OUR YOGA INSTRUCTORS

FOUNDER of 

MOUNT DIABLO YOGA CENTER
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Specializing in Yoga for Scoliosis

As the studio owner of Mount Diablo Yoga Center, Monique was inspired to give a tranquil home to yoga instructors from the area and offer personalized classes to students and neighbors of our beautiful community.

Monique began her yoga journey while pregnant with her first child fourteen years ago. Yoga is now an inseparable part of Monique’s life, and she thrives on sharing her knowledge with students of all ages. 

Inspired by how yoga movement can change people’s health and overall life, Monique earned certification and began work as a Les Mills BodyBalance instructor. While teaching this fitness regime, which combines Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi, she strived for a deeper understanding of the benefits that yoga in particular can bring to the body. 

Today, Monique tailors her attention to detail and precise method of teaching structural alignment to each of her specialized small-group and private classes.

Monique is an Iyengar influenced Certified Instructor. She completed the 200-hour Advanced Studies/Teacher Training Program in February 2017 at the Iyengar yoga studio, The Yoga & Movement Center in Walnut Creek, CA. In 2018, Monique furthered her studies with Elise Browning Miller and is now a Yoga for Scoliosis certified Teacher Trainer. Monique extends her studies in the Iyengar discipline via frequent workshops with Yoga Alliance continuing education providers.

Specializing in Vinyasa Flow and Yoga Sculpt

Lauren's classes are known for their dynamic sequences that blend unique movements with breath. And you can always count on a great playlist! She encourages her students to step outside of their comfort zones, celebrate the small wins along the way, and embrace the transformative power of yoga. 

Her love for yoga began in college where she found a way to combine her passion for movement with mindfulness. Inspired by the inclusive and empowering nature of the practice, she signed up for as many yoga classes that she could and eventually took on a role as a Wellness Intern at the campus recreation center. 

In addition, Lauren received her first fitness certification through the University of Oregon and began teaching group exercise classes in a variety of formats. Post college, her move to San Francisco introduced her to the dynamic world of Yoga Sculpt, where she quickly found her niche. She continued on her yoga journey and spent a transformative month in Bali completing her 200 hour yoga teacher training with yogis from around the world. Upon returning to San Francisco, Lauren became a full time yoga practitioner, managing studios, teaching classes, and leading teacher trainings throughout the city.

As a seasoned instructor and lifelong student of yoga, Lauren is dedicated to sharing her passion and creating a space for connection, community, and confidence.

Specializing in Restorative Yoga

Victoria is a graduate of The Yoga and Movement Center's Advanced Studies/Teacher Training Program, studying under Diane Valentine and Dennis Eagan. She completed further training with Judith Lasater and is a certified Relax and Renew® restorative yoga teacher. 

Through her gentle and invitational approach to yoga, she meets each student where they are at, honoring their personal practice. She very much resonates with the quiet and calming poses found in Restorative yoga. These poses allow for deep relaxation and letting go, both in mind and body. Victoria finds her time on the mat as a precious opportunity to turn inward, notice and listen. 

She is so grateful to be able to share this practice with others and hopes that her students feel more and more at home on their mat, and in the world.

Specializing in Vinyasa Flow/Hatha Yoga

Chloe is a dedicated yoga teacher with a passion for creating fun, approachable classes that inspire and empower her students. With years of experience leading in-person classes, Chloe brings a thoughtful and creative approach to her teaching. Her Vinyasa Flow classes are designed to meet students where they are, offering accessible sequences with plenty of options to explore balance, strength, and flexibility.

Chloe’s teaching is grounded in her belief that yoga is for everyone, and her warm, welcoming energy makes students of all levels feel at ease. She blends intentional movement, uplifting music, and moments of mindfulness to help students leave the mat feeling refreshed, stretched, and ready to take on their day. 

When she’s not teaching, Chloe is a mom, small business owner, and advocate for natural wellness. She loves connecting with her community and sharing her passion for holistic living.

Specializing in body and mind connection

Tatiana is the Holistic practitioner and yoga instructor who is providing variety of services to humans and animals. Her main focus is to create harmony between physical body and mind. 

Tatiana’s approach to healing is based on ancient Asian and Indian methodologies and techniques, such as: Yoga, Ayurveda, Reflexology, Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Massages Tuina/Shiatsu and SuJok therapy. 

Tatiana believes:

Acceptance is the key to harmony.

Specializing in Holistic Meditation Therapy and Stress Management

With over 20 years of experience in holistic meditation therapy, Salma is passionate about helping individuals find resilience and well-being through a personalized approach. In 2004, she founded the Alternative & Holistic Health Center of Walnut Creek, where she collaborated with medical doctors to develop stress management programs and supported patients and private clients coping with anxiety and depression by integrating a holistic approach to the mind, body, and soul experience.
Salma’s personal journey and professional expertise have fueled her dedication to helping others gain a deeper understanding of their natural human strength and build resilience. Through personalized meditation sessions and one-on-one counseling, she helps individuals deepen their practice of meditation while addressing its misconceptions. 
Over the years, Salma has worked as a Holistic Meditation therapist at Mt. Diablo Integrated Wellness Center and the Holistic Health Center of Walnut Creek. She currently teaches at Mt. Diablo Unified School District, continuing her mission to offer holistic meditation therapy that inspires well-being.
Salma’s unique approach blends modern science with ancient wisdom to achieve an advanced state of mental and emotional well-being. Her work is a testament to the profound benefits of holistic meditation therapy.

