Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers

Becoming a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher requires years of practice, study and a rigorous examination of skills. For teachers, the Certification Mark demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the purity, excellence and high standards of Iyengar Yoga. Certified Iyengar Yoga instructors teach the method set forth by B. K. S. Iyengar, maintain a regular personal practice, continue their training with senior teachers, and hold to ethical guidelines.

Every Certified Iyengar Teacher has passed at least two rigorous, standardized assessments. Some have passed many more. The candidate begins the application process after three years study and developing a relationship with a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher who agrees to become a mentoring teacher. Then comes two years teaching, exclusively in the Iyengar Method -- all before the actual testing begins.

In the assessment process itself, candidates are tested on anatomy and philosophy, then carefully observed and evaluated as they demonstrate Asanas and Pranayamas, and as they teach a class of students.

Tree House Iyengar Yoga is proud to display the Iyengar Teacher Certification Mark reflecting the dedication of its teachers.

Pat Musburger: Mirthful, Systematic, Watchful

Director of Tree House Iyengar Yoga, Pat is certified at the Intermediate Junior level, and has been teaching since 1995. Horseback riding brought yoga into her life—to help her stay on the horse while going over jumps. She feels fortunate to have found Iyengar yoga first as it suits her personality and physical needs.

Before moving to Seattle in 2003, she taught at Houston Iyengar Yoga Studio where she studied with George Purvis. Among the most influential senior teachers with whom she has studied are Felicity Green, Joan White, Mary Dunn, and Dean Lerner. Convention classes with Geeta Iyengar remain fresh in her memory and she currently studies with Ingela Abbott at Yoga Northwest in Bellingham.

She is past president of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Northwest and a current board member and Secretary of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the U.S.

In 1991, about 8 months after having started yoga, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that point, yoga became more than a passing interest. It was instrumental to her survival during and after treatment. Though 20 years of teaching theatre, speech, and writing could have been enough of a feast in life, the chance to teach yoga is the perfect dessert.

Email Pat: pat@thiyoga.com

Angela McKinlay: Compassionate, Dedicated, Energetic

Angela, a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, began practicing yoga in 1997 due to an injury and as a means for stress relief. She began the Iyengar method in 2004 and knew that yoga is something she would have forever.

Angela is a Registered Dietetic Technician and teaches nutrition in elementary schools, at various community agencies, as well as individual counseling. She is passionate about all things that involve culinary arts, especially promoting healthy and tasty cooking habits for life. She loves combining her passion of yoga and nutrition in a way that teaches the healing and life sustaining benefits of both. Angela is the creator of The Yogi's Kitchen.

Angela gets excited about sharing yoga with others because of the many benefits it brings to those who let it become part of their lives, especially children. With the many challenges they face in the world today, yoga can be that positive place they can go and use what they've learned or experienced to help them lead a balanced life.

Email Angela: angela@thiyoga.com

Anne Geil: Clear, Warm, Informed

Anne, a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, began teaching in 2006.  When she discovered Iyengar yoga, she immediately recognized the precision it required and its ability to affect change. Anne’s professional and personal study imbues her teaching with clarity. Her depth of understanding of the body arises from both an intellectual and experiential perspective. Her students appreciate her warmth and kindness.

Anne’s training with senior teachers includes Patricia Walden, Swati and Rajiv Chanchanni, Joan White, Felicity Green, and Ingela Abbott. She participated in the 2007 Iyengar Convention with Geeta Iyengar and was honored to meet B.K.S. Iyengar in 2005.

Licensed as a massage therapist since 1992, Anne studies with an internationally known osteopathic educator, Loren “Bear” Rex, D.O. She has completed over 300 advanced education hours emphasizing functional anatomy, physiology and embryology. She taught anatomy and physiology for six years at a local massage school and she practices in Shoreline.

Anne also practices Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and has attended numerous silent retreats. Her lifetime love of movement includes study in ballet, tap, modern, Feldenkrais, tai chi, aikido, capoeira and flamenco. Anne finds yoga brings balance to her inner and outer life and she enjoys sharing her passion of yoga with her husband and young daughter.

