Group Exercise
Yoga
Tempe Campus Instructor Bios
| Robin Afinowich | |
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In my process of Self discovery I have learned to use the tools of yoga, mediation, mindful living and energetic body-work to help facilitate healing, transformation and empowerment. After having experienced the amazing capacity of these modalities I was inspired to help others and share the wisdom of these teachings. I earned my 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification under Senior Para YogaTeacher, Mary Bruce. I have also studied in Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Restorative yoga. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Somatic Psychology and Counseling with an emphasis in somatic approaches to trauma resolution. My teachings integrate a keen awareness to the mind-body connection. My classes are a soothing combination of strength and ease, including principles of alignment, proper sequencing, modifications for injuries, and breath and energy awareness. I also combine Western and Eastern psychology with various aspects of Buddhist, Yogic, Shamanic and Jungian philosophy creating a dynamic pallet of tools to promote self-reflection and inspiration. I encourage you to believe in yourself; to accept, honor and recognize your ability to create a safe, exploratory, powerful, fulfilling practice and life that is built on the integrity of your intentions. The freedom we are looking for is the freedom to be ourselves!! |
| Noel Merkel | |
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Since 1999, Noel has continued her journey with Yoga both as a student and teacher, completing several teacher trainings and instructing throughout the world. Propelled by her own personal practice, Noel encourages students to use yoga as a tool to explore one’s inner landscape, tap into the inherent ability to intuit, listen to and heal the body, and cultivate compassion. The discipline and alignment of Iyengar, the therapeutics, and breath of Viniyoga, the art of surrender in Yin Yoga, and the dynamic creative flow of Vinyasa may all be found within one of Noel’s classes. Noel is also a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. |
| Monica Page | |
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E-RYT-500, Yoga Therapist |
Monica came to yoga as the result of a back injury. She was stunned to find that yoga not only healed her back (quickly!) but also transformed her heart, mind, spirit, relationships and entire life – all for the better! She completed her 500–hour certification at Svaha Yoga Shala in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Her magnificent teachers there are of the Jivamukti lineage but also had Iyengar training, leading to a rich and diverse yoga education. She has also studied Anusara, Baptiste power yoga and Ashtanga. In addition, Monica completed a two-year Yoga Therapy training at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. In this training she studied (and continues to study) with several of the finest teachers in the Krishnamacharya/Desikachar lineage. Monica is also a professional musician/Bhakti yogini and is currently working on a mantra (musical Sanskrit chanting) CD. She has appeared for the past 3 years at Bhakti Fest, the “Woodstock of Yoga” with her friend and colleague, Masood Ali Khan. With over 800 hours of training, her sense of wonder and gratitude toward her students and the practice of Yoga are deeper than ever. Yoga has miraculously transformed her life and she is very grateful to be teaching and enthusiastically sharing this miracle with others! |
| Shailaja Parthasarathi | |
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Shaila began practicing yoga with an Iyengar teacher in London over twenty years ago; continued studying classical yoga in the Netherlands and in 2010 completed her Occupational Certificate of Instruction and 500 hour RYT in Arizona. Shaila teaches with an emphasis on building strength and finding flexibility to develop healthy posture with a focused and quiet mind. She especially enjoys working with people who are new to yoga and those wanting to deepen their practice. |
| Josh Rothman | |
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Josh Rothman is a master-level (500 hour) certified yoga instructor. He earned both his 200 hour and master-level certifications from Inner Vision Yoga and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. Sports related injuries from many years of playing competitive soccer led him to the practice of yoga; he has been teaching yoga since 2005. His love of asana is the experience of how healing it is for mind and body. Josh gears classes towards the healing of past (and prevention of future) injuries, along with an exploration of the connections between the physical, the psychological and the spiritual. Josh participates in the Inner Vision yoga teacher training program. Additionally, Josh teaches workshops on yoga for athletes, arm balances and inversions, Yin/YANG! Flow workshops set to popular music themes, introductions to heated and power yoga and he also hosts yoga retreats. Josh has a diverse background in the liberal arts and has completed post-graduate work in justice studies, political philosophy and religious studies. As a jnana (self-wisdom) seeking yogi, he is drawn to any intellectual pursuit that sheds light upon the true self. www.joshrothmanyoga.com |
| Kathy Tousek | |
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Kathy first embarked on her personal and professional journey with yoga in 2004, when she was compelled to add yoga to her current offerings of personal fitness training and pilates. In her practice, she noticed that the discomfort she felt from injuries she sustained in high school and afterward, improved as she expanded her practice. Having experienced the benefits firsthand of her Anusara practice and its healing effect on her mind, body and spirit, she enjoys sharing its marvels with others. Kathy is an ardent believer in the ability of the mind to heal the body on multiple levels. Her ongoing study and training of A Course in Miracles and the extraordinary effect these teachings have on our lives, plays a dynamic role in her teaching. She integrates these principles into her classes and her approach to healing and life. Married to her soul mate for over 24 years, Kathy shares her inspired and inspirational life with her husband, Jim, and their two high-school-age sons. Join Kathy in her classes aimed at alignment, spiritual connection, healing and joy! |
