Click the buttons below to see each instructor's bio.

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  • Paul Westcott

    

    Interested in the knowledge of yoga, so began to read and study important literature like the Sri I'Sopanishad, and Bhagavad-Gita, ancient books on the science of self realization of more than 5000 years old. So topics such as The soul, The Supersoul, Karma, Re-inrcanation, Nature, Time and The Supreme Absolute Truth gave purpose to Paul to take up and integrate the lifestyle of a yoga practitioner, the change began and so gave up meat eating, started meditation, chanting of mantras to purify the mind and fasting (from beans and grains twice a month) thus nourishing this spiritual consciousness that the process of yoga guides the human being through.

    Then while living adult in San Francisco as a hotel clerk took up Hatha Yoga by friends invite to classes so then a year later when on to Yoga Teachers Training Certification in Woodbourne NY, a defining moment in Paul's life to slowly but surely begin his career as yoga instructor, teaching privately in Honolulu. Paul's education also includes Certified Hypnotherapist, studied courses American Council of Exercise ACE, AFA American Fitness Association, Reiki 3rd degree, and Massage Therapy Licensing.

    His yoga classes are an application of all these skills both in the mind and body: a great voice delivery, for movement and guidance, posture adjustment, breathing exercises pranayama, and final relaxation all making it a wholesome yoga experience. “Yoga practice or lifestyle is one of the best gifts for you.”

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  • Akaljas Singh

    

    Began practicing Kundalini and Hatha Yoga in 2008 and received his yoga teacher training at Open Space Yoga in Honolulu. When obtaining his BA in History, he became fascinated with studying the cultural and religious traditions of India and began to immerse himself in these subjects.

    Eventually, his studies led him to Ayurveda and his interest in this healing system prompted him to gain his license as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor with the American Institute of Vedic Studies. Akaljas currently offers private ayurvedic consultations and his approach is based on practicality, simplicity and effectiveness in order to provide useful individualized tools to support a long, healthy, blissful life. Akaljas's studies continue to take him deeper into Ayurveda and Kundalini Yoga. His classes are a unique merger of these sisters sciences with the goal of helping students find balance in an accessible manner. Akaljas brings a light-hearted and realistic approach to his yoga classes and genuinely loves to share this amazing technology of life. He may even play his ukulele and sing to you during relaxation!

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  • Kesia Gozalez

    

    200 hour RYT with the Yoga Alliance. Yoga and I found each other sporadically. It was in the spur of a moment in my teenage years when I took my first class and has been committed ever since. I practice yoga as I do my life. The mat is a clean slate where all the clutter is left behind. It becomes a new destination where I am open to anything, where the breath guides oneself through the exploration of movement. My focus is to share this space with students. A space where they can explore their limitations, go beyond them and make their practice a place where they can be. In the universe all is vast and open to exploration.

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  • Laura Mary Flynn

    

    Laura developed a love for yoga while living in San Diego, CA. There she completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training. Having played competitive sports her whole life, Laura loves to challenge her students to meet new limits in their yoga practice and life. Laura studies public health in graduate school and enjoys sharing her passion for health with others through teaching. She finds yoga to be a great avenue through which people might challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Music plays an important role in her classes, serving to set the appropriate mood throughout class. Be ready for a workout and to leave class feeling energized and refreshed!

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  • Hatsumi Trace

    

    After returning to Japan and graduating from college, she worked in an IT company for 4 years before deciding that she needed a change in here live and took a chance practicing yoga full time. She was first trained in hot yoga, working in Fukuoka, Japan for three years as both an instructor and branch manager of the Hakata Hot Yoga Studio O. In 2008, she moved with her husband to New York, where she received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification in Vinyasa Flow under Isaac Pena of Sankalpah Yoga. While in NY, she also received teacher training in Maternity yoga at the OM Yoga Center, and Pre- and Post-natal Yoga at Yoga Works, Kids Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga, and Chair Yoga with Lakshmi Volker, along with teaching hatha, vinyasa, restoration, and kids yoga classes in Manhattan at the East 53rd Wellness Studio.

