Our Teachers | Washington Yoga Center

EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS

Alice Wylie

Vinyasa

Alice Wylie

Vinyasa

Alice has been teaching yoga in the DC area since 2004 and is an E-RYT500 through Yoga Alliance. She received her training through Tranquil Space and Hot Yoga. Alice received her B.S. in Ballet and French from Indiana University and continued to dance professionally in ballet, modern, and contemporary companies for over 12 years, touring, performing, and teaching internationally. Her varied experiences with dance, for which she is deeply grateful, have helped inform and influence all of her teaching.

Alice Wylie instructs the following:

Monday | 12:30-1:30pm | Vinyasa II

Wednesday | 9:30-10:30am | Vinyasa II/III

Amberlyn Kelleher

Vinyasa

Amberlyn Kelleher

Vinyasa

Amberlyn has been teaching yoga since 2006 and hopes to share with students the experience of being fully alive and in the present moment. She invites individual exploration of the body, breath, mind, and heart as she believes that each student is their own best teacher and that through the practice of yoga, all aspects of the self can be united. Amberlyn enjoys teaching beginners, teachers and everyone in between. As a clinical psychologist, she integrates knowledge of modern psychology with the ancient wisdom of yoga, viewing both sets of teachings as opportunities for diminishing suffering and understanding and improving the human condition.

Amberlyn instructs the following:

Thursday | 11:30-12:45pm | Vinyasa All Levels

Audrey Roxas

Vinyasa

Audrey Roxas

Vinyasa

Audrey has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and initially sought it as a way to take a break from the daily work pressures. As her practice matured, she has also realized the spiritual and quieting benefits of yoga – the ability to stop the chatter and just be still. Certified at the 500 hour level, her classes are fun, dynamic, and challenging. They are focused on building strength and stability (aiming for form versus depth) but offers plenty of room for students to work on expanding their own practice. With her continued desire to share her practice, she is also certified in the healing art of Thai Yoga (assisted yoga) and Restorative Yoga (through Judith Hanson Lasater). She attributes her love for yoga, her center, and grounding from all the wonderful teachers she has and had.

Audrey Roxas instructs the following:
Saturday | 10:00-11:15am | Vinyasa II

David Ingalls

Ashtanga, Vinyasa

David Ingalls

Ashtanga, Vinyasa

David became certified to teach Transcendental Meditation in 1972 and has been teaching ever since! He first began the practice of Ashtanga in 1994 and soon after went to Mysore, India to study with Pattabhi Jois (founder of Ashtanga). He also studied in India with the renowned Adviata sage and author Ramesh Balsekar, A.G. Mohan, and his wife Indra (students of master Krishnamacharya). He is the first person In DC to be certified in the Svastha system. Currently David likes to combine the awareness of the breath work of Svastha with the physical form of Ashtanga.

David Ingalls instructs the following:
Monday | 4:00-5:00pm | Easy Ashtanga I/II
Wednesday | 6:00-7:15pm | Vinyasa II/III
Friday | 4:00-5:00pm | Easy Ashtanga I/II

Dena Kahn

Gentle

Dena Kahn

Gentle

Dena is trained in Kripalu Yoga, completing her 200 hour and a portion of her 500 hour trainings at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health under the guidance of Priti Robyn Ross, Devarshi Steven Hartman, Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, and other expert Kripalu teachers. In addition, Dena is certified in Curvy Yoga through Anna Guest Jelley. Although currently focused on adults, Dena spent several years teaching teens and elementary school children yoga and meditation. She continues to learn through extended workshops and trainings from her Kripalu teachers and others.

Dena has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for 6 years. She teaches slower paced classes that focus on breath awareness, building strength, and increasing stability and mobility. Her teaching is guided by the beliefs that yoga connects you with your own innate wisdom, provides exceptional practices for living a full and happy life, and is accessible for every kind of body. Dena's classes are both inviting for new students and satisfying for experienced practitioners. Dena lives a short-walk from the studio with her husband, twin daughters, dog, and cats.

Dena instructs the following:
Wednesday | 11:30-12:45pm | Gentle Yoga

Gayatri Rauch

Gentle

Gayatri Rauch

Gentle

Gayatri Rauch has been teaching yoga in the DC area since completing teacher training at Tranquil Space in 2007. Her teaching style is influenced by the Sivananda and Iyengar yoga traditions. She also studies and teaches Ayurveda and is a professor of yoga at American University. Gayatri has been a resident Shanti Yoga Ashram in Bethesda Maryland, since 2007 where she studies practices the path of yoga in daily life.

