Mercer Island Yoga Community

'Rai' had her first taste of yoga in Tucson, Arizona while teaching fitness classes. She has been teaching yoga since 2001. 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 classes, Youth classes and Partner Yoga Workshops. She is currently completing her 500 hour teacher training at 8 Limbs Yoga Center in Seattle and holds E-RYT, RPYT, ACE certifications. She lives on Mercer Island with her husband and young children.

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, Rai 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 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.

Marcie 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, 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 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

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

Ginny Pietila

Bio pending

Please contact Ginny at 206-232-7080 or www.clubermerald.org

Jessica Steinbroner

Jessica’s teaching style has a foundation in traditional yogic philosophy mixed with an authentic flavor of modern wisdom. The blending of ancient traditions with western information is an interest of hers, and shines through in her classes. The emphasis is on alignment, safety, and rehabilitation of the body, while holding a space for opening the heart and exploring the mind.

Jessica has her 200 hour YRT certification from 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle WA, and is currently pursuing her 500 hour certification as well. With an intrinsic passion for the inner workings of the body, Jessica’s background in Biochemistry and Natural Medicine complements her teaching style. Her life as a mother and yoga teacher allow for her natural nurturing abilities to be an integral part of her teaching.

Please contact Jessica at jessica74@gmail.com or 206-669-0813

Andrea Cirignano

Andrea discovered yoga during college in 2001 and immediately fell in love with the way the practice balanced her body and mind. Andrea is a recent graduate of the 8 Limbs Teacher Training program, which enhanced her deep interest in both the way the body works from the inside out and from the outside in. She is also very passionate about nutrition and overall wellness and likes to bring a wholesome approach to her personal practice and to the students in her classes.

While teaching, Andrea places a focus on breath, alignment, therapeutic benefits, and incorporating asanas into a home practice. Andrea’s goal as a teacher is to expose students to the world of yoga and encourage them to get to know themselves and their bodies to find out where yoga can take them, mentally, physically and emotionally.

Please contact Andrea at www.yogabyandrea.com. See also www.Yogavana.com

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

Theresa Jones

Natural health and wellness have been a major part of Theresa’s life for many years, and she has been practicing yoga since 2002. As the years pass by, she has discovered strength, flexibility, and a little grace from the many teachers in her life. She studied with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers for her teacher training as well as prenatal and postnatal teacher training. She has traveled the world, having lived in Paris, Prague, New York, Los Angeles, St. Paul, and finally now the Pacific Northwest. She holds a filmmaking fine arts degree from NYU and a screenwriting degree from UCLA, and has worked in the games industry in Seattle for over six years. She is passionate about yoga (of course!), natural birthing, and organic cooking.

Her yoga teaching focuses on mind and body, strength and flexibility, as well as cultivating self-awareness and taking that awareness and strength out into every day life.

Please contact Theresa at tjonesyoga@gmail.com or www.circleyoganorthwest.com

Home	Rachel Dawn Lowe 'Rai' had her first taste of yoga in Tucson, Arizona while teaching fitness classes. She has been teaching yoga since 2001. 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 classes, Youth classes and Partner Yoga Workshops. She is currently completing her 500 hour teacher training at 8 Limbs Yoga Center in Seattle and holds E-RYT, RPYT, ACE certifications. She lives on Mercer Island with her husband and young children. 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, Rai 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 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 Marcie Spahi Marcie 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, 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 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 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 Ginny Pietila Bio pending Please contact Ginny at 206-232-7080 or www.clubermerald.org Jessica Steinbroner Jessica’s teaching style has a foundation in traditional yogic philosophy mixed with an authentic flavor of modern wisdom. The blending of ancient traditions with western information is an interest of hers, and shines through in her classes. The emphasis is on alignment, safety, and rehabilitation of the body, while holding a space for opening the heart and exploring the mind. Jessica has her 200 hour YRT certification from 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle WA, and is currently pursuing her 500 hour certification as well. With an intrinsic passion for the inner workings of the body, Jessica’s background in Biochemistry and Natural Medicine complements her teaching style. Her life as a mother and yoga teacher allow for her natural nurturing abilities to be an integral part of her teaching. Please contact Jessica at jessica74@gmail.com or 206-669-0813 Andrea Cirignano Andrea discovered yoga during college in 2001 and immediately fell in love with the way the practice balanced her body and mind. Andrea is a recent graduate of the 8 Limbs Teacher Training program, which enhanced her deep interest in both the way the body works from the inside out and from the outside in. She is also very passionate about nutrition and overall wellness and likes to bring a wholesome approach to her personal practice and to the students in her classes. While teaching, Andrea places a focus on breath, alignment, therapeutic benefits, and incorporating asanas into a home practice. Andrea’s goal as a teacher is to expose students to the world of yoga and encourage them to get to know themselves and their bodies to find out where yoga can take them, mentally, physically and emotionally. Please contact Andrea at www.yogabyandrea.com. See also www.Yogavana.com 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 Theresa Jones Natural health and wellness have been a major part of Theresa’s life for many years, and she has been practicing yoga since 2002. As the years pass by, she has discovered strength, flexibility, and a little grace from the many teachers in her life. She studied with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers for her teacher training as well as prenatal and postnatal teacher training. She has traveled the world, having lived in Paris, Prague, New York, Los Angeles, St. Paul, and finally now the Pacific Northwest. She holds a filmmaking fine arts degree from NYU and a screenwriting degree from UCLA, and has worked in the games industry in Seattle for over six years. She is passionate about yoga (of course!), natural birthing, and organic cooking. Her yoga teaching focuses on mind and body, strength and flexibility, as well as cultivating self-awareness and taking that awareness and strength out into every day life. Please contact Theresa at tjonesyoga@gmail.com or www.circleyoganorthwest.com
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