INSTRUCTORS

Ruth Hartung, (Sraddhasagar)

Ildiko Chikan has been teaching for more than five decades.  Originally from Hungary, she began her teaching career as a Classical Ballet teacher, having danced and performed professionally in Europe for ten years.  Ildiko's teaching experience includes teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Ballet, and teaching Ballet in Oregon.  Due to injury, she began studying yoga, healing, and spirituality, and began teaching yoga in 1992.  She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, who specilaizes in Acupressure, Reiki, and Shiatsu. Her Hatha yoga classes are infused with her love of yoga, students, and the natural world -- especially animals!  Ildiko believes in making a personal connection with each student, through conversation, hands-on adjustments and humor.

Katie Love is an October 2007 graduate of 7 Centers Yoga Arts' Teacher Training Program.  She has been studying and teaching yoga ever since including Yin, Restorative and Hatha Yoga.   Katie is dedicated to the transformative, inspirational, therapeutic and divine  graces of the the yogic lifestyle. It is her intention to share these gifts with the approach of a guide, rather than instructor, in order to remind us that the greatest teacher of all is always within us.

Guy Matthews began his study of yoga in 1985 after realizing that stress from his career was impeding his personal and professional life. As a result of the yoga practices, he learned and applied tools for stress management and body/mind wholeness. He received his certification in the Hatha yoga discipline in 1995 and 1999 from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Guy ran his own yoga-based business in Canada within the corporate and private community. He has experience leading and guest teaching at retreats and conferences in theUS and Canada. He enjoys assisting people to find greater harmony in their lives. Currently he teaches gentle and restoravtive yoga and sound healing. He invites you to have fun and explore your body, mind and spirit.

Jeff E. Masters is the founder and director of Thunder Mountain Wellness Center in Sedona, AZ.  He is a teacher of anatomy & physiology, as well as Myotherapy, licensed massage therapist and personal trainer who specializes in Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Therapy, advanced functional anatomy and assessment, and the treatment of chronic pain.  He is an internationally published author, who was awarded an honorary Masters degree in Anatomy and Physiology, from the Open International University for Complimentary Medicine, Sri Lanka in 2006. 

Zac Occhiline has been studying and practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for the past 8.  He teaches Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga and has extensive knowledge and experience in teaching many of the basic Shatkarmas (yogic cleanses).  Zac has studied Ayurveda, including Ayurvedic cuisine and Ayurvedic herbal healing for over a decade. Growing up in Sedona, Arizona, Zac developed a deep appreciation and love of the wilderness, and the natural beauty of plants, animals and environs widespread throughout the state.

Breanna Helfert has been studying & practicing yoga since 1999. She dedicated herself to a vigorous Bikram practice for 6 years. Also exploring Power Flow, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Yin Restorative. In 2009, she obtained her Hatha Yoga certification from 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, where she continues to study. In February 2011 she obtained Vinyasa Flow yoga certification with Shiva Rae in Venice, CA. Her classes focus upon building mind-body strength and peace, increased flexibility and stamina, as well as spiritual development. She enjoys the rhythmic flow of breath and movement, and is continually inspired by all her students and teachers.
"This yoga should be practiced with firm determination and perseverance, without any mental reservation or doubts.." -- Bhagavad Gita.

Ana Hansen began her formal studies in yoga and Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras in 2001. In the summer of 2003, she completed Yoga Alliance's 200 hour level teacher training through 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, Arizona. Here is where she met many of her gurus of yoga: Rama Jyoti Vernon, Shraddhasaggar, and Ambaya. Shortly after receiving her 200 hour level training, she worked at 7 Centers Yoga Arts as a yoga instructor and an ayurvedic chef for the teacher training programs. She received darshan from Sri Karunamayi, an embodiment of divine motherly love. Also, she reveived darshan from Ammaji, the hugging saint of India. Ana Hansen continues to study them as examples of holy women. In 2005, Ana completed her Yoga Alliance 500 hour level teacher training program with the International Yoga College.

Rachel Jackson has been studying and practicing yoga for 12 years and teaching for the past 6. Her main teaching styles are Hatha Yoga, Slow Flow Vinyasa, and Yin Meridian Meditation. She also has experience in Pre/Postnatal Yoga. Through her yoga classes, Rachel guides her students towards finding freedom in the breath, the body, the mind and in the spirit. Her classes have a strong foundation in the breath as well as setting a personal intention for your yoga practice. The tempo of her class is set to uplifting music and finds a balance between invigorating challenge and nourishing relaxation. Rachel is also a licensed massage therapist and body worker. She often blends different energetic healing & bodywork techniques into her yoga classes while giving students gentle assists. Whether it be through yoga or massage, Rachel aims to inspire everyone she meets to plant the seed for a positive change in their lives, to follow their dreams toward a happier and healthier life!