Meet our Instructors

Amy Raichert

Amy started practicing yoga in 1994 and teaching in 2004. She is an Anusara-Inspired teacher who loves learning new ways to experience being in the body, through breath alignment, organic movement, voice and play. She has spent the last 7 years dedicating her studies to the methodology of Anusara Yoga which have included detailed alignment instruction, Yoga therapy, and Philosophy with an amazing cast of teachers whom she adores greatly.

In classes she uses careful alignment techniques to line the students up both physically and energetically so that the body will open up with more ease. Her classes range from beginners to advanced-leading students through sequences to fully expand in their minds, hearts and lives. Amy believes Yoga is a grassroots movement to help awaken us to our greater consciousness and creative potential at a very crucial time ...NOW.

She is also trained in Restorative Yoga and loves to help people just let go and chill out. In her classes you can expect chanting, pranayama , a dash of philosophy and poetry. When not at the studio or on the mat she can be found sewing, shopping for vintage finds, hiking or somewhere out on the road perusing this earth.

Aradhana Kaur, E-RYT 200
Spirit of Yoga Studio Manager

Aradhana began her Yoga practice in 2000 studying Kundalini Yoga with Sat Jiwan Singh. In 2004, her journey took her to Anandpur Sahib, India where she received her International Kundalini Yoga Certification at the residence of Yogi Bhajan.

Continuing education, she has studied Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley, Kundalini Yoga Level 2- Mind & Meditation and Vitality & Stress. Recently, she completed 100 hours in Yoga Nidra with Kamini Desai, and is currently enrolled in the advanced 760 hour Yoga Therapy Program offered at SWIHA.

Astara Robinson, E-RYT 200

Astara found yoga as a 16 year old living in Flint Michigan. Throughout the many places she has moved and traveled, her yoga practice has always been able to provide her with a secure home, a home within herself. She is forever grateful to yoga for leading her to a space that she can feel safe, loved and peaceful, no matter where on the map or where along the path of growing she is. Along with being an E-RYT 200, Astara is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Massage Therapist. She incorporates her knowledge of human anatomy with her enthusiasm for living the human experience with awareness.

She continues to do all three careers at once, enjoying the union of science and spirituality to understand the body. Astara thinks of yoga as the movement of two large heavy rocks together, creating the spark/prana/breath of life within a person that in turn gives a sparkle to the world. As a teacher, she aspires to show people how to move these rocks within themselves to create the light of their own unique spark and illuminate the world into a global community. Her classes have educational alignment focus to help drive the body into a healthy strong practice while incorporating a heart felt theme.

Caroline Cucchiara, E- RYT 500

Caroline Cucchiara was 100% determined to get happy and stay happy so she decided to see if yoga could help her out. After some initial fussing and fighting, what really happened was that yoga showed her that she already IS happy. Caroline has made it her life’s work to turn on that same light bulb for as many people as possible. Her yoga classes embrace a wide range of hatha yoga traditions and offer insight into yoga philosophy while steering clear of a dogmatic approach to anything in order to help all kinds of students find a path that suits them and encourages them to recognize their own happiness, peace, and worth.

Caroline is a Yoga Alliance-certified Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level (E-RYT 500). She has completed master teacher training programs with nationally renowned teachers and has served as a mentor in the Yoga Pura teacher training program.

Her most recent adventure is working with developmentally disabled adults and teens, helping them to fully experience their own joy and freedom through the practice of yoga in return for their infectious enthusiasm and sweetness. Caroline continues to develop her practice both on and off the mat though the study of the ancient yogic texts, the wisdom of spiritual masters from all traditions, and the teachings of the seconds, minutes and days as they unfold before her.

Cathie Graham, MA, RYT 200

Cathie Graham, MA, RYT 200-Cathie began her yoga practice in 1996 and has been teaching for the past 6 years. She completed Level 1 and 2 with Christy Burnette in addition to both levels of Therapeutic Yoga. She has studied extensively with Desiree Rumbaugh, John Friend, Erich Schiffmann, Rod Stryker, Mary Bruce and many gifted teachers in the Phoenix area.

