Teacher Bios
Melanie graduated from the Vajra Pani Yoga Teacher Training at the Shasta Yoga Institute in Mount Shasta California. The training is fundamentally grounded in the lineage of teachings offered by T. Krishnamacharya and his student B.K.S. Iyengar.
The theme for Melanie's first seven classes was chakras. Each week the class focused on poses to help balance the individual chakras, working through all seven chakras as the weeks progressed.
Melanie recently received a Yoga Tune Up® certification.
Yoga Tune Up® is a fitness therapy format built around the three P's – Pain, Posture and Performance. It helps eradicate pain, improve posture and enhance performance through a unique blend of yoga, Corrective Exercise, Self-Massage, and Breath Strategies. By helping to identify and target your "body blind spots"; areas that are most overused, underused, or misused, YTU heals damaged muscle, increases strength and establishes healthy movement patterns.
The YTU format includes dynamic and static range of motion exercises to target these blind spots to improve proprioception (body sense), interoception (physiological listening) and motor control (performance). This format utilizes unique exercises that educate each practitioner about their body biomechanics and their personal relationship to how they use their body on a daily basis. Mindset work surrounds and infuses each YTU lesson so that subtle and gross awareness evolve to help every practitioner live better in their body.
| Yoga with Melanie | Friday, July 11, 2025 - 11:00am |
| Private - M | Friday, July 11, 2025 - 1:30pm |
| Yoga with Melanie | Friday, July 18, 2025 - 11:00am |
| Private - M | Friday, July 18, 2025 - 1:30pm |
| Yoga with Melanie | Friday, July 25, 2025 - 11:00am |
Nadia began her yoga journey when she was 16 years old. While backpacking through South America, Europe and Africa, she started practicing yoga trapeze and dance yoga. In 2005 she finished her training for theater dance in Argentina, and a few years later, while teaching theater dance in Nigeria, she became interested in learning breath work and deepening body awareness. In 2018, she went to India to study vinyasa flow and Ashtanga, completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training course, and since then has been teaching yoga.
As a teacher, Nadia is friendly, dedicated and passionate, motivating and encouraging her students to be positive at all times. She grounds her students in an ongoing awareness of breath while guiding them through poses. She provides thoughtful Yoga classes and private sessions that are a mix of movement, breathing work and meditation, and she is committed to the development of her unique teaching.
Nadia specializes in vinyasa classes in which each movement is synchronized to a breath, creating a sequence of stillness, strength and flexibility. Each unique class inspires students to relax, connect and understand there bodies. For the past several years, Nadia has found great joy in teaching gentle yoga and helping adults 60 years and older into vitality and strength.
Nadia is now a certified Thai Yoga Body Worker. Please call or text her at 408-663-3107 to learn more about Thai Yoga Body Work or to make an app't for a Thai yoga massage.
Her mission is to create a space where people can connect with themselves and others, to promote a healthy style of life and inspire a deeper sense of confidence with their body and mind.
| Gentle Yoga - N | Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 11:30am |
| Vinyasa Flow Yoga - N | Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 10:00am |
| Thai Yoga Massage (by appt.) | Monday, July 14, 2025 - 12:00pm |
| Gentle Yoga - N | Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - 11:30am |
| Vinyasa Flow Yoga - N | Saturday, July 19, 2025 - 10:00am |
Past Teachers
Hayfork Yoga Center has been open since the early 2000's and has had many wonderful teachers and offerings.
Tara Huff is a 200 RYT, social media influencer and mom of two. She lives in the mountains of Northern California and enjoys outdoor activities.
She began her practice in 1994 and began teaching yoga in 2021. She is passionate about alignment and loves to teach Vinyasa flow classes that motivate and inspire people's practices.
After her daughter was born with an imperforate anus and a tethered spinal cord in 2013, she went on a quest and discovered ways to bring yoga into her everyday life. Her goal is to inspire others to find inner strength, grace and balance in life through yoga.
For up-to-date info on Tara's teaching schedule, check her Facebook page, Tara Huff Yoga.
