Our Teachers

Praveena Chinthaluri

Praveena Chinthaluri

Praveena is very passionate and an avid practitioner of pilates and yoga. Her philosophy towards teaching pilates and yoga is to pay attention to alignment and form, technique and breath work that help students develop a deep understanding of their bodies and movement patterns. She believes in providing a safe space for students to explore and strengthen their mind and bodies. She enjoys the variety that pilates and yoga can provide for fitness and wellness enthusiasts, or someone who is recovering from injuries, or seeking relief from chronic pain, or prenatal and postnatal mammas. She truly trusts in the transformational process of Pilates and yoga.

She completed her 500 hour Comprehensive Pilates Instructor training with Balanced Body. She continues her studies with Julie Lushington at Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek. She is also a registered 200 hr yoga alliance teacher and is a certified restorative yoga teacher. She also holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and Journalism from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. www.yogawithpraveena.com

Carolyn Tracy

Carolyn Tracy

Carolyn Tracy began practicing yoga in 5th grade while competing in gymnastics. A dynamic practice spanning 40 years, 15 of those Bikram, and now Yin Yoga's wise balancing of the fiery energies of a go/go lifestyle is what's speaking loudest to Carolyn. Her students describe her as soothing, healing and knowledgeable.

Carolyn’s compassionate teaching style coupled with her lifelong experience and expression of skilled body movement are growing a rapidly expanding following of enthusiastic Yoga Fusion students. One class with Carolyn and you’ll see why The Yoga Fusion is delighted to feature this dynamic and empowering teacher.

Carolyn brings a spunky playfulness into her yoga as she's passionate, too, about kids, animals and nature. When your body is ready for balance, for the tranquil calm that is it's birthright, then you'll seek Carolyn's Yin expertise.

Carolyn Tracy, ERYT and a Yoga Allicance Certified Education Provider (YACEP) has a passion for all things Yin Yoga and now hosts Let the Yin Begin, a 2 day training held about twice a year at The Yoga Fusion. (Watch the Yoga Fusion website for upcoming training dates). Carolyn knows how to draw students in while teaching them to quiet their minds, tune in, tap into what’s really happening. She deeply understands the wide range of topics that are all things Yin Yoga. Our two day trainings are certified with Yoga Alliance as continuing education credits AND you’ll become certified to teach Yin yoga. www.lettheyinbegin.comwww.lettheyinbegin.com/

Sujatha Ganeshan

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.

Erin Helm

Erin Helm

My path to yoga as the centerpiece of my life wasn’t a straight one, but when I arrived there I knew I was home.

I’ve always been passionate about movement and music. Growing up, I practiced gymnastics, dance, and martial arts. I played a few musical instruments and majored in Theatre Arts in college. Yoga really has meant union for me, because the pleasures of all those activities are now joined together in practicing and teaching yoga the way I like best.

Yoga has helped me to find a non-competitive way to practice movement while helping to silence the mental chatter in my brain. Once I started practicing regularly, I began creating healthy habits for myself and meeting positive people in my classes who supported my healthy lifestyle and encouraged my spiritual journey. I experienced a wonderful sense of understanding, love, and support from the yoga community. This led to a greater feeling of love and acceptance for myself and an ability to let go of a lot of fear and anxiety. People began telling me how happy I looked and that I had a glow about me. That is truly how I feel when I practice Yoga - as though my heart is full of light. This has made me want to share my happiness with others.

Because I know how completely yoga has changed my life, I believe it can definitely change yours too. I love connecting with my students and seeing how each person experiences yoga differently. I tailor my classes to fit the needs and the energy of my students so that each class is unique. I love teaching Hatha and Flow Yoga as well as Yin. I recently received my Yin certification from The Yoga Fusion’s Yin master Carolyn Tracy. I look forward to meeting you on your mat!

Stacey Bristow

Stacey Bristow

Stacey Bristow is the owner of the Energy Co. and lifetime volunteer and wellness expert. She carries a 360 degree lens of balance, creativity, energy and gratitude. Throughout her life she has dedicated over 80,000 hours to the physical, spiritual, emotional, social, occupational and environmental dimensions of growth and well being for herself, clients, friends, family and teammates. With passion and kindness, she believes in serving others through the gift of Yin Yoga. As a mother, athlete, executive, and self-proclaimed chef, she has immense joy and thrives in the deep peace and healing that is Yoga.

