MARA FISHMAN GOSSACK RYT
When Mara was 7 years old she tagged along with her Mom to her first Yoga class and loved that she was allowed to stand on her head! Over the years Yoga flowed in and out of her life as an occasional form of exercise, but it wasn’t until meeting Jordan Kirk in 2002 that she discovered Anusara Yoga and truly found her Yogic home. She took her 200-hour training with Jordan and Martin Kirk in 2003 and then went on to create Kula Yoga in Cave Creek with Judah Page and BJ Galvan. After a wonderful few years the studio closed as each of the partners went on to follow their own path. Now Mara is so thrilled to have once again found a beautiful Yoga Community in which to be a part. She specializes in teaching Restorative Yoga, creating an atmosphere of peace and well being, allowing her students to relax completely and open to the Divine in us all.
DENISE HATCH RYT-500, Anusara Certified Teacher
Denise has educated and worked in health, fitness, and mind sciences for 30 yrs. 14 years ago Denise began the educational and experiential journey of yoga. As Grace would have it, she found her way to Anusara yoga and teacher's John Friend and Carlos Pomeda. Denise became a dedicated student to the teachings of Anusara and the Tantric philosophy of which it's based, a philosophy of intrinsic goodness. What Denise thought would make her a better teacher has been a journey into her own heart and from that place denise teaches the Anusara principles of alignment in a playful and courageous way. Denise teaches classes, workshops, privates on both yoga and yoga therapy for healing specific injury. She also works with professional athletes through places like Athletes Performance Center and her own business of mental performance and yoga therapy. www.denisehatch.com
DEBBIE PAYNE RYT-500, E-200, Anusara-Inspired
The path to teaching yoga unfolded unexpectedly and joyfully. With the intention of deepening her own practice, Debbie discovered the beauty and healing power of Anusara Yoga and knew it was something not only to cherish but also to share. Debbie is an Anusara-Inspired Teacher, with over 300 hours training with founder John Friend and as many with other certified Anusara Teachers, as well as studies with philosophy scholars Douglas Brooks and Paul Muller-Ortega. Debbie loves teaching both the alignment principles and the heart-centered Tantra philosophy, as well as yoga therapy.
CAROLYN PELLETIER Anusara-Inspired
Before yoga, I was living my life through the eyes of fear. There was no time to breathe…to think…to feel. Yoga has helped my life flow by allowing me to see how I got in my own way. My first step toward a healthier life was to get in touch with my body. There’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot in yoga: ‘Listen to your body.’ My body had been talking to me for many years. It had tried to get my attention with anxiety attacks, neck pain, and episodes of depression; but I refused to take time to listen. It was only when the pain became too intense to ignore that I knew I must listen and make a change. Little wonder that I became a yoga instructor and life coach. I immersed myself in body, mind and spirit. Learning to see myself honestly on the inside, for a brighter more generous spirit on the outside.
After spending most of my life looking for answers out there somewhere, I finally began to look inside. The mat has taught—and still is teaching me—honesty and sensitivity. To honor my body for what it can do—and what it cannot do. I continue this journey with an open mind and spirit, knowing that the possibilities are unlimited for me and you in this world.
SYLVIA LABRADO RYT
Sylvia’s love of yoga began when she moved to Arizona in 1997. She knew immediately that she wanted to teach yoga. Through Yoga Alliance at Yoga Village, Sylvia received her 200 hour certification, under the training of Martin and Jordan Kirk. Greatly influenced by the Anusara style of Hatha Yoga, she embraced the beautiful and concise principles of alignment along with the “opening to grace,” going with the flow, and following your heart philosophy. Sylvia also received additional training in anatomy from Martin Kirk as well as Restorative Training from Mary Bruce. Sylvia’s desire is to share her passion for yoga with others by helping them to connect to their spirituality through the beauty of yoga.
Our teachers
The seat of the teacher is an honor that we all cherish,
yet we remain always the student and full of gratitude
for all that our students teach us.
Yoga in Cave Creek! Om Namah Shivaya!
PAULETTE BODEMAN, E-RYT 500, Anusara Certified Teacher
Paulette’s authentic and empowering style encourages her students to step into the flow of Grace and be of open heart. With over fifteen years of meditation experience and dedication to study Paulette offers an effective and inspiring method of teaching meditation. For many years Paulette was adjunct faculty at Scottsdale Community College and had been invited to be a member of the team for the College’s innovative Yoga Teacher Preparation Program. With a B.A. in Transpersonal Psychology Paulette also enjoys working with students individually. Paulette is deeply grateful to her teachers for their walking the path before her, and their generosity in sharing what they have learned.
MARCI SHEER RYT
Marci wondered into a gym yoga class some sixteen years ago and came out of it as if she was floating. She thought… there’s something to this yoga stuff … Her journey then began.....
In 1999 she completed a Kripalu-inspired Teacher Training with Dianne Murphy at Crescent Moon yoga. Over the years she continued to explore the world of yoga both as a teacher and a student. In the Fall of 2007 her neighbor took her an Anusara class and she instantly knew she had found her yoga home. The heart-centered teaching coupled with the principles of alignment feels like the magic formula for Marci. She completed her Anusara Teacher Training in 2010 with Martin and Jordan Kirk and is currently working toward her Anusara inspired status.
Marci’s teaching style is uplifting, playful and nurturing - she looks forward to seeing you in class and sharing the magic of yoga with you!
JUDAH PAGE
Judah is an inspiring yogini and massage therapist. She is an instructor and workshop leader who teaches from her heart. Through weaving stories of the ancient and the present, Judah leads people back to the holy with yoga breath, postures and rich storytelling.
AMY KRAFT
Amy is an Anusara-Inspired™ Yoga Teacher and Educator, RYT-200 and has taught for over thirty-five years. She is a pioneer in the field of integrative yoga and member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Amy is a highly skilled specialist in educating her students and retraining their functional biomechanics. She has integrated yoga therapy in the fields of podiatry, cardiology, orthopedics, sports medicine, osteopathy, physical therapy, chiropractics, gynecology, oncology and other health and wellness modalities.
VI PLATTA
Vi was invited to her first yoga class ten years ago at the Yoga Conservatory. Three months later she was immersed in teacher training and has since been teaching at several yoga studios in the Scottsdale area. Vi credits many for lighting her path including BJ Galvan, Eric Schiffman, Mary Bruce, Martin and Jordan Kirk and Moon Young. She most enjoys teaching beginning and senior level classes and is now most recently teaching a restorative class. She finds it very gratifying to provide beginning students with an enjoyable introduction to yoga in the hope they are inspired to continue todevelop their practice. Vi focuses on a spiritual-based asana
practice and emphasizes meditation and self-study to help others develop self-worth and further growth.
When not teaching Vi is an avid reader and loves to travel. In the past few years she has visited Bali, Thailand and Austria. She lives
in Scottsdale with her husband Mike and her two dogs Sami and Max.