Lillah Schwartz , ERYT 500 holds over 29 years of teaching and hands-on study in the tradition of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar. She is a seasoned teacher, nationally-acclaimed instructor and author, and founder/director of Lighten Up Yoga and Teacher Training Center.
Lillah teaches weekly yoga classes for novice, therapeutic, intermediate and advanced yoga students. She is also the director and primary instructor for the 200 Hour and 500 Hour teacher training courses.
For more information on Lillah as well as her reflections on yoga practice, please click here. If you have specific questions for Lillah you may contact her at Lillah@lightenupyoga.com
"My goal with my students is to help them to get their cellular and endocrine bodies percolating in a healthy way, gain confidence in their ability to heal through understanding proper alignment and action, as well as opening to receive the full potential of their body, mind, and spirit." |
|
Lighten Up Yoga Instructors |
 Adam Laufer, RYT and graduate of the Lighten Up Yoga Teacher Training Program. He has been teaching at Lighten Up Yoga for 10 years.
Stretch and laugh with Adam in his Wednesday 4pm and Friday 5pm classes! Adam has the unique ability to bring fun to your afternoon stretch, and his style has brought him many loyal fans. He has been meditating and practicing yoga since he was 16, and his experience and training in anatomy, Iyengar-style asana, and other healing modalities benefit his students.
Life is already serious enough. At the end of the day, it's time to let your hair down and get moving! Dubbed "chocolate-covered yoga" by one enthusiastic student, Adam's classes will be the highlight of your week. Best of all, you'll learn yoga poses for tying your shoes, standing in line at the bank, and walking down the street in new and unique ways. Impress your friends!
Adam's beginner classes are enjoyed by people of all ages. His alignment-based teaching offers therapeutic poses customized for every body.
If you have specific questions for Adam, contact him at 828.658.0830 or adam@mesostretchy.com. |
|
back to the top
|
Mili Perez
Exquisitely combining alignment awareness, strength building, and a meditative mindset in each class, Mili brings a peaceful intention to the practice, encouraging increased flexibility and learning without criticism. Her soothing voice, touch, and presence create a comfortable and safe environment for students. She is skilled at providing individualized instruction, while maintaining a cohesive class because she is truly a nurturing person and gifted teacher. Mili’s unique style moves her students to be very devoted, as her leadership facilitates physical and mental openness and awareness, balanced with inner focus and calm.
Mili has been practicing for over 11 years and has studied with some of the best teachers of yoga today. Her training began with Lillah Schwartz in the 200 teacher training and for the past five years with Aadil Palkhivala of Purna Yoga and meditation classes with his wife Mirra. She is in the process of receiving her advanced 500-hour certification thru Lighten Up.
Mili is available for one on one instruction and can be contacted at 828.215.5656 or ymerli@hotmail.com.
"The practice of yoga brings
balance to our lives in all levels
physically-mentally-spiritually, and I just want to share
that gift with others."
back to the top
|
Gea Skeens began practicing yoga more than 20 years ago and has been teaching Iyengar
 yoga since 1992. Gea has worked as a raft guide, social worker and is a long distance runner. Gea has trained extensively with Lillah Schwartz as part of the Lighten Up Yoga teacher training program, as well as with numerous other certified Iyengar teachers. A gifted storyteller, Gea teaches with warmth, humor, and the wisdom of a dedicated yogi. "With focus on the breath, I strive to create a joyful and challenging experience that will deepen awareness of our divine existence."
|
back to the top
|
|
Stacey Stone’s journey with yoga began over ten years ago. During this time she has taken the opportunity to practice and learn about several types of yoga including; Asthanga, Shivananda, Jivamukti, Universal, Svaroopa, Anusara, and Bikram yoga. This exploration of yoga eventually led her to discover Iyengar yoga at Lighten Up Yoga Center, where in 2007 she graduated from the 200- hour Teacher Training Program.
Stacey uses her eight years experience as a Certified Personal Trainer to hone her skills as a teacher. She brings a knowledge of movement into her teaching, where she strives to accommodate individual movement imbalances while simultaneously weaving together the aspects of postural conditioning and core strengthening.
As a teacher, Stacey strives to provide her students with a safe and supportive environment in which they can become more aware of the interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit. Stacey believes creating this awareness plants the seed for opportunity within the student; the opportunity to learn about one’s self physically, mentally, and spiritually.
|
back to the top
|
Kimberly Drye began her yoga studies in Asheville in 2001 while attending UNCA. She considers herself lucky to have stumbled upon the rich source of the talented teachers in the Asheville yogic community. A graduate of Stephanie Keach’s 200 hour teacher training, currently continuing her studies with Lillah Schwartz, Kimberly is energetic, personable, and enthusiastic to share with you all the benefits yoga has to offer. Her classes are focused on awareness and the preservation of each moment. Breath control, relaxation techniques, and meditation are coupled with asana to bring students into a state of mindfulness in their practices that hopefully spills out into their everyday lives. Kim believes that yoga can help every individual lead a fuller and more satisfying life.
|
back to the top
|
 Laura Stone, RYT is a graduate of the Lighten Up Teacher Training Institute and holds a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.
