Teachers

I told myself I was going to try Yoga for over three years before I crossed the threshold into a little room at the YMCA where all the mellow people went. That day I caught some glimpses of what became a new type of life pursuit.

Although I found yoga before I found Yoga Union, this particular space has drawn my roots deep, and I've really been able to thrive as a practitioner and just an individual living amongst individuals as community of the heart. So I hope to channel what I've already received from Yoga Union in each class that puts me in the role of "teacher," within this space.

I call on heart-oriented language and the five principals of alignment from Anusara Yoga tradition to guide students because the "cosmic control center" (as my teacher would call it) has aligned me with teachers from that particular tradition.

I met Sianna Sherman (Senior Anusara Yoga instructor) in the Spring of 2005 during a workshop she was teaching at Yoga Union. Her insight has been a guiding light for me ever since. So I continue to learn from her with every oporutunity, and very much look forward to meeting her teacher, John Friend, this summer.

For me, Yoga is a matter of attention, balance, and connection. It's more than just physical. The balance is one of strength and softness, effort and ease, pride and humility. The connection can be with anything - a new sensation, an old friend, or to the subtle growing nature in all existence. When you feel balanced you get connected. When you get connected you feel balanced. Attention makes it all possible "these elements work hand in hand" sometimes foot in hand, or it could be your foot in your back... You'd still have to keep paying attention. It's so easy to check out in this life. If you're not careful, you could pass your time looking and never seeing, listening and never hearing, experiencing and never feeling. Our culture is so fragmented and out of balance that this process is always necessary and for the individual; its never finished. When we breathe and pay attention "inside, out, and the spaces between" Yoga brings us back to the center where there's a deeper than human experience.

My yoga practice began in 2003 out of pure curiosity. What began as a physical practice developed into much more as I started noticing the positive affects a regular practice provided. I have participated in workshops focusing on Power Vinyasa and Anusara Yoga and I completed the Teacher Training at the Yoga Union in 2007.

Yoga has helped me to realize that we all have the ability to challenge and exceed what we perceive as personal limitations. Often people arrive on their mat feeling intimidated or unsure of themselves, but yoga has taught me to accept my body and enjoy who I am. The possibilities are endless and I hope to share the joy, confidence and strength that yoga can bring to one's life by providing a creative and encouraging environment for students.

I grew up in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire where I developed a passion for expressing myself through dance. Over the past 15 years, a Career in ballet has brought me to study and perform in Boston, New York, San Diego, Colorado and more recently Salt Lake City, where I received a degree in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah. Dance has brought a dynamic array of experience and opportunity to my life. It has also taken its physical and mental toll.

At age 23, I discovered yoga as a means to balance my demanding dance schedule. Now it's as much a part of my life as dance has ever been. Dance and Yoga inform and inspire one another; they weave together in a balance of movement and meditation that fills my life with creativity, love, and beauty.

Sarah received her yoga training through Dana Baptiste, who inspired her to share her passion for yoga by becoming a yoga instructor. She is certified through Dana in the Baptiste method of yoga and enjoyed three years of teaching experience through her studio in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Power Vinyasa, Restore, Core and Pranayama instructor.

"Portland is the next step in my journey. I am currently dancing in a creative and fulfilling environment with Polaris Dance Theatre, while developing myself as a Yoga instructor and spreading my passion for yoga throughout the city. I look forward to deepening my experience as a human being through a vast array of experiences as I continue onward!"

I began practicing Ashtanga Yoga in 2003 while studying photography at the University of Oregon. I was in Eugene when I discovered the Kundalini, Bikram and Vinyasa styles of Yoga as well. Since moving to Portland in 2005, I have practiced at most of the studios throughout the city and find that the more teachers I learn from, the stronger my teaching and my personal practice become.

Kileen draws inspiration for teaching yoga from her other passion (rock climbing), which makes for a powerful and a focused journey of self-discovery on the mat. There are so many people waiting to discover their full potential. I want to be a vehicle to aid in that unearthing of consciousness" Kileen says. "Teaching yoga to others is something that I know I was meant to do."

James has had an "on-again off-again" relationship with yoga his whole life. Most recently James moved into a more intensive practice and completed his Power Yoga Teacher Training. With years of experience teaching Capoeira ( Brazilian Dance & Martial Arts) the transition from yoga practitioner to instructor was a natural progression. James' classes are smooth, intentfull and calming. With a focus on hip and shoulder opening, James encourages students to use the tools of breath and focused concentration to release into postures. Aside from his teaching and personal practice, James is a cartooninst, plays and teaches Capoeira, teaches kids and can be found generally having a great time.

Lauren was born with an overwhelming childhood imagination she has yet to out grow. She began practicing yoga in 2000 as a tool for playful self exploration and has since cultivated patience and gratitude on and off of her mat.

After earning her Theatre degree at College of Charleston, Lauren felt the universe pulling her to Portland and in her first leap of faith she gave up everything and hopped on a plane to see what the City of Roses had in store for her.

