MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Aliya Gorelick
Aliya received her 200 YTT and Reiki Level 1 certification in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2017. Her practice is fueled by spirituality and Buddhist philosophies to create inner peace.
You can expect a class that is approachable and energetically rich that develops your inner healer through heightened awareness and curiosity. We will use movement and breath to return to our natural state of embodied bliss and love through sun salutations, balancing poses, and core strengthening. Each class provides the space to take radical responsibility for your practice, carry gratitude off your mat and into the world, and to move emotions and intentions through your body.
Andrea Feltz
To Andrea, practicing yoga is an opportunity to explore the inner workings of our mind-body connection. As a teacher, Andrea cultivates opportunities for her students to take a step back from the constant movement of our lives to explore the multidimensional relationship we have with our own body. By utilizing the tools and gifts of yoga, eastern medicine, and diverse wellness practices, she invites her students to dive deeper into their bodies, hearts, and minds and simply meet what is there. In every offering, Andrea’s intention is to create safe and comfortable spaces for her students to join her on this exploration. She provides tangible experiences and accessible practices that her students can take with them off the mat, as well as necessary context and background to ensure the use of these ancient traditions are rooted in honor and respect.
After 11 years of practice, Andrea began her formal yoga studies under Jennifer Prugh and Noell Clark in 2019, receiving her 200 hour RYT certification, and is currently working towards her 500 RYT training through the Joy of Yoga School. Her approach is interdisciplinary, empathetic, soft, and constantly evolving with her own daily practice and study. She synthesizes years of study in classical yoga, meditation, trauma healing, and dance to create unique experiences for her students that leave them grounded and reconnected to their inner power.
Bianca Pugh
Yoga has been part of my life for a couple of years now. In 2011, I started practicing Hatha yoga at one of the few yoga studios in my hometown (Campinas – Brazil) and from there, I had the pleasure of coming across many beautiful souls that taught me about asanas, self-connection, setting an intention, the power of the breath, yoga philosophy, meditation and much more. I like to always express my gratitude for the lessons I learned from my teachers and for the space they hold so that I could learn my own lessons through the connection with my body, mind and spirit.
Pillars of my practice and the classes I guide:
· Love / Self-love is where the practice starts from.
· Respect for everyone’s individual uniqueness, each individual’s body, time, breath, and state of mind, combining asana and breath to lead us toward finding that calm and quiet inner connection.
· Preparing ourselves for deep relaxation through shavasana and meditation and our connection to creativity, insights, inspirations and much more.
All these wonderful connections are so accessible to all and that is why I believe so strongly in the power of yoga.
Referencing my dear teachers: Diogo Carmago, Gabriela Monteiro, Vanessa Magalo, Camila Reitz, Janet Stone, Daniela Komalski and Matt Comartin.
Trainings: 200h YTT with Camila Reitz in Hatha Vinyasa Yoga 200h YTT with Janet Stone in a mix of Bhakti, Vinyasa and Yoga Flow.
Kristi MaDan
After taking her first yoga class in 2011, Kristi quickly recognized the practice as both a deeply alchemizing and practical tool for life. She took her first teacher training about four years after that, and soon began teaching under direct mentorship from her home studios lead teachers. Since her initial 200 hour certification in 2015, she has trained in adjacent modalities ranging from breathwork + polyvagal theory to biomechanic principles + Buddhist practices. The intersection of these modalities inspires Kristi’s classes deeply, and her intention is to offer up bits of them in every experience.
She has a keen interest in prioritizing practitioners spiritual + bodily autonomy while still showing up whole-heartedly with her distinct offerings. It’s her hope students are empowered to learn more from themselves in her classes than anyone else could teach them, and to help enhance their felt sense of presence and embodiment. When not on her mat, she can usually be found in her home metalsmithing studio, by the ocean or out and about in the redwoods.
Lizzy Silverstein
I believe yoga is coming home and that my role as a yoga instructor is to aid in this returning home to our bodies, to our minds, and to our hearts. I see each class as a gift - an opportunity to notice, spark curiosity, move, play, tune-in, and tap-into unconditional love. I bring energy, joy, levity and song to each class.
Yoga is complex and I find each aspect beautiful. My hope is to honor the practice, religion, and culture, by sharing aspects beyond just the physical practice, asana.
