Buddha B Teachers

Valerie Grange (Studio Co-Founder)

Valerie Grange

Valerie is both the co-founder and co-director of The Buddha B Yoga Center and 200-Hr Buddha B Yoga Teacher Training Program, as well as a 300-hour Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher and a 200-Hour Yoga Alliance(RYT) Registered Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga Teacher. Inviting her students to be awakened and journey deep within, Valerie encourages practitioners of all levels to discover their true Selves through the healing power of a regular Yoga practice. Offering both gentle and restorative classes as well as dynamic and strength building sessions, yoga one-on-one privates and workshops, Valerie encourages yogis everywhere to listen to their bodies and adapt their time on the mat to meet their specific needs. Devoted to a complete union of body, breath, mind and spirit, Valerie’s classes balance the physical practice of yoga postures (asanas) with the powerful benefits of breath regulation (pranayama) and calming effects of deep relaxation and meditation. Valerie teaches her own style of practice where the time on the mat focuses not only on the physical principles of each pose, but also on the energetic qualities of the shapes created. Her classes are rich in Sanskrit, mantra chanting, yogic history and spiritual readings. She considers her yoga gurus to be Jivamukti teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life. She successfully completed their 300 hour teacher training at the Omega Institute. For Valerie yoga is first and foremost the practice of ahimsa -the non-harming of others. She is a proud vegan, animal activist, PETA supporter (and considers Ingrid Newkirk as one of her holy teachers off the mat), Reiki for Animals Level 1 & 2 practitioner, and founder of Yogi's Ark (a non-profit animal sanctuary in the making). She is currently working on her first book on yoga and food.

Rexx Samuell (Studio Co-Founder)

Rexx Samuell

Rexx Antony Samuell is the co-owner and co-director of Buddha B Yoga Center and 200-Hr Buddha B Yoga Teacher Training Program. He is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT-200-hour level and is a certified personal trainer through NASM. Since 2002 his primary practice has been Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, practicing primary and intermediate series with David Ingalls and Keith Moore at the Washington D.C. Ashtanga Yoga Center. He is currently exploring Advanced A. Since 2003, he explored Iyengar yoga under the guidance of Terence Ollivierra. Rexx has attended workshops with Richard Freeman, Matthew Sweeney,David Wililams, Godfrey Devereux, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. He takes regular workshops with Richard Freeman, David Williams and other certified and authorized Ashtanga Yoga teachers. In his classes, Rexx is known for his clarity of instruction, his attention to an individual’s needs, and his emphasis on freedom through disciplined practice. His classes are sequenced based upon the needs of the students and draw heavily from an understanding of the principles of movement and progression. Rexx believes that the practices of Ashtanga Yoga and Iyengar Yoga are mutually complementary, with the former’s focus on breathing and sequencing inducing a meditation in movement while the latter’s focus on alignment and attention to detail strengthen the bodymind connection. Through concentration on alignment within the postures, free breathing and directed gaze, the practices of yoga can be gateways to greater awareness which then seeps into other areas of one’s life. Rexx completed the online Yoga Anatomy 9-month Principles Intensive taught by Leslie Kaminoff. He will be in Bali for a 1-month Intensive with Matthew Sweeney in June 2013.

Andrea Browning

Browning

Andrea Browning began her yoga practice in the mid-1990’s first through the Sivananda tradition and in the years since has studied with teachers of Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa Flow. Certified at the 200-hours level through Yoga Works, her classes draw on her interdisciplinary path and incorporate many styles of yoga in a creative, lighthearted and music-filled practice that emphasizes strength, stability and attention to alignment. Andrea also incorporates aspects of mindfulness meditation in each of her classes. Off the mat, Andrea works in education policy and can often be found exploring the trails in Rock Creek Park or enjoying one of DC’s many farmers markets. She offers her teachings with gratitude to her many teachers, including Chrissy Carter of Yoga Works, Kyra Sudofsky of Inspired Yoga and Liz Marx of Unity Woods.

Audrey Roxas

Audrey Roxas has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and initially sought it as a way to take a break from the daily work pressures. As her practice matured, she has also realized the spiritual and quieting benefits of yoga – the ability to stop the chatter and just be still. Certified at the 200 level through YogaWorks, Audrey’s classes are fun, dynamic, and challenging. They are focused on building strength and stability (aiming for form versus depth) but offers plenty of room for students to work on expanding their own practice. With her continued desire to share her practice, Audrey is also certified in the healing art of Thai Yoga (assisted yoga). She attributes her love for yoga, her center, and grounding from all the wonderful teachers she has and had.

