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2024 Festival Teachers
Kamini Natarajan
Teacher & Musician
Kamini is a Kirtan and Indian Classical Singer based in LA area. She blends Mantras and Chants with Indian Ragas to create Kirtans that are traditional and extremely meditative. Her Kirtans are composed in specific Ragas that leave the participants feeling serene. She is also the author of Kirtan eBook Indian Ragas for Kirtans. Kamini’s Kirtans bring out her deep spiritual background. They are extremely mystical and magnificently divine. People are left mesmerized by her angelic voice, her intricate improvisations, her odd meter rhythms and most importantly her radiant warm smile. For more information and to stay in touch, visit her website KaminiMusic.com or facebook page KaminisMusic.
Hannah Chu
Teacher
In 2019, Hannah moved to California from New York City to pursue her PhD in Entomology. During this transition away from home, she sought the Eastern healing that her mom and aunts taught her.
She started yoga when she was 14 years old as a means of exercise, but discovered a spirituality that deeply resonated with her. After 10 years, she sought to deepen her practice and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Christina Perez (Yoga Alliance certified) in August 2022. She currently teaches at Rouse Yoga in Riverside.
Samuel Odiakosa
Teacher
Samuel is a returning yoga teacher to Big Bear Yoga Festival 2023. He is a long time supporter, volunteer and friend. Passion and fun lead Samuel. Join him in amazing Big Bear for an amazing yoga class!
Elaine Slivka
Teacher
I have been teaching Yoga for 50+ years and Travel to the Caribbean and Mexico teaching and sharing my passion for Yoga Health and Wellness. I am Vegan and practice Ahimsa. I love the festival and have led "Yoga Hikes" and taught in the classrooms. I am extremely active and believe age is just a number. I am currently busy with my new passion Sound Baths. I love sharing my passions with my fellow Yogis.
Reina Prado
Teacher
Reina Prado (ellxs/they) is a bi-lingual bi-cultural Love Conscious Coach (aka Love Madrina) and Holistic Energy Practitioner. Their practice Healing Queen, established in 2013, is based in unceded Kizh/Tongva territories (Southern California). Their offerings reflect practices from their ancestors many of who were Curanderas, Mid-wives, Herbalists, and Sobadores and combines it with energetic therapeutic modalities as experienced in their signature offering: Love Limpias. Their mission is to help folks activate divine love in their body & field so that they may experience living a more joyful and love filled life. Prado resources teachings from their indigenous heritage, sacred and metaphysical tools such as plant medicine, crystals, and the elements to support their clients on their journey. Prado is the author of Spring Into Love (Balboa Press, 2021). Follow them on Instagram @healinqueen_. Check out their guided experiences and podcast Activating Divine Love on Soundcloud. To access it go to linktr.ee/healingqueen and click on the cloud icon. Their website has more detailed information about the range of services and trainings they offer www.healingqueen.org.
Nancy Rascon
Teacher
Nancy has been practicing yoga for 25 years and teaching yoga since 2006. She incorporates her love for life and adventure into her teachings. As a nature enthusiast, she enjoys many outdoor activities such as hiking, scuba diving, snow skiing, and mountaineering. Other hobbies include world travel, meditation, and intuitive hands-on healing practices such as Reiki.
Nancy is a holistic health practitioner. She is a yoga instructor, a breath work facilitator, a psychic, and a healer.
Michael Taber
Teacher
Michael is an Astrologer, Ashtanga Yogi, Tai Chi Chuan & Reiki Master, and Sound Healer Globally & currently in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. Trained in Ashtanga Yoga by Caroline Klebl, Michael has wonderful experience assisting 200 hour Certifications, as well as teaching groups and individuals locally and at Resorts in Montana, Sedona and South Dakota. Classes taught include: Ashtanga & Vinyasa Flow, Meditation, Astrology, Tai Chi, Sound Healing, Reiki Certifications and Yin/Restorative Yoga. In addition, as an actor, who graduated from San Diego State’s Bachelor of Arts program in Theater, Michael has eight plus years experience working with kids in schools and private coaching's. His training developed not only the many tools for acting and physical movement, but also for living and teaching a positive, passionate and motivating life. Recently he has been guiding and teaching yoga at Custer State Park Resort in South Dakota where he has been immersed in the Love of the Land. He also volunteers through CoachArt; teaching children with chronic illnesses yoga and theater. Michael has a true passion for guiding others on their journey within and without. Through his light hearted humor and calming energy, he has learned to be effective at communicating, organizing, and working with and inspiring both kids and adults to remember their inner child within.
Karen Elaine
Teacher
Karen Elaine has shared her INTRO TO ACRO YOGA classes for nine years in the Southern California area. Ms. Elaine also offers a12‐video online training program that focuses on the conditioning exercises needed for optimal freedom in the team sport that is partner yoga.
