 
About Victoria
An avid student and dedicated teacher, Victoria began
to take yoga classes on a regular basis in 1998, well
into "mid-life". Never having been a dancer
or particularly athletic, "I found a home for my
body - and, as it turned out, for my mind and spirit as
well. To say that yoga has changed my life is an understatement!"
A newfound passion was ignited and her entire life took
a new direction. Within two years she was enrolled in
Erich Schiffmann's teacher training and leaving the corporate
world behind. She started teaching immediately and hasn't
looked back since!
Completing
her teacher certification and Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga
Teacher requirements in 2000, Victoria’s growth as
a student and teacher is an ongoing passion. Having the
privilege and honor of studying with many excellent teachers,
her teaching style has been most profoundly influenced by
her training with Erich Schiffmann and, over the past two
years, advanced studies with highly respected yoga
master Rama Jyoti Vernon, and her dear friend and teacher,
Myra Lewin. She also acknowledges Richard McLaughlin for
his excellent and dedicated class instruction.
Teaching
all levels, Victoria calls her teaching style Mindful Flow.
Mindful Flow is hatha yoga with an emphasis on a moment-to-moment
awareness of form and breath. As John Kabat-Zinn says, “in
mindful yoga, exquisite attention is paid to (the) body
and body sensations.” Being mindful in our practice,
our practice becomes a moving meditation guided by the breath.
We are able to tap into, deepen, and integrate our inner
and outer experiences. The result; enhanced focus, flexibility,
stamina, strength, awareness, and acceptance – both
on and off the mat.
 Victoria’s
love and enthusiasm for teaching yoga are apparent to all
who enter her class. Her warmth and genuine caring quickly
put even the most inexperienced novice at ease. Her maturity
and life experience bring a unique wisdom, empathy, and
compassion to her teaching. Particularly sensitive to the
needs and issues of the baby boomer generation, she empathizes
with those starting a yoga practice at mid life and beyond
as well as those coming from the stress and pressure of
a corporate environment. Whether it’s a class, private
or workshop
setting, Victoria provides a safe, supportive and nurturing
environment, encouraging students to connect with their
inner experience and to growth at their own pace.
Victoria
believes that being a yoga teacher is a calling and an honor.
“Yoga has not only brought immeasurable benefits and
blessings to my own life, but has provided me with a precious
gift – to be able to share the benefits and blessings
of yoga and to be able to positively impact the lives of
others, on and off the mat.” In
addition to group classes, Victoria offers private instruction,
workshops, and corporate yoga/wellness programs. In addition
to leading teacher training programs and retreats to Santa
Barbara and Tuscany, she has created and self published
The Lifestyle Yoga Collection, an instructive set of yoga
cards. Currently teac
hing
at several Santa Barbara locations, she is completing her
advanced teacher training with Rama Jyoti Vernon through
International Yoga College and is honored to serve on their
Board of Directors.
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Private Instruction with Victoria
Traditionally, yoga was taught one-on-one, teacher to student.
In that way, the individual needs of the student were sure
to be met. Although this custom has been lost in today’s
popular group class setting, private instruction remains important
and is highly recommended as the optimal way to start, restart
or deepen one’s yoga practice.
Privates are perfect for individuals, couples, families or
friends. Just as private golf, tennis or music instruction
is valuable, such is the case with yoga.
Whether
you’re just beginning or experienced, or if you have
unique limitations, injuries or restrictions, private instruction
can be of great benefit. A private session allows the teacher
and student to openly discuss and address the student’s
questions, concerns, special needs, and circumstances:
·
For beginning or returning students– Jumpstart or
recharge your practice safely.
·
For ongoing/advanced students – Focus on those poses
or aspects of your practice that you feel need special attention
and take your practice to the next level.
·
For those with special needs – If you’re plagued
chronic aches and pains, neck, shoulders and/or lower back
discomfort or just need help relieving tension, stress or
anxiety.
Whatever your situation, modified stretches and poses, breathing
practices, and a personalized yoga sequence and program, specific
to your needs, can be created.
