Diane Bunting (M.S., KRI-certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor)

"I LOVE yoga and have been amazed and grateful for all the ways that the practice has served me over the past 31 years. In 1976, a book on Hatha Yoga caught my interest and I spent all summer talking my mom and me through these fun and weird (to us) poses. I continued my investigations and practiced every yoga tradition that came my way, including Iyengar, Kripalu, classical Hatha and Acu-Yogas. In 1990, when a friend offered to share some Kundalini Yoga, I jumped into the practice and realized I was "home". Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is masterful at cultivating the internal underlying energy that supports all physical, mental and emotional health. I loved the way that my areas of weakness were touched and lovingly nurtured by the yoga sets, meditations and breath techniques. I continue to be awed by the effectiveness of this practice and offer daily gratitude for the gift of sharing this teaching with others. In 1994, I began teaching full-time in this area and currently see over 200 students each week in the Gig Harbor and Port Orchard areas. It is an honor to extend my teaching to the Three Trees Yoga Studio, founded by my yoga sisters (Jeni- with whom I offer yearly week end retreats, Suzy and Karen). My philosophy is that yoga is a deep, rich, river of wisdom and healing that can meet each of us in whatever ways our current health needs require. And so, I take joy in adapting the postures so that we each are supported, gently and lovingly in our life journey. I look forward to seeing you in class, whenever you would be served by Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. Sat Nam."

Tracy Coons

I first tried yoga in '96 after the birth of my 3rd child as a way to get back into those pre-pregnancy jeans. I practiced on and off for many years and after two more babies, began to find some space in my life to become more dedicated to my practice.
It has been said that most people come to yoga for the physical practice but those who stay with it do so because they find something more and this was certainly true for me. My yoga practice has given me a stable foundation upon which to cultivate joy, peace and abundance in my life.
In 2007 I began teacher training in the Viniyoga lineage at Whole Life Yoga in Seattle. My strong belief is that yoga is for every body and that the physical, emotional and spiritual healing that yoga can provide is not limited to those who are fit or flexible.  My playful and energetic nature comes through creating a fun, supportive and accepting atmosphere in my classes.

Dhaval Dhru, MD

Dr Dhru is a certified Yoga teacher approved by Yoga Alliance having undergone yoga teacher training at White Lotus foundation, Santa Barbara, CA and also at Ayurvedic Institute, Albuquerque.  He teaches at Three Trees Yoga and provides individual and private yoga classes incorporating Ayurvedic principle so as to come up with appropriate yoga practice for an individual.

Dr. Dhaval Dhru MD, retired ENT Surgeon, now provides Ayurveda and Yoga Consultation and Education by appointments. He teaches Ayurvedic seminars at various locations nationally as well as internationally including teaching assignments at Ayurvedic Institute, Albequerque, NM and Kerala Ayurveda Academy, Seattle, WA.  He studied Ayurveda with Dr. Lad, the world renowned Ayurvedic educator, practitioner, author and founder of Ayurvedic Institute, Albuquerque.  Click here for more information about his Ayurveda and Yoga Consultation services.

Suzan Douglass, BA,RYT, PTA

Suzan is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher who has benefited greatly from practicing yoga and meditation for more than 15 years. Suzan holds degrees in Dance, and Nutrition as well as Certifications in Physical Therapy, Nursing, Aromatherapy, Pilates, Myoskeletal Massage and Wellness. She received Iyengar Yoga training from Aadil Palkhivala, and continues her training with Intergrative Yoga Therapy. She has also studied mystical spirituality from eastern and western traditions; is a member of the Vedanta Society of Western Washington, and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

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Marian Gordon

I love yoga!  It brings peace and balance to my mind and body. I fell in love with yoga after my first class nearly a decade ago.
 
Over the years I have tried to regain my ‘before children’ body.  I participated in step-aerobic classes, high-impact-cardio classes, and kick-boxing classes, to name a few.  It wasn’t until I began practicing yoga, that I lost weight.
 
I believe that yoga has something to offer every ‘body’.  We all have different bodies with different strengths and issues.  Yoga is personal and non-competitive, with benefits from relaxation to muscle strength.  Outside of yoga, I work in the airline industry and these are techniques that I use daily!
 
Yoga has brought strength and relaxation into my life.  As a teacher, these are benefits that I want to share with you.
 
I received my formal yoga training through Pacific Yoga in 2006 with Theresa Elliott and Kathryn Payne.  I am grateful for their guidance and wisdom.  My heart is also filled with gratitude to Jeni Martinez for bringing yoga into my life.

Suzy Green-Cindrich, RYT

I first fell in love with yoga in 1991 during a ski holiday in Vail, CO with childhood friend Fenella Zimmern. Fenella had just returned from India, was in the midst of her teacher training in London and happy to share her new passion.
Fenella went back to England to become a fabulous teacher and eventually to develop the Yoga Bugs™ program (seeYogaBugs.com).
I went on to have a couple of babies and forget about yoga in an effort to stay on top of the laundry. When I realized it was time to find a interest outside of being a wife and mother, I made a very clear intention about finding my life’s passion. After a friend’s repeated encouragement to join her yoga class-I was finally ready to make room for it. During that first class it all came back to me-how much I loved yoga in every fiber of my being. I began signing up for classes wherever I could find them including week long conferences in San Francisco and Orlando.
After moving to Federal Way I made another intention (feeling very successful at the whole intention thing) to find a Hatha yoga teacher not more than 5 minutes from my house that could challenge me. Two weeks later at a school auction I bid on and won a life changing series of yoga classes from Jeni Martinez who became a dear mentor, teacher, friend – and now partner.
Do you know how you are on the right path? The most amazing teachers keep taking your hand and helping you with your footing down that path.
It is my hope to be able to provide a hand for others.

