Experience/Education/Employment

 

•  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: Guided by Legacy Teachers I have taught hundreds of students in YTTs & at Yoga Tracher Conferences   

SPECIALIZED COURSES Completed:  Teaching Methodology, Practicum for Asana, Pranayama & Meditation, Theoretical & Applied Yogic Philosophy, General & Applied Anatomy & Phisiology, Professional Ethics, Vinyasa Technique, Restorative Yoga, Basic Aryuveda, Yoga for Pregnancy, Conscious Communication, Energy Anatomy/Chakras, Yoga Nidra, Science of Yoga, Trauma Yoga (ongoing) The Jaguar Path & Intro Pranakriya Yoga.

 

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, 

 

She is an Exceptional Teacher/MENTOR who models and guides her students 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, We are forever Sisters.

 

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 all my Pranayama trainings under his exqusite guidance.. Rescource; Pranayama (A. Gemmel LaFramboise)

 

NOTE: Sudha picked out the Sanskrit name I chose, Vidya and Devarshi “christened” me Ambika. It means “generous heart, mother, compassionate woman" & mango seed! I'm deeply honored for the talika I received from them. I go by AMBI

KRIPALU INSTRUCTORS CONT.: Rashmi Sue Jenkins, Megha Nancy Buttingham * Sudhir Jonathan Foust, Dr. Jeff  Migdow, Steven Cope,Rouban Maddikians, Lee Albert, Ray Christ, Jurian Hughes, Jovinna Chan *( Google my amazing Lil Sis)     

OTHER YOGA MASTERS:  Shiva Ray/ Vinyassa, Sean Corn*/ Vinyassa, Sharon Salzberg* & Krishna Das* /Kirtan & Meditation, Janice Clairfield/Pregnancy Yoga, Sheika Khadja/Whirling Drevish Dance, Dr. Sat Bir S. Khalsa/Science of Yoga, Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk/Trauma Yoga.  Jenn Turner/ Trauma Sensative yoga.  Swami Pajamayama!  PLUS  SHOUT OUT to Mpls Yoga Studios; Mpls Yoga Center Retreat. And recently ONE YOGA, Mpls, where I've returned to practice post covid. Google them!!

 

 

ADULT DAY SERVICE 6 yrs 

Program Director, providing supervisory care for the elderly, respite for care givers, grant management.

 

Lead Counselor, providing 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 as part of a Chemical Dependency Prevention grant program.

 

Parent Educator, providing public school classes for families in a skilled team setting. 

 

Community Empowerment and  Resisency Parenting Coach at low income housing and in the greater Bemidji area. 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.

 

I instructed children in beginning ballet and creative movement and became an Artist in Residence in schools and theaters. Education: : Studio Dance, Modern Dance Troupe in college/Dance Caravans (Ozone/Zenon Dance, Mpls.)  I performed in productions at our local Professional Playhouse, my favorite role was Tormentor in JCSS. At Kripalu Center I was/am inspired by Megha Buttingham, Dan Levin, Jovinna Chan and Jurian Hughes. 

 

Sokuji Zendo began in Bemidji in 2002 and shortly after I began sitting with Rev. Shoshin Bob Kelly. He led our small Sangha and encouraged us to practice meditation at home. This is truly how I began to watch my thoughts without reaction, returning to my cushion over and over again and simply sitting. Zen compliments my yoga practice and enables me to become more selfless. I took my Jukai, formal initiation, into the Zen Buddhist way in 2004, acknowledging the sixteen bodhisattva precepts as an ongoing natural and true path, and I was named Gendo.  My Tecaher is special dear friend TaiJu, Geri Wilimek.  R.I.P. dear Shoshin.

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.