Mercer Island Yoga Community

Rachel Dawn Lowe E-RYT, ACE ("Rai") lives on Mercer Island with her husband and welcomed their son in 2008. Rai began practicing yoga in Tucson, Arizona while teaching fitness classes. She teaches all levels of students and encourages students to ‘tune in’ and listen to their bodies and utilize modification options. She also teaches Prenatal and Teens/Youth classes and Partner Yoga Workshops.

By taking what we learn during our sadhana (practice) to other aspects of our lives, we provide a method and a metaphor to discover and create the many ways of letting 'balance' unfold in our lives simply through the practice of yoga. Rai draws from a Vinyasa style of yoga incorporating free form movement with breath while integrating yoga philosophy. Trainings with Kathleen Hunt, Shiva Rea, Anne Phyfe Palmer and Aadil Palkhivala have guided her teaching. A trip to the Himalayan mountains in Northern India and the Tibetan culture in exile, inspires her to continue honoring and integrating the soul of yoga – union of ourSelves in all cultures and traditions. "Through her Yoga teaching, Rachel creates an environment where the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of our being increase. I highly recommend her classes to anyone wishing to explore any level of Yoga.” Scott Rumage, Practicing Yoga since 1980

Lulu Peelle began practicing yoga in 1996 as just one more form of exercise but soon discovered its multi-dimensional benefits. In her exploration of yoga she has studied with a variety of exceptional teachers. Her journey of discovery has taken her in some surprising directions, each of which has revealed the continuous unfolding of her life’s purpose (dharma). Her dharma and passion is to share her knowledge, skills and personal experience to guide and support others through the continuous, and sometimes challenging, unfolding of their lives.

She is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Ayurvedic Counselor with 8 years yoga teaching experience. Her more recent certification in Ayurveda enables her to integrate the ancient teachings of yoga and ayurveda and offer them together as was originally intended. Her private yoga therapy sessions include diet and lifestyle counseling. She also teaches various Basic and Therapeutic classes, and has had specific experience teaching Seniors and Cancer patients.

Maria’s journey to yoga began as a child when she entered the world of movement as a dancer. As she grew and moved through this world as a dance teacher, professional dancer, fitness instructor and mother, yoga offered Maria spiritual solitude, peace and an opportunity to nurture herself. All of Maria’s passions came together with Power Vinyasa Yoga; a blending of strength and flexibility, a graceful flow of dance and an element of spirituality all beautifully integrated in this dynamic style of yoga.

Maria has completed Level 1 teacher training with Baron Baptiste, two teacher training courses with Lisa Black and a full year in the Teaching Assistant Program (TAP) at Shakti. She completed Level 1 Iyengar teacher training with Aadil Palkhivala and has studied intensely with Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea and Seane Corn. Maria strives to create a light-hearted, supportive environment for others who want to practice an integrated style of yoga. She believes that every person possesses the heart of a teacher and a student. She thrives on incorporating the blessings of both in her life.

Marcie Spahi has been interested in yoga since she was introduced to it as a child. She has trained with various Yogis and values the different influences that inform her concepts of yoga. She holds yoga teacher certification from Samadhi, with Kathleen Hunt, Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson, Universal Yoga with Andre Lappa, as well as level one teacher certification through Yoga Centers.

Marcie prefers a vinyasa style practice in which there is flow in motion. Grace and fluency in movement are a valued framework in her yoga training. Using specialized breathing techniques (pranayama) to find a meditative frame of mind and keep the body free of injury is a key component. The challenge is to try to help students find the deep relaxation, concentration and spiritual connection that a yoga practice can offer. Moreover, that students internalize their yoga practice and make it their own, with or without a regular class experience. Marcie teaches private yoga sessions and likes to help people get started and find the style they like and then help them move in that direction. She has taught group vinyasa yoga as well as healthy back class on Mercer Island. She currently teaches a group of students at Mercer Island high school. Marcie also teaches Hula Hoop Dance at the Mercer Island Community Center.

Maude Pauletto, who is also a licensed massage practitioner, has been teaching hatha yoga for over 30 years. Her intent is to help people understand through gentle, lighthearted instruction of various yoga poses and breathwork, their capacity for patience, focus and flexibility. She has taught in Phoenix, Portland, Beverly Hills, San Francisco and the Seattle area.

Ann Lokey has been practicing yoga for 12 years as a student under many different instructors. She began to lead in order to maintain her own practice after she retired from the real world of work. Since 2003, she has led a free yoga practice class for an hour starting at 9:15 every Friday morning at the Mercerwood Shoreclub. Ann lives on Mercer Island with her husband and family, including 4 children and two dogs. She is passionate about the fight against child abuse and neglect and spends most of her time on her family and her passions. Lucky Ann.