All participants in the acroyoga portion 2022 BBYF AcroYoga workshop will get complimentary video access to Volume #1 of the INTRO TO ACRO YOGA online training package (a $310.00 value)!
Lemia Astarabadi & Joshua Bowser with The Conscious Groove
Teachers & Musicians
Through aromatherapy, yoga, vibrational healing, meditation, energy work, nutrition, plant-based living, massage therapy, live music, and laughter, Lemia and Joshua are inspired to share these empowering tools with all who desire to learn. They are enthusiastic teachers passionate about health, the environment, and the conscious evolution of all life. This is what has inspired them to start their own essential oil company, "Sacred Scents Aromatherapy". They play positive and mantra music in their band, "The Conscious Groove", and believe that music and nature are the greatest examples of how to connect and find harmony and joy in this amazing life we get to live.
Amy Madrid
Teacher
Amy is best known for giving out free hugs and “making you do weird things” in class. Her intention is to blend Yoga's sacred philosophy with modern day movements so you can function in everyday life. Her teaching style is lighthearted but heart filled. While she loves to teach energizing & empowering classes, her true passion is Yin Yoga. The long holds, soft tension on the joints, and quietness has helped her calm an anxious mind. You can expect to breathe, move (or surrender in Yin), and rest in her classes.
Yoga has been in and out of Amy’s life since the early 2000s but did not make an impact until 2013. She attended classes at different yoga studios and became enthralled with Yoga philosophy. She sought out many teachers, tried different styles, and read dozens of Yoga books. She couldn't soak up enough to understand the grand scale of it all. Hint, hint-she is still on that quest! It is one reason she loves Yoga, the learning is never ending. She realized Yoga was not a workout but a way to evolve into the best human possible.
In 2017 she studied under Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 and received her 200 hour Hatha certification. She found mentors to study with and continued to further her Yoga education over the years. Covid-19 luckily provided Amy the time to “Zoom” into Rishikesh, India and earn a 500 hour mutli-style certification. Teaching has always been in her veins, but through Yoga is where she found her teaching path. She would be honored to walk next to you on your journey.
Dana Andrews
Teacher
Dana Andrews is the owner of Mountain Yoga in Big Bear Lake, CA. She has been practicing yoga for 25 years and teaching for 21. She was certified in 2002 at the Ashtanga Yoga Center with the internationally renowned Tim Miller. Traveling multiple times to India since 2000, Dana has studied with Ashtanga guru, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, his daughter Saraswathi Jois and grandson R. Sharath Jois. In 2017, Dana completed a 200 hour teacher training at Yoga Medicine with Tiffany Cruikshank.
Dana's well rounded classes include strength, balance, stretching with a focus on linking breath and movement to create a moving meditation. She believes that yoga can help manage daily stress and leave you with a positive mindset. Dana's goal with every class is to leave her students feeling relaxed, yet energized, and with a clear and calm mind.
Bombay Rain
Teachers & Musicians
Nick Young has been exploring consciousness and spirituality through music on the sitar for over three decades. When Nick was 16 years old he was given his beloved instrument as a gift. It has been a conduit for his creative energy, a companion on his journey into inner realms and a vessel to contain his thoughts, feelings and emotions. Nick fuses eastern traditional music with contemporary sensibilities to create a unique blend of music that is beautiful, mysterious, transporting and enchanting. Nick has traveled to China three times to play concerts and participate in spiritual workshops. Nick has played for countless yoga retreats and festivals.
La'Toya Berthil of Sista Nature Yoga and Sista Nature Teas
Teacher
Sista Nature T is a certified 200 hour yoga teacher receiving her certification from The Western Yoga College. A yoga practitioner for over 11 years and has a strong desire to share her gifts with marginalized communities who need access to alternative and complementary methods of care such as yoga. She offers invaluable representation in yoga and yoga spaces where black and brown people are under represented and often unwelcome. She is impassioned with a love for teaching yin and guiding her students through a practice of sensitizing energies within and around us. In addition to teaching, La’Toya is also a master herbalist and tea alchemist. She is a gardener for the county of San Bernardino and received her certification as an herbalist from The Center of Excellence in 2015 in addition to holding her BA in health and wellness since 2017! When coming to her class, she invites you take a sip of wellness, slow down and enjoy this yogic energy with the ease it was intended.
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Chelsea Cano of Tonal Temple
Teacher & Musician
Chelsea Cano is a yoga and Acro yoga instructor based out of Riverside, CA. With a dance background and a love for movement, Chelsea was naturally drawn to the amazing shapes and freedom that came with her yoga practice. After moving to Riverside in 2016, she stepped inside Western Yoga College and never looked back. Chelsea now teaches Yin, Acro, Power and Flow at L.A. Care, L. A. live, Yoga Six and other locations. This summer Chelsea will be bringing her 3rd annual SummaTime for Your Mind to the community with free classes to the public, featuring various instructors from different yoga back grounds! It is an absolute dream to be a part of the Big Bear Yoga Festival!
