SHINE BRIGHTER

Realize your highest self through dedicated personal practice development, yoga therapy, and teacher training programs.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Be Part of a Living Lineage

Be part of a living lineage where spiritual practice is an instrument for navigating modern life with grace and ease.

My life's work is to give students the tools to brighten their inner light, move toward self-mastery and live a life that's happy and purposeful.

A LIFELONG STUDENT

I currently study with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait — the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, who initiated me into the Sri Vidya tradition — Sally Kempton, and Dr. Robert Svoboda.

Lessons learned from Mukunda Stiles, a seminal figure in the field of Structural Yoga Therapy, have for more than 20 years greatly informed and brightened my study and offerings.

Additional significant influences include the California College of Ayurveda, Patricia Walden, Sandra Anderson, Indu Arora, Rod Stryker, and David Frawley.

A QUALIFIED TEACHER

I am a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and hold certifications in Structural Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. With more than 20,000 hours of teaching experience, I founded Yoga Madre's 200- and 500-hour Yoga Alliance-accredited teacher training programs and currently lead live, online master trainings, interactive workshops, and retreats. My specialties include private counseling/therapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression, autoimmune disease, physical ailments, spiritual-practice development, teacher training, and more.

AN ILLUMINATED PATH

IT ALL STARTED IN INDIA

Gods, Goddesses, temples, colors, flowers, chai, monkeys! India is a place like no other. I fell in love with the culture on my first trip over thirty years ago. After that, I became hooked on learning all I could about India's philosophy and history. I say that's how I found yoga. But really, yoga found me.

 

FALLING IN LOVE WITH ASANA

I started doing yoga while pregnant with my first son. I loved the way asana made me feel stronger and steadier – both physically and emotionally.

Asana was my gateway to the spiritual practices of pranayama, meditation, mantra and kriya, and so many more that transformed my life and teaching.

 

TRULY INSPIRING

My teachers are a blessing. Mukunda Stiles literally wrote the book on Structural Yoga Therapy. Rod Stryker opened the door to yoga beyond asana, and Panditji Rajmani Tigunait continues to hold my feet to the spiritual fire.

With great love and reverence, I've woven their lessons into my teacher training programs and courses on yoga, meditation, and lifestyle. I am so grateful to be part of a living lineage, and I'm super excited to share it with you!

WRAP YOUR HOME AND YOUR FAMILY IN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

This is the very first thing I tell my students. Yoga is a living practice. My husband Mike and I purposefully wrap our home and family in yoga every day. The two of us, along with our three sons, have experienced the profound shifts that living yoga creates in our day-to-day life.

 

LIVING YOGA IN THE REAL WORLD

I believe that real yoga is being able to apply spiritual practice and self-reflection in real life. We have families, careers, and community to tend – so we must be able to take charge of our own energy, eliminate the tendencies that don’t serve us, and move toward self-love.

How? Practice, practice, practice!

 

TRAVELER AT HEART

As much as my home and family are my rock, I have the soul of a wanderer. I've been to all seven continents and continue to travel and teach yoga worldwide.

"René has a deep and dimensional understanding of yoga. She is an incredibly generous and gracious guide. Her teaching style is streamlined and precise, and her knowledge of yoga feels boundless. She is the real deal yogi - do not miss the chance to work with her. She has made it all possible for me!"

 

Maria K. – DMD, 500-Hour Graduate

LET'S CHAT

If you are interested in working together or want to know more about how things work, simply drop me a note here.