Our Staff
Cara Sorkin *
something she now loves sharing with her students.
With over three decades of practice, Cara has had the incredible opportunity to study directly with the Iyengars in both the U.S. and India. She continues to deepen her knowledge through ongoing studies in yoga postures, anatomy, physiology, and philosophy.
Before becoming a yoga teacher, Cara earned a B.S. degree from Woodbury University and worked in fashion merchandising for Federated Department Stores. She
later stepped away to raise her four wonderful children, an experience that reinforced her belief that we are all unique individuals with our own paths to follow.
Cara is forever grateful to her mentors and teachers who have guided her along the way.
Her students often say:
“Cara’s love of yoga shines through in her teaching and keeps us coming back for
more.”
“She’s knowledgeable, compassionate, patient, and professional.”
“Her clear, detailed instructions inspire us to reach our potential and develop our
own yoga practice.”
“She weaves together movement and spiritual affirmations, creating a true mind-
body-spirit connection.”
Cara is honored and excited to share her love of Iyengar Yoga with her students and welcomes everyone—no matter their experience level—to join her on the mat!
Certificates
Co-Founder of Yoga Upstairs
Level 3 Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher
E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance
CIAYT Certified Yoga Therapists
Sri Hari Moss
He began teaching in 2004 and has both a 200-hour and 500-hour certification. 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 newfound awareness of energy and opening throughout the body.
To further study the role of yoga in helping the individual reach their optimum level of health and wellness, Sri Hari enrolled in the Yoga Therapy program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Due to his former training and practice in Shiatsu Amma (a Japanese mode of finger pressure akin to acupuncture) and seasoned yoga practice he was admitted into the third year of their 4-year program.
Sri Hari shares inspirational music, dynamic stories from Hindu culture, anecdotes, and other texts, to foster clear understanding. He frequent reminders his students to smile, laugh and find the "Rasa" (Sanskrit: Lit. "juice" or "essence") in their practice. “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.” Sri Hari is co-founder and co-director of Yoga Upstairs in Agoura Hill, California. He also established Yoga Out Doors Activities (YODA) where he leads yoga classes on the beach and full moon yoga in Malibu, CA.
Certificates
500 hour – The Vedantic Center 2005
200 hour – Yogaworks 2008
Yoga Warriors – PTSD and the Mind Body Connection – 2012
LMU Yoga Therapy Rx-Level III Clinic – 2012
Renee Green
found. The more yoga classes she took, the more she discovered that yoga had the ability to meet all of her physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
As Renee’s connection with the origins of yoga became stronger, she found herself feeling increasingly passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga with others, that is when the ‘yoga bug’ took hold of her and she enrolled in the 200-hour yoga teacher certification at Stretch for Success in Thousand Oaks California under the guidance of Purusha Hickson.
Yoga is the relationship that is built between the body, the mind and the breath. Yoga is creating a space free from obstacles in your own body to live. Yoga is freedom and release. Renee finds joy in others finding this release so that they can comfortably and competently move their bodies through life.
Michelle Bombardier
“Admittedly I did not love yoga after my first class, the chatter was nonstop in my head but I did come away more challenged and more relaxed. I have spent years practicing yoga and wanted to know exact positions to deepen my practice and to be safe.
I am passionate about sustainability, functional movement, optimal nutrition, and holistic wellbeing; and above all, I am an insatiable learner! I love to share what I have learned with you.”
Michelle has her BSC in Wildlife Biology. When not practicing yoga, you can find Michelle in nature, cycling, taking photographs, kayaking, camping…anything that keeps her in the great outdoors. She and her husband have three children. Now that they have grown, she took the time and completed the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, Gravity yoga, Trapeze Training, Breath Coach through Yoga Teacher’s College.
Michelle uses strength, flexibility and balance as the foundation of a three legged stool to create functional movement patterns throughout the body. She uses breath with movement to help students feel empowered to make positive change in their bodies. Michelle's positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage students in the most supportive way. Yoga is a means to detach from distraction and expand ones’ awareness through this moving meditation.
Patrice Jones
