Beginner's Yoga
Jim Coughlin
Jim was introduced to yoga in 1967 at the age of 10. He began practicing yoga in earnest in 1993. Jim has traveled to India extensively to expand his knowledge of yoga with his teacher H.S. Arun. Jim teaches yoga with a sense of humor and grounded in the fundamentals of the Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar.
Jim was born in Buffalo, New York in 1957, and has lived in California since 1964. Jim's "other" career has been as an executive recruiter. He has managed and owned several staffing companies since 1989. He also has worked as a career counselor and outplacement consultant.
In 2005 Jim had the privilege of traveling to India several times over the next three years. It was during this time that he met his beloved teacher and friend Yoga Praveena H.S. Arun from Bangalore, India.
You will find Jim practicing at the studio at 6:00 a.m. every day except Sundays when he sleeps in and teaches the 8:30 a.m. class.
In addition to the above, Jim manages the business of the yoga studio, including building our online presence and community. If you have comments or suggestions as to how we could make this site better, please let Jim know.
Stacy McGinty
Stacy has been practicing yoga for over 8 years. She graduated Downtown Yoga’s Advanced Studies Program in 2007. She was first attracted to yoga after the birth of her second child. With a need to reconnect with her body, she began taking yoga classes and felt like she was “at home” with yoga after the first class. With over 15 years of experience as a personal trainer, Stacy enjoys bringing her knowledge of the body and wellness to her classes. She loves to share the inner journey with students and truly enjoys guiding people back to their inner selves through the movement of yoga. Stacy believes that yoga calms the mind and energizes the body. Her classes are taught with an emphasis on going within and listening to where you are in that moment through a vinyasa style yoga with an Iyengar influence.
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.
Praveena Chinthaluri
For Praveena, Yoga was a way of life growing up in India. Learning the art of pranayama, asana and meditation at the tender age of 11 was a priceless gift. She is a certified 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher and studied with master teachers Donald Moyers, Mary Lou Weprin and Kate Coughlin.
Praveena is also a certified Judith Lasater's Relax and Renew restorative teacher. She completed her training for the Balanced Body 500 hour Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training Course and is currently working towards her hours. Praveena holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature and Journalism from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.
Her philosophy towards teaching is to pay attention to alignment and form, technique and breath work that help students develop a deep understanding of their bodies and movement patterns. She believes in providing a safe space for students to explore and strengthen their mind and bodies. She enjoys the variety that Yoga and Pilates can provide for fitness and wellness enthusiasts, or someone who is recovering from injuries, or seeking relief from chronic pain, or prenatal and postnatal mammas. Being a mother of a nine year old, she appreciates teaching both movement healing modalities that fits perfectly into her busy life as a full time mom. She truly trusts in the energetic in her classes and life, and has faith in the transformational process of Yoga and Pilates.
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.
Kathleen Genereux
Kathleen discovered Iyengar Yoga nearly 40 years ago. She was looking for a meaningful practice to bring integrity and aliveness into her daily life. The practice of Yoga gave her this. Gradually, her practice of the postures, breathing and the study of yoga philosophy gave her the strength, balance, flexibility and serenity in her character as well as her physical body and helped her to develop a conscious mindfulness that brought with it a deeper ability to appreciate and be grateful for the truly valuable.
Wanting to share the powerful gift of yoga, she studied in the teacher training at the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco for several years and then at the Yoga Room in Berkeley in their Advanced Studies Program for another three years where she received certification to teach yoga asana and pranayama in the year 2000. From there she moved to the Mendocino coast and opened the Fort Bragg Yoga Studio. She very much enjoyed the studio for three years, still, wanting to be with her family she was drawn back to the East Bay.
Kathleen has been teaching gentle, beginning, all levels, pre-natal, restorative yoga and meditation classes in Walnut Creek and Danville.
Kathleen also practices chi gong and she wears a humble orange belt in Aikido. She has studied Ayurvedics, the life science of yoga and hold certification as a massage therapist and as a Reiki Master.
