MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

CHERYL MOSS

Cheryl Moss M.A. LMFT, has been immersed in the Los Angeles Yoga community for twenty years and has owned GODA YOGA for ten years. She is a licensed therapist with 22 years of counseling experience. Cheryl's vision for GODA is rooted in creating loving community and providing an oasis for a yoga practice within an active, often stressful, urban lifestyle. She is dedicated to offering gifted, inspired and knowledgeable instructors to GODA's students and is devoted to providing a safe and joyful yoga practice to students at any level. Her own teaching style is a blending of flexibility, intelligence and strength while encouraging students to deepen the relationship to their authentic self. Her classes are dynamic and mindful. Cheryl is happy to provide a non-corporate, intimate studio experience where teachers know who you are, and give lots of personal attention. GODA is proud to be an integral part of Culver City's downtown community and is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year.

Cheryl has been teaching hatha yoga for ten years having completed both the foundation and advanced level teacher trainings with Ana Forrest. She has also completed Erich Schiffman's teacher training; other strong teaching influences are Catherine MacNamara, Heather Tiddens and Shiva Rae.

ALEXX SHAW

Alexx Shaw focuses her yoga instruction on specially designed asana sequences for her students and their needs. Whether this involves injury, illness, tightness, strengthening, or opening, she weaves all aspects of yoga into her teaching, including preparation for meditation; pranayama (breathing); philosophy; alignment; adjustments; and Sanskrit. Alexx began doing yoga in 2008 to gain flexibility, but soon realized that it would change her life. Having a body put upon by multiple injuries, Yoga halted all pain and granted her with a new perspective on spirituality, body work, and philosophy. She is 500-Hour certified from YogaWorks and believes that Asana instruction is the gateway for the true teaching of Yoga. Her mantra is Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho; bondage or liberation is in your own mind.

APRIL KIRKHART

April KirkHart, M.S.W., has been practicing yoga for over 12 years and became a certified yoga instructor in 2004.

April has studied and practiced many forms of yoga, and believes that each method has something to offer students. She teaches beginner-to-intermediate level classes that combine classical Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow elements, in addition to the playful heart of Anusara. Her classes focus on building student’s strength and flexibility of both body and mind, while learning to respect their boundaries. She incorporates some breathing practices (pranayama) as well as humor and compassion. Her students have ranged in age from 17 to 78 years old, and April is mindful of helping each student practice to the best of his or her ability taking into account injuries, limitations, ego, fears and misconceptions. In her classes, students will sweat some, breathe deeply, and find neat little spaces in the body and the mind to remind them they are alive. April was a community organizer, activist and social worker who was passionate about social justice. Her path towards combining these interests with yoga continues to evolve.

Visit her website/blog: workofheartyoga.com

CLAUDIA FUCIGNA

Teaching since 1999, Claudia Fucigna began her studies of yoga while receiving a BA from NYU. She went on to India to study and earn her certification from the Benares School of Yoga. While in India, she practiced sri K Patthabhi Jois' system of Ashtanga in Mysore and worked for a shelter home in New Delhi, India where she taught yoga to street children. In the US she continued her studies with Dharma Mittra, David Swenson, Richard Freeman, and Jivamukti, eventually leading to her certification through Sonic Yoga and Karma Kids Yoga in New York. She has brought the benefits of yoga to multiple settings from Equinox Gyms to studios in Tokyo, Japan, nationwide retreats, public schools, children with disabilities and shelter homes. She is honored to continue the tradition of inspiring students to finding joyfulness, compassion and health through the medium of yoga.

GILLIAN BRECKER

Gillian's favorite moment in the studio is when everyone sighs together. That music of stress relief is the gift of teaching. In her classes, you will investigate self-awareness with guided breath work, creative sequencing, and a sense of humor. She believes that from a mindful approach to the body, students can expand beyond their perceived limits. In her own experience (both in teacher training with Ana Forrest, as well as the many workshops and classes that feed her current growth), she has found that a firm foundation and attention to form allow for a greater sense of who she is along with a fierce curiosity about the very nature of that being. She proceeds fro knowing that being human is a complicated, wondrous affair, and encourages students to bring their whole self into the room for exploration, healing, and playing.

JEN DERASPE

Since 1999, I have been teaching Hatha yoga at my studio in Maine and while leading retreats. I appreciate feeling more grounded, connected and balanced in life and yoga brings me this. Yoga has helped me to develop this way of being both on and off the mat. I enjoy movement with awareness, like a meditation in motion. Students find my classes balanced, deepening and invigorating. Since I have a background in sports medicine, I care about proper alignment, preventing injury, strain and stress during yoga. Mindfulness and breath awareness are a focus for each class.

