Teachers

Kara Miller, RYT

Kara Miller’s involvement in yoga began almost ten years ago, and from the very first class she was instantly inspired to learn more and dive deeper into the practice and lifestyle of yoga. She attended classes, workshops and seminars in  different styles of yoga such as Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha, Bikram and Power-yoga. On several different occasions she spent time at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, located in Lenox, Massachusetts, and participated in rigorous yoga programs with renowned gurus and yogis such as Yoganand Michael Carrol, Debbie Rosas, Baron Baptiste and Lama Migmar Tseten.

Kara has completed Kripalu’s yoga teacher training under the guidance of PremShakti and Sudha Carolyn Lundeen. With a vast and widespread curriculum, this professional program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive training programs in the United States.

Spending her summers working at a surf camp in Maui, Kara was able to share the gift of yoga with the campers who attended.  Also over the last year, Kara had the opportunity to live and work as a yoga teacher and divemaster for a small resort in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Kara’s classes are rooted in Kripalu yoga, which is sometimes thought of as “the yoga of life” because it is all-encompassing and embracing to each of the major schools of yoga and yogic tradition, as well as being an accessible and attainable practice for all body types, experience levels and ages. Her classes combine vigorous vinyasa or prana flows, strengthening Ashtanga asanas and calming, traditional hatha yoga practices such as restorative poses, meditation and pranayama. Also, don’t be surprised to hear her incorporating elements of karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras throughout class. Her classes are filled with love, laughter, support, encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and discovery. She invites you to “ride the wave” of yoga and experience the powerful re-connectedness to your true nature and infinite soul, universal and divine energy, and then take what you learn in the studio off the mat and into the world!

Suzana Maia Oliveira, RYT

In 1998, Suzana started practicing yoga at an Ashtanga studio in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two years later she moved to San Diego, CA, where she practiced Vinyasa Flow with Gerhard E.Gesser and Ashtanga with Tim Miller for the next two years. Moving to Hawaii in 2002, she arrived at Yoga Hawaii, where she received her yoga teacher certification in 2007. Suzana is also a licensed Massage Therapist and a Reiki practitioner. She believes that when she practices yoga, she practices love, compassion, calmness, strength and balance—not to mention physical and mental flexibility.

R.J. Martin

R.J.’s journey with yoga began seven years ago when he was healing from a debilitating physical condition. Yoga became one of the modalities he used to heal. Other healing forms included Chinese Medicine, Bioenergetics, massage, Soul Power and Reiki. Out of his personal journey came one of his central beliefs: that health comes from within. Over the years R.J. has studied many yogic traditions, gaining value from each one. He has been a member of the Yoga Hawaii community since he arrived in Hawaii six years ago, to study American History at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is currently completing work on his Ph.D. and is involved in an affordable and sustainable housing development on the Leeward coast of Oahu.

Maya Siklai, RYT

Maya Siklai has returned to yoga over and over again throughout the years since her mother took her along to her first yoga class when she was just 14 years old. Finally in 2007 she dedicated herself seriously to the study of yoga. In January 2008 she completed her 200-hr teacher training program in classical hatha and Raja Yoga at Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary in Pasadena, California. Since her certification, Maya has continued to study at many of the influential yoga studios in the Los Angeles area, expanding her teaching styles to include Vinyasa Flow and Anusara influences.

Maya’s background in dance performance and teaching along with her outgoing personality give her a graceful and warm nurturing presence while her instructions make it easy to follow her flowing practice. Having taught many beginners and students with physical limitations, she is very receptive to her students needs and is a strong believer that yoga is for everyone, no matter what their abilities. Maya will transmit to you  an understanding of the power of your own breath, and a greater appreciation for your body and this wonderful life we have each been given to live.