    In 2010, Hatsumi came to Hawaii and began her own private yoga practice, teaching a variety of styles and classes in and around Waikiki, including beach yoga, and yoga in Kapiolani park as part of a tourist promotion for JAL.

    Hatsumi's classes incorporate the gentle pace of Hatha yoga, while integrating the combination of movement and breath of Vinyasa yoga, working from the individual needs of each student. Hatsumi focuses on bringing both body and heart together in way to create the spirit of aloha in each class.

    1999年オーストラリアに留学中、通っていたジムで初めてヨガを体験する。地味なヨガのポーズでも、身体の内側や呼吸に意識を向けるだけでじわじわと汗が出てくることに驚き、その爽快感からヨガを続けるようになる。帰国後大学を卒業し日本のIT企業で4年間営業職を務めた後、本当に自分がしたいことは何か？を探すため、自分探しの旅に出る。帰国後、日本に全国展開しているHot Yoga Studio Oのオーディションを受け3ヶ月のヨガ研修後ヨガインストラクターとなり、店舗チーフを務める。3年間ホットヨガを教えた後、2008年にアメリカ人と結婚し、ヨガの聖地であるニューヨークに渡る。マンハッタンのミッドタウンにあるEast 53rd Wellness Studioのレギュラーヨガインストラクターを務める傍ら、ニューヨークにあるヨガスタジオを巡り様々なスタイルのヨガを学ぶ。

    2009年2月、ニューヨークのSankalpah YogaにてIssac Penaのクラスを受け、ヴィンヤサヨガの魅力にはまる。その後Sankalpah YogaのIssacのもと、200時間のYoga Teacher Trainingを修了し、全米ヨガアライアンス認定インストラクターとなる。

    他にYoga WorksにてCariie ParkerによるマタニティヨガTT修了、OM Yoga CenterにてJanice ClarfieldによるマタニティヨガTT修了、Karma Kids YogaにてShariによるキッズヨガTT修了、Open CenterにてLakshmi VolkerによるチェアヨガTT修了。

    2010年6月にハワイに移住し、現在はハワイの自宅やワイキキビーチ、カピオラニ公園で“Yoga for Everybody”をモットーに、老若男女、それぞれの心と身体に合ったアロハ溢れるヨガを教えている。2010年よりJTBハワイにてホノルルマラソン完走者向けストレッチヨガクラスを担当。2011年9月よりJALわくわくアロハ計画のモーニングヨガを担当。

    クラスはハタヨガをベースに、その時の生徒さんの状態に合わせて呼吸と動作を合わせたヴィンヤサヨガを取り入れています。心と身体が繋がっている事を感じて頂けるアロハのこもったクラスを心がけています♡

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  • Mirori Imai (Miro)

    

    Miro is an artist yogini. Her paintings incorporate the yogic themes of peace, harmony, love and union. Her study of performing arts, modern dance and her life's work of painting lead her to yoga. When she met yoga, she felt as if she had arrived home and soon became absorbed in her practice and studies. Miro has attended Hatha, Vinyasa flow and Jivamukuti Yoga intensive course in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nepal, Hong Kong and Bali. She completed her teacher training at Seattle Hatha Yoga Center by Ki Mc Graw and Bob Smith.

    From 2009 to 2011 she teached yoga at Guam Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Pacific Island Resort and other yoga studios. In 2011 and 2012 she teached yoga at shrines, community centers and etc. in Fukuoka, Japan. She moved to Hawaii in July 2012. Miro greatly enjoys sharing yoga time with all who want to open their bodies, minds and spirits.

