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Charlotte Matsumura is co-founder of Pranava Yoga Center in Colorado Springs, CO. and is co-director of the PYC Teacher Training program. She has been a student of yoga since taking her first class in New York City in 2001. The practice of yoga and asana have been constants in her life ever since. She is a Yoga Alliance certified instructor, and has her 200 hour E-RYT YA certification. She is also certified in prenatal yoga instruction. Charlotte continues to delve more deeply into the practices of yoga and has taken workshops with Seane Corne, David Swenson, Ana Forrest, Manorama, to name a few.
Charlotte was born in Houston, Texas, but spent much of her growing up years in the small Texas town of Brenham. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Geography….thinking that she might become a cartographer. Oh how plans change! In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, reading…mostly fiction, spending time with her dog, Luna, and she loves learning do-it-yourself projects. She enjoys living a vegetarian lifestyle and is constantly striving to live more consciously in all aspects of life.
It was at Jivamukti Yoga Center in NYC, where Charlotte first experienced sadhana (spiritual practice). She spent the next five years practicing yoga in NYC, primarily at Jivamukti, but also took classes with Duncan Wong (Yogic Arts), Dana Flynn (Laughing Lotus), Dharma Mittra, as well as other teachers. It was through her experiences in yoga class that she first began gaining a deeper understanding of the human body and the connection between body, mind and spirit. She found a true love for yoga and for all the amazing gifts of a steady practice.
During her time in NYC, Charlotte also studied at the Swedish Institute, earning her A.O.S. degree in massage therapy. Her studies at SI deepened her knowledge of anatomy and have given her an even greater understanding of how the human body works. She is trained in various massage modalities, including Swedish, Shiatsu, perinatal, and sports massage techniques, and is a licensed massage therapist in the states of New York and Colorado.
As a yoga instructor, Charlotte strives to inspire her fellow yogis to live a more balanced, peaceful, and happy existence. She is a compassionate and sincere teacher. You will find her classes challenging and her presence warm. And there is usually some chanting included too! Charlotte’s classes are shaped from her years of practicing in New York, and from all her teachers and inspirations from the past and the present.
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Mike Matsumura - In March of 2002, Mike walked into a yoga center in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan wanting to get into an exercise class. That yoga center was Jivamukti Yoga Center. He didn't know exactly what he was getting himself into but he thought it would be a great place for light stretching and a workout. What the class had for him was nothing he had ever experienced in his life. At first, everyone just sat there and the yoga instructor started preaching some stuff that he didn't understand at all, and then the class started chanting the word "Om." He was confused and initially, he didn't like it at all. He didn't know anything about yoga, meditation, chanting, or spirituality. At first, he was turned off by this chanting and mediation stuff. He felt it was not his thing but kept doing it anyway. He tried to keep an open mind and then he started to understand it little by little. "If you allow yourself, you can learn anything and everything from anyone and everyone." That was the beginning of his Yogic Path. In 2004, Mike met his guru (teacher), Sri Dharma Mittra, with whom he studied in NYC at Dharma Yoga Center. Mike eventually became a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 hour advanced certified teacher in Dharma Yoga Level 1-3 and also became initiated as one of Sri Dharma Mittra's disciples right before he left NYC for Colorado Springs to be with his wife. Sri Dharma Mittra gave Mike the Sanskrit name "Sadhu Om," which means the righteous and holy. Mike is constantly continuing on his yogic journey , keeping his teachers and their teachings with him along the way. Besides working on this yogic path, Mike also practices being a vegetarian. Mike currently teaches at Pranava Yoga Center, Samadhi Center for Yoga in Denver and presents workshops in Colorado.
More on a personal side, while Mike grew up mostly in Northern New Jersey and in New York City, he was born just outside of Tokyo, Japan and lived there until he was 7 years old. Mike’s first job was dishwashing at a restaurant at the age of 12 where his father once managed. Through his teens and young adulthood, Mike worked as a dishwasher, a bus-boy cleaning tables, restaurant server, hotel bell staff, hotel front desk clerk, and bartender. He later worked as a property manager and personal assistant for a well known celebrity for 16 yrs before moving to Colorado. During this period, Mike also had a career in theater as a stage actor in New York City performing in Off-Off Broadway plays; he is a lifetime member of the worldly renowned, The Actors Studio and the Screen Actors’ Guild.
Before opening Pranava Yoga Center with his wife Charlotte. Mike worked at the Broadmoor Hotel working in the room service department for a short period.
