YYS Teachers
All Yasodhara Yoga Spokane teachers are trained and certified at Yasodhara Ashram in British Columbia, Canada. Most of our teachers offer their work as service – receiving no payment for it, or donating class fees back to our Center.
Swami Yasodananda
Swami Yasodananda has been an enthusiastic practitioner of Swami Radha’s teachings since 1978 and took her first teacher training in 1980. Observing the timeless quality of yoga over the years, she practices and teaches with the awareness that there is usually something to learn about the body and the mind. “So often yoga speaks for itself; as a teacher my aim is to provide a framework for others to experience the support and inspiration yoga offers.”
Swami Lakshmiananda
After her yoga training at Yasodhara Ashram, Swami Lakshmiananda began teaching at Yasodhara Yoga Spokane in 1996. She has continued to teach with an emphasis on the reflective classes of the teachings. In recent years, she has focused on Self-Image, Dreams, Conscious Aging and related subjects. “Teaching gives me the opportunity to share in the excitement of this reflective process. Each student becomes my teacher as he or she uncovers hidden strengths and beauty through the practices. Each class becomes an opportunity to both give and receive.”
Deborah Cano
Deborah began a serious yoga practice with Yasodhara Yoga Spokane in 2002. She attended the Yoga Development Course and received her teacher certification in 2003. She is currently teaching hatha yoga with a focus on self awareness. The yoga practices have been irreplaceable guides for her in her physical, mental and spiritual growth. “Challenges I previously found myself in often felt limiting. As I have grown in the teachings, I have learned to think things through clearly and act with facts rather than emotions.”
Sheila Thomsen
Sheila was first introduced to Yasodhara Yoga at the Yasodhara Ashram in 2010. Since then she has taken reflection classes in Spokane, and attended the Yoga Development Course and teacher training at the Ashram. “I am constantly inspired as I explore the teachings. I am encouraged to listen to my own experience and to find the answers to my questions within myself.”
Gayle Swagerty
After attending the Yoga Development Course and teacher training at Yasodhara Ashram, Gayle began teaching hatha yoga classes in Coulee Dam. After moving to Spokane, she continues to teach and also brings her skills as a Master Gardener to care for our beautiful gardens here at the center.
Office Staff
Amanda Geroux
Amanda was introduced to Swami Radha’s teachings in 1996 when she discovered Yasodhara Ashram while vacationing with friends in British Columbia. A seed was planted! Twenty years later, her life trajectory took a new path when she completed her banking career of 30+ years and spent 8 months at Yasodhara Ashram to live, learn, and work. The fruit from that first seed continues to flourish!