A native Oregonian, Katy has a lifelong interest in yoga that began with a yoga class she took at the Portland “Y” as a teen in the sixties.  Though not a consistent practitioner, she says, “Yoga has always been there for me. Yoga helped me breathe through three childbirths and now is helping me physically as I anticipate the next decade of my life!  It helps me keep my focus in an increasingly distracting world as well as maintain calm and perspective as a  mother, friend, part-time teacher at PCC, and now, as a new business partner at Santosha Yoga.”    Katy looks forward to sharing with you her love for Oregon, the environment, intercultural communication, trying to understand current local and world issues, and of course, yoga.

Teaching Stye: Soulful, Non-Judging, Compassionate, Strong

I discovered yoga years ago and found that the practice brought a deeper awareness of all life's gifts to my senses. I enjoy being part of that same discovery for others by sharing my passion for yoga. As a Vinyasa teacher I enjoy developing new and creative sequences to challenge my students. Since opening Santosha in 2010 I have focused my energy toward creating programs for "Every Body". Senior Yoga and Gentle yoga classes bring this great practice to those who want and need yoga in their lives in a format more suitable to their experience and ability.  In recent years I've delved more deeply into Yoga Therapy.  I love working with students one on one to develop a stronger practice or to recover from injury or illness. Helping students of all ages and abilities discover their inner strength on and off the mat is truly my privilege.

Teaching Style: Grounded, Compassionate, Nurturing, Inspiring

A certified yoga instructor with a lifelong meditation practice, Robin brings a grounded, accessible approach to her classes. When not at Santosha, she's busy teaching "office clothes yoga" in local workplaces. She has helped hundreds of Portland area professionals cultivate the ability to unplug, unwind and reconnect. To find out more visit Robin's website at http://www.workbalanceyoga.com Available for private yoga and/or meditation lessons. Email: RobinVChen@gmail.com

Teaching Style: Vibrant, Attentive, Friendly

Jill Lauren has always loved yoga, and has been practicing regularly for over 5 years.  When her children were toddlers she embraced yoga with a passion and developed a goal of completing a teacher training course to deepen her practice.  She reached her goal in 2008 when she earned her 200RYT through Tiffany Cruikshank's Power Vinyasa training.  Yoga has helped her stay balanced and peaceful. She feels blessed to be able to share the benefits of yoga through teaching.  Jill Lauren specializes in providing close attention and adjustments to her students helping them to improve and grow in their yoga practice.   "I am so grateful to have the opportunity to guide my students toward increasing their flexibility and gaining a greater sense of balance and self. Yoga allows us to continue to grow and improve ourselves and our world." For more information please check out her website at www.breathebalancebliss.com.

Teaching Style: Free, Spiritual, Vibrant, Playful

One thing I know for sure, and that is that yoga is as crucial for me as food or breath.   I began my journey with yoga in 2003.  My sister was a Bikram teacher and she convinced me that yoga would help me on a few different levels. The first one being a hip that was about to be replaced and the second being the clarity that yoga brings to the emotional body.  After four years of Bikram I wanted to go deeper, and I discovered power vinyasa and Iyengar, two types of yoga that really resonate with me.  
In January of 2010 I completed my 200 hour TT with Tiffany Cruikshank.  In March of 2010 I traveled to India with Tiffany and studied part of the 500 hour teacher training.
I love working with children in yoga, the benefits are so immediate and beautiful to watch unfold.  
As a teacher, my hope is to inspire and grow with all students, finding more depth for this ancient gift of yoga and becoming enveloped in its essence day after day. 

Teaching Style: Innovative, Knowledgeable, Accepting

Nina’s focus is the use of physical movement to access and relieve points of tension, evening out the breath to provide strength and balance.

Her passion for movement has taken her through many styles of yoga and other physical disciplines. A practitioner of Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Shadow Yoga, Nina has studied with many inspiring teachers including Jill Miller. She received her 500 hour teacher training under the guidance of Matt Huish Yoga. She is a certified Yoga Tune® Up teacher and also certified with the Yoga Alliance.   Nina believes in grounding and acceptance; knowing that it isn’t about touching your toes, but what you learn about yourself on the way down. Her classes offer a safe, nurturing and challenging environment for students to explore their mental and physical boundaries. 

Teaching Style: Gentle, Kind, Compassionate, Understanding

I fell in love with yoga in my 30’s and have practiced off and on since then. I began a consistent practice about 10 years ago and feel fortunate to be able to share my passion for the practice and the benefits of yoga with others. With a focus on making yoga enjoyable to everyone, student safety and comfort are my highest priorities. I enjoy sharing opportunities for students to learn how to modify their practice to meet their personal physical abilities. I feel strongly that yoga postures should fit the individual student rather than requiring a student to fit the posture. I am certified as a Registered Yoga Teacher by Ananda Yoga of Portland and the Yoga Alliance.

Teaching Style: Hip, Inviting, Solid, Centered

The practice of Yoga is something that Ashley couldn’t help but want to pass on.  The power of feeling centered, and having a calm mind changed her world profoundly, so began her journey as a teacher.   Ashley respects that every body is different, and wants to help her students find their own unique Yoga practice.  Guiding her classes, and creating dynamic sequences provides her with endless joy as she watches her students leave smiling.  When Ashley isn’t in a Yoga studio she’s either tending to her garden and chickens or being creative as a ceramic artist, photographing nature, or camping.

