LEZA LOWITZ is the director of Sun and Moon Yoga, which she founded in 2003. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley and receiving an M.A. in Creative Writing/Japanese Literature, Lowitz moved to Tokyo in the early 1990s, drawn by an early interest in Buddhism, which she studied as a teenager at Berkeley High School. She taught writing at Tokyo University and wrote for the Japan Times, the Asahi Evening News, NHK and others. After decades as a successful freelance writer, editor, and university instructor, she came to the realization that her hectic lifestyle was burning her out, and that she wanted a more spiritual relationship to the world. Was there a way to “do” less and “be” more? Was there a way to heal oneself and re-connect with herself and others in the world? Looking for answers, she returned to California and took her first yoga class in 1989 with Veera Wibaux, an Iyengar-trained French mime, and in 1996, she began intensive study with Jill Minye, a powerful Kripalu teacher.
Lowitz became certified to teach at the White Lotus Foundation in 2000. Since then, she has studied with many amazing teachers. Among her main influences are Ganga White and Tracey Rich, who pioneered the art of Yoga Vinyasa flow, Jill Minye, Max Thomas, Steve North, Simone Simon, Gaye Abbott, Shiva Rea, Georg Feuerstein, Ted Lafferty, Yvonne Jacques, Gina Sala. She has completed teacher trainings with Shiva Rea and Srivatsa Ramaswami in Vinyasa Krama, and Paul Grilley in Yin Yoga. Lowitz has been to India twice to deepen her yoga studies. In the 1990s, Lowitz was Manager of the Yoga Research and Education Center (YREC) and studied with scholar Georg Feuerstein, YREC’s founder. She taught at Asana Yoga and wrote for Yoga Journal and other publications. Through Yoga, Leza rekindled her long-standing interest in Buddhism, meditation and Eastern philosophy, which she first encountered as a teenager in Berkeley, California, and which she maintains to this day. Her interest in healing and serving others (SEVA) led her to study more about the subtle energetic body and to open her studio when she moved back to Tokyo in 2003 with her Japanese husband.
Leza runs Sun and Moon yoga studio as an extension of yoga practice. Her desire has always been to help make yoga accessible and available to as many people as possible, building community and trying to do good in the world. Her yoga classes are inspired by many schools and influences, delighting in a non-dogmatic, healing and creative approach that is deeply rooted in Advaita (non-dualism). This interplay of the physical, spiritual, devotional, intuitive and creative is a reflection of her belief that life is a work of art that is always expanding and evolving, and that our birthright is freedom, bliss, and union with the divine. She encourages students to open to life and to devote themselves to helping others.
Lowitz has continued her writing, seeing the creative path as one of healing, teaching, evolution, and divine inspiration, much like yoga. She has published twenty books, including the best-selling book, Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By and Sacred Sanskrit Words (with Reema Datta), Jet Black & the Ninja Wind, Here Comes the Sun (her yoga memoir), and Up from the Sea (A YA novel about the 3-11-11 disaster in Japan). Leza’s writing has been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, the California Arts Council, PEN, and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, and the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission Award for the Translation of Japanese Literature from the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture and Columbia University. Her breakout book, published over two decades ago, Yoga Poems: Lines To Unfold By, married her twin passions of yoga and poetry, and received the 2001 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award. The companion book, Yoga Heart: Lines on the Six Perfections, is an exploration of the buddha’s six gifts for a meaningful life. Lowitz considers yoga and writing to be life-saving tonics that offer amazing experiences of self-discovery, love, joy, creativity and community.
She has also written many articles about yoga, self-transformation, and cross-cultural living for the New York Times, the Huffington Post, Yoga Journal, Yoga Journal Japan, Yogini, Yoga International, Elephant Journal, Shambhala Sun, wanderlust.com, Asana, the Manifest-Station, Origin, Mantra, Glomad, and the Japan Times. She writes a regular column on bicultural life in Wingspan (ANA Airlines in-flight magazine). She has been in invited speaker at the Sharjah International Book Festival (UAE), the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, the Bali Spirit Festival, and the Hong Kong Literary Festival. Lowitz has offered retreats and workshops throughout Japan, the U.S., Bali, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. She is the proud mother of a teenage boy and two rescued wolf-dogs.
To read an interview with Leza, please visit WOW!