JULES HOGAN

Jules Hogan brings a strong foundation of play and creativity to her teaching of both children and adults. Emphasizing individual attention, she easily accommodates a variety of levels and ages in all of her classes. Each week she incorporates a self-study 'svadhyaya' into her classes so her students can continue their yogic journey 'off the mat'. Jules' Adult Yoga Teacher Trainings included both a 200-hour RYT and 500-hour RYT through Black Dog Yoga as well as many workshops. A trained actress, former nanny and performing arts teacher, her extensive experience with children informs her highly original, UPDOGS and DOWNDOGS kids yoga program. Jules has completed The Radiant Child and Mini Yogi's Teacher Trainings and now teaches her own UPDOGdowndogYOGA Teacher Training to aspiring kids yoga instructors.

Visit her website at updogdowndogyoga.com

KATE DUYN CARIATI

Kate Duyn Cariati was born in Portland, Oregon, and started practicing yoga without formally realizing it at a very young age. She began dancing at the age of nine and continued her study of dance and film with a BA at Mills College. In 2000 she traveled the world, then settled down in New York to perform with various modern dance companies and choreographers. While in NYC she completed her instructor certification with Laughing Lotus Yoga Center. For the next five years Kate taught in Manhattan, Brooklyn, sometimes Central Park, and the Bahamas.

In the fall of 2007, Kate assisted in opening the Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in San Francisco. There she served as a mentor and instructor of Prenatal Yoga for their well-respected teacher training program. She also leads annual retreats and specialized workshops as well as private instruction. Having made LA her home, Kate is happy to be a part of such a strong yoga community. Her classes are known for their creative sequencing, wild and free flow, and acro-athleticism. Within her practice, Kate is interested in going deep, but staying open, and maintains that a good sense of humor is healing.

Visit her website at kateduyn.blogspot.com

KIYOMI TAKAHASHI

Kiyomi Takahashi, Vinyasa and Kundalini Yoga teacher, was introduced to yoga just as another form of exercise in the beginning of 2001 to release stress from the high pace of a corporate job. Growing up as an athlete in Japan, Kiyomi excelled as a runner, running half- and full marathons in LA. She then got into surfing, and eventually shifted her interest into yoga, but her yoga practice quickly turned into something much deeper and eventually led her to study the science and philosophy of yoga in depth, completed 500hr teacher training with Annie Carpenter, which led her to the path of sharing the beautiful teaching of Yoga. She then continued her study and became certified as a Level 1 Yoga Therapist and a KRI certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. Kiyomi has also completed her prenatal teacher training at Yoga Works to serve better for whomever is present in her class. Her style of teaching is a smartly sequenced Vinyasa with precise instruction as well as Kundalini Yoga and Meditation in a supportive light-hearted atmosphere. Yoga is helping Kiyomi to stay connected to her authentic self and living her life with purpose, ans she is committed to uplift and elevate others.

Visit her website at
kiyomiyoga.com

LESLIE PORTER

Leslie Porter is a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor. Her classes, workshops, and retreats are compassionate, supportive, healing, wise, deep, playful, relaxing, invigorating, sweaty, stress reducing, and community building with an emphasis on integrity and awareness in safe physical alignment. Her expertise with emotional trauma, spiritual/energy work, injuries, and stress reduction extends to the patients of physical therapy, psychology, and acupuncture professionals. Teaching is one of Leslie's favorite things to do and she would love to share it with you.

Visit her website at leslieporter.com

LISA ANN GOLD

Instructing yoga since 1995, Lisa Ann Gold is inspired by nature and people and brings patient humor to the art of introspection. Lisa Ann’s classes are a compassionate space allowing students to cultivate curiosity as they expand within life and learn to walk into each new experience of delight or conflict with grace, strength and marvel. Lisa Ann's strongest yoga influences range from Ana Forrest, Mark Witwell, Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten. As an ayurvedic practitioner and body worker she is influenced by the common sense system of Ayurveda as taught by John Holmstrom. Additionally, Movement educator Eric Franklin is bringing a new facet of ideas to her love of yoga and expression. Lisa Ann is so pleased to be part of Goda Yoga’s Teacher group.

NICOLE DOHERTY

Nicole Doherty's interest in yoga came when she was in search of a more peaceful existence after overcoming many physical challenges her body endured under the stresses of the corporate world. Nicole has a true passion for Yoga, conscious living and people. With certifications from top Yoga training programs, Nicole provides safe and effective classes that help you meet your goals. Yoga is not just about flexibility, but a method to achieve strength, balance, a sense of calm, better health and so much more. She approaches your practice with the same passion and vigor as her own personal practice guaranteeing you a fun experience. Nicole specializes in a creating a supportive ambiance were personal needs are met towards the growth of your own practice. She describes her classes with many words such as alignment-driven, safe, effective, sensual, yummy, fun, musical and challenging. Nicole's personal statement is "Through my wisdom and courage, I have an abundant and spiritual life that is dedicated to freedom, passion and expression. I offer my full love, gratitude, and radiant energy to connect, empower and inspire others to reach their highest potential!"