Edith Arias
Teacher
Edith Arias is a wellness practitioner. She is dedicated to bringing wellness to the community and individuals in a preventative, healing, and fun way. She is a yoga teacher, wellness coach, and therapist working with children and families for over 15 years. She enjoys sharing yoga with kids, teens, and families with lightheartedness and playfulness to introduce them to the benefits of yoga.
Ashley Yau
Teacher
Ashley Yau is a spiritual counselor, energy healer, and yoga practitioner. Her goal in life is to spread happiness, positive thinking, creativity, and loving energy. Ashley specializes in creating an inviting yoga practice to help every spirit follow their life purpose. She believes life is a beautiful journey guided by the universe learning to connect the body, mind, and spirit. Ashley has deep gratitude to yoga for guiding her exploration of herself toward inner peace.
Ashley's training is rooted in Ashtanga and has blossomed to include Aerial Yoga Certification, chakra balance, Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, and restorative yoga. She has been teaching various styles of yoga for 10 years after completing her training in Taiwan. Ashley also offers healing and guidance through Reiki, angel therapy, guided meditation, and breath work workshop. In the summer you can find Ashley teaching paddle board yoga on the lake!
Most importantly, beyond the physical discipline of yoga, Ashley offers Soul Counseling and Spiritual Guidance to everyone. Her passion and delight is guiding people along their inner journey to awaken their soul to their life’s dreams, challenge, and purpose. Using many resources Ashley provides support to connect with your Guiding Angels to discover your soul’s path.
Vanessa Poster
Teacher
Vanessa Poster was born and raised in Los Angeles. She received her BA and MA from Stanford University and worked with charitable organizations for more than 35 years, in fundraising and strategic planning.
Vanessa started writing in 1997 to help her cope with the depression brought on by infertility. She came back to writing after her divorce and again after the death of her second husband, Morgan Kramer. After Morgan’s death in 2015, she wrote and healed. Most of the poems in this volume had their inception during that first year. She gained much while writing through her grief process, inspiring her to develop a writing class for people dealing with grief and loss.
Vanessa is a member of the Los Angeles Poets and Writer’s Collective and The Poetry Salon. She has studied Method Writing with Jack Grapes for more than 25 years and has taught creative writing since 2017. In 2020, she expanded her teaching practice into an online writing salon reaching students from all over the world.
She married John Rubiner in 2020 with an international online audience of 250 screens, giving everyone a much-needed boost during some of the darkest days of the pandemic. With their common loss of a spouse to cancer, they share a determination to live fully, as we never know how many moments we will get.
Vanessa’s poems have appeared in Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing, The Thieving Magpie, Fourth & Sycamore, ONTHEBUS, I’ll have Wednesday and Went to Ralphs to Get A Chicken. Her work is also included in a number of anthologies: Grief Dialogues The Book: Stories on Love and Loss; The Best of the Poetry Salon; and Stories from the Muses: How to Become a Better Writer. Her poem, Butterfly Bowls was recognized as a semi-finalist for the Jack Grapes Poetry Prize at Cultural Daily. This is her first collection of poetry.
She lives in Redondo Beach with her husband, John; his (now their) dog, Woody; and her 95-year-old father, David.
Maya Lambert of Maya's Little Yogis
Teacher
Maya Lambert started Maya's Little Yogis in order to provide the
young community in the Inland Empire a child-catered, quality and fun
experience of yoga! She is passionate about children and especially
about meeting needs of children that aren't always addressed by
schools and other community focuses. Maya makes yoga fun and playful
while teaching the skills of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and
stress management to children.
Join Maya at the Big Bear Yoga Festival on Saturday at 11am for a
Kid's Nature Hike and on Sunday at 9:30am for a Family Yoga class!
If you are interested in learning more follow her social media
@mayaslittleyogis ! This is the best way to stay updated on her
events. You can also visit her website mayaslittleyogis.com. Also,
feel free to email her at mayaslittleyogis@gmail.com for any other
questions or inquiries about private yoga classes and events.
Yesenia Felix
Teacher
Yesenia Felix is a Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and has been teaching yoga in the Inland Empire of California since 2015. An Ashtanga practitioner with deeply spiritual roots, her Mexican culture empowers her to teach Yoga en Español and bring much needed healing to our people. She loves astrology, anatomy, water, grounding, nature, sunlight, yoga, dance, music, movement, personal development, and spending time with her doxie, Sofia (named for Wisdom). Credentials: Certified 500+ HR Yoga Teacher Training Certification - Western Yoga College
Evelyn Starlight & Dru Ali (Sacred Liiight)
Teachers & Musicians
Evelyn Starlight (of Sacred Healing Sessions) & Dru Ali (of Liiightspace), come together as Sacred Liiight — a compassionate collaborative duo, merging Sacred Sounds + Light Technologies to help evolve Consciousness on the planet. They travel around leading group Light & Sound Meditation Journeys, as well as, collaborate with other Teachers — providing seamless real-time DJ mixes & Sound Healing overtones during Yoga Classes. They also have an Energy Wellness treatment space on Balboa Island, CA called The Liiighthouse where they facilitate Private Sessions, Group Workshops and Trainings.
