James Kigar - Founder of Yoga South

James began his yogic journey over twenty years ago while he was searching for an activity to deepen his martial arts training. Several years later, he took his first Ashtanga class taught by Dominic Corigliano, in San Diego. It wasn't long unti l he found his place in this new discipline. He brings the movement skills of the martial arts, with his healing experience and anatomical knowledge as a neuromuscular therapist to present yoga to others.

Whether adjusting a student in a pose or giving a healing massage, one feel the intent and presence in his touch. He is committed to developing himself to serve as a bridge for others to reconnect to their natural strength, stability and joy. James' energy and presence are extraordinary and immensely strong, yet deeply compassionate.

Kathy Evans

Kathy has been a dedicated Yoga practitioner since 1997. She began her study of yoga with James Kigar, has completed David Swenson's ashtanga teacher training, and continues to explore other teaching styles and traditions. Drawing on her knowledge of body mechanics and asanas, Kathy has developed a deep personal practice that she shares with her students. She emphasizes strength and alignment, integrating compassion and an open heart and encouraging her students to live and practice in an inspired fashion.

Gerry Shaouy

Gerry has been practicing Yoga for almost 10 years. She took her Ashtanga teacher training with David Swenson 5 years ago and has studied with many other inspiring teachers as well. Gerry's classes are filled with warmth and encouragement. She continues studying under the guidance of her first teacher, James Kigar.

Adam Feingold

Adam is a certified yoga instructor that has developed a teaching style through his background in Ashtanga, Sivananda and Vinyasa flow yoga. He has studied martial-arts, wrestling, and weight training for many years. The combination of various skills and techniques that Adam has learned have allowed him to embrace the mental, physical, and spiritual attributes from such diverse activities. His classes focus on pranayama, postures, strength conditioning, and inspiration for all levels of practice.

Carol Diamond

Carol is our dynamo girl. She comes from a strong fitness background and has been working out consistently for over 20 years. She found yoga to compliment her fitness discipline and was captured by the power of the practice not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Yoga has inspired her to evolve and opened the door for growth at all levels. It has given her the endurance to go through challenging life situations or long days with her four children. She has trained with many skillful instructors and has found her own practice to be her greatest teacher.

In Carol's class the student can expect a challenging vinyasa (flow) with a heartfelt message and energizing music. She encourages her students to let go, have fun and create a positive vibration in their body, mind, and spirit.

Judy Weaver

Judy's passion for yoga developed during her recovery from a lengthy illness in 1996 and ultimately led to an Ashtanga Vinyasa teaching certification. Her classes are energetic flowing meditations that synchronize breath and movement, blending Ashtanga, Anusara and Iyengar yoga styles. She continues to study with some of the senior teachers around the world. Judy encourages her students to have fun, find their edge, let go of expectations and incorporate yoga into their everyday lives. She embraces the spirit of ahimsa (non-violence), shanti (peace) and dharma (natural laws.)

AJ Soni

AJ is attracted to the wisdom of the east and the art of Yoga by nature. He has been exposed too and has experienced a delicate mix of both the Eastern and Western traditions all his life. He is inspired by complete freedom, obstacles, inner/outer balance and movement. Driven by a divine discontent for stability, vitality, clarity, yogic wisdom and bliss you can expect him to bring inspiration and Eastern philosophy to the class room. He is grateful to the path Yoga has illuminated for him, a path to serve, surrender (Isvara pranidhana) and self-study (Svadhyaya). Thanks to the Yoga community who has made all this possible.

Mahabharata 3.314.76
Talent is the best of blessing
Wisdom is the rarest of treasures
Health is the best of acquisitions
Delight is the finest of joys

Valerie Vermuelen

I took my first heart opening class with James Kigar in 1999 while trying to conceive a child. After years of volleyball injuries, including 2 knee surgeries from Olympic level training since a young age my body was extremely broken down. I found yoga to be utterly refreshing; feeling the effects of deep breathing, and exploring the sense of stillness and belonging in the present moment, along with the exhilarating sensations of uncoiling tight emotionally bound up limbs.