Jessica Parasimo has been living in Trinity County just outside of Hayfork since 2012. She is a mother of 3 young children. Before coming to Hayfork she was a licensed massage therapist through the NCTMB. She had her training at the Florida College of Natural Health. She spent a few years working as a massage therapist before she became pregnant with her first daughter. She is a lover of nature and gardening and a supporter of holistic and alternative approaches to health and medicine. In 2020, she completed her Reiki level 1 and 2 training in Chico. She looks forward to continuing her training until she is at Karuna level where she will then be beyond master level and be able to provide attunements for those seeking to learn the art of healing Reiki.
Update: Jessica has relocated her practice to a new space upstairs in the Murray Building across from the old Fire Hall / Wileys.
Helen bought a yoga mat in 2008 and finally unrolled it in 2012 when she started classes at Hayfork Yoga. A student of Claudia Bird, Helen was gradually drawn into practice, losing 60 pounds and finding a new zest for life on the way. She took the plunge and graduated from the Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation in April, 2019.
Ananda yoga is hatha style, with an emphasis on breath and meditation. The practice is slow and gentle, although it can be as challenging as the practitioner makes it. It’s more of a “work in” than a “work out.”
Helen is especially excited about working with elders and newcomers to yoga. “Yoga got me in the best shape of my life and ready to truly enjoy my later years,” she says. “I’m hoping that I can inspire people to enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual side of this wonderful adventure. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”
Maia Richards was grateful for the opportunity to help keep the community studio open. She carried a passion for health and body awareness with her throughout her life. Maia's primary background is in dance, specifically Middle Eastern and Belly Dancing which she has performed professionally. Her background also includes six years of ongoing Yoga classes in various styles, intermediate level Pilates, Modern Dance, aerobics and fitness.
Claudia started teaching Yoga at Hayfork Yoga Center in August of 2011 after completing her 200-hour teaching certification at Ananda Village in Nevada City, California. She returned to Ananda in March 2012 to become certified in Restorative Yoga and Yoga for Seniors and Osteoporosis. She now has over 500 hours of teaching experience and a strong background in Yoga therapy with another 265 hours. In June of 2015 she should be a Level 1 certified Yoga Therapist Practitioner. Claudia has been practicing Yoga for 10 years and loves it. She also loves teaching and has been teaching young people and adults for years as a preschool teacher and parent educator. Because of these loves, making the transition to teaching yoga has been easy. She believes in what Yoga can do for our bodies, minds, and overall health. Claudia has been consistently supporting Hayfork Yoga studio since it was started by Ilene Dunn around 2008 and is glad to be a part of keeping the studio open now.
Update: Claudia has recently moved to Hawai'i to start a new life there. We bless and thank her for her years of selfless teaching and service to the yoga community!
Khira has been a yoga practitioner for many years and has taught for 6 of those years. She completed her first teacher training at 7 Centers in Sedona, AZ, which taught Khira the importance of integrity as well as non-invasive, therapeutic yoga practice. Her knowledge has been expanded through attending numerous retreats, workshops and classes worldwide, exploring many different styles of yoga (vinyasa, Iyengar, ashtanga, Bikram, kundalini, and kriya) as well as meditation, Ayurveda, cranial sacral therapy, Thai massage and reiki. Before coming to Hayfork, Khira hosted and taught retreats in her house in Thailand and at resorts throughout Bali.
After being introduced to yoga in her early teens, Keri began teaching Ashtanga Yoga in 2002. She later trained with Shiva Rae, and incorporated Svroopa Yoga into her teaching schedule. Keri attained her Associates degree in Massage Therapy & Integrated Health Care and is a recognized Licensed Massage therapist. Keri traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to study Aromatherapy & became a Essential Oils Educator through Young Living. In 2005 she completed her 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox, Massachusetts and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).
Kripalu Yoga is a modern school of yoga that reflects a synthesis of traditional approaches, incorporating the five aspects of Yoga into one (Hatha, Raja, Kundalini, Bhakti and Karma). The key to the practice lies in understanding Prana or Breath as a link between body, mind, & spirit. Kripalu Yoga is rooted in stillness. Yoga postures, combined with breathing techniques and a focused yet compassionate attitude during practice, are used as vehicles for finding and releasing energy blocks. Paradoxically, when you intentionally put your body into Yoga postures you frequently produce more tension than before. Kripalu Yoga will help you to identify these tensions & teach you to release them. Let go....let go....let go!
