhi Jois, Brian Kest, Sean Corn, Shiva Rea, Tim Thompson, to name a few. I have also participated in and learned a great deal from all of our local teachers in workshops, intensives and retreats. I am also a former Co-Owner of The Yoga Company in San Ramon.
I have a continuing study of the practice and philosophy of yoga and the immense desire to keep sharing this life enhancing practice with everyone I instruct. I believe the saying "We can't change someone, but we can definitely change ourselves."
I like challenge, so I will challenge you to awaken the physical strength you never thought you had through proper use of your breath, alignment and integrity. Expect to hold and explore poses as you let your emotions come through and allow your body to evolve in a rhythmical power and flow. As we build the poses with compassion, you will sweat a little (sometimes a lot!), bringing a cleansing and rejuvenating experience. I mix the music accordingly for each class, blending all cultures and rhythms. Be prepared to explore, deepen and bring harmony to mind, body and spirit. As a wife, mother of four and grandmother, I am here to share my life experiences, challenges and continued growth.
Sujatha Ganeshan
I was either bound by my heritage or bound by my health, when I walked in to a beginner's yoga class room and...it did not change my life. I did not have any life altering experience in my first class. Instead, it was boring and made me wonder why I went there. Little did I know then, that even if yoga didn't need me, I would need it. My allergies had increased and with it the dosage of my medication. I was becoming lesser human and more of a being that I could not recognize. I was feeling very disheartened, sluggish and irritated. I knew that these were the effects of the medication. I knew, but did nothing until I joined to learn Yoga again. This time there was no expectation, no judgment: just exploration. That's it! I was hooked. There was a determination to learn everything I could and somewhere in the middle, the fascination to make others understand yoga like I did. It became an agenda to pass it on. I was ready to teach. I completed my 200 hour yoga alliance certification and began teaching. I have not looked back since. I have been teaching and learning for the past 3 years and I am enjoying every minute of it.
So come on to my class and hear what I have to say about yoga. Be open and you will enjoy the experience. Come with no judgment, no expectation, just exploration and leave the rest to me. What I love now about imparting and teaching is the Sanskrit language, the aphorisms, the poses and its physical, physiological and the mental benefits, as well. It amazes me that each pose a mastermind of an ancient yogi, can still be used for the same reason it was created for even after so many centuries. That makes Yoga fascinating to me.
Deb Stone
"Yoga is a magnificent science and art that empowers us to make life altering changes." - Deb
Deb Stone entered the realm of Yoga to help heal chronic back pain and other injuries that had been plaguing her for years. Deb trained extensively with Aadil Palkhivala in the art of Purna Yoga with a focus on therapeutics for healing. Aadil is a world renowned teacher of teachers and under his apprenticeship Deb has continued to expand her wide range of healing modalities, bringing them to the Yoga mat. Additionally, Deb has studied with, Richard Freeman, Patricia Walden, Rodney Yee and Ramanand Patel.
"Purna" means whole. Purna Yoga focuses on a holistic approach to healing. Asana practice, learning the poses, is only the beginning. Meditation, nutrition and continued self-awareness are the tools we use to achieve greater understanding of our internal workings. Ask yourself not where have I been but what do I wish to become? True change evolves from the intention we set within ourselves. A perpetual student, Deb practices Yoga everyday off the mat, as a single mother of three boys. She traded in her options trading badge 15 years ago to focus on teaching full time. Deb has a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and enjoys Art, Gardening, and Poetry. Deb teaches both publicly and privately in the Bay Area.
Let the beauty we love, be what we do.
~ Rumi.
Leslie Clohan
Leslie has worked in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a preschool teacher since 1998 and has been practicing yoga since 2001. She has Associates of Arts degrees in ECD and Liberal Studies as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development emphasis in ECD from CSUEB. While studying at CSUEB she was drawn to yoga even more intensely as she balanced her studies, family, and work, but more importantly as she became aware of the benefits yoga offers children in all areas of development and with varying learning modalities. While finishing up her Bachelors degree she started her training with YogaKids International finishing her Certified YogaKids Teacher (CYKT) training in April 2011. She continues her yoga studies, practicing daily, adding yoga into her preschool classroom, and sharing her knowledge with children, parents, and fellow teachers.
Leslie enjoys kids yoga as it brings together aspects of movement, nature, art, stories, music, and social contexts, developing the whole child, giving a good root base for a life full of observation, learning, and wisdom. Please visit Leslie at her website www.yoga2sprout.com.