I have practiced Yoga for over twenty years. I grew up watching my Mom practise to a record player and recognized how fun it was to go upside down! When I was an adult, my Mom hurt herself in a class and has been reluctant to return. This is why I love the Iyengar method of alignment and the use of props to stay safe while receiving the benefits of the poses. Yoga has strengthened and nurtured me through 3 pregnancies and moving around while my partner receives his medical training. In my classes, I strive to educate the body through movement, quiet the mind and awaken a playful spirit.
If you have specific questions for Laura, you may contact her at 828.281.2212 or via email at cstone138@charter.net.
back to the top
|
Michael Johnson ERYT-500 is a certified Jivamukti instructor who has studied directly with Sri Swami Satchidananda, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, Sharon Gannon, David Life and many other Yogins and Yoginis. He has been a full-time yoga teacher in the Detroit area since 2001. He enjoys bringing together the inner and outer methods of yoga in his classes, with a focus on safety, total enlightenment and fun.
back to the top
|
 |
Danielle Goldstein, RYT teaches creative and insightful yoga classes with attention to precise alignment and bringing the joy of yoga into our daily lives. She has been teaching yoga classes and private yoga therapeutic sessions since 2003 and has been with Lighten Up Yoga since 2008. She is a 200 Hr Yoga Alliance certified teacher.
Danielle has studied with teachers grounded in both the Iyengar and Anusara Teaching Methods. Since 1996, she has studied with teachers including Donna Farhi, Judith Lasater and John Friend, and taught one on one yoga therapeutics at SOMA Physical Therapy in Boulder, CO. She is experienced in working with a variety of ages and abilities and is interested in making yoga accessible to all people. She is currently studying with John Friend and is working toward her Anusara Inspired (R) teacher status.
If you would like to contact Danielle, please call 828-450-1406 or email daniellefath@gmail.com |
back to the top
|
 Renee Royal has been studying and practicing various forms of yoga over the past seven years, and has completed a 200 hour teachers training in Himalayan Ashtanga Yoga and Meditation. She continues to deepen her studies and continues to practice hatha yoga as a therapist and for her own self- transformation. Renee has enjoyed the many benefits the practice has given her and wishes to share it with others.
Renee teaches in the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Science and Philosophy. Renee teaches yoga at Lighten Up Yoga, the Essence Center in Weaverville and various places in North Carolina and Florida. Renee is also a licensed massage therapist, a holistic health educator and a zen shiatsu practitioner.She continues to deepen her studies and continues to practice hatha yoga as a therapist and for her own self- transformation.
Himalayan Ashtanga Yoga is derived from ancient spiritual systems which embrace yoga as an unified art, science and philosophy. This 7,000+ year old system utilizes the science of breath as the key component of hatha yoga and the science of pranayama for control of the body, mind and beyond.
back to the top
|
Tricia McDonald has been practicing yoga and meditation for 10 years and teaching full time for the past 7. She specializes in yoga for anxiety and depression based on the work of nationally recognized author of Yoga for Depression, Amy Weintraub. www.yogafordepression.com . She loves this practice for it's use of breath, sound, and mudra as well as asana (posture) which empowers students with tools to effectively and compassionately manage their moods.
Tricia is most passionate about the yogic practice of svadhyaya "self study". As we develop greater self awareness through our practice, it allows us access to every possibility for human consciousness that has ever been imagined. While this is a nice concept for the mind to "think" about, with practice we can experience this as a very real felt sense of how we move through the world. This is yoga!"
back to the top
|
 Kay Harrold
Kay Harrold moved to Asheville from Portland, Oregon where she practiced yoga for 11 years. She completed a three year teacher training program based on Donald Moyer's model at The Yoga Room in Berkeley, CA.
Kay believes in the power of yoga to transform body, mind and attitude and brings that confidence to her classes. In her experience the practice of Iyengar style yoga, with its emphasis on correct alignment and strength, relieved a pattern of chronic back pain that had persisted for 30 years. Beginning her practice at the age of 52, she knows it is never too late to make radical changes in the alignment of body and spirit. Her goal in her classes is to ignite that spirit of possibility in every student.
back to the top
|
 Katherine Dowdney’s passion for anatomy and movement is evident in her teaching. Her classes focus on optimal alignment with mindful intent. She is a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour E-RYT level, a duel certified Pilates instructor, and a corrective exercise specialist. Katherine has a special interest in working with people of all ages and abilities; she savors finding the modification that works for each body. Katherine has received training in experiential anatomy, pre/post natal yoga and Pilates, Sadhana Chi yoga, children’s yoga and Structural Yoga Therapy. Katherine has also attended the 8-day training in Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors at Duke Integrative Medicine. This training has heavily inspired her yoga teaching and practice. Her interests are in functional movement, pain management, and corrective exercise.