Kathleen is very happy to be teaching the beginning yoga class at 9:00 on Sunday mornings at Downtown Yoga. There is a very special energy to Sunday morning yoga and she invites all who are interested to come and enjoy the experience with her.
Chantal Fager
Chantal first encountered yoga as a teenager and was quickly drawn to its energizing and beneficial qualities for the body. After exploring many styles of yoga, she found herself drawn to the Iyengar- influenced practices because of their exceptional meditative and calming effects upon the mind. Chantal is passionate about the mind-body connection and maintains the tradition of yoga as a daily regimen in her everyday life. Her teaching brings a true love of yoga, served with a soothing presence and meditative ease. Chantal is a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and has completed the Advanced Studies Program with Kate Coughlin, Director of Downtown Yoga, in Pleasanton, California.
Chantal actively furthers her knowledge of the art of yoga by attending workshops with Yoga Master H.S. Arun and respected teachers Donald Moyer and Jason Crandell. She intends to further her yoga studies to specialize in restorative and therapeutic yoga. As an avid life-fitness advocate Chantal is also Assistant Store Manager and Gym/Yoga Performance Expert for Lucy Activewear.
Natascha Thomson
Natascha is a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher and graduate of Downtown Yoga's 200-hour Advanced Yoga Studies Program, with a focus on Iyengar-style yoga. Iyengar yoga is a form of hatha yoga that emphasizes alignment by using props, such as blocks, blankets, bolsters, straps, etc., to perform poses (asanas). This practice builds flexibility, and core strength, while calming the mind and helping practitioners to develop a peaceful inner sense. Natascha is currently training to become a Marriage & Family Counselor, after 20 years of working in high-tech marketing. Yoga and meditation have had a profound impact on Natascha's life and she enjoys sharing this passion with others to help each person discover a happier and healthier self.
Elisa Mott
Kavita Patel
Laura Ragan
I took my first yoga class in Pennsylvania on a trip while visiting my sister in 2000 and have been dedicated to my practice ever since. Having enjoyed many activities in life like gymnastics, rowing, mountain biking and swimming I decided it was time to try something different. The poses were challenging and left me feeling like I’d just had a full body massage. I was intrigued. I returned home knowing I had just found something very special for myself but had no idea at the time how much yoga would change my life. I was very blessed to find two wonderful teachers, Lauren Davis and Kate Coughlin to support and nurture my new and evolving practice. Although I started doing yoga as another way to “stay in shape,” I began to realize I was changing spiritually, emotionally and physically through the practice. Yoga has sustained me though the birth of my two children and helped me through the challenges and joys of day-to-day life.
I received my first teacher training with Lauren Davis and Susannah Bruder at the Diablo Yoga Center (currently Danville Yoga & Wellness Center) in 2004 and began teaching shortly thereafter. I am currently enrolled in the 200-hr advanced yoga studies program with Kate and Jim Couglin at Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton. Through the varying yoga styles and many wonderful teachers I have had the pleasure to study under over the years, I have been able to gain invaluable experience and broaden my practice. As my practice continues to evolve and expand, other activities once holding a higher priority in life have since taken a back seat. I have found ways to incorporate all of these experiences into my classes; always remembering it’s a yoga practice…not yoga perfect.
Sandi Mende
Sandi's passion for yoga developed at Downtown Yoga. The warm supportive environment and physical benefits achieved while practicing fed her desire to learn more. She completed the 200 hour Advanced Studies Program in June of 2012 and is a registered yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of Iyengar yoga and the benefits that come with having a daily yoga practice
She enjoys living in Livermore with her husband and two sons (which are currently away in college). She also enjoys running and hiking, followed by a great yoga session!
Kira Eggers
Kira began practicing prenatal yoga in 2000. In her years of practice, she has found strength, flexibility, mindfulness and joy. Kira is a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and has completed the Advanced Studies Program with Kate Coughlin, Director of Downtown Yoga, in Pleasanton, California. Kira has a sincere passion for Iyengar Yoga which focuses on classic postures with a deep awareness of correct alignment and precise actions in the body. Her personal experiences with back and joint pain have added a keen awareness of how integral each part of the body is in relation to another. Kira uses imagery well which adds quality and depth to her classes. She offers clear and detailed instruction in a strong and peaceful manner. Outside of the studio, she is a licensed interior design consultant, and enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys - especially skiing, swimming and scuba diving .
