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Robin Rothenberg healed her own chronic low back pain with yoga. She went on to become a celebrated Viniyoga teacher and Certified Yoga Therapist, teaching locally, nationally and internationally. Currently, she is the director of The Yoga Barn and sits on the advisory board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Robin has presented at SYTAR (Symposium for Yoga Therapy and Research) and NAMA (National Ayurvedic & Medical Association) on lower back pain and anxiety. She launched the Yoga Therapy Program at Mt. Royal College in Calagary, CA, and is currently an adjunct faculty member and part of the college’s Advisory Council for Yoga Therapy.

Robin has been teaching yoga teachers for the last ten years at the YA 500 hr. level, and most recently developed The Essential Low Back Training Intensive to teach yoga teachers how to adapt their classes appropriately for students with low back pain. Robin co-authored the protocol and taught the classes for the landmark study Comparing Yoga, Exercise, and a Self-Care Book for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in Dec., 2005. Her ground-breaking work in the field of yoga research has been written about in the New York Times, Seattle Times, Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga and Natural Health. Robin teaches Individual Yoga Therapy sessions Mon-Wed., as well as offering therapeutic group classes twice a week. Call her directly for an appt. at: 425-222-6350.

Shirley Arnold took her first yoga class in 1987. She remembers so clearly the feeling of recognition, and of coming home. Since that first day, yoga has given her a profound sense of mystery, awe, vitality and gratitude. Yoga has informed her life and life has informed her yoga practice. She finds yoga to be an adventure and a never-ending exploration of her true self. Shirley strongly believes that her students have been and will continue to be her greatest teachers. Her joy of teaching comes from learning to experience the true nature of peace in her heart. Every day, Shirley feels fortunate to be sharing her love of yoga with others.

Franca Baroni is an intuitive with over 10 years of experience assisting individuals to cultivate inner peace. She regularly teaches meditation classes and workshops in the Greater Seattle area and offers Pleiadian Lightwork, Shamanic Journeys, Reiki (Master Level) and other healing services. For more information about Franca and her energy work, please visit her at www.francahealing.com.

Anita Boser was attracted to Hellerwork because of her inability to climb the rope as part of her Karate training. After her second session of Hellerwork, she was able to climb that rope, because of structural changes from the bodywork, because she had learned new body mechanics, and most importantly because Hellerwork had made her aware of the limitations she had been placing on her own life and body. Anita graduated from The Institute of Structural Medicine in August 2001, where she studied with leading Hellerwork practitioners such as Joseph Heller and Donna Bajelis. She continues as a student at The Academy of Koei-Kan Karate Do.

Jennifer Cain It is with great appreciation that Jennifer Cain comes to us with a 15-year background in and passion for Integral Yoga. Elements of Ayurveda and yogic philosophy inform her 500-hour certification and infuse her yoga classes with the dynamism that her students can carry into their lives out of class. She is committed to supporting deep connections between people and their communities, nature, and the divine presence in all life and encourages children and adults alike to express their experience through creative arts, in whatever manner speaks most deeply to them. Studying yoga through personal development over time has given Jennifer strong commitment to the ever-growing understanding of yoga’s scope and to sharing yoga with people from all walks of life while holding a universal intention for peace and harmony the world over.

Taran Collis is a registered Yoga Alliance Instructor trained in the Yoga Works method including Vini Yoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar. She currently teaches classes at the Seattle Opera, Bria and The Yoga Barn. Taran is commited to a wholistic approach to Yoga in the Western world, merging all aspects of life, micro and macrocosmic, within her classes. Her passions include cross-cultural communication and optimum nutritional health and healing for people and the societies in which they live.

Carla Orellana / Aleili entered into the yoga journey in 1970, in the gentle, loving style taught by Indra Devi. Carla then studied with many prominent Iyengar teachers and has completed her viniyoga training with Gary Kraftsow. Yoga has been a mainstay in Carla's life, and continues to grow richer in understanding and reverence. She demonstrates authentic concern for the growth of each individual student. Carla, AKA "Aleili" (Ah-Lay-Lee, meaning a place of inspiration), is also a Middle Eastern Dance performer and instructor. Belly dancing is an ancient, empowering, physical and emotional discipline which beneficially affects many levels of today's modern woman. It's a total workout, the perfect complement to yoga -- and it's WAY FUN!

Roy DeLeon , certified viniyoga teacher since 1998, teaches with reverence and love to the Divine Heart within each of his students. The sequences flow smoothly with the breath, stretching and strengthening the body, focusing the mind and opening the heart to this moment, while addressing your specific needs. The physical postures prepare you for meditations on healing, love and peace for all. Roy is a trained spiritual director, and an Oblate of St. Benedict with St. Placid Priory in Lacey, Washington. You may contact him at blessedmovements@yahoo.com .

Catherine de Marin is a BodyMind massage practitioner specializing in women's health. She's trained in bodymind healing practices including BodyMind Counseling, Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, Prenatal Massage and Thai Yoga Therapeutic Massage and the Lebed Method of Dance and Movement Therapy for Breast Cancer Survivors.

She began studying with Robin in 1999 and completed The Yoga Barn Viniyoga Teacher Training Program in May 2003. She completed Colette Crawford's Prenatal Yoga Teacher training in December 2003 and the Seattle Midwifery School's Labor Support Course for Doulas in September 2004. Catherine co-developed and implemented a yoga therapy program for women hospitalized in the University of Washington Medical Center Antepartum Unit due to high risk complications in pregnancy. She is currently interning to become a Integrative Yoga Therapist.