SHOGO OKETANI (Self-Defense/Ki Energy Healing and Power) was born in Tokyo and graduated from Keio University with a degree in Philosophy and Literature. He studied Judo and Kendo from childhood, and began studying Karate as a teenager. Later, he received his black belt from the Gensei School of Karate in Tokyo, where he also taught Karate. (He is a third degree black belt). He also studied North Shaolinquan Martial Arts from the Japanese master Ryu Meiko who was born and grew up in Taiwan.
In 1995, Oketani moved to Northern California, where he worked as a freelance translator, poet and fiction writer. He worked in the high-tech field and taught translation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. With Lowitz, he received a fellowship in translation from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission Award for the Translation of Japanese Literature from the Donald Keene Center at Columbia University for their translations of the poetry of Ayukawa Nobuo (Kaya Press, 2006). His deep understanding of Buddhism and martial arts philosophy, combined with his love of language and words led him to write Designing with Kanji: For Surface, Skin, and Spirit (Stone Bridge Press), co-authored with Lowitz. He moved back to Tokyo in 2003, when he and Leza opened Sun and Moon Yoga.
He recently collaborated with Leza on a young adult novel, Jet Black and the Ninja Wind (Tuttle, 2013,) which has been optioned for featured film production.
HATSUMI ISHIKAWA (StudioManager) was born in Nagasaki. After working as a florist in Fukuoka for a decade, she moved to Tokyo. In 2003, she traveled throughout America for several months. A long-time ballet practitioner and exercise buff, Hatsumi discovered yoga at Sun & Moon in 2005 and quickly fell in love with it! She became the Studio Manager in the fall of 2006 and appeared as a yoga model in the ACO YOGA DVD. She has been to Mysore, India where she studied Ashtanga yoga with Sri Pattabhi Jois and his grandson, Sharath. She continues her daily yoga practice and is also currently studying English.
EM BETTINGEREm has always been fascinated by the body and movement, and exploring how far the body can go.
She studied contemporary dance at The Laban Centre for Movement and Dance and Middlesex University, gaining a B.A (Hons) in Dance Performance. It was while studying dance that she was introduced to yoga. Em returned to yoga when she hit a dark period in her life, and wanted to make positive changes. She walked through the door at Sun and Moon and knew she had found her sanctuary. She humbly bows to Leza Lowitz for guiding her over the years.
She has been a dedicated practitioner for several years and has immersed herself in the study of yoga with frequent trips to study with her primary teacher Paul Dallaghan, Centered Yoga. She is a graduate of the Centered Yoga foundation training and having attended advance trainings is 500hr Yoga Alliance certified. She is currently working towards her 1100 hour advanced training. She feels blessed to have studied with Paul’s teacher Sri O P Tiwari, delving into the teachings of pranayama as taught at the Kaivaldhama Yoga Institute.
She is a graduate of the Sun and Moon’s restorative teacher training and 100-hour teacher training courses. She also graduated from David Swenson’s 40-hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course and has studied Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley. She is also trained to teach pre-natal yoga.
Her own practice draws on Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and dance. Em would like students to explore, release, experience inner and outer transformation–and have fun.
Her second passion is nutrition, for yogis and non-yogis. She follows a high raw-vegan diet and has recently trained as a Holistic health Counsellor and runs nutritional courses in Tokyo.
For more information please check em-yoga.com
YUKO GOTO studied Yoga and Ayurvedic Therapy in Boulder, Colorado from 2008-2011. Upon returning to Japan, she came to the realization that her own personal practice had suffered due to prioritising teaching yoga and raising a family. She wanted more balance, so she decided to visit Sun and Moon Yoga in Meguro to start her own yoga practice in Japan. From the first moment she opened the door, she felt a warm and peaceful atmosphere. She was immediately drawn to the lively international community at the studio, and practicing at Sun and Moon became her passion. Yuko attended many TTCs and workshops with owner Leza Lowitz. She also studied with many talented teachers such as Em Bettinger, Ted Lafferty, Yvonne Jaques, Mira Shani, Jarret Levine and Lauren Peterson. In 2009 Yuko completed the Sun and Moon Restorative Yoga TTC with Leza Lowitz (and re-took the course in 2016 to refreshand is a Yoga Alliance Certified, Rasayana Yoga School E-RYT500 Yoga Instructor as well as a Yoga Alliance Certified YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider), training yoga teachers in Japan.
