Experience/Education/Employment
Yoga Teacher Certification
PROFESSIONAL KRIPALU YOGA TEACHER
ERYT 500, YACEP
ERYT 500, YACEP
- 200 Hr. Basic Level Kripalu Yoga Teacher Certification, all requirements met, March 2004.
- 500 Hr. Professional Level Yoga Teacher Certification, all requirements met, January 2007.
- 1000 Hr. Advanced Level Teacher Training, currently accumulating credits.
- Kripalu Core Assistant/Legacy Teachers: I have guided/ taught hundreds of students in YTTs (200 & 500 hr) Specialty courses, & at Yoga Teacher Conferences
SPECIALIZED COURSES Completed: Teaching Methodology, Practicum for Asana, Pranayama & Meditation, Theoretical & Applied Yogic Philosophy, General & Applied Adv. Anatomy & Phisiology, Professional Ethics, Vinyasa Technique, Restorative Yoga, Basic Aryuveda, Yoga for Pregnancy, Conscious Communication, Adv. Energy Anatomy. Jaguar Path. Intro Pranakriya Yoga.
Yoga Nidra, Science of Yoga, Trauma Yoga (ongoing) Kripalu Integrated Yoga Therapy. Foundation 1.
KRIPALU YOGA MASTERS; My PRIMARY TEACHERS * I was a Teacher Assistant ** I am Assistant
Vidya Carolyn Deluomo * Pioneer/Founder of Kripalu Yoga Center and International Yoga Teacher Trainings
She carried and lived the message of Swami Kripalu that “love is the first lesson.” As my Mentor and "dear freind" she gave me Shaktipat, transmission of spiritual energy. I am humbly committed to carrying on her legacy. R.I.P. Vid,
Sudha Carolyn Lundeen ** RN, ERYT 1000, Holistic Health Nurse, Ayurvedic Health & Lifestyle Coach, Body Worker, Yoga Teacher Trainer
She is an Exceptional Teacher/Mentor who models and guides her students & Clients in how to take care of their bodies, minds, and deep emotions using both ancient and modern healing techniques. I feel healed and whole being in her presence and consider her my beloved sister.
Devarshi Steven Hartman * Pranotthan Yoga, former Dean Kripalu Yoga YTTs, Yoga Teacher Trainer
He models living authentically and being in "lifes mess" I cry hearing him teach the Gita, practicing yoga with him blisses me out, I have a place in his heart and he'll always have a place in mine.
Yoganand Michael Carroll, Pranakriya Yoga, former Dean Kripalu Yoga YTTs, Yoga Teacher Trainer
He was ordained in Kripalus renunciate order, practiced advanced yoga with Indian Gurus, and is an Interpreter of Esoteric texts and techniques. I recieved rounds of Pranayama trainings under his exqusite guidance.. Resource; Pranayama (A. Gemmel LaFramboise)
NOTE: My Sanskrit name Ambika means “generous heart, mother, compassionate woman" & mango seed (a nut, it fits!) I'm deeply honored for the talika I received by Primary Teachers. I go by Ambi.
Rashmi Sue Jenkins, Naresh Ron King,* Megha Nancy Buttingham, Sudhir Jonathan Foust, Dr. Jeff Migdow, Steven Cope, Bhavani Lorraine Nelson, Rouban Madikians, Jurian Hughes, *Jovinna Chan, **Jess Frey are other key Teachers I learn/learn from.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL YOGIS that impacted my teaching: Lynn Baum/Astanga, Sean Corn/ Vinyasa, Janice Clairfield/Pregnancy Yoga, Ray Christ/Jaguar Path, Todd Norian/Alignment/ Tantra, Sheika Khadja/Whirling Dervish Dance, Dr. Sat Bir S. Khalsa/Science of Yoga, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk/Trauma Yoga. Jenn Turner/ Trauma Sensative Yoga. Building Immune System / Dr. Elizabeth Boham M.D. Krisna Das Devotional Chanting/Hanuman Chalisa.
I currently practice at/with BIG RIVER YOGA, Minneapolis. Mn. Owners Chris and Nora created a Sangha for All which is heart centered, inviting, with classes led by excellent Instructors!
Other Education/Employment
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Psychology/Community Service. I held licensure in Pre-K and Parent Education. The following fields of work experience greatly influence how I teach Yoga: Years of Cont. Ed. include: C.D. RX, Cultural DIversity, Informed Trauma RX, Deep Listening, Group Therapy Technique (Gestalt based) Diagnosis and Referral. Studio Dance.
