about satsang: satsang team

Pictures of staff courtesy of Lara Blair Images - www.larablairimages.com

A yoga studio is only as great as it's team.  We are proud to say that each of our instructors have taken (or are working toward) a 200 or 500 hour certification through the Yoga Alliance.  When you come to Satsang Yoga you are guaranteed a dynamic and safe class taught by professional yoga instructors. Classes are kept intimate so you always receive some amount of personal attention and adjustments.

Dana Layon, E-RYT Dana Layon, E-RYT began practicing Iyengar Yoga in 1997 and then Prenatal Yoga during her first pregnancy in 2002. In 2003, she was introduced to Vinyasa “Flow” Yoga, a westernized style of yoga guiding movement with breath. After running a successful prenatal yoga program at Southwest WA Medical Center, Dana decided to offer Satsang Yoga and Wellness Center to her community; a yoga studio incorporating all aspects of health and well being: yoga, meditation, massage, alternative energy healing modalities and nutrition. As a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), Women Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO) and co-founder of Natural Approach to Parenting (NAP), Board Member of Your Baby Your Way with Southwest WA Medical Center. Dana is focused on increasing the awareness of yoga benefits and healthy lifestyle choices throughout her community and beyond. She believes that everyone deserves to live their best life and understands how to make the choices to get there. She is passionate about the benefits of stillness and how clear life becomes once we listen to our inner voice. She has 2 daughters under the age of 6 and they provide her with the inspiration to be a better person. Her intention is to train others to teach yoga; assist others in living their best life and utilizing yoga and other natural healing modalities for optimal health and wellness.

Tony Layon IT Professional, Husband, Certified All Around Good Guy I have been practicing Yoga since 1995. I could not imagine a life without a Yoga practice, without the people practicing Yoga brings into my life, the physical, mental and spiritual attributes Yoga adds to my existance and lastly but just as importantly, the added benefits my Golf game has seen due to Yoga. Come and join us on our journey! www.mysbsa.com and www.tlayon.pru-nw.com

Angela Anderson, LMP Since finishing massage school in Atlanta in 1999 I have worked in settings that range from mobile to chiropractor's office to huge and fantastic spas to my own studio to where I am now - Satsang. Along my journey I have been trained in various modalities - a shiatsu oriental bar therapy, neuromuscular therapy, prenatal, Reiki, hot stone, tandem, Swedish, deep tissue, chair - to be able to find an approach that assists in the healing of each client I work with. I love massage, giving and receiving. I am thankful to have gone to massage school to find a career where I can help people feel better and they want to come see me. After completing my initial training, I was then called to teach yoga. I took my yoga instructor training in the beautiful town of St. Augustine in 2000, where we were trained with a Kirpalu foundation. Being an avid and constant student, I have taken trainings in Yoga Fit, ashtanga, piyo, and resist-a-ball. With the quest for knowledge in my being, I have taken on the new challenge of entering the pre-health program at WSU Vancouver. I am excited to learn more about the body, as I am completely fascinated with how people work (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually). I look forward to meeting you.

Mike Sapiro, ERYT Michael started his yoga and meditation training in early 1999. He has trained in both Zen and Theravada Buddhism, Raja and Hatha Yoga philosophy and practice and has spent time as a monk in Northern Thailand. Michael is the founder of Maitri House Project in Tak Province, Thailand, a community based yoga and health project serving local community members in schools, temples and hospitals. His personal practice focuses on finding ease and grounding in spaces and situations of tension and discomfort, teaching from the philosophy that yoga can be practiced while doing the dishes, working with children, dancing with a lover. A true surprise and a wonderful gift for Michael was finding what he was seeking in the face of his wife, Sararak. He is currently studying for his certification as an Ayurvedic Health Educator with Dr. Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies and Pulse diagnosis with Richard Haynes of Ayurveda Plus.

Jessica Blaszak, RYT Jessica is a certified yoga instructor and yoga alliance member who has recently relocated to the Portland area from Arizona. Yoga styles include but are not limited to Hatha, Yin, Power and Flow for all levels and ages. She has also been teaching Pilates, Yogilates, Body Conditioning and dance for the past several years. In addition to her fitness experience, Jessica has been a professional actor/dancer and singer, performing around the country for 13 years. She is a licensed massage therapist in the state of Arizona. The knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology is an important addition to her instruction. Connecting the mind, breath and intention through strengthening and stretching is a wonderful gift to the body.

Salina Philbrook Growing up in Olympia, WA my mom always made sure I was very active in sports; swimming, soccer and dancing. During college, in Spokane, WA, I came to know a little bit about yoga, but not enough to really connect. After college I moved to Vancouver, WA and started to consistently work out on my own, but my body started to feel stiff. I was also feeling that I wasn’t taking enough time for myself, and my emotional needs. After my first class at Satsang I felt like I had found what I was missing in my life. After a couple months I decided to take a level one training course, and recently completely a level three. Although I feel like I have so much more to learn, I cannot express in words the joy that comes from helping people work towards their own goals. My favorite, and most grateful moment when I teach a yoga class is right after final relaxation; when I look around the room and notice the amazing smiles of rest and gratitude.

Erin Shannon, RYT Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Erin has spent the past three years traveling the world, and is happy to finally be putting down some roots and becoming a part of the Vancouver community. Erin holds a BFA in Dance from Oklahoma City University including extensive training in dance pedagogy. She has worked as a professional dancer for 6 years including a two year stint touring the world performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. With over 10 years experience teaching dance, Erin made the smooth transition from dance instruction to yoga instruction. Erin completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in beautiful Sedona, Arizona at 7 Centers Yoga Arts, a Yoga Alliance registered school. Subjects of study included anatomy and physiology, Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, chakra work, energy work/Reiki, Hindu mythology, reflexology, Sanskrit, 5 Elements yoga, and meditation. She is excited to have the opportunity to share her passion for the yogic arts, and looks forward to an inspiring journey of mind, body, and spirit!

