PRESENTERS

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Our Presenters description...

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    DR INDU ARORA

    MD (AM) | ND | BMHS | IYT | E-RYT 500 | Yoga Shiromani | Yoga Bhaskar

    Dr. Indu Arora is a highly accomplished international speaker, acclaimed Yoga Therapist, Master Teacher, Healer and Author, with more than 30,000 hours/ 12 years of teaching experience.

    She has a Doctorate in Alternate Medicine (MD) and a Medicinal Herbalism degree. Awarded with Yoga Shiromani and Yoga Bhaskar, she has a Grand Parenting E-500 T-500 experienced registered yoga teacher certificate from Yoga Alliance. Dr. Arora is pursuing her PhD. in Metaphysical Sciences from University of Metaphysical Sciences, CA. She has recently completed “Advanced Clinical Ayurveda” training from International Academy of Ayurveda, India. She is a board member of the World Movement of Yoga, an International Advisor to World Yoga Council. She writes regularly for YOGA Chicago and Tathaastu magazines. Dr. Arora has recently launched a line of Ayurvedic products for Face, Body and Hair under the name “Yogis Glow”. She has been recently awarded with the titles “Gem of India” and “Ray of Hope” for her contribution to Yoga, Wellness and Holistic Healing on International platform. She lives in Chicago, IL with her husband and keeps her interest live in singing, dancing, painting, writing poems and making sculptures. Inquire about Dr. Indu Arora’s 200 Hour Holistic Yoga teacher Training program details. www.yogsadhna.com

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    JIM BENNITT

    Jim Bennitt, a former wrestler, massage therapist and clerk at the Chicago Board of Trade, began his studies in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda in 1997. Originally he took up Yoga as a way to help heal back pain, but soon after, discovered how the practice affects not only the body, but also mind and spirit. Jim has completed teacher trainings with Daren Friesen of Moksha Yoga Center which draws heavily from the Krishnamacharya lineage, apprenticed with Gabriel Halpern of the Yoga Circle (a studio in the Iyengar tradition), spent two months in Kiev with Ukrainian Yoga master Andre Lappa for an intensive in Universal Yoga, and in 2002 began a close apprenticeship with Rod Stryker (founder of Para Yoga) in the Himalayan tradition which continues to this day. Jim's practice and teaching can be physically demanding, however it always has an emphasis on breathwork and meditation helping to unite body, mind and spirit. Jim has been featured in such publications as The New York Times, Chicago Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Breathe, and Yoga Chicago. He is a popular presenter at the Yoga Journal Grand Geneva Conference and the Midwest Yoga Conference and teaches workshops nationwide.

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    TONI BERGINS

    Toni Bergins, MEd, a transformational mover, has been called "a one woman force of mother earth fire." She is creator and founder of JourneyDance™, a movement for spiritual practice, embodiment, energy, and flow. She spreads her joy and passion for life through creative and powerful workshops and JourneyDance Teacher Trainings. Toni has a light sense of humor and a deep authenticity that makes JourneyDance accessible to all. She has a popular instructional CD and a line of Love Your Body, Love Your Life cards. Toni teaches internationally and leads a team of over 200 JourneyDance™ Teachers.

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    MICHELINE BERRY

    Micheline Berry's Vinyasa Flow Yoga work integrates fluidity with yoga asana structure, flow with dynamic stillness, strength with deep release. Often accompanied by live world music, her yoga classes are an urban ritual experience designed to activate and deepen the flow of Shakti Prana - the sensual and vibrant creative principle that exists as latent potential within us all. You will come away from this practice feeling deeply relaxed, creatively inspired, empowered and rejuvenated.

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    ANNIE CARPENTER

    Annie is based in Los Angeles and travels extensively in the US, Europe and Asia. She leads all levels of classes and is the senior Teacher Trainer at Yogaworks. A former Martha Graham dancer, she has an extensive background in anatomy, kinesiology and developmental movement; and, having practiced yoga since age 17, she is deeply committed to the classical traditions of yoga. Annie’s gift is playfully balancing her love of movement with the precision that her history informs.

