Yoga Instructors
Andrea Arriaga
Andrea is Via Yoga's senior yoga instructor. She grew up on the coast Ventura, California. Raised in a bicultural family, she is a citizen of both the United States and Mexico who has resided between Nayarit and Hawaii since first arriving in Sayulita to work for Via Yoga, almost a decade ago. Her connections and knowledge to the local community and culture serve as an invaluable benefit and comfort to Via Yoga guests.
Andrea's passions for whole body health, surfing, ecology, and all things that flow led her naturally to the art and science of yoga. She has spent her life living her passions near the edge of the shore studying nature’s fluid rhythm. She finds her inspiration for the creation of her flowing and dynamic vinyasa classes here. For the last decade, Andrea has been leading retreats, practicing and teaching yoga internationally and in the US. She serves as a bilingual yoga instructor for local school children in Sayulita, Mexico, is a regular participant in local environmental efforts, and is an avid organic gardener.
Although Andrea considers mother nature and personal relations her primary teachers, She feels blessed to have had the opportunity to study, and practicing under numerous powerful masters including Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye, Matt Pesendian, Mark Whitwell, Bryan Kest, Robert Svoboda, and Dharma Mittra. Andrea has a strong background in Ayurveda, nutrition, eastern and western philosophy and concepts of health and medicine, as well as degrees in biology and anthropology from UC San Diego. She also holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawai'i with thesis work focused on linking marine ecological conservation and health to human and cultural diversity and well-being. Andrea is a certified and practicing Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, experienced Vipassana practitioner, a certified Stott Pilates instructor, and holds a professional degree in exercise science and fitness through UC San Diego.
For additional information look up Andrea at www.andreaarriaga.com or www.yesslove.com.
Erik Gladish
Erik was born into a lineage of mystics, healers, educators and farmers and as a result these themes play prominent roles in his life. As a consummate autodidact he has studied various modalities ranging from but not limited to, yoga, meditation, massage, communication, poetry, tantra, art therapy, dance, permaculture, and organic farming. His gift is in sharing these modalities for the happiness and freedom of all sentient beings. As a yogi, artist, surfer and environmental steward Erik's path is conscious co-creation with a myriad of medium and modalities. Erik loves diving deep into the realm some call the source or pure potential, finding transformation with each emergence. ’ Doing yoga' then seems a redundancy as we begin 'living yoga.' Believing we are each essentially whole, healthy and blissful beings, Erik focuses on the individual, finding healing happens as blockages are removed.
As a top collegiate athlete Erik found Hatha yoga to balance for the stresses of competition. His passion was truly ignited when he was introduced to vinyasa yoga. Only when yoga cured his crippling sciatic pain, dissolved reckless tendencies, and catalyzed his finding (enough searching!) was Erik a convert. Training by rebel guru Larry Schultz in Ashtanga inspired Erik to hit the road discovering the various forms of yoga and healing arts, culminating in an ever evolving eclectic style of practice and teaching uniquely tailored to the moment and the needs of the individual.
For more information on Erik go to www.yesslove.com
Sandra Tedeschi
We are very excited to partner with Sandra to offer yoga and surf retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica. Sandra has been practicing yoga of over twelve years and teaches a Vinyasa Flow style with influences from Anusara yoga which she currently studies. She received her advanced teacher training in interdisciplinary Yoga from the Nosara Yoga Institute and is certified with the internationally recognized Yoga Alliance. In her classes she creates a welcoming and nurturing environment with focus on the balance between the playfulness and intensity of practice. She greatly values the magical, calming and soul-shifting experience of practicing yoga immersed in the surroundings of Nature.
Prior to settling in Costa Rica, Sandra worked several years in South Asia, Africa and US cities in the humanitarian aid field. From her experiences working in often high paced and pressured work environments she learned the great value of a yoga practice to maintain balance in daily living. She received a university degree in Foreign Language & International Trade and a Masters in International Public Health and Development. Sandra fell in love with Costa Rica after her first visit in 1993 and have traveled extensively throughout the Country since.