Shawn began studying yoga as a way to get back into shape, but it eventually transformed her outlook on all things exercise. Her goal is to offer students a similar transformative experience. Shawn has been studying Hatha Yoga with Bob Smith since 1991, completed teacher training with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers, and recently studied with Orit Sen-Gupta of Tel Aviv. She was also trained to teach students with limited range of movement. Shawn offers Hatha and Yin yoga classes at Yoga Vana , and private sessions at her Mercer Island studio.

Merging 18 years of High-tech management with 30 years of yoga & wellness, Soleil works with first-hand knowledge when helping men, women, and organizations balance introspection with the constant demands of everyday living. Soleil is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner with a private office on Mercer Island. She is also the founder of YogaBlaze.com – Seattle’s One Source to Yoga

Karen Beck, ACE/ACSM certified in fitness, came to discover yoga in Michigan in 1998. She is a long time dancer, instructor and practitioner of movement. Currently Karen works with senior fitness, pilates, yoga and stretch programs in the Seattle area. Karen approaches yoga practice on the lighter side , using a variety of music and humor in addition to the reverence associated with many styles of yoga practice. Yoga flow might describe her class with influences from David Swensen, (Ashtanga), Baron & Sherry Baptiste (Power), John Friend (Anusara), Rodney Yee (Iyengar) and others.

Karen's classes provide students with lots of options, attention to form, and some flow. As always, a sense of "joy" is expressed both with music and words. Karen's local yoga classes are at the Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island Country Club and Aljoya.

Please contact Karen at knmiwa@comcast.net

Auryel van Gemert

Auryel comes from a background in dance, bodywork and energy work as well as a deep love of bhakti and vinyasa yoga. Her classes are a dynamic mix of meditation, movement and breath which offer a relevant and challenging approach to yoga. Lino Alelyunas, Troy Lucero and Baron Baptiste are her most significant teachers. Through the practice of Yoga, Auryel has found a sense of peace and joy in her life