Matt Meko

Matt Meko began his teaching career as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Walt Disney World, Cookie Monster for Sesame Street Live and Purple Panda on Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. His production and producing experience includes television, touring shows, industrials, Off Broadway festivals, theme parks, halftime shows and special community events like art installations for World AIDS Day at the Seattle Art Museum. In 2001, Matt began his formal yoga teaching education with Ana Forrest, Andrey Lappa and Shiva Rea. Matt’s style of teaching is gentle coaching, based in core strength, powerful and playful to excite students of all levels to go deeper in their practice, self-esteem and life. Since 2003 under his company Mekosun, Matt has assisted individuals and corporations like Starbucks, Amazon.com and Microsoft with their mind/body fitness. His volunteer experience with the Seattle Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit is an example of his intention to help people be aware of their choices. For more information on Matt visit www.mekosun.com.

Sarah VanDeVanter

Sarah was first exposed to yoga in Cardiff By the Sea, California in the late 1980s and it has been a big part of her life ever since. Her practice is forever evolving as she continues to be influenced by many teachers and different styles. She feels she will always be a student of yoga and continues to “sharpen the stone” of her professional development by attending teacher trainings, workshops and classes of all yoga disciplines in order to bring a unique and diverse perspective to her classes.

Since knowledge of yoga is passed from teacher to student and refined through practice, her teachers have been taught by the teachers of teachers, the width and breadth of understanding traces back through time to the roots of yoga in India. She has been very fortunate to study with Senior Ashtanga Practicioner, David Williams, and mentored by Tracy Keenan, owner of Kihei Community Yoga Center. She was encouraged to begin teaching in 2004. Her studies continue now with Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini, owners of Maya Yoga.

Sarah’s teaching combines the flow of Vinyasa, the strength of Ashtanga, structure of asana, alignment of Iyengar, meditational qualities of pranayama and philosophy of the Yoga Sutras to create an enjoyable, creative practice. You will be supported in a safe, light-hearted way while encouraged to expand your limits, uncover new strenghts and inspired to transform body, mind and spirit. It is her sincere desire to help others in the pursuit of balance, strength and harmony through their own personal journey. Sarah believes yoga meets you where you are; you have only to come to the mat and discover your inner teacher.

Mi’ilani Yoshiko Cooper, RYT

Mi’ilani was born and raised in Japan and speaks Japanese as her first language. She moved to Hawaii in 1992 to study Hawaiian culture and language. She received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance teaching certificate at Aloha Yoga Kula with Brigitte and Martin. Under the instruction of Brynne Caleda, she has completed certification in Yoga Ed., Pre K and K-8. She also worked with Brynne as a translator for a Yoga Ed. teacher training workshop in Japan. She has been able to train under such instructors as Bryan Kest, Twee Merrigan and Daniel Aaron. Here locally she has trained under several teachers in different styles of yoga including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow and Hatha flow. Mi’ilani is currently apprenticing in Iyengar Yoga at BKS Iyengar Yoga Center of Honolulu with Ray Madigan and Shelly Choy in preparation for certification, and also exploring the Anusara tradition through weekend immersions by Skeeter Tichnor. Mi’ilani welcomes everyone to come and share the enjoyment of yoga. She creates a warm and comfortable environment with emphasis on proper alignment.

Cherie Mar, RYT

Cherie B. Mar began practicing hatha yoga in 1997 while study Art and Psychology at Boston University. Two years later the loss of a close family member deepened her physical practice and opened her heart to Yogic Philosophy and lifestyle. Physical practice and meditation served as a source of solace in her daily life. A decade-long journey led her through a wide variety of yogic traditions, including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa in the Baptiste studios, Bikram, Siddha and Dahn. Cherie’s specialized training includes initiation into the Siddha Yoga practice through the gift of Shaktipat (2000) from Swami Chidvilasananda, three years as a Dahn energy healer and instructor in Boston, MA (2003-2006), and certification from the Kripalu school of Yoga in Stockbridge, MA (2007). Cherie is currently working on her 500-hour certification in Yoga Therapy through the Integrative Yoga Therapy program, and also exploring the Anusara tradition through weekend immersions. Classes by Cherie offer students the opportunity to deepen their meditative experiences while moving through the physical postures of asana.