ADULT DAY SERVICE 6 yrs
Program Director, providing supervisory care for the elderly, respite for care givers, grant management.
ADDICTION TREATMENT/TRAUMA INFORMED CARE: 15 yrs
Lead Counselor: Individual and group outpatient therapy for the chemically dependent and survivors of sexual and/or physical abuse. Continuing Education : Diagnostic Training, Intensive Training for Professionals Working with Trauma, Gestalt Techique, Aftercare Mgmt, Ethics, Grief Counseling, Compulsive Disorders, Co-Dependency, Cultural Diversity. I also worked as an Independent Contractor on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation leading groups for high risk teens and gang violence.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: 5 yrs
Parent Educator, providing public school classes for families in a skilled team setting.
HEALTH REALIZATION (HR) TRAINER:/Community Organizer 4 yrs
Community Empowerment and Resiliency Parenting Coach at low income housing in Bemidji and Beltrami Co. Teaching how thinking impacts all human psychological functioning, in groups, homes, and organized events. Goal: reducing separation and crime. Model : Training for Trainers, 1 yr course based on 3 Principals of Health Realization. Psychology of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought. Joe Bailey, M.A.,L.P., and Mavis Karn, M.A., L.S.W., Mpls., Mn. In addition I trained with Dr.Jack Pransky Ph.D/ Deep Listening.
DANCE
Ballet and creative movement for children. Artist in Residence in schools and theaters. Education: Studio Dance, College Modern Dance Troupe . I performed in productions & at events (incuding my own sold out shows in the basement as a kid.) My favorite role; Tormentor JCSS, Paul Bunyan Playhouse.
Yoga Teaching Experience/Freelance Guest Teaching Scroll down
WAREHOUSE STUDIO Bemidji: 2 yrs
I owned a small space until I outgrew it. I taught All Level Classes (beginning/gentle, moderate, advanced/vigorous) and Specialty Classes; e.g. Mom/daughter, Yoga for Dancers, Teen Yoga, Posture Training.
YOGA BEMIDJI “Skylight Studio”: 10 yrs full-time
5 weekly All Level Classes and Work-shops; In 2011 I became a certified Yoga Teacher Trainer and led one 200 hr YTT with some of my students. We formed Yoga Bemidji, a network of local teachers committed to spreading their love of Yoga.
FREELANCE/CONTRACT TEACHING:
Bemidji Community Ed./ Leech Lake Tribal College Community Ed: 10 yrs
All Level Classes and Speciality Classes; e.g. Yoga for Pregnancy, Yoga for Depression, Mens Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Family Yoga.
All Level Classes and Speciality Classes; e.g. Yoga for Pregnancy, Yoga for Depression, Mens Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Family Yoga.
GUEST TEACHING: Examples of long and short term Experience: Bodywork & Massage Centers, Massage Therapy Students, Wilderness Retreats, University Nursing Faculty, BSN Nursing Students, Recovery Groups, Charter, and Home Schools. Reservation Wellness Programs. Assisted Living Residents, Clinic/Hospital staff, Families of deployed soldiers, Foster Families. Also random groups of Ballerinas, Competitive Nordic skiiers, Bridesmaids, Health Inspectors and even staff at my bank! I love yoga and bring all of me most anywhere.
KRIPALU GUEST TEACHER for YOGA STUDIOS
Classes and/or Workshops. I have taught at large venues and little ones, in tiny towns & NYC. I assist Yoga Retreats with Sudha Lundeen in Mass.,Bemidji, & Ely, Mn. Covid put the brakes on Guest Teaching but I am doing so locally and am motivated to some in Minneapolis again, mindful of my carbon footprint!
PRIVATE SESSIONS/Small Groups are need based and ongoing. I have taught people living with chronic stress, complex trauma, addictions, depression, Lyme Disease, cancer, blindness, physical disabilities, recently Parkinsons & Alzheimers. Note; my health and aging deeply inform my guidance. I will lead healing groups when the call rises.
AMBI-ANCE YOGA CD and DANCE YOGA
I made a CD (by request) for my students, recorded in my home studio on the Mississippi River, with sound was spontaneously composed by muse-ician/singer, songwriter Caleb Fricke. We used my childhood piano! Now there are tons of yoga classes online, yea!! Caleb has accompanied me on the drum for Dance Yoga.
I am a registered member of Yoga Alliance and Kripalu Yoga and Ayurvedic Association.. I am FULLY INSURED through Alliant.
I have been featured in Kripalu Photographs and Advertisements. One in Yoga Journal showed my pose kind of torked! Proper alignment is physically and metaphorically a lifelong process!