Lauren Maher
Lauren Maher made her way to California by way of South Florida and New York City. Inspired by her newfound sense of balance from developing a regular Kundalini Yoga practice, Lauren became an internationally certified teacher through Yoga West in order to share this sacred technology with others. In her classes, Lauren strives to create a safe space for people to grow spiritually, releasing any emotional, spiritual or physical blocks. Lauren views the real benefits of yoga as what you take with you outside of the class and into the world. She often focuses on stress relief and tries to merge day-to-day life with yogic technology. In addition, Lauren specializes in teaching yoga and meditation to cancer patients during and post treatment. She infuses her classes with a sense of humor and always encourages her students to challenge themselves, diving deeper into their practice. Lauren believes that the practice of yoga and meditation can not only create inner harmony and expansiveness, but also create a greater peace, awareness and radiance throughout the world.

Jonnyka Bormann
Jonnyka chose yoga as a way to cope with life?s demands. She began practicing Hatha, soon discovered Kundalini, and continued practicing both styles regularly. It was evident from the beginning that yoga was (and is!) transforming her life. While furthering her practice in the teacher training program at Karuna Yoga with Kelly Wood & Jim Akimoto, Jonnyka realized that the joy and release she found in the practice was something she truly wanted to share with others. She believes in the endless discovery within each person and hopes to support and encourage others on their journeys within. She is honored to share her enthusiasm for yoga and meditation with the beautiful Karuna community and believes that yoga and meditation will continue to transform lives leading to a world of greater love, creativity & spirit.

Nina Mikkelsen
Nina is a third generation Santa Monica native and took her first yoga class there when she was thirteen. She immediately loved yoga and found that many of the postures felt natural to her. Since that time she has practiced various styles of yoga as well as other methods of meditation. Nina is a graduate of the first Teacher's Training Course at Karuna. Since then she assisted two teachers at Karuna and then began to teach regularly as a substitute. During the last year she also worked on refining her daily practice at home as well as taking classes from a variety of teachers. Teaching at Karuna is a pleasure and an honor. Nina is thrilled to be able to share her love and knowledge of yoga with each and every one of her students.

Shoshana Stolove
Shoshana Stolove has been practicing Yoga for over 16 years. She began her practice in New York, then Colorado and for the past 12 years in LA. Yoga has easily become one of her greatest passions. Teaching gives her the chance to create a compassionate and loving space for others to grow and to be their authentic selves. Her certification is in Hatha, Kundalini, and Kid's Yoga. Shoshana consistently attends workshops and trainings to expand as a person and a teacher. Aside from being a Yoga instructor, she is a drummer, an animator, and a jewelry designer.

Keirin Brown
In a world driven by time lines, traffic, cell phones and long hours, Keirin feels it's getting more and more difficult for people to let go and allow for quiet. Keirin believes the practice of yoga can be the best gift we give ourselves. By finding quiet we are able to truly listen to the body, hear beyond the chatter and find the strength and ease that will guide us through the most trying moments in life. After having her own struggles with anxiety, Keirin decided seek a deeper self-understanding and pursue her certification in Hatha and Kundalini yoga at Karuna Yoga. Her classes are meant to encourage students of all levels to truly listen to their bodies in order to find physical and emotional strength and balance. As well as being a yoga teacher, Keirin is a physical theatre performer and creator.

Gretchen Heidemann
Gretchen Heidemann, a native midwesterner, is a life-long student who is currently pursuing a PhD in social work. Gretchen found yoga five years ago at a time of personal transformation. She has practiced Hatha and Kundalini yoga, along with mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation, ever since as tools for healing and inner balance. Gretchen believes yoga provides a path to freedom: freedom from self-limiting beliefs; freedom from stress and pain; and freedom to discover our authentic, divine nature. She hopes to provide a space where students can aspire to be their best, highest, and truest selves. Gretchen considers Karuna her yoga "home" and recently completed the Hatha and Kundalini teacher training with Kelly Wood. She is honored to be giving back to others the wonderful gift of freedom that can be found through yoga.

Prabhu Prakash
As a yoga teacher and in her own practice, Prabhu Prakash is guided by the words of TKV Desikachar, "It is not that the person needs to accommodate him or herself to yoga, but rather the yoga practice must be tailored to fit each person." Her class begins with a Yin Yoga sequence of deep, gentle stretches that prepare the body for a vigorous Kundalini Yoga kriya. Throughout the class, you are encouraged to explore your own unique patterns of tension and stress. Each class concludes with meditation and deep relaxation, leaving you clear, refreshed and energized for the day. "Prabhu Prakash" means "light of dawn of God" and is the spiritual name given to Linda Richards by Yogi Bhajan. Ms. Richards became certified to teach Kundalini Yoga through the Master's Touch program in New Mexico in 2003. She completed the Yoga Works teacher training program in 2005 and the Kids Yoga teacher training at Karuna Yoga in 2009. Ms. Richards is also the co-founder of Artisan Global LLC, a Geographic Information Systems consulting company.