Since attending Level I and II teacher training with Baron Baptiste, Lauren has also studied with and draws her inspiration from; Rod Stryker, Sean Corne, Shiva Rea, and Tim Miller. She still considers herself a student, learning from everyone she encounters.

Lauren leads a very intuition based class and is articulate, poetic, and active with hands on assistance. Lauren believes we can all tap into our true organic nature; we just need a guiding light and the proper tools to discover it within ourselves.

My educational path has led me to the most important aspects of my life, and yoga is no exception. I took my first yoga class in 2001 at Portland State University. Being a busy college student, this restorative class was the first time in years I actually slowed down in body and mind. Through this slowing down, I discovered the power of meditation and yoga to heal and make positive change. I was hooked! Since that time, I have studied with local teachers of Iyengar, Vinyasa, Bikram, and Anusara yoga.

Teaching others is my passion and my life's work. I received my master's degree in communication studies, and I currently teach at several colleges in the Portland area. I began my journey as a yoga teacher through Yoga Union's 200 hour transformative teacher training. This was a life-changing experience for me and gave me a solid foundation of knowledge. A perpetual student, I am on the path to further certification hours through the Samudra Global School for Living Yoga. Regardless of the subject I am teaching, whether it is communication or hatha yoga, I am dedicated to helping my students explore their own potential and power.

I am continually inspired by yoga's ability to help people become more of themselves: stronger, calmer, happier, and more open. My classes are a colorful mix of my love for dance and flow, dynamic asana, and centering pranayama. I strive to keep my teaching style open, uplifting, and supportive.

Communication leads to community, that is,
to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing. -- Rollo May.

Natalie Rogers' yoga journey began with a passion for fitness. In 2000, after teaching aerobics and weight lifting classes for 5 years, her body was screaming...That was when she took her first yoga class. It was an experience that would change her life.

Her practice led her to a quieter place within herself and a deep love and respect for the yogic tradition. She began to study the deeper aspects of the practice and in 2004 became a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.

In 2006, quite by accident, while looking for a new class one morning, she entered the doors of Yoga Union, fell in love, and has never left. She is not only an instructor here, but a regular practitioner, as well.

"As a wife, mother, teacher, and friend the most valuable lessons I have obtained from my practice, are love, patience and balance, both on the mat and off. I am always trying to share these lessons with my classes. This practice will change your life, if you allow it to happen."

All of my classes are fun and light hearted much like my own personality. I enjoy teaching the dance of Yoga and the awareness of Breath. I feel that my Yin Yoga practice has influenced patience and allowed me to deepen my practice, while Vinyasa and Anusara have allowed me to explore the alignment, endurance and strength of both the asana and pranayama practice.

To me, yoga is a style of life that is humbling, selfless, and honest. But most of all FUN! I enjoy teaching these values in my classes knowing that people of any belief and age can utilize these teachings to become a more wholesome and wise individual! I am honored to say that I have recently finished the 2008 Summer Yoga Union Teacher Training with Annie and Natalie Adamson.

"There is one thing that, when cultivated and regularly practiced, leads to deep spiritual intention, to peace, to mindfulness and clear comprehension, to vision and knowledge, to a happy life here and now,
and to the culmination of wisdom and awakening.
And what is that one thing? It is mindfulness centered on the body."
-- The Buddha, from the Satipatthana Sutta

Angelina's movement studies began as a young athlete and runner. She received her BA in Dance and Performance Choreography, is a certified Pilates instructor and a yoga teacher. She has been teaching movement full time since 2001. Her teaching style incorporates her passion for anatomy and kinesiology, athletics, Chinese medicine, martial arts, Pilates, dance, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Forrest Yoga. Skilled at working with a broad range of clients, she especially loves working with injuries, athletes, pre and post-natal women, the elderly and those struggling with body image related disorders.

It's Angelina's goal to teach clients how to breathe deeply and move consciously. She is passionate about growing peoples understanding of their bodies and themselves! She believes commitment to her own movement and meditation practices and to being a student allows her to be a more effective teacher and to experience presence and joy in her own life. When not teaching, Angelina is usually found dancing, yoga-ing, playing in the great outdoors, watching major league baseball, or baking.

I began practicing yoga in Bend, Oregon, seven years ago, after a back injury severely limited my flexibility and physical activity. The practiceof yoga, first Gentle Hatha and then Ashtanga and Power Yoga, brought the joy of movement and strength back into my life. Over the years, I've found that integrating the pranayama and the meditative and spiritual aspects of yoga enhances my busy life off the mat as a mother of two girls.

As my experience of yoga deepened, I became more and more interested in sharing it with others. In July of 2007, I participated in the incredible experience of Yoga Union's Teacher Training with Annie and Natalie Adamson.

I teach the Saturday Yoga Basics Class. I love working with students discovering yoga and those rediscovering it after time away. This summer I began advanced teacher training in yoga for seniors, and for those with illness or injury - people who may find greater flexibility, strength and calm specific in yoga, but need guidance and care as they explore its practice. Yoga has changed my life in so many ways. I hope as a teacher to help others discover the many gifts it has to offer.