Meet our fabulous staff!

LEFT PHOTO, WEST-
Jodi Boone, Stephanie Greco, Michel Spruance, J.Politi, Jane Malico,
Gina Skene, Anna Davis, Auryel Ross, Peter Avolio, Lisa Black, Scott Francis
RIGHT PHOTO, EAST-
Jill Abraham, Gina Skene, J.Politi, Michel Spruance, Scott Francis, Lisa Black, Peter Avolio,

not pictured: , Eric Elven, Elizabeth McElveen, Tina Templeman, Melissa Newman, Marni Yamada, Jo Parsons, Laura Sycamore, Michele Hausman, Leisha Davis
Massage Therapist, SHAKTI EAST: Sara Akerlund

Lisa Black, Owner/Director SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga East & West,
Senior Master Baptiste Instructor

SHAKTI’s Owner/Director Lisa Black is featured in the March 2008 issue of Yoga Journal magazine in an article as one of the upcoming yoga teachers in the country!

Lisa teaches yoga with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Her passion for yoga and enthusiasm for teaching are evident in her energetic, dynamic vinyasa style - linking poses together in a powerful, balanced, flowing sequence. She creates a supportive, challenging, and light-hearted class environment where you are encouraged to explore your edge, discover your strength, and awaken your spirit. Lisa helps you unleash your power and spread your wings to fly. Be prepared to sweat, work hard, and have fun! Her training in Baptiste Power Vinyasa, Forrest, Prana Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram, Anusara, and Sivananda yoga bring diverse knowledge and extensive experience to her teaching style. He main teachers and influences include Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest, John Friend, Sarah Powers.

After discovering yoga in 1996 for healing from a sports injury and seeking relief from job stress, Lisa journeyed to India where she was first certified as a Sivananda yoga instructor. In 2000, she furthered her training in Seattle by completing intensive teacher trainings with Senior Iyengar instructor Aadil Palhkivala. In 2001, Lisa completed Level 1 & 2 Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainings and since this time has become one of the Senior Master Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga instructors. Lisa has been assisting and teaching with Baron Baptiste at teacher trainings an Bootcamps nationally and internationally since 2002. Lisa currently leads her own national workshops and the popular Feb retreat at Maya Tulum Resort in Mexico.

With Lisa's energy, attention to detail, and upbeat attitude, she encourages your authentic personality to shine through a challenging practice. She brings her whole self and heart to the present moment and touches your spirit through personal comments, thoughts, and inspirational readings. In daily life, she strives to live yoga in all that she does. Lisa's spirit thrives in the outdoors. Practicing yoga on backpacking trips and on top of high mountains is where she connects most with grace and nature.

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Peter Avolio, Co-Owner/Director SHAKTI East
Peter first came to yoga in order to gain strength, flexibility, and to heal chronic lower back pain. After years of running, skiing, and just playing hard, he began to feel the effects in his body. After practicing Hatha yoga for a few years, Peter discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga at SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga in Ballard in 2003. There, he became an avid practitioner and fell in love with his re-energized yoga practice.

In 2003, Peter completed an in-depth Teaching Assisting Program at SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga where and became proficient in the art of adjusting Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga flow classes. Peter's skills deepened from months of experience adjusting students in INTRO classes there where he continued to receive on-going training with Lisa Black. In 2004, Peter successfully completed both Level 1 & 2 Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainings with Baron Baptiste and a weekend intensive SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga teacher training with Lisa Black. After four years of assisting and mentoring with Lisa Black, Peter became Co-Owner/Director of SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga East where he currently teaches daily classes and workshops.

Peter has always been passionate about practicing Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga because is challenging and accessible to everyone. This style is grounding for him and has brought many positive life-changes. Peter brings an enthusiasm for yoga and life to his teaching. Students are well cared for in his classes through his careful attention to safe alignment, compassionate encouragement, and effective hands-on adjustments. Most of all, Peter seeks to share the gift that he was given-the ability to discover one's true self through the practice of yoga.


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Scott Francis
Scott was first encouraged to do yoga in 1992, while attending a Vipassana meditation retreat with Jack Kornfield, as a way to balance the energetic openings within his body. From this first retreat Scott’s love of yoga and meditation developed into a deep inner commitment to the practice and integration of yoga and meditation. Over the past 12 years Scott has practiced a variety of yoga styles including; Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa.

Scott believes that yoga and meditation reveal a profound path for our deepest personal inner transformation and the experiential understanding of universal truths. Scott encourages students to drop into the deep primordial knowing of body awareness through the meditative connection of breath and bandas while cultivating a self awareness of the proper alignment within each pose.
He encourages students to find the union between a compassionate heart and the courage of a spiritual warrior. Currently Scott studies with Lisa Black and Baron Baptiste and has completed a Level 1 teacher training with Baron Baptiste. He also continues to study vipassana meditation with James Baraz Co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin, Ca. Scott is also an artist and a project designer with NBBJ Architects. He finds deep inspiration in the union of his artistic endeavors and his spiritual practice.

