GUEST TEACHERS

GUEST TEACHERS IN DIVYA

KRISTIJAN KOLEGA (KAKUDMI DAS)

Vedic teacher and knower of Vedic wisdom, medicine, philosophy and psychology, healer and musician who published a book with the same title. Kristijan will take you through the unforgettable experience on the path of self-knowing and self-healing. Discover the secrets of conscious and subconscious mind and power of its source, which will help you to change chemical states of your body and cure any physical disorders. Kristijan has been studied Vedic knowledge since the eary 90-this, he was a Kirtan leader for many years in Croatia as well in Los Angeles where he lived for 9 years. He come back to Croatia in 2008 where he is currently teaching Vedic medicine, psychology and philosophy and powerful technique of Selfhealing based on Vedic knowledge as well on EFT and NLP techniques.
www.samoozdravljenje.com

ANANDA VDOVIC

Born and raised in Germany, Ananda started to get interested in Self-realization and spirituality at an early age. She learned meditation in 1970 and later lived withdrawn from the world in Silence for 3 years, spending her days and nights absorbed in the Bliss (Ananda) of her inner Self. This is why she was given the name Ananda = Bliss. During these years higher states of consciousness opened up for her. Then she came out and shared her realization by teaching Thousands of people meditation and Self-awareness internationally.

Ananda also worked as an architect and is an accomplished artist and singer. Her paintings of Divine beings radiate the beauty of the heavenly realms and are widely recognized.

Her CDs “Sacred Chants of Devi” and “Durga-Mantras for Protection” are played in many Self-development workshops all over the world: www.anandasart.com

AJAY TOKAS

Ajay Tokas is a Level 2 authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, having received the formal blessings of his Guru, Shri R. Sharath Jois to teach this yogic art. Ajay started his yoga journey in 2004 and has been devoted to the Ashtanga Yoga since 2010. He found his Guru in Shri R. Sharath Jois and since 2010 has been visiting Mysore annually to study Ashtanga Yoga with his Guru. He is currently practicing the challenging third series of Ashtanga Yoga.

Ajay started teaching yoga in Delhi, his home city, in 2010. He then travelled to Siberia and taught yoga there during 2010-2012. Ajay’s teaching is inspired by the integration of strength in the Ashtanga Yoga with the inner experience of spiritual discipline. Ajay believes that with disciplined yoga practice one can open doors to self-realization.

www.ashtangajay.com
instagram.com/ajaytokas
www.youtube.com/user/ashtangajay

YIANNIS ANDRITSOS (MUKTA OM)

Yiannis Andritsos has been a dedicated teacher for over six years, with a specialty in Dharma Yoga, which is a Hatha-Raja Yoga passed in authentic tradition by Sri Dharma Mittra. He is an avid student of Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Sanskrit, meditation and pranayama (sacred breathing practices), and is also a Thai yoga masseuse, which has enlightened his teaching and knowledge of body dynamics. He is committed to healing and helping others reach their full potential.
Previously, he worked in Athens as a personal trainer at a popular fitness center and was a professional dancer. Yiannis began studying yoga when he moved to the United States from Greece in 2002. He met the great yoga master Sri Dharma Mittra, with whom he has been studying and practicing full time ever since, and had completed Dharma Yoga Life of a Yogi 200hr Teacher Training program. Currently, Yiannis is teaching Dharma Yoga classes at numerous studios and health clubs around New York City. Inspired and awed by the way that yoga has transformed his life, Yiannis teaches so others may also experience the many amazing benefits of yoga to the body, mind and soul. He feels incredibly grateful and blessed to be able to share all that yoga has to offer in a positive and inspiring way. Yiannis’s yoga classes are deeply focused, but also fun, spontaneous, and appropriate for all levels of practitioners, as various options and variations of each pose are always offered. Coordinating movement with breath allows for the detoxification of energy channels, deeper concentration and meditation, and works to elevate and balance his students’ energy. His warm-hearted humor and sincere devotion make every class a unique and pleasurable experience.Click here for beautiful video from Yiannis - Shiva Namaskar Vinyasa!