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    CORNELL COLBERT

    Dr. Colbert has been a General Dentist for 30 years. Overcoming his physical pain led him to a daily Yoga practice 15 years ago. After finishing Teacher Training with Jonny Kest in 2005, Cornell began to concentrate on the anatomy and physiology of Yoga postures. Using Yoga asana mindfully to heal both the physical and spiritual/emotional body became his Dharma. Cornell began training in 2008 to become a Certified Yoga Therapist with Professional Yoga Therapy Studies (PYTS) under Ginger Garner. Yoga Therapy seeks to bridge the gap between the Eastern Ayurvedic Healing system and evidenced based Western Medical Practices. The future of 21st century healing depends upon a seamless merger of both Eastern and Western knowledge. Cornell is currently a staff teacher at the Center For Yoga Studios in Birmingham and West Bloomfield, Michigan. He also teaches classes as a Yoga Therapist and Yoga for Professional Care Givers.

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    SEANE CORN

    As an inspired communicator, Seane’s classes are an eclectic fusion of various healing and Spiritual modalities making them intuitive, insightful and educational. Featured in commercials, magazines and named the “National Yoga Ambassador” for YouthAIDS, Seane utilizes her national platform to bring awareness to the HIV/AIDS crisis, along with the Cambodian Children’s Fund. She trains leaders of activism through her co-founded organization Off the Mat, Into the World®, started in 2007 with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling. She received the 2005 “Conscious Humanitarian” award for her outreach efforts. Her award winning DVD’s “Vinyasa Flow Yoga” are available through Gaiam International; and her “Yoga From the Heart” DVD can be found through the Yoga Journal.

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    LILIAS FOLAN

    Recognized as the “First Lady of Yoga” since her ground breaking 1972 PBS television series, Lilias! Yoga and You, Lilias Folan is regarded as one of America’s most knowledgeable and beloved Master Yoga teachers. Steeped in many different yoga traditions, in recent years Lilias relies strongly on her own personal experience and intuition to influence her teaching. In her third book, Yoga Gets Better with Age (Rodale), Lilias turns her attention to a demographic that has yet been addressed, her own! At 70 plus, she’s living proof that yoga is a continually changing, growing, deepening practice, that can be learned with ease at mid-life and beyond.

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    BO FORBES

    Bo Forbes is a clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, and integrative yoga therapist in the Boston area. She is the founder of Elemental Yoga, director of the Elemental Yoga Mind-Body Teacher Training Programs, and director of the Center for Integrative Yoga Therapeutics. With a background that includes training in biopsychology, sleep disorders, behavioral medicine, and stress management, Bo supplements more than 20 years of clinical experience with a practice in Mind-Body Medicine. She teaches yoga classes and advanced trainings internationally, and has written for Yoga Journal, Body and Soul Magazine, and the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. Her book Yoga for Emotional Balance: Simple Practices to Relieve Anxiety and Depression, will be published in the fall of 2010.

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    DAREN FRIESEN

    Daren Friesen is the owner and director of Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago, one of the largest studios in the midwest. Daren has been teaching and practicing yoga for over 20 years. Having been influenced by Astanga and Vinyasa Flow, his style incorporates tantric techniques such as bandhas, mudras, and kriyas. Daren believes that yoga is needed more than ever in our hectic modern day lifestyle.

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    PAUL GRILLEY

    Paul Grilley has been practicing yoga since 1979. He has written a book entitled “Yin Yoga” and has created three DVDs on yoga and anatomy. Paul lives with his wife Suzee in Ashland, Oregon.

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    JULIA BUTTERFLY HILL

    Julia Butterfly Hill brought international attention to the plight of the world’s last remaining ancient forests when she climbed 180 feet into the branches of a 1000 year-old redwood tree and refused to come down. Her historic protest to the environmental destruction caused by the clear-cutting of ancient redwoods culminated after 738 days with a negotiated agreement that provided permanent protection for the tree known as Luna and a 3 acre buffer-zone around it.