Since residing in Colorado, Mike has been very involved with the Colorado yoga community. He was guest teacher for the events Spark The Fire in Denver, Yoga Rocks the Park in '09 and '10, Yoga Rocks Mountain Fest ’09 at Lyons and '10 in Snowmass, Colorado, and Friday Night Yoga Club in Denver. Mike will be one of the presenters for Telluride Yoga Festival in July 2012. Mike “Sadhu Om” Matsumura is the Co-Founder of Pranava Yoga Center in Colorado Springs. Mike enjoys helping everyone to find their own teacher inside their heart. Mike is also the ambassador for Manduka Yoga Mat.
Mike will be one of the presenters at Telluride Yoga Festival in July 12-15, 2012. |
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Manorama,the director of the School of Sanskrit Studies in NYC, Manorama leads workshops on the Path of Luminous Shabda, a path that combines Sanskrit, Meditation and Yoga philosophy. She leads workshops nationally, as well as internationally.
Manorama's mix of earthy charm, deep scholarship and humorous teaching style were born from years of close study with her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. She is a graduate of Columbia University. In 2005, Sanskrit Studies released the acclaimed Learn to Pronounce Yoga Poses, an invaluable tool for yoga teachers & students. Manorama is committed to affecting the world in a positive way through Sanskrit, language of awareness and love.
www.sanskritstudies.org
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Manorama is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
Gloria Jones, B.A., E-RYT
Gloria is a dynamic, compassionate teacher with a gentle spirit. Her rich background of experience in behavioral health, education, and rehabilitative services has given her a strong platform from which to teach yoga. Gloria has worked with special needs children, seniors, folks with terminal illness, clients with biomechanical issues and injuries, and most recently with active duty service members suffering from PTSD and/or related symptoms.
Fascinated by the miracle of the human body and the strength of the human spirit, Gloria was drawn to the practice of yoga in the Fall of 1999. Inspired by the teachings of the Baptiste Power Vinyasa tradition, she received the highest level of training with renowned yoga master, Baron Baptiste. Gloria became the first teacher to introduce this transformational style of yoga to the Colorado Springs community. In addition to her training with Baron, Gloria has also received additional training with Tom Stiles in Structural Yoga Therapy and is currently seeking advanced certification in Yoga Nidra with Richard Miller, Ph.D. through the Integrative Restoration Institute.
“Teaching yoga has given me a strong sense of purpose. I’ve learned that the power of the human spirit is stronger than our deepest fears or perceived limitations.”
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Gloria is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
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 Doug Johnson was conceived in Colorado Springs, born and raised in Illinois, then found his way back to Colorado Springsbyway of mountain bike. He is a Pro mountain bike racer, but enjoys long rides in the backcountry that start before dawn just as much. Doug coaches runners and cyclists alike. In the mid-90‘s Doug found sun salutations to be a reasonable way of “stretching”. “It seems improbable but the practice of yoga does help immensely with riding a bicycle for hours on end and 'just sitting' to connect with all that you’ve been searching for... the later of which is much more challenging!" Doug completed his 200 Yoga Teacher Training at Pranava Yoga Center. “As part of the process both teacher and trainee are continually being taught.”
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Sara Peekwas born and raised on a diary farm in Iowa. It was here that she developed the significance of cultivating body and spirit as well as nurturing her relationships with family and friends. These lifelong priorities became ingrained characteristics through working on the farm, participation in athletics and commitment to spiritual growth and development. She obtained her B.S. degree in Nursing and practice in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital taking care of premature and sick infants for 14 years. She and her husband Larry are currently raising 3 teenagers and a 9 year old yellow Labrador. Sara and her family enjoy hiking, biking and have a passion for skiing.
A dear friend of Sara's introduced her to Bikram yoga in 2000. After completing the 60 day challenge, she was hooked. Sara believes that all yoga disciplines are fluidly inclusive of each other. In her own practice she enjoys exploring and incorporating many different yoga traditions. The quieting of the mind, awareness of the present moment and physical asana enhance all aspects of her life. Sara has earned her Vinyasa Power Yoga certification and is sharing her passion for Yoga with others. "I believe in the restorative properties to mind, body and spirit that yoga offers. This practice is a wonderful gift that I am grateful to have the opportunity to share with fellow students."
