Teacher Biographies

Click here for Teacher Biographies

Teacher Staff recruiting in process.

Certified teachers please email lisa.semrau@ew-exchange.com

Lisa Semrau... is a Nationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Silver Age Yoga Teacher, and Certified TransformationMeditation Instructor. She is also co-owner of East West Exchange. Lisa has been practicing Yoga since her early teenage years and received her first teaching certification in 1979. Her dream has always been to bring the benefits of Yoga to all people. Lisa teaches a wide variety of classes from Beginning Yoga to Power Yoga. Her interest in other cultures and religions coupled with her passion for Yoga and health contributed to her desire to create an environment where people could explore these concepts. East West Exchange is that environment.

Mei Jian Fann Ho... has been studying Traditional Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan for eighteen years and teaching for twelve. Mei Jian studied T'ai Chi Chu'uan with Master Tung Kai Ying and David Block in; San Francisco, Idyllwild, Los Angeles and Phoenix, Arizona. Mei Jian is a certified T'ai Chi Ch'uan instructor. Certified with the Asian Arts Center ~ T'ai Chi Ch'uan Academy. Mei Jian has taught at Phoenix and Glendale Parks Community Centers, Camelback Inn, Foothills Athletic Club, Studio Om and taught private lessons for three years at Executive Park in central Phoenix Mei Jian has attended T'ai Chi workshops, and seminars and studied at Master Tung's USA camps in Idyllwild, California in the San Jacinto Mountains. Representing the Asian Arts Academy, she has also given demonstrations at various cultural events. Practicing T'ai Chi Ch'uan has the following profound health benefits; improving balance, increasing flexibility, reduces stress, anxiety, strengthens the body / mind and brightens the spirit. Ta'i Chi Ch'uan a moving meditation.

 Ashley Lawless... After many sleepless New York nights of juggling  dance, choreography, and a job in the financial consulting world, Ashley  Singletary made it her goal in life to be still and find peace. After finishing  a teacher training course and an internship with New York's Center for Yoga Studies, Ashley now wants to inspire others to find their ways to stillness. She strives to make each of her classes a refuge where students can be healthy, be we and be free. Ashley is interested in finding a happy balance between challenging our bodies and keeping the calm. Her classes focus on a serious flow of movement and energy along with basic pranayama exercises to awaken the hidden energy and power within all of us. Ashley is RYT Vinyasa Yoga Alliance certified and also holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography.

Linda McCulloch is an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher, certified through Yoga Alliance who has studied with It’s Yoga founder, Larry Shultz.  Unsure exactly of what she wanted out of her profession, she happened upon Ashtanga and since then has been avidly  inquiring and learning as much as she can about this dynamic style of yoga to further expand all aspects of her life- from her own personal practice, to her own mindset, to her own career.  Through the practice of yoga- physically, mentally, and spiritually Linda has never before been more centered and is only living each day to continue this practice and further her commitment to this ever-growing awareness and expansion.  She cannot imagine doing anything else and being this happy, content, and fulfilled-personally and professionally.  She wants to share Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with the world.  Many students of yoga are often intimidated by Ashtanga, but Linda, loving Shultz’s philosophy, brings this compelling style of yoga to people of all abilities and all various personal focuses, from beginners to advanced, physical to spiritual.  Linda’s drishti is to keep in touch with Larry Shultz, to “someday” open a progressive Ashtanga Vinyasa studio of her own.

Suzy Michaels – She was first introduced to yoga at a meditation retreat in Southern Thailand in 1994. Her interest in travel, world cultures and languages lead her to a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations & French from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Following college, she gained a three-year experience in Southeast Asia as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching English in the northeast region of Thailand, and visited a few other countries in the region including India, Nepal, Laos & Vietnam.  Since the meditation retreat she’s practiced yoga on and off before moving to Arizona in 2005.  In 2007, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training program at Scottsdale Community College which focused on Iyengar-based yoga, emphasizing proper alignment of the body in the poses using props such as blankets, blocks and straps. The idea is that once balance is created in the body, it will be reflected in the mind. One of her interests is in teaching children’s yoga which combines playful movements and storytelling which encourages the child’s imagination.  She is also a board member of the Valley of the Sun Wellness Institute, a non-profit organization providing preventative wellness services to the community.

Shane Wilson: Shane has studied and practiced meditation throughout the world. Formally ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk, Shane took the name “Sabhalo” but it was prior to this that he felt compelled to study meditation in North America and Asia with America, European and Thai instructors. Shane received permission to teach meditation from his teacher (Ajahn) in Thailand and has since taught meditation to those wishing to further their practice and particularly, for those people who may be looking for a way to experience life in a more joyful and balanced way by incorporating meditation into their lives.

Ingrid Ortega, CYT: I grew up in Venezuela and began yoga as a child, at first trying to impress my family with some pretzel yoga poses I had seen in a book. Yoga is now a way of life and a method of healing for me. My childhood was often interrupted by broken bones, a symptom of premature osteoporosis at the age of six -2 broken vertebra, broken tailbone, ankles, foot, toes, fingers, etc...not all at once of course. At one point in my late 20's I asked myself, 'Do I want to live this way?' In constant pain, so limited and restricted? Of course not! Two days later I met my first yoga teacher, Nancy. Within a few weeks I began to see results. I started to heal and transform in so many ways, and the more I wake up the more I see, and the more I realize I know nothing...and that inspires me to move on. It keeps getting better and better. Several years later I received my teacher training certification at Sedona’s Seven Centers Yoga Arts. So, here I am learning, teaching, giving and receiving the many blessings and benefits of this science, art, discipline. We can call it whatever, but it's bringing us together. It welcomes us and holds us as we are, feeding any particular need of our body, mind and spirit, guiding us back home to our Divine essence...so we may ultimately break free from the illusion of separation, boundaries and suffering. I am you, you are I, and we are One...One with the Divine...