Jacque Wilson
Teacher
"Hey yogi!" is how I greet a class practicing yoga with me since we are all there together evolving and intentionally practing the art of yoga! I am a yoga instructor, local to Long Beach California, who specializes in creating space for yoga within your normal daily routine. I guide my classes heavily influenced by self-love, self-awareness, breathing practices and mindfulness. I intentionaly lead classes with the goal for yogi’s to completely drop into their experience present on the mat, feeling so deeply connected to the benefits, that they find themselves practicing yoga outside the mat.
Christie Hall
Teacher
I am a teacher with no woo-woo. Suffering from joint and disc degeneration, I began studying yoga in 1995. The pain relief brought on by regular practice led me to want to share the gift of yoga and to start teaching in 1997. Since then, I have studied continuously with senior teachers of Iyengar yoga. I specialize in assisting students struggling with physical problems. My personal physical problems have given me a particular interest in anatomy in the context of yoga and in studying therapeutic yoga modifications. But far beyond the physical, yoga has transformed my life in a journey of discovery that continues every day.
Nova
Teacher
For over a decade yoga has been a constant in my life. Yoga has become a staple and my first choice of “medicine” to go to for my own mental and physical health. Even before taking formal training, I have been sharing yoga with friends on hikes and other gatherings. As an intuitive healer I enjoy bringing an individual approach to each class, rejuvenating the spirit and soothing the soul through movement. My choice of music depends on the mood of the day, and often comes with a few surprises. The goal is to leave one feeling alive and refreshed, with renewed focus and energy, and perhaps a slightly new outlook on life.
Michelle Kearney Lopez
Teacher
Michelle is a yoga and mindfulness coach, an elementary school teacher, a holistic practitioner, and a published author of a children's book called Animal Magic a Yoga-Tale of Love and Unity. She blends her knowledge and love of yoga with social emotional learning in the classroom with her students. She calls it "The Heart Centered Classroom." The Heart Centered Classroom is a heart centered approach to learning that infuses the 8 limbs of yoga into everyday learning. She also teaches after school yoga at her school and in her local community of Redlands. In addition, she is a holistic coach and reiki healer. She utilizes astrology, oracle cards, crystals, reiki, sound tools, as well as Ayurvedic practices to facilitate healing in her clients. She will be teaching children's yoga at the festival this year and will have a vendor booth as well. Stop by and say "hello."
Johanna Beekman
Teacher & Musician
Niki Saccareccia of Light Inside Yoga
Teacher
Niki Saccareccia is a Los Angeles-based, trauma-informed yoga teacher and forever student. In 2010, she founded her private practice, Light Inside Yoga @lightinsideyoga blending her background in Clinical Behavioral Psychology with the ancient wisdom of Yoga to help guide students discover the healing light of awareness in a practical and systematic way.
She offers a wide range of trainings (CEUs and RYS200), workshops, seminars, retreats, private lessons, and group classes both online and in person, reaching students all around the world.
Join Niki on Saturday morning for an all-levels practice in creating a solid foundation for walking your yogic path! We'll learn about the integral anatomy and alignment of our feet , how that can improve our balance, and experience deep energetic support from the Earth while enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Jorgelina Chaij of Mindful Space Yoga & Meditation
Teacher
Jorgelina is the founder of Mindful Space Yoga & Meditation Studio. She achieved her Bachelors in Business administration in 2011, but shortly after she realized her purpose in life was to become a yoga teacher to serve the community. She completed her 200 Hour Holistic Yoga Flow with Travis Elliot and Daniel Head and her E-RYT® 500 /, YACEP® 1000 Hour-IP Registered Therapeutic Specialist with Yoga Medicine under the guidance of Tiffany Cruinkshak completing modules around the world, from Costa Rica, Spain, Thailand, and the USA.
In order to expand her understanding of Mindfulness, and Meditation she completed Meditation training with Rashmi Bismark, MD,MPH, Calming the Mind with Cortland Dahl Ph.D. and Mingyur Rinpoche. UCLA MARK, MAPs I, II, and Cultivating Forgiveness with Diana Winston. Substance Abuse & the Brain Clinical Training Laurie Paul, PhD. Neuroscience, & the Body with Bo Forbes PsyD. Certified Master Reiki Healing System, Trauma Awareness with Dr. Sean Feit Oakes Yoga, Mediation & Mindfulness for addiction recovery at Faith Recovery Center and Safe Haven Recovery House in Beverly Hills, CA
The Heart of Life: Hike, Yoga & Mindfulness
Saturday October 7, 2023, 9:30-10:30 am
I’m so excited to announce be teaching this year at the big bear festival ! 🌲🌲
I’ve always loved being in nature. It’s when I feel an almost instantaneous sense of calm and peace, along with an intense awareness of being alive.