Even when she couldn’t make it to the studio, Sun and Moon Yoga was her “ home studio.” Yuko was inspired by Leza’s generosity and insight and was intrigued to learn more about the subjects Leza had studied for long time like Buddhism, meditation and Tibetan Buddhist teachings. This led her to attend a 10-day Vipassana Meditation Retreat and to study Tibetan traditional medicine. Currently Yuko teaches yoga and also works as an Ayurvedic counselor and a practitioner of Tibetan cranial work, after having completed three years of study abroad.
“Teaching at Sun and Moon Yoga is like a dream come true for me and I’m honored by Leza’s generosity. Sun and Moon Yoga is a place everyone is warmly welcomed and can feel peace of mind and ease of heart. There are always wonderful classes and workshops, so please come join us! I’m so grateful to be able to support you in your yoga journey.”
Please visit Yuko’s Blog
CARLA HERZENBERG has been transformed by beautiful and challenging life experiences and the different styles of yoga that she has practiced over the last 20 years. Carla brings a sense of empowerment and fun, both physical and energetic, to every class. Utilizing intention, humor, asana and pranayama her goal is to have every student leave class feeling longer, leaner, refreshed and renewed. Carla’s style of teaching focuses on precise instruction that underscores the important relationship between alignment, breath, fluid movement and strength building. She is 300 RYT Yoga Alliance certified, receiving certification through YogaWorks, CA, USA, combining Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, Hatha, Power & Vinyasa. Training includes in-depth anatomy, adjustments, restorative, Sutra study, as well as asana intensive training (100 RYS) in Jivamukti and Bikram. She puts an emphasis on thoughtful sequencing and pace, giving students a vigorous physical practice and a deeper internal connection. Her classes are physically and mentally challenging, however she always works to meet the students where they are each day. She delivers each class in English and Sanskrit with a an original play list of music ranging from hip-hop, pop and deep house to jazz, alt and chanting. Carla works to create a space for expression, enthusiasm, fun, sweat, reflection & renewal. Carla is a California native and new transplant to Tokyo. Carla’s Website.
HIROMI KITTY THOMPSON (Instructor name: Kitty)Kitty has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 15 years in Japan and overseas. She’s been translating for many overseas teachers for teacher training and events for the past 7 years which helps her to gain a deeper level of understanding of the essence of yoga. She practices Asana and Meditation in the morning on a daily basis. She guides students towards “selfawareness” and “self-care” during her class.
【 Qualifications 】
• RYT200 (Association for Yoga and Meditation in India)
• Atma Jyoti Yoga in India 100-hour Teacher Training completed
• Sun and Moon Yoga Anatomy Teacher Training completed
• Bhakti / Nada Yoga Teacher Training completed
• Omolulu Maternity Yoga Teacher Training completed
• Bliss Baby Maternity and Postnatal Teacher Training completed
• Yoga・Ed Kids Yoga Teacher Training completed
• Judy Krupp Yoga Therapy Course completed
• sakura yoga bodywork translation course completed
• Child Body Care Therapist Course completed
• Children CPR Course completed
NAO started practicing yoga in 2001 when she was a student in the US and immediately fell in love with it. Originally from Niigata, she has lived in Japan, US and the UK and Yoga has been a big part of her life wherever she goes. It teaches her to be comfortable in her own skin, to live with love and compassion.
After graduating from University of London with Master’s degree in Development Studies, she’s been working as an office worker and constantly suffered from headaches, stiff shoulders and lower back pain. After an injury on her lower back which was due to stress and over work, she sought a yogic path to change her life, seriously started taking various trainings of yoga, meditation, anatomy and Ayurveda in Tokyo which eventually led to discover an amazing healing power of Restorative Yoga.
Graduating from Leza Lowitz Restorative yoga teacher’s training as well as Judith Hanson Lasater’s Relax & Renew in San Francisco, she is passionate sharing Restorative Yoga and beauty of “doing nothing”.