Cathie's primary focus is on Level1-2 Hatha yoga. Her goal is to have every student feel better physically and emotionally after completing her class. Cathie is a retired Social Worker who worked in the Mental Health field for over 25 years. In addition to her practice, she likes to hike, bike and read.

Cecilia Marquis, RYT

Cecilia has taught yoga since 2007. She received her yoga teacher training from Scottsdale Community College and is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She has studied both Iyengar and Anusara yoga. Cecilia has attended a number of classes and workshops on meditation, philosophy and pranayama. She has taught a workshop entitled Prop-a-palooza on the use of props in yoga poses, and a special session entitled Yoga at Your Desk, for the busy professional.

Cecilia’s yoga classes emphasize proper alignment in poses. Students have an opportunity to be mindful and experience the poses from the inside out, nurturing themselves with compassionate awareness. Cecilia's Yoga Basics class combines asana, meditation and often includes pranayama. She invites students of all abilities to attend her class as either initial instruction in asana, pranayama and meditation, or as a way to review basic principles of alignment and mindfulness.

Charlie Allred

Charlie is a native Phoenician who grew up in Tempe, AZ. She has a degree in Business Finance from the University of San Diego with a minor in Chemistry.

She has been yoga teaching since 2004. Her first teacher was Mary Bruce here at SWIHA. Mary led Charlie to study with Rod Stryker and Parayoga. After her first training with Stryker, Charlie decided this was her yoga. She loves the energetic effects it gives. Charlie believes life takes effort, with consistent effort in your yoga practice; your truest self will shine.

She welcomed her first children on 4/17/11- two beautiful daughters, life now is a balancing act!

Christine Thomas

Christine Thomas has been practicing Yoga off and on for about 10 years. Committing to a more disciplined practice about 2 years ago, she decided to deepen her practice by attending the SWIHA Yoga Teacher Training. Upon graduating in October 2009, she began teaching immediately.

“Yoga has opened up a whole new world, bringing me inner peace and centeredness. To me, teaching is a venue in which to empower others to reach inside and get in touch with their divinity.” Christine started her 500hr Master Yoga Teacher Training Program (at Yoga Pura) and looks forward to sharing her love and passion of yoga with others. She also enjoys early morning runs in the Mountain Preserves with her dog and hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains.

Duane Armitage, E-RYT 200/500

Duane Armitage, creator of Hatha-Gong™ and co-owner of True Self Yoga is an E- RYT 200. Having received certification in the Yoga Teacher Training Program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2009, he has been enrolled in a 300 hour advanced Teacher Training Program through Inner Vision Yoga in Tempe Arizona. He is scheduled to graduate June 26, 2011.

Duane has been playing Gong in the Phoenix area since 2009 since his studies with Gong master Don Conreaux. In August of 2010 Duane began to incorporate the playing of the Gong into the Hatha Yoga practice, finding that the vibration of the Gong assisted in moving energy through the body and activating the chakras.

Dusty Snow

Dusty began teaching yoga in 1999. She received her training through the Amrit Yoga Institute and Jimmy Barkan Method Hot Yoga. Dusty was a professional dancer and dance instructor until she was injured. She discovered yoga improved her health and eased pain but most importantly for her, it quieted the chatter in her head. It is Dusty's belief the practice of yoga will allow us to see things more clearly and trust our truth. Dusty hopes to see you in practice! For more information check out www.dustysnow.com

Earle Duskey

Earle set out on a path to a healthier lifestyle in 1985 by joining a local ATA Taekwondo club in East Mesa. After achieving the rank of 3rd degree black belt and having his own school in Payson, AZ, he moved back to the valley to begin a new career in massage.

He graduated from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 1994. In 2002, SWIHA moved to Tempe (its present location) where yoga and life coaching were his first classes to be taken. Ana Lunaria, Jeff Martens, Cain Carroll and Michelle Dante were his instructors in the yoga program. Earle’s other favorite Instructors included Anusara Inspired, Christy Burnette and Yin Yoga by Paul Grilley.

He loves to blend his massage and yoga into the self-healing art it is. Earle managed the SWIHA Yoga studio for two years in 2006 and 2007. He is currently taking the Advanced Yoga Training at Spirit of Yoga and certificates include, but are not limited to, 200hr Yoga Training, Life Coaching, Hypno/timeline/NLP, Master Toe-reading, Reiki Master, Massage Instructor for 8 years, and has been ordained in the Spiritual Studies program since December 4, 2009. Earle’s favorite yoga class involves chanting, breathing, slow-deep postures and ending with Yin.

