Instructors
THE YOGA TEAM
Ellie Bowman was brought to the mat in 2002 through dance and movement. She gained more than she anticipated though yoga’s special way of connecting one to their true nature, and that has kept her coming back and wanting to share it with everyone! Ellie’s classes are a combination of graceful flow and thoughtful sequencing focusing on moving stuck energy in the body, slowing down the wildness of the mind, and above all, shifting perspective. We are all on our own journey. Ellie aims to create an environment where students feel comfortable and supported in exploring their yoga, whatever that might be.
Allie Edison first discovered yoga in 2001, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the seed began to flourish and grow with a consistent practice. By continuously returning to her mat, her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being became nourished and nurtured. She now begins each day with conscious breath and awareness to bring a sense of peace throughout her day. Her practice has created space for self healing and she believes that yoga can peel away the layers which no longer serve us, revealing our true selves. Her class is playful and rejuvenating and reminds us that where we are on our journey is exactly where we need to be. She received her vinyasa training and certification under the love, light and wisdom of Jasmine Tarkeshi and Dana Flynn, creators and founders of Laughing Lotus in San Francisco. Allie has also been a Registered Nurse for over a decade and is currently coordinating care for seniors at Sequoias San Francisco.
Tina Foster Tina’s interest in restorative yoga comes out of an interest in the nervous system and the surprising intensity of healing activity that goes to work below-the-surface of a genuinely resting human body. Her teaching is drawn from her own experience of learning to rest, her meditation practice, studies with Judith Laster and neurologist Roger Cole as well as other contemplative asana styles such as yin yoga and the meditative movement of viniyoga. She began practicing yoga in 1986 and teaches more vigorous styles of asana as well. Her warm, mindful classes are always guided by the principles of simplicity, generosity, creativity and authenticity.
Rosemary Garrison began her practice in the traditional Astanga style with Tim Miller. Devoted to the intensity and purity of Mysore, she spent years with the 1st and 2nd series. Over time, life called her to explore Vinyasa. Now… the free form creativity and expressive nature of Flow are the foundation of both her practice and her teaching. Like so many of us, Rosemary was drawn to the mat for inexplicable reasons. She soon realized that while her body was happily opening and strengthening… her mind, heart and spirit were also undergoing a transformation. Slowly, she became ever more intimate with a power greater than self, an energy coursing thru the body~heart~mind, and has since been devoted to the cultivation of that energy. It is her hope that, by aligning with this innate inner force, each practitioner will have the experience of his or her own divine, radiant nature.
Andrea Graham guides students to steady the breath, still the mind, and build strength in their vinyasa practice. Her classes combine eclectic music with exciting sequences that balance and purify. An enthusiastic practitioner, Andrea feeds her love of yoga by exploring all of its forms, believing that every experience has something to offer. While living in Louisville, Kentucky, she was first introduced to Bikram yoga in 2001. The rigorous routine enticed Andrea’s athletic drive, and the cardiovascular benefits kept her physical body strong. Above all, Andrea was taken by this elegant form of movement, stretching and breathing. Completing a 200-hour teacher training in Bhakti yoga with Rusty Wells in 2009 transformed Andrea’s life and her understanding of yoga. Bhakti Flow tied in devotion and a sense of connectedness. She believes that cultivating self-awareness in all activities and efforts, even to the point of welcoming and accepting our limitations, teaches us to be less reactive.
Jody Hahn took her first yoga class in 2001 in Los Angeles, inspired by a friend who had demonstrated a handstand. She remembers that first class well – the physical challenge and the focus required, mixed with a exciting feeling of clarity. She did not do a handstand that day but she was hooked on yoga, and two years later graduated from The Center for Yoga Teacher Training Program in LA. She has been teaching ever since. Her classes are infused with the philosophy that we are all engaged in a process at all times which can be illustrated by finishing any statement with “yet”: “I can’t do this (yet)”… “I’m not flexible (yet).” If one can be involved in the process and not focused on the outcome, then both the process and the outcome may be surprising and rewarding. We are explorers – discovering poses, discovering mental clarity, discovering how we deal with challenges and, maybe, discovering some spiritual awareness. Oh, yeah – and it helps to keep a sense of humor about all of it.
Kevin Hibbitt teaches Hatha Flow classes that are a dynamic mixture of Ashtanga yoga, pranayama, deep restorative asana, and the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras. He encourages his students to continually deepen their practice and to discover the subtleties of pranayama, bandhas, concentration, and meditation. His classes move from fast paced vinyasa to long moments of stillness and tranquility. Students can expect to explore their own limits in a manner that is both rigorous and compassionate. Kevin also supports students to relax deeply and to forge an honest connection with themselves as complex beings. He holds yoga as a discipline that addresses the whole person and aims to integrate multiple layers of experience including body, mind and spirit. Kevin is a graduate of the Greenpath Yoga teacher training program and holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Allison Hodge views yoga as a spiritual and mental journey that connects to the authentic self and as a means for attaining inner peace. Yoga therapeutics and yoga philosophy have led her to discover a keen sense of mind and body awareness. Her classes cultivate a sense of love and liberation to empower oneself by freeing the mind of all unnecessary thoughts. Inspired by her passion for yoga and music, Allison teaches a challenging yet playful flow class that encourages students to move through this sweet life with grace and compassion. She continues to explore and study the benefits of yoga and is forever grateful to her teachers, Rusty Wells, Andrea Maltzer, Amme Hill and Stephanie Snyder who continue to inspire her practice and teachings.
