Robert Gray MA
Telephone: 510-798-3712
Robertgrayyoga@yahoo.com
Robert has been a student of yoga and eastern philosophy for over twenty years. He holds a bachelors degree in Architecture from U. C. Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Yoga Room Teacher Training program in 1994. Robert has studied Asana and Pranayama extensively with Rodney Yee, and Tony Briggs. From the foundation of B.K.S. Iyengar, Robert has expanded his understanding of the physical and the spiritual with his MA from Holy Names College in Culture and Spirituality. This degree blended the wisdom of indigenous peoples, the insights of the eastern and western mystics, the sciences of evolution and cosmology. The academic portion of the degree was grounded with a daily practice of ritual and art making. Robert has a passionate teaching style tempered with a solid foundation of respect and kindness. He is available for private posture instruction, meditation guidance, and the creation of specific routines for injuries and illnesses. Rates for private work vary from $60 to $85 per hour depending on time and location.
"I feel that through the practice of yoga postures one can travel to the edges of human perception. One can also use our knowledge of yoga postures to get a good nights sleep. recover from an illness. Both the inner and outer journey require a strong and peaceful vessel. In my beginning classes a foundation of physical skills are established. These foundation skills are strong intelligent legs, contained but supple belly and waist, and an ability to lift the spine without excess shoulder tension. By attempting to understand the physical skills the mind is gently taught to focus in a steady way. With these basic capacities great progress can be made towards an integrated body and mind. "

Valerie Smith
Valerie.smith@alamedanet.net
510 - 917 - 1479
Valerie Smith is certified to teach Pilates through both the PhysicalMind Institute, and through ITT, Integrated Teacher Training of the Bay Area. She leads group mat and group Reformer classes in studios and athletic clubs, as well as 1-1 Pilates personal training at an East Bay Pilates studio. Valerie has been teaching classes in Fitness, Dance, Gymnastics and Tai Chi since 1980. Her goal in teaching is to provide a challenging yet safe workout, based on the classic Pilates exercises, and sound principals of biomechanics and physical therapy. Her classes are both strengthening and restorative. Valerie's background in sports psychology, and well as conditioning and training, coupled with 25 years of teaching Tai Chi, make her uniquely qualified to lead Pilates exercise - a true 'mind & body' discipline.

James Ryder
Japanjamz@yahoo.com
510 - 355 - 7125
James Ryder has studied and practiced yoga and meditation since 1992, and has been teaching yoga since 2004. Rodney Yee, Amy Cooper, Stacy Smith, Robert Gray and Jaki Nett are some of the teachers with whom James has studied, and continues to study. A December 2006 graduate of the two-year San Francisco Iyengar Yoga Institute's Advanced Studies/Teacher Training, James's Hatha yoga classes are founded in specific physical actions and strong mental focus by which a spaciousness and joy becomes accessible. Also, James is an experienced theater artist and educator. Each of these realms continues to influence his life and yoga teaching.