Gabriel Gavin

Yoga and I met several years go, in the form of DVD. In the first year it was an occasional “competition” with the same DVD. I came in contact with a few more DVD’s over the next year or two. In late 2006 I was introduced to a Yoga class in a gym, a male instructor, who afforded me the comfort to realize men did Yoga. I went to that class faithfully for about a year, twice a week. The changes started coming on physically, and in the form of slower thought, easier mind.

I enrolled in Teacher Training, May 2008 at Inner Vision Yoga Studio (where I received my 200 hour certification and am currently working on my 500 hour), swearing I would never teach - six months later I was. It was just the way it was supposed to happen, no resistance from myself led to this new discovery of an offering I gladly share. Now I have the opportunity to share Yoga at various locations throughout the East Valley.

I encourage one to come take a class and join in as we play on the mat and potentially realize some escape from all that can consume a person… Step out of the boundaries with a practice that can bring inspiration for realization. Thank you to all those that made this possible and to those who continue to inspire.

Irena Ajic

Irena started practicing yoga about seven years ago while she was completing her degree in architecture from Arizona State University. Yoga was a way to help her keep calm and grounded through four years of stress and many sleepless nights. After graduating from ASU, Irena completed the Yoga Teacher Training program through Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and has been teaching classes ever since, while continuing to work in the construction field.

She believes yoga is the perfect balance to any sport, job or lifestyle. In her classes, Irena brings focus on anatomy and proper alignment to students of all levels, for them to experience the incredible benefits of yoga. Irena strongly believes we can all live healthier lives and address many of our physical or emotional discomforts through a regular yoga practice.

Izzi Sunnes, RYT

Izzi completed her 200 hour Hatha-based yoga teacher training at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, AZ, where she studied under Christy Burnette.

She was first introduced to yoga while completing her BA in Psychology at the University of Northern Iowa. There was something special calling her to the mind-body-spirit connection behind yoga, so she moved to Arizona with her boyfriend and 2 cats to study holistic health care.

Along with her degree in Western Herbalism and Holistic Nutrition, Izzi draws from her experiences of working in the social services industry to extend the practice of yoga to the public. Her focus is on connecting the breath to appropriate physical alignment, bringing meditation into motion. Her patience and compassion brings welcome to the spirit of all beings. She desires that yoga be practical, accessible, and open for everyone, regardless of any physical or mental challenges, religious orientation, or socio-economic status. Yoga is love and love is for all!

Izzi also enjoys embroidering, drawing, sewing, making herbal medicine, painting, and playing the piano as often as she can.

Laura Minnick, RYT 200

Laura has been practicing Yoga since 1995 – a journey that began in preparation for natural childbirth, at home. The gifts of this practice are many! In 2006, Laura received her 200 hour yoga instructor certification from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts with Anusara Certified and senior Para Yoga teacher Mary Bruce.

Additionally, she has completed level I of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy as well as Restorative Yoga Training, and Yoga of the Voice with Sylvia Nakatch. The teachings received from these teachers, and programs hold deep roots in alignment, tantric philosophy and deep understanding of ones body and breath and mindfulness in their synergy. Laura encourages students to align their hopes for their experience in yoga with mindfulness in all aspects of their practice both on an off the mat.

Patty A. Miller, RYT 200

Patty has been practicing yoga since 2000, when she needed a way to get back in touch with her body after surgery.

In 2006, Patty became a Certified 200 Hour Instructor (RYT) in Interdisciplinary Yoga at the Nosara Yoga Institute with Don & Amba Stapleton. In 2007, she was also certified as a Pranassage® Instructor, which is a yoga relaxation experience. Patty is currently completing her 500 hour RYT Training Program.

Patty teaches at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). She teaches Beginners Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Level I & II Technique and Flow Classes, Restorative Yoga, and Yin Yoga. Private yoga and Pranassage® instruction is available by appointment.