Please contact Auryel at auryelross@hotmail.com

Home	Rachel Dawn Lowe Rachel Dawn Lowe E-RYT, ACE ("Rai") lives on Mercer Island with her husband and welcomed their son in 2008. Rai began practicing yoga in Tucson, Arizona while teaching fitness classes. She teaches all levels of students and encourages students to ‘tune in’ and listen to their bodies and utilize modification options. She also teaches Prenatal and Teens/Youth classes and Partner Yoga Workshops. By taking what we learn during our sadhana (practice) to other aspects of our lives, we provide a method and a metaphor to discover and create the many ways of letting 'balance' unfold in our lives simply through the practice of yoga. Rai draws from a Vinyasa style of yoga incorporating free form movement with breath while integrating yoga philosophy. Trainings with Kathleen Hunt, Shiva Rea, Anne Phyfe Palmer and Aadil Palkhivala have guided her teaching. A trip to the Himalayan mountains in Northern India and the Tibetan culture in exile, inspires her to continue honoring and integrating the soul of yoga – union of ourSelves in all cultures and traditions. "Through her Yoga teaching, Rachel creates an environment where the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of our being increase. I highly recommend her classes to anyone wishing to explore any level of Yoga.” Scott Rumage, Practicing Yoga since 1980 Please contact Rai at mercerislandyoga@yahoo.com or 206-979-3008. Check calendar for availability & classes. Lulu Peelle Lulu Peelle began practicing yoga in 1996 as just one more form of exercise but soon discovered its multi-dimensional benefits. In her exploration of yoga she has studied with a variety of exceptional teachers. Her journey of discovery has taken her in some surprising directions, each of which has revealed the continuous unfolding of her life’s purpose (dharma). Her dharma and passion is to share her knowledge, skills and personal experience to guide and support others through the continuous, and sometimes challenging, unfolding of their lives. She is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Ayurvedic Counselor with 8 years yoga teaching experience. Her more recent certification in Ayurveda enables her to integrate the ancient teachings of yoga and ayurveda and offer them together as was originally intended. Her private yoga therapy sessions include diet and lifestyle counseling. She also teaches various Basic and Therapeutic classes, and has had specific experience teaching Seniors and Cancer patients. Please contact Lulu at lulupeelle@comcast.net or 206-779-3303 Maria Bliss Maria’s journey to yoga began as a child when she entered the world of movement as a dancer. As she grew and moved through this world as a dance teacher, professional dancer, fitness instructor and mother, yoga offered Maria spiritual solitude, peace and an opportunity to nurture herself. All of Maria’s passions came together with Power Vinyasa Yoga; a blending of strength and flexibility, a graceful flow of dance and an element of spirituality all beautifully integrated in this dynamic style of yoga. Maria has completed Level 1 teacher training with Baron Baptiste, two teacher training courses with Lisa Black and a full year in the Teaching Assistant Program (TAP) at Shakti. She completed Level 1 Iyengar teacher training with Aadil Palkhivala and has studied intensely with Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea and Seane Corn. Maria strives to create a light-hearted, supportive environment for others who want to practice an integrated style of yoga. She believes that every person possesses the heart of a teacher and a student. She thrives on incorporating the blessings of both in her life. Please contact Maria at info@yogabliss.org. See also www.yogabliss.org Marcie Spahi Marcie Spahi has been interested in yoga since she was introduced to it as a child. She has trained with various Yogis and values the different influences that inform her concepts of yoga. She holds yoga teacher certification from Samadhi, with Kathleen Hunt, Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson, Universal Yoga with Andre Lappa, as well as level one teacher certification through Yoga Centers. Marcie prefers a vinyasa style practice in which there is flow in motion. Grace and fluency in movement are a valued framework in her yoga training. Using specialized breathing techniques (pranayama) to find a meditative frame of mind and keep the body free of injury is a key component. The challenge is to try to help students find the deep relaxation, concentration and spiritual connection that a yoga practice can offer. Moreover, that students internalize their yoga practice and make it their own, with or without a regular class experience. Marcie teaches private yoga sessions and likes to help people get started and find the style they like and then help them move in that direction. She has taught group vinyasa yoga as well as healthy back class on Mercer Island. She currently teaches a group of students at Mercer Island high school. Marcie also teaches Hula Hoop Dance at the Mercer Island Community Center. Please contact Marcie at 206-232-3230 Maude Pauletto Maude Pauletto, who is also a licensed massage practitioner, has been teaching hatha yoga for over 30 years. Her intent is to help people understand through gentle, lighthearted instruction of various yoga poses and breathwork, their capacity for patience, focus and flexibility. She has taught in Phoenix, Portland, Beverly Hills, San Francisco and the Seattle area. Please contact Maude at yogamap@comcast.net or 206-605-1865 Ann Lokey Ann Lokey has been practicing yoga for 12 years as a student under many different instructors. She began to lead in order to maintain her own practice after she retired from the real world of work. Since 2003, she has led a free yoga practice class for an hour starting at 9:15 every Friday morning at the Mercerwood Shoreclub. Ann lives on Mercer Island with her husband and family, including 4 children and two dogs. She is passionate about the fight against child abuse and neglect and spends most of her time on her family and her passions. Lucky Ann. Shawn Milligan Shawn began studying yoga as a way to get back into shape, but it eventually transformed her outlook on all things exercise. Her goal is to offer students a similar transformative experience. Shawn has been studying Hatha Yoga with Bob Smith since 1991, completed teacher training with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers, and recently studied with Orit Sen-Gupta of Tel Aviv. She was also trained to teach students with limited range of movement. Shawn offers Hatha and Yin yoga classes at Yoga Vana , and private sessions at her Mercer Island studio. Please contact Shawn at 206-310-5704. See also www.Yogavana.com Soleil Hepner Merging 18 years of High-tech management with 30 years of yoga & wellness, Soleil works with first-hand knowledge when helping men, women, and organizations balance introspection with the constant demands of everyday living. Soleil is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner with a private office on Mercer Island. She is also the founder of YogaBlaze.com – Seattle’s One Source to Yoga Please contact Soleil at soleil@soleilrising.com. Karen Beck Karen Beck, ACE/ACSM certified in fitness, came to discover yoga in Michigan in 1998. She is a long time dancer, instructor and practitioner of movement. Currently Karen works with senior fitness, pilates, yoga and stretch programs in the Seattle area. Karen approaches yoga practice on the lighter side , using a variety of music and humor in addition to the reverence associated with many styles of yoga practice. Yoga flow might describe her class with influences from David Swensen, (Ashtanga), Baron & Sherry Baptiste (Power), John Friend (Anusara), Rodney Yee (Iyengar) and others. Karen's classes provide students with lots of options, attention to form, and some flow. As always, a sense of "joy" is expressed both with music and words. Karen's local yoga classes are at the Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island Country Club and Aljoya. Please contact Karen at knmiwa@comcast.net Auryel van Gemert Auryel comes from a background in dance, bodywork and energy work as well as a deep love of bhakti and vinyasa yoga. Her classes are a dynamic mix of meditation, movement and breath which offer a relevant and challenging approach to yoga. Lino Alelyunas, Troy Lucero and Baron Baptiste are her most significant teachers. Through the practice of Yoga, Auryel has found a sense of peace and joy in her life Please contact Auryel at auryelross@hotmail.com
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