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| Joy Wolfe | B.F.A., The Cooper Union; L.M.T. | | Joy is a certified yoga instructor and the founder of PRANANDA. She has conducted workshops and on-going classes in New York, California and Oregon. Joy has also taught anatomy, physiology and massage at the Massage School of Santa Monica. She has been a yoga practitioner since 1991 and has been trained by honored and respected teachers such as Alan Finger, Ana Forrest, Erich Schiffman and Rod Stryker.
Joy describes her teaching style as eclectic Hatha, with a strong emphasis on the breath. Joy believes yoga is for everyBODY and takes care to accommodate different levels of ability, body types and injuries. Joy created PRANANDA as a hate-free zone. Respect for people of all races, faiths and sexual orientations is part of the mission statement at PRANANDA. Namaste! | | | Tonya Adair | | | Tonya has been an instructor here at Prananda for two years (check out her film debut on the Prananda Hip Opening DVD). She started practicing yoga at PCC seven years ago curious if it would be as fun as the gymnastics she practiced as a kid. She uses yoga to stretch her biking, gardening, and kid sitting muscles, balance out her moods in the winter, and to stay in touch with what is going on in her body. Tonya likes the way that every posture in yoga has multiple levels of difficulty, so everyone in class has a comfort spot and a place to challenge themselves. She loves the way one small adjustment in your alignment can bring you into a pose and make you go “ah-ha, I get it”. She enjoys helping new and old aspiring yogis/yoginis to have those “ah-ha” moments as well as having those moments herself through teaching. It has been said that the best way to truly know a subject is to teach it; and Tonya does learn as much in class as her students. | | | Chad Carver | | | 2002 was a life-changing year for Chad. That year he attended an intensive series of classes on Babaji’s Kriya Yoga with Marshall Govindan. This established a foundation in Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, and Mantra. About one month later, he took initiation into “Dhyan” (Yogic) Mediation at the Sri Shivabalayogi Meditation Center in Seattle. After keeping a strict meditation practice for two years, Chad was asked to facilitate Shivabalayogi Meditation programs across the Pacific Northwest with Shivabalananda, a direct disciple of Shivabalayogi from India. During the first tour, he was taught the practice of leading “Bhajans,” Sanskrit hymns sung in a call and response fashion. Singing Bhajans (or “Kirtan”) uplift the Spirit, awakens spiritual devotion, and brings inner peace with practice. Chad has conducted Kirtan for two Northwest tours (2004 and 2005) with Shivabalananda and while holding Shivabalayogi Satsang in Vancouver, Washington (2005-present). During “Satsang” meditation is taught, Bhajans are sung, and blessed food is shared. Attending Satsang does not imply any commitment to a Guru or religion. | | | Nancy Giardini | RYT | | The magic of Yoga started to unfold for Nancy when she moved to Portland, Oregon in 1998. Realizing the powerful effects it was starting to have on her, she has never looked back and has practiced continuously since then. She feels yoga is a blessing and a challenge for anyone who is willing to take it on. Since adding yoga into her daily life, she feels that it has helped keep her grounded in difficult moments and allowed some iron walls to crumble within the psyche. Nancy believes that yoga calls people into it's circle and allows them to find who they really are. It's gates are open to all that need it. Her classes are a sacred space, open to all people regardless of race, gender classification or body type. She encourages non-judgement, laughter, open minds, open hearts and most of all: Not to take ourselves too seriously! Along with yoga, her other obsessions include: Primate studies, multi-cultural music, biking and writing poetry. Let your freak flag fly! | | | Binah Goldman | | | Binah felt the subtle yet powerful effects of yoga after her very first class. Since then she has used yoga as a means to enhance all aspects of her life. She describes her classes as playful and breath focused and encourages people of all walks of life to attend. She firmly believes that a regular yoga practice will open up the practitioner to a new sense of being, one with greater awareness and healing abilities. Binah has a deep sense of connection to her Indian heritage and enjoys studying other aspects of life such as astrology (Hindu and Western), philosophy, and Ayurveda as well as acupuncture, music and drama. She's a busy mama and appreciates the balance yoga provides for her each and every day.