Pilates strengthens the muscles that support the spine (neck, shoulders, abs, hips & thighs) to bring balance into the body. Pilates helps to realign the spine in order to decrease tension, increase flexibility & strengthen the body from the inside out.
Originally from the south shore of Massachusetts, Kate started practicing yoga at age 20 to cope with her anxiety. She fell in love with power and vinyasa classes. Moving the body with the breath helped clear her mind. She was certified through a 200-hr yoga teacher training in 2005 at The Finding Inner Peace Yoga School with Michelle Fleming and Jennifer Yarrow. In 2011, she completed her Level II Thai Yoga Massage training with Jennifer Yarrow at the New England School of Thai Yoga. Her intentions were to show students how to strengthen the body and remove physical blockages with emphasis on core, balance, physical alignment, and deep stretching. She brought a playful attitude and warm smile to each class.
"Love, ultimately, Is intentional. It is, at its core, a personal relationship that takes practice. Just like everybody else in this world, I want and need more of this Love in my life, and Yoga helps me show up to the party."
Certified to teach, Lucas graduated 500 hours of yoga teacher trainings. He studied through the late Larry Shultz (a longtime student of Patthabis Jois), as well as through the teaching partnership of Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini (longtime students of both Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar).
Bringing into the Studio a careful understanding of different people's bodies, Lucas strives to teach from his own personal practice to awaken the desire for each student to develop a more rewarding personal practice inside and outside of the Studio. Inspired by All peoples Who walk the Path with Heart, Lucas was grateful to share his experience of Yoga at the Hayfork Yoga Studio. He is continuing his study of herbal medicine, Ancestral Arts/Indigenous living skills, Ayurveda/TCM/Qi Gong.
Audrey has over two decades of experience dancing and performing. She is extremely passionate about using the body as a vehicle to heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She has facilitated many movement, dance classes and workshops designed to connect the mind and body and promote healing. She discovered yoga over ten years ago and loved the depth she found through the practice. She received her 200hr teaching certification in 2014 at the Expanding Light Center where she learned Ananda style yoga. Ananda Yoga uses affirmations to deepen the effect of each posture in the practice.
Rachel Anderson and Dave Menefee held both the Findhorn-inspired meditations and led the pilates group at Hayfork Yoga Center. Regarding pilates, they are not certified instructors, but they did follow a list of standard exercises.
Mike has 55 years experience of meditation and 33 years ago was ordained as lama (teacher) of the Tibetan Kagyud lineage. At the request of his teacher (Lama Radha Chime Rinpoche), he heads the North American branch of his organization called Amrita Dzong.
As a lama, he is authorized to teach all Buddhist philosophies and meditations. However, he was specifically tasked by Lama Chime to be the lineage-bearer of a uniquely Kagyud tradition called "Sutra Mahamudra" which teaches "direct seeing".
Judy has knowingly walked toward the light since 1975. She leads yoga classes when the certified teachers are unavailable.
Judy started the Inner Light support circle to share the gems of my truths and the techniques that have helped her to let go or accept those things that were holding her back. The support circle was intended to help us achieve our life goals in a joyful, peaceful (as possible) and loving way. This class may return to the schedule with sufficient interest.
Raelyn has lived in Hayfork since 2000 and has offered education in natural childbirth.
Chelsea founded '❤️CICI Rawgoddess Baja' the vegan wifi cafe, smoothie bar & healing arts mecca in Baja Del Sur Mexico and Venice Beach Energy School in LA. She began yoga and raw foods, fasting and meditation in her early teens. Her dharma is sharing easy fun and lifesaving beauty protocols. She is the author of 'Rawprincess Rituals & Rants: A SelfCare Guide To Beauty & Grace'. She offered private sessions, polarity yoga, Callanetics and exquisite SelfCare tips including basics for releasing processed food habits forever.
