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.

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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.

Jesa, began practicing yoga diligently in 1998, in 2009 she completed her 200-ryt in Hawaii at the Aloha Yoga Kula.  Shortly therafter she began training under Andrea Torres at Samadhi Hawaii, where she is currently one of her aerialists.  Her love and practice of Aerial Arts, Dance, Pilates, and Yoga-Astanga, Iyengar, Anusara and Training in Vinyasa with a concentration on the Iyengar Principles of Alignment, lead her to meet Ana Prada.  Ana began training and sharing her concepts and movements she has cultivated, today known as Aerial Yoga. While training with Ana, within many hours of practice and creation and a deep triad friendship with Andrea a collabration happend and Vayu Aerial Yoga was founded.  We are commited to continue to explore in the evolution of this method and to share the love of Yoga with every and all individuals willing to open thier hearts and minds.

Along with Aerial Yoga, Jesa also teaches Prenatal yoga and Aerial Classes and Dances with Samadhi Hawaii and Iona Contemporary Dance Theater.

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.

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Lead has gone on to teach at several locations on the Windward side, including her own studio, Koa Yoga, which she owned for two years.  Currently focusing more on the more subtle aspects of teaching, she is happy to be a part of the community the Aloha Yoga Kula provides.  She continues to develop her practice by attending various local workshops and classes, as well as the Yoga Journal Conference led by Master teachers Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Roger Cole, Ana Forrest, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, and AcroYoga Co-Founders Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein.  She is continually inspired by the influential texts of B.K.S. Iyengar, Donna Farhi, Cyndi Lee, Rodney Yee, Rolf Gates, Deepak Chopra, Ram Das and Jivamukti Founders David Life and Sharon Gannon.

Leah's classes are thoughtfully creative and challenging, with a rhythmic flow and attention to alignment. Through mindful sequencing, her classes allow you to explore the breath and honor your body in each moment.

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.

Nadia fell in love with yoga in 1993, as it helped heal a lingering illness and leg injury. She continued a deep independent practice influenced by Iyengar and Vini Yoga for several years until she met her first yoga mentor while living in the Southeast. She completed a two year Yoga Teacher Immersion Program, which gave her the skills to then share Hatha yoga in group classes.

During this time Nadia was introduced to the Nia technique, which launched a lifelong passion for dance and movement. For the past 12 years Nadia has trained with Debbie and Carlos Rosas , two world class movement pioneers in the Body-Mind wellness field. Nadia is a certified third level Nia Technique instructor, and has brought Nia to a wide range of venues. Her varied background in movement also includes Tai Chi, Chi Gong, modern dance, ballet, and the recent completion of the Aloha Yoga Kula’s  2008 Advanced Studies Program.

Nadia’s yoga classes reflect this diverse training as well as her creativity and passion for dance. Her classes combine organic movement with proper technique and alignment, allowing you to feel balanced, and recharged.

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Taci Potterf, Ph.D., (RYT - 200hrs) has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and integrating yoga into her wellness counseling business for the last five years. In 1997 Traci got her Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from U.C. Berkely and U.C. San Francisco Medical School. While attending school, she became interested in culturally diverse medicine and the benefits of mind-body practices such as yoga, meditation, and holistic therapy. In 2001 suffering from the aftermath of a car wreck and several other health problems, Traci's commitment to yoga was renewed. Through a daily yoga and meditation practice, as well as a series of dietary changes, Traci was able to lose 50 lbs. and heal chronic pain. She has since founded Ola Loa Wellness, offering yoga, wellness counseling and personal chef services to help others deal with a wide array of health concerns. Her unique and extensive knowledge of whole body wellness led her to participate in the Aloha Yoga Kula's 2008 Teachers Training Program.

Traci is a Yoga Ed certified kid yoga teacher, whose classes provide a delightful, playful, and imaginative setting. Children can develop kinesthetic awareness, while learning emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and respectful cooperation with others. Her classes help develop the ability to focus, while soothing the nervous system, and provoking feelings of calm and joy. Traci is deeply by the gift and beauty of teaching yoga to children.

Yoko Fujiwara started yoga while in the IT industry in her hometown in Tokyo, Japan. She moved to Oahu in 2005, where she devoted herself to the study of yoga. In 2006, Yoko graduated from Yoga Hawaii’s teacher training and Yoga Ed’s “Yoga for Kids.” In addition, she studied Prenatal Yoga with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa of Kundalini Yoga. In 2008, Yoko travelled to Mysore, India where she practiced Ashtanga Yoga at A.Y.R.I, as well as the art of Sankrit and Yoga Sutra chanting under doctor M.A. Jayashree.    

Yoko’s love for the practice of Yoga led her to complete a Pregnancy Yoga apprenticeship under the tutelage of Cathy Louise Broda of Purple Yoga, and currently studies with her as an apprentice of Ashtanga Yoga. WIth the sensitivity and body awareness that yoga has taught her, Yoko is also training to become a doula and Shiatsu therapist.

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

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