Blandine Trouille

Trouille

Blandine is a long time pupil of the Iyengar school of yoga. She has been practicing with Liz Marx, at Unity Woods, since 2005. Her clarity, directness and humor help her guide the students into a practice which is precise, safe, and fluid. Blandine best describes her classes as giving oneself –within the serenity of the studio- the permission to become aware and breathe inside-out. For her, yoga provides an opportunity to meet one-self, to gain intelligence, and bring this intelligence into the real world. Her favorite asana: backbends where the present meets the past to expand into the future, totally exposed, with an open heart! Blandine was born in Grenoble, France. She grew up on a farm, and discovered the United States in 1995. She has a Master in Economics (GA), and Environmental Law (VT). She works at the Department of Commerce. Her exploration of yoga included learning from masters such as John Schumacher, Patricia Walden, Ana Forrest, Max Strom, as well as Simon Park and Twee Merrigan. After 18 months practicing power yoga, Blandine decided to obtain her certification (2004) with the Sivananda school of yoga. Her classes are designed to teach optimal alignment and body consciousness with the use of props (including wall work, blocks, straps and blankets).

David Ingalls

Ingalls

David became certified to teach Transcendental Meditation in 1972 and has been teaching something ever since. From 1984 to 1999 he was employed as a full-time coach and PE teacher, coaching teams in lacrosse, cross-country, wrestling, gymnastics, basketball, and soccer. He first began the practice of Ashtanga in 1994 before spending 3 weeks with Richard Freeman in Boulder CO. With another year of practice and after taking classes from a variety of teachers on the east coast David went to Mysore, India. David opened the Ashtanga Yoga Center in the summer of '97. In February 2011 David was back in India with A.G. Mohan and his wife Indra. The Mohans studied for eighteen years with the yoga master Krishnamacharya and have authored four books. He leads the Buddha B Yoga Center Mysore program.

Denese Cavanaugh

Denese Cavanaugh ERYT-500-Yoga Alliance Registered, approaches yoga from both an intellectual and creative perspective, infusing her classes with mindfulness, a playful spirit, and a connection to the heart. While living in NYC Denese had been an avid cyclist and marathon runner. Once she discovered the teachings of Beryl Bender Birch in 1992, she knew she had found her path. Denese's teaching transformation rooted from workshops and David Swenson, Cyndi Lee and Rodney Yee. Denese proclaims, "Opening to Yoga", is the most enriching and invaluable tool for continual self-discovery. During her yogic journey, she has practiced traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa and has had the honor of practicing with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Manju P. Jois. While living in Italy, she depened her understanding of yoga from studies with senior Ashtanga leaders, Kino Macgregor and Lino Miele and spent annual intensives at the Purple Valley Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Goa, India. Her many teaching styles include Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series, Iyengar Alignment inspired, Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, Restorative, Prenatal and Kids Yoga. Yoga has helped Denese uncover her most joyful, most authentic version of herself; her non-dogmatic approach inspire others to consciously reveal their most authentic selves, while having a blast on the mat. She is humbled and grateful to her yoga teachers for sharing their unbounded insight and generosity, and is honored to also share that generous evolution with others.

Dieu Tran

Tran

Dieu attended her first yoga class about 5 years ago, having no idea that it was an Ashtanga practice. Even though the class was challenging, she became enamored with the focus of using breath as a means of physical control. After a few years of regular practice, Dieu embarked on her journey to become a yoga instructor by enrolling in the Yoga Works 200 hour teacher training program. Dieu explains that her passion for teaching yoga is to help introduce new yogis to the art of slowing down the madness of everyday life by exploring the calming balance of breath and movement that the practice has to offer.

Gopi Kinnicutt

Gopi is an Experienced Registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance (ERYT 500). She lived in an ashram for 8 years where she studied and taught Indian philosophy in-depth, vegetarian cooking, ayurveda and mantra meditation. She is the founder of Yoga Mandali in Saratoga Springs NY, she has been practicing yoga for more than ten years and has been teaching since 2002. She first trained in Ashtanga Vinyasa, she further trained extensively with Shiva Rea and completed an advanced training with Ana Forrest. Gopi has furthered her studies in yoga therapy, completing her certification for trauma sensitive yoga. She is certified in Thai yoga bodywork, completing her training with Micheal Buck. She specializes in privates as she incorporates marma point’s (accupressure), and Thai yoga bodywork techniques. Through her personal practice and experience, she has developed her own unique teaching style. She takes her students into a dynamic multi-dimensional flow, breaking through rigidity and stiffness; she infuses her classes with penetrating mantras and breath work. She incorporates deep marma (pressure point) therapy techniques when assisting students. She addresses individual’s needs and limitations, creating a safe environment for her students, guiding them through physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions.

