MEET OUR PAST YOGA TEACHERS
"Without volunteers, we'd be a nation without a soul"- Rosalynn Carter
Arva Yoga is grateful for the service of fabulous yoga teachers who have served on the platform!
STEPHANIE GOLDMAN
500 hr RYT & Certified Yin Yoga Specialty
Steph Goldman's yoga journey began as a result of looking for help for Lyme Disease and dealing with being overstressed in the Army. After completing training to become a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner, Steph certified with Yoga Alliance to become 500 hr RYT and certified to teach Yin Yoga as a specialty. Steph incorporates chakra balancing, emphasis on myofascial, the 8-Limbed Path, Kabbalah, Meditation, and energy healing into her personal life and teaching approach. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education. When she is not on the mat, you can most often find her gardening, being with her furbabies, outdoors with her husband, or at the gym where she teaches tumbling to 3& 4 year olds.
GISELLE MENDES
200-HR RYT with a specialization in trauma-informed yoga
My name is Giselle and I'm a 200-HR RYT with a specialization in trauma-informed yoga. My journey with yoga began in my childhood when my mother introduced me to the practice. Later on in high school I completed a 6-month internship at a yoga studio where I was introduced to various styles of yoga like vinyasa, yin, and restorative. From there I was inspired to begin my teaching journey!
As a lover of fitness, I enjoy teaching power yoga sequences that are designed to challenge both myself and my students. The objective of my classes is not to make you feel discouraged or frustrated if you're not able to get into all the poses or hold them for a period of time. Rather, I want you to feel strong and empowered for trying your best! Growth at any level-whether that be physical, emotional, or spiritual-only comes from struggle! Commend yourself for your efforts and have fun!
Looking forward to seeing you all on your mats! Namaste.
TIFFANY EVANS
Chair Yoga teacher
I have been practicing yoga for 9 years, and my practice includes Vinyasa, Hatha, Bikram, Restorative and Yin Yoga. Previously, I was working in the Financial Institution industry, and I was looking for a way to manage stress and keep in shape. Yoga resonated with me, as I felt at peace while practicing, and it taught me to be present and mindful. In late 2020, I resigned from my job after experiencing signs of burnout, and my primary instinct was to practice yoga to heal my mind, body and soul. I felt ready to share yoga and serve others leading me to pursue a yoga teacher training in September 2021. The teacher training has only deepened my love and respect for the practice after studying the meaning, philosophy, and mental benefits of yoga. As of November 2021, I have completed a total of 230 Hours of Hatha and Gentle Yoga Specialty teacher training with The Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, CA. My Gentle Yoga specialty training included Gentle Asana, Joint Freeing Series, Intro to Chair Yoga and Yoga on the Wall to name a few.
I am a Yoga Alliance member, I am registered as a 200 RYT under the name: Tiffany M. Evans, with 30 hours of continuing education in Gentle Yoga.
VAI HARIDAS
200 RYT Multi-style Yoga and Certified Ariel Yoga Teacher
My name is Vaibhavi and I am the founder and President of Arva Yoga.
I am a yoga enthusiast and my love for yoga started when I was a child growing up in India. I was a "Rope Mallakhamb" Player- meaning I not only did yoga at competitions but did poses on a suspended rope! Today, as a registered Yoga Alliance 200 hour certified multi-style yoga teacher, I have been able to nurture that love for yoga in form of teaching Hatha yoga on a weekly basis. In addition to Yoga, I also am a 100 Hour Meditation Alliance Certified Guided Meditation Teacher.
As a lifelong learner of the world's oldest scriptures- The Vedas and Upanishads, my Foundation Vedanta Course Certification helps me round my yoga classes with philosophy insights.
With a firm belief that teaching others is the best way to reinforce your own learning, establishing this non-profit is my small attempt in this world. It feels great to give back to society by making this rich knowledge available to all for its therapeutic benefits!
Founded in the memory of my grand-mother who passed away in 2020, Arva Yoga offers free and accessible yoga classes for people from all walks of life. We are expanding and growing our platform with new teachers and new initiatives every month.
ABIGAIL ENDERS
Special Needs Yoga Teacher
Abigail started her Yoga journey 5 years ago while attending community college; and she found that by moving through each asana harmoniously with others, in a non-judgmental and self-accepting way, it brought her peace and clarity. Simultaneously, cultivating a yoga practice brough her interconnectedness with the teachers and students she moved with and breathed with.
After attaining her B.A. degree in Psychology in May of 2019 and taking a short break from yoga, Abigail started her career first as a Direct Support Professional/Caregiver for a young adult with Autism. After seeing how beneficial and life changing providing this type of assistance could be, Abigail felt called to take it one step further and learn a more constructive method of assisting those on the Autism spectrum by learning and practicing ABA therapy with children on the spectrum as a Registered Behavioral Technician. From 2020-2022, during Covid and both in the home and school setting, Abigail has juggled being both a caregiver/DSP for the adult she worked for and a Behavioral Technician for a child based on the child’s individualized plan and utilizing natural environment teaching, functional communication training using a PECS device, coping strategies for tantrums and teaching many social skills and life skills. Throughout Covid, Abigail practiced Yoga on her own and saw how beneficial it was for her to manage stress and particularly, the stress she experienced during such a trying time in the homes she was working in. She always wondered how she could bridge the gap between Yoga and Direct Support/ABA therapy to better help those around her and those in need.
Finally, from April of 2021 to February of 2022, Abigail completed her 200-hour Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and Yoga Teacher training certification through Breathe For Change. This program is specifically targeted to teach educators and individuals that work with children how to better equip themselves with emotional regulation and social skills, as well as how to develop better coping mechanisms and encourage community driven activities which promote togetherness. As a newly graduated teacher, and a forever student of Yogic philosophy, Abigail seeks to help kiddos in need, especially through such a wonderful platform such as Arva Yoga. She is so excited and honored to be a part of this team and work with Vai Haridas to teach kiddos with special needs how to cope with their feelings and  advocate for themselves to the best of their ability!