Restorative Yoga - LIVESTREAM

This class is taught by:

Elisa Mott

Elisa discovered her passion for teaching and pedagogy as a dance minor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. While integrating various styles of yoga into her practice, she stays true to her original training roots and fully embodies the Kripalu motto of “meditation in motion” in each of her classes. Elisa is an E-RYT 500 and most recently completed her 300 Hour training at Downtown Yoga with Kate Coughlin. She is a Master Reiki healer and has Masters and Specialist degrees in Mental Health Counseling, a certificate in Spirituality and Health and Arts in Medicine and is a published author and national speaker on yoga, body image and eating disorders. Her educational background, compassion and belief in the transformative power of yoga allow her to lead a healing yet challenging class for all levels. In her class, you will be inspired to slow down, deepen, breathe and truly be present.

Elisamott.com

Shawna Scizak

Early in life Shawna began exploring the benefits of exercise, particularly those associated with improved emotional and mental wellbeing. She worked in the fitness industry for seven years, taught exercise classes, and was certified by several nationally recognized exercise organizations. Although acquainted with the basics of yoga, it wasn’t until 2008 that she discovered a teacher who inspired her into a deeper appreciation of the practice and revealed that what she had always sought at the gym was actually waiting for her in the yoga studio. Yoga has turned out to be the mind, body, spirit connection that she’d been seeking and so, in 2010, she graduated from Brentwood Yoga Center's Advanced Yoga Studies Program and became certified with the Yoga Alliance. She also took her pursuit of yoga half way around the world when she accompanied Jim, Kate, and her teacher Sandy on their spectacular retreat to India. As a student first and a teacher second, she hopes to use her knowledge and enthusiasm to bring the life changing benefits of yoga to others. She currently lives in Discovery Bay with her husband, Mike, and two dogs, Jazmine and Bodhi.

Patricia Maruko

Patricia took her first yoga class more than 20 years ago. She realized she needed some type of exercise to help offset the repetitive stress pain she was experiencing as a dental hygienist.Her plan was to be a perpetual student. In 2010 she received her 200-hour teacher training from Downtown Yoga Advanced Studies Program, followed by the 300-hour certification and is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.This led to further teacher certifications for paddle board yoga - 2013, yoga therapy ball - 2015, restorative yoga from Namaste Yoga Berkeley - 2017, yin yoga and FeetUp headstand trainer 2019.Teaching was not her original goal, however she has discovered the joy of teaching, especially restorative yoga.

Vidya Rangachari

Vidya Rangachari turned to Iyengar Yoga in 2012 in order to get relief from back pain brought on by scoliosis. When Vidya noticed that yoga offered her the potential of healing herself holistically without taking recourse to pain medication, she began the 200-hr Advanced Studies program offered by Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton, CA. She became a proud graduate of the program in 2013. In keeping with her dream to help others with back-related challenges coupled with a sincere desire to pay it forward, she started teaching yoga in November 2016. Along with the 200-hour teacher training program, Vidya has also successfully completed a Back Care certificate program and a Restorative Yoga program from Downtown Yoga. Vidya is a trained English as a Second Language teacher with Master’s degrees in Applied Linguistics and American Literature. In her spare time, she loves to read, hang out with her husband and kids, and go on long doggie walks with her 7 year old golden retriever.

Kate Coughlin

Kate is a passionate and dedicated explorer of movement, meditation and yoga which spans 40 years.

She is an inspired practitioner who loves the precision of alignment, and teaches with a creative joyful approach.

Kate has been an inspiration to thousands of students during her 30 years of teaching. She has developed two Advanced Studies Programs with over 100 graduates who now teach throughout the U.S.

She has studied intensively with such wonderful teachers as: Donald Moyer, Erich Schiffmann, and Arunji of Bangalore, as well as teachers all over the Bay Area. Kate is also a world traveler including trips to India to study yoga.

Kate created and taught the yoga program at Stanford University from 1989-2001. She is the Founder and Director of Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton California. She is an international teacher offering retreats for inspiration and restoration.

Her students describe her as warm hearted, inspiring and caring. She is a radiant, beautiful soul who honors the beauty and presence of each and every moment.

A healing practice of supportive and restorative poses, which relieve tension and stress throughout the body. Beginners welcome! - This is a LIVE STREAM class on ZOOM