The Ashtanga Mysore program at Yoga Hawaii
The Ashtanga Yoga Mysore Team
Mizuho Williamson
Born and raised in Tokyo, Mizuho practiced jazz dance and aerobics for many years before trying yoga during her first pregnancy. She began practicing Power Yoga regularly, and, after a transformative introduction to Ashtanga in Hawaii, decided to devote herself to the world of yoga. Mizuho completed her 200-hour teacher training at Yoga Hawaii, and began teaching a range of levels, with her fluency in English and Japanese allowing her to conduct lessons in two languages.
Her passion for Ashtanga led her to discover “Mysore style practice,” a traditional teaching methodology that she treasures, and has been practicing intensively since January of 2011. She is excited to work as the part of Mysore program as a dedicated practitioner and teacher sharing her love of Ashtanga.
Rayna Weise
Rayna initially began to practice Ashtanga Yoga as a complement to her ultra-running, but it wasn’t long before she completely devoted herself to a daily Mysore-style practice. In 2008, she took her first trip to Mysore, India to study with Guruji, R. Sharath Jois, and Saraswati. She is grateful to have had the benefits of the practice throughout her pregnancy and that it continues to be a tool for spiritual and intellectual growth. She firmly believes in the traditional method as it is taught at the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute and dedicates herself to honoring the lineage of ashtanga yoga through her practice and teaching. Rayna has a Ph.D. in cancer epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She hopes that through teaching and her research, she can share the benefits of the practice with others.
Tania Jo Ingrahm
Tania Jo Ingrahm, a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, was introduced to Kripalu Yoga in 1988 by her 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 one of the original founders of Yoga Hawaii along with Rupali.
Zachary Hitchcock
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.