MARK KAN

Mark’s journey of self discovery began over 10 years ago after some time of feeling disconnected from the path he took as a visual artist. This, and Mark’s quest for more knowledge of this ancient science, took him to India, training as Sivananda Yoga teacher in 2006. That same year Mark reached a milestone in this enriching journey, through a first encounter with Dharma Mittra, bringing together the synthesis he was searching for in yoga practice and everyday life. Finally the lights were on and someone was home. This encounter soon took Mark to New York to study with his humble Guru. He cultivates the qualities of yoga he has learned from the teachings of his guru, Sri Dharma Mittra -humility, compassion, understanding, humour, selfless service and non violence.He believes his role is to serve and help others through the practice of yoga, enabling students at any level to overcome their fears and become steadfast in their yoga practice and in their daily life. The teachings he shares are rooted in the classical yoga tradition. Students are transformed by these simple ancient teachings, which embrace all aspects of the science of yoga from the physical to the mental and spiritual levels. www.dharmayogalondon.com

VANESSA BAISH

Vanessa began practicing ashtanga in 2001 as part of her teacher training with Paul Dallaghan of centered yoga. She has had the honor and pleasure of continuing to practice regularly first with Guy Donahaye, then briefly with Greg Tebb and currently with Eddie Stern. She has also benefited from practicing not at all regularly with many excellent ashtanga teachers all around the world and in the company of all the people with whom she practices every day and who are models of grace, humility and dedication. Vanessa credits her academic study and teaching in the english department at Hunter college with training her to be attentive to and thoughtful in all her life practices. Vanessa is 3rd series ashtanga practicioner.

PETRA BRAJDIC-MITIDIERI

Petra Brajdic-Mitidieri is a Croatian-born, London-based yoga teacher with more than 12 years' teaching experience. From numerous yoga styles that can be found in London, Petra teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa and Iyengar yoga. Having seen so many students getting injuries and mis-alignments with Asthanga yoga, she decided to focus more on the anatomy and correct executions of postures, all of which she has learnt from 15 years of studying with some of the world's most prominent Iyengar teachers.

Petra has been teaching yoga in London since 2000 where she studied with some of the best yoga teachers in the world. She has learned Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (Power Yoga) directly from John Scott with whom she studied intensively from 2001 until 2005 when he moved to New Zealand. She was also fortunate enough to attend classes given by late Patthabi Jois on a few of his latest visits to London. Besides Ashtanga, Petra is a keen practitioner of Iyengar yoga, which precision and alignment she incorporates in her teaching. The biggest influence on her teaching at present time is the ‘teacher of teachers’, Aadil Palkhivala, with whom she studies on regular basis. Petra’s teaching is based on the approach to every student as an individual. The main characteristics of her teaching are high motivation of her students and an ‘intelligent’ and holistic approach to posture work (injury prevention is a priority). Petra has taught many of today’s yoga teachers, who still regularly attend her classes. Petra also holds a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London, which is often reflected in her teaching.
More about Petra can be found at www.petrayoga.co.uk

TJ JACKSON

About TJ: still a teenager, TJ was introduced to Hatha-Raja Yoga in Mysore, India by Dr. Narasimha. During an intense seven-year sadhana, he studied Yoga chikitsa (therapy), Tantra and many other forms of traditional Yoga. He also trained to become a physician at Brown University in the US and in complemetary /alternative medicine at Bastyr Naturopathic University. He was eventually led to legendary Yoga master Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC and discovered his own dharma - leaving a career in medicine to share the seeds of radiant health and self-knowledge. TJ is based in NYC and leads Yoga and wellness immersions worldwide.
www.anamayoga.com

BRUNO BARTULIĆ

Bruno Bartulić is Brazilian-Croat from São Paulo. He practiced Olympic gym during his childhood, after that, has been always enrolled in extreme sports, like surf and climbing. He also practiced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 10 years with Moises Muradi. Besides that, have technical degree in constructions and worked in this field for some years. Looking for a better life style, he moved to Florianopolis, south of Brazil. There, he intensively studied yoga and started to teach in 2001. Among his teachers Pedro Kupfer, Camila Reitz, Jamile Ansolin, Cathia Karin Heuser, Clayton Horton, Michael Gannon an Matthew Vollmer. In his trips to India, studied ashtanga with Sri K. Patabhi Jois and vedanta with Swami Dayananda Saraswati. In 2003 he returns to São Paulo to spread yoga and opened his own yoga studio in 2004. Cyclist and ecologist, Bruno believes that together we can build a harmonic society and that yoga can help in this process. When teaching he focuses at same time, flow and precise alignment. He regularly writes for Brazilian magazines and for his yogasp.com. He gives workshops in several cities in Brazil and Europe. Lived in Croatia in 2008, Portugal in 2009 and nowadays is living in France where he studies political sciences at Sciences po.-Bordeaux. Married and father of two daughters, considers yoga practice a deeply self-studying, which brings inspiration, vitality and balance. Once a year, gives intensive teacher trainings in São Paulo, Brazil and Coimbra, Portugal.