It all continues to be fascinating, bringing me to my mat daily. I had the great fortune of helping James create and build yoga south, while apprenticing him for a year before teaching. Through the years I have been and continue to be blessed by teachers every day, especially my son, Charlie. I am eternally grateful for all of them and for the gift to serve humbly sharing with others what has transformed my life. I am also a practitioner of Thai yoga therapy. My practice and teaching include a foundation in ashtanga, combined with jivamukti, and yin. I also get a lot of inspiration from the peace and joy I find surfing. Om shanti, Valerie

Alexis King

Upon finding the practice of yoga, I immediately fell in love. Soon after, I was moved to take Yoga South's Intensive 200 hour Teacher Training, and then I continued with their Professional 500 hour program.

Yoga has led me on a transformative journey of deep self knowledge and personal growth, which has been truly life changing. It has brought meaning to my life, whereas before I was lost. Yoga is a way for me to overcome the restraints of my mind, and help me see things with more clarity. Through this practice, I have found confidence, awareness, self acceptance, stillness and true contentment.

It is my intention to take what I have learned through yoga and apply it to the lives of others, helping students get to know themselves on a more conscious level. I would like to give my students a feeling of empowerment by bringing their awareness to the notion that through their practice they can create space and lightness in their bodies and in their lives, leading them to a new personal freedom. I believe that when you connect to your own practice you will find your inner truth. With a kind and compassionate energy and a sensitivity to the needs of others, I would like to create a safe space for my students to come and work towards an unwavering inner peace. Through my commitment and devotion to my disciplined self practice, I hope to inspire my students and invite them to explore what yoga has to offer to their lives. Yoga is my heart and it is what feeds my soul. I want to share my passion for this practice and the sacredness of it with my students, thereby helping to ignite the fire that exists within them so that their inner light can shine forth.

Tammy Heckman

Tammy was initially attracted to the physical challenge of yoga. As she became more engaged in the practice of yoga and its ability to strengthen and balance her body, she learned to appreciate the other beneficial effects it had on her personal well being.

Tammy is a Yoga Alliance Certified Vinyasa Teacher who trained under James Kigar and Judy Weaver. She teaches Yin and Vinyasa for all levels. She is also a student of Iyengar Yoga and understands the importance of posture alignment in all yoga poses. She guides students with a warm, non-judgmental style. Her focus is on proper alignment, energy flow and connecting breath with movement. Tammy's classes are a fresh and joyful way for one's yoga practice to come alive.

Genevieve Rivera

Genevieve first came to yoga for the physical exercise it offered. She had no idea how the practice of yoga would breathe life into every aspect of her being. Having suffered from asthma and scoliosis her whole life, Genevieve was shocked and amazed as yoga transformed her inside and out! Through sculpting her body with asana (physical postures) she began to strengthen and straighten her spine, alleviating her back pain from scoliosis. With the practice of pranayama (breathing exercises), Genevieve learned to control her breathing, thus releasing her from a lifelong dependence on asthma inhalers. Through her training, Genevieve gained awareness…Awareness of the physical body, awareness of the breath, and awareness of the self. The awareness of self has led Genevieve to better know patience, non-judgment, gratitude, and love ... not only in her practice but also in life. It is this gift of awareness that Genevieve shares with her students through loving and grateful service. Genevieve is a full time yoga instructor who currently teaches: Vinyasa, Power, Yin, Yin-yasa, and Kids yoga classes Credentials: Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hrs through Yoga Alliance. Currently working on RYT 500 hr Certification. Certified in Thai-Yoga Bodywork through Vedic Conservatory.

Jessica Steinlauf

As a former ballerina and gymnast, Jessica has been accustomed to living a very healthy, physical, and disciplined lifestyle. Yoga has allowed her to sustain this way of life by adding balance. Through the awareness of breath, she is able to manage her life with more clarity and peace. She incorporates her knowledge of dance with yoga to develop a sequence that synchronizes movement with breath. Her focus is on building a strong foundation, so her yoga students avoid injury and take their yoga practice to a deeper level physically, mentally, and spiritually. She encourages her students to work towards their "edge" on the yoga mat, which motivates them to work towards their goals off the yoga mat. She believes that yoga is a wonderful form of self-expression and should be done with "non-judgement." Jessica is a certified 200hr yoga instructor through Jimmy Barkan’s level I, II, & III vinyasa teacher training. She is currently working on her 500hr certification with Yoga South. Jessica feeds off the energy and inspiration of her students every time she conducts a yoga class.