Yoga teachers subbing my current classes

Melanie Vissuzi melaviza@peoplepc.com
Subbing Mondays at 3 Leaf Systems and Mentor Graphics, San Jose
and public classes at Bare Yoga, Los Gatos on 5:45-7PM (alt. w/ Chas)
Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22
Saturday classes in Sept. only at the Pacific Cultural Center, 4:30-6PM

Melanie is a dynamic teacher who has studied over 300 hours under yoga pioneer Andrey Lappa. In addition to her solid foundation of Universal Freestyle Yoga and Dance of Shiva, she also brings a diverse background in other yogic traditions including Iyengar and Ashtanga. Melanie’s teaching is founded on 15 years of asana and meditation practice and is fueled with her one-of-a-kind wit and energy.

She uses key principles of yoga, the synthesis of asana vinyasa, pranayama, and the bandhas to create a calm and clear state of consciousness and balance of the koshas. In each practice, asanas are practiced that work all joint directions of mobility to promote flexibility, agility and core strength. Using the cross mat system, asanas alternate between stretching and strengthening arms and legs as well as movement in multi-dimensional space to create balance in the body. Unique to this style is an unusual set of shoulder stretches designed to free the entire range of motion within the shoulder.

Mark Tanaka miroku78@yahoo.com
Subbing Thursdays at Network Appliance and 3Leaf Systems, San Jose
September 13, 20, 27 and October 4, 11, 18

Mark Tanaka has been studying the yogic art forms for the
past 9 years, exploring an array of disciplines in the world
of yoga. His hatha yoga studies have been in many styles; Ashtanga,
Traditional Hatha Yoga, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Kali Ray Tri Yoga.
He has also explored Taoist Yogas; qi gong, meditation, breathwork
acupressure. Mark is well known for his unique teaching style that
reflects his broad scope of study. His Hatha Yoga Vinyasa classes
blend the principles of the healing arts, and he attempts to
transmit the essence of these art forms to individuals so they can
discover their inherent wholeness that exists in mind, body and
spirit. Mark currently teaches at numerous gyms and yoga studios
in Santa Cruz and San Jose, California.

Brooke Spittler brookespit@technocommune.com
Subbing Friday classes at One Yoga Center, 5:30-7PM, Santa Cruz September 14, 21, 28

Brooke teaches a blend of Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga using breathing as a foundation from which to flow. She encourages students to explore their practice from within, guiding them to deeper self-awareness. Her knowledge of yoga, anatomy and western medicine assist her in promoting health and wellbeing. Brooke has a MS in Physician Assistant studies from Samuel Merritt College and a BA in Human Bio-dynamics from UC Berkeley. She currently works at Kaiser Santa Teresa in the orthopedic department treating a wide array of musculoskeletal injuries. She is extremely fascinated with the human body and has studied anatomy extensively. Brooke has been practicing yoga since 1999. She feels very fortunate to have studied with many amazing teachers. She currently studies Iyengar yoga with Kofi Busia and Ashtanga yoga with Adarsh and Heleen Williams. Other influential teachers include Phil Lynch, Tim Thompson, Mark Stephens, Kelly Blaser and Rusty Wells. She is completing a teacher training course taught by Kofi Busia and has completed a teacher training with Mark Stephens.

Gabriel Benjamin mistergabriel@yahoo.com
Subbing Friday classes at One Yoga Center, 5:30-7PM, Santa Cruz
October 5, 12, 19

Gabriel began yoga practice in childhood and became certified to teach in 2001. His parents have been involved in the healing arts for decades and Gabriel benefitted from early exposure to east/west integrative principles of living from his father Lloyd, who is an acupuncturist, and his mother, Martha, a longtime Yoga teacher.
Gabriel has three levels of certification in the Tri-Yoga tradition (a flowing Vinyasa-styledeveloped by Kali Ray) and is working on a fourth. For the past two years he has assisted Teacher Trainings and leads regular classes between 5-7 days a week. For him it is important for yoga to bring the practitioner to their edge but with the breath as a primary focus, and always honoring the uniqueness of each participant's body.
Influential teachers to name a few are Tom Machado, Phil Lynch, and Kali Ray.

Chas Mercurio chas@bare-yoga.com
Subbing Monday classes at Bare Yoga, 5:45-7PM, Los Gatos
alternates with Melanie Vissuzi

Chas established Bare Yoga out of a sincere desire to help others better balance the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of their lives. With a background in education and public service and a tradition of community outreach and advocacy, Chas has aligned herself with organizations and causes directly focused on meeting the needs of individuals and families.
Chas was first introduced to yoga in early 2003, and is currently completing Joyce Anue's Y.E.S. 200-hour teacher training program.

Delana Thompson yogawithdelana.com
Subbing Saturday Oct.13 at Pacific Cultural Center
Delana’s practice combines a rich blend of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and Iyengar yoga. Her classes encourage calm awareness, inward listening, and non-judgment, in order to cultivate a meditative atmosphere and help students to connect with inner wisdom. Precise adjustments are offered with a healing touch, transmitting relaxation, stability, and a sense of well-being within the postures.
She is the director of the annual, enormous and moving Santa Cruz event "Yoga for Peace", taking place this year on September 8 in the San Lorenzo Park.

Carolyn Vitale foxvitale@yahoo.com
Subbing Saturdays October 6 and 20 at the Pacific Cultural Center
Carolyn is an active Ashtanga Yoga Institute committee member, staff resident of PCC, and a certified AYI instructor whose classes offer an opportunity to more deeply connect with our breath, our bodies, and our divine Self. She is also an astrologer, whose planetary insights can be found here: shivawarrior.com.