Yoga Alliance 200-H Teacher Training
Leza Lowitz Restorative Yoga 20-H Teacher Training
Judith Hanson Lasater Relax & Renew Level 1 Teacher Training
SATOMISatomi enjoyed her longtime career as an office worker, even though it was often stressful. A strong desire to lead an authentic life led her to leave her career and embark on a new life. She was surprised to discover that even after she’d quit her job, her stress remained. Physical and mental discomforts plagued her for years–until she discovered yoga, which helped her to understand the mind-body connection and led to her recovery. Yoga helped her to find balance, so she decided to become a yoga teacher to help others discover the happiness and well-being she had felt. She feels it is her life mission to support people leading an authentic life. Besides teaching yoga, she works as a life coach and operates a consulting/event business for well-being called “Growth & Wellness.” Satomi has completed a 200-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training Course, and is a graduate of 20-Hour Yoga Therapy and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training courses at Sun and Moon Yoga. She is also a graduate of the Yoga Therapy Training at The Yoga Room with Judy Crupp, Trauma Approach Yoga (TAY) Teacher Training at UTL, and the Medical Yoga/Senior Yoga and Menopause Support Teacher Trainings at Luna Works. In 2009, she completed CTI Japan Coaching Training.
You can find her on FB at: Growth & Wellness
MAYUMI FUJITA was born in Tokyo. She began to practice yoga to improve her health while working as a display designer at an interior decorating shop. She realised she was overworking and placing stress on herself, and that yoga practice combined with breath and movement brought a more balanced state of mind. She appreciates the beauty of yoga, its gentleness to the mind and body, and its message to “just be yourself.” She chose to become a yoga instructor to share the beauty of yoga.
IHTA certified Yoga Instructor
JPAS certified Aromatherapy practitioner
Completed 20-Hour Restorative Yoga TTC with Leza Lowitz
Mayumi Blog tous les jours (In Japanese)
KUMIKO FUKUMOTOAs an office worker, Kumiko Fukumoto discovered the powerful effects of yoga, which helped her heal stiff shoulders, eye strain, and counter work pressure and stress. While working full-time, she began to teach yoga.
Her Iyengar-yoga inspired classes feature deepening awareness of subtle body sensations through basic asana and sometimes partner work. With the smooth transition from asana to asana, students can comfortably practice asana, using props if needed.
Kumiko practices with and assists Dominica Serigano and Keiko Okuno. Also she studies Yoga Therapy with Keishin Kimura and has completed trainings with many teachers from abroad such as Marla Apt, Lisa Walford, Gabriella Giubilaro, Ramanand Patel, etc..
Kumiko will be teaching in Japanese with minimal English.
- Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana/Japan Yoga Therapy Society certified Yoga Therapist
- RYT200 registered teacher
- RYT500 (in progress)
- 20-Hour Restorative Yoga TTC with Leza Lowitz, Sun and Moon
- Restorative Yoga TT Level 2 at Under The Light Yoga School
- Injury Management TTC with Lisa Walford (Intermediate Senior Iyengar teacher)
Kumiko’s blog (in Japanese)
TAMA
In her twenties, Tama began working at a major electronics manufacturer, but was soon diagnosed with a chronic disease due to stress. The effects of the medication she was put on led to depression and to an eating disorder. It was during this crisis that she took her first yoga class.
The effects were dramatic. She experienced a refreshing and peaceful feeling, and decided to deepen her practice. She explored a lot of yoga styles and studied in Maui, Ubud, and the holy place of yoga, Rishikesh, where she refreshed her body and spirit. She continued to seek yoga outside herself, then gradually realized yoga was inside herself. There was no need to compare yourself to anyone–just face yourself honestly and listen to your inner voice. Tama found that was her yoga. Through yoga, she healed herself and returned to a happy and authentic self. She continued to study with her teacher Akira Watamoto, and developed the aspiration to be a yoga teacher in order to study the essence of yoga and share it with people who need it.
At the same time, she studied Restorative Yoga with her special teacher, Leza Lowitz. Currently, she shares Restorative yoga proactively. She also customizes her class to the student’s special needs and offersRestorative Therapeutics class.
Tama completed the Japan Yoga Meditation Association TTC with Akira Watamoto, the Restorative Yoga TTC with Leza Lowitz at Sun and Moon Yoga, the Restorative Yoga TTC and the Restorative Yoga Therapeutics TTC with Tianne Allan.
Tama says: “My yoga study continues. I am blessed to meet beautiful people through yoga and have wonderful experiences. I am looking forward to seeing you at Sun and Moon!”
YUKI YOKOTA
Yuki began yoga in 2004 at Sun & Moon and other studios. At that time, she worked as an office worker at IBM and was suffering from the effects of stress and overwork.
When she met Sara Shivani, the founder of Venus Yoga, it was a transformative experience. Up until then, Yuki’s attitude was to “do as many asanas as possible.” Instead, she realized the importance of connection among women who tend to feel lonely and isolated in modern society. She understood that the feeling of being connected with each other could be a way of healing. This changed her approach to yoga as well as life. She is a certified Venus Yoga instructor.