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Michel Spruance
Michel happened upon Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga three years ago. New to yoga, she did not have a name for the style of yoga she was falling in love with, but she knew it unlocked her body and left her mentally refreshed in a way nothing else had. Within a year, Michel attended all of the workshops on vinyasa yoga she could, and traveled to Mexico for Level I teacher training with Baron Baptiste. She completed her Level II training with Baron in May of 2005.

Today, Michel teaches Baptiste Power Vinyasa because she truly believes in the power of this practice to transform people’s lives. She feels that we often come to yoga in the west to heal our bodies, but we return because we find we are healing our lives through the discipline we build, and the self-discoveries we make while on our mats. Coming from this foundation, Michel brings joy, passion, and honesty to her teaching. Her goal is to provide a safe place for her students to awaken their own teachers, learn to listen, and transform their lives.

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Anna Davis
Anna was first introduced to yoga by her mother, a student of T.K.V. Desikachar, when she was 15. She has practiced many different forms of yoga on and off  for almost 30 years but knew when she began practicing Power Vinyasa yoga with Lisa Black that she had found a practice that awakened her spirit and felt just right in her body. 
 
Anna studies yoga with Lisa Black, Baron Baptiste, Ana Forest and several local instructors and is inspired by many teachers and students alike.  She has completed Level I and II Baptiste trainings and several other teacher trainings (e.g. Indigo Kids Yoga, TAP and additional Shakti teacher trainings).  Anna has a doctorate in Physiology and Biophysics, has taught Physiology at the University of Washington and most recently helped develop software to teach cell physiology (NerveWorks).  Her scientific research has focused on muscle physiology, structure and development.  She is the mother of two young girls and lives in Ballard.
 
Anna brings to her classes a love of movement, sensitivity to her students’ different needs, an attention to detail and clear style of communication.  She finds great satisfaction sharing the practice of yoga with others, a path that she believes helps us to awaken and live graciously in the present moment.

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Gina Skene
Gina has always loved to move. She studied ballet and modern dance for many years, earning degrees in modern dance and education. She found a new way to dance when she discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. She immediately felt empowered by this practice that enlivened every part of her body, mind, and spirit. After realizing that yoga helped her heal chronic injuries, Gina was excited to share the possibilities with others through teaching at SHAKTI.

Gina completed a teacher training intensive and the Teaching Assistant Program with Lisa Black and Level 1 teacher training with Baron Baptiste. She assisted Lisa regularly in the Intro series and loves watching the evolution of each individual in their practice. Teaching enables her to share the joy and strength that yoga brings into her life. Gina teaches with the excitement of living in the present moment. Her gentle manner and compassion shines through as she helps each student explore their edge safely and quiet their mind.

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Stephanie Greco
Initially drawn to yoga for its physical essence, Stephanie discovered the breadth of yoga and has never looked back. “Yoga spoke to me on every level. It was such a gift to move and feel with such unbelievable depth.” She believes deeply in the ability for transformation through this style of vinyasa. “Each time we approach our mat, we have an opportunity - a choice.
We can approach our practice and our life with the same awareness. The parallels often astound me.” It is this ‘magic’ that continues to bring Stephanie to this practice each and every day.
 
Stephanie started teaching yoga three years ago as a way of sharing this mutli-dimensional approach to moving the body. The ability to develop strength and flexibility without neglecting the heart and mind are the foundation of this practice which she honors and continues to share in every class.

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Jill Abraham
Jill is committed to the physical and spiritual transformation that is possible through yoga.  As a teacher, Jill  facilitates a practice to help everyone move deeper into their bodies to discover their true potential. She gives personal attention where it is needed, and assists students in having the most powerful and awesome experience they can have!

She has been teaching yoga since 1999. Her love of yoga and her commitment to her true path inspires her to be an ongoing student, devoted practictioner, and passionate teacher. Her dynamic classes will empower you to explore your personal edges, while awakening your adventurous spirit. Jill has numerous advanced level trainings, including Baptiste Power Yoga Trainings Levels 1 + 2,  Kripalu Certification, Shiva Rea's Advanced Teacher Training, and Pacific Yoga Teacher Training with Theresa Elliott.

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Eric Elven
After eight zillion classes and a handful of workshops with local Seattle favorites and an assortment of modern masters like Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea, Andre Lappa, Dharma Mittra and David Life it dawned upon Eric that he wanted to share his love of yoga. And so it goes. In 2006 Eric began teaching.