Rupali

Rupali (aka, Cheryl Embry) knew nothing about hatha yoga when she landed in a yoga ashram in 1985 at the recommendation of a friend. Immediately captivated, she stayed to study the yogic lifestyle and heal a back injury from her youth. Upon departing, she began teaching and eventually returned to Kripalu Center to earn her teaching certificate (1993) and later to assist in the training of other teachers (1994). She continues to study the major traditions of hatha yoga and advanced breathwork techniques, frequently in India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, master of the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswamy. She also draws from a background in the healing arts of Reiki and rebirthing, and directs the teacher training program at Yoga Hawaii.

Zachary Hitchcock, RYT

All his life, something in the back of Zachary’s mind told him he would be doing yoga and Tai Chi one day. A native San Franciscan who came to Hawaii for high school, Zach became a competitive surfer in the 80s. He went on to a career in rock’ n’ roll in Los Angeles (he has released seven CDs with various bands and as a solo artist), and managed to survive his self-destructive lifestyle. He emerged healthy, whole and an avid practitioner of yoga and Tai Chi. He returned permanently to Hawaii seven years ago. Five years ago, he found his calling as a teacher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, has traveled to India three times and has been lucky enough to have studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois before his passing in 2009. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy from the University of San Diego, is certified as an EMT and is the former president of the Windansea Surf Club. Zach draws from his many interests to bring you diversity, fun and integrity in his yoga instruction.

Fernando Martinez

Fernando Martinez started practicing yoga more than 9 years ago. It was soon thereafter that his fascination for yoga caused him to completely revise his personal beliefs and “imposed religious” point of view. This path suggested that it was inside where all inspiration and strength was found. Eventually his journey led him to  find meditation, where he firmly landed. He loved meditation so much that he decided to train as a meditation teacher at Ananda Village, an organization in Nevada City, CA, founded by Paramhansa Yogananda’s direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. There the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (author of the Autobiography of a Yogi)  are treasured and propagated throughout the world.

Gail St. Denis, RYT

When asked about her feelings on yoga and being a teacher, Gail St. Denis replied: “Ashtanga Yoga spoke to me from the first sun salutation I ever did. At the time, I was in triathlon training with Tania as my coach. After an evening run, she led us through a few basic poses and I was hooked. It wasn’t until several years later, after getting over the triathlon and marathon bugs, that I was able to focus more on yoga. I attended the teacher training in May 2004 to immerse myself more deeply. Being the poster child for inflexibility, teaching seemed out of the question. Because of my teachers’ encouragement, I gave it a try. My limitations give me an understanding that not everyone can put their nose on their toes. I especially enjoy encouraging new students to see that yoga is for everyone, not just human pretzels. Yoga’s constant admonition to “keeping breathing!” has helped me immensely through life’s more difficult moments, and I hope to share that with others.

Ani Young, RYT

Ani’s love for movement and dance started early. She was in her first performing group when she was 10, doing USO shows and TV variety acts. In her 20s she began her yoga journey, looking for something deeper with which she resonated. She began with prenatal yoga with Gurmukh Kaur while pregnant with her daughter, then went on to Iyengar and later Ashtanga with Bhavani Maki on Kauai and later with Yoga Hawaii on Oahu. She is a graduate of Yoga Hawaii’s first Ashtanga Yoga teacher training with Prem Carlisi and Rupali Embry. To Ani’s students, her encouraging presence makes even difficult poses seem possible.

