Claire Hartley

Co-Owner and founder of Rising Lotus. British born Yoga teacher, Claire Hartley, found her passion for the practice of Yoga in the early 90’s at the Jivamukti Yoga Center. Their signature style of vigorous flow, chanting, meditation and exploration of the ancient scriptures began to reveal that suffering could be relieved and that the divine was experiential and not just a concept to be studied and discussed, for that she is eternally grateful and humbled by all the teachers she has studied with.

Her first training program was in LA under the tutelage of Peri Doslu. Peri introduced her to Iyengar Yoga which has become an important part of her practice and her teaching. Claire also trained with Lisa Walford and Annie Carpenter at Yogaworks and completed a six month apprenticeship with Lisa.

She remains an ardent fan and disciple of Vinyasa flow for it’s ability to touch the moving prayer that is always singing inside and step into union with the higher Self.

In April 2006 she opened the Rising Lotus Yoga Studio on Ventura Blvd., in Sherman Oaks with her good friend and colleague Daniel Stewart. Claire is the director of Teacher Training at Rising Lotus and loves to guide new teachers on the path of sharing the gifts of Yoga to others, it is an ever humbling path as the students continues to crack her heart open with the love and eagerness they bring into the room.

She is forever inspired by the love of her family, husband John and her daughter Nova. Jai Ma!

Andrea Isco

After being inspired by a friend's beautiful demonstration of Salamba Sirsasana, in 1998 Andrea started taking classes at IYILA. Immediately she began to experience positive benefits from the practice of yoga--increase in physical strength and flexibility, a respite from anxiety and depression, and a new awareness of her hormonal rhythms, to name a very few of the benefits the practice of yoga brings. With a little encouragement from one of her teachers, Andrea entered the IYASC Teacher Training Program in 2002 and completed the program in 2005. During the time she was in this program she began to teach yoga. She studied at RIMYI with the Iyengars in 2008 and has attended the last 2 IYNAUS conventions; she continues her studies now with weekly classes taught by Jim Benvenuto and Lisa Walford and workshops every 2 months with Manouso Manos. She encourages people to experience for themselves the health and happiness the practice of yoga can bring.

Ann Braden

She is inspired by Ana Forrest’s teachings to “create in each of us a sense of freedom, a connection to our spirit and the courage to walk as our spirit dictates”. Ann believes that the practice of yoga helps us become a source of peace, power and inspiration that extends beyond our mats into our communities.

Ann received her teaching certification from Yoga Works in Santa Monica, California, where she apprenticed with Jasmine Lieb, Paul Cabanis and Annie Carpenter. Ann is also certified by Yoga Ed. to teach yoga to children and teachers. She teaches workshops nationally to educators on how to bring the benefits of yoga into the classroom. Ann teaches classes and workshops in the Los Angeles area at studios including Rising Lotus Yoga (www.risinglotusyoga.com) and Yoga Works (www.yogaworks.com)

Arielle Silver

In a nutshell, I am inspired by the fact that joy begets joy, love begets love and well-being begets well-being. I've seen a million times how yoga changes each of us in significant and beautiful ways, fundamentally changing the world around us for better. For my students, I teach from the perspective that we practice balance, flexibility and strength on our mats to bring more balance, flexibility and strength into every aspect of our lives - physically, mentally, emotionally. In my classes we sing, sweat, laugh, breathe, and work through whatever we each individually need to work through in order to celebrate our bodies and hearts.

I was first introduced to Hatha Yoga back east at a music conference in 2000. My practice has been my companion through many transitions, including my cross-country move to Los Angeles 4 years ago. When I most needed it, I discovered Rising Lotus and found a kindred spirit in the loving, joyful dharma of the studio. I completed my Teacher Training here in 2009, have subbed for many classes on the schedule, volunteer with the Seva Foundation and sing with Daniel in his kirtan band. I am now thrilled to be joining my studio family as a teacher for the T/Th 6:30 Level 1/2.

Each of us makes the world a better place when we set aside these moments for ourselves. Join me, beautiful people, and flow in this sweaty, compassionate and joyful practice.  As Hafiz says, "The subject tonight is Love, and for tomorrow night as well." Arielle is inspired by the beautiful ways that compassionate self-awareness and care brings joy and well-being to the world around us. She was first introduced to Hatha Yoga at an east coast music conference in 2000. Her practice has been her companion through many transitions, including her cross-country move to Los Angeles where she discovered Rising Lotus. She completed the RLY Teacher Training in 2009 and has since been teaching beginning and mixed-level Vinyasa flow. Arielle volunteers with the Rising Lotus Seva Foundation and performs with several kirtan bands, including Daniel Stewart and Friends.