NIDHAN KAUR

a.k.a Emina Kurtagic, was born and raised in Zagreb, where she completed high school and started to study architecture. At the age of 21 she moved to Canada. Her first kundalini yoga class was with Yogi Bhajan in 1975, while living in Vancouver. Yogi Bhajan gave her the spirtual name Nidhan Kaur, meaning princess who is a treasure, so she continues discovering the treaures on the path of Truth. Completed teacher training level 1, with SKY, Guru Dharam Singh and Darryl O'Keefe, UK, level 2 with Amrit Naam Sarovar, with Karta Singh in France. Taught in London in studios in Chelsea and Belgravia and attended and taught on a number of workshops and retreats. Continues education with Elizabeth St.John, therapeutic healing and with gongmaster Don Conreaux, holistic resonance. Over the years, Emina has also extensively created, curated and taught art, film and performance, mostly in London and Paris. Holds a BFA from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, a diploma in advanced studies DEA and doctorate in film and theatre studies from the University of Paris, I, Sorbonne, Doctoral thesis: Choreography of a Film Portrait. Presently preparing a book on kundalini yoga for all seasons, and compiling materials and ideas for a new film, on the theme of a tea ceremony. Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Croatian (native speaker).

ANNA ROSSOW

Anna Rossow comes from Finland and is at the moment living and teaching yoga in Berlin. In her way to teach she wants to combine strenght with softness. Awareness of body, mind and breath are the keys to work in a harmonius way towards wisdom. Anna has been very fortune to have very high-level and open-minded teachers of Ashtanga Yoga herself. Feeling Grattitude towards her regular teacher Cole Dano, whom she very highly appreciates, inspired by his modest being and his way to teach in a very unique and individual detailed way. She also has been learning with many of the legendary teachers of Ashtanga Yoga such as Chuck Miller & Maty Ezraty, Richard Freeman, Paul Dallaghan and Nancy Gilgoff.

ROBERT POLLY, Iyengar Yoga

Tonja Renee Hall

Tonja's style of yoga is a strong Vinyasa Flow. She inspires her students using a mix of humor and a disciplined physical practice to develop their personal strength and grace. Tonja's yoga practice is based on the fundamentals of Hatha, Ashtanga and Power Yoga flow. Her corporate yoga classes promote wellness and energize all levels of practitioners. Tonja began practicing yoga in 2001, and received her Yoga Centers in 2003. Tonja incorporates Yoga Flow with the practice of Thai Massage for a unique and relaxing experience. Thai yoga massage originated in Asia, 2500 years ago as a healing practice, at the same time yoga and Ayurveda were established. Thai yoga massage incorporates passive yoga stretching and acupressure. Each session begins with a 15 minute yoga flow, to heat the body in preparation for the Thai Yoga Massage. Benefits of Thai Yoga Massage include: stress relief; increased flexibility; release of toxins; tones abdominal region; relaxation. This therapeutic mix of yoga and massage is beneficial for all types of people, including disabled persons. Tonja spent two years living and teaching in Thailand, and received her Thai Yoga Massage certification from the acclaimed Wat Po School of Traditional Thai Medicine.Kirtan and Workshops Tonja uses her rich alto voice to pour honey over ancient Sanskrit hymns in her Kitan Chanting Classes. Tonja has lead Chanting Workshops internationally and in the States.

Marija Grgurevic Yerkovich

Marija Grgurevic Yerkovich is a certified Forrest Yoga instructor. She was born and raised in Dubrovnik,Croatia. For 17 years she lived in the United States, in Seattle, WA, where she practiced yoga for 10 years before becoming an instructor. Her teaching style is gentle and heart-based, yet very precise and alignment focused. Marija was also trained as a Thai massage practitioner at the Wat Po RoyalCollege in Bangkok,Thailand. She pursued Thai Massage training in order to better understand the body. In her teaching she combines Yoga and Thai Massage through gentle hands-on pose adjustments for the students. She loves partner yoga, acro yoga and contact improv, as well as kirtan and all forms of dance. She has recently returned to Croatia with her husband and is in the process of building her dream, the Linden Tree Retreat Center. The center is scheduled to open for workshops sometime next summer, and will be offering daily yoga classes, periodic yoga workshops, as well as a wide variety of other types of workshops like Tai Chi, Five Rythms Dance, meditation, energy work, etc. Marija also rides horses and leads horse-back trips into the mountains with her husband. www.lindenretreat.com