About the class:
Spending time in nature has healing and restorative power, increases well-being, helps alleviate stress and anxiety, promotes creativity, assists with recovery from mental fatigue.
In this beautiful Hike, Yoga and Mindfulness class will be consciously engaging our senses when out hiking. This aims to not calm the mind and and grounds us relaxing both mind and body.
Mindfully connecting with all our senses, the beautiful green trees, the fresh smell of nature, and life around us.
We will finish with a nice refreshing Integrated yoga practice to help your body recover.
Amanda Carlin
Teacher
Amanda is leading SUP Yoga on Friday as a special featured offering. "I am dedicated educator committed to promoting positive mental and physical development in all ages! With degrees in psychology and biology, as well as being a register yoga teacher, I feel most in my element developing mental and physical strengths in the outdoors. I have been working in education and mental health since 2009 and have more recently began incorporating yoga into my teaching techniques. As a resident of the Big Bear area, I love guiding people in using our natural surroundings to help better connect to themselves."
Veronica Correa
Teacher
In 2010 during my high school years a seed was planted in me after choosing yoga as my elective for physical education. It wasn’t until later down the road where this seed began to sprout after stepping foot into The Yoga Den in Corona, California where I took my first yoga class. There was a fire that sparked within me and I knew that I would continue and grow this practice forever.
I have been practicing yoga for over 6 years and have received a 200 hour certification through The Yoga Den.
As someone who works a 9-5 job Monday-Friday finding balance between work and personal life can be challenging from time to time. That is why I value the importance of living a well-balanced lifestyle, staying active, and incorporating yoga and meditation to our daily lives.
Yoga has given me so much more than the physical ability to improve my strength, flexibility, and balance. It has given me the confidence and courage to step into my power and find my purpose on this planet.
I am a student of life and divinely guided by the universe. I am always learning and growing so that I am able to teach and practice alongside all of you. My goal as a yoga instructor is to provide my students with peace and confidence that I feel every time I step onto my mat. Let’s flow together!
Jeannette Ali with Raising Consciousness Yoga
Teacher
Jeannette first discovered yoga in community college in 2005. Always thinking of herself as inflexible and not being able to touch her toes in forward fold, she became fascinated with yoga’s capabilities to increase flexibility and strength. Jeannette practiced yoga solely as a physical exercise until 2017 when she had a profound heart opening experience in a yoga class. That’s when all the aspects of yoga opened up to her and she enrolled at Western Yoga College for their 7 month long 200 hour teacher training. Described as “one of the most important times of her life” Jeannette knew that yoga needed to be shared with the world. Since her YTT graduation in May of 2019, Jeannette’s classes have evolved to include guided meditation and crystal bowl sound healing. Her yoga style is diverse including yin, chair, restorative, and slow powerful flows. Jeannette is a mom of 3 and started free mommy and me yoga classes for her local community. She is currently developing a free coaching program to help connect women to mindfulness and the self. Jeannette is a nature lover and enjoys outdoor adventures with her family.
Christine O'Hara
Teacher
“My name is Christine and I’m so delighted to be here with you! I’ve been practicing yoga for over 15 years, completed my 200hrs in 2013 and currently offer in-person yin, restorative, and yoga Nidra classes at Arrow Yoga in Running Springs. It is deeply fulfilling on a soul level to be walking beside you as we unfold our own myths, as living, breathing prayers awakening to our full thriving potentials and making the impossible possible.
Join me at BBYF 2023 for a Hike & Yoga session in beautiful Big Bear! We will be welcoming the wisdom and energies of the waning moon for an overall rinse, reset, & release.”
Robbie B. of Carin Yoga
Teacher
Robbie B. had her first experience with yoga during her first pregnancy; tried different styles of yoga throughout those years; and finally decided to take a yoga teacher training. Shortly after, she started Carin Yoga, a yoga program designed for ages 0-99 with different styles to choose from.
Robbie B. is a forever yoga student always enrolling in trainings seeking for more knowledge and improvement on all the 8 yoga limbs of yoga.
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Michael K Garrity
Teacher
Michael Garrity (born 1954) is a yoga meditation teacher, hypnotherapist, and spiritual coach in Redlands, CA. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1978 with a B.A. in English Literature. In 1981 he was certified as a yoga instructor by the International Yoga Fellowship. He travelled to India in 1983 and spent the next two years in ashram life as Swami Turiyananda Saraswati. He and his family came to Redlands, CA in 1985 and he returned to post graduate studies in Transpersonal psychology, earning his master’s degree in 1987. He continued teaching yoga while he worked in the mental health field for the next 30 years. He currently teaches meditation, yoga nidra, and kirtan, leads sound healing sessions, and offers hypnosis and spiritual coaching sessions. He is the author of Inner Yoga: Self-Transformation Through Breath, Meditation, and Hypnosis, available on Amazon.