Jim Stuhlman

Jim Stuhlman

So there I was in my 40’s, overweight and out of shape. I lost the weight through diet and exercise and got in great shape, but there was a problem. The stronger and lighter I got the more I tried to do with my new body (hockey, softball, waterskiing) and the more I got hurt. One day a personal trainer who had seen me working out and noticed I was always limping or nursing some type of injury asked me this question. “Do you know what is wrong with you?” To which I responded, yes I’m old. She replied: “no, you have absolutely no flexibility in your body".

She then challenged me to go to Yoga class with her. The teacher for that, my first Yoga class ever, was Gloria Persico. Gloria took one look at me and said, this is not going to be easy for you, but if you stick with it, it will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. That was 14 years ago and I haven’t gone more than a few days at a time without doing Yoga since. She was absolutely right, both from a mental and physical standpoint. I have been teaching for the last 12 years. My classes tend to focus on fundamentals and I love to hold poses so they can be explored fully. So here I am, please come and join me for a class. Namaste

Cheryl Kahn

Cheryl Kahn

I found yoga during law school and never looked back. Yoga centered me through a busy career as a corporate lawyer, and today gives me strength, balance, and acceptance for myself and others. My yoga practice, and life focus, is all about finding balance on and off the mat – and if you've seen me in class, you know I love balancing poses! They force us to fight gravity, which literally draws us down; challenge our mind’s tendency to wander and lose focus; and find ease even as we engage our whole body to keep us steady. I've been fortunate to train with many great teachers around the Bay Area, including the wonderful community at the Yoga Fusion. I completed my 200 hour adult teacher training with YOGAthletica in Los Angeles, under the inspiring Shana Meyerson, as well as an additional children's teaching component with Mini Yogis. When not tightening my shoulders at the computer or releasing them on the yoga mat, I find balance with my two adorable small dogs and/or with my nearly as adorable husband. Come join me and have fun as we continue on this yoga and life journey together! Please visit my website and learn more about me: www.YogaToBalance.com/

Rosalyn Lee

Rosalyn Lee

Rosalyn Lee is a teacher and an artist. She grew up in the Bay Area loving sports, dance, photography, nature and most of all adventures. After completely a double BFA in Photography and Graphics Arts from Cal State East bay she decided to leave and travel the world. She then became a well known photographer for musicians, bands and festivals. During one of her tours on the road her life drastically changed after suffering from a knee injury. For years she suffered from chronic pain and was looking about to get surgery when her path changed. What seemed to be a misfortune, turned into one of the biggest blessings of her life, she found Yoga. A yoga practice that helped her not only heal her body, but find a deeper love and openness in her heart, and a calmness in her mind.

After finding her love for yoga, she decided to begin her training in Los Angeles at YogaWorks studying with her favorite teachers Patty Asad and John Gaydos. She then decided to take her training deeper by complete the YogaWorks kids Yoga Program, The Mindful Fitness BarWork and Scultpwork Program. She is so grateful that she has found a perfect balance between her two loves; Yoga and Photography and it has led her to her deeper calling, to inspire, to help, and to heal others.

By fusing different aspects of her life she has created fun, lighthearted, effective learning environments where music, movement and healing unite the mind, body and soul.

jinhee Seo

Jinhee Seo

Join our newest teacher, Jinhee Seo, and experience precision instruction from this exceptionally graceful and skilled teacher. From the most advanced practitioner to the beginner, Jinhee tailors the movements and the poses optimally for all personalities and bodies. You have to try a class with Jinhee! About Jinhee: Jin believes that yoga starts with physical movements but eventually arrives at knowing who you are, because yoga is the union of mind and body. She studied religious philosophy in college and graduate school as a quest for inner peace, but eventually met with yoga which integrated her mind and body.

Jin is currently in a graduate school program for studying natural healing. Her priority is yoga and meditation, but she also focuses on medicinal foods and natural healing methods. Jin received her 200Hr Yoga teacher certification from Yoga Mountain in NY, and now is in her 300Hr program of Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton CA. She was trained in AntiGravity Yoga at Christopher Harrison's Headquarters and finished a prenatal yoga training at Sonic yoga in New York.

