chris coniaris is a certified yoga instructor with over 25 years of meditation and 15 years of hatha yoga experience. His lifelong interest in philosophy, the outdoors and athletics influence his teaching. Chris teaches weekly yoga and meditation classes in Tucson, AZ, as well as workshops and teacher trainings throughout the US. He weaves philosophy and refined experience into his classes using themes that integrate with daily life. His concise, practical explanations and enthusiasm inspire students to deepen their own experience.

Kate Conwell is a former elite level athlete and 2005 NCAA pole vault champion. She has integrated her personal, professional and athletic passions into a career as a personal trainer. Kate is dedicated to supporting individuals to accomplish their health and fitness goals by educating and equipping them with the tools to reach these goals. She is uniquely able to create home routines for people, using minimal equipment, that address every muscle of the body.

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Raphael Cushnir is a spiritual teacher, author of three books (Setting Your Heart on Fire, Unconditional Bliss, How Now), and friend of amrita. He DJ’s Barefoot Boogies at retreat centers and yoga studios worldwide.

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angela marchant, lmt, has devoted herself to studying and integrating holistic therapies, inspired by the desire to connect and support others on their own journey to health. Through yoga, meditation, bodywork and Compassionate Communication (NVC), she discovered the power of heart to heart connection—the foundation of NVC. Angela graduated from Portland Sate University with a degree in psychology. She has trained in NVC, a variety of massage techniques, and breathwork. Angela brings over ten years of experience practicing, living and teaching Compassionate Communication. She is passionate about social change and creating sustainable communities and values the contribution NVC offers these movements. She honors her teachers Jack Kornfield and Marshall Rosenberg for supporting, inspiring and influencing her spiritual path.

bernard mcdowell, lcsw, is a psychotherapist in private practice. He addresses a broad spectrum of concerns including depression, anxiety, and couples counseling. His approach is deep, joyful, demanding, fun, and educational.

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lila ojeda MS, RD, LD, CSCS, owner of LO Solutions since 2000, offers Complete Nutrition, Personal Training, Pilates & Yoga Services. Lila has a true and deep passion for helping clients reach and maintain their nutrition, health & fitness goals - for life! She worked at OHSU for over 8 years in nutrition research and is the co-author of The Pacific NW Anti-Inflammatory Reference Cookbook, along with the Mindful Eating & Mindful Living book series. Click here to go to Lila's web page...

mary paffard began her yoga journey in Europe in the early '70s. She has been teaching in rural Northern California, the Bay Area, and other parts of the US and Europe since 1985. Mary's yoga practice and teaching are influenced by her commitment to vipassana meditation and the desire to unearth the inner guru in herself and her students. In recent years, the breath, belly and the chakras have proved powerful mirrors in her exploration of the spirit in movement and stillness. Mary is currently Director of Advanced Studies and Teacher Training at Yoga Mendocino, a non profit corporation in Ukiah, California. Click here to go to Mary's web page...

gianna piccardo, ryt, is a yoga therapist with a background in Ayurveda and nutrition. Her regular practice of yoga developed from a need to channel stress and find peace while living life as a corporate career woman. Gianna's journey led her to teachers who assisted her transformation in stepping fully onto her path of healing and wellness. Among these teachers were Sarahjoy Marsh and A.G. Mohan (Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda; Chennai, India). Gianna's current work includes a therapeutic approach combining yoga and ayurveda to create yoga programs tailored to the individual for physical and mental/emotional well-being. Her intention is to return the gift of transformation that yoga brings to all those on its path.

For more information on Gianna, please visit her website at www.privateyogatherapy.com

michael sapiro, ma, eryt, began his yoga and meditation training early in 1999, and has received certification as a Traditional Hatha Yoga instructor and Teacher Trainer. Michael has also trained extensively in the disciplines & practices of Zen and Theravadin Buddhism and Raja and Hatha Yoga philosophy, and spent time as an ordained Buddhist monk in Northern Thailand where he founded Maitri Tak, a local Yoga community and school. His most recent focus is the study of Ayurveda, and he has received certification as an Ayurvedic Life-Style Counselor with Dr. Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and is currently working closely with Richard Haynes of Ayurveda Plus to create the Vedic Athletic Program. Michael teaches workshops and retreats in the Pacific Northwest and in Northern Thailand. He loves his wife and is a dedicated triathlete as well.

For more information about Michael, please visit his website at www.maitrihouseyoga.com

shambhavi sarasvati has trained for nearly 25 years in the View and practices of direct realization Tantra (Kashmir Shaivism). She is fortunate to have studied with several great teachers in this and other nondual traditions, including Dzogchen. She is an initiate in the lineage of Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati of Rikhia, India. Shambhavi teaches traditional Tantra in ways that can be easily integrated into daily life. Her non-mystical View is that Tantra is a way to learn about and live in the fullness of Reality. This is Self-realization. Nothing more or less. Shambhavi is the spiritual director of Jaya Kula in Portland, Oregon, a nonprofit center for people learning how to integrate authentic Tantric View and practice into their everyday lives. Grounded in the Indian traditions of direct realization Tantra and the teachings of Anandamayi Ma, Jaya Kula exists to support its parishioners and all people in the natural process of unfoldment toward Self-realization.

Read more about Shambhavi on her website: jayakula.org

michael stirling was compelled by the music of India after hearing it initially as a teenager in Portland, Oregon. The rich musical heritage of India has been integral to his development as a composer and performer. He began vocal music study with Pandit Pran Nath in 1984 and subsequently became his disciple and traveled with him to India. After Pran Nathji’s passing in 1996, Stirling continued study of this celestial art form with the Pandit’s senior American student, the highly regarded composer and performer, Terry Riley.