Faculty

Director and Instructor

Danielle Osicki, E-RYT
Danielle has been teaching in the personal and professional development field for 15 years. She has a passion for teaching and learning and expresses this through her commitment to working, volunteering and training for organizations committed to social and economic change, self development and education. Since 2001, she has taught community Yoga classes in a variety of settings including yoga studios, corporations, non-profit organizations and schools. Yoga taught by Danielle provides an opportunity to experience the integration of breath and movement, emphasize mindful intention and self-acceptance while weaving in practical applications and connections to everyday life. She attends a variety of yoga conferences, workshops, trainings, and retreats contributing to her interdisciplinary style. She is particularly inspired by the writing and teachings of Donna Farhi and Nischala Joy Devi. As Founder of True Nature School of Yoga and Owner of Yoga Oceanside, Danielle aims to keep the sacred art and systematic science of the Yoga tradition alive through bringing together highly skilled teachers who openly share their expertise and passion for Yoga. To take a class with Danielle, view her teaching schedule at www.yogavista.net and www.akashayoga.com and www.Yoga Oceanside.com

Guest Instructors

Tom Kelly – The Theory and Practice of Meditation
At the age of 24, Tom Kelly entered the Self-Realization Fellowship monastic order in California (founded by Paramahansa Yogananda), whose roots go back to the ancient lineage of Swamis from India. Taking vows of simplicity, chastity, obedience, and loyalty, he spent the next 25 years as a monk deeply involved in meditation and humanitarian service. As an inspirational speaker, workshop and retreat leader he has traveled world-wide teaching the sacred art of Raja Yoga. In the fall of 1999, Tom left the monastic life in order to expand his training and share the fruits of his self-transformation and direct experience of yoga with all. Tom and his wife, Trisha, teach at the Soul of Yoga Center in Encinitas, a place they founded to create a wellspring through which the higher consciousness and awareness of yoga can be brought to the community through classes, retreats, seminars, spiritual coaching, meditations, and chanting.

Natalie Masson, PhD - Breathing
Natalie Masson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who is fascinated with the connections between the mind and body. She has developed an approach for using breathing practices to facilitate mental and physical well-being, drawing from mindfulness meditation philosophy, cognitive-behavioral psychology, and various yoga practices. She is the owner of Akasha Yoga in La Jolla and also maintains a private psychology practice, blending Eastern and Western approaches to guide people toward natural healing and optimal living. Her approach to breathing and relaxation is strongly influenced by Donna Farhi, Dennis Lewis and Judith Lasater. More information about Natalie can be found at these websites: www.drnataliemasson.com and www.akashayoga.com

Roland Mathews - Yin Yoga
Roland started studying yoga in 1995 as a way to relieve stresses and tensions that come with having a typical corporate job.  Having been very active during his formative years with competitive sports like tennis, track & field, and soccer, he found yoga liberating because of its ability to bring the mind to a non-competitive state. After studying Iyengar Yoga at the Yoga Place in 2001, he started teaching yoga there at the encouragement of the owner.  He has also studied with Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest, John Friend, Max Strom, Paul Grilley, and various other teachers. Roland teaches a unique style of yoga that integrates methods from several yoga systems, drawing from his studies of Yin Yoga, Iyengar, Vinyasa flow, Feldenkrais-based techniques, and breathwork. His flow classes integrate alignment, intuition, strength, and fluidity, while his gentle restorative classes focus on Yin Yoga poses, somatic movements, and healing breath work.

Alisha McShane – Ayurveda
Alisha McShane, founder of Tranquility, was born in Berkley, California and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. For the past four years she has served as the lead Meditation, Yoga and Ayurvedic Health teacher at the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California. She is currently branching out on her own to teach families and individuals the importance and value of the Ayurvedic principles taught by Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon. Alisha uses her training as a Vedic master to guide people back to their essential state of balance and peace and allow them to explore their own connection to the Divine through Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, and Reiki. For more information visit www.tranquilityretreats.com

Justine Shelton – Anatomy in Asana; Adjusting/Assisting; and PreNatal Yoga
Justine Shelton is a Registered Yoga Teacher and graduate of Sundara College Yoga Teacher Training, where she now teaches Anatomy and Physiology for the program. She graduated from Loyola College of Maryland with a B.A. in Sociology and History, putting herself through college on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. As a "recovering" athlete, she was thrilled to find yoga. Letting go of competition came as a huge relief, allowing her to focus on healing her own body. Now her passion is helping others to heal themselves. She specializes in rehabilitative yoga, specifically spinal disc injuries as well as shoulder and knee therapy. Justine continues to educate herself with a wide variety of teachers, including Gary Kraftsow, Aadil Palkhivala, Judith Hanson Lasater, Saul David Raye and back care specialist Elise Browning Miller. In February, 2008 Justine will begin a three year training program with Gary Kraftsow of the Viniyoga Institute, preparing her to join the exciting field of Yoga Therapy. Justine is also a Reiki Master and Thai Yoga Therapist.

Evelyn Wittman – Kids Yoga
Evelyn Wittman has been teaching children and adults for 30 years. Receiving her B.A. degree from CSULB, she has taught classes in English as Second Language, Music, German, Greek and Latin Roots, Improvisation, Home/Office Organizing and Time Management. She owned her own Professional Organizing business until she decided to home school her son. During the last 5 years Evelyn has studied Yoga at Yoga Vista and is a graduate of the True Nature School of Yoga. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance and is currently teaching a variety of children's yoga classes at Greater San Diego Academy and Dehesa Charter School. Evelyn has studied metaphysics and spirituality since 1985 and is also a Reiki master.

Sherry Zak Morris – Gentle, Senior and Chair Yoga
Sherry is a Registered Yoga Teacher and studied under the tutelage of octogenarian yoga teacher, Mary Cavanaugh. Sherry came to yoga after years of computer-related work stress and thousands of dollars in chiropractic bills. She offers her students a guided approach to the body/mind connection and specializes in Gentle, Senior, Chair, Restorative and Classic Hatha Yoga styles. Sherry has a degree in Community Health Education and has traveled around the world doing corporate training programs. To view Sherry's newest project promoting an innovative approach to health and wellness go to www.take5moment.com