Dusk

Sandy                                                                 I discovered yoga about fourteen  years ago. After my first yoga practice taught by Monica Devine, I knew this was something that I would incorporate into my life style. A yoga session during lunch hour or after work was the perfect relaxation needed for the mind. Physically, it was rejuvenating while improving my strength and flexibility. It complemented the outdoor activities that we love to do in Alaska. In simple words, it was the perfect therapy for the mind and body. Later, I signed up for teacher training because I wanted to deepen my practice; made trips to India and studied at Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik and Association for Yoga and Meditation, Rishikesh. Eventually, the practice became so much a part of the daily life that I wanted share this gift of yoga with others. The desire to share the practice was so great that it led to taking up teaching yoga and  opening Namaste North. Om Shanti!     Cassey Ibelieve that anyone can do yoga. Finding a practice, teacher and community you connect with will help guide you on your journey with in. My path as yoga practitioner and instructor began 15 years ago. I took my first yoga class in college and the physical and mental discipline supported other aspects of life as a result. More focus, ease of being, ability to become present more easily, ability to let go, and most importantly…breath. I guided yoga classes in Tokyo, Japan for 8 years and my family moved to Alaska suddenly after the earthquake of March 2011 in Fukushima and Tokyo. Alaska has been a great teacher of acceptance, strong community, grace and growth for us. We are fond of Alaska and sharing yoga is a way to give back. Thank you for the opportunity. I earned the 200-hour teacher training certificate in 2003 from the Shambhava school tradition at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Rollingsville, CO and 40 hour Ashtanga Yoga certificate with David Swenson in Tokyo, Japan in 2006.      Hagino       Hagino hailed from the northernmost island of Japan.  She began her yoga practice in 2006 in New Zealand when she was working as a hiking guide, and discovered the power of breath and mindfulness.  As Erich Schiffmann says, “Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are.” Soon yoga became an important part of her daily life, and in 2009, Hagino received her teacher training from Shambhava Yoga in Colorado. Since then she has taught classes in Colorado, Arkansas, and Alaska. Her class integrates what she learned from several different teachers, mainly from Stacey Dee, one of the Rod Styker’s Para Yoga certified instructors. When Hagino is not practicing yoga, she can be found hiking/backpacking in the mountains.          Rachel , RYT Rachel holds a 200 Hour-RYT certification with Yoga Alliance. While she is working towards furthering her certification level, she is attending as many yoga trainings as she can squeeze into herschedule. Since completing her training in February of 2014 she has continued her Svadhyaya (Self Study through Yoga) with: iRest Teacher Training Yoga Fit, Teacher Training-Yoga for Trauma Warriors at Ease, Teacher Training – 1,2A and 2B As you might notice from the courses she has taken, her main focus and passion is helping Veterans heal through Yoga and Meditation. Rachel returned from her month in India with Global Yoga Shala, with a true passion for teaching Yoga. This journey started In Germany and has now taken her to Anchorage, Alaska. Where she is teaching Veterans, outdoor enthusiests and anyone interested in Yoga. Her teaching style encourages students to find their own practice and pace. She  teaches iRest ©, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, and meditation. When Rachel is not teaching Yoga she is an active member of Team RWB, Wounded Warrior Alumni,  and World Traveler Alison As an athlete and a runner, Alison was originally drawn to yoga for the physicalelements. But even after her first class she was intrigued by the practice – sensing it held something beyond the physical benefits. Even after practicing for only a couple of months she noticed that yoga had helped her develop a renewed sense of patience for herself and others. Determined to learn more, Alison completed her teacher training at Core Power Yoga Chicago in 2008. She has been teaching, as well as leading workshops and trainings, ever since. Now Alison finds yoga to be a stimulating and centering part of her life – and she is grateful for the general sense of calm and stillness in both body and mind that it brings.    As an instructor Alison creates an environment that is simultaneously grounding, playful and challenging. She leads a mindful and alignment-focused class – with lots of opportunities for long holds and exploration within each pose. Life is confusing and chaotic enough! She hopes that her class provides students with the opportunity to slow down, simplify, andfocus.      Guest Teachers Teresa Teresa found yoga’s peaceful, calming nature, and organic motions brought much balance as a teen girl in 2001 when she first discovered the practice.  In time Teresa’s love for all things yoga only grew.  During college she continued to grow her practice and found it essential medicine for a hectice college lifestyle.  After college the passion to share yoga with others was born.  She started teaching in 2013, after earning her 200 hr. teaching certificate in Ashtanga from Sampoorna yoga on the coast of Goa in India.  Teresa has been teaching even since, and has no desire to stop.  When not sharing yoga, she finds herself with family in the wildly wonderful nature of Alaska offers.