The Teachers

Anne Arntson, R.Y.T.

Yoga found Anne in her early 40s. Her passion and heart can be found in the active practice of yoga both on and off the mat, she views them as reflections of one another.
"I think of yoga as a gift that was given to me and I am honored to be able to share it. I encountered and continue to practice with passionate and inspiring teachers who teach me that all one needs to practice yoga is already there. All we have to do is develop our innate capabilities".
She is the director and founder of Yoga Soleil. Devoted to the life-affirming process of yoga, Anne blends a traditional understanding of the practice with energizing, creative sequencing to inspire transformation, awareness and joy.

Bryan Michel

Practicing yoga since 2004, Bryan quickly realized that yoga helped improve his performance in other favorite sports.  Additionally, he noticed the mental clarity and calm yoga provided to everyday life. In 2008 Bryan trained through Corepower Yoga in San Diego, CA to receive a Yoga Alliance certification.

Bryan teaches a Power style of yoga, with elements of Anusara and Ashtanga yoga, focusing on strong, flowing vinyasa movements and centered mental focus. Bryan provides an athletic and meditative class for all experience levels. Whether for sports cross training, serious yoga practitioners, or those in need of rejuvenation, Bryan can provide an experience that will resonate with each student.

Irene Hauzinger, R.Y.T.

Irene has been practicing yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2002. She is certified in traditional Hatha Yoga, Interdisciplinary Yoga, and Pre/Postnatal. Irene believes in the holistic nature of yoga and incorporates breathwork and yoga philosophy into each of her classes, facilitating the mind/body connection.  She firmly believes that anyone and everyone can practice some form of yoga and teaches with a compassionate and competent knowledge of safety and modification options. 

Jessica Ho, R.Y.T.

My name is Jessica Ho, and I have been practicing yoga for about five years now. During that time yoga has done so much for me already. I was able to breathe through two natural childbirths, battle postpartum depression, overcome anxiety, and heal past trauma. But most importantly through yoga I have found love for myself. Yoga has truly and deeply touched me, and it will always be a part of my life. I have completed the YogaEd teacher training for working with at-risk-youth taught by Hala Khouri, in April 2008 in Santa Monica CA. In June 2008 I completed my 200hr yoga teacher training with YogaWorks at the Yoga Tree in Seattle WA with Catherine Munro. In September 2008 I attended the Loving Touch Infant Massage Training in Portland, OR with founder and director, Diana Moore. In the near future I'd like to complete 300hrs of yoga teacher training and evenutally get my MA in Ayurvedic Medicine. Currently I am focused on teaching prenatal yoga, mama baby yoga, and yoga for children of all ages.

Joan Knutson, RYT

Joan first attended Hatha Yoga classes back in 1974 and returned to Yoga in 2002.  She received her teacher training from Anne Basco at the Karuna Arts Studio in Burien and began teaching in 2007.  Her Yoga Study included teachings on anatomy, pranayama, asanas, the Sutras, and world religions.  She has taught classes at Karuna Arts and the Auburn YMCA.

After many years of chronic back pain, Joan came back to Yoga to seek relief from pain and to alleviate stress.  The benefits she received physically, mentally and spiritually were immense.  In teaching and attending classes, she has come to understand that there are many people who face physical challenges who can greatly benefit from practicing Yoga (breathing, postures, and meditation).

Joan recently moved to Puyallup and attended a class at Yoga Soleil.  She was impressed by the philosophy, the diverse range of classes and the sense of community at the studio, and began teaching at Yoga Soleil in November.  Joan teaches Viniyoga which is a style that adapts the postures to the needs of the individual and encourages students of all ages, flexibility and physical challenges to participate.  She is very excited to be a part of this studio!

Sahaj

John first took a yoga class in the early 1970's when he was involved with a Tibetan Buddhist study group.  For several decades his practice was irregular and confined to a handful of asanas and a smattering of Zen Imagery exercises he picked up during his 24 years in Japan.  Three years ago he discovered Kundalini Yoga.  He liked the blend of postures, breathing techniques, mantra, and meditation.  He began practicing in earnest and completed teacher training in 2009.  John is certified as an instructor by the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association.

Michele Gilbert

Michele began practicing yoga in 1998 and instantly found the joy of connecting breath and movement, and the power yoga has to diminish the seeming significance of stress in our daily lives. Now, as a high school English and history teacher, yoga has become an even more valuable way of balancing the demands of life, and nourishing her mind, body and spirit.

In 2002 after a variety of trainings, she began teaching yoga, and since has enjoyed the opportunity to work with Aadil Palkhivala, John Schumacher, Cyndi Lee and Sandra Summerfield Kozak to strengthen both her personal practice and her teaching. Highlighting the breath, her teaching emphasizes proper alignment, while allowing time to explore the asanas and become aware of how our bodies and minds respond to our practice. She encourages each individual to find his or her inner voice to shape a practice that will build strength, increase flexibility, and deepen the connection between mind and body.

By approaching our yoga practice with attention and playfulness, Michele believes yoga can bring peace and a constant sense of discovery into our lives. With her passion for teaching and her enthusiasm, she encourages others to find happiness and equanimity both on the mat and in every aspect of our daily lives.

Paula Schwary, R.Y.T.

Paula believes the world would be better place to live if we all practiced yoga! We would all be more peaceful, happy, stronger and feeling good about ourselves. She discovered her passion for yoga in 2000 with the idea that it would improve her health. In 2003 she took her first teacher training with the intention of learning more for her personal practice and was quite surprised to find that she enjoyed teaching. Paula teaches a flowing class focusing on breath and gives options allowing the student to practice at the intensity that feels best to each individual. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.

Terri Asplund

It all began on a vacation to Aspen Colorado.  While there, a friend invited Terri to join her at a yoga class. Game for just about anything, she went and had no idea that it would be the beginning of the great love of her life. In that first class something profound happened, it became something she could not live without.  Terri's connection to yoga strengthened as she continued to study and practice many different styles. Terri has traveled  to and lived in many different places. Wherever she is, yoga finds her!

Terri came back to Washington State in 2001 and opened Northwest Yoga in Puyallup’s South Hill. Unfortunately the area had not quite caught up with the practice of yoga and the studio closed. Terri never stopped teaching and can be found at several venues around Puyallup. She has also taught classes in many local elementary, Junior High and High Schools and enjoys helping others to delve deeper into the practice and issues near to her heart through workshops and seminars. Ask her sometimes about the life changing experiences she witnessed while working with War Vets.

Terri has three children, three grandchildren, and three dogs! She works full time for a local commercial real estate company and whenever her schedule allows LOVES to take classes from all the other wonderful and gifted Yoga teachers.

Terri ‘s classes are energetic and precision-oriented her teaching style is caring, encouraging and fun. She creates a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of Hatha Yoga, yet incorporates many different styles into most classes. Her goal is to deliver a focused and meaningful class that allows everyone from beginning levels to advanced levels  to feel successful and make an impact on their lives.

Terri is certified in Hatha Yoga, Pilates, Pre and Post Natal and is a Certified Personal Trainer.

Vania Kent-Harber

Vania is a yoga teacher and a yoga student. She received her 200 hr certification through Marianne Wells Yoga Alliance Training Program and has since specialized in teaching yoga to persons with physical limitations and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, though she loves teaching all students of varying abilities. She has recently completed an extensive commentary on the entire Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, drawing comparisons between the sutras and other holy books including the Bible and the Bhagavad-Gita.