Teachers

Kira Ryder Kira Ryder takes inspiration from the incredible beauty and magic of the Ojai Valley in which she is lucky enough to live. Her style emphasizes cultivating awareness and finding your own groove but what gets taught depends on who shows up. Kira is the owner of Lulu Bandha's and has been teaching yoga since 1995. Photo Credit: Kari Hunt

Uschi Gibson I began my practice as a wee one at Oak Grove School in Ojai, but I found the heart of it with Kira at Lulu Bandha’s. I completed my Teacher Training at the Lulu School in 2004. I draw inspiration from many teachers, and my participation in the Ojai Yoga Crib. I want to share her ecstatic love for Yoga, and lead classes that are a melting pot of blissed out tunes and rocking love!

Craig Holloway Craig loves to practice and teach yoga, and is a 2005 graduate of Lulu Bandha’s Yoga School. When he's not practicing or teaching you’ll find him sweeping the studio’s back patio or out in the garden pulling weeds and listening to the crows.

Alana Mitnick Alana began studying yoga in 1996. Drawn by the magic of the valley, Alana found her nest at Lulu Bandhas, where she was encouraged to feel the yoga blossom from within. She completed her teacher trainings at the Lulu School, as well as Therapeutic & Restorative Yoga with Cheri Clampett & Arturo Peal. She enjoys teaching Restorative Yoga and assisting Elderly Yoga at Help of Ojai. Guided by love, Alana's teaching allows for the space to pause, connect with breath, and listen within.

Catherine Nation I started to explore various meditation practices in the late 70's and a friend brought me to my first yoga class at Gurmukh's house out here in the eighties. I dabbled for years but when we moved back to the east coast and I was immersed in the fashion world rising to exec vice pres at Betsey Johnson that I really began to experience a need for that connection. After a bout with breast cancer (my great teacher) I made the decision to take my practice deeper and began on my Teacher Training journey with Gail Walsh at Mountain Yoga in New City, NY. I completed my 200 certification with Alan Finger Be Yoga in NYC (now Yoga Works). I have been blessed to attend Teacher Training with Erich Schiffman, Dana Flynn, Kira Ryder and have been in countless workshops over the years. Moving to Ojai in 2004 with my husband Marty and daughter Molly my dream to live around nature teach yoga and choose a different way to live the second half of my life have materilaized. I became friends with Kira on trips out here to vist my sister-in law Jane Handel. We kept in contact , Kira would send encouraging notes on her mailers to NY and then came the opportunity thru Kira to open Bhavantu. The yoga I teach is what I need most, to slow it down, breathe, pause, get still, and seek a connection with the divine.

Betsy Stix Betsy Stix is back on the schedule this Spring with her "Early Bird Basics". A devoted yogini for over 20 years, Betsy's insatiable curiosity allows her teaching to be continually fresh and new.

Winifred Wilson Winifred joined the Lulu's team in January with her "One Breath at a Time: Yoga for Twelve Steppers" Series. She offers herself fully and openly and is dedicated to the communiation and practice of yoga.

Susan Bronstein of StudiOh! Having been an aerobic and general fitness enthusiast for years, I became a certified instructor through a program at California State University, Hayward, in l987. In 1994 my interest in biomechanics, and kinematics led me to begin studying the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning. I received my certification through the Pilates Guild™ in l997, after completing a 700 hour course. My main teacher was and is Romana Krysanowska, an 81 year old woman who began her studies with Joseph Pilates himself in the l930's, and who carried on his work after his death. After certification, I owned and ran a Pilates studio in St. Louis, Missouri for six years before moving to Ojai in 2003 to be near my ailing parents. Once in Ojai, I began teaching both private and group Pilates sessions, settling in to operate Pilates StudiOH! at Lulu Bandha's in 2006. My commitment to movement and body conditioning includes practice of Yoga, study of Physical Therapy and other holistic approaches to health and fitness. I have studied ballet, jazz, West African dance and Hip-Hop, performing with groups in San Francisco, St. Louis, Ventura and Ojai. I hold a B.F.A. in Art from Syracuse University. You can contact Susan at: (805) 907-2616