My philosophy in teaching is to let each student find their own path through a guided experiential practice. I focus on proper yoga alignment and breath awareness. I encourage students to let go of expectations for "perfect" poses and use props to support all levels of practice from beginners to advanced students. I ask my students to move slowly and pay attention to moving the energy body as well as the physical body. Most importantly, I provide an environment where my students can relax, be in the moment and have fun!

Po Lege

Po has been teaching yoga since 2000. Po blends the practice of alignment with nurturing athleticism encouraging students to reach their fullest potential while on the mat. She has studied with Master Kamal in Hong Kong, Jordan and Martin Kirk and Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.

Po is a medical sonographer and her understanding and interest in the human body deepens her enjoyment of using yoga as a therapeutic tool.

Rasoul Sabani E-RYT 500

Rasoul Sabini graduated from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and Scottsdale Community College with over 700 hours of instructor training. He has been teaching yoga for ten years and martial arts for 21; it is safe to say he is an expert in both.

Rasoul is a certified yoga instructor and martial artist who currently teaches at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts to help students explore and discover their gifts in these areas. Not only is he a teacher at SWIHA, but Rasoul teaches yoga and tai chi chi qung on Persian TV weekly. You can view his weekly yoga segment on the web at www.timebroadcasting.com.

Rhoda Miriam, E-RYT 500

A native of Chicago, Rhoda Miriam has guided Yoga and Meditation students since 1993. She is certified as a professional-level Kripalu Yoga teacher and a Yoga teacher mentor, as well as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner.

Rhoda holds the Yoga Alliance 500-hour experienced teacher designation (E-RYT 500), and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She also has been certified by the Arthritis Foundation and trained by the National MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society. Certified by Judith Hanson Lasater as a Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga trainer, she also studies with Richard Miller and is an advanced iRest® Yoga Nidra teacher.

As a faculty member of the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona, she teaches Meditation courses and Yoga classes. She co-created and developed their 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training curriculum, and designed the Yoga Teacher Training textbook. Rhoda currently offers individual yoga therapy, group classes, workshops and trainings for yoga teachers and practitioners, as well as staff training programs for Wellness Educators in a variety of fields.

She guides Meditation and Relaxation in person and by phone or via the internet. Rhoda holds a degree in Art History from the University of Wisconsin. She has been a professional artist and an art educator for more than forty years in both public and private schools. Rhoda created the "Yoga for Slow Living" program as a conscious approach to Health and Wellness through Meditation and Yoga-- both on and off the mat. She currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Stephanie Serrano

Stephanie attended her first yoga class to support a friend who had started teaching at a new school. Like many new practitioners, she thought she would get a good stretch and relieve some stress. She had no idea that yoga is so much more than just this and yet it is really all about "just this".

After six years of practice she received her 200 hour Armit Yoga Certification in September 2010. Letting go, breathing deep, and just being are now a part of both her classes and her life.

Tiffany Weis

Tiffany has taught Kundalini for ten years, and is also a Wellness and Self Empowerment Support Coach. She does public speaking on related topics, but her main point is related to meditation: stillness, and finding all authentic answers from within. Her motto is, "No matter what your question, the answer is meditation."
Her classroom guiding qualities are joy, fun, and listening to/honoring your body and your self.

Subsitutes:

Mary Bonvicino

Mary has been practicing yoga for over 5 years. Having the desire to deepen her practice she attended the Yoga Teacher Trainer Program at SWIHA and graduated in March of 2009. After graduating, Mary wanted to continue with her yoga journey and began teaching at SWIHA. When not teaching or practicing yoga, Mary enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Sandy Collins, Med, E-RYT 200, ATP®

Sandy works with clients both in private and group settings to facilitate insight, awareness, and healing so that they can live in greater freedom. She is a teacher and healer who has studied spirituality for almost 20 years, and yoga for over 11 years. She is an articulate communicator who is able to convey serious topics with a sense of fun and play.

Sandy has a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master of Education, is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Hypnotherapist, a Certified Angel Therapy Practitioner® (by Doreen Virtue), LaHoChi practitioner, and will soon be an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. She blends her numerous years experience in training, higher education instruction, and small business ownership with spiritual insight to easily bring esoteric thought into real-world practicality. You can visit her website at PoweredByPrana.com