Westside Yoga

Teachers

• Gopi Sandal

  Each of Gopi's classes combine a balance of asana, breath work and spiritual centering practices. She teaches a holistic style of yoga, drawing on the principles of body alignment with grounding and centering techniques to bring the classic yoga poses to life. This is a gentle approach of unlocking patterns of resistance to release energy flow throughout the body and to help connect with the source of that flow. It cultivates an attitude of friendliness and nurturing toward the self, which is essential to finding deeper contentment. Experienced Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - E-RYT 500 : Over 40 years of Practicing Yoga. Studied Iyengar style yoga as well as classical yoga techniques for over 20 years. 10 years studying and practicing Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion) in the ashram of A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada near London and in India. Offers registered yoga teacher training.

• Dr. Rita Joy Stucky

  Rita has practiced both yoga and meditation for over 30 years. As a psychologist, Rita has a lifelong interest in the relationship between conciousness and physical, emotional and mental health. Her experiences and training with yoga and meditation involve many different traditions. Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - CYT-200: Over 30 years of Practicing Yoga. Studied Yoga with Bhavani Maki. PhD. in Clinical Psychology.

• Susan Rieger

  Susan has a long-standing interest in connecting mind, body and spirit. Her classes bring this to the forefront with a generous warm-up that joins breathing and movement; opens a dialogue between mind and body; and coaxes the synovial fluid into the joints to get a safe and full yoga experience. Classes then progress to a level appropriate for students to build strength, flexibility and coordination. She is especially interested in the therapeutic aspects of yoga, whether it helps with arthritis pain, allows a full night's sleep or awakens the sense of the divine in our daily life. In addition to her classes at Westside Yoga, Susan offers therapeutic yoga at Children's Mercy Hospital and KU Med Center. Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - CYT-200: Over 30 years of Practicing Yoga. Studied Iyengar Yoga with Bert Franklin. Studied anatomy & movement for dance and choreography.

• Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

  Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg believes in yoga as a path of reinhabiting our bodies, finding and conversing with our callings, and cultivating awareness of and love for ourselves and the world. She especially welcomes people of all shapes and sizes. A longtime poet and writer, and the 2009-13 Kansas Poet Laureate, Caryn founded Transformative Language Arts at Goddard College, where she teaches. She frequently leads community writing workshops for many populations, and with singer Kelley Hunt, Brave Voice writing and singing workshops. Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - CYT-200: Teacher training in the Bhaktivana tradition through Gopi Sandal's Yoga with Heart Program. Curvy Yoga certification with Anna Guest-Jelley. Blog: "Everyday Magic" Hugger Mugger columns Caryn's yoga approach.

• Jen Taylor

  Through Intermediate Vinyasa flow students develop a deep internal awareness. Jen's background in anatomy and kinesiology guides the student through safe alignment and placement while developing strength and flexibility. This practice encourages students to joyfully explore their edge in a creative and accepting yoga community. In addition to her extensive study of yoga and kinesiology, Jen holds an MFA in painting, and is working toward certification in occupational therapy. Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - CYT-200: Teacher training in the Bhaktivana tradition through Gopi Sandal's Yoga with Heart Program. Classical Dance 24 years. Practiced & Studied yoga for 15 years: Kundalini Yoga with Har Darshan. Workshops with: Seane Corn, Yoga Service Conference Omega Institute,Yogi Charu, Bhavani Maki, Westside Yoga Intensive.

• Micki Self-Loveland

  Micki views teaching yoga as an opportunity to learn with her students, and to connect with others and in community. Her yoga classes reflect her core values of authentic relationships and a wellness lifestyle that manifest as well being, loving relationships and a joyful life. Off the mat, Micki's commitment to helping others extends to her work as a Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediator, Wellness Coach, and Services Coordinator for Cottonwood, Inc. Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance - CYT-200: Currently enrolled in the 500 level Bhaktivana Yoga Teachers Training. BA in Management with a minor in Ethics.

• Becky Kasenberg

  Becky's classes explore the relationship with the breath through movement and stillness. Students develop healthy postural habits and improve skills for listening to the body. With attention to alignment and the use of supportive props, each student can access the multiple dimensions of asana, creating mental and physical flexibility. The practice of focusing and expanding awareness with asana leads to a state of joyful presence both on and off the mat. 500 hour yoga certification from Bhaktivana Yoga Center in Baldwin, KS, under the direction of Gopi Sandal: Studied and practiced Iyengar Yoga with local teacher Cat McMahon since 2001. Practices Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Techniques under the guidance of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

• Melissa Arthur

  Mel manages studio communications to raise awareness about the many ways in which our yoga community, classes, and events are bringing greater health, peace, and joy to all aspects of our lives. Her experiences and training with yoga and meditation involve many different traditions. In her professional life, Mel works to raise consciousness around natural resource issues and deepen our connections with nature. Mel has a particular interest in yoga philosophy from many different traditions, and enjoys exploring the connections between nature and the human spirit across cultures. Over 10 years of practicing yoga: Studied with Bhavani Maki, Balarama Chandra Das, Gopi Sandal and Yogi Charu. Studied meditation & community conservation at Wat Sukato in Thailand. International Volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions India.

• Alison Dishinger

  Alison has practiced martial and movement arts for over 25 years. She began studying yoga in 1994 with her Iyengar teacher in Gainesville, Florida while attending the massage school there. Her focus since finishing her YTT training in 2010 with Gopi has been in both the spiritual and rehabilitative sides of yoga, working with mantra chanting and devotional music as well as increasing her clients' physical well-being through knowledge and application of yoga to everyday life. Her Curvy Yoga certification in 2013 brought her back to her desire to teach asanas in gentle and accessible way. 200-hour certification from Bhaktivana Yoga Center under the direction of Gopi Sandal: Curvy Yoga certified with Anna Guest-Jelley. Member HTPA.

• Amie Carter

  Over 10 years of practicing yoga: Certified in Ashtanga Yoga through Mount Madonna Institute. M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Teaches private yoga lessons.