PG SAN FRANCISCO INSTRUCTORS

Kate

KATE

Tuesdays and Thursdays 630a - Power

As an avid runner, Kate found herself on a yoga mat in 2001 with the intention of supplementing her marathon training.   This first class in Washington D.C. was where Kate's initial spark of passion was ignited.   Yoga quickly became her means of cultivating balance in her physical, spiritual and mental self.  Kate's experience as a teacher has come from the Yoga Tree Teacher Training Program and continual practice.   Her inspirational mentors include Darren Main, Janet Stone, Elise Lorimer and Rodney Yee.  Kate as well is able to draw from an extensive background in the Health and Wellness Field.  After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in '03, she was stationed at the Pentagon for 3 years where she served as Command Fitness Leader.  In 2005, Kate spent her weekends traveling to NYC to obtain a license in Holistic Health Counseling through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.   As a yoga teacher, Kate brings a blend of styles to the floor where she emphasizes core strength, flexibility, balance, and breath control.  The first half of her class is focused on stamina where students will flow through powerful sun salutations.  The second half is spent loosening shortened muscles and strengthening weakened muscles, while concentrating on proper physical and energetic alignment.  Kate strives to enhance the fluidity and strength of her student's bodies.

 

Sarah

SARAH

Monday 7:30pm - Vinyasa
Wednesday 7:30pm - Restorative

Starting at a young age, Sarah has always explored various means of physical expression ranging from the rigor of competitive gymnastics to the playfulness of hiking, climbing and soccer. Her first introduction to yoga came during college, in 2000, when Sarah visited home and joined her mother’s community yoga class. These classes planted the seed for a holistic approach to physical exploration, connected with mental awareness and community building. Sarah took the passion for yoga beyond her personal practice and completed the rigorous Yoga Tree Teacher Training program. Sarah now teaches as a part of the caring team with the Art of Yoga Project, integrating yoga and creative art for young women in the juvenile detention system. She finds her calling working with youth and adults to address health concerns through nutrition, physical movement and meditation practices. In her playful flow-based classes, Sarah works to build a strong community, a place where all individuals can explore their personal strengths while softening into mental stillness. Sarah remains a lifelong student of yoga and gives thanks to her teachers for continued guidance: Darren Main, Elise Lorimer, Les Leventhal, Courtney Woodrow, Mary Lynn Fitton, Kari Zabel and so many more.

 

Mary

MARY

Mondays and Wednesdays 12noon & 6p - Power
Saturday 9:30a - Power

“Teaching is only demonstrating that it is possible. Learning is making it possible for yourself.” —Paulo Coelho

Mary received her certification in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and the It’s Yoga Rocket through Larry Schultz at It’s Yoga. She also completed the Sadhana Yoga Chi training with Doug Swenson. Her firm belief that the best way to approach any challenging posture is with a strong breath, an adventurous spirit and a playful smile stems from a dedicated practice with Amme Hill. Mary encourages a practice that builds strength and flexibility in the body as well as the mind.


Charles

CHARLES

Monday 7:30p - Foundations of Flow

Charles S. Jasper is a long-time student of yoga and meditation, and began teaching Hatha yoga in the flow form 8 years ago. He draws extensively upon 21 years experience as a chiropractor. He is currently in private practice as a clinical psychologist, consulting with individuals, couples, and groups in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy. He expresses a love and respect for teaching, and the relationships that grow out of spiritual practice.  His classes flow from an integration of effort and ease, rooted in mindfulness.

Christie

CHRISTIE

Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays noon - Power
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30pm - Power

Christie Marshall is committed to a life of learning and sharing. She is filled with gratitude for the insight she has gained through her over thirteen years of practicing yoga. She originally started a regular yoga practice with the intention of creating more stability and balance in her body after her first foot surgery, and has since immersed herself in Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga.

Christie teaches a grounding, energetic and powerful Vinyasa Flow to open the physical body, deepen mental awareness, and awaken the spirit.  She is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and has studied with such inspiring mentors as Baron Baptiste, Patty Ivey, Sarah Powers, and Rusty Wells.
Yoga permeates every part of Christie’s life. She believes that yoga should be accessible to each individual; the mind is the only thing that holds us back from recognizing our highest potential—not tight hamstrings, hips, or shoulders.

Christie has been a lifelong educator in diverse fields with a master’s degree in Education and Human Development.  She is excited to share her passion for yoga, guiding yoga practitioners to a deeper understanding of asana, breath, mindfulness, and conscious movement.

You can learn more about Christie by visiting her website:
http://www.goldengateyoga.com

Tom

TOM

Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30p - Vinyasa

When Tom started to practice yoga over ten years ago, he realized that this ancient art and science is a lot more than just pretty poses and a healthy body. These things reel us in, but they are just the first steps toward a clearer mind, and a more balanced life.

Tom began teaching yoga full time in 2002 and has taken teacher training programs with Bikram Choudhury, Baron Baptiste, and Rusty Wells.  He teaches a mindful, intuitive, light hearted, and challenging Vinyasa yoga class. 

alyssa

ALYSSA

Tuesday and Thursday 9:30a - Vinyasa
Tuesday 7p - Vinyasa

Alyssa’s greatest joy is the language of the body and sharing movement with others. As an explorer of dance, sports and martial arts since the age of three, she realizes that the essence of all movement goes beyond any one discipline and taps into the source that connects us all. Alyssa’s approach is one of open curiosity and she encourages each person’s unique journey. Alyssa has been teaching yoga for eight years.  She completed the Forrest Yoga Teacher Training with Ana Forrest and her primary teachers are Thomas Fortel, Max Thomas, and Charu Rachlis.  Alyssa is also an experienced body worker, trained at Esalen Institute, and she maintains a thriving practice in San Francisco. To learn more about Alyssa, please visit www.OpeningPresence.com.