Born and raised in Alabama, during Zach's years in Hayfork valley he experimented with various types of exercise and physical fitness routines. In the end, the TACFIT program made the most sense. TACFIT is a tactical body weight protocol designed for firefighters, first responders, elite military and law enforcement. These happened to be the people trying to be their best, without letting injury keep them from helping others. Neurologically-based range of motion exercises focus on healthy movement and restore stress-induced negative mobility adaptations. Zach was certified by the creator of the TACFIT program as a level 1 field instructor. The TACFIT protocol can be performed anywhere at any time with no equipment.
Laurie has over two decades' experience with the Santa Rosa Junior College's Senior Program and has taught at the Yoga Balance studio. Laurie is a life member alumnus of Sonoma State University where she earned an M.A. in history. She is also a life member of the Dance Guild of Sonoma County and is a certified elementary instructor for the Royal Academy.
Kitty taught belly dancing in our local area for many years, though she may be retired from teaching now.
Crystal has been involved in the field of alternative healing for over five years. She began her studies in Psychology at the University of California; Santa Cruz. After an acupuncture appointment, Crystal had an eye opening experience where she knew that it was her purpose to become a healer. During her time at UC Santa Cruz, she began her studies in massage. In her free time she studied the work of Donna Eden and Richard Bartlett. She is well versed in Eden Energy Medicine, Matrix Energetics, and Eastern Medicine techniques. Crystal received her 700 hour massage training at the Sedona School of Massage in Sedona, Arizona. She studied Shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Craniosacral, Orthobionomy, Polarity Therapy, Swedish Massage, and Assisted Isolated Stretching. Crystal taught a Swedish Massage class during her time working at the Way Inn neighboring Huaraz, Peru. Crystal also trained under the Kundalini Yoga instructor, Robert Burke, under the teachings of Yogi Bhajan. During her experience, she clearly noticed an elevation in her mind, body, and spirit. Ever since then, Crystal has sought to integrate the teachings of Kundalini Yoga into her daily life.
Seana Messina is registered with Yoga Alliance and has ERYT 500 certification. She has more than 2000 hours of teaching experience in a classroom since she began instructing Yoga in 2002.
Seana studied Yoga and Thai-Yoga Massage in New Jersey for three years at the school Yoga of India while working as an apprentice to Gurmukh Mike Noury, a lifetime practitioner and instructor of Yoga. In addition to her intensive studies at Yoga of India, she also completed an in-depth Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher Training course with Yoga teacher Mark Stephens, and she has studied Thai-Yoga Massage with Master Kam Thye Chow of the Lotus Palm school in Montreal.
Dave has been studying the Hermetic arts in the Golden Dawn tradition since 1980. He got his start from Dion Fortune's "The Mystical Qabalah", which he read cover-to-cover over a period of several months. From there he was able to attend a workshop given by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, one of the world's few true adepts, and later studied briefly with the Servants of the Light school. Subsequently, his studies led him to move to Colorado, where he and his partner of that time led a group of like-minded seekers in the exploration of the Mysteries. During that time, he served as officer in several Lodges of the Hermetic tradition, and explored more complex applications of the Great Work.
Inspired by the evolution of consciousness and the expansion of humanity's love, Solei studied Reiki, Vortex Healing (a Wizard Realm modality), Psychic Attunement, Incan Peruvian Philosophy, Qigong, and Expressive Movement, at the Omega Institute of Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, New York over the course of two years. She has a natural inclination towards Esoteric Mythology, Shamanism, Health, Tribal Instruments, Flower Essences, Runic and Osho Zen Oracles, and the healing properties of Crystals.
Special thanks to Ilene for opening Yoga Balance, creating the space to share the joy of yoga with the Hayfork community.
Bethany Inés Porter completed her 300 hour certification and examination within The Shakti School of Ayurveda, Tantra and Feminine Form Medicine as an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach. She is continuing her Ayurvedic Health Counselor training there, and her Ayurvedic Practitoner training under Dr. Vivek Brijbahal Singh at the Yogamu Institute. Bethany is also deepening her knowledge and experience of classical Tantra under her teacher Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan at the Svatantra Institute. She blends her passions for Ayurveda, women’s health and wholeness, embodiment, plant medicine, sacred space and empowered homebirth into a unique mandala of offerings meant to inspire, connect, educate and support.