Special Guests
John Salisbury lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where he has been practicing yoga since 1995 and teaching since 2000. Having traveled to study Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in India and having enjoyed the culture of our generation, he has a refreshing outlook between old-world tradition and new-world inspiration. John has traveled all over Arizona and the U.S. to share his spirit for yoga. His class focuses on deepening the student’s attention physically, inspiring with dynamic verbal cueing, while staying rooted to the breath and enjoying the experience as it unfolds. John is a master vinyasa teacher and teaches with undeniable technique, clear language, and warm laughter. His current yoga residence is in Scottsdale with the Life Power Yoga studios. Some of John’s most influential teachers include Dave Oliver (his step-father), Tim Miller, David Swenson, Lino Miele, Darren Rhodes, Dharma Mittra, and Maty Ezraty. He is E-RYT 500 and has a B.A. in Theatre from ASU.
David Romanelli is on a mission to restore the present moment’s proper place in the modern world. His most recent endeavors include his debut show Yeah Dave! which is brought to you by the people who created The Food Network and a new book 111 Ways to Celebrate Life Now which launches in 2014. His past explorations included Yoga for Foodies, Yoga + Chocolate, Yoga + Wine, and Yoga + Jazz which have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Food + Wine, The New York Times, Newsweek, and Oprah Magazine; and his book Yeah Dave’s Guide to Livin’ the Moment reached #1 on the Amazon Self-Help Bestseller List. Check him out at https://davidromanelli.com/
Casey J Palmer enquired into classical yoga practice, first in 1995, to improve his sense of personal well being and life outlook. Having encountered a generous and insightful yoga teacher in NW Portland, who encouraged him to “look around” at all the yoga styles available, and pick one, he tried many methods. A chance encounter in 1999 introduced him to an Ashtangi just home from Mysore, India, a student of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Within that same year Casey would visit Mysore, India, take direct instruction from Jois for 3 months, encounter 25, time tested teachers like Tim Miller, Rolf Nuojacat, Kimberly Flynn and Peter Sanson and the energy of a small, committed, long lasting community on the verge of going global. This initial imprint, with subsequent confirmations, has been the precious gem that has guided and influenced Casey’s intention for all his years of inquiry, practice and teaching at his Portland yoga school, Near East Yoga.
EB Ferdig loves to work with people who are very new to yoga and/or are exploring the use of yoga philosophy in their everyday lives. She believes that yoga can and should be accessible to all people. She has been teaching this way for twelve years, five of which was in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Indonesia. In 2013, she opened unfold studios, with Leigh Drake and Rachel Plies to provide therapeutic and highly accessible yoga to people of all shapes and abilities.
E.B. is an Integrated Movement Therapy practitioner, trainer and mentor. She has worked with people affected by cancer, Parkinson’s, ADHD, eating disorders and chronic pain, but specializes in working with women with anxiety.
She is ever-grateful to her teacher, Molly Lannon Kenny, who taught her the deeply transformative power of yoga. And she credits Laura Cornell, for helping her turn her teaching into a thriving career. www.unfoldportland.com
Jill Case
Make your life yoga…and you will allow the practice to transform you and the lives of all those you meet.
I feel that this has become my mantra after 17 years of teaching. I entered yoga through its physical benefits and allure. And, through the years, I have stumbled upon all the other elements of yoga beyond the poses. It was not until I permitted my yoga to steep into every moment of my life that I realized its power to heal and transform me.
As a teacher I want to share with you the tools of yoga that will allow you to make your practice relevant, so that you start living your practice the other 23 hours you are off your mat. I want to inspire you to breathe, play, and observe yourself and your habits on the mat so that you can decide in each moment what resonates with you now. I will provide you with an environment to explore your own unique physical body so that you can experience the part of yourself beyond your thoughts. I love to play soulful, inspiring and energy filled music to let you find your own flow and allow your spirit to dance. Above all else, I will create a warm, nurturing place that allows you to the freedom and joy of making the practice your own so that your yoga can feed you. May you find not only strength and flexibility on your mat but feel this as a weekday warrior in your daily life.
I could list my credentials but honestly most of what gave the most value to my teachings was in life through my day-to-day experiences. I give much gratitude to my yoga teachers along the path and my many teachers that have never stepped on a yoga mat but demonstrated the power and the true essence of yoga in their own lives. Namaste and hope to meet you in class!
Jill Case E-RYT 500 www.jillcasepdx.com
Michael Knouse is an Unconventional Startup Strategist, a Coach for Emerging Entrepreneurs, and creator of The Startup Sessions Podcast and Work Freedom Roadmap. He spent 14-years in the technology and software industry before founding The Startup Sessions and making the leap to full time business builder. Michael works with burnt out corporate employees and emerging entrepreneurs to help them craft a meaningful business, blow the lid off the status quo, and do meaningful work.
Michael took his first yoga class in 2009 while living in Bend, Oregon. Since then, yoga has become a regular practice that he uses to stay active, healthy, and perform at his best.
Michael lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Jill, where he enjoys trail running, skiing, yoga, enjoying great coffee, sipping IPA’s, and teaching others how to embrace their brilliance and do work that matters.
Kimi Marin teaches yoga to help others find clarity in their mind, body and spirit. She guides students through their practice by riding the waves of breath, continually aligning breath and body into a rhythmic flow of consciousness.
Kimi has a master’s degree in literature, and loves to combine the power of stories with yoga. She often weaves the myths and stories about various poses into the class. Her transformative Yogic Lore Flow workshops are a fun combination of stories, asana, meditation, and mantra.
Kimi was featured in Origin Magazine’s Inspire Series, was the featured ambassador for Ahnu Footwear June 2013, and her writing has been published on several blog sites.
Matt Nelson’s first entry into movement, breath and spiritual inquiry began in 1995 when he began practicing Chi Gung with his father. While his practice was intermittent for eight years, it provided a foundation that he has built upon throughout his adult life. In 2003 he decided to make the transition from Chi Gung to Yoga and stepped into his first class in Portland, Oregon. He fell in love immediately and he knew that he had found something that he would continue to do for the rest of his life.
Matt’s classes reflect his personal practice and encourage a deep connection to the breath as he teaches students to move with proper alignment, grace, flexibility, strength, intuition and mindfulness. More than anything, Matt’s intention is to use these practices that have been passed down through the ages to strengthen the body and soften the heart