Brent Laffoon

Unbeknownst to Brent, his journey into yoga began at age 11, when a doctor prescribed him a daily regimen of stretches and exercises to help correct a mild case of Scoliosis. He was told this regimen would be difficult and require discipline. Oddly enough, Brent found it to be not so difficult and, well, sort of fun. It wasn’t until many years later, however, that he stepped into his first official yoga class and felt instantly at home… so much so that a few months later he completed his first teacher training and began teaching classes in his living room to anyone who showed up. He still gives classes in his living room from time to time, but is more commonly found teaching at a number of studios around LA.

Prior to coming home to yoga Brent was a college football player, a Peace Corps volunteer, a radio ad salesman, a construction worker, a Spanish teacher, a screenwriter and a guitar salesman, among other things. For the past several years, he has devoted himself to training with a wide range of teachers from across the globe and from many and varied traditions, including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bhakti and Tripsichore. He draws inspiration from all of these teachers and experiences to create vinyasa-based classes that are challenging, fun and ultimately calming.

Music flows through all aspects of Brent’s life and he brings this passion to every class, using tunes from almost every genre to inspire his students in their moving meditation.

Facebook: Facebook.com/brentlaffoon
Twitter: @blaffoon

Carmen Joy

Carmen moved from her native country of Slovenia to California where she has been a devoted student of yoga and meditation for many years. Traveling to India, where she immersed herself in the inner science of yoga and meditation experiencing a variety of practices, changed her life in a radical and profound way. She studied in the Yoga and Vedanta traditions from India. She also draws her inspiration from the Buddhist and Sufi teachings. Her spiritual education evolved over time and continues to grow. On her pilgrimage she traveled to various places throughout India. From the high tops of the Himalayan Mountains to the South Indian Vedantic lifestyle ashrams, to the modern meditation resorts, her encounters with many spiritual teachers from different traditions sparked a light in her own being.

Carmen presently works and resides with her family in Woodland Hills, California where she conducts weekly meditation classes and workshops. She offers transformational meditation techniques from the ancient traditions in a group setting as well as individual sessions. Carmen’s dance and meditation work, taught in a light, playful, and accessible way, has lead her to teach across the US, Europe and India.

For more information about Carmen please visit www.carmenjoy.com

For details regarding meditation sessions please contact Carmen at: mail@carmenjoy.com or call 818.357.0644

Christianna Carmine

Christianna Carmine- was introduced to yoga at age 11 by her uncle, Sri Raman, a life-long yogi. "I laugh when I think back at how much I resented my mother for making me practice yoga with her and Sri”, Christianna recollects, "But now, I cannot thank them enough for introducing me to one of the most sacred practices ever endeavored by man". Christianna left yoga for several years before returning to the mat in late 2004. "It was such a difficult time in my life, and I felt as though I needed to return to my practice. I never thought it would be as physically and emotionally challenging as I found it to be, but I knew I couldn't give up". She didn't, and a few years later, earned her certification as a yoga instructor, through Rising Lotus. "Now" she muses, "I am able to provide a space for others to deepen their practice, as my teachers did (and still do) for me. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever done with my life".

Dafna Kaiserman

Dafna began her Yoga practice in 1999, following the advice of a physician, to alleviate symptoms of a medical condition. Having studied dance and dance choreography, Dafna felt at home within the graceful Yoga practice. Dafna was able to stop all medications and discovered that Yoga not only heals the physical body, but this moving meditation heals the mind and soul as well. With the desire to study Yoga in depth and share this practice with others, Dafna completed the 200 hour Teacher Training program at Rising Lotus Yoga in 2010. Join her in the beauty of Vinyasa Flow, a sequence that links breath with movement, creating a powerfully healing Asana practice that quenches the mind, body and soul.

Darby Orr

Darby began his Yoga journey years ago as a way of creating balance in his life amid career stress, long hours sitting in front of a computer and relationship changes. Through Yoga he developed physical strength and flexibility, mental focus and, to his surprise, a renewed and joyous creative spirit. Inspired to share Yoga’s transformational gifts, he formally began his Yoga training with The White Lotus’ Ganga White, Tracey Rich and Sven Holcomb.

Darby’s classes emphasize the perfection of the present moment and the enjoyment of the journey. There’s laughter, sweat and an eclectic mix of music to lift the spirit and impart a sense of balance both physically and mentally. He is continually inspired by his students and feels truly blessed to be a guide, partner and witness to their yoga experience.

