YOGA TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES

Kathleen Hunt

Kathleen Hunt danced her way through childhood; studying ballet from age four, performing and creating dance pieces throughout her formative years, such as performing the 'Clover Fairy Frolic' in Iowa cemeteries, among various other recitals and song/dance extravaganzas. Hunt trained extensively in body awareness and movement modalities, earning a BA in Dance at the University of Washington. She studied under Joan Skinner (Skinner Releasing method) and Peggy Hackney (Labanotation/Bartenieff fundamentals) as well as ballet with Ruthanna Boris and anatomy/physiology. Post college, she was involved in dance production - direction, choreography and performance - receiving numerous grants and commissions for her work in collaboration with musicians, visual and literary artists. Hunt studied yoga primarily with Marie Svoboda, Felicity Green (Iyengar), Dharma Mitra, Swami Shankarananda ('Sivananda'), Sri K. Patabhi Jois and Aadil Palkhivala. She taught dance and movement classes beginning in 1983 and began teaching yoga in 1986, teaching at the Jivamukti Yoga Center in NYC, for eleven years at Physical Culture and at the Downtown YMCA in Seattle. In 1995 she founded the 'Samadhi Yoginis', a yoga dance troupe that has performed in Seattle theatres, restaurants, nightclubs, senior centers, benefit productions such as Positive Yoga, elementary schools, weddings and in the NW Yoga Festival. In 1998 Hunt began the Samadhi Yoga Teacher Training program, which has run for eight consecutive years, with over 100 graduates. Kathleen and her partner, Steve Davis, opened the current Samadhi Yoga Center in 1999. In 2006 Hunt and Davis teamed up with Patti Hammerle to lead the first 'Samadhi Yoga Pilgrimage to India'. Kathleens' extensive experience in dance, yoga and spiritual traditions have all helped to shape her innovative, vinyasa technique and teaching methods.

Steve Davis

The path of yoga began to open for Steve shortly after resigning his commission as a US Naval Intelligence officer in 1990. Somewhat bitter and disenchanted with humanity, he began several years of travel, climbing expeditions, self inquiry, and dietary experimentation. Initial forays into meditation and asana were short lived until one fateful asana class with Kathleen Hunt in 1993. Suddenly, yoga became the focus of his life: Atha Yoganusasanam. "It was as if I knew this was what I was supposed to do without knowing anything about it. The physical and mental changes I experienced over the next few years were profound and completely changed my perspective in every aspect of my life. I realized that everything I perceived was merely a reflection of my inner state, and that the most important thing I could do in this lifetime was to understand this relationship." Samadhi Yoga Center was a gift to my wife and guru Sri K. P. Hunt, so that we could continue to practice and share the transformational science of yoga in a sacred space dedicated to spiritual awakening. Samadhi, Jivamukti, and Ashtanga styles have shaped Steve's teaching. Combined with his studies of sacred geometry, physics, geology, and psychology, his classes use asana, pranayama, and chanting as tools for purifying and realigning the temple of the soul.

Eiric Ovrid

It took a bicycle accident and a severe blow to the head to bring me to my first yoga class in 1994. I knew in the first five minutes that I would be on this path the rest of my life. I was finally home. God works in mysterious ways! I began teaching in 1998, completing the teacher training program at Samadhi Yoga under the guidance of my first teacher, Kathleen Hunt, in 1999. I would like to give special recognition to the following teachers for their inspiration and guidance in my teaching style, Atha(NOW)Yoga*: Anna Forrest, Kittie Whittkower, Richard Schactel, Doug Swenson and Kathleen Hunt. *Atha Yoga - a Vinyasa/Iyengar style practice, infused with spirituality and an emphasis in being present in the moment, NOW!

