Category: Articles\Travel

bob riccomini smiling

Bob Riccomini

Bob teaches a playful yet vigorous vinyasa power flow based class accompanied by contemporary music. Bob completed his teacher training at the Bhakti Flow Teacher in San Francisco with Rusty Wells. Other influential teachers include Dharma Mittra, David Swenson, Desiree Rumbaugh, Shiva Rea, Eric Shiffmann, and Jennifer Prugh. Bob’s driving force in teaching yoga is his desire to give back to the local community where he has been so fortunate to live and work for many years.  Upcoming Classes

Sway Soturi smiling

Sway Soturi

Sway’s first encounter with yoga was at their mother’s in-home studio at nine years old. This was the sleek-leotard-with-shining-opaque-stocking and let-us-get-our-heads-behind-our-legs era. Sway’s involvement never extended beyond the very occasional classes, which oftentimes felt so boring that they retreated back to their room after just ten minutes into the practice. Then came life – the adulting that adds layers on top of layers of complexity to our existence. Yoga then, at this time, made a welcomed re-entry to Sway’s world. Sway found grounding through the practice and the practice provided tools to move through this demanding world. Yoga teaches about building relationships to self and others. Yoga teaches

Buddha statue profile in front of a yoga room

Why Practice Yoga?

Discover the physical and mental benefits of yoga for all ages. Explore articles and share resources to support your well-being and others.

Yoga teacher, Joanne Varni, is smiling while seated outdoors, in front of a tree and green foliage.

Trauma Informed Yoga Mentorship

Joanne offers students in the Trauma Informed Yoga Certification Program a mentorship opportunity. This consists of a combination of observation, assisting, and teaching. Upon completion, Mentees will learn teaching skills including: how to read a room appropriate language and postures to use and sequencing how to interact with students one on one managing class dynamics working with individual student needs self-care This mentoring program is a 30 hour program. The requirements are as follows: Prerequisites: Mentees must have completed either the JOY 200 hour Teacher Training or another Yoga Alliance certified 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training; with at least one year teaching experience or equivalent. Mentees must be

duygu aykol, yoga teacher, smiling

Duygu Aykol

Duygu is an RYT 500 certified yoga instructor with over 15 years of dedicated personal practice.She completed her 500-hour training in 2024 and is currently deepening her studies through a1000-hour advanced teacher training program at Breathe Together Yoga. Aerial yoga has become a meaningful focus in her teaching journey. She began her aerialstudies in 2024 with the Aerial Basics & Beyond training led by Sarah Khayat at BreatheTogether Yoga. In 2025, she completed Aerial Yoga Level 1 training at Trilogy Sanctuary in SanDiego, followed by an aerial mentorship program with Sarah Khayat to further refine hertechnical skills, safety awareness, and creative sequencing. Her aerial classes blend strength, mobility,

Mariko Dugay – Yoga Teacher at Breathe Together Yoga

Mariko Dugay

Mariko discovered yoga in 2001 during a weekend retreat at the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts which sparked a lifelong devotion to yoga, breathwork, and meditation as pathways to resilience, self-awareness, and embodied presence. Her yoga practice deepened during her time living in Japan, where consistent practice and immersion in holistic living—rooted in the principles of yin and yang, mindful nourishment, and balanced lifestyle practices—shaped her path. During this time, she also studied Reiki, further influencing her integrative and compassionate approach to teaching. Mariko completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Almaden Yoga in 2017, followed by a 300-hour advanced training at Breathe Together Yoga with Jennifer Prugh, earning

photo of raj lalwani smiling

Raj Lalwani

Raj is a seeker of the “Middle Path”—the vital balance between order and chaos. His identity isn’t defined by a single role, but by a curiosity bridging scientific inquiry, and ancient wisdom. For over 20 years, through shifting landscapes, the one constant in his life has been his practice on the mat. He views the world through a lens of probability rather than certainty. He believes that since the universe—from the quantum to the cosmic—is built on uncertainty, our perspectives must remain fluid, and that this scientific view echoes the Buddha’s wisdom: avoiding the extremes of absolute belief to find truth in the balance. He encourages students to

A headshot of Katie Davidson smiling on the beach.

