The OM Collective Bio’s

Ali is a Certified Anusara® Yoga instructor, Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 hour, wife, mother, and has been a passionate yoga student for 12+ years.  Upon meeting John Friend in 2003, Ali left the corporate world to begin teaching and co-creating the community of Anusara® yogis in the Twin Cities.  Her classes weave precise physical instruction, practical application of tantric yoga philosophy, and tales from everyday life that remind us of our innate beauty, power, and strength. Ali is abundantly grateful for her 3 wise children, unwavering supportive husband, Martin & Jordan Kirk, Desirée Rumbaugh, the brilliance and guidance of John Friend, and for her mother who started it all.

Offerings: Group + Private Anusara® Yoga Instruction, Immersion Programs
Website: BeginWithIntention

After leaving a long career in Fashion Design, Jennifer completed Vinyasa Yoga teacher training in 2005.  As her life expanded her yoga study did as well.  Through fertility challenges, pregnancy and parenting, yoga has immersed itself in every aspect of her life.  Studying in depth in Women’s Health, she has trained extensively with amazing mentors in Fertility, Prenatal, Postnatal, Yoga for Babies, and Kids Yoga.

She founded JenYoga in 2005, creating Yoga at the Lake, weekly opportunities to practice yoga outside in the Minneapolis Parks, enjoying the glorious weather and a connection to the earth like no other.  In 2009 she founded Fertile Grounding Yoga after she and her husband had their own challenging journey of fertility, and began teaching yoga and educational workshops for women seeking pregnancy. Her classes support women in the midst of intense fertility treatment, as well as those just beginning to seek pregnancy. The same year she became a Birth Support Doula, and had the honor of supporting one of her Fertile Grounding Yoga students through her labor and delivery of a sweet baby girl!

In 2010 she wrote her first Teacher Training program focusing on Prenatal Yoga, and she has thoroughly enjoyed passing on her knowledge and expertise in teaching pregnant women. Her studies keep expanding through all aspects of women’s health, as each stage of life melds into the next she enjoys being able to offer yoga and education to support each path.

Offerings: Gentle Vinyasa Classes for All Levels, Fertility Yoga/Fertile Grounding Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, and Yoga Bonding (parent and baby yoga). Fertile Grounding Yoga Workshops, Non-Toxic Living Workshops, Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and Private instruction.
Website: JenYoga

 

Ronna Rochell has been teaching yoga for over 20 years and is a certified hatha yoga teacher. She obtained her certifications through 2 different yoga schools. In 1998, she was certified as a hatha yoga teacher through Master Yoga Academy, and in 2008, she was certified as an Anusara yoga teacher. Ronna is also certified as a registered yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance; E-RYT 500. Presently, she dedicates her life to bringing yoga into every aspect of her life, from teaching, to her marriage, to being a mother of three boys. Prior to deepening her journey through yoga, Ronna was a professional modern dancer, also earning her MFA in Dance in 1989. All of her life experience gives her unique perspective on the body’s optimal health, expression, and bio-mechanics. Ronna is an enthusiastic teacher who inspires her students with her playful yet serious approach to her classes. Ronna invites her students to step into their own truth: their place of connection of mind, body, and spirit.

Offerings: Group + Private Yoga Instruction, mixed level group classes as well as beginning level classes, Partner Yoga Workshops and Retreats,  & Immersion programs.
Website: BodyWisdomYoga

 

Lisa Van Ahn has been in the business of getting fit, being fit, and living fit for over 10 years. As a nationally ranked amateur and professional competitor in the world of kickboxing and boxing she knows how to push the limits of the body to the brink and in record time. Her best skill is designing signature kick-your-butt workouts that are short, to the point, and get the job done. The job of course, being, looking as hot as possible in a minimum amount of time. She offers every session with consideration for all fitness levels, light heartedness, and her excellent expertise.