Jay Averell

Jay Averell has been a student of Iyengar yoga since 2001. He graduated in 2006 from the three year teacher's training program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles and has recently passed assessment at the first level for certification by the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the U.S. His extensive medical background allows him a great knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of the human body, which he incorporates into his classes. He attended the Iyengar Yoga convention in 2007 in Las Vegas where he studied with Gita Iyengar. The senior teacher that he regularly studies with is Manouso Manos. He has been teaching yoga classes since 2005, and his love of Iyengar Yoga is evident to his students through his infectious enthusiasm.

Julie Kundert

Julie Kundert has been inspired by the power and grace of yoga sense 1998. She was introduced to the practice during a much needed time for healing and self empowerment. As her journey continued to unfold she discovered a great love for teaching. She has received her 500 hour yoga alliance certification from yoga works and is also a certified reiki practitioner. Julie is a trained advocate and public speaker on behalf of the Valley Cares Family Justice Center. She teaches yoga and pranayama breathing techniques to the amazing staff that work there. As one of the ambassadors for Lululemon in Calabasas she has been given the opportunity and privilege to teach for her beloved community as well.

Julie is also the founder and creator of the Ahimsa Foundation seeking peace and healing for all those that suffer in violent homes. The foundation helps to raise funds and awareness towards self empowerment and transformation through the beauty and power of yoga.

Julies classes are led with compassion, humor and great respect for her students. She emphasizes on the power of the breath and fluid movement of the body. She entices her students to discover deep within themselves for their ownstrength and authenticity. She believes that yoga is a practice that we continue to experience on our mats as well as into the world.

Daniel Stewart

Co-owner of Rising Lotus Yoga, and an holistic Mind/Body Psychotherapist in private practice in Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks, Daniel is dedicated to the practice of being fully alive in each moment. 

His playful, heart-centered teaching, combines alignment, meditative breath, and spirit in vigorous vinyasa-flow classes that encourage reconnection to Self, renewal and joy. He incorporates music, eastern philosophy, depth psychology, poetry and laughter to create a stimulating environment where students can release physically, quieting their minds to experience a deep sense of peace and well-being.

Daniel shares his joy of music and bhakti meditation by leading Kirtan and playing sacred music monthly at Rising Lotus, at retreats and other studios in the yoga community. His kirtan is a unique blend of western soul and jazz style improvisation with authentic Sanskrit mantras.  The joy he feels singing is evident in the energy that grows in the room and the heart opening often experienced by participants.  He believes that together, the musicians and the audience find union as they create an ecstatic experience of blissful music and deep mediation.

Along with RLY cofounder Claire Hartley, Daniel co-leads the Rising Lotus Teacher Training program exploring Yoga Philosophy from an integrative depth psychological perspective.

Karen Rosales

Karen’s journey into yoga began six years ago as part of her effort to heal and rehabilitate her mother after suffering a brain aneurism. Not only did she find yoga to be a successful way to restore her mother’s physical health, she also discovered the profound healing properties of yoga for mental as well as emotional stress.

Karen earned her teaching certification from the White Lotus Foundation (Approved Yoga Alliance 200 hour program) in Santa Barbara, California under the instruction of Ganga White and Tracey Rich in August of 2007. She continues to study and participate in such workshops as Paul Grilley’s Anatomy. She has earned a certificate of completion from The National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Southern California. Through this program, she has developed many modifications for anyone who is working with an injury or health issue.

Her class guides students toward self-awareness and discovering the teacher within each of us. Karen offers a safe, simple, yet challenging asana practice suitable for students of all levels. She believes in a compassionate and nurturing approach to yoga. Students work hard, but there is a balance between working and resting. She believes that the most important part of yoga is using the breath to link the body, mind and spirit. She encourages her students to approach their practice with playful humor, and without judgment. Karen is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of yoga, and as a teacher, she finds that she learns from her students every day.

Kelly Todd

Kelly's yoga journey began at a young age when she stepped into her first yoga class and by the end of class realized her calling was to become a yoga teacher. She instantly fell in love with the lifestyle and how the form parallels with her dance training. Originally from Houston, TX, Kelly moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to deepen her teaching and pursue her dance career. She received her 200hr Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification from Frog Lotus Yoga. Her Vinyasa style threads the aspects of meditation, philosophy, breath work, alignment, and finding pure happiness in every asana. She inspires her students through a lighthearted class that is challenging and allows each student to grow in strength and flexibility of the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is a gift that Kelly wants to share with the world to help us know ourselves, each other, and the planet.

Lindsley Allen

Lindsley is originally from Hanover, PA and graduated from Philadelphia University of the Arts with a BFA in Ballet. She won a Joe Tremaine Dance Scholarship in New York and that same week moved to LA to purse her passion for dance. Yoga is one of the main reasons Lindsley has been able to maintain a long dance career. It has given her the tools to heal her body, mind and spirit over and over again. Yoga was the most organic transition from being a professional dancer and it has deepened and expanded her life beyond any expectations. Lindsley enjoys practicing, teaching and sharing the many blessings that yoga has to offer. Lindsley is a graduate of the Rising Lotus Teacher Training program.

