Cara Sorkin, Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor, began her practice while ill and came through with strength, health and well-being. She has been following her passion for Iyengar Yoga for over a decade. Cara is honored and excited to share her experience and love of yoga.
She has had the exceptional opportunity to study directly with the Iyengars, both in the United States and in India. Cara continues to enhance her practice and teaching through the ongoing study of yoga asanas (postures), anatomy, physiology, and philosophy. She holds a B.S. degree from Woodbury University, and previously worked in Fashion Merchandising for Federated Departments Stores, which she left to raise four wonderful children. It is clear to her, after raising children, that we are all unique individuals and we all have our own work to do. Cara owes a debt of gratitude to her mentors and teachers that have guided her.
Cara’s students say:
- “Cara’s love of yoga really comes through in her teaching and keeps her students wanting to learn more.”
- “She is knowledgeable, compassionate, patient and professional.”
- “Cara gives clear detailed instruction. She inspires her students to work to their potential and encourages them to develop their own yoga practice.”
- “Her blend of yoga asana with spiritual affirmations creates a mind, body, spirit connection.”
Email: cara@yogaupstairs.com
Sri Hari Moss began his yoga journey under the guidance of Swamini Turiyasangitananda; founder and director of The Vedantic Center and Sai Anantam ashram. Her instruction in sacred music, vedantic studies, meditation and Bhakti Yoga for nearly two decades have greatly influenced his life. Sri Hari is blessed to have made numerous journeys to India and sat in the presence of great yoga masters. He has received both a 200-hour and 500-hour certification. His Hatha Yoga classes are an invitation to explore the divine essence of self through expansion and awareness. With a focus on harmony between mind, body and spirit, his classes offer students an inspired understanding of yoga practice through a variety of techniques and styles in any given class. Sri Hari’s carefully planned classes lead students of all levels on a personal, and often playful, journey to a place of new found awareness of energy and opening throughout the body.
Inspirational music, dynamic stories from Hindu and other texts, anecdotes to foster clear understanding, and frequent reminders to smile and laugh are some of the many reasons his student’s love his classes. “Yoga practice is transformative, what we learn in practice becomes part of our lives. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish, if you are willing to feel sensation, face challenge live in the moment and breath life into everything you do.”
Email: srihari@yogaupstairs.com
Rebecca Lascoe came to yoga in 1994 when a fitness instructor suggested that she learn how to breathe while exercising. She began her practice with an Iyengar yoga teacher and has been studying this style of yoga ever since. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes correct alignment, timing and sequencing of the poses. This approach builds strength, balance, and flexibility. It provides students the ability of increased focus and observation.
Rebecca has been teaching since 2006. She received her Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification in December 2007 at Westlake Yoga Studio. She is currently receiving advanced training with Anna Delury, a Senior Level Certified Iyengar Teacher. She continues to attend classes and workshops from various certified Iyengar teachers.
Rebecca enjoys sharing her knowledge of yoga. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach at Yoga Upstairs where she studies with Cara.
Email: rebecca@yogaupstairs.com
Gina Newton was introduced to Yoga in 1988 during a time when she needed some emotional healing. She has had a strong practice ever since. The first twenty years she was a devotee of flow/power Yoga, studying with teachers such as Bryan Kest, Steve Ross, and Seane Corne. After a shoulder injury in August 2008, she came to one of Cara’s classes where she was introduced to yoga poses that were taught with focus on alignment and precise action in the body.
With the encouragement from Cara and Sri she went through a very intense teacher training with Bryan Legere, at Ventura Yoga studio where she received her certification. Gina has been teaching at Yoga Upstairs since June 2009.
Gina’s passion and love of Yoga really shine through when she teaches. She uses her sense of humor and nurturing way, to create a fun, yet very productive and informative environment. She has had extensive training on the Yoga Wall and uses it often as it is a wonderful tool to promote alignment, openness, and space in the body. The Yoga wall has not only changed her physical being, but it has changed her life as she is finally doing what she loves and that is teaching Yoga.
Email: gina@yogaupstairs.com
Surreina Gallegos is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, certified Healing Arts Practitioner and a certified teacher of Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, YogaWorks style Vinyasa Yoga, and Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga. She has been practicing yoga and various spiritual healing modalities since the year 2000, teaching since 2003 and specializes in self-‐empowerment, cleansing and the integrative renewal of body, mind and spirit. Her classes and services are highly rejuvenating, ignite a deep appreciation for yoga and energy medicines and affirm the truth that within us all resides the potential for profound healing and transformation.