Jin's passion is to guide people to have more healthy bodies and minds.

Reena Desai

Reena Desai

Reena's first exposure to Yoga was during childhood, a part of daily curriculum at primary school in India. But it took almost 3 decades to completely grasp its impact and importance. Working in the corporate world for over a decade, after two kids and a full time job, Yoga came as a miraculous cure to her health and stress problems. Reena started teaching yoga in her neighborhood voluntarily since 2015 and soon after obtained her 200-hr certification.

She then traveled to Mysore India to further deepen her roots, specifically in the Bhakti tradition, completing a certified course in Ashtanga Yoga, Chanting and Pranayama with the renowned Mr. BNS Iyengar. Her love of chanting, a deeply heart-opening practice, and the devotional part of yoga has allowed her to blossom, find her bliss and share this wonderful yoga practice with others.

Sandi Smith-Grove

Sandi Smith-Grove

About Sandi: Sandi Smith-Grove, RYT200, LM, CCESandi is a Licensed Midwife and prenatal educator who began her work with mamas-to-be at the same time she began practicing yoga in 1992. She combines two of her passions, yoga and serving expectant mamas into her Yoga workshops and classes. She believes that the female body is strong and powerful, yet benefits from nurturing and compassion, especially during the season of gestation and change.

Helping women connect with their bodies and their growing babies, focusing on the breath and finding balance, discovering the strength within, while learning to let go are interwoven into her classes. Sandi first began studying with Diane Valentine as part of a healing regime after back surgery, and completed her 200 hour certification at the Yoga & Movement Center. She has received teaching certifications in Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Healthy Aging, and completed the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction program for Health Care Providers. She integrates yoga and mindfulness principles into her childbirth education classes. When she is not working or practicing, you can find her in the garden, on the trail, in one of her women’s groups, at the movies or reading a good book. She is married and has 2 adult children.

Colleen Millen

Colleen Millen

Colleen about Colleen: "In my 20-year yoga teaching career I've discovered so much I love about the practice of yoga. My mat is a place I return to be with my experience just as it is and be curious about what happens moment to moment. I love flow yoga for it's potential to build strength and healthy body rhythms, gentle and therapeutic applications of yoga when I need softer and specified support and breathing practices and meditation, particularly when my mind gets busy.

I'm also continually inspired by the intersection of yoga and psychology. I created a 7-week Yoga for Depression class series, lead workshops and trainings on trauma-informed yoga at conferences, workshops and within yoga teacher trainings. In 2014, I graduated from JFK University with a master's degree in Somatic Psychology and am currently a licensed marriage and family therapist who works with children, teens and adults around issues related to anxiety, depression and developmental trauma. I am certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) and teach class series to teens at the community health center and within local area schools. I have accumulated more than 1,000 hours of training and assisting since my initial certification in 2000.

Ashley Gerhard

Ashley Gerhard

Ashley began practicing yoga as a way to maintain flexibility and mobility when she was 19. The more yoga she did, the more she fell in love with the practice. With a desire to learn more about yoga anatomy, philosophy, and proper alignment in the asanas, she became a yoga teacher. She is a RYT-200, and is currently completing her 300 hr training at YogaWorks in Walnut Creek.

Ashley lives her passion of the sutras through Abhyasa (Devotion) and Vairagya (Surrender)— aiming to give her best while staying unattached to the outcome. She is especially interested in how yoga affects the nervous system and loves teaching all styles of yoga, especially prenatal and beginners.

Ashley’s goal is to have her students leave class feeling refreshed, renewed, and more in balance than when they arrive. She teaches in a way that provokes thought and meaning, teaching students basic yoga fundamentals and proper alignment while weaving yoga philosophy threads throughout. Ashley’s teaching style is accessible and thorough, creating an inviting yoga experience for each student, meeting them where they are and challenging them to explore and grow.

