teacher bios

brigitte

martin

cherie

heidi

jill

michele

traci

yoko

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.

nadia

coreen

Coreen Cousins is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and has been practicing yoga since 2005. She was first introduced to yoga by her husband Zach while living in the Bay Area. In yoga, she found relief from the stress of the corporate world. As her love for yoga grew, Coreen began to explore the various styles of yoga including the Mysore style of the Ashtanga lineage. She developed a passion for this style and enrolled in a teacher’s training program in Palo Alto, CA. There she was mentored by Ben Thomas, who specialized in the Iyengar lineage. From this program, she learned to appreciate and integrate the Iyengar technique into her practice while continuing to explore the Mysore practice that she loves.

After graduation she continued her studies with a number of Ashtanga teachers while teaching yoga full-time through out the Bay Area. In 2008 she traveled to Mysore, India to study at the KPJ Ashtanga Institute (then AYRI), where she hopes to return again. Currently she studies under Cathy Louise Broda in Honolulu, and loves her life in Hawaii.

Coreen's teaching emphasizes the link between breath and movement through

vinyasa and anatomical alignment. Her classes offer a dynamic, challenging practice that flows according to traditional sequencing, while warmly encouraging students of all levels to participate. Coreen's passion is sharing the joy of yoga with everyone.

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.

heidi

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.

jill

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.

michele

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.

nadia

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.

traci

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.

yoko

leah

Leah Distad was introduced to yoga in 2004 during her second pregnancy. Drawn again and again to the feelings of vibrancy and body awareness that yoga provoked in her, Leah comments, "I didn’t realize how little I paid attention to my breath and body until I began a yoga practice.” Inspired by this deep connection with yoga as well as a regular vinyasa practice with teacher Aiyana Greeley, Leah chose to pursue a teacher’s training program. Studying at the Shambhava School of Yoga in Colorado, and the Big Island of Hawaii, root guru Sri Nityananda, under the guidance of Swami Omkari Devananda, she earned her 200-hour Hatha Yoga teaching certificate.

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.

leah