Gayatri Rauch instructs the following:

Sunday | 12:00-1:15pm | Gentle Yoga (starting Oct 6)

Jen Dryer

Flow, Vinyasa

Jen Dryer

Flow, Vinyasa

Jen is a native New Yorker who moved to DC in 2009, after 14 years of living and practicing yoga in NYC. She began her journey into yoga in 1996 to help combat the stress of life as a NYC public school teacher, and since then has made yoga an integral part of her world. She completed a Vinyasa Yoga Teacher training in 2006, where she was trained to teach in both Prana Flow yoga and power yoga styles.

Now a mother of 2, Jen has become well-trained on how to modify for pregnancy and post-partum yoginis. She has taught yoga to children, teens, expectant mamas and adults and loves sharing what yoga has given her. Her teachings embrace creative flow sequences and mindful movement, while retaining attention to alignment and breathing practices that you can easily bring with you off the mat. Her classes allow her students the chance to strengthen, lengthen, relax and let go of daily stresses.

Jen's yoga teaching influences include Shiva Rea, Lauren Hanna, Jonathan Fields, Twee Merrigan, David Regelin, Jessica Lazar and Rob Hess.

Jen Dryer instructs the following:
Monday | 9:30-10:45am | Flow I/II

Friday | 12:30-1:30pm | Vinyasa All Levels

Kris Fondran

Traditional Yoga

Kris Fondran

Traditional Yoga

Kristine Fondran BS, MS, AYT, E-RYT 500
Kris (Jignasu Karunadhara) first came to Satyananda Yoga® in 1998 for physical flexibility and to manage stress in her life. Since that time, she conducted her Masters thesis at Cleveland State University (CSU) on a twice daily Surya Namaskara practice and has been a co-investigator on additional studies involving yoga. For the past 15 years she has been happily teaching yoga and meditation classes to students, faculty and staff at CSU providing them with a variety of tools to manage the stress and anxiety that is so prevalent in our culture today.Kris is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 Level, RCYT (children’s yoga) and YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider).

When not teaching yoga, Kris can be found on inline and ice skates blending the concepts of yoga and skating (www.mobileyogaworkout.com ), teaching the yogic concepts of body and breath awareness to figure skaters and hockey players of all ages, or delivering skating certifications internationally with her company the Inline Certification Program www.inlinecertificationprogram.org.

Kris instructs the following:
Tuesdays | 11:00-12:15pm | Traditional Yoga

Kristen Bihary

Yoga Nidra

Kristen Bihary

Yoga Nidra

Kristen is trained in the Satyananda Yoga Nidra practice originated by the Bihar School of Yoga in India. She is certified to teach basic Yoga Nidra, progressed/advanced Yoga Nidra and therapeutic applications of Yoga Nidra. Her teacher training includes study in ethics, Yoga Nidra modifications and adaptations, and Yoga Nidra for special needs and trauma. She completed extensive student teaching and continues to develop her skills with feedback from mentored teaching. A retired corporate executive, Kristen has been practicing Yoga Nidra for 20 years. She now enjoys bringing the benefits of this wonderful meditation practice to businesses in Manhattan and teaching Yoga Nidra remotely to people nationwide.

Kristen instructs the following:

Monthly Yoga Nidra

Neva Ingalls

Vinyasa

Neva Ingalls

Vinyasa

Neva Ingalls has been on the journey of Yoga since her teenage years when she was initiated into Raj Yoga by her first and most important teacher Prem Rawat (Maharaji). Immersed in a lifelong study of classical ballet, Martha Graham technique and various forms of Jazz and international dance, Neva came to the Vinyasa practice later, in the late 1980’s, when introduced to simple breath guided sequences supported by bandhas, by a teacher who studied in India with Sri Krishnamacharya, the father of most of the asana practice lineages we know in the west.

Not realizing the power and significance of these techniques before they were generally known, Neva nonetheless practiced them diligently and experienced spontaneous flow sequences that arose from her personal practice. Neva studied daily with yogis, such as Micheline Berry, Mark Stephens, Lauren Peterson, Max Strom and later, Shiva Rae and Annie Carpenter. She also practiced Ashtanga Yoga with Lauren Peterson and Chuck Miller, and completed Ashtanga teacher training with David Swenson in 2001.

Neva is E-RYT500 and certified Yoga Therapist with IYAT, and developed the Yoga Alliance registered, Inner Domain 5 Element 200/300/500 Yoga Teacher Training School in 2006. She has been leading trainings and retreats in the USA and abroad since, and many gifted graduates are now successfully teaching in the Washington DC area or wherever they have moved.

In Neva’s classes you can expect the challenge to be as much about letting go, as about applying effort and the latter will be encouraged with total balanced awareness arising from breath awareness. Neva’s sequences are spontaneous and creative and incorporate other movement healing systems such as Feldenkrais and Qi Gong. Neva’s studies continue and now include a certification in Ayurveda through Dr Frawley’s American Vedic Institute. Find out more about Neva and her offerings at www.innerdomain.org.

