Certified Teachers

Al Bingham

Al Bingham has been teaching yoga since 1995 and leading Encourage, a studio focused on the needs of practitioners transitioning through midlife, since 2013. Al has co-authored two books on yoga published by Random House and develops programs for yoga studios, clinical settings and corporate environments. Al’s PostureTweak orientation to asana is a joint-friendly, holistic approach for people in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond, which perfectly blends with the breath-aligned and pranic-aware principles of Vishoka Meditation.

Al is grateful for how his study with meditation-oriented teachers throughout his learning journey prepared him to recognize and embrace the depth and breadth of the Vishoka Meditation teachings offered by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and the Himalayan Institute. His gratitude for this wisdom tradition is reflected in the care with which he stewards these teachings as a Certified Vishoka Meditation Teacher.

Contact:

[email protected]
https://www.encourageyoga.com/
(413) 679-7766

Anna Withrow

Anna is a grateful student of the Himalayan Institute and the director of Yoga Bird in Fort Myers, Florida. Her teaching focuses on exploring the uplifting ideas of yoga and then finding that same intelligence in our bodies and in our breath. She leads asana classes, philosophy and lifestyle study groups, and life-long education for yoga teachers.

Contact:

[email protected]
(239) 839-7899
https://yogabirdstudio.com

Betsy Afton

Betsy has received both her 200-HR and 500-HR Yoga Teacher Certifications from the Himalayan Institute and has taught yoga for over 25 years in a variety of venues including the Olean YMCA, Jamestown Community College, St. Bonaventure University, the City of Olean, and the Olean Meditation Center. She has had her own yoga business since 2000 and has taught integrated hatha yoga to hundreds of students in the western New York/Pennsylvania areas.

Contact:

http://www.yogabetsy.com/
(716) 372-5850

Bill Ryan

After a nearly 30-year career teaching in higher education, Bill moved to the Himalayan Institute in 2015 where he completed his basic and advanced yoga teacher training. He provides biofeedback services and teaches wellness seminars through the PureRejuv Wellness Center. He also teaches yoga classes and is on the teaching faculty for the 200-hour yoga certification program. Bill has always been drawn to practicing and teaching meditation. He spent six months in Switzerland learning to teach TM in 1975. It seemed a natural evolution to become a CVMT when the opportunity arose, and he is honored to be able to share this living wisdom with others.

Contact:

[email protected]

Brenda Ehrler

Brenda worked as a corporate employee for 36 years during which time she discovered the calming and nurturing effects of yoga practice. In 2015, Brenda earned her 200-HR YTT certificate from Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has continued to study yoga, earning her 300-HR YTT certificate from her teacher Mary Johnston-Coursey, at Inner Mountain Institute. Brenda became a Certified Vishoka Meditation Teacher through the Himalayan Institute in 2022. Brenda continues to study within the tradition of the Himalayan Masters through both Inner Mountain Institute and Himalayan Institute. Her experiences in yoga and meditation have opened her eyes to a whole new way of being in the world, and she is honored and thrilled to be able to share this healing path with others. Brenda is determined to immerse herself in yoga study, with a passion and commitment that invites continual growth as both a student and teacher.

Contact:

Just Be Yoga
bl_ehrl[email protected]
(801) 554-9396

Bryan Crigler

Bryan first found yoga and meditation through his martial arts practice (Shito Ryu Karate, Choy li Fut Kung Fu, MMA, Kick Boxing and BJJ) over a decade ago. He has continued exploring the depths of his physical, mental and spiritual practices through yoga ever since. His journey has led him to practice and explore many different styles of yoga across 5 different continents. Having a passion for acquiring knowledge and studying the ancient yogic scriptures, Bryan loves to integrate these teachings into his classes and expose students to this incredible wisdom passed down through the ages. Bryan is a dedicated practitioner of Raja and Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Vishoka Mediation, Qi Gong and the Wim Hof Method and brings a unique flavor of all the practices he embodies to the classes he teaches.

Carina Terra

Carina has been studying yoga since 1992 and teaching since 2003. She concurrently studied yoga therapy under professor Marcos Rojo while pursuing a degree in Physics at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. In the US, she met Shari Friedrichsen, who introduced her to the Himalayan tradition. Since then, Carina has continued to study under the guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and the other amazing teachers at the Himalayan Institute.