INES WURTH

Ines Wurth – born in Zagreb, has lived in Los Angeles, New York and London for 25 years. She started studying kundalini yoga with the master Yogi Bhajan as well as Gurumukh Kaur at Golden Bridge in Los Angeles over twelve years ago.
Yogi Bhajan and Gurumukh have practiced yoga for over 50 years and have spread the knowledge to thousands and thousands of people in the US and throughout the world. Ines finished her teacher’s training with Yogi Bhajan and has been practicing yoga daily for twelve years. For any further info on kundalini yoga you can visit www.3ho.org or www.goldenbridgeyoga.com.
Ines also studied ashtanga, anusara, hatha, iyengar, bikram and power yoga for number of years but always keeps going back to her primary source of kundalini where her passion lies the most. She is also a Croatian actress and writer, lives and works in Los Angeles. Has a production company with co-founder, Mark Soper called IMC Productions. She started her acting career in London when she left Croatia as a teenager. As a member of Compass Theater in London, she performed numerous roles including Nora from A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen and Varya from The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. Wurth received her BFA from UCLA, School of Theatre, Film & Television and is a company member of the award-winning Zoo District Theatre Company www.zoodistrict.org She has also worked as a director of (“An Age of Angels”) and a producer of ("An Age Of Angels”, “Change-The Upcoming War With Iran”, "The British Ambassador's Bellydancer", "Bully","Shoppers Without Borders", "Tied Up In Knotts", "Viva" and "The Contest"). For more information go on her website: www.imisscommunism.com, www.imcproductions.us.

DOMAGOJ ORLIĆ

Domagoj practices and teaches Yoga of Heart as he was taught by his Teacher and Heart Friend Mark Whitwell. His teaching method focuses on developing a personal practice as the very heart of yoga that helps the practicing individual to get anchored in her own Heart. As an invisible point of union it is the inexhaustible source of our infinite capacity to feel. True intimacy with this centre of our humanity reveals the person's true nature as the powerful peace and peaceful power of a life lived straight from the Heart, and uncompromisingly for the Heart. This soft-heartedness or hearty-softness then becomes the basis of a creative relational life as the real and ultimate purpose of practicing yoga in the first place. By joyfully practicing one's own personalized yoga, that is the one carefully adapted to the real needs, interests, desires, aspirations, abilities and changing circumstances of the individual, she slowly or abruptly embraces the actuality of being alive in the world and discovers her full human potential through a personally empowering, effective and safe yoga as a direct participation in Life as Life. This feeling of utter connectedness to the Source or the Whole releases the practitioner from the trauma and illusion of separateness, and so allows for a relaxed and energetic interaction with reality, whatever it may be. Namely, by practicing and living our own authentic and non-obsessive yoga on a daily basis, we summon the courage to stand firmly alone, face reality as it is, deal with the suffering creatively and plunge into love as our birthright and our natural state of fully enjoying the aliveness that we are. Domagoj teaches the full spectrum of traditional yoga practices in all its applications, from therapeutic yoga (yoga cikitsa) to yoga tantra (most notably, shri vidya shakta tantra) and understands yoga primarily as a way of enjoying Life and the deepening of intimacy with oneself, other human being and the Whole of Existence that we utterly are as sensitive, compassionate and spiritual beings with a Heart. Heart is the “point” (bindu) of absolute union between (wo)man and the world, it is a total interconnectedness of all polarities (ha-tha yoga), and so shri-hrdaya-yoga-tantra is an approach to yoga in which a concerned individual, by surrendering to her own power of receptivity (shri), gets to know her Heart (hrdaya) through practicing the most appropriate yoga for herself, naturally and actually, as a daily discipline of pleasure (tantra) and a wholehearted participation in the Cosmic Unity that we totally are as an absolute freedom of responsible emotivity and love.
Domagoj holds a BA degree in Philosophy and he translated Mark Whitwell's book Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection (Yoga srca: Iscjeljujuća snaga prisnosti, 2004) into his native Croatian language and wrote four books of his own in the same language, two of which have been published so far: an introductory book on yoga entitled The Experience of Yoga: An Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of Viniyoga (Iskustvo yoge: Uvod u filozofiju i praksu viniyoge, 2001) and a comprehensive study entitled Yoga in the West: The Transforming Power of Yoga in the Interpenetration of World Cultures (Yoga na Zapadu: Transformirajuća snaga yoge u preplitanju svjetskih kultura, 2007). He teaches yoga both privately and publicly in his Zagreb, Croatia, and is available for teaching in Central Europe.