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Margy Gullickson received her training in 2002 at The Shambhava School of Yoga at the Eldorado Mountain Yoga Ashram in Boulder, Colorado. She has been teaching since then and enjoys sharing her love of yoga with first timers to experienced practicioners. She enjoys providing an opportunity to move the body and cleanse the mind through an invigorating practice. Her classes are designed for each person to better get to know themselves by allowing themselves a time of stillness after effort. Her current inspirations are her home practice, the red rocks and white peaks of Colorado Springs and her two sons that keep her returning to the here and now. Margy recently relocated to Colorado Springs from the Hudson Valley area of New York where she instucted yoga and meditation. |
Alison Nicholas,200 hour Yoga Alliance Certified teacher
She teaches in the Vinyasa tradition, which is a flowing style of yoga that links breathe with movement and teaches principles of alignment, as a therapeutic approach for the body. She understands yoga to be practiced on and off the mat and is always looking to find ways to convey that in class. It is Alison’s joy to share this lifelong practice that brings so much balance, fulfillment and vibrant health.
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Alison is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
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Lisa Troisi- grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and moved to Colorado Springs from Phoenix, where she lived for fourteen years, in the Summer of 2008.
Lisa is an enthusiastic teacher with a passion for sharing the healing elements of movement with others. Her background in dance, psychotherapy and dance/movement therapy brings a holistic dimension to her teaching. She believes the practice of yoga provides a unique spiritual experience to each individual. Her teaching facilitates body awareness, freedom of expression and self-acceptance.
Lisa has always felt energized by movement and dance. In 2006, she began attending yoga classes in and became intrigued by the healing she experienced through regular practice, which continuous each day. Her yoga journey has been influenced by inspiring teachers, such as John Salisbury, Lisa Cohen, Jeff Marten and Jason Magness. She has completed training in programs in Power Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Yoga Therapy.
In addition to teaching yoga, Lisa provides counseling, dance/movement and play therapy services to children and families. She strives to be a vehicle for healing and peace to each person she works with. |
Christine Carlton was born and raised in a suburb of Cleveland, OH and made her way to Colorado Springs in the summer of 1999. She first discovered yoga as a young child fumbling through her Dad’s spiral-bound Yoga for Runners book, and grew up thinking that “yoga” was a funny word for stretching. It was during her first yoga class in 1997 that she learned that yoga was far more than just stretching! Initially, yoga was simply an amazing workout, one that provided both strength and flexibility. However, almost imperceptibly, that changed: yoga went from strictly being a means of burning calories and toning muscles to being a source of stress relief and spiritual and emotional peace. Once she realized the power of yoga to enhance the health of the body, mind and spirit, she dreamed of sharing that gift. Christine earned her Yoga Alliance 200-RYT certification through Pranava’s inaugural teacher training class. She feels blessed and honored to be able to share the joy of yoga with others.
Christine’s other interests include running, hiking, working on her telemark turns in the winter, reading, baking, and (last but certainly not least), hanging out with the love of her life, Darin, and their dogs and cat.
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Marianne Mittelstadt - Through her teaching, Marianne strives to help others discover the benefits of yoga and find their balance. Marianne discovered yoga in 2000 when a troubling thyroid issue drover her to seek out more holistic methods for relief. The thyroid issue lead to total exhaustion, which the doctors were unable to resolve with medication. Her first yoga experience was at a local church where Bharat Gajjar, a Sivananda yoga instructor, guided the handful of people through some basic poses and discussed pranayama. Marianne bought his notebook of poses and began to practice daily on her own. The small daily practice brought her relief from the exhaustion and helped create a balance in her life. Since then, Marianne has deepened her exploration of yoga, which lead to her completion of the Yoga Alliance 200-hour RYT certification at Pranava Yoga Center. |
Jerianne Heimendinger- Jerianne began her practice of yoga in 1987. She was in a dance company and drove from Boston to the Kripalu yoga center in western Massachusetts to expedite the healing of a sprained ankle. Expecting mostly rest and good food, she found Kripalu yoga. She began teaching in 1990 in a friend’s attic when neighbors in Maryland requested a class. Over the past 20 years, she has experienced many teachers and styles of yoga, including Stephen Cope, Teryl Lundquist, John Schumaker, Richard Freeman, Patricia Walden, Angela Farmer, Victor Van Kooten, Mikunda Styles, Gary Kraftsow, John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Anthony Bogart, and Jamie Turner. In her classes, Jerianne draws on her many teachers but also on her experience with modern dance, massage therapy, and craniosacral therapy.
Jerianne’s professional life has focused on preventive health. She has a PhD from Harvard in nutrition and helped develop the national program that promotes eating 5 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Jerianne’s yoga style is gentle, with an emphasis on slowing down, finding your personal alignment, and continuously integrating mind, body, and spirit.
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Jerianne is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
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Cara Van Dyke was born and raised in Colorado Springs. Her love for nature and joyful living is shared by her husband and two beautiful daughters. She began practicing yoga eight years ago to gain flexibility and strength. Over the years, the benefits of yoga have continually surprised and humbled Cara as she has cultivated greater emotional, physical and spiritual health and wellbeing. Because she believes that yoga is for everyone, she deeply enjoys making yoga easily accessible to people of all ages and experience levels.