Carina weaves both modern science and ancient wisdom into her classes. Her passion for teaching is evident in her breath-aligned classes, which are suitable for people of all levels and abilities. She is also a reiki master, sound healing facilitator, pranassage practitioner, and heart imagery instructor.

Carina is thrilled to be a CVMT! She feels grateful for the opportunity to share Vishoka Meditation with those who wish to experience it.

Contact:

Cosmic Roots

Carol Daly

Carol grew up in a home with yoga and meditation which has carried over into her adult life. Carol completed her 200 hour YTT in 2016 and received her 500 HR YTT Certification from the Himalayan Institute in 2018. Carol’s approach to teaching yoga draws from the Himalayan tradition and her experiences as a physical therapy clinician, administrator and educator. Carol’s strongest held belief is that yoga is accessible to all who are interested in giving it a try.

Carol is deeply grateful to her teachers at the Himalayan Institute and for this opportunity to share the life changing experience of Vishoka Meditation.

Contact:

[email protected]
https://firststreetccyoga.com/

Carrie Ruffner

Carrie is a physical therapist, a CranioSacral Therapist and a Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor. She was introduced to the Himalayan Institute by her first yoga teacher, Yoga Betsy, in 2004 and is deeply honored to be a part of this living tradition.

Carrie is a life-long learner and has also extensively studied Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Ayurveda and Reiki . She teaches yoga and meditation at Ritz Mountain Yoga and as a volunteer with The Prison Yoga Project. She opened Carrie Ruffner Body Balance to create a space where she could blend traditional Western medicine with these Eastern healing arts, supporting her patient’s body/mind and hearts.

Carrie has found her own Vishoka Meditation journey to be truly transformative, enriching every aspect of her life. She is thrilled to be certified as a Vishoka Meditation Teacher and have the ability to share this wisdom with others.

Contact:

Carrie Ruffner Body Balance
https://www.carrieruffner.com/
[email protected]
(716) 378-0689

Christine Osborne

Christine has been a spiritual seeker since childhood. She discovered yoga in her twenties and began a dedicated sadhana practice after the birth of her two sons. She has studied asana, pranayama, and meditation since 2004, and she completed her 500-hour RYT in 2015. She is deepening her practice through training in healing touch and the study of sacred texts. Christine is a devoted student of Sri Vidya under the tutelage of her beloved teacher, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D. Vishoka Meditation so transformed her sadhana that she was inspired to become a certified teacher so she could share this simple yet powerful practice with others.

Contact:

[email protected]

Cindy Ratych

Cindy has spent much of the last several years dedicating her time and energy to studying, practicing and teaching yoga. In addition to being a Certified Vishoka Meditation Teacher she is also a Certified Yoga Teacher. Cindy studied yoga and meditation with Rod Stryker and currently studies with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PHD. As a dedicated student and teacher of the Himalayan Tradition, she is inspired to look at life more joyfully and share the gift of Vishoka Meditation with anyone and everyone with the heart to hear it.

Contact:

[email protected]
https://www.cindyratychyoga.com/

Claire Smith

Claire’s yoga journey began in Japan 40 years ago, and has continued and deepened over the past 30 years as an American in Belgium. After completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Veronica Foody in the UK in 2009, she was fortunate soon after to be introduced to the Himalayan Tradition at the annual retreats led by Rolf Sovik in Brussels. This life-changing meeting led to Claire’s 300-hour teacher training at the Institute, frequent visits to Honesdale, and participation in the devoted sangha of practitioners in Belgium.

Claire continues to study in the tradition under the guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Rolf Sovik, Shari Friedrichsen, Sandy Anderson and all the wonderful teachers at the Himalayan Institute. She finds that being able to share the joy, stability and serenity that yoga brings has brought richer, deeper meaning to her own life, and is grateful for having been led to the path of a living tradition.

