Yoga Bala Teachers
Karrie AuBuchon is the founder and owner of Yoga Bala. She has been a dedicated yoga practitioner since 1991. Karrie is a yoga instructor and fitness trainer with certifications from Tim Miller, Mini Yogis, Yoga Education and International Sports Sciences Association. She is also certified at the 500 hour with Yoga Alliance. Karrie attended the Krishnamacharya Yoga Festival in San Francisco in 2003 where she was able to learn from the highly renowned T.K.V Desikachar. In 2004, she traveled to India for a month long study under the guidance of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois; the true master and creator of the Ashtanga Yoga System, and his grandson Sarath Rangaswamy. Karrie has had the privilege of learning from some of the most highly regarded yoga instructors including: Noah Williams, Tim Miller, Dominique & Matt Corigliano, Rolf Naujokat, Maia Heiss, John Friend, Kate Potter and Baron Baptiste. Karrie’ s primary training and personal practice are with the traditional practice of Ashtanga Yoga which is true to her heart. She also enjoys mixing it up a bit in her Vinyasa Flow classes which combine the practice of Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow and Anusara. Karrie encourages all of her students to move past their own pre-conceived limitations, let go, and enjoy. Though she teaches yoga in its true traditional form, lightheartedness and laughter are a part of every class. Karrie regards Noah Williams and Kimberly Williams instruction, to be the single most influence for the development of her yoga practice. It is because of their words of wisdom she opened up Yoga Bala.
Pat Ray is a retired Psychologist and a passionate yogi. Her yoga journey started at the age of 56. Fed up with weight gain and menopausal side effects, Pat began practicing Bikram Yoga. After feeling a difference mentally and physically, she went to Los Angeles for a 9 week Bikram teacher training. She has since trained with Jimmy Barkin and has completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification and most recently her 500 hour Teacher Training. Pat is also a Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. Pat loves to share her love of yoga to all of her students.
Jodi Ascherm
an has been practicing yoga for 15 years & teaching for over 5 years. Yoga continues to have a positive affect on her life and she feels blessed to share what she has learned and is always open to learning more. She has been enamored with Ashtanga yoga since participating in David Swenson’s Ashtanga teacher training, in the Sri K Pattabhi Jois tradition and feels lucky to have had the opportunity to practice with the master himself when he made his final trip to the Florida Keys. She also has received the 200 hour teacher training certification in Kripalu yoga. She hopes you leave her class feeling better with more awareness. She recognizes people come to yoga for different reasons, however, on the many yoga roads, all roads can lead towards peace, and Jodi wants to support you on your journey. She has been attuned to Reiki master level and uses the energy in all her classes. She is also certified in Thai massage at the old medicine college in Chang Mai, Thailand.
Meaghan Phillips has been practicing yoga for 8 years and as has grown from student to teacher. As a student, her teachers have included John Friend, Kate Potter, and Karrie AuBuchon. She has been commited to her practice on a daily basis and has learned to integrate her knowledge of body mechanics into her teaching of yoga. In addition to her commitment to yoga, Meaghan received her Masters Degree from Florida College of Integrative Medicine in Orlando, Florida and earned Magna Cum Laude in 2011. While studying, she was trained extensively in Eastern and Western medical philosophies, acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition. Meaghan is a Acupuncture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine and is Board Certified by NCCAOM, which is the highest certification one can obtain in most states.Meaghan is a National Certified Massage Therapist since 2003. She also attended school at the Florida Keys Learning Institute in Key West, Florida completing a 500 hour program in the sciences, theory, practice and application of Therapeutic Massage. In October 2006 Meaghan traveled to Thailand to continue her education in massage and study a specific modality of traditional Thai Massage. There she attended the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai, which has earned the Royal Award bestowed by his Majesty the King as an outstanding school with highest standards. Thai Massage, like Yoga is an ancient art of body therapy for healing, health and transformation. It is an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching, compression, and gentle pressure along energy lines, which in tune has a uniquely relaxing and therapeutic affect. These movements help to adjust the skeletal structure, increase flexibility, relieve muscular and joint tension, stimulate internal organs, and balance the body’s energy system. This style of massage is performed on the floor using a mat and the client is to wear loose comfortable clothing. Meaghan believes yoga and massage to be a natural match for tension and stress relief! Meaghan looks forward to expanding her yoga practice and sharing what she learns with you. To learn more about Meaghan visit: http://www.portorangeacupuncture.com
