Mala Yoga » teachers

Killian O’Brien

Angela Clark — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:50:38 +0000

Killian discovered yoga in 1997, in a studio across the street from her local YMCA. She has been hooked on the practice ever since, rediscovering yoga each time she comes to her mat.

The therapeutic benefits of a regular yoga practice were recently revealed to Killian after an accident. Not only were her serious injuries much less severe than they could have been, but her doctors continue to be confounded by the speed of her recovery. The gift of these injuries has made her a more sensitive teacher, and her continued study of this transformative practice has led her to want to share all that she learns, in order to help others have their own healing experience.

Killian has completed two Anusara Teacher Trainings, is certified in Ma Prenatal Yoga, and continues to study all aspects of yoga. Her classes combine the alignment and philosophy of Anusara, with the flowing grace inspired by her studies in the Jivamutki lineage. She gives loving thanks to all of her teachers.

Elias Lopez Gonzales

Angela Clark — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:11:09 +0000

A naturalist and environmentalist at heart, Elias combines his love for nature with his love for yoga and his students find there is an obvious connection in his instruction style. Born and raised in Mexico Elias enjoys bringing his inspiration from his roots to his yoga practice. He infuses his classes with music and with careful attention to alignment and he views yoga as a journey to live well, and love fully. He believes in the power of Yoga to deeply transform our lives and is inspired by the poetry of the body, the yogis around him and the organic forms of nature.

Elias is honored to study with John Friend, Jim Bernaert, Ellen Sallston and Jackie Prete who infuse him with a passion for aligning the body with the Divine through breath and heart. Elias relishes sharing this beautiful journey called Yoga with his students. He loves to create a fun, safe and sacred place where you are empowered to achieve your full potential and connect to Grace.

Ann Iwashita

Angela Clark — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:59:34 +0000

Ann is dedicated to exploring the possibilities that flourish when yoga transpires. Her asana practice began in Hawaii in the ashtanga vinyasa system of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and she currently studies under the tutelage of Iyengar-influenced teachers at Yogasana and Mala Yoga. She sends thanks to Laura Dunn, who first opened her to the eight-limbed practice, and the teachers who have arisen each day since.

Daniella Rosales-Friedman

Angela Clark — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:29:44 +0000

Daniella first rolled out her mat over 10 years ago in New York City and the physical practice immediately felt like home. She believes that coming to yoga for body strength and fitness is a perfect way to arrive, because the poses will draw you closer to the full meaning of yoga: self-knowledge and self-love, peace and bliss.

She guides her students through an empowering, sweaty, vinyasa flow, holding the space for each student to tap into his or her wonderful life.

Daniella gives thanks to the Mala ladies who have created a space for the sweetest and smartest community to explore, grow and gab. She is honored to be part of the Mala Apprenticeship program, and learns infinitely from Stephanie, Angela and Christina. She has completed an advanced teacher training with Schuyler Grant of Kula Yoga Project, where her practice has grown profoundly over the years. Endless thanks to family, friends and teachers of all kinds.

Tamara Behar

Angela Clark — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:38:46 +0000

During my career as a creative director in advertising, yoga fueled my creativity and was a natural way to release the daily stresses in my life. In December 2008, I was let go from my job and surprisingly, it became the best gift I could have ever received. Yoga helped me ‘be with’ the feeling of not-knowing and empowered me to create new possibilities in my life. All along, I’ve had an enormous fear of teaching a yoga class; so, with a lot of time on my hands, I decided to face my fears head-on and attend a 200 hour teacher training program at Yoga to the People in New York City. At the same time, I discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga and 3 months later completed Baron Baptiste’s teacher training levels 1 and 2, which focuses on being your most authentic self in teaching and in life. This practice has COMPLETELY transformed me; teaching found ME and wouldn’t let me go. Since then, it’s been such an honor to be part of the Mala yoga community as I continue to learn so much from all the amazing teachers here.