Katherine is a founding member of Moving Women Dance Performance Ensemble where she choreographs and performs as a modern dancer. Along with dancing and teaching movement science and yoga, Katherine enjoys spending time with her husband, Sam, and their dog, Ranger.
Her website: www.blissful-body.com and she can be contacted with questions at katherinedowdney@gmail.com.
back to the top
|
| Instructor TBA |
| Yoga Alliance Continuing Education - Guest Instructors |
Gary Schwartz Ph.D., is a retired psychologist with 36 years experience in the areas of self help and Personal Growth. He is living the life that he always wanted, and loves to teach. Gary offers training in EFT (emotional freedom technique), meditation and Life Skills.
If you have specific questions for Gary, you may contact him at 828.253.9451 or via email gary@garyawake.com. |
back to the top
|
Aadil Palkhivala, JD, CYT, AHSP, Naturopath
Acclaimed as "the teacher of teachers", Aadil is the founder-director of the internationally renowned health center, Yoga Centers in Bellevue, Washington, a customized three-studio yoga facility offering over 60 weekly yoga classes and workshops as well as meditation and nutrition lecture series, encompassing the range of Purna Yoga. Aadil teaches classes as well as teacher trainings and workshops at Yoga Centers, which are attended by teachers and students from around the world. Additionally, Aadil teaches yoga workshops and teacher trainings throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and Mexico. He is the author of Teaching Yoga: The Beginning Teacher Training Manual, The Intermediate Teacher Training Manual, Therapeutic Yoga and numerous cassettes, CDs and videos on yoga and health-related topics. He is currently working on his new books, Teaching Yoga and Teaching Asana I. Aadil is the 2003 Asana Columnist for Yoga Journal, a contributing writer, as well as the "Asana Expert" in the magazine and on its website. |
back to the top
|
|
 Roger Cole Ph.D.
Primary
Instructor: Anatomy and Physiology of Asana
Roger
is an internationally recognized yoga teacher. Roger has trained atthe
Iyengar Institute in San Francisco and in Pune, India.
He
is known for his deep understanding of yoga, thorough knowledge of anatomy
andphysiology, and a clear, gentle teaching style. He is also an accomplished
anatomist and research scientist, specializing in the physiology of relaxation,
sleep and biological rhythms. Roger is also one of Yoga Journal's "ask
an expert" instructors.
back to the top
|
Linda Cammarata, RN is a Registered Nurse, Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Energy Therapist, Alternative Healthcare Consultant, and professional singer/songwriter. She is a consultant at the renowned Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA. Her teaching spans over 30 years of experience in healthcare, integrating traditional and alternative healthcare practices. Linda received her registered nursing training at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA. She has received numerous trainings in yoga, most notably yoga therapy certification with Nischala Joy Devi, Yoga for the Heart. Linda completed a comprehensive 3-year certification program in Energy Therapy with Dr. Michael Mamas in San Diego, CA. Linda has also received training in Aromatherapy, Healing Touch, Reflexology, Qigong, and is certified in meditation. Linda maintains a lifestyle and wellness coaching practice throughout the United States. National women’s health conferences, private industry, as well as several medical programs have utilized Linda’s mind-body programs. Linda’s latest DVD Support Strengthen and Your Immune System published by Inner IDEA guides individuals on the path of integral health.
back to the top
|
 Laurel Mamet is a gifted healer and teacher of the spiritual arts whose life focus has been to understand the energetics of the body. She has over 30 years of training with master healers. She graduated from the Swedish Institute of Massage in 1978 and has had a private practice in bodywork and healing ever since. She attended the TriState School for Traditional Chinese Medecine (acupuncture) and has a good grounding in Oriental diagnosis. She is a cranial-sacral therapist and graduate of the Upledger Institute and has studied Esoteric Healing with various teachers in the Alice Bailey tradition. In 1994 she graduated from the European School of Energy Mastery under the guidance of Dr. Robert Jaffe and Rev. Dr. Alixsandra Parness both clairvoyant healers. In 1995 she joined the faculty of the Inner Focus School for Advanced Energy Healing and is currently Dean of Education and senior faculty for that international school.
She is a clear and passionate teacher whose tenderness invites healing on all levels. She is dedicated to world service and bringing transfromation into the lives of students so they can be beacons of light in their own communities.
back to the top
|
| Next Guest Instructor TBA |
|
