Michael Ruccolo

Michael has been teaching Yoga since 2000. As a Certified Iyengar Teacher, Michael has instructed professional athletes, children with special needs, and adults suffering from physical and emotional issues. The founder of LYFE Yoga, Michael uses humor to integrate his Iyengar Yoga training into an effective balanced practice bringing a union to body and mind.

When Michael isn’t practicing or teaching yoga he is working towards a Master’s Degree at Loyola Marymount University focusing on Comparative Theology. With an emphasis in eastern scriptures, Michael integrates his studies in theology, Iyengar Yoga training and unconventional humor into an effective, fun and balanced class. Through a regular practice, every student will learn how to take control of their body, increase strength, reduce stress and develop a greater sense of awareness that will begin to appear in everyday life.

Hia Phua

Hia Phua is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher who has been practicing yoga since 2004. What began as a fun way to exercise grew into a passion for a path that enabled her to be more fully present in her body and mind. The journey continues to bring a transformative clarity, discipline and compassion to her practice and daily life. Her teaching, combining detailed instructions with humor and kindness, strives to convey the sense of discovery and awareness of our selves and how we can be in this world.

Candis Berens

After practicing yoga for 15 years, Candis left her full-time teaching job with the Santa Monica-Malibu School District, and now teaches yoga and mindfulness to children and adults. Through careful alignment, sequencing, and the use of props, Candis embraces the fact that yoga can benefit all ages and abilities. Her classes not only bring health and equanimity to her students, but they are a lab for learning about your body and penetrating deeply into your mind. When she isn’t in the yoga studio, Candis is an Educational Specialist, working one-on-one with children/young adults to address learning differences and executive functioning.
She currently studies with Iyengar senior teacher Carolyn Belko in Encinitas and locally with Keri Lee.

Radka Holisova

Radka teaches a gentle, restorative style of yoga emphasizing asana (physical practice), pranayama (lengthening of breath), and dharana (mental tranquility), and incorporating Iyengar-style props for a safe, supportive experience for students of all levels of health and skill. Radka currently teaches the Donation Community Gentle Yoga class.

Laura Kunin

Laura originally hails from the Midwest, where she began her study of Iyengar yoga in the early 2000s. She is a graduate of the  3-year Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Program and a certified Iyengar yoga teacher. She studies with Marla Apt and other senior teachers. She has daily gratitude for the strength, calm and ongoing spiritual study that yoga brings to her and loves sharing this with her students.

Lisa Larson

Currently teaches gentle yoga and relax and renew, reflecting her belief that our fast paced society benefits from a meditative yoga practice. Lisa’s classes blend various yoga styles, incorporating her diverse studies. Erich Schiffman influenced her approach to yoga as he emphasizes a balance between effort and ease as well as encourages students to develop a mindful practice. Lisa is certified by Cloud Nine Yoga, Planet Yoga, Supported Yoga Therapy and Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga Training with Judith Lasater and the Physiology of Relaxation with Roger Cole, PhD.

Melanie Shatto

Melanie is a certified Iyengar Teacher whose precise instructions and sequences seek to relieve old injuries, quiet the mind and refresh the body.  

Originally trained in dance and the visual arts, Melanie believes yoga is the highest art form; one which has the capacity to heal as well as inspire.  She loves sharing this divine art with new students, challenging them to leave their comfort zone and learn the poses in a progressive manner, step by step.

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