Jill Lawson
Jill brings a diverse group of people together to form a yoga community in the southwest corner of Colorado. She loves teaching a wide variety of people with her special talent in including all ages and abilities. She honors the different needs of people, as a means to connect everyone on the shared path of yoga. She has a knack for making people feel welcome, able and relaxed, while encouraging students to do their personal best. Jill began her career in fitness in 1992 when she received her aerobics instructor certification. After teaching for a few months she discovered her life's passion. She switched her college major to Exercise Science and continued her studies by completing a Master's degree. In 1999 she began practicing yoga and a whole new world presented itself. Leaving aerobics behind, she dove in to study Ashtanga and Kundalini Yoga and then further discovered herself through an intense Sivananda Yoga teacher training course. Jill teaches Vinyasa Flow yoga because it allows for a broad range in variety, much like the people who take her classes. Jill's teaching philosophy is one that embraces all walks of life, in celebration of the simple joy of being. To learn more about Jill Lawson and read her articles in Yoga Magazine please visit www.jilllawsonyoga.com
Anna Carbonell
Anna, a native-born Filipina, learned her first shoulder stand when she was about 4 years old from her father, Rolando "Swami Deva Leelananda" Carbonell, who helped pioneered yoga in the Philippines. Her first true experience of the practice of yoga was when she attended Ananda Marga ashram in her homeland when she was just a little girl. Upon growing up, Anna took interests in other things like musical theater, modeling, kung fu, Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing and found herself veering far away from yoga. It wasn't until the year 2000 did she reconnect with yoga at Jivamukti Yoga Center under the guidance of Sharon Gannon, David Life, Yogeswari and other extraordinary teachers. It was there where she found her way back to yoga and began to fulfill her passion to teach yoga and is always striving to deepen her yoga practice both on and off the mat. Currently she is the director of the MindBody department at Exhale in 3 NYC locations: Gansevoort Hotel, SoHo and Central Park South. In addition to being a certified Jivamukti teacher Anna is also certified to teach Yin Yoga under the tutelage of Sarah Powers.
Matt Pesendian
Matt Pesendian has been practicing and studying the art of Hatha Yoga for 20 years, dedicating his studies to the teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and Zhander Remete, the founder of Shadow Yoga. He received his master’s degree and licensure in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is the co-owner of Village Community Acupuncture in Sherman Oaks, Ca. He also developed a Medical Qigong program at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara and teaches yoga/qigong workshops and retreats.
Monica Mesa
Monica got turned onto Yoga in college after a serious injury. Since then, she has studied with several masters that have had an enormous impact on her teaching and foundation from the Krishnamacharya and Kundalini lineage.
The energetic vinyasa steeped in Ayurveda, Tantric philosophy, bhakti, and fluid movements that Monica has learned from her Maha teacher, Shiva Rea, is what inspires her teaching most. Classes are infused with music, poetry, and an element of spontaneity and joy. Her affectionate and motivational style of teaching is also fueled by her studies in the law of attraction, oneness consciousness, and Buddhism.
Her guru, Neem Karoli Baba, is her inspiration on the bhakti path, and her teacher in the Buddhist tradition, Lama Tsultrim Allione, is her guide on the path of Vajrayana Buddhism. Monica is also the founder and creative director of YOGA FOR THE PEACEFUL, a green community yoga studio in Crested Butte, Colorado. She is an assistant to Shiva Rea, is featured in her TV program, YOGA MOUNTAIN HIGH, writes a yoga column, and has three wonderful sons. She is proud of her Colombian roots and also enjoys teaching with her humble Spanish tongue. Monica learned to surf several years ago after many years of dreaming about it. Surfing is her favorite outdoor passion! www.monicamesayoga.com www.yogaforthepeaceful.org.
Mike Hardin
Mike is a highly experienced fitness professional and owner of mikefitness, a Seattle based personal training business. He believes,“ that with levity and playfulness, learning becomes natural, progress happens faster, and short-lived fitness goals turn into life-long changes.” Certified through the American College of Sports Medicine, Mike is recognized as leader in functional movement. As a co-instructor of our Yoga, Fitness and Surfing retreat he brings his highly effective “Outdoor Gym” class to Via Yoga, exploring the natural beauty of Sayultia - a virtual playground. Mike’s wide-range of expertise includes weight loss, strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, rehab, and sports specific performance training. Mike enjoys working with a diverse clientele, from the new mom to the professional athlete and believes that, “the ability to balance work, rest and play is one component of a successful program. The other is keeping it fun!” www.mikefitness.com
Brigette Niedringaus
After watching her mom practice yoga at home, Brigette’s curiosity led her to her first yoga class at age 16. Her first teacher, Amy Stephens, introduced her to Anusara Yoga® at its inception in 1997. After completing her Yoga Alliance certification at 25, Brigette began teaching in the St. Louis area and traveling to study with some of the most well-respected and inspirational teachers across the country including Mitchel Bleier, John Friend, Darren Rhodes, Christina Sell, Sianna Sherman and Desiree Rumbaugh. In 2008, she was hired as Kashi's sole yoga instructor, traveling to 25 US cities on a 7-month wellness tour. Brigette has over 400 hours of study under the Anusara tradition and continues to study closely with her main teacher, Mitchel Bleier. Currently, Brigette teaches classes, workshops and assists Mitchel Bleier’s teacher trainings at her studio in St. Louis, MO, Southtown Yoga.