Jessica Sinclair
Jessica believes that practicing yoga on a daily basis not only calms the mind and keeps you present but also aids our bodies with strength and flexibility, helping to avoid injury. She teaches with certainty and safe instruction, allowing her students to feel each pose as they move through their practice. Jessica has practiced Vinyassa, Ashtanga and Yin yoga over the years but is extremely inspired by alignment based yoga such as Iyengar.
Jessica has always lived a very active and healthy lifestyle. She has trained and competed in several triathlons, half marathons and countless swim meets and open water long distance swims. Outside of sport she also enjoys quality time with her husband and two teenagers and loves to cook healthy meals.
Have a look at Jessica's yoga blog as she continues to evolve through her practice of yoga. paradiseyoga.me
Shauna Lay
Gia Bedell
Laura Volsansky
Laura had the unique opportunity to study yoga in Bangalore, India in 2012 and 2014 with H.S. Arun of Prashant Yogashraya. On her first trip to India, she was thrilled to see B.K.S. Iyengar in person and his teachings remain her source of inspiration. Laura places a focus on relieving daily stresses, finding ways to calm the mind and renew the spirit. Her Iyengar-based yoga instruction includes props to make the practice of yoga all-inclusive and enjoyed by any person, body type or fitness level.
When Laura is not in the office or in the yoga studio, she enjoys the zen of riding her motorcycle and volunteering with her dog in a children’s reading program.
Jana Cole
Jana earned her 200 hour RYT studying with Kate Coughlin at Downtown Yoga in 2013, and is currently pursuing her 500 hour RYT. She loves to learn and continues her studies through workshops with Carrie Owerko, H.S. Arun, Jason Crandell, and others. When she's not on her mat, Jana enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, gardening, hiking, and chasing her two kids.
Judy Brennan
www.YogaforLife.guru
Michelle Metro
Michelle is a 2012 graduate of Downtown Yoga’s 200-hour teacher training program and is a registered yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance. She has practiced yoga since 1997 and has tried many styles but prefers Iyengar instruction due to its emphasis on alignment and precision. She is also quite fond of Vinyasa Flow yoga because of the smooth way the poses link together and become like a dance. Michelle began practicing when a friend told her she thought she would like yoga. Over the years her practice has grown from one to two days a week to a deep passion for yoga and an asana practice nearly every day. Michelle believes every yogi has his/her individual path and relationship with yoga and is sure hers will continue to evolve.
Michelle resides in Pleasanton and is a regular studio practitioner as well as a teacher at the studio.
MIchelle Grady
Michelle is light hearted, nurturing and welcomes all. What she loves about alignment based yoga is that it is accessible to everyone. She has experienced that practicing yoga has benefited her body, mind and spirit. Her goal is to bring yoga into as many people's lives as possible.
Georganne Benesch
Radhika Pradhan
Harika Adivikolanu
Christine Love
Originally from Seattle, Christine also has a serious love of snowboarding, swimming, and spending time with her husband and 3 dogs. If she’s not in a yoga class, you can find her helping out with her family business, as well as making and selling jewelry to sell at the Studio and for her Etsy shop.
Beth Moss
Jinhee Seo
She studied religious philosophy in college and graduate school as a quest for inner peace. She eventually met with yoga which integrated her mind and body.
Jin is currently in graduate school program studying natural healing. Her priority is yoga and meditation, but she also focuses on medicinal foods and natural healing methods.
Jin received her 200Hr Yoga teacher certification from Yoga Mountain in NY, and now is in the 300Hr program at Downtown Yoga in Pleasanton CA. She was trained in AntiGravity Yoga at Christopher Harrison’s Headquarter and finished a prenatal yoga training at Sonic yoga in NY.
She teaches at Crunch Fitness in Blackhawk/Danville and at Joya Yoga, as well as subbing classes at Downtown Yoga. Jin looks forward to guiding people to have healthy bodies and minds.