Peg McKnight
Teacher
After a lifetime of questing after inner peace, I’ve discovered that it’s never what is happening around you that causes stress, but how you choose to handle it. Choose Happy Vibes gives you the tools to resist stress and negativity and find true joy, contentment, and happiness instead.
Tara Swoboda
Teacher
Hi there, yogis! I'm a yogi mama from California. I tried yoga for the first time while in college as a way to create some weekly quiet time for my mind. I couldn't touch my toes in a forward fold at my first class, but I fell in love and have been practicing ever since.
That was back in 2003, and since then I've tried various types of yoga, attended yoga retreats, immersed myself in yoga workshops, completed a vegan nutritionist diploma, and finally earned my RYT200 with Big Bear Yoga nearly 20 years after my first yoga class. I'm now working on my RYT500 with Cloud Nine Yoga and love teaching beginners. My yoga classes focus on embracing personal strengths, establishing calm, and appreciating where and who we are in the moment. I hope to bring new yogis the same feelings of Sukha and Sthira that I discovered, bringing them the confidence of everlasting inner strength, comfort and joy.
I offer personalized in-person yoga sessions and yoga hikes in Big Bear as well as gentle weekly online stretching sessions. For our kiddo yogis, I offer online kids yoga camps to build strong foundations and explore yoga in a fun, safe way. Join me in person or online to start or enhance your practice at yogaprayer365.com.
My yoga sessions at the 2023 Big Bear Yoga Festival focus on Sun Salutations -- I hope to see you there, yogis!
Namaste and Blessings,
Tara
Leeza Villagomez of YOGADEN Health Spa
Teacher
Leeza Villagomez was drawn to yoga right out of high school. The next steps in life did not resonate with the expectations of society. After experiencing chakra meditation and the benefits she quickly realized there is another way to balance "this thing called life” she wanted to know more emotionally, mentally and physically. Leeza is no stranger to learning ancient lineages as her Portuguese mother comes from Maui, Hawaii. Leeza grew up on a small farm, showed horses, practiced Hawaiian, Tahitian, Polynesian and Mauri dancing 3 days a week and was part of a “Halau”. Most of her birthdays were Luaus with the Boteilho Kula(family). It was a natural step for her to begin practicing yoga. Over the course of many years Leeza has had the pleasure of studying many different styles of yoga, Ayurveda to Vedanta and she feels as if she just started the journey to self-realization. Having added ancient Shamanic practices she believes this is a tool everyone can benefit from. Join Leeza for an eclectic flow class for all levels.
She invites you to crack open your heart, weave in the 5 senses and 5 elements in this all levels yoga class. Breathing, moving, laughing, stretching, dancing, meditating and healing all included. Lokah, Samastah, Sukhino, Bhavantu… May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
Katie Felt
Teacher
I am a married mother of 5 children who recently left a demanding job as a hairdresser to pursue my calling as a yoga instructor. I completed my 200 hr Teacher Training at WYC in Riverside in 2019. Since then, I have taught students one on one, in a gym setting, and have even volunteered at Hunt Elementary School in San Bernardino, Ca. teaching yoga and yogic theory to 2nd and 3rd grade students. Yoga has been a transformative asset in my life. What began as a desire to teach pregnant women how to practice yoga as they ventured into motherhood, soon became a passionate desire to share yoga at all levels, in all aspects, to anyone who will listen. My personal yogic instructional style usually involves setting an intention that falls within the teachings of the eight limbs of yoga. From there, we breathe, Om, connect, flow, release, surrender, heal. Yoga is such a gift… one thatI hope to share more and more. -Namaste
Melissa (Dass Akal) with Golden Vibrations
Teacher
Melissa (Dass Akal) began teaching Kundalini Yoga in 2017. Kundalini Yoga offered Melissa a practice that allowed her to live as her authentic self and tap into the awareness of her soul. Melissa has experienced both personally, and through her students, the deep shifts and expansiveness that this practice brings. Her goal for every student is that they achieve true healing from within. Melissa is also a sound healer and offers journeys into healing through various vibrational frequencies, including sound bowls, rain sticks, and the Venus Gong. She founded Golden Vibrations Yoga in 2021 and offers community classes in Los Angeles at local parks. Her classes offer breath-work, movement, meditation and deep relaxation. “Kundalini Yoga brought me home to myself!” - Melissa (Dass Akal)
"Sat Nam Yogis, my name is Melissa Dass Akal. I am a Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master. I began practicing Kundalini in 2014. I experienced a profound shift within myself that overflowed into every aspect of my life. I began teaching in 2017 and founded Golden Vibrations, a yoga and wellness brand, in 2018. My offerings include yoga in the park, private yoga classes, healing events, and transformational retreats. I have experienced both personally and through my students, the deep shifts in awareness and expansiveness that this practice brings. My goal for every student is that they achieve true healing from within. "
Georgina Jane Meister
Teacher
Georgina Jane is a yoga and Sup yoga teacher who lives part time in Crestline and part time Yucca Valley. She is a mom of two little and is currently studying Ayurveda.