    ヨガと出逢った時、絵でつなげてゆきたい事やテーマが、YOGA＝ひとつになる　結びつける　ことと同じであること、ただ身体を動かしたり曲げる事ではなく、その奥に何かある！と深く感動し、毎日の練習とヨガについて学ぶ事に夢中になる。

    ネパール、バリ、香港、東京、福岡などで多くのヨガリトリートやトレーニングを受け、Hatha、Vinyasa flow、Jivamkti yogaを学ぶ。Seattle Hatha Yoga CenterのKi Mc GrawとBob Smithに師事。全米ヨガアライアンスYoga Teacher Training終了。グアム在住中にヒルトン、シェラトン、パシフィック・アイランド・リゾート、Synergy StudioなどでVinyasaとHatha flowのクラスを担当。福岡在住中には神社、コミュニティーセンター、カフェなどで ヨガコミュニティーを広げる。2012年7月よりハワイ在住。絵とヨガを通じて、こころと身体が自由になり、内側にある喜びを開いてゆけるような表現、きっかけづくりをしていきたい。

    ウェブサイト：www.mirori.jp

    

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  • Blake Sims

    

    Blake began his yoga practice a few months after moving to the Big Island in 2004. An avid runner, he realized that yoga was the best complement to his running but had n idea now much it would change his view of the world. In 2008 he decided to deepen his practice by taking a 200 hr cent course from this this love for yoga deepen and became a passion though yoga. Blake has found joy in the freedom of movement + hopes to share + inspire others.

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  • Courtney Waxler

    

    Courtney has been practicing yoga for over ten years in places including Los Angeles, New York, Rishikesh India, London and now Honolulu. As a new student to asana, the athlete in her loved the physical challenge, but she found herself returning regularly because of the message yoga was unveiling each class. In 2010, she received her 200-hour teaching certification through Aloha Yoga Kula in Kailua, Hawaii, so that she could finally be a part of sharing this 5000-year-old secret with the world. Personally, yoga has helped Courtney find one-pointed focus while training and completing an Ironman triathlon, served in her recovery from marathon injuries and has reminded her in difficult situations to stop and take a breath. Her students find her light-heartedness relatable to their own yoga journey and are drawn to the sthira (strength) and sukha (ease) she brings to her classes. She is honored to be considered a yoga teacher, but relishes equally in being a student of yoga and life each and everyday.

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  • Jackie Ibanez

    

    The first time I attended a yoga class was when I was 17. As an athlete, I was able to perform most sports and physical activities with minimal effort. To my surprise, yoga turned out to be very challenging, which is what initially motivated me to keep going back. After a couple months, I slowly began to realize that yoga was more than just a workout for me, but rather the greatest and most positive influence in my life. I received my 200 hr teacher certification in San Diego, at the studio where i attended my first yoga class. Yoga has become a new path in my life that continuously teaches me to stay grounded and centered, regardless of any difficult situations that I am faced with. It is my release from any stress and negativity, as well a guide towards new opportunities, experiences, goals and unlimited possibilities. As an instructor, I want to provide others with the opportunity to achieve self-love, positiveness, and personal gains through the practice of yoga, as well as a physical & mental challenge during a continuous flow class, that provides a great workout by building whole body strength, flexibility, and balance throughout each breath.

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  • Heather Martz

    

    Aloha! My name is Heather Martz. I am originally from Idaho, but have spent the last several years traveling to various locations. Among those travels include a trip to the Bahamas and another to India, both to study yoga.

    Yoga is my passion and I thoroughly enjoy sharing that passion with others. I first started practicing yoga after running had taken its toll on my body. My hips and heels were tight painful and running was no longer enjoyable for me. I started practicing yoga and very quickly began to feel my body return to a more flexible state.

    As I noticed the positive changes in my own body, I wanted to share the benefits with others. I went to an Ashram in the Bahamas and earned my first certification to teach yoga. Since then I have continued to teach, practice and study yoga. I have settled in Hawaii and am a graduate student at Hawaii Pacific University studying Global Leadership and Sustainable Development. With this background I have founded Green Girl Yoga, which is my attempt to tie in sustainability with my yoga classes. I often share ideas for small tasks you can do to lead a more sustainable life and help create a better future for others in my classes.

    I look forward to seeing you in class soon to share my passions with you.