| | | Dorinda Holler | M.A.- UCLA; M.S.- Tufts University; RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) | |
Dorinda began practicing yoga regularly in 2000, as an adjunct to her modern dancing. Seeking to improve strength and alignment, she discovered that yoga is so much more than just the physical benefits. Yoga has become a way of life. Dorinda has always been involved in the movement arts, from all forms of dance to a MA in Dance/Movement Therapy from UCLA and a MS in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University. As a registered yoga instructor, Dorinda also draws upon her studies in Occupational Therapy and dance to keep her classes grounded in proper alignment and use of breath with movement. Dorinda brings her sense of humor and dynamic energy to teaching, providing an uplifting yoga experience for all. | | | Lindsey Lee | | | Lindsey has been deeply inspired by her yoga journey, the positive influence it can have on us mentally and physically, and how the benefits radiate out and connect us to people in the wider community for a positive effect on the whole. Lindsey first picked up a yoga book as a teenager and found that it brought focus and relief during what can be a tumultuous time in life. It also helped with body image issues and learning to be more appreciative of a changing body. Lindsey’s study of the art and science of yoga deepened as she worked closely in the past four years with a long time Iyengar yoga instructor (Debbie Hart) at Clark College: assisting and training with her, working directly with the students in the class and learning what it is to share yoga with others at varying levels of experience. Lindsey is grateful and delighted to participate as others deepen their practice. Yoga is for everyone and all are welcome!- “Health is wealth, peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way.”- Swami Vishnu-Devananda. | | | Rae Minten | RYT | | Rae was initially encouraged to try yoga by a friend who suggested that it would help improve her posture. The experience was love at 1st class for Rae who sees yoga as a great physical release for those who had never fit into a traditional athletic setting. After 17 years of practice, yoga has come to hold a central place in her life offering guidance and support in her emotional and spiritual life as well as her physical well-being. Wanting to share the amazing gifts of yoga, Rae completed a 200+ hour teachers training at Prananda Yoga in spring of 2007. Rae is endlessly fascinated with the power and healing qualities of the breath. Expect to explore a variety of pranayama (breath work) in her classes. Stay tuned to the 'Special Events', Rae teaches pranayama, sun salutation and moon salutation workshops at Prananda.
| | | Erica Sebald | | | (Substitute instructor) After twelve years of chronic pain, Erica re-discovered yoga in early 2007 and never looked back. Filled with a desire to help others in similar situations, she attended the fall/winter 2007/2008 teacher training program at Prananda Yoga in the Kenton Neighborhood of North Portland (OR), and is excited to help spread one of the most potent healing modalities on the planet. Erica practices gentle Hatha with a deep respect for the boundaries of each individual’s body. She loves the constant exploration that yoga promotes, both of our physical bodies and the universe within, and how the resulting greater communication between the two brings new awareness to all aspects of our lives.
In her spare time (when she’s not practicing yoga!) Erica likes to learn about, try, and blog about alternative healing methods. She also makes art, writes songs, and plays her guitar. In the summer she spends lots of time in the sunshine and in the winter she makes lots of soup. | | | Alison Wesley | RYT | | Alison (SUBSTITUTE INSTRUCTOR) was first exposed to Yoga watching her mother do lion pose in the living room after getting overwhelmed with housework. Although she did not begin her own practice until much later, there were always aspects of Yoga finding ways into Alison's life. Practicing Hatha Yoga in college, she enjoyed the physical benefits but after losing a loved one to suicide, Alison discovered the true meaning of Yoga and allowed it to carry her through her grief.
Proud to have completed her 200-Hour Teacher Training at Prananda, Alison is devoted to supporting others through their Yoga practices and places emphasis on keeping the breath moving, even after leaving the mat. She strives to help others learn to carry their Yoga with them every day; because to Alison, Yoga is the connection between all parts of the self as well as the connection to all parts of life: it can help one through monumental journeys like bereavement or simple daily stresses like cleaning the house. While focusing on the alignment of postures, Alison also teaches that Yoga should feel good, be fun and most importantly, it should open up any locked doors hiding inside ourselves.
| | | Sir Yukon Cornelius Claus (Yukie Wolfe) | | | Yukie has been doing yoga for 17 years. He occasionally assists Joy's classes, gently encouraging students and demonstrating a flawless Downward Facing Dog. (Until we get photos of the instructors...it should be clarified that Yukie is of the canine species! | |
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