Meditation is an experience beyond concept and word. -Salma
https://earthmeditators.com/takeaway.html 

Specializing in Sound Therapy and Reiki

Nicole is a sound practitioner, utilizing the power of sound to facilitate healing and relaxation. Sound therapy has the incredible ability to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit, allowing individuals to release stress, improve focus, and achieve a sense of inner peace.
 

As a Reiki master, Nicole is dedicated to promoting holistic wellness and energy balancing. Reiki is a gentle and non-invasive healing technique that helps restore harmony to the body's energy centers, promoting overall well-being and facilitating the body's natural healing processes.
 

She is deeply committed to helping individuals uncover their inner strength, overcome obstacles, and live a life filled with purpose and joy. By combining my expertise in coaching, sound therapy, and Reiki, I provide a comprehensive approach to personal growth and transformation.

Find out more:

https://www.plantedenergygroup.com/

Specializing in Trauma Informed Yoga

Charlie Harrison (she/her), RYT500 - Hello, I have taught yoga for 10 years. I love teaching yoga. When I began practicing in the 90’s I did not feel comfortable in traditional studio classes. But the practice itself is so strong that I kept coming back. When I began to teach I saw ways to make yoga accessible and inviting to people from different backgrounds and with all kinds of bodies and levels of fitness. The philosophy of the practice is inclusive and the benefits are profound. I want to be able to bring that to my students. My classes focus on expanding personal awareness, helping people feel grounded and developing or fine tuning balance.  When the body feels more at ease, the mind can expand and relax a bit as well. 

Much of my training in yoga has focused on teaching folks with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries. I taught Veterans at the Concord Vet Center and the VA Hospital for several years. I work for an organization that teaches yoga to firefighters and first responders in the fire stations and I teach a regular seminar for the CAL FIRE academy. Additionally, I have weekly classes for people with disabilities in San Francisco and Oakland through Piedmont Yoga Community.  I am an Accessible Yoga Teacher and Ambassador. All of my class are taught through a trauma informed lens that highlights individual choice, calming the nervous system and personal growth. For more info go to www.charliesyoga.com

Specializing in Yoga for Teenagers

As a graduate of The Yoga and Movement Center Teaching Training Program under Diane Valentine and Dennis Eagan, Claire brought her training to teach a Yoga Plus class to high school students.  She and another certified yoga instructor also co-taught a yoga class to educators in the Liberty High School District.  Her focus is on restorative and breathing as well as vinyasa flow.  Claire opened her classroom to all at her high school on a drop-in basis.  

She believes that yoga is for everyone - The beauty of yoga-- is that it is spiritual, meditative, joyous, and energizing-- it is what we need when we need it. 

While instructing students in yoga fundamentals, Claire introduces them to a curriculum that includes the history of yoga, philosophy, anatomy, Sanskrit and mindful exercises.  The focus is guiding students in learning to listen to and honor their body.  While learning various asanas, students gain flexibility, strength and focus, but the greatest benefit is the knowledge that they have the power to make their days and lives better and gain empowerment from the discipline of the practice.  Students overcome their self- consciousness enough to practice gratitude together.  

Teaching teens takes patience and humor and it has taught Claire to not take herself too seriously.  

Workshops - Dr. Larry Callaway DC, ATC, CSCS  

Meet Larry, a dedicated professional in health, wellness, and fitness. With a lifelong commitment to helping others, Larry has spent over two decades specializing in relieving pain and restoring function to enhance your well-being.
His passion for fitness ignited at a young age, and since 16, he's been devoted to guiding individuals towards health, fitness, and recovery. 

Larry practices yoga, strength and conditioning, mobility, and cardio weekly, not just for himself but to better serve you, and most importantly keep up with his son and daughter. 

His mantra emphasizes that health is an ongoing action, tailored to your needs, not just a reaction.

Workshops - Guest Teacher

Diane Valentine - is the former Director of The Yoga & Movement Center in downtown Walnut Creek named Diablo magazine's Best Yoga Teacher 2010. She is a passionate yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer, Feldenkrais® practitioner and author. Diane has developed a deep understanding of the body, mind, and emotional connections through her work as a yoga teacher, and Feldenkrais practitioner. Today, her methods are aimed at teaching students to listen to their bodies through the fluid movements of yoga and Feldenkrais, as well as learning to practice “living in the present moment” by becoming aware of and acting on the wholeness of their mind-body-spirit connection.

Diane believes in providing a highly individual approach to her students both in classes and in private sessions. Her classes are grounded in the traditions of B.K.S. Iyengar Diane has trained and assisted Senior Iyengar teacher Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD. and she has received many certifications in the therapeutic and restorative aspects of yoga. Diane has also assisted and traveled with Judith for 10 years learning the finer points of working individually with students. Diane has been a teacher for over 30 years. She is a highly experienced RYT500 teacher, certified with The Yoga Alliance and the International Yoga therapist Association, as well as a certified Relax & Renew Trainer® in Restorative Yoga and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®.

Workshops - Guest Teacher

Leslie Howard is an Oakland-based yoga teacher, specializing in all things pelvic. She leads workshops and trainings nationally and has written a book about caring for the female pelvis, Pelvic Liberation. She is a regular presenter for the Yoga Journal conferences and a regular contributor to Yoga Journal magazine. Her own struggles with healing her hips and pelvis led her to intense study of the anatomy, physiology, cultural messaging, history and energetics of this rich place. 

Her teaching is informed by over 3500 hours of yoga study with senior Iyengar yoga teachers. She considers Ramanand Patel her most important influence and mentor. She has designed two very successful studies for UCSF on how to use yoga to alleviate incontinence and pelvic pain. 

To learn more about Leslie or for some online education opportunities visit: www.lesliehowardyoga.com