Instructors
Donna Blue
Donna is an Anusara-Inspired teacher whose peerless sense of alignment principles is matched by a presense of calm and assurance.
Donna is one to come to if you want extra encouragement, precise attention to the "ins and outs" of your poses, or assistance with an injury or "problem area." Easy going by nature, Donna can also offer you a carefully guided challenge!
Barbra Brady
Barbra Brady is a student of Rod Stryker (Parayoga) in his comprehensive Tantric Hatha Yoga teacher training. She also holds an advanced teacher training certification from Erich Schiffmann, a 200-hour teacher training certification from Yoga Motion in Bozeman, Montana, and an immersion teacher training with Jivamukti's David Life. She loves blending her love of travel and studying. "I've taken ‘working' vacations in the south of France, on a remote island off of Vancouver Island, the Yucatan, Lake George, NY—I've traveled to some of my fantasy destinations to steep myself in study with some of my most beloved teachers. That is what yoga is about if you ask me—pursuing your passions!" Barbra's classes weave together asana, pranayama, visualizations, and meditation sequenced toward a meditative flow designed to align one's physical, psychic and mental energies so they flow together in a constant, calm, powerful stream. Her students note feeling more balanced—both relaxed and energized.Barbra also holds a M.A. in Liberal Studies with a focus in Religious Studies and museum exhibition theory (she is a former art museum curator). The other delights in her life include writing, cycling, swimming, animal welfare, and living a life filled with curiosity.
Kate Coletti
Kate began practicing yoga in 1999 in Georgia where she was born and raised. She landed in California in 2004 when following her dream to become a midwife. In the summer of 2006 she completed the Whole Birth Yoga teacher training to complement her midwifery career and in June of 2007 she completed her training in Midwifery through the Seattle Midwifery School. Kate has also been practicing massage therapy for the last 6 years, specializing in prenatal and postpartum massage. Kate's prenatal yoga classes reflect her strong belief that pregnancy is a normal and healthy event in a woman's life. Her goal is to offer a space for the like-minded and like-bodied women in Sonoma to come together to share their experiences of pregnancy, their yoga practice, and make lasting friendships. When not teaching or birthing, Kate practices massage therapy at Carneros Inn in Napa. Kate's website
Mark Dennis
Mark Dennis started his yoga studies in his teens, studying under Lilias Folan of PBS fame. Mark starts with the premise that yoga doesn't have to be so serious. His classes emphasize the natural extension of joints and muscles in poses, alternating active strengthening and flexibility poses with passive relaxing and restorative poses. Since all people are anatomically different, individualized experience of poses is emphasized over idealized form. Mark has a bachelor's degree in Preventive Health Care and Psychcology, is a certified massage therapist and has been involved in the pain management field for over 30 years. He is a performing musician and artist the rest of the time.
Melanie King
Upon moving to the Bay Area from "Back East" in 1995, Melanie began her yogic journey. Her initial interest in the more dynamic practices led her to her first teacher training in Asthanga Yoga. However, over time, she craved a more spiritually centered practice that could integrate her training in yoga with a very influential experience she had learning Vipassana Meditation in Bihar, India. This desire led her to Kripalu Yoga, which she is certified in. She continues down this path studying Yin Yoga and Vinyasa Flow with her current teachers, Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley. Her teaching intention is to blend the needs of both the physical and subtle bodies while respecting each individual person's own expression of the art of yoga—and, of course, keeping humor and lightness in the mix as well! In addition to being Yoga Alliance registered and a member of the National Association of Yoga Therapists, Melanie is also a PADI Certified Advanced Open Water diver, is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), and has a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her true passion is travel, which she indulges in every chance she gets.
Lisa Murray
Lisa Murray is a certified teacher in the Walt Baptiste Method of Raja Yoga, and has studied extensively with Dr. Mehrad Nazari, Michele Hebert and Sherri Baptiste-Freeman. She teaches a wide range of students from ages 5 to 88, and specializes in the importance of breath work as the foundation of a strong Yoga practice. Lisa teaches two Level 1 and one Level 1-2 Raja Yoga classes, a weekly Restorative class and a monthly Beginner's Workshop. In addition, Lisa runs the children's Yoga program at Kenwood School and works with the 55+ community in Sonoma.
Carol Tomlinson
Carol is an Anusara-affiliated teacher and has also studied Parayoga with Rod Stryker for the last seven years. She invites her students to pursue the yogic path and practices most suitable for that individual, and enjoys helping them discover those postures, pranayama (breath) and visualized meditations which will serve them the best not only in class, but "off the mat" in everyday life. Off her mat, she is a mulitple pet owner and loves to indluge her passion for opera. She is the owner of Yoga Community.
Rhys Wade
I've had many injuries. Each one brings a change that must be respected. I believe in making a class fun, in recognizing poses that may cause discomfort, and adjusting them accordingly. Only you can be aware of how a pose makes your body feel. I expect students tolisten to their bodies and move toward a pace that suits them.
Marlie Wesner
Marlie's Anusara classes are a blend of heart, mind and body. She brings a love of Yoga philosophy to the mind, a celebration and respect for life to the heart, and a love of moving and achieving joy in the body through the practice of asana. She has a strong dedication to awareness in Yoga and the use of Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment as a safe way to learn and expand our abilities. People of all sizes, shapes and abilities are welcome in her classes. Marlie's sweet chants at the end of class are a treat, and a tribute to her love and thankfulness to life and Yoga.