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    SHAKTA KAUR

    Shakta Kaur Kezios, RYT-500, is an international teacher of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan. She owns Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL) located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Shakta is a Lead Teacher Trainer at KYL and offers several 220-hour “Aquarian Teacher” Training Programs (KRI Certified and YA Registered) in both the US and abroad. Her popular ‘Lunar Woman’ and ‘Invincible Woman’ workshops are now available on DVD. Shakta is the co-creator of the “Teach more, Earn More, Serve More” tele-class series for yogis interested in improving their business skills. She is also a trainer of Breathwalk® (walking meditation) instructors. From 2004 to 2008 Shakta served as Secretary, Chair of the Board and Interim President/CEO of Yoga Alliance (YA). In 1987 she (aka Susan P. Kezios) founded Women in Franchising, Inc. (WIF) and in 1993 she founded the American Franchisee Association (AFA).

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    JONNY KEST

    By way of breath, Jonny brings a beautiful balance of intensity and grace to each therapeutic class where he encourages the student to ‘get out of their own way’ and allow one’s own healing powers to inspire each practice.

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    ANNE MARIE KRAMER

    Committed to changing the world, Amk’s classes make a difference. Rooted in transformation, she offers laughter, music and butt-kicking asana to breakthrough the stuff that holds you back from more power and happiness in you life. Her teaching pays homage to all of her teachers, Jonny Kest, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rae, Saul David Raye, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Bryan Kest, Cindy Lee, Geshe Michael Roach and Christy McNally. Her path has brought her from Ohio to California where she owns Zuda Yoga, Sacramento’s two favorite, largest and most successful yoga studios. Her passion is for teaching teachers as that’s how her ripple spreads forth. She believes yoga can be seriously fun while honoring the lineage and sharing the dharma.

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    LES LEVENTHAL

    Les is one of San Francisco’s most popular and sought after teachers. Les’ classes, workshops and video podcasts are filled with all the basic technique and alignment cues you will need to get your yoga practice started. They are also filled with lots of variations and occasional longer sequences to challenge the more seasoned practitioner. The prana (life force) comes from within. So be prepared to sweat and let the rasa (the sap and the juice) flow freely. 

Les’ studies and ceremonies are steeped in Forrest tradition, having completed Ana Forrest’s teacher training. Les has also assisted Ana’s teacher training and studied many additional hours with her. Also, Les has completed several trainings with Tias Little and has learned much of his alignment and technique cues from Tias, as well as a firm foundation in the 8 Fold path of Buddhism which compliments the asana practice with a sense of grace and elegance that allow you to integrate your yoga experience and whatever traditions you have in your own life.

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    MOSES

    Moses Love aka Jasjeet Singh is a down to earth spiritual lighthouse whose main inspiration is drawn from the infinite well of divine love. Moses is know to be straightforward while creating a safe, loving space to awaken to life's miracles. Studying with the Late Master Alec Rubin for many years Moses began to develop his unique style of Organic Awareness Yoga. Moses also teaches Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan and is a pioneer in Acro Flying Yoga. Acroflyingyoga.com. Moses is the Founder of Iloveyoga.com and the Green Bus Project.

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    RAINA NEMETH

    Raina Nemeth began practicing yoga at 8 years old. She studied under Jonny Kest and completed his teacher training program in 2005. Since then, she has been teaching Hot Vinyasa classes, leading workshops, and assisting with teacher training at Jonny Kest's Center for Yoga in Birmingham, Michigan. She has been featured several times in "Strut Magazine" and in "Marie Claire" for her "Partner Yoga for Singles" classes. Raina is recognized for weaving together intense and challenging Vinyasa flows, encouraging students to peel away the layers through their practice and discover their strength, wisdom, and authentic self. Her classes offer experienced yogis and yoginis an opportunity to uncover a new edge to their practice, while beginners will light upon the fire and passion that comes through Vinyasa flow.

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    BAHIA OHLSEN

    Dr. Bahia Ohlsen is a Licensed Chiropractic Physician, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Acupuncturist. She has been in practice since 1992 in Buffalo Grove, IL. Dr. Ohlsen has a Bachelors Degree in Human Biology and is completing her Masters of Science in Clinical Practice. Dr. Ohlsen became motivated to learn about the science behind the Yoga and Acupuncture available to enhance natural and invitro fertility after having two daughters and seeing friends struggle with fertility. Dr. Ohlsen is excited to share with you what she has learned in this new and developing field.