Private instruction is an excellent investment in you! Starting
at $75.00/hour, $100.00/ 90 minutes, fees depend upon group
size and location/travel time. Contact Victoria to discuss
and work out arrangements for your private session.
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 Workshops
With Victoria
Workshops
are an excellent way to explore and deepen our knowledge and
practice of yoga. Victoria offers workshops on a variety of
yoga topics on a regular basis. Please check back on a regular
basis for her current schedule of offerings. In addition,
she is available to present workshops for small groups in
a private, retreat or corporate setting.
Deepen
Your Practice
Explore and deepen your practice in a safe and supportive
environment. Deepen Your Practice workshops are for advanced
beginners and beginning intermediate students who wish to
learn more about pranayama and meditation as well as develop
and expand their asana practice.
This
workshop will emphasize exploring new aspects and possibilities
of our asana practice while increasing strength, stamina,
and energy – inside and out. Focusing on the breath
and the internal experience we find ourselves expanding beyond
preconceived limitations.
Sun
salutes, standing, balancing, inversions, arm balances, forward
bends, backbends, core, twists…a potpourri of movement
and breath will be offered. Be challenged, be prepared to
amaze yourself!
Our
life and practice unfold and transform as we connect to our
higher Self…to Spirit. Let the journey continue …
with patience, joy and grace.
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Yoga
Basics
Would
you like to try yoga, but aren’t sure where to begin?
Would you like to learn more about yoga and how it can be
of benefit
to you? Would you like to start taking classes again?
Yoga
Basics is the perfect workshop for you to learn:
·
Basic yoga poses and their benefits
·
Fundamental breathing techniques
·
Basic philosophy and terminology of yoga
This
three hour workshop will prepare you to walk into any
beginning or level 1 yoga class and feel comfortable.
In addition to personal attention, you will receive
a variety of helpful handouts and references.
***
Introduction
to Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga that addresses your
body and health. In this workshop you will find out what your
body type (constitution or dosha) is and how to achieve optimal
health through proper diet and lifestyle.
During this two and one-half hour workshop, you will receive
a questionnaire
and complete packet of information.
***
Introduction
to Pranayama
Prana means life force. Learn more about the breath and breathing
practices that will help you to feel more calm, rejuvenated,
and energized. By regulating and controlling our life force,
we can achieve better health and well being.
You will be introduced to several proper breathing techniques.
During this two and one-half hour workshop, you will receive
a complete packet of information.
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Corporate
Yoga Classes and Wellness Programs
It is estimated that over 18 million Americans are now
practicing yoga. The benefits of yoga have been recognized
and well documented. It is also well documented that Americans
lead more sedentary lifestyles, work longer hours, are
overweight, and more stressed out than ever.
Stress
alone is linked to hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes,
asthma, insomnia and chronic pain and stress-related illnesses
alone keep over a million people from work daily costing
companies billions of dollars in lost productivity and
health insurance costs.
Many employers, of all sizes and industries, are taking
a pro-active approach to employee wellness by investing
in workplace programs. In addition to educating employees
about healthier lifestyle choices, many are offering onsite
yoga and exercise programs. What better (and cost effective!)
way to improve morale, increase productivity, and show
your employees that you genuinely care about their health
and well being?
A yoga program can be developed to suit the needs and
schedule of your group. In addition to all of the physical
benefits of yoga, students learn the tools to cope with
physical and mental stress on a daily basis. Deep breathing,
stretching, and relaxation techniques alone will is have
students leave the class feeling physically and mentally
invigorated and refreshed.
My programs are developed in partnership with you, the
client, in order to meet your needs and objectives. There
are a variety of ways to introduce and integrate yoga
into your workplace environment before or after work hours,
or during lunch hours:
· Weekly yoga classes at your site
· Bi-weekly yoga classes at your site
· Introductory workshops followed by on-going
classes
· “Brown Bag” lunch hour stress management
talks
· Presentations during meetings or retreats
Contact
Victoria to schedule a meeting.
At that time we can discuss options based on
your objectives, needs, and budget.
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