Douglas Ridings

Douglas began the practice of Yoga in 1993 as part of his training with dance group Dappin' Butoh. Through director Joan Laage he was introduced not only to Yoga but also to the movement analysis of Laban and Bartinieff. He is a graduate of the 2000 Samadhi Teacher Training. Though drawing freely from a variety of styles and traditions, his classes consistently emphasize a natural awareness of the breath and the opportunity to utilize the body as a means to deepen concentration. Both the Japanese modern dance form Butoh and a trip to India with Pattie Hammerle in 2001 (with studies in Sanskrit, Mantra, traditional dance and music), continue to exert a powerful influence on his personal practice and teaching. He performs locally with P.A.N., the Samadhi Yoginis, Urvasi, and internationally with Butoh master Katsura Kan.

Yvonne Croteau

Yvonne's teaching emphasizes interiority through a focus on energetic alignment via the five main vayus and bandhas, the breath, and the dynamic interplay of integration and expansion. Whoa! What did I just say? Come and find out! Be prepared to play hard, seek stillness, and hear poetry all for the purpose of knowing yourself better. My first teachers were Kathleen, Celeste and Eiric right here at Samadhi where I also did my first teacher training. Since then, I have studied and trained under a number of other teachers in a variety of methods, most notably, Denise Benitez, under whom I trained in the Anusara technique. I have a bachelor's degree (magna cum laude) in English Literature from the University of Washington and am also a dancer.

Veronica D'Orazio

After completing her masters in literature in Chicago, Veronica moved to Seattle in 1996 and completed Samadhi's intensive teacher-training program in 2000. Veronica's classes emphasize alignment while incorporating a flowing, Vinyasa-style approach to movement. She is especially interested in the therapeutic, healing aspects of restorative yoga.

Karen Lindenberg

Decades after her mother introduced her to yoga through Raquel Welch's home yoga workout, Karen continues to enjoy sharing with others the peace she finds through her practice. Her classes emphasize alignment in asana, ardent attention in pranayama, and exploration of the chakras. As a lifelong musician, Karen appreciates and shares the physical and energetic potency of chanting and mantra as tools for meditation. She completed the Samadhi Teacher Training program in 2003 and now teaches at various local studios throughout the Seattle area. She also operates Yogateam -- a cooperative mobile yoga studio. Karen holds a B.A. in Geological Sciences from Princeton University and works as a technology and marketing consultant for Microsoft.

Tami Hafzalla

Tami has been practicing yoga since 1993. She has studied extensively with master teachers in India, Australia and the US. Her style is eclectic but she draws most from her classical training in Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Viniyoga. Tami is deeply influenced by spiritual teachings from around the world. She has spent the majority of the past decade traveling, exploring numerous cultures, their traditions, and her own soul. Her experiences have shaped who she is and are expressed through her teaching as she shares her truth and discoveries. She aims to empower her students, and with compassion, she challenges them to safely find their edge and expand themselves both physically and spiritually. She teaches group classes, private sessions, and local and international retreats. Tami can also be consulted for Thai Massage, and serves as a Birth Doula. Her passions include fine art, Ayurveda, the outdoors, and living an active, inspired, creative and adventurous life. "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace, When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."

Liz Valauri

Liz came to yoga after many years of teaching, performing,choreographing and studying dance. She has found yoga to be an effective guide for maintaining inner and outer balance and appreciation of the moment. Her classes are designed to help students find ease, strength, focus, and integration in their practice. She finds it very rewarding to share her knowledge with her students. Liz is a graduate of the teacher training program at Samadhi Yoga Center. She is also certified to teach Universal Yoga Level 1 by Andrey Lappa, and is a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst. Her passion is to enhance the practices of students who have different needs and experiences.