I have had the honor of studying and practicing with Astrud Castillo, Jasmine Tarkeshi, and Tara Dyberg. My yoga inspirations are Dana Trixie Flynn, Jasmine Tarkeshi, Astrud Castillo, Tara Dyberg, Jessica Weitzenhoffer, Kayla Copeland, Cat Mansfield, Puja Chance, Kino MacGregor, Aliya Gorelick and Jesira Jorn. My yoga style pulls from these teachers.
Marissa Victoria
Personal and spiritual growth kept Marissa practicing yoga and meditation daily while increased physical health, strength, and a deeper relationship to life became the outcome. Marissa chose to step onto her mat dedicated to her purpose to teach, with a passion to share and spread such a potent and powerful way of life. She weaves yogic philosophy, pranayama, meditation, biomechanics and alignment into her classes. Her classes are dynamic and fun, challenging yet accessible, invigorating and expect to enrich your mind, nourish your body, ease your nerves and drop into the heart. Classes are often curated with sound, aromatherapy and an occasional live musical offering from one of the several instruments Marissa plays. She has led international and local yoga retreats, teaches at yoga & art festivals and hosts an expansive variety of workshops in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz, CA.
Marissa holds her 200 & 300hr(IP) certifications in yoga alongside her current completion of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) personal training certification and completion of her B.S. in Kinesiology. Just some of the many teachers that have inspired her include: Ana Forrest, Shiva Rae, Giselle Mari, David Swenson, Ty Landrum, Kino MacGregor, Tias Little and Katie Silcox.
Puja Chance
After a back surgery for a herniated disc at the age of 19, and an ACL and medial meniscus (knee) reconstructive surgery a year later, I understood clearly that in order to live a healthy lifestyle I needed to practice being more fully in my body. My work is to build supportive strength through small and large muscle groups to support the soft connective tissues in the body. To that end I began my yoga practice. I became a certified Hot Yoga teacher in 2007. I then completed my Level 1 Baron Baptiste Training and began to dive deep into the world of Vinyasa Flow. I received my 200 and 300 hr RYA teaching credential with Janet Stone who I consider a dear friend and my truest inspiration. From 2015 to 2017 I assisted multiple yoga teacher trainings and retreats with Janet in Bali, India, San Francisco and Esalen, Big Sur. I have studied extensively with Mark Stephens and Erika Abrahamian in Santa Cruz. I have had the honor of training with Kino MacGregor and Lino Miele in the Ashtanga method in India. With my background as a certified Massage Therapist since 2006 and pre-nursing student, I bring together my studies in anatomy and alignment, with the connection between breath and body, to subtly stretch beyond and open the heart and soften the mind.
In my class expect a mindfully energetic flow. Every class has a foundation in breath and awareness and we move and play from there. I seek to meet the needs of the students who arrive in whatever capacity I can. I look forward to the development of each connection. Today I teach at several yoga studios in Santa Cruz as well as private and corporate clients. I also have had the honor of leading my own Yoga Retreats locally and in Mexico since 2018.
Sandy Thorpe
Sandy has been practicing yoga for 30 years and teaching for 20 years. She has an E-RYT200 from Beth Shaw (YogaFit) and has taught 5000+ classes and numerous workshops (in San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Campbell, and also here at Pacific Edge). She moved to Santa Cruz in 2017, and although she's taught at various other local studios, Pacific Edge is her favorite and now exclusive teaching locale. During the Pandemic, she produced 39 (free!) YouTube yoga videos (per request), which you can find at www.GumbyYoga.com or directly on YouTube by searching Gumby Yoga. Here's what to expect in her classes:
- Unusual sequences and asanas you've never done before.
- 2-5 arm balances!
- Standing balances and core work.
- Yoga Wall work (class size allowing).
Previously in Silicon Valley, Sandy taught at corporate sites (Google, Yahoo, Facebook, LinkedIn, Apple, Cisco, Intuit, KLA), various studios (Flex Fusion, Yoga Belly, Just Breathe), and gyms (Reach, Club One, Moffett Towers Club, the YMCA). Her favorite influencers are Kathryn Budig, Jason Crandell, Shiva Rea, Kaylie Daniels, and #men.in.yoga. Join Sandy for an athletic yoga class that is addictive, with eclectic music and inspiring cues to enable you—whatever your level— to rise to a new level of yoga practice.