Mary Simmons, RYT-500, CYT-500

I am a 500-hour Registered and Certified Yoga Teacher. My active Yoga journey began nearly a decade ago as a video practice in the early mornings and late evenings to decompress from my highly stressful career as a corporate lawyer.  After retiring from my legal career, I found my way to a “real” Yoga class and my life was forever altered.  At first, I only noticed the physical benefits (though it took me nearly 6 months to complete a Chatarunga without my knees!), but I longed for more.  I enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training program with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of why I was experiencing changes not only in my physical body but in my soul.  The experience brought me such joy and contentment that I am compelled to share these gifts with others. 

My individual teaching style is an eclectic mix of the wide variety of yoga styles I have studied, including Hatha, Power, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative.    My classes center on the joyful healing power of Yoga for both physical and spiritual ailments, the practice of Ahimsa (non-violence), especially as it relates to how we treat ourselves, and the contentment that comes from honoring your True Self.  Because Yoga should be fun, all my classes provide a supportive, nurturing environment that allows the playful and joyful healing power of Yoga to shine.

Jenni Goodall... I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, and I moved to Phoenix in 1998. I began my asana practice shortly after moving to Arizona and I have been studying yoga ever since. In 2005 I decided to pursue my yoga teacher certification. I completed the required curriculum for my 500 hr teacher certification in early 2008. I have been teaching yoga for 2 years. I am a Yoga Alliance certified teacher and a member of AYA. My teaching style is very focused and meditative with a hint of playfulness. I offer my students a safe and supportive place to come into their practice and into the present moment.

 “You are the light of Presence, the awareness that is prior to and deeper than any thoughts and emotions”  -----Eckhart Tolle

Jennie Yingling, 500 hr. RYT.

Jennie has been practicing a variety of yoga styles for over ten years.  As her love and appreciation for her own practice deepened, it guided her to a 500-hour advanced studies teacher training program. Jennie has been a yoga instructor for over three years, teaching Ashtanga, Anusara, Iyengar,  Bikram, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Pre-Natal, Post-Natal, and Kid’s Yoga.  Currently she is continuing her studies in Yoga Therapy.

Jennie's teachings come from her heart and from what she has learned through her own practice, combined with teachings from some of the great Master yoga teachers with whom she has been honored to study.  Jennie believes yoga is a way of life, not just an exercise.  It is a never-ending learning experience in self-observation.  It is Union, finding a union between body, mind & breath, giving us a sense of inner peace, clarity, balance, and ultimately a union between the universe and oneself. Her intention is to share the gifts she has received through yoga with others.  Although challenging at times, her classes are also light in spirit and always honoring to the body, making them accessible to any level.  She continually encourages students to embrace themselves exactly as they are.

Robin Afinowich…

As a child, Robin’s introvertednature allowed her to become comfortable in silence and  she often found herself practicing deep forward folds, stretches and twists, experimenting with breathing and contemplating her most inner self…. then came the fascination with putting her feet on her head.   Even before she knew about yoga, she was creating and exploring ways to find a sense of peace and strength within herself physically, mentally and spiritually.  This natural connection to a deeper sense of well being and understanding has brought her through a journey of self transformation. 

Robin has practiced yoga for nearly 10 years,encompassing most styles, and has earned her 200hr Teacher Training as a student of Master Teacher, Mary Bruce, whom she considers to be an infinite source of knowledge. She is continuing her 500hr Masters Training.  Robin has gathered inspiration from great yogis such as BKS Iyengar, Erich Schiffman, John Friend, Rod Styker, Sianna Sherman, Douglas Brooks, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Rachelle Marmor and Ingrid Ortega.  She also focuses her studies on Tantric Philosophy - the complex creation of all things connected - and other theories of spiritual and social evolution.  As an ever evolving student of yoga and philosophy, her quest for further education and practice will never end. 

A mother of two, Robin brings a nurturing and approachable quality to her teaching.  Her classes are a soothing combination of strength and spirit, with a focus on alignment principles and proper sequencing.  She brings a deeper personal experience by maintaining a genuine expression of the heart, bringing awareness to energy and incorporating pranyama and meditative techniques.  It is her intention to create a safe, trusting and fun environment where many aspects of yoga are accessible to all types of people. 

Lindsay Loken ~ Bringing her love of nature, arts, dancing and music into both her personal practice and her teachings, Lindsay’s mantra is to always “keep it fun”. She loves to include a little bit of humor and a lot of joy into her practice. After all, if you’re smiling, you’re at peace. After working in the corporate world for 7 years as a Paralegal, Lindsay decided a new life path was in order. She decided to combine her love of all things peaceful, her life experiences and her desire to share the inner peace you find with yoga to others to create a yoga practice that benefits mind, body and soul.

Gordon Sims has been studying and practicing Yoga since 2001.  He became an internationally certified Kundalini Yoga teacher in 2003.  Once having experienced the tremendous and rapid benefits of Kundalini Yoga, Gordon had to learn to teach it.  He feels it is the best way to offer others a way to peace and self satisfaction in this hectic and sometimes crazy world.  He always teaches with the awareness of the great honor it is to be trusted to share such an amazing form of Yoga.  Gordon is also involved in the non-profit world as a fundraiser for a domestic violence shelter in the Valley.

Gordon’s other interests vary from rock climbing and swimming to listening to jazz in the desert and exploring the world of devotional chant music.