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Sam Mensch - Born and raised in Colorado, Samantha began practicing yoga in 2002. She completed her Bachelors through Clayton College of Natural Health in 2010 and soon thereafter completed Pranava Yoga Center's 200-hour Yoga Alliance-approved teacher training program becoming a RYT. She is passionate about the idea of empowering ourselves with tools that support overall health, balance, and harmony. As a teacher it is her goal to share her genuine love of yoga and present a class that is accessible to all. One of the most powerful teachings she has received along the way is that we are right where we are meant to be and we are perfect in all of our imperfections. It is from this place that Sam hopes to share a joyous, openhearted experience of yoga. |
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Kim Ross has spent most of her life living in the west and the far northwest. She has been Practicing yoga since 2002 introducing its joy and benefits to her husband, daughter and grandchildren.She is always reminded that defining moments happen with every practice. Kim believes there is a Yogi in all of us and that yoga is ageless. By practicing pranayama, asana’s and meditation, one creates space and harmony both on and off the mat. In her spare time, Kim enjoys writing, playing guitar, customizing walking sticks and hiking and biking with family. Kim is most grateful for the journey that led her to the door of Pranava Yoga Center and the completion of the 200 hour RYT. She is registered with Yoga alliance and feels honored to share her love for yoga with those practicing at PYC and elsewhere. |
Samantha Hart - Having always been in awe with the culture and history of India, Samantha Hart's passion for yoga was a natural and instinctual eventuality. In 2003, after an injury during Pilates, Samantha turned to yoga for rehabilitation. Despite a first few awkward sessions, she fell in love with the peace she experienced, not only with herself, but with her family and others around her after each class. This peace further inspired her to explore further into the philosophy of yoga. In 2007, she received her YogaFit level one certification and began teaching yoga at a gym in Green Bay WI, where she was already employed as a personal trainer. Following her relocation to the Springs in 2010, she found herself immediately falling in love with Pranava and the transformation it has to offer it's students through asana and the 7 other limbs of yoga. She has recently graduated from the PYC 200 hour teacher training and is excited to share her love of yoga with beginners and experienced practitioners alike. She brings her knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology into every class to provide a safe environment to her students. Her goofy, genuine character is reflected in her teachings, and she hopes to impart to her students that we all have something to learn and yoga is one of the greatest teachers.
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Nicole Becht -First put her big toe into the waters of yoga in 2000 after moving to Portland Oregon. Born and raised in rural Montana, there was not always a lot of opportunity for yoga. Finding a love of the natural world and finding her spiritual self, yoga introduced her to just that. After a brief introduction to yoga, life became busy and it was not until the Summer of 2010 that Nicole’s love for yoga was reborn. Nicole found Pranava Yoga Center through a groupon, the rest is history. Nicole completed the 200 hour RYT Teacher Training Program and is excited to share her love of yoga in its entirety to everyone she meets.
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David Barfoot aka "Charanbir"- Originally a Floridian, David has lived many places before settling in Colorado Springs for twenty-one years. His first introduction to yoga was with Kundalini about four years ago. Kundalini won his heart in that first class and it has remained his passion ever sense. David added Vinyasa to his practice about two years ago and found it to be a wonderful compliment to Kundalini. Unexpectedly, both styles proved to be of great benefit to his long time practice of Kung Fu. David recently received his teacher training for Kundalini in Boulder under the auspices of KRI, the governing body of the teaching of Kundalini as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Kundalini is a major part of David’s spiritual journey. The practice is a wonderful tool for making one’s personal connection with infinity.
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Marc Berggrenfound yoga quite simply through one powerful image, a radiant smile that spoke, "I love yoga. You will love yoga." While working for a Denver area athletic club, Marc would be the first one to open the doors for the folks who rose at the crack of dawn, ready and rearing for sunrise yoga. He was so moved by their smiling splendor that he said, "Maybe I should check this yoga thing out." - and so began a lifelong love affair. It was through this sequence of smiles where he discovered the timeless beauty in a tradition that has lasted some 5,000 years. An avid practitioner since 2005, he has enjoyed practicing a wide range of Yogic philosophies including, Ashtanga, Dharma, Iyengar, and Forrest Yoga. He earned is 200hr RYT certification through Pranava Yoga Center under the guidance of Mike (Sadhu Om) and Charlotte Matsumura. Drawing upon the building blocks of Yoga, Marc weaves in elements of the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad-Gita, and other ancient insights within his classes to create a more grounded, unified practice. Laughter enlivens the mind and relaxes the body, cultivating a sense of joy/ fun within the practice is an integral part of his teachings. Classes are light hearted and uplifting, expect to leave refreshed, rejuvenated, and revitalized; your smile will tell the whole story.