Katie Davidson

With a deep devotion to accessible healing, Katie recently relocated back to Northern California. She serves as the Executive Director of Yoga For All Movement, a nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed yoga to marginalized populations in Santa Cruz County, where she resides and learned about the roots of yoga. After completing her foundational 200-hour yoga teacher training with Hannah Muse and Kenny Graham, Katie’s yoga journey brought her around the world — to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Bali, and India for her advanced 300-hour certification. Her continued pursuit of jñāna (knowledge) and svādhyāya (self-study) eventually led her to graduate school at Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her M.A. in

picture of Ana Caro smiling

Ana Caro

Ana Caro is the proud mother of three amazing daughters and “Grammie” to two wonderful boys. When she’s not teaching, you’ll find her hiking with friends, walking her dog Diego, kayaking, traveling, reading, or cooking for her family. Ana’s passion for yoga grew out of her own healing journey. During a difficult period of insomnia, brought on by the demands of raising a family and running a business, a friend encouraged her to try yoga. What began as a search for rest soon became a profound transformation – yoga not only restored her sleep but also brought balance, presence, and renewal into her life. Inspired by this shift,

picture of kourtney feinstein smiling

Kourtney Feinstein

With a heart rooted in nature and a deep love for nurturing growth – both in people and in the earth – Kourtney brings a grounded, creative spirit to every yoga class she leads. Her journey as a teacher is shaped by her background in landscape design, her joy in being a mother to four boys, and the steady support of her husband, who continues to inspire her each day. Kourtney first stepped into a yoga class in 2000, but it wasn’t until a YMCA class a few years later that the practice truly took root. A kind, fellow student guided her through unfamiliar poses, sparking a curiosity

Bali

We will spend the week together practicing yoga twice daily; you will eat incredible healthy food, have the best spa treatments of your life, and explore and soak in the culture of Bali. If you have not been to Bali yet, this is the perfect opportunity – it is one of the most rejuvenating and inspirational places in the world!

professional photo of pearl wang smiling

Pearl Wang

Pearl has been a professional dancer and movement educator for over 20 years. She holds a BA in Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley, where she first deepened her exploration of somatic movement and holistic practices. Over the course of her career, Pearl has taught various movement disciplines, including contemporary dance, aerial yoga, and vinyasa yoga. Her longtime interest in Chinese medicine and energy-based practices led her to begin studying Qigong and Taiji more than 15 years ago. Pearl now holds both 200-hour and 500-hour certifications in Qigong, as well as a 200-hour certification in Taiji. These practices have become the heart of her current teaching and

picture of prajna vieira with a colorful scarf

Prajna Vieira

Prajna Brianna Vieira has taught yoga āsana, yogic philosophy, and bhakti yoga for over 20 years. A lifelong musician and dancer, she studies and performs kirtan (traditional Hindu chanting music), Odissi classical Indian dance, harikatha (storytelling) and ballet both locally and internationally. She is especially known for her work with kirtan artists Jai Uttal, Ben Leinbach, David Estes, and Mukti.  Inspired by her teachers Maty Ezraty, Chuck Miller, Erika Abrahamian, David Garrigues, Revital Carroll, Sharmila Biswas, and others, Prajna’s classes integrate ashtanga vinyasa with strength and mobility training, dance, bhakti, somatic awareness, neuroscience, and meditation. She also teaches harmonium and voice, and is currently pursuing a BA in

headshot of maria ortega

Maria Ortega

Maria is a wellness practitioner, certified yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, somatic therapist, and Reiki  master.   Maria’s passion for the healing arts began over 17 years ago after a personal growth journey, which  changed the direction of her life. She immersed herself in energy cultivation practices including yoga,  Qigong, meditation, reiki, and sound therapy, creating a broad foundation for her unique approach in assisting others to grow and heal.  Through sharing the teachings of yoga and a wide range of holistic modalities of body work and energy  balancing, Maria supports people in both group and individual settings to find balance and improved  health. Private appointments Email Maria for private

twilight view of mountains and valleys in new zealand

New Zealand

with Jennifer Prugh February 7 – 14, 2027 one double room and one female double room remaining registration full. contact aurelia to be added to the waitlist. Register Full Itinerary On this New Zealand yoga retreat adventure, you’ll soar through Milford Sound, wander through quaint mountain towns, paddle through stunning nature and spend a day learning and laughing on a working farm.  No trip to the Central Otago region would be complete without a taste of their stunning vintages, farm fresh cuisine and nights under Nation Park dark skies.  The special pace, and Kiwi outlook on life, will quickly take over and you’ll be soaking in each nature-filled

sarah in a yellow aerial hammock doing plow pose

Aerial Above and Beyond

This intensive is devoted to poses and sequences for aerial students with some experience under their belt. Within the framework we have already developed for considering aerial material, we will look at poses that may require more strength, more coordination, and more ease of movement within the hammock. Although these poses may be more challenging, the intent is to continue encouraging practitioners to listen to and respect their own abilities and to always work at a level where they continue to feel safe. These classes may include more strength building and conditioning than more basic ones. This course is a part of the Joy of Yoga 300-Hour Teacher