Chloe Morgan

Chloe Morgan

Chloe Morgan began a love affair with how good the body feels in flowing movement at the age of 2 when her mom started her in ballet class. Shortly thereafter she became interested in every form of dance she could find. First tap, then gymnastics, then jazz, hip hop, modern, interpretative, liturgical dance and finally…sort of by accident…Chloe became a National Country Line Dance Champion and Professional National Line Dance Instructor for 10 years. Chloe has also taught many forms of dance and exercise classes for all ages in all kinds of settings over the last 30 years with a passion for teaching those who have never experienced dancing and watching the joy that overcomes them when they find out how much fun it can be!

Chloe also had a 25-year career in mental health and addiction treatment. At one point it became apparent that in the process of helping others Chloe had forgotten to take care of herself and her health began to suffer. She became a workaholic, her blood pressure became dangerously high as well as her cholesterol, migraines were constant and debilitating, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and was in constant pain. Due to all these health issues she was unable to be active anymore so weight gain was inevitable and that brought on more health issues. After trying for several years to get her health back nothing seemed to work. Every program, specialist, diet, exercise routine, supplement, natural remedy – she tried them all with no lasting success. Eventually, she followed her intuition and came up with her own plan and her body responded. She has now lost 200 pounds and kept it off for 3 years, and all the health challenges she once experienced are completely gone. One of the tools that was most helpful to regain health for mind, body and soul was Yoga.

Chloe was initially interested in Yoga for weight loss and for deepening her spiritual practice. After practicing yoga for some time and working at a residential mental health facility, Chloe was attacked by a client who had relapsed on drugs. That incident resulted in a concussion and traumatic brain injury. The symptoms she experienced were much like having a stroke – loss of memory, speech, motor control, dizziness, confusion, etc. Doctors said a full recovery was unlikely and a significant recovery would take about a year. The only doctor approved activity was Restorative and Gentle Yoga. Focusing on these activities along with the spiritual aspects of yoga Chloe was 95% recovered in 3 months. After experiencing such tremendous healing in such a short period of time Chloe was inspired to leave her career to obtain her 200 RYT Certification at YogaWorks Walnut Creek with her teachers Julie Conrad and Melanie Salvatore-August so she could share with others this form of healing that she experienced in such a powerful way. She is also now certified to teach Kids Yoga through the Wee Yogi’s Program based in San Rafael.

Noel Sivazlian

Noel Sivazlian

As far back as I can remember I always had a great love of nature and all creatures. I was always called upon to save the spider before it was stepped on or nurse the kittens who lost their mother. I was truly amazed by the way the animals were able to evolve, adapt , grow and transform. As an adult I began to see that beauty in humans as well. I also observed that the instincts that animals so easily follow are sometimes lost in the human race.

I began to study different cultures and spiritual practices on how to bring my body back into its natural state and more in tune with nature, and that is where I found the practice of yoga. At the age of 19 I began a job working at a veterinary hospital and over 20 years later I still hold a position there as senior veterinary technician. At the age of 22 I began practicing yoga and into 2001 I became a Kripalu certified teacher.

In 2010 I began teaching at the Cancer support Community which is an absolute joy and I am inspired by the strength and courage of my students every week. I feel so fortunate to work in the areas I love, caring for pets , for others and for myself. What yoga have given me more than anything else is the ability to find my voice , to listen to my instincts and to never take anything too seriously.

My intention as a teacher is to provide a comfortable and safe environment where students can explore their strengths and weaknesses so they can learn how to move more naturally and efficiently both on and off the mat. My teaching style is authentic, fun and non judge mental . As I am very interested in biomechanics I give many alignment cues to assist the body in familiar and not so familiar movements. My next endeavor is to continue my studies of biomechanics and to join the certification course at The Restorative Institute late 2015.

Kristy Menage Bernie

Kristy Menage Bernie

Kristy Menage Bernie, RDH, MS, RYT an Assistant Clinical Professor, Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at UCSF is also an international continuing education facilitator for the dental profession. She began her career in dental hygiene as a pediatric dental hygienist and has brought yoga to countless dental colleagues since 2006. She is a certified yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance and a 'kid at heart'. Located here in San Ramon, when not traveling, she enjoys spending time with her 'toilet trained' cats, Makena and KaiBlu! Learn more about Kristy at: www.EducationalDesigns.com/