Surreina finds inspiration in the teachings of Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Abraham-‐Hicks, Yogi Bhajan and Amma, and cultivates happiness and spiritual connection through the practice of Bhakti Yoga, Affirmative Prayer, Ecstatic Dance, a diet rich in vegan raw foods and a daily yoga sadhana that keeps her grounded in a life of gratitude, love and joy.
Email: surreina@gmail.com
Anna Pavlich Connelly has been studying Iyengar Yoga since 1989 and teaching since 1994. She completed the 3 year Teacher Training Program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles and is certified at the Introductory Level. Anna has traveled to India to study with the Iyengars and continues to deepen her own studies and practice. She has studied with renowned teachers, such as Manouso Manos, Karin O’ Bannon and Diane Gysbers. Anna combines her love for the precision of Iyengar Yoga with a sense of humor to create an uplifting and motivating atmosphere. She encourages her students to look deeper than just the physical level to develop a sense of self-confidence and contentment.
Email: anna@yogaupstairs.com
Ruth Piper began practicing yoga as a college student studying archaeology. While completing a Masters degree in Anthropology, working as an archaeologist, getting married and raising a family, life became so busy that yoga got lost!
Ruth came back to yoga in the 90’s. It brought so much joy and peace into her life that she decided to deepen her practice by taking yoga teacher training at Westlake Yoga Studio which she completed in March 2008. She is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She also completed a Restorative yoga teacher training with Judith Hanson Lasater in February 2009. She has been teaching a gentle hatha style for the last 5 years.
Email: ruth@yogaupstairs.com
Paula Fortunato is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Thai Yoga Therapist, and California State Certified Massage Therapist. She has been a student of yoga for more than 10 years, teaching for over 5 years, and practicing the art of massage since 2006. Paula has completed over 1000 hours of trainingin Massage and Yoga including her first RYT certification from Yoga Alliance approved 250 hour program at Moksana Yoga Center, in Victoria, B.C. Other notable training programs are Thai Yoga Therapy and Holistic Anatomy with Saul David Raye, Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Judith Hanson Lasater, Vinyasa Krama with Sri Vatsa Ramaswami at LMU, ONLINE Anatomy, Kinesiology and Biomechanics with Susi Hately, and Yin and Yang Yoga with Master Paulie Zink.
Paula draws from her exploration of various styles of Hatha Yoga including: Ashtanga, Viniyoga, Bikram, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Power Yoga, Yin, Vinyasa Krama, and kids yoga. She brings the inspiration of body alignment, flow of breath and awareness of spirit to her teachings.
Email: fortun8yogini@gmail.com
Deborah Raoult is dedicated to the wisdom of the body and exploring the dynamics of breath and motion as gateways to freedom. Her odyssey has rooted her life in Dharma practice, yoga and Continuum, an exploration of the fluid movement of life. She draws on this diverse experience to teach with an educated eye, a passion for sharing and a deep love for authentic inquiry.
Her mission, through skilled practice, is awakening people’s relationship to their breathing body and the Earth, transforming the way we live in community.
Deborah’s twenty-five years of teaching experience includes study with the Iyengar family in India, presenting at the Yoga Journal conference in Estes Park and developing a pre and postnatal teacher training. After raising three children, founding a yoga center on the East coast and leading intensives throughout the country, Deborah is now home in the Calabasas area. Her heart is continually surprised and humbled by red tail hawks and an Arabian horse named Silver.
Email: deborah@unfoldingbody.com
Ashley Jean Nelson is a southern California native yoga instructor (RYT-200), receiving her certification through YogaWorks under the direction of Nona Chiang and David Kim. She continues to study with her teacher Paul Cabanis, and is deeply grateful for all of her teachers and teachings in life. With a foundation in Iyengar yoga, Ashley’s sequencing and instruction are crafted around precise alignment, using props to support and aid students in connecting the body, breath, mind, and spirit while honoring where they are in the present moment. She guides students through a conscious and illuminating soulful flow, allowing each individual to find balance, liberation, and the teacher within.
Yoga started as a healing tool for me to step out of the confines of my mind and into the world abundant with life potential. My practice allows me to surrender and release my Self into the joys of this life experience. Yoga moves me to the spacious state of being. I believe in the beauty of consciousness, life connection, and that we are reflections of each other, in turn taking life in stride with compassion, kindness, and love.
Email: ashleyjean.yoga@gmail.com