Claire Larsen

Angela Clark — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:36:43 +0000

Claire Larsen, RYT, is a teacher, actor and dancer. Claire first became aware of Buddhist meditation and philosophy when her father, a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), began a regular meditation practice when she was fourteen. Through a daily practice, Claire watched her father learn to cope with and successfully manage the debilitating symptoms of PTSD. Claire began practicing meditation in earnest in 2001 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California before going on to study in the Sotto Zen tradition. Claire was first drawn to yoga as a teen while recovering from a dance related injury. The practice immediately drew her in and she has continued to practice Iyengar based Hatha and Vinyasa Flow, and more recently, in the Anusara tradition. Claire is registered with Yoga Alliance and is a certified Vajra Yoga and Meditation instructor. Claire currently teaches mindfulness meditation and yoga to first year students at Fordham University Lincoln Center. She is thrilled to be participating in the apprentice program at Mala and sends a heartfelt thanks to Christina, Angela and Stephanie for nurturing and supporting new teachers. Claire lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Marisa Sako

Angela Clark — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:55:16 +0000

Marisa’s classes are slow-flowing but intense, creative but safe, challenging but never competitive. In 2006, she completed her 200-hour training with Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi at Laughing Lotus. During that time, her mentor, Heather Heineman, inspired her to delve deeper into anatomy and alignment. She went on to study with Neuromuscular Therapist Susan Hefner and yoga anatomy educator Leslie Kaminoff. Over the past few years, she has been practicing regularly with Schuyler Grant and the teachers of Kula Yoga Project, who have helped her learn how to bring alignment and bandha work into the vinyasa flow. Marisa tries to pass on to her students what yoga has given her: an understanding of how to use the breath as a bridge between the body and mind; how to imbue action with mindfulness and heart; and how to quiet the mind through moving meditation. Each day her students amaze, inspire, and humble her. For this, she is grateful.

Cari Friedman

Angela Clark — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:52:50 +0000

Cari Friedman is an Anusara inspired yoga teacher who came to New York in 2001 after completing her teacher training with Max Strom in Los Angeles. She began her Anusara training in NY and actively studied under John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga. Gleaning from the master tutelage of John and the likes of Rajanika yoga scholar Dr. Douglas Brooks, Cari rooted herself deeply in the tantric tradition. As she completes her Anusara Yoga certification, Cari continues to conduct regular classes, workshops and retreats through which she emphasizes authenticity and encourages her students to open to their whole being, fearlessly and with passion.

Marcus Berardino

Angela Clark — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:50:29 +0000

Marcus has been practicing Yoga on and off the mat since the fuzzy days of 1995, after he moved to NYC and discovered this ancient practice at his local Y. Since then, he has grown, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, into a learned pupil, culminating with his recent graduation from Laughing Lotus’s Vinyasa Flow 200-hour certification. When he is not on the mat, Marcus can be found massaging the achy and pained backs, necks and bodies of fellow New Yorkers. He is a licensed massage therapist in New York state and nationally, specializing in deep Swedish, Connective Tissue, Cranial Sacral & Thai Yoga massage. His massage practice spans the far reaches of Manhattan and Brooklyn. He likes to spend his free time biking, writing, traveling and socializing. Much gratitude and love to Angela, Stephanie and Christina at Mala, and Dana Flynn, Jasmine Tarkeshi and Keith Borden at Laughing Lotus, San Francisco for all their guidance and support. Namaste.

Lauren Ginsberg

Angela Clark — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:24:28 +0000

Lauren Ginsberg was intitially drawn to yoga in the mid-90s when she was diagnosed with cancer. She found the spiritual and physical practice essential to her self-care and ability to stay connected to her body. Yoga continued to be a central part of her life during recovery, and she discovered that it was a natural extension of her work as a psychotherapist; both practices are incredible life tools. Lauren’s focus on how yoga can benefit certain conditions such as chronic illness, depression and anxiety awakened her desire to teach. She recently completed OM Yoga teacher training with Christie Clark, Frank Mauro and Cyndi Lee.
Lauren currently works as a psychotherapist for students at New York University, has her own private practice, and participates in the assisting program at Mala Yoga, with Angela, Christina and Stephanie to whom she is so grateful for their teaching and generosity!