Clarisa
FOUNDER/TEACHER
Once upon a time, 20ish years ago, a woman by the name of Gloria befriended me. Gloria wore high heels and was a beautiful dresser. She stood like Wonder Woman, strong and ready…for anything. We traveled together. Her energy and stamina impressed me. One day I curiously said to her “Gloria, if I can look half as good as you when I’m half your age, I’ll be doing alright.” She looked me in the eye and responded with “Clarisa, it’s the Yoga.” She was 69 at the time. Being pregnant didn’t stop me, I soon began taking yoga classes. After gaining 55 pounds, I gave birth to my first girl and it seemed that there was no time for yoga. Then I discovered classes at 5:45 am. They appealed to me because I could practice before everyone was awake. The phone didn’t ring, there were no interruptions and I could watch the sun rise. It was MY time. This went on for over a decade, another wonderful child, and more and more family activities, social commitments and personal obligations. Yoga started to become something I really had to squeeze into my life and I didn’t like it. I came upon a dance class that really intrigued me but a choice was to be made. Yoga or dance? It couldn’t be both. I chose the dance class. After 3 months of that dance class, I came to the conclusion, I could do yoga and not do anything else but I couldn’t do anything else and not do yoga. So for my 40th birthday, I decided to see what would happen if I took yoga seriously. So seriously that I signed up for teacher training. Seriously, that’s what I did. The first two weeks were AWFUL. I kept thinking to myself, nobody in their right mind practices yoga 5 days a week. But I had paid all this $$$ and I couldn’t quit. After 10 practices in 14 days, there was a shift. Yoga became like food for me and more. It nourished my body, my mind, and my spirit. I taught my first class to dear friends and family on my 40th birthday. I found out what happens if one takes yoga seriously. Eleven years later I am honored to say, I am also certified in several methods of meditation, Therapeutic Yoga, Levels 1 & 2 from Cheri Clampett and Arturo Peal, White Lotus Yoga Foundation’s Vinyasa Flow under the tutelage of Tracy Rich and Ganga White, and Wisdom Flow Yoga with Jennifer Lynn. One of the wonderful things about yoga is that it is universal. One can practice anywhere on this planet. My studies have included yoga in Bali, India, Singapore, the Aegean Sea and South America. I’ve taught in my living room and the living rooms of others, offices, hospitals, boats, parks, warehouses. Working one-on-one with someone thrills me to no end. Guiding people on retreat makes me high. Join me for a class and let’s explore “la vida yoga” together.
Teri
TEACHER
My yoga journey started in earnest with the birth of my first child. Yoga helped me find my center in the midst of this immense life shift and opened me to the incredible path of motherhood.
My newfound love for yoga and a background in education prompted me to earn a certification from YogaEd. I took this knowledge into the urban public school system and brought yoga to high school students who had never done it before. Along the way I earned a certification from YogaWorks, traveled to India, and continued to throw myself wholeheartedly into my practice.
My curiosity for all things yogic led me to investigate Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga. Ayurveda, Sanskrit for knowledge of life, is a systemic approach to wellness that incorporates herbs, whole foods and lifestyle accommodations. In 2014 I earned my certification as an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner from the California College of Ayurveda. I am in awe of this ancient practice that continues to inform our modern lives. Recently, I finished my YogaWorks professional certification and am humbled by how much I still don’t know.
An everyday yogi, I keep it real with two very hairy Bernese Mountain Dogs, a crazy family, coffee with lots of half and half, and a penchant for writing about life with humor and honesty. Come practice with me!
Abby
TEACHER
Physical activity has always been a part of my life. I started dancing at a very young age. Years of lessons led me to a passion for teaching dance. Teaching gave me the opportunity to show people how to dance while motivating them to set goals and reach them.
During the pandemic, I had the great fortune of completing two certification programs – a personal training program and a yoga teacher training. This diverse training has taught me the power of meditation and connecting to your body.
In my classes, I create a sequencing that is playful, creative and mindful. I seek to help others thrive in life by nurturing body, mind, and spirit with yoga, and I hope that you step off the mat feeling ready to take on your day.
Kila
TEACHER
I was introduced to yoga in high school. Like many, I thought yoga was just a form of exercise or something for flexible people. After years of playing volleyball, my shoulders and I needed more gentle movement and yoga was it. When I became consistent with my practice, I was able to access the deeper nature of yoga and in turn myself. Yoga helped me cultivate self awareness and taught me to extend grace to myself and others. Realizing it is a powerful tool that I wanted to share, I registered for yoga teacher training.
My training brought about awareness of how important and healing it is to have a safe space that is inclusive, non-judgemental, and loving, where we can be in our bodies and less overwhelmed by our minds. It’s my mission to reflect this in my classes where I simply hold space for people to just be.