Catherine discovered the power of yoga upon joining her prenatal massage clients in their prenatal classes. She experienced a profound sense of unity within herself and connection with her classmates. In describing this experience she recalls: "What a joy to witness mothers-to-be embracing their pregnancies with courage and an awareness of body, breath, mind and baby! I practice yoga to embrace Unity, to find my way back home from the frontiers of separation. I teach yoga to realize connection with my fellow travelers. Together, we cultivate our awareness of compassion and loving kindness; the truth of who we really are."

Joanmarie Eggert 's passion for yoga began with her first class and continues to deepen every day. Drawing inspiration from nature and science (her other two passions), she combines various yoga techniques; asana, pranayama, visualization, and meditation, to make each class uniquely enriching. Joanmarie completed her 500 hour teacher certification with Robin Rothenberg in the viniyoga style, and is a Relax and Renew© trainer certified by Judith Hanson Lasater. Her intention in teaching is to make yoga accessible to everyone, and she looks forward to sharing and growing with her students.

Dorothy Hiestand is available to sub classes at The Yoga Barn. She specializes in back care, scoliosis, and seniors. She really enjoys introducing people to yoga, giving them clear instructions, and watching their faces light up. She knows how to adapt poses to suit different individuals in her classes. Dorothy has severe scoliosis and has been practicing yoga regularly since 1986 to alleviate her own back pain, and to remain healthy and function normally. She is certified at the 200-hour level for yoga teaching in the Iyengar style, and is further certified to teach Robin’s therapeutic Viniyoga series, The Essential Low Back Program, for chronic low back pain. Currently, Dorothy also teaches yoga at the East County Senior Center in Monroe, Ballinger Way 24-Hour Fitness, and Trilogy Resort Living in Redmond.

Amy Jarvis was first exposed to yoga in 1994, in a small town college classroom while looking for that "something" to deepen her body, mind and heart. Not knowing exactly what it was and when it would appear, she continued her journey of study and faith. In 2005, with a career in full swing "it happened" . . . her heart spoke and she knew it was time, having found the lessons of the Yoga Sutras and the practice of Viniyoga under her mentor, Robin Rothenberg. Amy completed her Yoga Alliance 500 hr Certification in July 2007, but professes that she will be a lifetime student and is humbled to teach and share in lives of others.

Maxine Leese The importance of finding a peaceful, uncluttered space on a daily basis is something Maxine has always valued. Having grown up spending a lot time in the outdoors, she feels a strong connection to nature. Today, she recognizes and appreciates the potential of nature to create quiet within and heal the spirit. These attributes are the essence of Qigong where, in her words, "like a slow walk in the woods, it helps to unclutter my mind and connect me to my source."

With a calling toward teaching, Maxine was led to Qigong where she experiences pure meaning and purpose. She is now in her 3rd year of study with the Ling Gui Healing School of Qigong, and says, "I am humbled by my study and practice of Qigong, and the universe is calling me to share this practice with others. It is my deep desire to help others connect to that calming, healing and invigorating place within themselves." Maxine invites and looks forward to sharing this ancient and proven art and science of Qigong with The Yoga Barn community.

Diane McNulty is a dedicated student and practioner of yoga. For her, yoga connects the mind, body and spirit with a deep awareness of the Self. Diane is a registered Yoga Alliance instructor. She completed her teacher training through the Yoga Barn in 2000 and received her prenatal certification through the Seattle Holistic Center in 2001. Diane is currently teaching basic and prenatal yoga classes at The Yoga Barn.

Lulu Peelle began practicing yoga in 1996 as just one more form of exercise but soon discovered its multi-dimensional benefits. In her exploration of yoga she has studied various forms but has found her home in Viniyoga.

Her journey of discovery has taken her in some surprising directions, each of which has revealed the continuous unfolding of her life’s purpose (dharma). Her dharma and passion is to share her knowledge, skills and personal experience to guide and support others through the continuous, and sometimes challenging, unfolding of their lives.

She is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor (AWC) with 6 years yoga teaching experience, the past four of which she has specialized in yoga therapy. Her more recent certification in Ayurveda enables her to integrate the ancient teachings of yoga and ayurveda and offer them together as was originally intended.

Lulu currently teaches Basic and Therapeutic classes. She has also had experience teaching Seniors and Cancer patients.

Her private yoga therapy sessions include diet and lifestlyle counseling.

Danae Willson : As a young woman, Danae began with an appreciation and love of movement, studying Hatha Yoga, massage therapy, dance, and Tai Chi. Today, after many years as a successful college professor and executive in the product design industry, she is pleased to return to her roots: As she says, “...returning to my core, to who I am and to how I wish to be in the world.” Danae is a 500 level certified yoga teacher in the Viniyoga tradition, a certified S.A.I.L. instructor, and has a deep interest in exploring spirituality, the mind and the body. She brings to her work a profound love of teaching and a heartfelt commitment to support and serve others.

"The thing that stands out in my mind when I think of the classes at The Yoga Barn is the personalization and caring for each and every student thru the instructors. They make you feel comfortable and give you the confidence to challenge yourself. I look forward to the social aspect of our 'Yoga family'."

-Koree