Yuki visits Australia regularly to study with Shivani. She is Shivani’s assistant in workshops and TTC when Shivani comes to Japan, and has helped Shivani to organize Venus Yoga TTC in Okinawa as well. Yuki taught Venus Yoga academy class at Yoga Fest Yokohama 2016. Currently, she teaches yoga at several yoga studios in Tokyo and offers a “Mommy Yoga” Community Yoga class in Yokohama.
KIYOMI KATORI works as a system engineer in Tokyo. In 2002, she suffered from stiff shoulders and back pain due to long hours behind a desk, and became interested in Ki energy work and Tai Chi to alleviate these symptoms. In 2009, she discovered yoga and to began to study Ayurveda. Inspired by the power of Ayurveda, she attained her Ayurveda Yoga Instructor and Life Style Consultant license.
Then, opportunities to offer yoga and counselling at a community center arose, and she began to search for a teacher. She met Miles Maeda at Sun and Moon Yoga and began a decade-long practice with Miles, Leza and Em.
In 2016, one day Em made a comment about her love of bolsters, and suggested she take the Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Course with Leza. Kiyomi immediately signed up for a coming training. There, she deepened her understanding of the secrets of Restorative Yoga, igniting her passion to study yoga further.
In 2017, she attended the Anatomy Course for Yoga Instructors with Yvonne Jaques at Sun and Moon, and went to a Yoga and Ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka with Tomo Kobori. Her experience of traditional Ayurvedic treatment and ashram life ignited her passion further. Returning to Tokyo, she enrolled in Indian philosophy classes, and began a regular home yoga practice. She also took the Heart of Yoga Teacher Training Course. In 2018, she attended the “Yoga Life Magic” Yoga Philosophy Immersion with Leza Lowitz. She now follows “The Book,” keeping track of her daily activities, and has a strong sense of direction in her life.
She is also a Reiki practitioner, graduating from the Reiki Level 1 Training with Miles Maeda in January 2012 and completing the Level 2 & 3 in the same year. A “Master Student” who practiced Reiki healing every day, she began to offer it to others. In October 2014, she completed the Reiki 1000-day Practice. She started to teach Reiki in 2017. Through her experience with Tai Chi, Reiki and various style of yoga and Ayurveda, she thinks that “there are 100 different yogis and 100 different ways” to reach samadhi.
In her classes, she is excited to share what she has learned and practiced over the past decade, such as how to find a favorite meditation or a method which works for you personally. She hopes to support you in finding your own way the way her teachers have guided her in finding her unique, individual path.
SOPHIA MIRTO is a certified yoga teacher from Austin, Texas, with a focus on trauma recovery. She has over 400 hours of study in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Meditation, Buddhist Dharma, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. Her classes emphasize pranayama, alignment, and meditative movement. She teaches to the people in front of her, and loves teaching beginners as well as long time yogis. She is a fierce advocate of bodily autonomy, and will never offer hands-on assists without permission. She is particularly interested in the tools that yoga offers to combat depression and anxiety, and how your personal practice is a doorway into a deeper relationship with yourself.
DEVI MOE visited India for the first time at age 21, and since then has travelled to South India annually to study with her spiritual teacher and to deepen her practice by living at the ashram. In 2017, she met Sound Healer Swami Arun in Ubud, Bali and they began to offer Sound Healing sessions at the Yoga Barn together. Devi believes in the power of sound bath healing to offer deep relaxation, reduce physical ailments, release trauma and alleviate mental and emotional fatigue. Because sound healing is a powerful antidote to the stresses of modern life, Devi is dedicated to sharing the benefits of sound healing throughout Japan and beyond.
YORIKO MATSUMOTO started her yoga teaching career as an Ashtanga yoga teacher at Lotus8 in 2005 and facilitated numerous yoga events, workshops and regular classes. She currently teaches yoga and mindful living in her hometown of Narita. She organises many events and workshops both on her own, and for her teachers and mentors. Most recently, she supervised yoga postures for the 2019 Wacoal CX－W YogaWear photoshoot.
