Andy Totman
Andy Totman, co-creator and owner of Vinyasa Arts with his wife Tamara Lafferty-Totman, first fell in love with yoga in 2005. Since then he has combined his personal yoga practice with his commitment to the Martial Arts. He has been practicing Wushu (KungFu), TiChi and Chi Gong since 2007. With his commitment to excellence, high standards, belief in his students, and great sense of humor, Andy guides his students in a challenging, yet accessible, Vinyasa flow. His classes maximizes every minute building the strength needed to reach your goals. He actively works the room providing adjustments, ensuring safety, and proper alignment. His Vinyasa flow includes fun transitions, arm balances, handstands, flexibility, and mindful meditation. Andy's teaching makes the seemingly "impossible" possible as you'll leave his classes with a strong body and a clear mind.
Marci Kawar
Tamara Totman
Tamara Lafferty-Totman, (ERYT 500), Co-creator and owner of Vinyasa Arts with her husband Andy Totman, has taught yoga in San Diego County for nearly 16 years. Her style of teaching is lighthearted, versatile and creative. Her background is in Ashtanga Yoga and the style she teaches now is Vinyasa Flow yoga level 2/3 and 3/4 (a vinyasa flow that includes arm balances and handstands). Tamara’s classes are a great fusion of powerful Vinyasa Flow with an entrancing mix of contemporary music. Her classes are physically challenging; however, proper alignment, modifications and plenty of hands-on adjustments are essential in her classes. The focal point is exclusively on alignment, movement with breath, core, strength and balance.... and of course a sense of humor!
Kelly Banuelos
Dylan Jones
Dylan blends fun music, vigorous postures, and the her students to embrace yoga as a vehicle to reduce stress, find happiness, and a clear mind. Her practice is designed to ease her students into a transformative space where she lovingly encourages and guides them through breath and movement.
Holly Gastil
Holly's nurturing and light hearted teaching style reflects the flexibility she has gained, both mentally and physically, through the practice of Ashtanga yoga. She began the practice in 1994, and felt the call to begin teaching in 2002. Holly's first teacher, Alison Lewis, encouraged her to study with Tim Miller at the Ashtanga Yoga Center, where she continues to be challenged and inspired in her yoga practice on a daily basis.
Jano Galindo
About Jano
From my early childhood as far back as I can remember, I always had a strong spiritual upbringing. When I started studying music in my early teens it enhanced a deep connection to the divine. It was through music my first introduction to meditation began to take shape.
When I would play music, I was completely present, completely lost in the moment.
From music came meditation, and from meditation came the desire to study yoga. My first introduction was found in a small book that had various postures that I would practice daily. It wasn't until a few years later when I took my first "real" yoga class.
After that first class, I had never felt anything like that before.
II went back everyday that week, and by the third class I knew my calling was to teach. I signed up for the very next teacher training program, moved to Los Angeles, and immersed myself in a vigorous nine week schedule that tested every fiber of my being. Upon graduating top of my class I made sure to teach my first class the very next day.
I have been truly blessed to be able to share the gift of yoga to the world.
I am happy to call San Diego my home where my wife Lorraine and I are raising our two beautiful children Azlan and Anaya. I have a regular schedule teaching all throughout San Diego. My amazing journey with yoga has led me all over the world teaching workshops, retreats, and teacher training programs.
Yoga has truly changed my life for the best, and my goal is to serve you in which ever way I can.
Andy and Tamara Totman
Kelli Russell
Kelli has dedicated herself to her training and has achieved the highest level of credential offered by Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500) and is a designated Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. Whether you are a beginning yoga student or an experienced yoga teacher in need of CEUs, Kelli has the experience, knowledge and expertise to provide you with what you are seeking on your mat. Come play...
Cheyenne Giesecke
Janet or Sharon Isherwood
Join us for Vinyasa Flow with the affectionately nicknamed "Twinsies"! Sharon and Janet have a passion for yoga and love to share the benefits of that practice with others.
These local Cardiff surfing sisters bring in a special combination of support, community, strong work ethic, energy, humor, and a sense of adventure to take you on your yoga journey. Together they create a high energy and dynamic yoga experience that is full of fun, challenge and support. After focusing on strength, flexibility, and balance you will leave their class feeling empowered and clear minded which you can carry into your daily life on and off the mat. Oh... and you'll likely be smiling and laughing a lot on that journey too!
Jonathan Richard
Melissa Gottschalk
Cat Valadez
Alex Pogeler
Sara Deakin
Sara received her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training certification from White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA.
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This stylistically diverse group of teachers has allowed Sara to find her own heart-centered approach to teaching. Her alignment based Vinyasa Flow classes emphasize the synergistic effects of connecting the body and breath. She creates energetic classes by balancing strength, flexibility, and enjoyment and challenges her students with vigorous flow sequences, breath work and core strengthening. Sara enjoys teaching practical uses of pranayama because she believes that breath is a great teacher and a great healer. Her classes leave you strong, calm and ready to deal with daily stress.
In addition to completing her 500-Hour certification through the Professional YogaWorks Program in 2010, Sara also received her Masters in Business Administration.
Ahlia Biondi (Hoffman)
Leila Currah
Her own approach as a teacher is rooted in mindfulness, bringing a loving awareness to body and breath. She delivers a gentle, restorative practice for beginners, and a deep vinyasa flow for more experienced yogis, creating space for everyone to find the inner rhythms to guide their practice. She is also an avid dancer and enthusiastic about welcoming ecstatic movement into or after a more structured practice.
Maricela Goodrich
Mari loves the energy and challenges of yoga, as well as the quiet and introspection that yoga brings her. It is in these qualities that she finds the balance in every practice. She considers herself a passionate person and brings this passion to her teaching. Being a native of Colombia, she can also offer instruction in Spanish.