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Hansais an ongoing student of Kripalu Yoga. Over the years, she has studied with many teachers who have offered insights and depths into the path of yoga. The blessings of all the wisdom holder offers her a unique, unfolding experience of yoga. She has developed the belief that the body is the silent communicator of the Spirit and use yoga, yoga chikitsa, ayurveda and massage to facilitate Spirit connection. She has taught in many locations and now has her own studio, the PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala in Denver. She teaches yoga classes, yoga teacher training programs and a Yoga Therapy Training. Hansa is a past president of Yoga Alliance and Yoga Teachers Of Colorado and served on the Board of Kripalu Center, Sanga, International Yoga College and is currently on the Standards Committee for International Association of Yoga Therapy.
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Hansa is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
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Bill Kemp, An Iyengar practitioner for 23 years and certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor for 17 years, Bill Kemp has taught at various Yoga studios and Fitness centers in the U.S. Bill has studied with B.K.S Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Center in Pune India and many other venues over the years. Bill brings that knowledge to his teachings.
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Jaclyn Roberson completed her first sun salutation as a dance performance warm up in 2000. Soon after, she began practicing yoga to reduce injuries by balancing natural flexibility with functional strength. Practicing meditation and mantra began to unfold a spiritual journey of self acceptance and inner peace, leading her to Shoshoni. She completed her 200 hr yoga teacher training in 2008 and continues her studies towards 500 hour certification.
When Jaclyn began teaching dance at the age of 13, she embarked on a lifetime of education. She currently teaches 8th grade physical science and coaches cross country and track. Jaclyn's background in yoga, physiology and physical science provide a unique perspective for understanding the physical, subtle and causal bodies. When she isn't practicing, Jaclyn can be found rafting, running, biking, swimming, racing and relaxing with her family.
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Jaclyn is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
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Aubrey Hackman is a certified Jivamukti instructor and founder of the Telluride Yoga Festival. With a strong devotion to the practice of yoga, Aubrey has made it her life’s work to find the best teachers and to bring that quality of instruction to others whether through her teaching or the actual festivals. Her teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life (founders of Jivamukti Yoga), have illuminated a passion for non-violence and conscious living along with a strong foundation in Yogic philosophy, Asana, Sanskrit, and Vedanta. She also has studied Ashtanga for years with various teachers and completed a 5 week program in Mysore, India with B.N.S. Iyengar and Sheshadri. Though Jivamukti yoga includes a somewhat rigorous vinyasa practice, Aubrey ties in the alignment principals found in different styles of Hatha Yoga and offers therapeutic or restorative classes as well. |
Madhuri Martin has trained with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Richard Freeman since 1986. In 1990 she began her studies with John Friend, traveling with him as his main assistant until 2004 - a time of intensive training in the philosophical and structural genius of Anusara yoga. In 1999, Madhuri was introduced to the brilliant author and master of eloquence and story-telling, Martin' Prechtel, One of the nation's foremost teachers of indigenous art and cultural understanding. Martin' has guided Madhuri's passion for authenticity, nobility and legitimacy through the historical and geographical diversity of indigenous perspectives and peoples.
"Yoga's sits in a historical and cultural nest of immense beauty ~
when we practice with the knowledge, gifts and understandings that the holy has prearranged, we ourselves become divine."
~ Madhuri Martin
Please click below to Madhuri's website.
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Kim Rich Simons began her yogic journey earlier than she realized. A runner since high school, she discovered the calming effects of meditating through her third eye while on long distance runs. Her first asana class was a VHS tape in 1994. She found it boring. During the challenging year of 2001, she revisited yoga. It wasn’t so boring for her this time; she has been on the path ever since.
In 2007, based on her teaching philosophy from the Japanese Proverb, “To Teach is to Learn”, she pursued her teacher certification in Vinyasa Yoga.
Currently, Kim is a high school science teacher. She runs an International Yoga Club through her school, bringing yoga to students, parents, and colleagues. She is a 13-time marathon runner, and adventure enthusiast. She firmly believes in doing what she loves and loving what she does.
Through her classes, Kim works to help each individual reach her or his highest potential. She believes that with hard work, an open heart, and an open mind, anyone can soar. Her students are her teachers on this yogic journey, and she is very grateful.
Pranava Yoga Center is honored that Kim is part of our Teacher Training Program. |
"The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness." - Dalai Lama
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