Clarisa Ru
FOUNDER/TEACHER
Once upon a time, 20ish years ago, a woman by the name of Gloria befriended me. Gloria wears high heels and is a beautiful dresser. She stands 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 68 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. Nearly nine 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, and White Lotus Yoga Foundation’s Vinyasa Flow under the tutelage of Tracy Rich and Ganga White. 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.
Anne Bosi
TEACHER
I have been teaching Yoga since 1999 when I completed my first teacher training (with Erich Schiffmann). Over the years, I have taken countless workshops and trainings focusing on various aspects of this ancient tradition, and have had the honor of studying with many fine teachers. From 2006 through 2012, I studied twice a week with Anna Delury (a Senior Level teacher in the Iyengar Yoga community) in order to refine my own practice, as well as to continue honing my teaching skills. During this time, I also attended training sessions where Ms. Delury was preparing teachers for their assessments. I currently study with Linda Nishio.
In my classes, I strive to make the subject of Yoga accessible, interesting, and fun for all my students, regardless of experience, age, or physical challenges. Emphasis is placed on proper alignment, “listening” to one’s body to prevent injury or straining, and natural breathing. Modification of poses is given where necessary. (ie. due to injury or medical conditions). I also teach private lessons, corporate classes, and have extensive experience working with seniors. I have been a resident of Altadena since 2002 and am very excited to have the opportunity to bring this wonderful practice to the San Marino community.
Darra Baker
TEACHER
I have loved yoga since my first university class in 1984 and love sharing the immediate mood-boosting benefits and long-term strengthening & calming benefits of the practice with students of all ages and abilities. I teach with clarity, care & humor and like to create a relaxed, stress-free environment where everyone is free to laugh, explore and just be her- or himself. I feel lucky that my early training in classic Sivananda and Iyengar yoga built a strong foundation on which I have continued to explore most yoga lineages safely, methodically, and always with an emphasis on breath, for long-term growth and fun! I am 500-hour-trained & certified through YogaWorks Los Angeles, and, in addition to holding a BA in communications, hold certifications in Restorative Yoga with Jillian Pransky, and in Urban Zen, an integrative therapy program founded by Donna Karan, Colleen Saidman Yee & Rodney Yee that includes Reiki, essential oils, therapeutic movement, breath awareness and meditation.
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you ARE.” ~Chinese Proverb
Christina Reynolds
TEACHER
I’ve been a Massage Therapist and Healer for 7 years in both NY and LA. I’ve used my training in Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Acupressure, Pregnancy Massage, Oncology Massage and CranioSacral on athletes, entertainers, mothers and many people struggling with physical illness or serious injuries. I discovered, early on, the power of healing work and the difference it can have on an individual, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. It was this exact concept that drew me to Kundalini 5 years ago and made me the teacher I am today. I hope to see you in class or in one of my workshops. Sat Nam!
Sam Barber
TEACHER
I came to yoga feeling beaten, broken, useless, lost, angry, and numb. All those things came onto the mat with me my first time, and my second, and my third. Yet every time I practiced I felt lighter until I realized that over the years I have let go of so much that was weighing me down, so much that I allowed myself to hold onto, at the same time I was discovering layers upon layer of myself. I hadn’t realized it yet but I had began on my path to freedom – freedom from expectation, judgment, ego, drama, suffering,. I’d found my path to my own healing somehow but not without the inspiration from incredible teachers I’ve had, my ever supportive yoga tribe, and a partner who has supported this journey from day one.
I am very passionate about making yoga accessible to all and creating a space for community and support. You can depend on strong and supportive alignment cues and adjustments in my class paired with a lot of nourishing breath work and invigorating energy work. Yoga is a path but you must walk it. My practice is a moving meditation that works on steadying body, mind, heart, and spirit in a breath-guided flow in tune with your own rhythm. I hold space where you can challenge but not push, strengthen but not strain, open but never force, and surrender yourself into your own divine timing all with my support. I have taught all over Los Angeles holding a space for community every where I go and I am so grateful to bring my little light and infinite love into San Marino. Namaste beautiful beings.
Jan Clifford
TEACHER
My yoga journey truly began as a young child (growing up in the Chicago area) when I would watch Lilias Folan on Lilias, Yoga and You. Her 30-minute show aired on the local PBS station. Her quiet demeanor and the way she moved her body intrigued me; she was so peaceful and calm. The 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. That instructor (my first yoga teacher) told me “yoga will transform you,” but I wasn’t open to or could fully hear her message at that time. Little did I know!
In August 2014 I decided to audit The History of Modern Yoga, a graduate level academic class at Loyola Marymount University. At the same time, on the urging of a dear friend, I jumped into a 200-hour RYT certification program and since, made a personal commitment to my yoga knowledge/continuing education/practice to attend a meaningful training every 6 months. My certifications include Prime of Life Yoga I & II, Pre-natal/Post natal Yoga, Prison Yoga Project, Trauma-informed Yoga, Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR) and Veterans Yoga Project.
I am currently a volunteer instructor for Prison Yoga & Meditation – we teach in the LA County Jail system. Twice monthly, I lead a session for women enrolled in a parenting program at South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP). On a weekly basis, I work with clients in a local residential mental health program. I recently traveled to India with the Loyola Marymount University Masters in Yoga Studies and Yoga Therapy Program where we studied at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute and attended classes and symposiums presented by CYTER and ICYER in Pondicherry. I enjoy taking yoga classes from a variety of instructors and a mixture of levels especially when I travel. 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.