Yoriko is a longtime student of Ashtanga yoga with Ken Harakuma, Zen meditation with Genboku Takahashi of Tsukuba University, yoga, Buddhism and Psychology with Buddhist Nun & Therapist Yukie Nakajima. She is a graduate of Sun and Moon’s Restorative Yoga and Yoga Therapy teacher trainings with Leza Lowitz. Lowitz inspired her to share her personal journey of overcoming severe depression through yoga. Her passion is sharing her journey with her students, and as a guest speaker at Tsukuba University and Hitotsubashi University, guiding others in their own processes.
Yoriko is a skilful and respected translator known for her accurate and heartfelt translation. She translates regularly for meditation/mindfulness teachers David Nichtern, Leza Lowitz, and Patrick Mitchell. She has translated yoga workshops for Lauren Peterson and Jason Scholder, among others. Yoriko also facilitates business-to-business meetings, and university conferences.
SUB TEACHER
BETH THOMAS is a Yoga Alliance 200-hour certified teacher with more than 12 years of regular yoga practice in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, China and Europe. She is now working towards her 500-hour qualification, and recently did teacher training and intensives with Maty Ezraty and Sarah Powers. She is drawn to yoga because of the way it melds a physical practice together with breathwork and meditation. No matter how hard she works in a yoga class, she knows she will always walk out of the studio feeling calm and energized. With over two decades of experience working as international journalist, she finds that yoga helps her to deal with stressful situations, and has improved her outlook on life at difficult times. She strongly believes that yoga is for everyone.
KAREN KIM specializes in yoga, barre, and Pilates mat. Karen has a Bachelors Of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Education from Towson University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Before teaching fitness, Karen performed professionally on cruise ships, regional theatre, at Tokyo Disney Sea, and starred in several magic shows around the globe. Following her 500 hour certification at YogaWorks NYC under Jeanmarie Paolillo, Karen went on to receive certifications in BarreWorks under Pilates rockstar Holly Jean Cosner and Lisa Greenblatt (creator of Nice Pipes Apparel), as well as 40 hours restorative yoga teacher training under guru Jillian Pransky. Karen most recently taught at Strengthen, Lengthen, Tone (SLT), The Wright Fit, Pure Yoga, and YogaWorks in NYC.
MAYO YAMAGUCHI
After graduating from art school, Mayo began a career working in the fashion industry for an apparel company. Later, in pursuit of a more creative career, she became a product planner/designer and PR representative for a bicycle manufacturer. Eventually, stress from personal issues and overwork led her to yoga, which helped her transform her life both physically and mentally. She hoped to one day share the amazing power of yoga with others, and began to study yoga seriously after getting divorced and starting a new chapter in her life.
“Teaching is learning. I see my students as my teachers,” her teacher once said. This idea impressed Mayo, and made up decide to start on the path of teaching and sharing yoga. Currently she teaches at several yoga studios and fitness clubs in Tokyo. She is grateful for the support of her teachers, yoga friends and the yoga community.
She remains deeply committed to her yoga practice and to deepening her learning. In her classes, she hopes to share the beauty of yoga that she has experienced and the importance of finding one’s own authentic path in life.
- 2015 Studio Lotus 8 certified Yoga instructor
- 2015 Completed Rolling Restorative Yoga TTC with Sara Shivani
- 2015 Completed 32-hour Ashtanga Yoga TTC Basic level with Ken Harakuma
- 2015 Completed 20-hour Restorative Yoga TTC with Leza Lowitz
- 2016 Completed Venus Yoga TTC with Sara Shivani
- 2017 Completed 20-hour Maternity Yoga TTC with Kitty Thompson
GUEST TEACHERS/TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY
Daphne Tse is a spirited, soulful artist and teacher originally from Texas. Her passion for music started from a young age and took her west to Los Angeles after university. Since her initial yoga class 20 years ago, she has explored merging her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She studied music at The University of Texas at Austin, Berklee College of Music, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and Kirtan with Kirtan master, Jai Uttal. She has travelled extensively sharing her music in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and beyond. Her music has been featured on yoga music compilations with Shiva Rea and she has released 4 albums, Mata (recorded in Bali), Finding Water (recorded in Hawaii), Samahita Live (recorded in Thailand) and Arigato (recorded in Japan).
Daphne has been teaching yoga since 2004 after completing her foundational teacher training in Venice, CA. Initially specializing in kids yoga, she found joy & light working with little people and began branching out and teaching students of all ages. She embraces the teachings of Shiva Rea, Erich Schiffman and Mark Whitwell in her daily practice.