Hope
TEACHER
After a youth full of athletics, I arrived to yoga seeking a movement practice that would support my spiritual transformations in my college years. Since then, yoga has been with me and held me through it all. Through yoga I have learned the importance of the connection between the physical and the etheric, which has in turn enhanced my healing practice. My classes seek to center this divine synthesis, connecting body and soul and leaving clients relaxed and uplifted.
Along with teaching yoga, I am a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and devotee of motherhood. I believe sacred and conscious space for breath and reflection surrounding new parenthood is a necessity for a healthy, thriving world. As a result I am especially passionate about teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga. My prenatal classes emphasize alignments that prepare the body for labor and seek not just to provide relaxation but also the strengthening and movement that a pregnant body craves. I weave archetypal themes and tools into our asana practice that aid the transition to parenthood so each session feels like a ceremony of birth/motherhood preparation. My postnatal classes are anchored around gently and thoughtfully helping the body come into a new balance and spiritually close the container of birth. I believe developing community for new and expecting parents around this epic and challenging rite of passage is especially important. We always make space to share and form connections!
Vicky / Jap Dharam
TEACHER
I am a mother, musician, and writer, as well as a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and trainer. Having pinpointed my destiny on relieving people of pain and replacing it with healing and joy, I continue learning with vibrant curiosity and a deep, personal practice.
I have been blessed to assist and serve several Masters and teachers throughout the years. I am also an international recording artist and performer.
I am very pleased to be a member of Greenheart and looks forward to the benefits serving such a community can mean for us all.
Neill
TEACHER
After ACL reconstructive surgery in Dublin, Ireland, I began taking yoga classes and instantly loved the way it felt – both the emotional resilience as well as the physical benefits of strengthening both core and balance. I became an instructor to help others share in the benefits of the practice.
I prefer to teach Vinyasa yoga, enjoying the physical challenge and connection it entails. As a daily meditator, my focus is on integrating the body, mind, and intention through both yoga and mindfulness. I am also an actor, avid hiker, and love dogs.
Jan
TEACHER
My yoga journey truly began as a young child in the Chicago area when I would watch Lilias Folan on Lilias, Yoga, and You on PBS. Her quiet demeanor and the way she moved her body intrigued me – she was so peaceful and calm. My journey recommenced in 2009 when I decided to attend a yoga class because something in the back of my mind told me “yoga is good for you, it will help you.” I was searching for help during a challenging personal time. The instructor told me “yoga will transform you,” but I wasn’t open to, or couldn’t fully hear, her message at that time. Little did I know!
In 2014, I audited The History of Modern Yoga, a graduate class at Loyola Marymount University and began yoga teacher training. I made a personal commitment to attend a meaningful training every 6 months and am now certified in Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR), Prime of Life Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga, Prison Yoga, and Veterans’ Yoga. I recently traveled to India with Loyola Marymount University to study at Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute as well as in Pondicherry. I enjoy taking yoga classes from a variety of instructors and a mixture of levels, especially when I travel.
I am a volunteer yoga instructor in the LA County jail system, for women in a parenting program at South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project, as well as in a local residential mental health program.
I am honored to be the organizer and place-holder for a Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR) group at Greenheart. This gathering is open to ANY and ALL.
Amanda
TEACHER
Since 2011, my life revolved around all fitness centers within a 30-mile radius from my home and work. From cardio kick-boxing, strength training, yoga, you name it, I was at the gym minimum 7 times a week. The feeling of overcoming all the physical challenges became an addiction and drowning in my own sweat became a daily routine.
In 2014, I became a group fitness instructor and was teaching multiple formats including a mind/body format very similar to yoga, and this is when my curiosity for yoga started to develop. I wanted to know why, aside from the physical changes, my mental state started to shift as well. I was becoming more calm, centered, and focused.
My curiosity eventually led me to complete my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Thea Peuschel. Now with a deeper understanding of Yoga, I teach from an introspective and functional approach. I specialize in Vinyasa, Yin, and Hatha Yoga and am very honored to share my passion here at Greenheart Yoga. Come practice with me, allow me to show you all the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits Yoga has to offer.
Kalli
TEACHER
I began my yoga journey in 2003 and received my 200-hour RYT certificate in 2015. I enjoy teaching Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Yin, and Prenatal yoga classes as well as private sessions.
In my classes, I focus on alignment and breath, while incorporating mindful sequencing and yoga philosophy. I am passionate about the practice as a means to unlock creative potential while building confidence, clarity, and strength.
I also love dancing to Greek folk songs, teaching creative writing, and Vietnamese food. Drop into my class and say hi!