Cathleen Coombs
Teacher
Cathleen Coombs has practiced yoga over 20 years and has been teaching since 2017. She teaches several types of yoga: vinyasa, power, gentle, chair, and most recently has added yin. Dedicated to the belief that yoga is for everyone, she strives to teach in a way that makes yoga available to practitioners of all levels and abilities. Cathleen teaches in studio 2 times per week (Refresh on the Mountain, substitute at Altitude PT and Fitness and Arrow Yoga), but also offers yoga at no cost to the community in-person and by Zoom 3 times per week.
In addition Cathleen has worked in the field of rehabilitation counseling, serving people with disabilities for 34 years. The idea of a fully diverse and inclusive society, the essential goal and driving principle observing people with disabilities, extends to yoga, which should represent the rich diversity of our communities and be available to everyone.
All of Cathleen’s classes focus on the power of the pranayama coupled with correct alignment for a safe and energizing yoga practice. Desiring students to have a complete experience, each class is built around a theme that is woven through the practice and closing meditation, encouraging students to connect with their deepest self, taking the lessons and awareness gained on the mat out into the world.
“We are all wonderfully made and beautiful. Practice loving kindness to ourselves and each other.”
Kim Ureta, Recovery Wellness Coach, Holistic Emotional & Physical Pain Resolution
Teacher
Holistic Addiction Recovery Discussion:
Kim Ureta is a Certified Rolfer, LMT, WRT Water Release Therapist, Author and Yoga & the 12 steps leader is dedicated to helping people overcome addiction naturally.
Drawing from her own recovery journey, she aims to free individuals from "Escape-aholism" or the cycle of escaping feelings. Kim believes in safe emotional processing using holistic tools to support brain chemistry, stress resilience and the ability to feel without fear. Her expertise in bodywork adds a physical dimension to her holistic approach, aligning both body and mind in the recovery process. Her mission is to help others find comfort inside themselves, relieving physical and emotional pain so that each person can feel whole and can have purpose.
Come let's discuss holistic tools to support your clients to identify emotions, relieve physical discomforts and find spiritual connection in their lives.
Yamuna Body Rolling: Pelvic Floor and Hips
Yamuna Body Rolling is all about stimulating bone. Once you stimulate bone, tendon attachments begin to soften, muscles begin to elongate and you start freeing up restrictions in the joint. This process helps to release tension and pain in the body, improves circulation and lymphatic flow, and increases flexibility and range of motion. It also helps to improve posture and alignment, as well as reduce the risk of injury.
Overall, this practice offers a holistic approach to physical wellness by addressing not only the muscles, but also the bones and joints.
In this class, you'll learn touch & tell anatomy of your own parts, and how to personalize your ball routine. Finding Lift, strength and openness in the pelvis.
your body will only ask for more!
Casey of Charisma Love
Teacher
transformational journey brought Casey to yoga. She has grown in her yoga practice and experiences a deeper understanding of how valuable a Yogi's life is. Casey received Her 300 hour teacher certificate from World View Yoga School in Redlands, California and continues to expand by taking continuing education classes. She is always excited to share her passion and love for yoga while guiding her students and community through their yoga journey.
"Hi there! My name is Casey, and I'm a passionate yoga instructor with 600+ hours of training and 4 years of teaching experience. I started practicing 25 years ago before I knew it was called yoga, and it quickly became a fundamental part of my life.
I believe that yoga is a powerful tool that can help us connect with our bodies, calm our minds, and find inner peace. As a teacher, my goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where students can explore their practice and discover their own unique path.
I specialize in Viniyoga and Yin/Restorative yoga, and I love to incorporate elements of mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork into my classes. My teaching style is gentle and loving, and I always encourage students to listen to their bodies and honor their limits.
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting out, I invite you to join me on the mat and discover the transformative power of yoga. Namaste!"
Sandy Steers
Teacher
Sandy Steers has been executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, an environmental educational nonprofit since it was started by local residents in 2001 The group advocates for the amazing special habitats and species that we have the privilege of hosting in Big Bear Valley. Sandy is also an internationally known energy healer, teacher and guide with over 25 years of experience in Shamanic Healing (Inca tradition), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Channeling/Energy Reading, Intuitive Energy Transformation and Past Life Healing
Liz Blake
Teacher
Liz Blake is a Mind Body Soul Coach focused on helping others navigate through healthy grieving. Her courses offer spiritual tools such as yoga, mediation, sound bathing and energy healing with The BodyTalk system.
