brigitte

Brigitte Snyder’s (E-RYT-500hrs) love of yoga began in 1990 after the blissful experience of her first savasana in a class taught by Brian Kest.   Living in Los Angeles at the time, she was introduced to meditation in 1992 through the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda and studied yoga with one of his devotees daily for over two years.  This time took her deep into the subtle vibrations of the asanas and transformed her physical body.  Over the years she has sought out a diverse range of training, studying with master teachers including Manouso Manos, Shiva Rea, Eric Shiffmann, Mary Dunn and Ramanan Patel.  In 1999, she met Rodney Yee who ignited her passion in a new way for the nuances and poetry of the body.  She continues training with Rodney and assists him in his nationwide conferences.  In 2005, Brigitte had the privilege of studying with B.K.S. Iyengar in Estes Park, Colorado and was blown away by the masterful teachings of this great yogi.  She has received over 300 hours of Iyengar training and has a deep respect for this lineage.  She is currently participating in an Anusara Immersion program and enjoying the gifts of this tradition.

Brigitte’s classes are a joyful journey, sharing the fluidness and creativity of vinyasa with the precision and alignment awakened by Iyengar.  As a student coming to class you can truly feel her attention to you as an individual, offering manual adjustments that deepen the understanding of the poses and nurturing guidance that takes you into the infinite energies of the breath and body.  Since 2002, Brigitte has shared her in-depth understanding and strong technique based awareness in workshops and teacher’s training programs, bringing students to new levels in their practice.   She is the director of Aloha Yoga Kula’s Teacher’s Training/Advanced Studies Program.

martin

Martin Doluz (E-RYT-200hrs) began his journey into yoga in 2001 during an internship in India.  The beauty and wisdom of the Indian culture captured his heart.  He recognized yoga in everything and everyone and was inspired to deepen his practice. Upon returning home, Martin began a mentorship with Linda Sparrow, the editor of Yoga Journal.  In 2003 he participated in a 6 month intensive, 200 hour teacher’s training with Cyndi Lee of OM Yoga.  Living in San Francisco, he had the opportunity to study with Senior Yoga Teacher’s David Lawry, Elizabeth Rosser, Doug McGee, Jason Crandell and Rusty Wells.  He also was able to attend Pilates classes with Elizabeth Larkham who greatly influenced his knowledge of functional anatomy.  Martin moved his practice to Hawaii in 2005 where he was blessed with the friendship of Aiyana Greeley.   He continues to study in studios throughout Oahu and recently trained with master yoga teacher’s Rodney Yee and Doug Swenson.

Martin’s love of music can be felt in the rhythmic flow and creative sequencing of his classes.  He is a gifted and intuitive adjuster and seasoned in helping students of all levels expand their practice.  His sense of timing draws students into the depth of yoga and his choice of music is always a fun surprise.  Martin is a lead instructor in the Aloha Yoga Kula Teacher’s Training Program.

cherie

Cherie Mar began practicing Hatha yoga in 1997 while studying Art and Psychology at Boston University. Two years later, the loss of a close family member deepened her physical practice and opened her heart to Yogic Philosophy and lifestyle. Physical practice and meditation served as a source of solace and integrated into her daily life. A decade long journey has led her through a wide variety of yogic traditions, including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa in the Baptiste studios, Bikram, Siddha, and Dahn. Cherie's specialized training includes initiation into the Siddha Yoga practice through the gift of Shaktipat (2000) from Swami Chidvilasananda, three years as a Dahn energy healer and instructor in Boston, MA (2003-2006), and certification from the Kripalu school of Yoga in Stockbridge, MA (2007). Cherie is currently working on her 500 hour certification in Yoga Therapy through the Integrative Yoga Therapy program, and also exploring the Anusara tradition through weekend immersions.

Classes by Cherie offer students the opportunity to deepen their meditative experiences while moving through the physical postures of asana.

heidi

Heidi Hopkins’ (E-RYT-200hrs) passion for yoga began in 1997.  With a background in weight training, she found her way into a vinyasa yoga class and was amazed at the incredible ease, fluidness and peace she experienced.  “I want to live in this!,” was her thought.  A dedicated yoga practice led her to complete a 200 hour teacher’s training program with Living Yoga in 2001, and she began instructing that same year.  Heidi deepened her understanding of yoga by participating in an advanced studies intensive and mentoring with a group of senior yoga teachers in Texas from 2002 to 2004.  She has studied with Master yogis including Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea and Ramanan Patel.   She recently assisted in Aloha Yoga Kula’s 2008 Advanced Studies/Teacher’s Training Program and teaches classes of all levels throughout Oahu.