Kalliope Panagiotakos
TEACHER
Originally from New York, I moved to Los Angeles six years ago. I have been practicing yoga for fifteen years and it has remained a central thread on my path to self-realization.
I completed my 200 hour Teacher Training at Yoga Blend in Burbank in 2015. The training deepened my knowledge of Yoga philosophy and changed the course of my life. I love teaching a variety of studio classes including Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative and Prenatal. Wedding Yoga has been a big passion of mine in recent years.
My goal is to help my students build strength, clarity and calm. In class, I like to create an environment of kindness and respect, both to each other and ourselves.
Discovering new music and screenwriting both nurture my creative energy. I also like the first amendment and Ulysses but the key to my heart is Vietnamese food. Drop into my class and say hello!
Maria Bucaro
TEACHER
I am a health and wellness advocate passionate about offering natural solutions to support healthy living. In the late 90s, a near fatal reaction to medicine changed my life and the journey to a holistic approach of well-being began. Yoga was my anchor as I navigated my way around a new way of eating, thinking and living. In time, one-by-one my dis-eases disappeared and with it my passion for yoga and wellness grew deeper.
Over the decades, I studied nutrition, holistic living, more yoga and aromatherapy. In 2016, after a 20-year practice in Hatha yoga, I enrolled in a 200-hour Power Yoga teacher training. Knowing that my soul (and body) was longing for a softer practice, this training was life transforming for me. I immediately started teaching the only Restorative class at the studio and fell in love watching these active yogis soften and melt into their bodies. I realized that calming the nervous system was equally as important to our health as strengthening the muscular system and wanted more than ever to share this practice with others.
I hold certifications in Yin and Restorative yoga, and am an Aroma Yoga® certified teacher. I am also a board-certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. My goal as a teacher is to provide students a space for self-care and to give them the skills to recognize and manage the stresses in their lives using the tools acquired in our classes. To be an ally, in any way I can, in their journey to better health and well-being.
Marcia Canestrano (Nimrita Kaur)
TEACHER
I began my yoga practice in 1993 with Jivamukti Yoga in NYC. In 2004, I found Kundalini Yoga and fell in love with its high vibration and healing power. I am a KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher who has been teaching since 2006 and a Soul Guidance & Sacred Mentoring™ by Alana Fairchild licensed certified practitioner. I bring my psychic talents as an Akashic Record reader to add extra elevation, healing and divine guidance to my classes. My inspired intention as a teacher is to assist students to open up to their Truth allowing them to fulfill the highest potential of their divine destinies.
Kristina Nikols
TEACHER
A dancer since the age of 3, a teacher from the age of 16, and a yogi since I was 21, my life has been filled with movement and working with children of all ages. For over 15 years, I have taught dance, theater, and a variety of subjects in both the private and public sector. When I became certified from It’s Yoga Kids in 2014, I was thrilled to discover that in addition to physical poses, yoga for kids includes a lot of creativity and play—a perfect fit for me since I also have a background in acting and improv!
An L.A. native, UCLA grad, certified Holistic Health Coach, and Reiki II Practitioner, I’m thrilled to be part of the Greenheart Yoga team and share my passions for movement, art, and health with your child.
Sofia Mella
TEACHER
New Zealand born and raised, I spent my childhood practicing classical ballet. Like so many dancers, I suffered from severe pain, and was diagnosed with scoliosis. I discovered yoga in my teens and from there, began to heal my body.
A firm belief that experience is the best teacher, I spent over a decade traveling, with extended periods in India. I settled in Los Angeles in 2014.
A desire to live in accordance with my values informed my decision to teach yoga. I completed my foundational training at Namaste, Highland Park under the tutelage of Sondra Sun, Hannah Skye Wenzel, Nora Brank, and Vanda Ciceryova. I also studied trauma-informed body work with Hala Khouri. I am passionate about building resilience and self esteem in my students through Hatha Yoga.
I am a vegan, and love to live karma yoga, in the form of volunteer work in my community.
I practice Transcendental Meditation. One day I hope to transcend completely, but in the interim, I identify as an animal lover and donut eater.
Melicia Shen
TEACHER
As a 15-year Yoga practitioner and a lifelong student, I decided to delve deeper into this practice by completing my 200 RYT training in 2016. This training was life changing and propelled me to continue my yoga education by enrolling in 500 RYT training. I have been through the ups and downs of finding serenity and escape in one form or another but it always brings me back to my yoga practice. Yoga is an expression that allows one to be free of others expectations. A good teacher guides her students in a practice that ultimately engages the students own inner teacher that seeks what serves the student at that time. I am interested in experiencing all modalities of yoga to be able to bring my experiences to my classes. I believe yoga can be challenging and fun, therefore my classes seek to push you to your limits at the same time be able to experience a journey of inner self awareness and laughter filled with self- acceptance. I believe that yoga is truly a mind, body, and spirit experience, where one without the other two will leave the soul unfulfilled.
I have certifications with an emphasis on power yoga and restorative yoga.
My classes are thoughtfully sequenced that incorporate self –exploration and self-acceptance. Classes are energizing accompanied with community and support to reach your yoga goal. Look forward to seeing you in class. Om Shanti!
Teri Ortt
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!
Amanda Mei
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 become 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 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in 2019 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 I am very honored 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.