Melanie Lee, RYT

Melanie first found yoga while she was pregnant with her daughter in 2000. The life-changing experience of giving birth naturally made her realize what a wonderful, powerful tool the breath is. This realization brought her back to the studio to delve more deeply into yoga and meditation, and from the very first class, she knew she was right where she was supposed to be. First attending Jivamukti-based Vinyasa classes, Melanie loved the flowing movement linked to the breath that she experienced in class. However, as she grew in her practice, she found herself being drawn to Iyengar Yoga and to the deeper nuances that can be found in the body when it is in correct alignment. Inspired by both the flow and structural elements of these practices, Melanie decided that what she wanted to study and pass on to her students would have to be a balance of both, and so continued on to become a certified yoga teacher through Aloha Yoga Kula’s Advanced Studies/Teacher Training Program. In her weekly classes, Melanie offers her students a challenging, yet safe practice, by sharing detailed descriptions of the poses, adjustments to allow the poses to be experienced on a deeper level, meditation, guided breathing practice, flowing music, and most importantly, love. She teaches classes of all levels, offers a Seniors Class twice a week, and is also certified to teach yoga to children. Melanie is continuing her studies this year by attending an Anusara Yoga 1000 hour immersion program, and her goals for the future are to complete her 500 hour Yoga Therapy certification. Her other interests are Wellness/Nutrition for children and adults, Ayurveda, and Asian languages and cooking.

Tania Jo Ingrahm, RYT

Tania Jo Ingrahm a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, was introduced to Kripalu yoga in 1988 by her Yoga Hawaii business partner, Rupali. The breathing and internal exploration of Kripalu Yoga proved to be a beneficial compliment to her years of competitive triathlon and coaching. Now focusing on Ashtanga Yoga and pranayama (breathplay) practice, she’s known to be a “detail” person when sharing her passion for yoga and the wide-ranging benefits to body, mind and spirit with her students. Melding her study of life sciences, yoga and sports has given her a unique perspective on the body and its ability to adapt and change. She continues to be a student of yoga, learning from her teachers, as well as her students. She is codirector, along with Rupali, of Yoga Hawaii.

Jill Peterson, Psy.D.

Dr. Jill C. Peterson is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Honolulu who specializes in empowering adults who want to improve their relationships, enhance personal and spiritual growth and develop life skills to meet their goals. In working with clients, she utilizes mindfulness practices, yogic breathing, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to address issues such as depression, anxiety, improving relationship skills and identifying and attaining personal and professional goals. She has trained with Amy Weintraub from LifeForce Yoga for Depression, and completed advanced trainings in Energy Medicine with Donna Eden and Richard Miller’s iRest Yoga Nidra.

Diane “Padma” Halford, RYT

Padma Halford has been a Registered Nurse since 1986. She discovered yoga at a time of great transition in her life, unaware that it would lead to a new career and life. Padma came to yoga looking for a way to stay physically fit, find peace and relaxation. She became a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance in the Ashtanga tradition in May 2004. She has completed the Certification for Yoga of the Heart ® Cardiac and Cancer Therapy taught by Nischala Joy Devi in 2007, and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Padma is currently immersing herself in the Anusara tradition with Skeeter Tichnor of Maui. Padma’s heart, humor and devotion to her own practice guides her classes which are full of love and laughter.

Diane received her affectionate name “Padma” (or “lotus flower”) during her teacher training at Yoga Hawaii.

Guilherme Alves

Guilherme Dias Alves (also known as William here on Oahu), was born and raised in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. After working four years as a partner and instructor at the prestigious First Brazilian University of Yôga, he moved to Oahu to introduce the tradition of Swásthya Yôga to Hawaii. He has studied with Master DeRose (founder of the First Brazilian University of Yôga, and the International University of Yôga, with schools in Portugal and Argentina), Master Carlos Cardoso, Master Sergio Santos, and many well-respected yoga teachers and specialized authorities. Among his students you will find those with a wide range of occupations and interests: athletes, intellectuals, artists, doctors and lawyers. One of the things he loves about teaching yoga is that it develops happy, cheerful people with open minds. You can read more about Swásthya Yôga under Class Descriptions.