Teachers (in alphabetical order)
Beth Alcoin - Beth is currently continuing studies for the Intro II certification, led by Gloria Goldberg. In her classes, she aims to bring students closer to themselves
Robin Attia - Robin has been teaching since 2001. Kathy Alef was her founding teacher, and in 2003 she graduated from the Advanced studies program. She travels to Pune regularly and continues her studies here with Manouso Manos.
Anita Chordia - Anita, currently in a three-year Iyengar teacher training program at Bija Yoga is inspired by the structure and knowledge that Iyengar yoga brings. She thrives to become better, stronger and more patient through yoga. She believes that the meditative and serene qualities in yoga have truly helped her through tough life situations.
Rita Cruz-Zaterka - Rita brings a vast 20 year knowledge to our studio, studying the Vedic Sciences, Yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic Astrology, both here in San Francisco, and in Indian with extensive visits. In 2001 she was awarded dual certification from the California College of Ayurvedic Medicine and The Vedic Institute of New Mexico.
Linda Dobbyn - Linda has been teaching since 2009, has visited Pune, and continues her studies in SF with Manouso Manos. Linda believes it to be Yoga that allows us to create balance between the demands of work, family, friends & life. Her first class was in 1990.
Nina Gold - Nina first came to Yoga as a centering tool before shows, in NYC as an actress. But after returning to SF in 1994, she began a more serious inquiry, which led her to study with many of the worlds greatest teachers. "The practice of Iyengar yoga has given me a set of tools by which I can link my mind with my body so that ever evolving new understandings and presence can flow. It is a practice that has no end and is one of the greatest gifts in my life. " ninagoldyoga.com
Gloria Goldberg - Gloria has taught Iyengar Yoga since 1980 and has been a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher since 1987. While director of the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Institute in Los Angeles, she recognized the need for a formal teacher training program. With the approval and guidance of B.K.S. Iyengar, she founded the program in 1992. Gloria is director and co-curriculum coordinator of the program.
She is the co-director and teaches at the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of La Mesa. Gloria served as President of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS) and as a board member of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Southern California (IYASC).
What I was is unimportant, what I am now is important ~ B.K.S. Iyengar
Brian Hogencamp - Brian Hogencamp is a student, practitioner, and certified instructor of Iyengar Yoga at the Junior 3 level. He lives in San Francisco and is a student of Manouso Manos. He also studies regularly with the Iyengar family in Pune, India, knowing that the distance between what is taught and what is learned can only be illumined by one’s own practice. Drawing from this practice and evolving experience, and with deep gratitude for the teachings received, he is eager to share the light yoga can bring.
Anna Karasek - Born in the beautiful city of Prague, Anna started learning yoga from books as a teenager. She relocated to San Francisco, where she now lives with her two sons and studies with her teachers Manouso Manos and Brian Hogencamp. Anna is a graduate of the three-year Iyengar Yoga teacher training program taught by Gloria Goldberg and Manouso Manos. She is an Introductory 1 teacher and looks forward to teaching and learning with her students. From the deepest part of her heart, she is grateful to all her teachers and students, and to yoga.
Brittany Klipper - Brittany is studying for Intro I & 2, takes classes with Manouso Manos & Brian Hogencamp -after a number of years of study of Iyengar Yoga, including a number of India trips. “I am honored and delighted to be a part of the next generation of Iyengar Yoga teachers. I hope to share and forever keep alive the ingenious teachings of Guruji”.
Larry Lopez - Larry is a Certified Iyengar Teacher. His classes are a fusion of his life experiences and vigorous training in the Iyengar method. Through his humor, compassion, and uncompromising style, Larry guides his students beyond their physical and mental limits to bring about transformation. Larry travels regularly to Pune, India to study with the Iyengar family.
Michael Lucey - Michael came to Yoga in 1982, as a student living in England. He is certified to the Junior Intermediate 3 level, and studies with Manouso Manos, Gloria Goldberg, Patricia Walden, Joan White. He is serving as President of the Iyengar National Association of the United States from 2014-2016.
Mimi Pajo - Mimi came to yoga as way to help her cope with her mothers battle with Cancer. She herself has been afflicted with Bursitis and tendonitis, so has discovered how Yoga can relieve and heal physical ailments. She is studying with Gloria to complete the 3 year Teacher Training Program. She takes regular classes with Manouso Manos & Brian Hogencamp.
Ramanand Patel - Ramanand's extensive, distinct, and lifelong yoga experiences inform both his yoga practice and his teaching style. He is recognized and respected internationally and many in the yoga community regard him as one of the world's foremost yoga instructors. Ramanand actively encourages both learning and sharing of ideas amongst his students and peers. Furthermore, he is especially skilled as an innovator in the use of props and in working with students who have special needs.
Todd Semo - Todd has been practicing since 1996. He is currently certified to the Intermediate Junior 2 level, and has been teaching for 15 years. Todd comes to the practice by way of childhood sports and martial arts. Each successive activity has contributed to the refinement of the physical into the spiritual. While Todd’s classes are focused on the physical aspects of the postures along with ideas on practice and philosophy, his is an example of the life change that shines through this practice. Todd studies with Manouso Manos, Gloria Goldberg, and in India with the Iyengar family as often as he is permitted.
David Nicholas Sirgany - An ardent practioner of Iyengar Yoga for more than twenty-five years, David's depth and passion for the subject shine forth brightly in his teaching. He is an Iyengar certified instructor based in San Francisco, and teaches both nationally and internationally.
Barbara Wiechmann - Barbara has been studying and practicing Yoga for over 32 years. Her primary teacher is Ramamand Patel. She attended the July Intensive at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune in 1987. For the last 32 years she has taught classes in San Francisco, mainly at the University of California in the Millberry Recreation Program. About yoga she says "Its an on-going miracle in my life--a gift that I am incredibly grateful to have been given and even more delighted to be able to share." In teaching her emphasis is on helping students feel the joyful liberating aspect of yoga in the belief that this liberation frees the sincere student of yoga to find and express their true nature and potential.
Sachiko Willis - A native of Japan, Sachiko began studying yoga at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of NY in 2001. Her teachers included Brooke Myers, Kevin Gardiner, Bobby Clennell and Mary Dunn. After moving to SF in 2007, she started to study with Manouso Manos. She is a graduate of the three-year Iyengar Yoga teacher training program taught by Gloria Goldberg and Manouso Manos and an Introductory 1 teacher. She feels blessed by the guidance and grace of her teachers and fellow students. She looks forward to exploring, discovering and sharing the gift that is yoga with her students.
Bija Yoga's teaching staff is made up of a diverse group from all over with world. All of our teachers are qualified and have been assessed each in the same way, under the same system. This ensures that our students learn a consistent sequence and list of poses, in a safe and systematic way. Many of our teachers spend significant amounts of time in India, refining and learning how to become better teachers.
“Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.” B.K.S. Iyengar