In 2005 Eric completed Level One teacher training with Baron Baptiste. Soon after he completed Lisa Black’s signature Teacher Assistant Program (TAP). In 2007 Eric completed Yoga Alliance teacher certification requirements with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle.
Eric teaches a variety of levels and styles including Power Vinyasa, Hatha Flow, Basics and Yin. He believes in a long healthy life of yoga. Therefore Eric emphasizes proper alignment and body mechanics in his classes. Eric enjoys teaching an evenly paced, energetically balanced class highlighting breath and longer holds. He believes that this approach gives students the opportunity to safely explore the subtleties of the postures in their own bodies and allows ample time for the asanas to “do their work”.

The gifts of yoga to Eric are many. One such gift is the relief from obsessive activity of the mind and the subsequent opening of the door to the healing, transformative experience of fully inhabiting one’s body. Yoga has also complemented Eric’s artistic endeavors as a singer-songwriter and guitarist as well as his work as an RN of more then 16 years.

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Elizabeth McElveen
Elizabeth is new to Seattle, but a long-term yoga practitioner. As the owner of Form, Strength and Grace Yoga in Spokane, Elizabeth spent ten years living life and practicing yoga in mindful, simple, deliberate, free and playful ways. Elizabeth finds that her yoga practice gives strength not only to her body but also to her spirit. It provides a connection to her European upbringing and to her mother who is also a yoga teacher. Changed forever by yoga, Elizabeth’s gift is her love of being on her mat and inspiring others to feel the same.

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Tina Templeman
Tina began her yoga journey in 2001 focusing on kundalini and hatha yoga techniques along with several of the Active Meditations of OSHO and practice of the 5 Tibetan rites. In 2003 she stepped into a heated power vinyasa yoga class and quickly fell in love with the way this style took her body and practice to a whole new level. Having 20 years of training in dance and ballet along with group fitness teaching and personal training, the strength and flow that power vinyasa offers was a natural fit. When Tina started practicing at Shakti Vinyasa Yoga East in 2005 she felt as though she had “come home”. Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga (BPVY) spoke to her body and soul. Over the last two years she has completed the Teacher Assisting Programs, spent a week in Tulum, Mexico under the tutelage of Lisa Black and Peter Avolio, completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste. She has also studied under master teachers Ana Forrest and Shiva Rea. Tina truly enjoys sharing her experience and joy of yoga with her classes.

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Melissa Newman
In addition to ongoing teacher training with Baron Baptiste, Melissa has been practicing Power Vinyasa Yoga for nearly a decade. In this joyful and humbling journey, Melissa bows to all the teachers along her path, and the "school of life". Especially the day she serendipitously wandered into Baron Baptiste's class (in her hometown of Boston), and then in the following months, watched in awe as her life transformed, her heart opened (possibly for the first time ever). The journey continues, as sh e currently works closely with, and learns from Baptiste Master Teacher, Lisa Black. Melissa leads a heartfelt practice; she encourages you to excavate your inner power through the asana, be more of who you really are, and uncover the gems within you in the process. And have fun, be playful and enjoy it too! Melissa shares life with her husband and two small boys, both of whom did Power Vinyasa Yoga in the womb.

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Jo Parsons
Jo has been a student of Bikram and Power Vinyasa yoga for 5 years. Jo’s life took a turn in a positive direction when she found yoga. "Yoga brought me back to myself," Jo explains, “I love this yoga because it teaches us how to be challenged without panicking. It reveals to us our own true strength, and sometimes it’s our ability to back off that creates a deeper sense of that strength.” Struggling with weight loss after the birth of her second child, Jo tried Bikram yoga at the suggestion of a friend. The weight loss happened and being in shape was great, but this was soon overshadowed by unimagined benefits… a huge shift in energy, a new awareness of body and mind... an ease in life that had never been there before. Jo believes that yoga is a way back to your true self, and a way to connect to Spirit through body and breath and moving meditation.

Drawn to teaching from the beginning, Jo has spent recent years devoting full time and attention to training and teaching -- with Baron Baptiste at level 1 teacher training in Hawaii, and recently with Baron Baptiste at level 2 teacher training in Montana. She continues her training and mentoring with Master Baptiste teacher Lisa Black and Baptiste teacher Peter Avolio.

Jo believes in the benefits of yoga because she has experienced the bliss and healing it has brought to her in her own life. She brings passion, joy and energy to her teaching.

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Michele Hausman
Michele first discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga when she ordered a video on line many years ago. Practicing in her basement until the video broke, she returned to the gym. When a friend recommended that she try Shakti Vinyasa Yoga in Ballard she stepped into this studio and this practice and never looked back.

Michele has completed several training programs, including Level 1 with Baron Baptiste, Shakti Vinyasa’s Teacher Assisting Program(TAP) and Advanced TAP with Lisa Black and Peter Avolio, and the Yoga Works 200 hour Teacher Certification with Jeanne Heileman. Additionally, she continues to work and study closely with Lisa Black assisting her in the intro series.