Nicole began her yoga practice in 2001 with Buddy Macuha (Power Vinyasa Flow) and Sherman Morris (Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow) at The Sports Club/LA. She also explored Iyengar, Forest Method and Bhakti Flow, finding further inspiration through Rusty Wells and Christopher Love's classes at Yoga Tree SF. Enlivened by the bliss she was experiencing, her curiosity in the science of yoga grew bringing her to Nepal in 2003, where she taught Yoga to her small village in Patihani and attended a 10-day yoga and meditation program at the Ananda Yoga Retreat Center outside of Kathmandu. In 2066, Nicole decided it was time to fully honor her Yoga practice and began deep practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow at It's Yoga where she received her certification in 2008. She studied with Larry Schultz, Katie Cariffe, Marie Hajar Schultz, Reed Taylor, Donovan Hicks, Rene Henley and Todd Taylor. In 2010, she received a second comprehensive 200-hr certification at YogaWorks Center for Yoga, Los Angeles with Joan Hyman and Jeanne Hielman, a 20-hour teacher's training with Maty Ezraty and 18-hr Yoga Ed Training for At Risk Youth with Hala Khouri. Nicole has enjoyed continuing education of various yoga modalities attending classes and teacher's workshops with other world-class teachers Shiva Rea, David Swenson, Duncan Wong, John Friend, Les Leventhal, Sianna Sherman, Jason Nemar and Jenny Sauer-Klein and more.

Visit her website at wellness.nicolepresents.com

RENNIE YABUKU

Rennie first started practicing yoga purely to exercise the physical body, but soon realized the connection of body, mind and soul through the yoga practice. “I got turned on to yoga because I loved the way I felt after class. It was such a great ‘workout’. But after a few years of practicing, I began to notice a profound change within. There was a stillness and quietness that emerged as I was breathing and moving deeper into each pose. I learned how to just ‘be’ and accept and appreciate the present moment.”

Rennie uses a combination of vinyasa flow, breath awareness and alignment of poses to create a challenging class that guides students to move deeper within their own practice.
Rennie has been practicing and studying yoga for more than 10 years. She began her journey at Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga Studio in Santa Monica. Since then, she has completed 500 hours of teacher training through Yogaworks, where she studied with Jeanne Heilman, Annie Carpenter and Lisa Walford.

ROBERT RIGAMONTI (RIG)

Employing a number of Hatha Yoga styles and his wide knowledge of Yoga Kinesiology, RIG has created his own uniquely personal style of yoga that is mindfully strengthening and challenging, as well as therapeutic and meditational — beneficial for beginners, and propitious for advanced practitioners.

He has had a yoga practice for 25 years, a teaching practice for 15 years, and a Soto Zen meditation practice for 10 years. He received his training at Integral Yoga Institute in New York, and with Erich Schiffman here in Los Angeles. In September of 2006, he was given the Bodhisatva Precepts in a Lay Initiation Ceremony at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in Northern California, and hosts a weekly sitting group at his studio near Culver City, where he also sees private yoga clients.

For more information about sitting or appointments email Rig at robert@rig.cc

SHAUNA ZEILIG

Shauna Zeilig is an Occupational Therapist and Yoga Teacher with over 14 years of experience working with children with special needs. With a certification in Yoga for the Special Child (the Sonia Sumar method) she has worked extensively in public and private schools in Los Angeles and New York City.   

As a dedicated student of Anusara Yoga, she has been practicing yoga for 11 years. With a calm and steady approach she brings lighthearted enthusiasm to her classes.

SHEA CUNNINGHAM

I'm thrilled to be the new teacher of Goda Yoga's pre-natal class! As a mom of two young children, I'm keenly aware of the importance of yoga as preparation not only for birth, but also for the journey into motherhood.

Since the year 2000, I have cultivated a regular yoga practice studying under master teachers of Iyengar, Anusara, Kundalini, Taoist, Forrest, and Viniyoga. While pregnant with my first child, I became a licensed Anusara-Inspired instructor and have been teaching basics, mixed-level, pre- and post-natal, and kids public and private yoga classes since 2005. The transformative experience of motherhood intensified the meaning of yoga in my daily life and strengthened my resolve to do my part to spread the joy of yoga to enable others to celebrate their own true blissful nature, and create a more mindful and compassionate society. Along with a focus on the breath and meditation, I have a particular passion for teaching alignment principles so that my students can enjoy a deeply therapeutic experience. I pour my heart into each class so that my students emerge more self aware and grounded yet uplifted and joyful.

Apart from my endeavor to forward wellness and sustainability at the personal level, I'm also passionate about advancing environmental, social and economic sustainability at both small and large levels of society. I have worked on sustainability-centered research, policy and program development since 1993. I hold a M.A. in planning and public policy and a professional certificate in global sustainability from UCLA.