Heidi’s genuine exuberant spirit permeates her classes creating a supportive and peaceful environment.  Her unique teaching style and skilled adjustments allow students to explore their edge while staying centered in the breath. 

jill

Jill Gaspar (RYT-200hrs) took her first yoga class in 1998 in the Jivamukti Style in New York City with Carol Foster.  Though at the time working as a personal trainer, she immediately new that with yoga she had found her path.  She went on to study in a year long intensive training at Yoga Zone (now Yoga Works) and received her teaching certification in ISHTA (The Integrated Sciences of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda) under Alan Finger. While pregnant with her second son, she started teaching Prenatal Yoga at Yoga Zone.  Raised in Kailua, Jill returned home to Hawaii in 2002.  She continued her passion for learning studying Iyengar Yoga with Glenn Kawana at Silent Dance Center and earned certification in Pilates in both mat and equipment with The PhysicalMind Institute.  Jill has been privileged to apprentice with Cathy Louise Broda at Purple Yoga in Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga.  She continues a regular practice under the guidance of Cathy Louise, whose hands on adjustments provide constant inspiration.

Jill believes in working from the inside out whether she is teaching yoga or pilates. She offers an eclectic style combining lightness with an inward focus. Jill has a deep love for the nuances of yoga, and the discoveries she makes in her strong personal practice are seen in her fresh and radiant teaching. Her hands on adjustments are transformational.

michele

Michele Wilson began practicing yoga in 1994.  She enjoyed a five year mentorship in  Portland, Oregon with Giselle Guerrasio Sanders who eventually encouraged her to share her love of yoga with others.  While embracing teaching, Michele continued her training receiving a certification from Ganga White and Tracey Rich at the White Lotus Foundation in 2001.  She moved with her family to Kailua in 2002 and in addition to yoga is skilled as a Reiki Practitioner and a Doula.  Her background in personal training, anatomy and physiology make her classes accessible to beginners and advanced students.  Women who are expecting are very fortunate to find their way to Michele’s classes as she has a wealth of experience with the prenatal body.

Michele’s classes are deeply influenced by her meditation practice and she focuses on energetic centering to find grounding and balance.   She believes yoga is an inner experience leading to an outward expression and that when you tune into your wholeness within you will find freedom and joy.

yoko

Yoko Fujiwara (RTY-200hrs) started yoga while in the IT industry in her hometown in Tokyo, Japan. She moved to Oahu in 2005 and decided to devote herself to the study of yoga. She graduated from Yoga Hawaii's teacher training in 2006 and extended her teaching skills with Yoga for Kids from Yoga Ed., and Prenatal Yoga. Yoko has practiced Ashtanga yoga at A.Y.R.I. in Mysore, India for 3 months in 2008. She also studied Sanskrit and Yoga Sutra chanting under Dr. M.A. Jayashree while she was there. Yoko has completed an apprenticeship at Purple Yoga in Pregnancy Yoga and is currently Cathy Louise Broda's Ashtanga apprentice. She is also a Shiatsu therapist (MAT-11603) and is training to become a doula.

Yoko brings a beauty, lightness and accessibility to the Ashtanga Yoga Practice.

estee

Estee Rubin Fletter discovered hatha yoga in 1999. The practice was a reminder to quiet the mind and be still; and eventually transformed into a moving meditation of gratitude and devotion. While living in the Bay Area she had the opportunity to study Ashtanga Yoga with Tim Thompson and Laura Camp of Monkey Yoga Shala. She completed her first 200 hours of teacher training with Bryan Kest of Santa Monica Power Yoga in 2005. During this training Estee was introduced to Bhakti Yoga, including chanting with Govindas Rosen. She currently studies Bhakti Flow with Rusty Wells in San Francisco and completed an additional 200 hours of training in 2008. Estee has also attended workshops with master teachers such as Ana Forrest, Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Rodney Yee, and David Life. She continues to find divine inspiration in all of life’s many teachers, seen and unseen. Estee moved to Oahu 2007 to open lululemon athletica’s first store in Hawaii, where she discovered a growing yoga community.

Estee’s vigorous classes are set to an eclectic soundtrack; leaving you feeling calm, clear, and awake to your own unique possibilities. Her compassionate and motivating energy allow you to work deeply towards your edge, release what no longer serves you, and realize that the heart of yoga is about the discovery of oneness.