Noell Clark

No Loss for Words: Language Development for Yoga Teachers

Have you ever participated in a yoga class that completely transformed some element of your practice? Perhaps you were so deeply moved by something in the class that you left feeling forever changed, or a pose that once eluded you suddenly became possible.

JOY of Yoga 200 hour Teacher Training Dynamics

Joy of Yoga | Dynamics

This training addresses the “Dynamics,” or asana, in its many expressions of Hatha Yoga, including flow-based practice including an overview of Ashtanga Vinyasa and Flow Based practices, Yoga in a heated room and specifically Tapas Yoga, Gentle Yoga and Restorative Yoga.

Bridget Puchalsky smiling

Ayurveda Essentials

In this course students are presented with the foundations of the science of Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga. Students will focus on preventative health care and health promotion using the philosophy and practices of Ayurveda in conjunction with yoga.

Marcela in a swing

Adaptive Yoga

This immersion is a perfect opportunity for yoga teachers to develop proficiency in teaching adaptive and accessible yoga to a diverse population of yoga students.

headshot of alex blefari

Alex Blefari

Alex went to her first yoga class as a teenager. Her aunt (whom she still practices with at Breathe Together Yoga) took her to a class after she didn’t make her highschool soccer team. Yoga was a comfort during times of change and challenge throughout her young life, and after the sudden passing of a dear friend, she traveled to Bali in 2015 where she earned her 200 hour teacher training. As Alex taught yoga in group settings and began teaching privates, she noticed her ability to use the movement, sacred geometry, and energetic imprint of the different poses to help her private clients heal from physical ailments.

Photo looking over Amy's shoulder, while she touches her painting

Paint Your Guts Out

What are we doing? Intuition Painting – We’re using the Creative Process to dive deeply into self-discovery. It’s not an Art class because we are interested in process over product.

mountains of morocco

Morocco

with Jennifer Prugh October 5 – 13, 2026 3 rooms remaining: 2 doubles + 1 single/couple. registration full. contact aurelia to be added to the waitlist. Register Full Itinerary Morocco invites us to step outside our everyday routines and into a world that stirs the senses and spirit. From the vibrant energy of Marrakech to the stillness of the Stone Desert and the awe of the Atlas Mountains, this retreat offers space to slow down, connect deeply, and awaken to what is possible. Through flow-based yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, creative writing, and prompts to help us capture the world around us through the lens of our cameras, we’ll grow

Yoga teacher laying on her back, with knees bent and a support under her head and mid back.

Restorative Yoga Immersion

During this 30-hour intensive, you will learn the benefits and basic information for teaching restorative yoga, including sequencing and modifications, breath work, hands on adjustments, language and instruction, the history of restorative yoga, and using props effectively.

Joy of Yoga 200 hour Teacher Training

Joy of Yoga | Foundations

The JOY Foundations Training develops a deep understanding of the history, philosophy and evolution of yoga and anatomy and includes both in theory and in practice an applied overview of Hatha Yoga.

Jennifer Prugh Mentorship

Moving Into Meditation

This meditation series provides the opportunity to explore a variety of meditation, mindfulness, embodied awareness, and compassion-based practices from a wide variety of meditative traditions.

image of yoga teacher Yue Shen

Yue Shen

As a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, I began my yoga journey in 2014. With a background in fashion design, I’ve navigated the creative, yet, fast-paced, artistic but high-pressure world of the fashion industry. Yoga has been my anchor, nurturing my body and well-being throughout these years. Before earning my master’s degree in Fashion Design, I studied Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. My experience teaching children sparked a deep passion for education, which naturally flows into my yoga practice. Yoga has strengthened me from the inside out, helping me connect with my true self and grow into a more compassionate and kind-hearted person. I find as much joy