In 2009 while living in Bali, Daphne co-founded SpiritDance SoulSong with her friend and mentor, Ellen Watson. SpiritDance SoulSong is an embodied movement, sounding, singing and fully integrated practice that brings us back to our medicinal roots of the yoga of dance & sound.
Daphne brings her soulful teachings and music to Japan with grace and joy for living life fully.
Official Web: Daphne Tse
Fields of Teaching:
Nada Yoga, Kirtan, Movement Meditation
Sources: Edo Kahn, Swami Janakananda, Nora Isaacs
JESSE LEE PARKER
From a young age, Jesse was attracted to the Taoist Healing Arts - his study and experience has continued for well over 30 years and began in 1985, at his father’s studio ‘Third Coast Center for the Healing Arts’ - in Austin, Texas. Jesse went on to continue his study in the Taoist Internal Arts, Meditation, Martial Arts and the Healing Arts, through a long journey and adventure that took him to many rare and beautiful places throughout China, Taiwan and Japan.
Jesse follows the Way of the Dragon Gate Taoist, having undergone extensive training in the Taoist Mountains of China, and is empowered to teach a complete system of Taoist Practice. Jesse is also certified as an instructor in Qigong under the Kong Ran Healing Qigong Institute, and licensed as a TuiNa Massage Therapist and Qigong Healer under the Taoist Traditional Therapy Association.
Jesse has discovered many profound secrets in regards to the Awakening of Inner Energy and the Self Healing process through his study, self practice in the mountains of China, and the journey to recovery from a severe spinal cord injury. These discoveries have influenced the aim and guiding principles of the founding of the TaoYoga Arts™ System - a modern style of Taoist Yoga, influenced by the ancient principles of Taoist Alchemy and Philosophy, yet arranged for modern people living in these complex times.
LAUREN PETERSON
Lauren Peterson is a nationally recognized yoga practitioner, yoga model, and teacher living in Malibu, Calif. She is one of the few advanced (Fourth Series) Ashtanga yoga practitioners in the U.S. Lauren had the privilege of studying with and assisting Chuck Miller for over 10 years. In addition to her open asana classes, she also started a yoga program designed for women struggling with eating disorders. She has been featured in many magazines such as Yoga Journal and Cosmopolitan, and on television in the PBS series “Healing Quest.” Lauren is the creator of “The Yogi’s Companion,” a yoga practice CD, which was chosen “Editor’s Choice” by Yoga Journal. She is honored to have modeled for a Yoga asana book including Rodney Yee, Richard Freeman and Patricia Walden, as well as in and on the covers of yoga calendars and magazines. Her client base includes many entertainers and athletes. She sees yoga as a lifelong journey with incalculable benefits.
Catherine Harper-Tee has been practising yoga for nearly fifteen years and teaching since 2006. She gave up a very different and hectic life as a corporate lawyer to explore her passion for yoga. With a background as a runner and triathlete, Catherine was naturally drawn initially towards the more dynamic forms of vinyasa flow yoga and the traditional practice of Ashtanga, which still shapes her personal practice today. She has been fortunate to study with and be mentored by some wonderful teachers over the years including Leza Lowitz, Tarik Thami, David Swenson, Richard Freeman, Eileen Hall, Natalia Paisano, Simon Bourg Olivier, Clive Sheriden, Kino MacGregor, Shiva Rea, Kathryn Budig, Tiffany Cruikshank, Ed Clarke and Louisa Sear. Graeme Northfield, one of the first Ashtanga teachers to be certified by Sri K Patthabi Jois in Mysore, India, has been her main teacher since 2007. Catherine became Yoga Alliance 200 hour certified in 2006 with Louisa Sear and the Yoga Arts team in Australia. While teaching, she also studied at North Sydney Yoga undertaking a traditional three year Ashtanga apprenticeship with Angelika Knoerzer. Catherine then studied with Sri K Patthabi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore, India, and completed David Swenson’s Ashtanga Intensive Training for Teachers. She currently holds Yoga Alliance EYRT 200 hrs and 500 hours certifications and is a UK certified Advanced Personal Trainer. Catherine’s classes contain a mixture of all her influences, but are mostly playful and fun. She encourages her students to explore their perceived limitations and to laugh, to try, to experiment and to enjoy each of those precious moments.
Since 2010 Catherine has travelled around the world teaching yoga and meditation, nutrition and personal training. Her time is currently divided between the UK, Isle of Man, Japan, the US, South Africa and Europe.