Offerings: LVA: NINEVFIVE Workout, intenSati- Class for a Cause, Kickboxing. Full body workouts, strength, cardio, core, and stretch included, private kickboxing and boxing instruction, Nutrition and Health Consultations, Reiki healing sessions.
Website: Lisa Van Ahn

 

With a background in dance and college athletics Nikki has always found herself joy through movement. Nikki began yoga in 2006 as she got a taste for various traditions such as; Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram and Vinyasa Yoga. Nikki’s curiosity continued to expand as she fell into her own daily practice and planned to expand her understanding of yoga. In 2010 Nikki completed her 200H certification emphasizing healing sequencing with Vinyasa yoga in Peru at the Lima Yogashala. Her experience in Peru cultivated a desire deepen her practice and commit to being a lifelong student. Nikki received her 500 hour certification from the yoga center of Minneapolis in 2012. Nikki is forever grateful for her teachers who have given her to permission to teach authentically and intuitively. Nikki has guided gentle and advanced Vinyasa classes for diverse levels and backgrounds including; collegiate athletes, individuals living with mental illness, beginners, caregivers, seniors and families. Nikki’s classes create a space where individuals can turn inward, laugh freely, breathe deeply and move beautifully.  Nikki’s class weaves in breath work, body awareness, poetry, meditation, intelligent sequencing, partner work and yoga Nidra. Nikki hopes to continue to work with teachers in the community to make the practice of Yoga accessible and welcoming to ALL individuals.  Off the mat Nikki spends her time rollerblading, cooking for her friends and neighbors at The Rye House Community, making jewelry, studying holistic nutrition and working at Peace coffee shop.

Offerings: Intermediate Vinyasa Yoga
Contact: ann14nikki@gmail.com

Dan Gorbunow | AMT

Personal Mantra: I welcome forth the brilliance in others and from within me. Dan is a native resident of the Twin Cities and a lifetime student of the Tao. He is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine and martial arts, and practices his own style of “Natural Healing” including bodywork, nutrition, exercise, prayer, divination, and geomancy. He loves martial arts, cooking, and outdoor recreation.

Dan is also an initiated ceremonial helper and warrior dancer of the Great Lakes Anishinaabe people, and has also studied and trained with Dagara (West African) shaman. Dan helps lead prayer and healing rituals such as the Grief Ritual and Ancestralization. He leads prayer and talking circles for men and women’s groups, at-risk youth, juvenile treatment and detention centers. He is the founder and Director of Seven Feathers Natural Health and Recovery, and is currently writing his first book.

Dan is a top-requested wedding DJ and founded the entertainment company, Minnesota Best DJ. He formed Shamantra Trance-Formational Dance in September of 2010 from his vision of combining world sacred music with live percussion, guided affirmations, and community healing process. Friday Nights at the Om! is setting a new standard in how we beautifully we show up as individuals and as a tribe, so welcome to the dance and spread the word!

Dan is the proud parent of Aidan Phoenix, 8 years old. Aidan loves dubstep so put your best Transformer/robot groove on when he requests his music! Children are always a welcome addition to any Shamantra dance event.

Offerings: Shamantra Dance Events

 

A passionate student of Yoga, Jenn is currently in the midst of a 600-hour teacher-training program with the Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International, recognized by Yoga Alliance and of which The Meditation Center in Northeast Minneapolis is an affiliate member.  By leading others in Yoga meditation, she hopes to share the beauty of self-transformation that meditation awakens. A poet, philosopher, and writer, she also thrills at the relevance of ancient Yogic thought to the modern world and our common yearning for grace, beauty, connection, and truth.

Offerings: Yoga Meditation: Peace, Truth, Bliss
Contact: jmanion@earthlink.net

 

Andrew Mills started Wing Chun training in 1997. In 2002 he started Wing Tzun Kung-Fu teaching and training from international Master Dai-Sifu Emin Boztepe, founder of EBMAS (Emin Boztepe Martial Arts System). In ’08 Sihing Andrew became a certified 1st Technician in Wing Tzun Kung-Fu. Andrew teaches and trains for effectiveness but does not glorify fighting. His mindset is one of peace and the return to peace as quickly as possible in any forceful exchange. With this in mind training in WT is intense, real and safe for students. Also balance can be achieved between your mind and body which brings  a sense of calm and peace to each student. As a result reducing stress, anxiety and fear in every part of their lives. Sihing Andrew is always looking for students that want to train and learn realistic Wing Tzun Kung-Fu.