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    BILL PRYSOCK

    Grounded, informative, humble, with a deliciously dry sense of humor, Bill brings a passion for yoga apparent in the first downdog. He has a sense of calm you can feel, along with a knowledge that comes from being a gifted family practice doctor for 14 years. As co-owner of Zuda Yoga in Sacramento, Bill left medicine to share the healing effects of yoga with as many people as possible. He frequently teaches anatomy at conferences and teacher trainings across the United States. Bill gratefully acknowledges his teachers, Jonny Kest, Baron Baptiste and Paul Grilley. Based on the work, and with the blessing of Paul Grilley, Bill’s teaching frees your practice so that you may have more self-acceptance, and ultimately, more self-love.

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    SAUL DAVID RAYE

    Saul David Raye is known for his empowering and transformational approach to yoga, healing, and spirituality. His unique teaching style brings alive the holistic nature of healing in a way that is simple, powerful, and accessible, allowing people to connect more deeply with their own authentic power and spirit. He holds certifications in yoga, bodywork, and energy healing and is an ordained minister and musician who infuses his classes with healing music and chants. He has been on the faculty of numerous national conferences and was the cofounder of the original Sacred Movement Center in Los Angeles.

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    DAVID ROMANELLI

    Yahoo’s Mind-Body Expert, David Romanelli is also co-founder of At One Yoga, which consists of multiple state-of-the art yoga studios in Arizona. A pioneering effort in the national yoga scene, At One Yoga fuses Western culture's fashion, music and technology with Eastern culture's sacred rituals and ancient tradition. David drew from this experience when creating a unique approach to yoga that would enhance accessibility to previously untapped markets. Yeah Dave Yoga is David’s innovative combination of exercise, inspiring spirituality, and great music ranging from Frank Sinatra to Diddy.

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    TAMI SCHNEIDER

    Tami is a devoted teacher and student of yoga, peace, hope and compassion for all. Her enthusiasm for teaching yoga is evident in her dynamic, challenging, heart-filled classes. Her sequencing is creative, fun, energetic and expressive as she enables you to find a new edge, expanding your inner strength and potential. Tami began teaching yoga in 1998 and has never looked back! She is the proud owner of Cleveland Yoga, specializing in power vinyasa yoga located in Beachwood, Ohio. Cleveland Yoga has grown organically into the premier yoga studio in Ohio with over 70 classes offered each week - a place of joy, serenity and sweat for thousands of yogis. The sun is always shining at Cleveland Yoga! Tami honors her teachers and students for her continuous growth, transformation and awakening to a higher sense of being.

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    JANET STONE

    In 1996, Janet Stone traveled to India, the birthplace of her grandfather, where she met a powerful yogi and became dedicated to a conscious evolution through yoga. As one of San Francisco's premiere yoga instructors, Janet blends a wealth of knowledge and yoga experience to create a unique, vigorous-yet-scrumptuous approach to Vinyasa yoga. Her classes are often strong, sweaty and deeply nurturing, full of great music, humor and lots of heart. Based in San Francisco, she also teaches workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats all over the world.

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    DIANA VITANTONIO

    Diana describes her classes as motivational, transformational, enthusiastic, empowering, playful and full of love. The results of taking her classes manifest in her students who walk away stronger and more empowered physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her hope is that we all can begin to work together on this path to become better human beings - forgive, love and be happy and free. Everything Diana learns on her mat she is able to take with her on her journey. She has found that identifying the truth of the present moment, no matter what that truth is, will set us free. Diana is committed to ongoing training with her teachers Baron Baptiste and Jonny Kest, as she draws constant inspiration from these powerful teachers.

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    MARK WHITWELL

    Having studied since 1973 in the home of Krishnamacharya “the teacher of our teachers” with his son TKV Desikachar, Mark Whitwell seeks to put back what has curiously been left out of western yoga education and practice, adapting Yoga to individual differences and remarrying Yoga to its Tantric origins. Mark is most interested in revealing authentic Yoga and how each person can easily, naturally and actually practice. Mark edited and contributed to Desikachar’s book The Heart of Yoga. His own book is Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection (Lantern Books).