Bridget Kavanaugh took on a deep passion for health and well-being in her early teens and has been thirsty to learn more ever since. After years of sports, gyms, and continuous studies on health, her wellness journey led to a yoga class. It was here she found a balance: a balance of working out physically and working in mentally. Little did she know that it would transform her life from the corporate world to that of teaching yoga. Bridget is a Yoga Alliance-registered teacher (RYT200) certified in vinyasa and is knowledgeable about various yoga styles and Ayurvedic health traditions. She continues to grow as a student and teacher of yoga and mindfulness through ongoing self-study and professional development. She enjoys guiding students through various posture flows, breath work and meditation by way of music, hands-on assists and fun. Focus is given on proper alignment to create a safe space allowing students to listen to their bodies and quiet their minds.
Jennifer Lewis draws from the Ashtanga yoga sequence developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. She considers Devorah Sacks to be her main teacher but remains in debt to all of the wonderful teachers in The Bay Area that continue to inspire her. Jennifer’s classes aim to be a moving meditation, placing importance on synchronizing breath and movement. Her teaching style is both challenging and nurturing. Jennifer was certified by It’s Yoga in January of 2002.
Andrea Maltzer believes that music, movement, and playfulness are essential. She brings over 15 years of instruction in movement, a passion for eclectic music, and a deep commitment to the transformative benefits of yoga to her classes. Andrea strives to combine these elements in a fun, physically challenging and spiritually uplifting practice. Andrea graduated from the It’s Yoga Teacher Training program in 2000 followed by 2 months in India studying Ashtanga Yoga with Pattabhi Jois. Other influential teachers have been Bryan Kest, Anna Forrest, John Friend, Shiva Rae, David Life, Sharon Gannon and her current teacher, Rusty Wells.
Marie Murphy strives to create a space in which students have the opportunity to explore the entirety of the organism that is their Self. She believes that wellbeing requires attention not only to the physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of our being, but also to the integration thereof. When we feel integrated and whole within ourselves, we are better able to be fully alive and present in our interactions with the world around us. Marie’s classes are based upon creative, dynamic sequencing that is challenging yet approachable for students of all levels, yoga philosophy, and breath awareness. She hopes to give students the opportunity to recognize the infinite capacity for physical, spiritual, and emotional change that lies within them, and the opportunity to claim the joy that comes with these discoveries. Marie is also a Holistic Health Practitioner, and loves helping her clients find and walk their own personal paths of health. She is grateful to all of her teachers, particularly Carolina Vivas and Erich Schiffmann.
Leila Swenson loves that yoga is an empowering physical, mental and spiritual practice. She moved to NYC from San Francisco in 2006 to study dance and in the midst found yoga. Realizing that this was what truly called to her, she moved back to San Francisco to teach and continue her training. Cultivating body and breath awareness, the stillness that lies in the body, and the transformational properties of the practice are her chief interests when it comes to teaching yoga. Leila’s class will encourage you to move internally and focus on your breath so that you find a deeper connection to your body. She emphasizes that although it’s a very simple concept, most of us forget that before we live anywhere else, we live in our bodies first! Leila’s class will challenge you, invigorate you, relax you, and help you tap into your inner reservoir of joy! Leila has her 200 hour certification in accordance with Yoga Alliance from Yoga to the People, a donation based Power Vinyasa studio she discovered while living in the East Village, NYC. She is currently working towards her 500 hour certification with Rusty Wells and teaches in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Lindsay Jean Thomson brings a warm playfulness to the dynamic practice of vinyasa yoga. Her classes emphasize the importance of moving with intention and the beauty of being in the moment. Lindsay was trained in vinyasa and prenatal yoga in Washington, DC and has also studied Thai Yoga Massage Therapy with Saul David Raye. Her teaching is guided by the joy she feels sharing yoga with her students and seeing the positive impact it has on their lives. She is honored to be on this path with you, with great thanks to her many teachers.
Erika van Gemeren discovered yoga in 2000. She was always in movement as a child and enjoyed activities including dancing, swimming, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. Being in a dance group that traveled around allowed her firstly, to feel a sense of community and secondly, to feel the mind/body connection at a really young age. Yoga was a natural extension of her dance repertoire and Erika, a Bay Area native, developed an immediate passion for her practice. Erika first studied Ashtanga with Tim Thompson and Laura Camp at Monkey Yoga Shala in Oakland, Ca. It was her discovery of Vinyasa that brought her back to her dance roots. Taking classes with Janet Stone, Rusty Wells, and Elise Lorimer inspired her to become an instructor which then she completed a rigorous 200-hour teacher training course at the Yoga Tree in San Francisco and the 200-hour “Five Element” teacher training with Janet Stone, who she continues to assist for. Erika specializes in Vinyasa Flow, but honors all forms. Her classes are soulful, nurturing and sweaty. She reminds her students to live from their heart and to dance like no one is watching. In efforts to grow, she continues to train with Janet Stone and Scott Blossom.
