David Life - Investigate simple back-bending warm-ups and awareness building exercises which will lead to more challenging asanas. Backbends challenge us to fearlessly face the unknown and move into the future gracefully. This vigorous Jivamukti Yoga class will focus on backward bends while giving a balanced and complete experience of asana, meditation, chanting, and breath awareness.

Gail Mondry's unique vinyasa teaching style reflects her years as a classical dancer, an athlete, and a yoga practitioner at the Center for Yoga. Her 30-year career in the fitness arena in metro-Detroit has culminated in an ability to teach strong vinyasa classes that are filled with energy, creativity, humor, and compassion. Gail is a senior teacher at the Jonny Kest Center for Yoga where she teaches workshops, Healthy Backs Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga, and assists with teacher training.

Duncan Wong's yogic path began in his teens when he sought solace from his combative youth. His yogic roots are founded in the Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage, which he is authorized to teach by Master K. P. Jois, of Mysore, India. He is certified in the Jivamukti method, and attributes his asana-goddess reconnection to co-creators, Sharon Gannon and David Life, of New York. He received his black belt teaching degrees, and his primary Buddhist influence, from his life-long Korean Kuk Sool sword mentor, Master S.J. Su, of San Francisco. Duncan’s dual-edged path found common ground in his exploration and research of the Thai and Shiatsu healing.

Sharon Gannon has been practicing yoga and meditation for 30 years. She is co-founder (along with David Life) of the Jivamukti Yoga method, which integrates asana practice with an ethical lifestyle focused on attaining enlightenment through compassion for all beings. She is the author of several books and has produced yoga related videos and DVDs, as well as music CDs.

Paul Grilley's Yin Yoga is the relaxed practice of floor postures for three to five minutes at a time. It is the ideal compliment to the more muscular, or “Yang,” forms of yoga. A Yin practice emphasizes the connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis, and lower spine. In this way, it prepares the body and mind for longer meditation practices. By drawing your awareness away from your muscles and deeper into your bones, a deep level of relaxed focus is achieved.