Ryann Thomison
Movement has always been my medicine. I first approached yoga from the lens of recovery for the physical body during my professional volleyball career, but once I began practicing, I was astonished by the mindfulness that I was able to cultivate through my own practice. The idea of being a forever student is what draws me to this practice over and over again. The unity between body, breath and spirituality within yoga has allowed me to find peace during some of my darkest times. I am devoted to my own practice and I am grateful to have the gift of sharing the lessons that yoga continues to teach me everyday. I received my 200 Hour YTT training from the Ignite your Heart Yoga Academy. My classes are a fusion between ahimsa, which is hindu for non-harming, and tapas, which in sanskrit translates to building heat or self-discipline. Tapas to me emphasizes the importance of pushing your edge just enough to experience growth. I believe that without challenge there is no change, and in order to grow there are times we must exert some bit of self discipline through challenging asanas that test our mental and physical abilities. Additionally, I always leave room for the practice of ahimsa throughout each of my classes because it is so important to me that students listen to their body and show up on their mat as a way to reconnect, as opposed to harm or force themselves into shapes. I like to tell people if all they did was show up and take a child's pose, they could not be more in the yoga. My style is all about marrying both ahimsa and tapas together, as well as holding space for students to dive deeper into themselves using the vehicle of their breath. I am delighted to join this talented team of Pacific Edge instructors and look forward to flowing with you all soon.
substitute instructors
Lori Hansen
Introduced to yoga asana at the age of 16 in her local gym, Lori started taking classes weekly to complement her competitive and recreational hobby of baton twirling. After finishing graduate school in 2013, she moved to Boston to start her career as an Occupational Therapist and concurrently re-committed to a regular yoga practice. She subsequently spent time diving into self-exploration and expanding her horizons throughout Central America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, before landing on the southern coast of Morocco. It was here that she completed Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, and Self-Myofascial Release Teacher Trainings in early 2017 and began her yoga teaching career – sharing awareness and insights with her students who mostly came to ride the waves, while vacationing at local surf camps.
Lori returned to the US that summer and sought creative ways to integrate her expertise from the healthcare field with the wisdom of yoga asana and philosophy. During this time, she also found climbing – initially bringing intentions to cross-train her own mind and body, and coincidentally finding deeper and more profound connections with herself, her local community, and nature. She taught for athletic, studio, outdoor, and donation-based organizations in Southern California before moving to Santa Cruz in the fall of 2021. Lori’s teaching style gravitates toward yin yoga and slower flows – incorporating elements of meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, self-myofascial release, techniques to regulate the nervous system, and Buddhist philosophy. Drawing from her personal experiences and professional knowledge, she brings an authentic, yet gentle, compassionate, and inquisitive energy to her classes.
Hannah Lerch
Hannah teaches creative Vinyasa flow yoga classes, with a focus on bhakti, breath, and alignment. Her classes provide a place for students of all levels to explore strength, flexibility, and discernment. Part of yoga is the physical aspect – but yoga is also about coming onto your mat, stepping away from the rest of your day, breathing in and out, and being present. Yoga gives us an opportunity to observe, to inquire within, and to learn to show up more fully.
Hannah is a yoga instructor in Santa Cruz, CA. She first started practicing yoga for the physical benefits in 2011, but found that what kept her coming back was the connection to mind, body, breath, and spirit. She completed her first 200-HR Yoga Teacher Training in July 2016. For more information, please visit www.hannahlerch.com - thank you!
Shannon Arrechea
Shannon has been teaching yoga since 2014. She teaches a nourishing style of bhakti infused vinyasa. Her classes incorporate creative, flowing asana sequences, meditation, and chanting. She is deeply influenced by her core yoga teacher, Janet Stone, her Iyengar teacher, Maya Lev, as well as her many Buddhist teachers. In addition to teaching yoga, Shannon is also an Esalen trained massage therapist.
Shawna Rogers
Shawna Rodgers has practiced yoga since 2008 and completed her 200+ hour certification in 2017. She completed her 300+ hour training in 2019 after traveling to India to learn more about the origins of the practice. She is certified through Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher.
She leads a mindful flow, incorporating elements of Ayurveda and trauma-informed language into each of her classes. Whether it’s power yoga or slow-flow, Shawna seeks to bring balance to each student that comes to class. Her number one goal is for students to connect deeply to themselves throughout their yoga practice and learn to listen to their inner knowing.
Born and raised in Los Gatos, California Shawna moved to Santa Cruz after completing her degree in English literature at San Diego State University, where she also studied Anatomy and Neuroscience as a Division 1 Athlete. Follow Shawna on LinkedIn or Instagram @shawnamarieyoga
*Please contact the Yoga Manager, Sydney, at sydney@pacificedgeclimbinggym.com with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Yoga & Studio Classes.