Shawna Gallon has cultivated her practice under the guidance of Karrie AuBuchon at Yoga Bala where Shawna also received her training and certification. She looks forward to sharing the art and therapy of yoga with those who aspire to live a rewarding, healthy and balanced life. Shawna has been a Music Educator for over nine years. She found a new enthusiasm for health and wellness as she began to discover the benefits and personal successes of a regular yoga practice. Not only has she found relief from chronic back pain through her regular yoga practice, built strength, improved flexibility and posture, but also developed an understanding of the profound importance of “breath”. Through yoga, Shawna has deepened her capacity for decreasing stress and tension and increased a sense of calm and well being. Throughout her journey in life and in yoga, rooting her practice and purpose in the soil of her own faith has been essential for Shawna. She hopes to encourage others, while motivating and guiding each student toward a path of health, mindfulness and joy through earnest practice. “Focusing on the act of breathing clears the mind of all daily distractions and clears our energy enabling us to better connect with the Spirit within.” Author Unknown.
Frances Mitchell is a 200 hour certified yoga teacher who was first introduced to yoga in the late 1990’s by her Aunt, who credited her recovery from a debilitating disease to her dedicated yoga practice. Intrigued, Frances decided to explore the benefits of yoga and began a casual practice in 1999. In her late 20’s and early 30’s, Frances suffered from a series of medical issues of her own that resulted in a full hysterectomy. Frustrated with the Western approach to medicine and unwilling to become dependent on hormone therapy and pharmaceuticals, Frances recalled her Aunt’s teachings and decided to dedicate herself to a regular yoga practice. In 2007, Frances began studying with Karrie at Yoga Bala and quickly came to understand that yoga is much more than just a physical practice. As she delved deeper into her personal journey, she realized that she wanted to share her love of yoga with others. As a devoted student of yoga, Frances has experienced the transformational attributes of yoga first-hand and in others, and believes that anyone can overcome even the most insurmountable obstacles through a dedicated practice. She is truly excited to share her practice with her students and invites you to join her on her continual journey of growth in mind, body and spirit at Yoga Bala.
Marlena Dates found the yogic path as a teenager and has been hooked ever since! Over the past 14 years she has studied yoga through community college & university courses, a wide variety of gym and video based classes and an ongoing home practice. Marlena continued her yogic quest by attaining her 200 hour teacher training certification under the guidance of Karrie AuBuchon, of Yoga Bala, taking her practice to an entirely new level. Marlena has also undertaken extensive graduate research in the areas of human diet, nutrition and health and has recently decided to use this knowledge to start her own health and wellness coaching business. She hopes to use her new venture as a vehicle for sharing the wisdom of yoga, a systematic method for achieving physical, mental and spiritual health and wellness with all those she encounters.
Rick Davis came to yoga looking to exercise the body. Already comfortable in mind and spirit he soon realized there was more to it. It wasn’t long before BALA – Strength of Body, Mind and Spirit was apparent. After experiencing the incredible energy of yoga studios, he decided to attend Yoga Teacher Training to learn more about the practice of yoga. He enjoys learning from his fellow yogis and many teachers of all levels and is delighted to guide you in his class. He also has found that time on the mat is a great way to remove yourself from the day, but when you go back into the day, the benefits of yoga stays with you. Balance and breath are important on the mat, but yoga teaches balance and breath in life as well.
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