Neva instructs the following:
Saturday | 8:15-9:30am | Vinyasa II/III

Rajiv Dhar

Vinyasa

Rajiv Dhar

Vinyasa

Rajiv Dhar received his yoga teaching certification from Laughing Lotus in New York in 2011. He first began practicing to connect with his spiritual and cultural roots and reverse the effects of sitting at a desk and the other sedentary influences of modern life. Rajiv challenges his students to ground themselves in the present moment while working to mindfully create space and open the physical body for experiencing improved energy flow in daily life. He also maintains a regular meditation practice and has studied extensively at the Kadampa Meditation Center in NY and the Amitayus Buddhist Center in Philadelphia.

Rajiv instructs the following:
Sunday | 4:00-5:15pm | Mindful Vinyasa Flow with Meditation

Rebecca Kanin

Vinyasa

Rebecca Kanin

Vinyasa

Becca completed her 200-hour RYT training at Hot Yoga, in Washington D.C. After rowing in college and long distance running for years, Becca found yoga as a great balance to the competitive strain on her body. Becca focuses her classes on breath and alignment. Come to her class ready to work hard or to take a break from your day. Becca grew up in the DC area and lived in New England for ten years before moving back to D.C. to escape the long winters.

Rebecca instructs the following:

Sunday | 10:30-11:45am | Vinyasa All Levels

Rhia Morsberger

Hatha

Rhia Morsberger

Hatha

Rhiannon / Rhia is a yoga + movement educator, traditional Thai yoga practitioner, and professional dancer. Rhia’s work, in this lifetime, is to help people connect to a deeper part of themselves, to know themselves, & to move better in order to live better. Her foundational teaching point is that human bodies love variety, and we can use a movement practice to prepare our body/minds for the unknown possibilities that life will throw at us - so we can handle them with grace.

Rhia began her yoga journey in 2005 while recovering from a serious dance-related injury. Through regular practice, not only did she experience a shift in strength & body awareness, but also in her attitude, overall awareness, and relationship to life. Since her initial 200hr Hatha/Vinyasa based training, Rhia sought out additional training in prenatal yoga, Thai healing arts, functional strength, and more recently has trained in the Functional Range Systems & with the physios at Integrated Kinetic Neurology-- which has been very influential.

What initially started as a journey of physical recovery and self-exploration, turned into a lifelong exploration of how movement, in tandem with a contemplative practice, can heal, build community, unite us, & help us reach our best selves. Rhia's intention is for students to walk away not only feeling good and more "at home" in their bodies, but also more confident, resilient, and to have more tools in their toolbox to increase their quality of life.

Rhia instructs the following:
Tuesday | 12:30-1:30pm | Hatha I
Saturday | 11:30am-12:45pm | Hatha I/II

Robin Glantz

Gentle

Robin Glantz

Gentle

Robin Glantz is a 500-hour Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT-500), and a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), both in the Viniyoga tradition under the guidance of Gary Kraftsow. Robin invites her students to begin from where they are, and practice with an intention of self-awareness and self-discovery. Connecting to our breath, Robin uses yoga poses ("asana"), breathwork ("pranayama"), and meditation to integrate mind, body and spirit. After class, you can expect to feel energized yet calm, peaceful and nourished.

Viniyoga adapts to the individual needs of each student and is wonderful for all levels of practitioners. Robin teaches group classes, as well as therapeutic workshops on diverse topics such as Insomnia and Managing Stress. She also works with private clients on structural, physiological and emotional issues. Robin is a Level-1 Lifeforce Yoga practitioner and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Prior to teaching yoga, she spent her career at the World Bank after Harvard Business School, and lives in AU Park with her husband.

Robin instructs the following:
Friday | 11am-12:15pm | Gentle Yoga I - Viniyoga

Ronnie Jersky

Flow, Power, Vinyasa

Ronnie Jersky

Flow, Power, Vinyasa

Ronnie has enjoyed a 30 year career as a traditional teacher, teacher mentor, and curriculum specialist. Concurrently, she was and remains a personal fitness trainer and group exercise teacher. In 2002, while visiting family in Philadelphia, Ronnie attended a yoga class led by internationally acclaimed yoga master Baron Baptiste and her whole perspective of mental and physical body transformation immediately changed. Having pursued myriad teacher trainings with the yoga world community’s highly reputed yoga teachers over the years, Baron remains her most inspiring influence.