Micki Duran

Micki began her yoga journey eight years ago. After surviving drug addiction, a friend invited her to her very first yoga class. She had no idea the effect it would have on her and her life. Through yoga she learned that the search is never ending, that the journey of the search IS the reason for living. The thread between each moment through every experience with every emotion being happy, sad, good, bad...IS yoga. After completing the 200 hour teacher training program with Rising Lotus Yoga in Sherman Oaks, Micki hopes to pass on what she's learned through where she's been and to give peace to those who are struggling. She believes with all her heart that we are all beautiful and lovable and worthy of great things.

Nina Siemaszko

Nina Siemaszko, 200 RYT from Rising Lotus Yoga is in her 2nd year of studies at the Iyengar Yoga Institute. Manouso Manos, Marla Apt and Claire Hartley are her mentors and she is incredibly grateful and humbled to learn from them. Pranayama, Asana, Philosophy, the Science of Yoga and and hip-hop are the mainstays of her classes. Be ready to get on your mat to practice, play and find your inner freedom.
Jai MAA!

Noelle Beaugureau

With over a decade of yoga practice Noelle Beaugureau views yoga as a journey of understanding the connection to the true self within. As a heart based teacher, she believes that the yoga practice should help one release layers of the ego to find a more authentic place internally, while cultivating strength in the body to calm the mind. Through work with the breath, the movement of the body,and letting go of incessant thoughts, Noelle communicates that one can find healing and inner strength. Along with a strong background in Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Noelle's classes are challenging, fun and allow for greater physical and spiritual development. She encourages students to discover more about the deeper layers of the self to initiate change, growth and healing in ones life. Much of Noelle’s teaching is rooted in Bhakti Yoga (the path of love and devotion). With a love of arm balances and inversions, Noelle actively teaches how to incorporate these types of asanas into a yoga practice in a playful and intelligent way. Having studied with many world renowned teachers including Ganga White and Tracy Rich of the White Lotus Foundation, Noelle has cultivated a strong Knowledge of Asana, Pranayama, and Yogic Philosophy. In her class you will laugh, play, chant, breathe, explore, let-go and find inherent joy within! She loves to share with her students all that she has learned over the years and hopes that they can use their yoga in every aspect of their lives. Noelle is deeply grateful to all of her teachers. http://noellebyogini.com/home.html

Ruth Zalduondo

Ruth, who trained with master teachers, including Lisa Walfor, Erich Schiffman, and Rod Striker, is always growing as a yogini and as a perpetual student of yoga and the sutras. Her classes are all heart and she creates a nurturing, supportive atmosphere where students can explore and grow.

Sarah Sol

Sarah Sol has been a student of Yoga since 2000. As a teacher, Sarah combines the glorious breath-focused movements of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga Yoga with the finely-tuned alignment of B K S Iyengar to create a dynamic Vinyasa Flow. In her classes, you will be encouraged to safely flirt with your physical, emotional and mental boundaries; always with Self-love and infinite compassion. Sarah believes that a Yoga Practice is a dear friend who will see you through the ups and downs of life, all the while expanding and evolving as you do.

A New York transplant, Sarah now resides in Northridge with her beloved husband and their newborn daughter, Sky. She has studied several different schools of yoga from NYC to India, and has now found herself right at home here at Rising Lotus. As a graduate of the Rising Lotus 200hr Teacher Training Program, she is so very grateful to all of her teachers here in CA and abroad

Shannon Branham

Shannon Branham has been teaching yoga and fitness in the LA area for over 10 years. She most recently trained with Brenda Strong, the creator of Female Balancing. She has practiced and trained with many local instructors including Gurmulkh for her own pre and post natal practices. She brings a unique knowledge of both the athletic and spiritual body to her classes and works to help women cultivate a deep awareness and connection to their most important feeling centers.

Terry Littlefield

Terry Littlefield, 200-RYT from Rising Lotus Yoga, and Certified Yoga Tune Up® teacher, is a long-time practitioner who adores sharing yoga with anyone and everyone because she knows how "yogawesome" it is. She began studying yoga in 2002 and never looked back -- except in downward facing dog. She is passionate, knowledgable, and always curious. Her classes are a balance of right effort and playfulness, intention and freedom, anatomy and spirituality. Terry is an educator with a big sense of humor and an even bigger heart. If you want to learn about yoga while having fun, she's your yogi.