Heather

HEATHER

Thursday 6:00p - Power
Thursday 7:00p - Vinyasa
Sunday 4pm - Yin

Heather lives to share what she passionately loves. Approaching life and yoga with progressive insight by exploring the freedom of movement, the space of the breath and the vastness of the soul. Classes are vigorous and inventive, inviting practitioners to dance at their edge and rest as needed. Every practice is a celebration of life - focusing on awakening the very essence of who we are. 

Silvie

SILVIE

Friday 5:30p - Vinyasa

Silvie turned to yoga to alleviate her chronic lower back pain that she suffered since her teenage years. However, it was the sheer pleasure of movement and challenge that made her stick to the practice. But yes, her body got stronger, and her pain went away. Energized and rejuvenated, she found a way to a more balanced life. Since then, Silvie’s practice has become a way that helps her tap into the natural state of inner peace and strength.

Silvie’s inspiring and engaging teaching style makes her one of the most sought-after yoga teachers in San Francisco. In her classes, she incorporates smart sequencing into strong flow intertwined with deep and steady breath. Her emphasis on healthy alignment and inward focus lead students deeper into their practice. Teaching with integrity, compassion, and intuition, Silvie provides safe space for students to explore their practice in a way that fosters their growth and well-being.

Having over 500 hours of training and 6 years of teaching experience, she has extensively studied with Ana Forrest and Stephanie Snyder, and has been deeply influenced by the teachings of Jason Crandell and Mark Whitwell. In addition to her yoga certification, she holds a degree in Social Work and a degree in Communication Studies.

Jenn

JENN

Sundays 9:30a - Power
Wednesdays 8:00a - Vinyasa

Jenn Perell is a yoga teacher and life coach who empowers and inspires people to live the lives they've always imagined!

In Jenn's dynamic vinyasa style class, she encourages students to explore their edges, “work easy,” uncover strength, and revitalize Spirit. As a teacher, Jenn create's an enjoyable environment for students by building community and bringing something new to every class. With fresh energy, she yoke postures together in a potent and balanced sequence.  "I strive to help everyone move deeper into their bodies to discover their true potential. I enjoy providing space for my students to awaken their own inner teachers, learn to listen from within, and transform their lives." Jenn recognizes the parallels of our lives on our mat and out in the world and believes that the presence you cultivate on the mat during asana practice can be taken out into the world and make for a more peaceful and fulfilling life. She encourages her students to sweat, work their edges, and enJOY!

As a yoga life coach, Jenn empowers clients to clarify goals and implement changes that are sustainable and congruent with their life vision. She is committed to being present and open and works to foster a space of deep listening, trust, and safety. "I see our time together as a client-driven process established to encourage personal growth and inspire positive change." For Yoga Life Coaching contact Jenn at jP@LiveWeal.com. The first session is free.

Diana

DIANA

Friday 6:45pm - Candlelight Yin
Saturday 11:15am - Mellow Flow

Diana has studied Iyengar, Kripalu, and Power yoga with a host of teachers including Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, and Rodney Yee. 

Her teaching and practice has transformed over the years to an integrated vinyasa flow melding the teachings of her primary teachers Rodney Yee, and Shiva Rea.  She also teaches the meditative practice of Yin Yoga with a foundation from the teachings of Paul Grilley and  Sarah Powers.  Most recently, Diana completed her YogaWorks certification and is a leader in the YogaWorks teacher training program.
Diana's passion is to create the space for us to experience the vitality and freedom as well as the beauty of our humanity through the movement of our minds and bodies in our yoga practice and through our deep connection to each other and nature.

Diana is grateful for all of her teachers who have shared their wisdom and expertise, to her students who continue to inspire and inform with their passion and courage, and to the beauty and complexity of life. She lives in Mill Valley, California where she teaches classes, workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats both locally and abroad. www.aliveanew.com

Lowen

LOWEN

Mondays 6:30pm - Abs n Core
Tuesdays 6:00pm - Abs n Core

Lowen is a Bay Area native, and life-long athlete. She specializes in human movement and rehabilitation as an orthopedic physical therapist, and enjoys working with athletes of all ages and abilities. She strives to help others achieve their personal goals, even if they don't involve her favorites: climbing, volleyball and whaleboat rowing.

After a short stint back East to toughen up and study ecology/biology, Lowen returned to receive her physical therapy degree at UCSF/SFSU, and her Pilates training at ITT Pilates here in the Presidio. She continues to be a student of human movement, and her influences include yoga, Pilates, sports, the latest biomechanical research, and the animal kingdom.

Janet

JANET

Wednesday 7p - Foundations of Flow
Sundays 11:15a - Vinyasa

Janet Carter loves yoga and it shows in her vibrant and energetic class.  Blending the precision of alignment with movement and breath awareness, she offers her students a dynamic and centering practice.  Janet began by studying Ashtanga Yoga.  She has since trained extensively in the Anusara tradition and most recently has completed the YogaWorks 200 Hour Teacher Training.  Janet appreciates how this ancient practice continually brings harmony to  the body, mind and spirit. It is a never ending journey of discovery and transformation.  She encourages students to personalize their practice and to relate what they learn on the mat, in life off of the mat. Taking that feeling of bliss that we have after a yoga practice and spreading it; that is the power of yoga.

   

 

designed and implemented by Stephanie Ko