Her classes are very creative and she always tries to instill mindfulness in her students. As a teacher, she helps everyone in her class to be present, confident and strong, and gives them compassionate, playful and loving nurturance.
Walter Thomas
Jaclyn Graham
Jaclyn’s path to teaching started when her advertising agency boss suggested yoga as a way to help find a work-life balance. She became hooked on the feeling of a vigorous physical practice, that ended with a calm mind. She took her first teacher training with David Kim and Jesse Schein in 2012, then in 2015 decided to continue to refine her skills with Gigi Snyder and another 300 hours of teacher training. In 2017 Jaclyn moved to the San Diego area, excited to offer a challenging alignment-based vinyasa flow class that reminds students there’s always room for play and a yoga joke on your mat.
Malin Hornkvist
Being active was second nature and led me to gymnastics, specifically to Rhythmic Gymnastics and an opportunity to represent Team Sweden in my late teens.
Having lost touch with my active upbringing while working in the corporate world and having lived in cities across Sweden and England I found my way back to an active lifestyle after relocating to Chicago and working as a certified personal trainer. Passionate about helping people feel better and a healthier lifestyle there was something still missing.
I had stumbled upon yoga in my early twenties but in 2012 we were re-introduced and I fell head over heels in love with the practice and found the missing link. There is something truly magical about breath to movement. My hope for students who attend my class is to be challenged physically, mentally and surrender to the practice as we dance to the beat of the breath. You will leave the class feeling a little lighter, stronger, more present and hopefully with a smile on your face.
Claire Petretti-Marti
Claire Petretti Marti, E-RYT 500, has been practicing, studying, and teaching yoga since 1999. Like many fitness enthusiasts, she was initially drawn to yoga for its physical benefits of strength, balance, and flexibility. Once Claire realized that serenity, peace of mind, and true happiness were predominant results of the practice, she was hooked.
She teaches a dynamic Vinyasa flow, combined with fun, upbeat music, and loves to encourage students to find the lightness and the joy in their own practice. She’s also a Reiki Level 2 Practitioner and a certified Pilates instructor. Claire beat Stage 2 breast cancer in 2010 and credits yoga and meditation for her return to radiant health and works with others living with cancer on a private basis.
Andrew Belinsky
Andrew began his journey in music and expression on the high school theater stage. While studying sociology and education at UC Berkeley he continued this work by coordinating community music projects. His passion for people and art propelled him around the world as a signed musician. A variety of music projects and collaborations has landed him shows at the Berkeley Greek Theater, on Korean National TV and earned his music commercial placements.
After a few years as a music producer in Brooklyn, Andrew returned to San Diego determined to explore the capacity of music making as a tool for self-healing and community building. In 2014 he completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training with the Viniyoga Institute and he will earn his 500-hour certificate at the end of 2017. NAMASTAGE came directly out of his passion for music and yoga combined with his love for wellness and expression-based gatherings.
Adam Polhemus
Taking a class with Adam is a unique experience as he bridges the gap between east coast and west coast yoga. Adams class is vinyasa based with roots in ashtanga and Jivamukti. Expect the classics, arm balances, inversions and a good time. Adjustments are given through out class along with alignment through cues. Prepare to learn and be challenged!
Shantaya Whittaker
Shantaya’s yoga classes offer students a supportive environment to
discover how to connect and move fluidly with the breath in order to deepen students’ awareness to journey inward – calming the
body and liberating the mind. Shantaya effectively integrates inspirational music and guided imagery with the asanas to help move
students beyond perceived limitations and fears toward peace, consciousness and bliss.
Torry Chamberlayne
Yoga provided me a sanctuary from the busy-ness of life and a place where my mind can be still and where I found a sort of moving meditation. I fell in love once again with Yoga. After practicing consistently for nearly 4 years, I decided to deepen my practice and follow my passion by completing my 200HR Teacher Training in 2015. I am now taking my study further by going through my 500HR Advanced Teacher Training. I draw my inspiration from many different styles of yoga, specifically Yin Yoga, Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow combining this with a focus on mindful movement and inner stillness.
Come and play!! Expect to have fun, a deeper inner focus and overall connection to an incredible community!!
Christine Chen
Nearly 20 years ago, I took my first yoga class, broken spiritually and physically from spine conditions and a high-stress career. Yoga saved me and changed me for good, so I started sharing my passion for this healing and transformational practice through teaching, writing, media, and a book - inspired by it all.
Let’s practice together! Come to class and you will move within fun-funky-intelligent sequencing. You’ll try new things and listen to your own body to unleash your truest you. You’ll smile, chant, sing, and groove. You’ll challenge yourself, but not push too hard. You’ll learn to let go so you can check in fully to your life! You’ll be safe as you flow through the intersection of steeped, traditional yoga and the soulful experiences that shape us all.
Come for the yoga… and stay for the community.
Dana Damara
Carolina Lorenzo
She was first certified in 2005 in Rishikesh, India, where she connected closely with the roots of yoga, since then she has continued to advance her study of the practice of yoga, mindfulness, yoga therapy, the deities and Kirtan leading and chanting. She brings her studies as a Somatic Therapist and Mindfulness researcher into her classes by adding in therapeutic findings and poses to inspire and transform her students’ left and right brain connection and neuroplasticity. She loves how the practice transforms and inspires growth and self love and acceptance. Together we rise, opening our hearts and awakening to our highest potential.
In her Psychotherapy practice The Return, she shares her full tool belt of knowledge and her deep intuitive guidance to support the transformation of each individual; she works with building presence, integrating trauma, releasing negative beliefs and habits and finding one’s voice, power, and purpose.