Teaching yoga is a way for Michele to “pay it forward” to keep passing along the gift she has received from her teachers. Michele truly believes in the ability of yoga to build a bridge to the wisdom of our bodies and hearts, and encourages her students to find the stillness within the flow.

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Marni Yamada-Prenatal Yoga
Marni believes that the art of yoga can reveal the true path to each individual self. Marni came to Yoga after breaking her back in 2000. Through the healing power of yoga therapy,she found that not only did the Yoga heal her body but also healed the mind. Marni Studied pre/post natal yoga under Colette Crawford at the Seattle Holistic Center. She has also been trained at the Seattle Midwifery School as a labor support doula and certified through (PALS) Pacific Assoc of Labor Support.

Over the past years Marni has studied many various styles and techniques from senior teachers such as Andrey Lappa, Shiva Rea,Sarah Powers and Baron Baptiste. She recieved her Yoga training and certification in Kalani Honuea on the Big Island of Hawaii. She brings her authentic style and enthusiasm of yoga to each class.

Marni brings her compassionate teaching to comfort and strengthen the woman's body and mind for preparation of childbirth and motherhood. She encourages a nurturing place for a woman to explore her body and spirit during pregnancy.

Marni also competes on the US snowboard Boardercross team and travels on the World Cup circuit during the winters. She enjoys art and spending time with family and friends.

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Laura Sycamore- Prenatal Yoga
Laura has been studying yoga, herbs, and Ayurveda for 10 years.   She has had the opportunity to study with many national senior teachers and has completed 5 teacher trainings, 1 of which was devoted to prenatal yoga with the nationally known prenatal guru, Gurmukh Khalsa in Los Angeles.  In addition, she teaches vinyasa power flow which blends  the teachings and wisdom that she graciously received over the years. 

After getting pregnant with her first baby in 2004, Laura has been on the path to support women on their journey to motherhood.   During this transformative time for her, she realized the importance of informative and spiritual support for a healthy pregnancy.  Laura also realized the importance of truly inhabiting one’s body during pregnancy,  in order to connect to the miracle of life growing inside.  She is excited to share this sacred experience with each student.

In addition, Laura received an Ayurvedic Practitioner Certificate from AYU Academy at Bastyr University and received her doula certification from Seattle Midwifery School in 2006. Laura is proud mother of two children, Jai (2.5 years) and Sequoia (1 years old).

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Leisha Davis- Prenatal Yoga
Leisha teaches prenatal Vinyasa yoga at SHAKTI West. She is thrilled to be a part of such a well respected studio and excited to share her passion and knowlege of yoga with woman as they journey through pregnancy into motherhood. Her teaching style incorporates a deep mind and body awareness while bringing the constant flow of breath and movement together. Leisha helps students build stability, strength, and flexibility in a nurturing environment. She encourages women to take their innate power, compassion, and mindfulness into their daily lives as they prepare for the amazing process of birth. Her classes allow time for a brief discussion, as well as an energizing practice focused on the ever-changing needs of the pregnant body and a rejuvenating relaxation period.
 
Leisha has spent the past eight years practicing and studying yoga. Growing up as a  runner and dancer, she was always searching for a better way to keep her body flexible, strong and safe from injuries. Originally an aspiring high school teacher, Leisha realized that as a yoga instructor she would be able to join her passion for yoga with a desire to share knowledge with others. A Seattle native, Leisha moved to Los Angeles in 2002 where she was employed at a growing studio and completed a teacher training course. She also attended an intensive Vinyasa training program at Namaste Yoga and Healing Center in North Carolina. In 2007, she completed an Advanced Teacher Training through 8 Limbs Yoga Centers and her pre/post-natal training in 2008. Leisha has also trained with Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, and Sarah Powers.

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Sara Akerlund- Massage Therapist, SHAKTI EAST
Sara has been doing massage for the last 4 years and loves being a part of the
healing process in people's lives. "Not only do I love making people feel
better, but through massage I am able to reintroduce my clients to parts of
their bodies that have been ignored or neglected, and teach them how to take
better care of themselves."
After four years of working in a physical therapy clinic, Sara's work has become
very theraputic and treatment oriented. Her deep tissue massage is a combination of slow, broad myofasical stretches, direct pressure and swedish massage techniques. She also practices Craniosacral therapy, a gentle technique used to reslease restrictions in the body by accessing the Craniosacral system; comprised of membranes and cerobrospinal fluid, which bathe the spinal cord and brain. Craniosacral enhances the functioning of this system, and is very helpful with conditions such as severe headaches, chronic neck and back pain, and TMJ.

Sara attended Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, graduating in 2002. Since then she have taken several continuing education course, including Craniosacral I and II at Bastyr University.

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