Mark Harding, RYT

Yoga has been a major part of Mark’s life for a long time, a discovery he made at the very beginning of his searching years. His meditation practice or “quest to become one with the flame” began in high school while studying Transcendentalism when he discovered the “Bhagavad Gita”. The book “Be Here Now” by Ram Das significantly changed Mark’s life by adding yoga asana and pranayama to the practice. He is still continually looking for new ways to quiet the fluctuations of the mind.

In the mid 80’s Mark was introduced to Ashtanga yoga asana and became enamored with the vigor of the practice, especially Chaturanga. He spent many years developing a home practice while living in areas where yoga was not in the mainstream.

Yoga has provided a foundation for many of Mark’s other activities, including a strong core, good balance, flexibility, mindful breathing and a peaceful focused mind. He is a certified ski instructor and actively uses balance, breathing and mindfulness in that sport. As a SCUBA diver, he uses the practice of pranayama to help maintain a centered calm focus and significantly increase the time he can remain at the bottom. Mark has been a leader in the Tacoma Mountaineer climbing program which includes rock, glacier and ice climbing. Yoga has provided strength with flexibility, stamina and a quiet focused mind, which together supports what is normally an adrenalin producing sport. One of his favorite activities now is finding high mountain locations to hike or climb to where asana can be practiced with a spectacular view.

Mark incorporates various styles in his classes including vinyasa and hatha. He received teacher training by YogaWorks recently at the YogaTree in Fremont. The YogaWorks method combines principles from Patabi Jois Ashtanga and BKS Iyengar into a style that includes the best features from both methods. His favorite resources include Nicky Doane, Shiva Rea, Donna Farhi, Beryl Bender Birch, Sharon Gannon and David Life. He is quite thankful for the many teachers who provide inspiration and guidance in his life and practice.

It is Mark’s sincerest intention that everyone discovers a benefit within their yoga practice. Inevitably the world will become a better place. May everyone everywhere be free and happy…deep peace!

Anupama (Danielle Knight)

I am forever grateful to my first yoga teacher, and all of the teachers that have guided me along this path, and inspired me to practice. I am amazed at how my life has transformed and the many blessings that have enabled me to take refuge in my own inner guru, the teachings, and the companions I meet along the way.

I was first introduced to Yoga in high school, and over the years have always found healing and strength through this practice. With the encouragement of one of my teachers, I completed the Pacific Yoga teacher training program in Seattle in 2006, and through this course was introduced to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian "Science of Life" that incorporates Yoga into it's prescription for maintaining and restoring health. Since then, I've studied at Mount Madonna Institute and received a diploma in Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counseling. I am continuing my studies with Kerala Ayurvedic Academy in Seattle to become an Ayurvedic Practitioner. It is my desire to share this ancient wisdom and incorporate the Ayurvedic concepts of living in accordance with nature through the balancing of opposites into my Yoga classes.

May all be happy, healthy and whole.

Lawrence Loofbourrow

Lawrence is a martial arts practitioner and teacher with 35 years of experience. His roots are in Kajukenbo kung fu, for which he holds the rank of black belt, but his passion and joy is Tai Chi.  Lawrence has been tested and certified to teach Tai Chi by two separate martial arts organizations: The International Tum Pai Association, a branch of Kajukenbo, and the Chen Style Xinxi Hunyuan Institute in Beijing, China, through his current teacher Harrison Moretz.  Lawrence has been with Harrison, the founder and director of the Taoist Studies Institute in Seattle, for 20 years.  Lawrence is Harrison's senior disciple. Harrison is a close personal disciple of Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, Beijing, China.  Feng Zhiquiang is the 18th generation Grandmaster of Chen Style Tai Chi and founder of the chen Style Xinyi Henyuan Taijiquan system. 

Jeni Martinez, RYT

I have been teaching Hatha yoga since 1990.My first teacher, Renee Taylor, was in her late 90’s and lived in Redondo Beach, CA. I was so inspired by her work and her wisdom that I agreed to do a teacher training program with her. I had absolutely no intention of ever teaching yoga at the time. (Why would I give up a stressful management job that gave me stiff necks and migraines?) With her encouragement, I discovered that I loved teaching yoga as much as I loved doing yoga. My teaching style is best described as playful, yet challenging and is based on the Kripalu and Iyengar influences that have shaped my own practice.

After 14 years of teaching, I attended another teacher training program, this time at Pacific Yoga in Seattle. Suzy and Karen were also in the program and it was during our year of commuting that the idea to open a yoga studio together was born. In June 2005, Three Trees Yoga & Healing Arts Center, Federal way’s first yoga studio opened its doors. I am grateful to the incredible community of teachers, massage therapists, healers and students who have been drawn together at Three Trees Yoga.

My son, Cody, recently asked me what dharma was. When I told him it was his life’s path or purpose, he responded, “Well, your dharma is to teach yoga, be my mommy (and his twin brother Devin’s) and to be Daddy’s wife! “  I couldn’t agree more.