Sarah Robinette, RYT Yoga came into my life during my undergraduate work in Northern Arizona. I am honored to say it is still very much apart of my life. Prior to my family's relocation to Portland, Or I had been teaching in San Francisco for four years. My Master's in Integral psychology and a background in Special Education has allowed for me to teach to diverse populations, including Special Needs adolescence, homeless and abused women, and non-English speaking communities. I also teach private and group yoga classes at a variety of mindful organizations. I have studied and continue to study with senior yoga teachers, most notably Erich Schiffman. Yoga has opened my heart to the power that exists within each one of us and I enjoy sharing my experiences.

Jodi Swanson My yoga practice began in 2002 as a journey toward health and spiritual growth. I have been teaching in the community of Ridgefield for three years, and recently took the step to expand my knowledge through the Yogafit program. Practicing yoga is pure joy for me, and teaching has allowed me to share that joy with others. Happily married for 22 years, with two pre-teen daughters, I feel as if I am embarking on my second life. Thank you for this opportunity to share my love of yoga and life with you.

Cathy Holdsworth Growing up as a gymnast proved to be taxing on the body, so I welcomed yoga as a healing practice after my first lesson years ago. My gymnastics background has helped me to make a smooth transition into teaching yoga. I am very happy to be part of the Satsang team and enjoy offering strength, flexibility, stress relief and challenge in my classes at Satsang; all benefits that I have found through my personal yoga practice. Training with Yogafit has given me the skills to offer many options in my classes so any level can enjoy my flow classes. I am honored to be able to offer yoga to others.

Aniko Szabo, LMP I graduated from East West College in 2005 in Portland OR. My inspiration is becoming a massage therapist was my younger daughter who suffered through cancer twice. I specialize in Swedish massage, and plan to specialize mainly on prenatal, infants, and children by this year. I enjoy making people happy and relaxed through the art of touch. A feel blessed to be a member of this team at Satsang Yoga.

Michelle (Misti) Maddrell, L.A.C., MacOM L.Ac., MacOM, and Licensed Occupational Therapist, is a graduate from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and transplant to the Vancouver area. Licensed in the State of Washington, with training in all aspects of traditional Oriental Medicine, including theory and practice of acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic massage, nutrition, exercise, and qi cultivation. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been employed in rehabilitation medicine for over 12 years focused on neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, with other education in lymphatic drainage, craniosacral, and soft tissue mobilization. “My path to this work came in two inspirations, personally and professionally. Academically, I have been drawn to the health field, completing a B.S in Occupational Therapy. Experientially, I found healing from alternative methods for my own health and resonant with the values of complementary medicine that our bodies heal themselves. For me these paths emerged by studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, a system of healing that incorporates the wisdom of the body, mind, and spirit. My background provides valuable experience in integrating Western biomedicine with Oriental Medicine. My goal is to empower every person, through treatment and education, to engage in their own well-being and awaken their own healing potential.”

Sandi Uskoski NTP Alexandria (Sandi) was born in Portland Oregon and currently resides in Clark County with her husband Mike and teenage children Alex & Chanel. Alexandria (Sandi) started her 13 year career in the health care field as a Contracts Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente. Her passion for nutrition was spurred on by her volunteer activities in the Vancouver School District, as she witnessed the overall impact of poor nutrition on the next generation of children. She then decided to integrate her lifelong fascination with the healing properties of home cooked "Real Food" with th Science of Nutrition Therapy. She attended PCC and graduated as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner where she now can share her knowledge, enthusiasm and "yes", even receipes to inspire others to see the value and joy of balanced and good nutrition.

Sol Duncan, CPT A native Spanish-Argentine gal, Sol moved to the U.S. at the age of 20 after she finished her AA degree in Argentina. She lived in Miami Florida for 5 years, where she started her BA in marketing and her fitness career. Inspired by the profound results her pilates practice delivered her. Sol was certified as a personal trainer and pilates instructor in Miami and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She discovered yoga and fell inlove with the combination of mind, body and spirit to deliver a powerful workout. Adventurous, open minded and with a great sense of humor, Sol has a unique teaching style which makes everyone enjoy the class even more. Her class is worth trying out.

Joleen Dann For the past 5yrs I have been fortunate in being able to stay at home with my two girls, I have found joy in living the slower paced more simple life of playing, laughing, and dancing with them, just being in the moment. It has been about four months now since I walked through the doors of Satsang as a client looking to regain back a piece of myself that being a mother seems to have taken. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere and the people. I have taken advantage of the great classes offered as well as the uniquely different instructors teaching them. I have always been naturally drawn to Yoga and its philosophy and Satsang has become the outlet for my passion. My goal is to become an instructor, and carry with me something wonderful from each of the teachers , as well as to learn from the students in my class. I will be taking the Teacher Training program beginning in Oct. meanwhile, you will see me around the studio helping out where ever needed. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great community.

Kristen Wong Kristen has been practicing yoga since 2002 and has been a group fitness instructor certified through the American Council on Exercise since 1993. She is certified by YogaFit and also is educated in Pre/Post Natal and Kids Yoga. Kristen is originally from Sacramento and graduated with a BA from UC Davis.

Trina Stevenson