Maggie Harrison
Teacher
Maggie has casually practiced yoga since 2000. In 2015 everything changed with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Knowing she needed to immerse herself into something healthy, she searched for answers and found herself in yoga teacher training. In June 2016, she earned a 200 hour certification. Shortly after certification, a purpose arose, and encouraged Maggie to question her lifestyle and brought about many necessary changes. Eliminating stress was on the top of the priority list. Changing career, relationships and life goals gave her the ability to delve even deeper into her practice and create a new lifestyle of peace, acceptance and happiness. Incorporating a physical practice, Ayurveda, Holistic Nutrition, Mindfulness and Meditation into her life has sent her disease into remission.
With this she is encouraged to share her experiences of healing. Specifically; restorative yoga, yin yoga, meditation, and nutrition. In her journey she has worked with people recovering from spinal injury, not only for physical recovery, but the emotional recovery needed. As well as others with anxiety, depression and autoimmune disorders.
Currently, she's finding a deep love and appreciation for chair yoga at a local senior center and substance abuse rehabilitation center.
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Shauna Moore of Amita Bliss
Teacher
Shauna, also known as Khandro Dechen (Sky dancer of bliss) is a practitioner, teacher and healer on the path of awakening. She has for over 25 years studied many mystical traditions, cultures, and practiced various forms of meditation from Zen to Vajrayana Buddhism. She has spent several years studying, cultivating and accomplishing the yogic skills of mystic heat/ tumo through working with the subtle body and clear light meditations, under the guidance of her teachers.
As a teacher, she is known for her gift in helping her students actualize their innate potential through working with the system of energies of the body to awaken wisdom, joy and healing powers and is committed to supporting those who want to develop a vibrant spiritual practice and attaining transformational awareness.
Shauna is a gifted healer having studied and mastered many methods such as the traditional Tibetan system of chakras / pathways and traditional Japanese Reiki. As a Shaman and applying Himalayan methods, she acts as a “bridge” between the spiritual and physical planes to rid negativity in dwellings and people. As a spiritual guide she facilitates end of life experience for people and animals that are dying, to cross over with more ease.
Her methods effectively reduce mental agitation, activation of spiritual connections, the negative impacts from premature kundalini activation, as well as, the physical pain from injuries, negative side effects from cancer treatment and help rejuvenate a sense of well being. She also has a working knowledge and application for the vibrational use of color, images and sound.
Joss Jaffe
Teacher
Joss Jaffe is a vocalist, tabla player, multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer. His critically acclaimed albums include Dub Mantra, Sun Mountain Sea, & Billboard Top-10 new age album Meditation Music. Joss’ music ranges from modern pop, reggae, and world to ambient, soothing and brainwave entraining music for spa, relaxation, yoga and meditation. He is a regular performer and workshop leader at premiere yoga conferences and transformational festivals including Lucidity, Beloved, Wanderlust & Korea Yoga Conference.
Nilanjana Banerjee
Teacher
Nilanjana Banerjee is an international Odissi dance performer who has won critical acclaim and captured the hearts of her audience. She specializes in the classical dance tradition of Odissi. She has performed extensively for the Indian diaspora in the US. Nilanjana has the distinction of being featured as a solo artist for the opening acts of major Indian Conventions featuring top name performers.
Dr. Robin Bradley
Teacher
Dr. Robin Bradley loves to integrate her many passions into guiding processes that enhance love, core worth, value of the preciousness of life, and humanity’s greatest potential. Her current work as an Executive Leadership Mentor & Intuitive Spiritguide blends her expertise from 33+ years as a Psychologist, Intuitive channeler, and nearly 50 years of meditation practice that began via her introduction to Yoga as a young teen. She has specific training in a wide variety of multi-cultural healing modalities, including energy medicine, yoga nidra, yoga for trauma, shamanism, Native American earth healing, and body-mind-spirit intuition.
YOGALOVEIAM From Trauma to Transformation to Treasured Life.
This invitation into your greatest embodied being, weaves an East-West-Indigenous blend of Yoga Nidra, Energy Medicine, and Consciousness Reconsolidation methods. It is a focused, hands on, journey into your own relationship with the preciousness of your unique gift of life! Come play in this sacred space, via a guided process journey, into remembering the deep treasures of your own extraordinary life. Engage this deeply loving method of self-care, to assist your personal transformation of historical stressors, into integrated “gems”, of Love, Awe, Passion, Peace, Joy, Harmony & Freedom. This is dedicated time for you to love your body, your being, your life, and to give yourself exactly what you need to assist your own union (YOGA), in love (LOVE) and empowered life manifestation (IAM).
Jeanne Iridescent
Teacher
Jeanne is thrilled to share the Buddhi Yoga practice with the Big Bear Yoga tribe! Buddhi Yoga is its own evolution of Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga with elements of hip hop and tribal dancing! Safe and enjoyable for all levels and everyone body with a body is welcome to join in and let their light shine! ✨
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