Jenny Ingwerson

I teach vinyasa-based classes with an emphasis on alignment and breath awareness. I attend to alignment by focusing on three basic principles; one is to create a strong foundation/connection to the earth. The second is to become aware of and strengthen the core- I continue to ask students to return to their center by creating subtle internal support free of rigidity. The third is a gentle lifting/opening of the heart, without compromising one's sense of grounding and center. My hope is that by employing theses three principles students will be able to move safely with ease, grace and joy. I also invite students to consider the psychological, physical and environmental effects these principles might offer. Throughout my classes there is a thread of attention to breath, using the breath as a meditative tool. I encourage practitioners to view the breath as a means of drawing one's attention inward, towards union with the divine/towards yoga. I have been practicing yoga since 2001, and have completed two teacher trainings. The first was at Yoga Union, taught by Alison West, in New York City. The most recent was at Samadhi Yoga Center, under the tutelage of Kathleen Hunt and other gifted teachers, in Seattle. I graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2000. I was born in British Columbia, raised in Maine and have lived in Seattle since 1998.

Jennifer A. Isaacson

Staying after dance class in 1997 was my first experience with yoga and the happiest accident of my life. I discovered the flow of Vinyasa with Kim King-Zamoff of Exhale Yoga, and received a teaching certificate in 2002. Sharing discoveries from my own practice with others had been a huge part of my life ever since. I continue my studies at Samadhi Yoga Center with Kathleen Hunt and earned the RYT 200 hour certification in 2006. I also practice with Shiva Rea; under her instruction, I'm working toward becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level. JAI!

Shaina Traisman

Shaina's classes are based on the premise that we all have the ability to heal our bodies and our minds once we make the choice to step on a path of self discovery. Her teaching style is influenced greatly by her training as a certified bodyworker, specializing in deep tissue reintegration. Through the combination of breath awareness, physical endurance and meditation, a class with Shaina will challenge the body and mind, as well as offer a safe opportunity for releasing stress and tension. Shaina completed her training as a yoga instructor at Samadhi Yoga Center in 2003 and is forever grateful to Kathleen Hunt for passing down the ancient teachings of yoga. Shaina believes that yoga has the ability to offer a vehicle for social change by infusing the teachings of yoga into the collective consciousness of society. She puts this into practice by teaching yoga at the King County Jail. She also hopes to extend this program to youth at risk ,as well as minorities, who wouldn't otherwise have access to yoga.

Tim Seiwerath

There are things We live among 'and to see them is to know ourselves.' - George Oppen To see a World in a grain of sand And a Heaven in a wild flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour... - William Blake This world of dew Is a world of dew, and yet... And yet... - Basho Thank you to my teachers, from whom I've learned everything I think I know: Kathleen Hunt, Steve Davis, all the other teachers at Samadhi, Dharma Mittra, my family, George Oppen, J.R.R. Tolkien, Loren Barr, Kendrick Brown, Jess Klein, all the musicians in Jamaica between 1960-1970, all the yogis and yoginis who've contributed to this tradition, pain, joy, heartbreak, amendation and freedom. I bow to the true teacher in everyone and everything-- Om Bolo Sad-Guru Maharaj ji ki-- jai!

Mollie Wood

Mollie Elizabeth Wood found Kundalini yoga through her work with Reiki. Having taught Reiki for seven years, Mollie was delighted to discover another modality for working with energy, accessing the Kundalini within ones mind, body, and spirit. After taking Kundalini yoga classes including those offered at Samadhi Yoga, Mollie travelled to a rural village in India to study the yoga more in-depth. She was fortunate and blessed to stay at Yogi Bhajan's home a half-hour walk from the Sikh pilgrimage site of Anandpur Sahib, or "City of Bliss." With the rising of the Kundalini come quantum life advances, and in this joyous setting, Mollie completed a transformative yoga teacher training program. She now teaches classes throughout Seattle and welcomes private lessons. In addition to teaching Kundalini Yoga, Mollie continues to teach Reiki and works as a practicing herbalist. She looks at all of it as both an art form and a spiritual journey.