Hari-kirtana das

Hari-kirtana Das

Hari-kirtana's interest in yoga and yogic mysticism surfaced early in his life. The devotional philosophy of bhakti yoga eventually provided the foundation for Hari-kirtana's spiritual practice, and he was formally initiated into the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition of Krishna bhakti, with its emphasis on kirtan, mantra meditation and the study of spiritual philosophy, in 1978. He spent the better part of the following four years living in ashrams and spiritual communities. Hari-kirtana expanded his yoga practice at the Jivamukti Yoga School in New York City in 2007 and dedicated himself to becoming both an accomplished practitioner and teacher of the Jivamukti method. In 2009, he became a certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher at the 300-hour level and completed the Jivamukti 800-hour apprenticeship program in 2011. He also maintains a Yoga Meditations blog. Hari-kirtana's Teaching Style: In Hari's Jivamukti Yoga classes you'll experience the practice of yoga as a spiritual discipline. He blends a time-honored understanding of the goal of yoga with an innovative and energetic practice to help us reach that goal. Sanskrit chanting, yoga philosophy, deep relaxation and meditation are all integrated into his classes. Hari-kirtana teaches to an uplifting music mix of traditional kirtan chants and modern music tracks, encourages a devotional orientation to asana practice, and uses hands-on assists as an essential teaching technique. More than anything else, his classes are personal and fun. The result is a feeling of physical, emotional, and spiritual completeness.

Katie Fox-Boyd

Katie Fox-Boyd is a 200 hour certified vinyasa teacher (RYT) through Tranquil Space Yoga. She started her personal practice in 2002 which has since led her all over the U.S. to experience different teachers and practice settings. Wherever she practices, Katie finds that the benefits of yoga improve her mental, physical and spiritual health and she offers these benefits to her students in her classes. She encourages students to build their inner awareness, develop a mind-body connection and to move through their practice with intention. She provides a safe, supportive and challenging space for her students to practice and find their personal edge. Katie also shares her wisdom and musings about yoga on her blog DC Yogi.

Krista Block

For over a decade Krista has been exploring yoga, beginning her practice at age 13. She is a 300-hr certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, graduating from this vigorous training in 2010 under the guidance of Sharon Gannon and David Life. She recently completed Seane Corn's vinyasa flow teacher training intensive, and attends continuing education programs frequently. Her motivation to teach stems from yoga's empowering suggestion that we become our own healer and enjoy each moment with deeper awareness. Krista's classes are playful, challenging, creative, and rooted in tradition with the intent of leaving you feeling uplifted and inspired. Krista says: "I would like to thank my holy teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life for teaching me to view the world in a magical light, Andrea Boyd and Jeffrey Cohen for igniting my passion for these teachings, Seane Corn for her urgency and strength, Kendall Beene-Crowder for being a divine instrument, and my amazing family for their unwavering support."

Lisa Pettinati

Lisa discovered yoga while living in India during the summer of 2004 and since then, she has been drawn to a regular practice while searching for peace of mind and the perfect playlist. She is a Buddha B Yoga Teacher graduate and 200-hour certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She continues to travel all over the globe to learn more about the practice of yoga and can only hope that her sincerity and humor is reflected in her method. She is deeply grateful to Rexx, Valerie, Hari-kirtana das, and her other teachers for all of their guidance and support.

Shervon Laurice

Shervon was first introduced to yoga in high school while in New York City. It was there that the seed of self-discovery was planted which has continued to grow and call her back to the mat as an adult. Shervon’s commitment to personal practice has led her to complete her 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher (RYT) training at Buddha B Yoga Center. Her background as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) inspires her approach as an instructor. The practice of yoga, similar to the process of counseling, allows one to look within to build self-awareness. Yoga has a beautiful way of clearing the mud away from the lens with which we see ourselves. Shervon is committed to nurturing the seed of self-discovery and personal growth in every student as it unfolds on and off the mat.

Sumona Apsara Parii

Sumona is an International Bollywood and Bharata Natyam (South-Indian Classical Dance) Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher. She had her Bharata Natyam training under the tutelege of renouned dance gurus in Virginia and California. She completed her Bharata Natyam Arangetram (graduation performance) in September 2011 in Bellflower, California. Sumona performs in several dance recitals, cultural events, competitions and social festivities in the U.S, India and abroad. In 1998, she represented India in an International dance competition in Virginia, and won first prize. Recently, she performed for several U.S government agencies' celebrations of Diversity Day and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Sumona is equally committed to social causes and is involved in activities to enhance Women's Empowerment, especially through dance and theatre. She loves to travel, perform, teach and share her glorious passion of dance with the world. Sumona is a certified Hatha Yoga and Meditation Teacher from Cloud Nine Yoga, Huntington Beach, California; as well Reiki III Practitioner from Alva Wellness Center, Haymarket, Virginia. She has taught Bollywood Dance, Hatha Yoga, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga in Orange County, Norwalk and Los Angeles, California; in addition to Falls Church and Fairfax, Virginia and now Washington DC.