Teaching Style: Smooth, Calm, Open, Experienced

Gaye has been teaching various formats of fitness since 2003, with her favorite being yoga.  Among her favorite styles of yoga are Hatha, Vinyasa Flow and Iyengar.  Her classes are a place where beginners and experienced practitioners alike are encouraged to explore their practice in a non-competitive, relaxed yet energetic environment.  She brings a calming aspect to her classes - a "lighter side" incorporating both humor and humility.  Gaye loves to see her students discover and cultivate breath and body mindfulness and increased athleticism in their yoga and daily lives.

Teaching Style: Patient, Understanding, Knowledgeable 

Six years ago I took my first tai chi class.  That class led to another class, then to teaching, then to additional training—and tai chi has continued to grow in my life.  I currently teach Wu style (long form) classes, as well as gentle tai chi, including Tai Chi for Better Balance and Tai Chi for Arthritis.  Regardless of what form I am teaching, I emphasize the principles of posture, balance, breathing, and mindfulness—and the fun and relaxation of movement.

As a “senior,” I understand the challenges that aging brings to our bodies and minds; tai chi offers many ways to adapt to those challenges.  I encourage participants to incorporate tai chi principles and practices into their daily lives.  For me, the joy of practicing tai chi is magnified by the joy of teaching it.  I appreciate the balance, strength, and serenity tai chi has brought to my life and I am eager to share it with others.

Teaching Style: Challenging, Dynamic, Explorative

Aaron found yoga in 2007 while searching for a way to condition and prevent injuries from rock climbing and snowboarding.  It quickly became a permanent fixture in his life, changing not only his body but his mind.  He received his 200 hour certification from The Lotus Seed in 2011.  Aaron is a Portland native and has never left, because, well, what's better than Portland?  Aaron has introduced friends, family and colleagues to yoga with much success and he looks forward to sharing his practice with you.

Teaching Style: Passionate, Caring, Dedicated

From the first time I stepped on the mat I knew that yoga was going to have a profound impact on my life- I never would have guessed that it led to where I am today; following my dreams teaching yoga to adults, kids and people with special needs.  As a special education teacher for 7 years I found that my yoga practice helped me manage stress, gain physical strength and live a more balanced happy life.  While working with a group of high school students with Autism who had limited communication skills I had the crazy idea of teaching yoga to them a couple times a week.  We rented yoga for kids videos from the library and I did my best to share with them what I was working on in my personal practice.  Again, it only took one session with my students to immediately see the difference- they were engaged, excited and more joyful after our practices.  It was at that moment my life changed- I decided that I was going to persue my dream and passion of bringing yoga to my community on a more intentional level.  I immediately signed up for a 200 hour teacher training program and started working at a local sudio as an adult power Vinyasa teacher.  I have continued my yoga education attending workshops, kids teacher certification programs and recently became trained in Sonia Sumar's Yoga for the Special Child.  Every time I teach a class I feel I am impacting the world, making it a happier and more peaceful place- making a difference one yogi at a time.  As much as I enjoy working with adults I yearned to bring yoga back to my roots- sharing it with kids and specifically kids with special needs.  It has taken me four years to get here but I am finally living my dream- uniting my passion for yoga and kids.

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Teaching Style: Fun, Informative, Caring

Janci has been teaching yoga in Portland for more than a decade. Yoga practice and teaching has had a profound effect on her life, leaving her with a strong desire to bring the joy and transformative power of yoga to people who want to lead a healthier and more fulfilled life.

She integrates many different styles into her yoga instruction, and considers herself a life-long student. Her varied experience and training allows Janci’s teaching to be comprehensive, intuitive, gentle and always fun. Her teaching emphasizes the link between the breath and the resulting movement of the body.

Teaching Style: Dedicated, Adaptable, Focused

Carole creates a safe environment where students cultivate strength, flexibility, endurance and compassion. She safely guides students toward a deeper mind-body connection for maintaining health. She emphasizes yoga as a moving meditation on the mat where one can carry that focus and intention off the mat.

A practitioner for over 15 years, Carole is devoted to her practice. She recently made the transition from yoga practitioner to instructor and is honored to be a part of the community of teachers and students.

Teaching Style: Integrated, balanced, energetic, focused and mindful

As a certified instructor for both Yoga and Tai chi, I have practiced both for many years. I took my first Tai chi lesson when I was 9, from Master Fu, who was an authentic Yang style lineage holder in Shanghai. Chinese Tai chi is from Taoism, whose philosophy and world views are similar to those of Yoga in ancient India. In my teaching, I try to use the integrated style to combine both traditions.  Yoga means union.  Although many people think this term refers to union between body and mind or body, mind and spirit, the traditional acceptance is union between the one's individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness.  I hope to help my students, through practice, to understand ourselves, our body, our breath, our mind and beyond.

Teaching Style: Loving, Fun, Creative

I have been practicing yoga for almost 15 years and have been a certified yoga instructor for almost 9. I co-created Imagination Yoga in 2007 and have since gotten to spread the yoga love to countless children and teachers around the nation. Teaching Imagination Yoga is my platform to inspire kids to move, to relax, to create and to connect with their true great nature.

Teaching Style: Unique, Energetic, Creative

Along with teaching yoga, I have a background in dance education and professional performance theatre/dance since 1986. I have trained in many formal settings, among them, American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, Hartford Conservatory for Dance and I have a B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on Dance/Theatre.

I work for Portland Public Schools and I have created and implement an expressive arts curriculum for grades 1 through 8 which combines movement and visual arts. 

Currently I am training in the field of Expressive Arts Therapy and my study work is with Tamalpa Institute,  Anna Halprin’s school of expressive arts in California, the European Graduate School in Switzerland and Lesley University's Graduate Program for Self-Directed Studies in Expressive Movement and Art Education.

Visit my website to learn more about my work and practices
www.laniebergin.com