Colin Patterson

In 1996 while living in Portland I received the calling to start practicing Yoga. I was really searching for an activity using my body that would energetically ground me and spiritually enrich my life. My first teacher Diane Wilson, was an amazing yogi. She had been teaching for over 25 years and practicing since she was a teenager. I practiced heavily during the year I lived in Portland; her presence and teaching's resonated deeply and made me a firm believer in the art. After years of practicing many different styles I was asked to start teaching classes at Crystal Mtn. in the mornings before skiing. During the off season I also taught in a community center in Enumclaw. In 2003 I moved to the big Island where I started practicing astanga yoga with one of Guru G's former students and taught a class at the local yoga studio. A year later I moved to Kauai where I continued to teach and practice ashtanga. In the fall of 2005 I moved back to Seattle to take Samadhi's teacher training. I was drawn to Samadhi because of its dedication to all the aspects of yoga and because Kathleen was one of the most amazing teacher's I had ever met. This year I have had the pleasure of studying with Shiva Rea, Katerina Wen, and Andrea Lappa. These new influences have greatly enhanced my knowledge and teaching of yoga.

I am very open about the flow of my classes depending on the people in the room and the energy of the day. I generally like to incorporate pranayama, meditation and sometimes mantra into the flow of the class. I really like a flowing type class that challenges the students while keeping them in touch with the subtleties of the poses. I have been truly blessed to have amazing teachers and look forward to giving back to my fellow yogi/teacher/students.

KT Shores

"The body is a field, Arjuna; he who knows it is called the knower of the field." The deep truth of these words from the Bhagavad Gita resonated within me the first time I heard them. The ways we experience life reflects the state of this constantly changing field : the world around us, the body, and the ultimate field of forces - the mind (both our closest ally and greatest obstacle to enlightenment), can be trained to make concious use of all experiences to remove undesirable traits and habits. We are unburdened, and by practice and detachment repeat these illuminations until they, rather than ordinary conditioned awareness, become our constant state! The Buddha tells us a trained mind brings health and happiness, and lofty as unity may seem, it is this practice of yoga in each moment that helps us unfold into living as the fullest expression of our Self. Roots in dance and martial arts influence the focuses in class of energetic awareness of the body, mental alignment, and clarity of breath. With over a decade of teaching experience, my joy is to foster a personal healing energy infused with functional knowledge and compassionate awareness empowering you and your practice through all of life's movements. Elements of philosophy, Ayurveda, nutrition, anatomy and mythology are woven into fun informative classes that work with the needs of individual students - from powerful vinyasa flows to tailored restorative stretches the focus is on individual needs, safety and health. I have been lucky to travel the world for performance and study, recently on pilgrimage in India and give thanks in all of these opportunities to all of life's teachers - especially my family, Kathleen and all those at Samadhi as well as Lee Su-Feh, David McIntosh and sat guru. JAI!

Tara Brisbine

Tara was first introduced to yoga through a book given to her by her older brother one year for Christmas. Having been a dancer since the age of 3 and finally stopping that endeavor in her early teens, she was given a whole new physical outlet with so much offer on an internal level as well. After moving to Seattle in 2001 from her home-town of Wenatchee, WA, she decided to try out some guided classes. She hopped around to different studios for a while until she found Samadhi Yoga, where she practiced for several years under the tutelage of Steve Davis and Kathleen Hunt, among many others. For Tara, yoga provided a safe and quiet refuge deep inside that place no one can touch. She could appreciate the nourishment it gives to the spirit, the ease within the mind, and all of the benefits it vicariously provides to the body. In 2005, Tara dove head-first into the Samadhi teacher training and after a great deal of dedication and perseverance, completed her certification in 2006. She can't begin to express enough gratitude toward those who taught and helped her along the way, including her mentor and friend, Ellen Boyle. Tara's teaching style ranges from sensuous, fluid movements to the preciseness of more classical poses. She strives to create a sacred space through meditation, chanting, and asana where students are encouraged to go inward, exploring those finer aspects of true self, surrendering the ego, and practicing non-attachment.