Offerings: Kung Fu
Website: EBMAS or contact at Andrew@EBMASTC.com

 

Clare is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Certified Yoga Instructor. Clare’s joy comes from that moment when clients find a connection between their body and breath and move into an empowered sense of wellness. She is a creative and intuitive teacher, an open listener and powerful proponent of self awareness. She is owner and operator of ROOM to BREATHE a space for therapeutic massage, yoga and meditation in the beautiful Bryn Mawr neighborhood. She received her massage certification from Centerpoint Massage and Shiatsu School and Clinic in 2008. Her yoga certification was earned from the Yoga Center of Minneapolis in 2009. Clare’s massage style employs listening hands, healing intent, proper breathing retraining and skillfully applied massage techniques. Her yoga teaching blends gentle and restorative yoga poses, focused breath work, deep stretching and moving meditation techniques. It is a gentle and effective practice for bringing the body into balance and reducing stress. When yoga and massage therapies are combined a door is opened to meaningful, enduring wellness.

Clare has worked with varied populations from elementary aged children to older adults and those with learning and mobility challenges. Her gentle, motivational instruction is perfect for those beginning a yoga path or those more experienced yogis who wish to deepen their practice. All are welcome!

Offerings: Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor

Contact: clare@ochry.net

 

Alan Pritz is an Interfaith minister, life coach, consultant, meditation & yoga teacher who has trained in and taught meditation, yoga, and martial arts collectively for over 37 years. A spiritual disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Alan draws upon those universal teachings to help individuals and groups interested in spiritual growth – regardless of their faith tradition – or work/life-balance issues. Selected by the US Army Reserves as “Meditation & Life–Balance Resource” for National Combat Veteran Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Alan is also the author of Pocket Guide To Meditation, Meditation and the Spiritual Life, plus producer of two devotional chanting CD’s. Alan lives and works in Minneapolis and can be contacted at AlanPritz@q.com, 612-721-4100.

Offerings: All Faiths Meditation Worship Service
Website:  Awake-in-Life

 

Teaching for over 25 years, Velleda Schervee is a Registered Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance-500), and a graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute, San Francisco. Inspired by many years of intensive study with Angela Farmer, founder of Inner Body Yoga, Velleda brings a sense of creative exploration to her teaching of yoga and meditation. She blends philosophy, therapeutics and humor into her friendly teaching style. Velleda has studied many forms of yoga, bodywork and healing modalities. Her other primary teachers have been Judith Lasater, Iyengar Yoga, author of ‘Relax and Renew, Yoga for Stressful Times’, and Emilie Conrad, founder of Continuum Movement. She graduated from the Minnesota Center for Shiatsu, the Acupressure Institute of Berkeley and continues her study of mindfulness meditation, positive psychology and Buddhism. Velleda is also a visual artist who enjoys creating semi-abstract oil paintings of figures and landscapes. She lives in south Minneapolis and works at Linden Hills Co-op.  Space is limited, please pre-register with instructor prior to class. Class fee: $15.00.

Offerings: Restorative Yoga and Mindful Movement & Ageless Yoga
Contact: vschervee@gmail.com

Lisa came to be a yoga instructor because of her lifelong passion to connect with and to help people. Certified in Hatha/Vinayasa styles through the wonderful Frog Lotus Yoga school in Massachusetts, she loves to incorporate dynamic and creative flow elements in her classes. She strives to make her classes fun, challenging, positive, and life-affirming at all levels… and she loves to see her students smile. Lisa enjoys working with a diverse range of people, and teaches to a wide spectrum of ages and abilities: in addition to her vinyasa flow classes, she can also be found working with babies and new moms in Yoga Bonding classes, working with 2-6 year olds in Kids Yoga classes, and at an assisted living facility teaching chair-based yoga to some particularly amazing yogis in their 90′s. Lisa considers it a gift and a privilege to be able to share yoga with others, and she is grateful for all that her students teach her on a daily basis.

Offerings: Senior Yoga
Website: lisaventicinque