Teachers
James Kigar - Founder of Yoga South
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Kathy Evans
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Gerry Shaouy
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Adam Feingold
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Carol Diamond
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Judy Weaver
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.)
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AJ Soni
Group Classes & Private Instruction
Dear Friends,
The word Yoga as defined by our sages means to join, to unite, to yoke, to hold together, to bring together the body with the breadth, the breadth with the mind, the mind with the intelligence and the intelligence with the core, they call the core -Atman.
My sincere hope is that you will use this class as a chance to get new ideas about your practice and enhance not only your practice but the quality of your practice. Like a musician, in the beginning only makes sound with her or his instrument but after learning techniques and principles can make music, it is the same with Yoga.
As Mr. Iyengar would put it. “The better your practice the brighter your flame”
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Sandee Versace
Group Classes & Private Instruction
Sandee has been involved in fitness professionally and personally for thirty years. Thirteen years ago she incorporated Yoga into her daily fitness routine initially as a way to stretch and regain flexibility after years of running and weight training. As a Homeschooling mother of two, the mental clarity and stress reduction were some of the most surprising - yet most welcomed- benefits of regular practice.
Eventually Sandee came to realize that Yoga transcended the aesthetic aspirations of working out, thus enhancing her family relationship by making her a more effective teacher and providing much-needed balance at home.
Her Yoga South Certification came at a most crucial time of her life,and she credits her teachers James Kigar and Judy Weaver with holding her to a high standard, challenging her and helping her "find her voice". It is in this fashion that she regards her students- while priding herself in being accessible to and genuinely caring about each person she teaches- always there to motivate and inspire through example as well as sharing a laugh or two.
Sandee's class is an Ashtanga-based Vinyasa Flow designed for all levels, peppered with creative yet challenging transitions, accentuating Yogic breathing while encouraging students to work hard, be playful and enjoy their BLISS (in that order!). Providing a backdrop of awesome, inspiring music, her intention is to help her students define their strengths, recognize their weaknesses and reach a place of equanimity and balance in their lives.
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Alexis King
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Tammy Heckman
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Genevieve Rivera
Group Classes & Private Instruction
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.
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Jacqueline Pfeffer
Group Classes & Private Instruction
Jacqueline started her yoga journey in college in 1998 without any expectation. Yoga embraced Jacqueline
from the beginning and she has been grateful every breath of the way. The awareness of mind, body and spirit
has truly transformed her to being the woman she always wanted to be. Jacqueline is a certified 200 RYT through
Yoga Alliance and completing her 500 RYT through Yoga South in December 2012. Jacqueline has been sharing her
love of breath and movement on the mat and off the mat since 2008. She offers a space for you to explore your
strengths, your truth and your being. She truly believes everyone can practice yoga and that it can be taken lightly.
To her it's more than the postures we create with our bodies, it's more than just connecting to the breath, it's more
than learning about ourselves... It's ALL of that and more! It's a way of life. So breathe, smile and enjoy the ride.
May all beings be happy.
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