Contact

Peaceful Mind Yoga
[email protected]

Dale Kukielka

Dale started his yoga and meditation journey in the late 1980’s under the Himalayan tradition. Over the many years, he has practiced various other forms of meditation, such as Taoist, Buddhist, Mindfulness, and Mantra. All were very helpful, but he is extremely grateful for the experience with Vishoka Meditation, which brings him back into the fold of the Himalayan tradition. He looks forward to sharing this knowledge and experience with other seekers.

Contact:

http://dalek.massageplanet.com/
[email protected]
(763) 350-1861

David Goddard

David Goddard is a yoga therapist and meditation teacher specializing in yoga for mental and emotional resilience. David currently works as a yoga therapist and biofeedback therapist at the PureRejuv Wellness Center located on the grounds of the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. He brings his passion for cognitive science into the realm of integrative wellness with a focus on stress reduction and emotional wellness through the time-tested techniques of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.

Contact:

[email protected]

Deb Jeannette

Deb discovered yoga in 2003 while on a personal journey for healing and spiritual growth amidst the red rocks and vortexes of Sedona, Arizona. In 2008, she was initiated into the Himalayan Tradition as she completed her 500-hour YTT and in 2019 she traveled to India with the Himalayan Institute on a pilgrimage to the Kumbha Mela. Her experiences there inspired her to leave her corporate position and follow her path of teaching yoga in service to the veteran community with Veterans Yoga Project.

Deb is a certified yoga therapist known for creating sacred space as influenced by her teachers, peers, and her travels. Her aim is to foster a unique sense of empowerment with her students. Drawing upon a lifetime passion directed towards the achievement of self-awareness, her aim is to guide students with mindfulness and meditation practices touching one heart at a time. Deb is thrilled to share the joy of Vishoka Meditation in private sessions and group workshops.

Contact:

https://www.lavenderyogatherapy.me/
[email protected]
(631) 388-3369

Deepa Kadambi

Deepa began practicing yoga at a young age, a practice that continues to transform and evolve. She is a certified yoga teacher /therapist (RYT 500 and CIAYT) and Ayurvedic Wellness counselor. When she is not solving technical problems or designing solutions, she empowers individuals with tools, practice and techniques to manage life and be the best version of themselves. She considers it a privilege to be able to share the practice of Vishoka Meditation with anyone who is ready to reclaim their inner joy.

Contact:

[email protected]
(650) 279-4987

Dixie Keyes

Dixie found her first asana class in 2012 at the age of 46, read The Four Desires by Rod Stryker, and immediately began her journey with yoga. After experiencing the Parayoga Master Trainings, she found a local yoga studio to deepen her practice. Soon, the studio invited her to teach, and in 2021, Dixie completed her 200-hour YTT Certification. Continued study empowered Dixie to find her own wellness, healing, and discernment to see life as a gift. She continues to find community and support at the Himalayan Institute and plans to continue to learn even more about Vishoka Meditation and the wisdom traditions of yoga. Those who join in her classes are invited to breathe deeply, connect the mind to the body, find stillness, and seek the joy of inner awareness. Dixie lives in Northeast Arkansas.

Contact:

[email protected]
https://easternlivity.com/

Eduardo Guedez

Eduardo has been practicing Hatha yoga since 1994, teaching since 2007, and co-leading the YTT programs at Circle Yoga in Washington DC since 2017. He has been initiated into the Sri Vidya lineage of the Himalayan Sages and is most inspired by his master teachers Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, Yogarupa Rod Stryker (ParaYoga®), and Karthik Vilwanathan (karlakattai.co.uk). Eduardo’s teaching approach is grounded in the biomechanics of alignment, functional movement, pranayama, and yoga philosophy.

In addition to now being a Certified Vishoka Meditation Teacher, Eduardo is an E-RYT 500, YACEP and a certified Steel Mace instructor. He is also a dedicated student of Karlakattai (wooden Indian clubs), a functional practice of body-mind-breath conditioning developed by ancient Tamil warriors of southern India.

Eduardo holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and recently retired from Corporate IT after a 30 year career. He is the co-owner and executive director of StoneSong Awareness & Nature Center where he leads programs that integrate yoga, meditation, and forest stewardship in the Allegheny Mountains of Western Maryland.

Contact:

http://www.stonesongcenter.com/
(301) 802-1369