Ronnie incorporates her dedication to breath work, alignment precision, playfulness, and creativity in her challenging and accessible vinyasa flow sequences. She encourages hard work and lightheartedness throughout one’s yoga practice, the “sthira and sukha” of all poses and one’s life. Ronnie’s forte is her attention to every client’s amplification and modification needs within an all level’s class. She creates classes from an intuitive and organic perspective. Spiritual connectivity and laughter can be found in every practice. Yoga practice is a true celebration of who we are and the more we practice, the more we learn to live abundantly and courageously. Ronnie believes that there is a trustworthy road through whatever life brings. Loving yourself will help you find it. Yoga will help you find the love.

Ronnie instructs the following:
Monday | 8:00-9:15am | Vinyasa I/II

Wednesday | 8:00-9:00am | Vinyasa II

Thursday | 8:00-9:15am | Flow All Levels

Sarah Hull

Iyengar

Sarah Hull

Iyengar

Sarah, a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT), stepped into her first asana class back in 2007 and started attending Iyengar yoga classes in 2009. Sarah offers classes focused on balance, strength, and alignment to explore the yogic principles of sthira and sukha – strength and ease. She maintains regular study with her mentor Dörthe Braun and further ongoing study with senior teachers including Lois Steinberg. In her classes, Sarah looks to honor and share the teachings of her teachers, their teachers, and inspire others.

Sarah instructs the following:

Tuesday | 5:00-6:15pm | Iyengar All Levels

Stanley Currier

Jivamukti

Stanley Currier

Jivamukti

Stanley first started practicing yoga in Kazakhstan in 2003, and has been blessed to study with teachers in different parts of the world including the US, Japan and India. He has trained in hatha and vinyasa style yoga, and most recently completed a 300-hour advanced studies yoga teacher training program at the Bhagavata Sevaya School of Yoga, as well as 300- hour Jivamukti Yoga teacher training. Prior to moving to Washington, DC, Stanley taught yoga in Portland, Oregon and Almaty, Kazakhstan. He continues to study and explore the many paths of yoga, and strives to root his practice and teaching first and foremost in kindness and compassion. Stanley holds master’s degrees in education and peace studies, and works for an international non-profit organization in downtown Washington, D.C.

Stanley instructs the following:
Thursday | 5:00-6:15pm | Jivamukti Yoga for Busy People

Sun Kim

Power Yoga

Sun Kim

Power Yoga

Sun started practicing yoga regularly in 2007 in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. She was immediately drawn into it, noticing the transformations she experienced in her body, mind, and heart. She is an E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and has studied with numerous master teachers such as Jason Crandell, Tiffany Cruikshank, and Natasha Rizopolous to expand her practice and teaching skills. Sun leads breath-focused, challenging vinyasa sequences while reminding students to deepen and nurture their practices with safety and alignment in mind. She invites students to gaze inward and empower their physical, mental, and emotional bodies through the connection of asanas (poses) and pranayama (breath). When off the mat, she fosters and molds the minds of local middle school students as an ESOL teacher in MCPS.

Sun instructs the following:

Sunday | 9:00-10:15am | Power Yoga II/III

Susan Hanan

Flow & Align, Yin

Susan Hanan

Flow & Align, Yin

Susan Hanan (E-RYT, 500) received her ISHTA training in 2001 in New York City under Alan Finger. She is known for teaching well-sequenced, creative classes that focus on strength, flexibility, balance and alignment. Her teaching style is strongly influenced by her personal Iyengar practice of many years. Susan believes that alignment is the key to a sustainable and life-long practice and works closely with her students to help each and every one find success on their mat. In 2007 and 2008 she had the privilege of teaching weekly yoga classes at the White House to First Lady Laura Bush. Susan enjoys her personal practice and learning from others, as much as she enjoys assisting her students.

Susan instructs the following:
Monday | 5:00-6:00pm | Yin Yoga All Levels

Tuesday | 8:00-9:15am | Flow & Align All levels

Friday | 8:00-9:15am | Flow & Align II/III

Sydnea Lewis

Gentle, Vinyasa

Sydnea Lewis

Gentle, Vinyasa

What started out as a way to reach youth in D.C., Sydnea has been teaching yoga and dance in the D.C. area since 2015. Initially only certified to teach children through Circle Yoga, Sydnea went on to get her 200hr Hatha Certification from Yoga District which set her on a journey that she could have never expected.

Sydnea holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Howard University and a Master’s of Graphic Design from The Florence Design Academy, and has been working in the design and marketing field for almost 8 years.

Sydnea has been able to use her innate creative abilities to hone in on the movement and stillness of the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga has been a part of her life for almost a decade, and her practice has helped her grow stronger, more flexible and fearless, both on and off the mat.

With the certifications Sydnea has attained so far she has been able to move, touch and inspire not only the lives of children in schools but adults as well. She truly believes that yoga can be for everyone – regardless of age, race & background – and is striving to share that with her peers.