Email Anne: anne@thiyoga.com

Ewa Lichnowska: Compassionate, Individualized, Precise

Ewa’s study of yoga began in 1998 in her native Poland. In 2001 she was introduced to the Iyengar method by Michal Szczepanik. She credits yoga with significantly improving the curvature of her spine and bringing her much relief from the effects of scoliosis. As a result, she is keen to help others realize the benefits of yoga, particularly those with scoliosis.

Ewa is certified as an Introductory Level Instructor.  She attended the most recent Iyengar National Convention in 2007 taught by Geeta Iyengar and has studied with many Senior Iyengar teachers in the U.S. and abroad, including Swati and Rajiv Chanchanni of India, Konrad Kocot of Poland and Felicity Green of Lopez Island.

Ewa holds a Master's Degree in Psychology and works as a therapist teaching parents and children in crisis the tools necessary in order to remain together, recover from the effects of abuse and create a healthy and nurturing family. She also has a daily vipassana meditation practice. Ewa's teaching aims to foster a deep and abiding body-mind awareness as a foundation for self-growth.

Email Ewa: ewa@thiyoga.com

 

George Kindl: Strong, Observant, Thoughtful

George began studying the Iyengar system of yoga in 2001 and became a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher in 2008.

He has studied with a variety of senior-level Iyengar teachers including George Purvis, Patricia Walden, Swati and Rajiv Chanchanni, and Joan White. He also participated in classes led by Geeta Iyengar at the 2007 U.S. convention.

George finds the ability to individualize the practice to suit the particular needs of the student most appealing about the Iyengar system. 

Email George: george@thiyoga.com

 

 

Jo Leffingwell: Perceptive, Knowledgeable, Accepting

Jo has been practicing yoga since 1967. She is a Certified Iyegar Yoga Instructor and ERYT-500 Instructor with Yoga Alliance.

Jo traveled to India to study with the Iyengars as well as K. Pattabhi Jois. Her main asana teacher was Aadil Palkhivala. She continues her studies in Sanskrit and the Yoga Sutras with Vyaas Houston at the American Sanskrit Institute.

Jo built her own yoga studio where she offers Pranayama, meditation and study of the Yoga Sutras. She has taught workshops in Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii and California, but she is happiest when close to home. 

Email Jo: jo@thiyoga.com

 

Michelle Ringgold: Enthusiastic, Keen, Caring

Michelle’s attraction to the Iyengar system is based on both its aesthetic and practical form. She started on the yogic path in 1995 and has been studying within the Iyengar tradition since 1999. She completed her training at The Yoga Tree in Seattle in 2004 under the guidance of Theresa Elliot and continues to study with senior-level teachers, Felicity Green, Swati Chanchanni, Joan White and John Schumacher. She recently passed her Teacher-in-Training assessment for Iyengar teacher certification.

Also trained as a graphic designer, Michelle uses her keen eye to assist students in proper alignment and form. She also studies Buddhism/meditation within the Shambhala tradition and brings her love for Eastern philosophy and knowledge of Ayurveda to her teaching and delights in sharing her joy for yoga with her students.

Email Michelle: michelle@thiyoga.com

Tara Bernstein:  Grounded, Caring, Creative

Tara began yoga while teaching and choreographing modern dance in New York and Seattle. It was a natural progression to study yoga, and discover the healing and mindfulness involved.

She began studying Iyengar yoga in 2001 and currently studies with Felicity Green and Pat Musburger.  She has taken workshops with senior Iyengar teachers Joan White, and Neeta Datta  and attended national conventions in 2007 and 2010 where she had the opportunity to study with Geeta Iyengar.   Tara became a certified Iyengar instructor in 2009.

Tara also teaches yoga classes and private personal training yoga sessions to adults as well as seniors at the University Family YMCA.  Tara is known for her patience and kindness as well as her insistence on safety and proper alignment during class.

Email Tara: tara@thiyoga.com