Brigette embraces a vinyasa flow style supported by precise alignment technique. Her classes are as much fun as they are challenging. Her clear instruction takes the fear out of the poses and inspires students to discover their full, radiant potential. www.southtownyoga.com
Ashley Albrand
Ashley Albrand teaches vinyasa flow yoga, meditation, and many styles of dance throughout Los Angeles, New York and San Fransisco. She is a professional dancer and has been studying movement since the age of five. Ashley is known for her physically challenging classes that stay true to the essence of yoga. Her classes embody strength and spirit, prayer, meditation, the releasing of negative thought patterns and the pranic exchange. Ashley's teaching schedule includes non-profit,workshops, classes and international retreats. For more information on Ashley visit www.ashleyalbrand.com
Alisa Wyatt
Alisa has been teaching since 1999 when she left her high-powered publishing job to spread her passion for Pilates. A featured expert for Pilates Style Magazine, she’s also the creator of the DVDs, Advanced Pilates Workout and Pilates for Men. Classically trained by Joseph Pilates’ protégé, Romana Kryzanowska, Alisa currently studies with one of the last remaining teachers who worked for Mr. Pilates: Jay Grimes. A self-described movement junkie, Alisa explores any movement modality she can find the time for when she's not dancing, hiking or surfing. She recently completed her Yoga Certification with Annie Carpenter and Kia Miller at Yogaworks in Los Angeles. In addition to teaching at retreats and conferences internationally, Alisa trains an exclusive private clientele at her studio in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Lasher Breen
Jennifer Lasher Breen exudes a deep passion and appreciation for yoga in her classes. She is enthusiastic, light-hearted and engaged. As a child, Jen remembers watching her mom practice yoga and wanting to participate, which led to her own practice starting with teacher Cintra Brown in Arizona in 1994. She has since trained with Bikram, Erich Schiffmann, Baron Baptiste and Bryan Kest. Jen opened the first Bikram studio, Yoga Vida, in Austin Texas in 1999. She now lives on Bainbridge Island, in Washington with her husband and four children where she successful owns and operates the Bainbridge Yoga House. While Jen’s background stems from a Bikram practice, she now incorporates a strong blend of vinyasa flow into her classes. Visit her website at www.bainbridgeyogahouse.com.
Michelle Gantz
Michelle’s blended classes of Pilates and yoga are fun, informative, and supportive, and she welcomes students of all levels. When teaching, she draws from her extensive background and training in the physical and energetic aspects of movement and healing. A co-founder of Via Yoga Michelle has been a licensed massage therapist since 1994 and a certified yoga instructor since 1999. Michelle is also a certified STOTT PILATES instructor and STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer. When Michelle is not hosting retreats with Via Yoga, she is busy in Seattle working with her private bodywork clients and teaching private yoga/ Pilates clients.
Amy Buck
Amy first fell in love with Pilates in Sun Valley, Idaho where she decided to turn in her snowboard and years of instruction for the opportunity to move to Seattle, WA enrolling in the STOTT instructor training programat Bodycenter Studios in 2004. Her passion for working with people, biomechanics and fascination with human movement led her to the advanced courses of Pilates and full certification.
Amy graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSED in Early Childhood Education. After a stint of teaching in New Zealand, Amy decided to follow her passion for the mountains and became an outdoor adventure guide leading trips across North America for Trek America. In 1998 she ventured off on her own to start Blueplanet Adventures, a backpacking company guiding through Olympic National Park. Amy's love for dancing , especially African dance, inspired her to create Zumlates a fusion of Zumba® Latin dance fitness and Pilates. Amy has been teaching ever since and feels honored everyday with the opportunity to creatively guide people through their bodies gaining awareness, strength and balance.