Sofiah Thom~ Founder, Yoga and Dance Teacher

As a dancer, somatic guide and ritual performer, this modern day yogini / temple dancer creates environments for transformation, self-discovery and pure bliss.   By simply being in Sofiah's presence one feels her grace, strength and palpable sensuality as she invites you to get out of your head and into your body.  For it is through your body that you come to access the innate power and creativity that lies within you, while providing the space for your life force to move freely through you and beyond.

As a daughter of healers, and an interdisciplinary artist with a degree in Dance Therapy from Naropa University, studies at the Tamalpa Institute in Expressive Healing Arts, and myriad trainings in bodywork, yoga and dance, Sofiah's deep understanding of the body and somatics shines through her work.  Sofiah fuses dance, yoga, breath work, expressive healing arts and Tantric Buddhism into her Healing Arts and has appeared at International events including the Bali Spirit Festival, Bhakti Fest, Lightning in a Bottle, and Subud World Congresses around the World for for over a decade.

As well as traveling internationally to spread her light, Sofiah lives and works on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica where she and her husband founded Bamboo YogaPlay in 2007 as a Sanctuary for Living Artfully.

For a more extensive bio and background visit: Sofiah Thom's Bio page

Heidi Michelle ~ Yoga Teacher

Heidi Michelle has been in the teaching in the transformational growth arena for nearly 20 years. Birthed in the California sunshine, her journey took her through the professional dance world as a teacher and performer, into personal growth and empowerment facilitation, personal coaching, visual arts and finally finding a deeper home in the sacred teachings of partner and individual Yoga. With an intuitive nature, she invites provocative questioning of the paradigms governing our life choices. How is it that you REALLY want to live? If you dumped your internal rules, what would you do with this one precious life you've been given? Where are the places in which you deny your wildest expression? Can we dare to live in audacious intimacy with ourselves and others?

Heidi teaches, lives, dances, plays well with others, loves madly, and beholds beauty in the Denver/Boulder, Colorado area in the summertime and can be found roaming the jungles and coastlines of Costa Rica most winters.

 

Masha Sorin -  Yoga Teacher

Masha Sorin has been practicing yoga for 11 years, beginning with Ashtanga and Power Yoga and has now been teaching for almost 6 years at local gyms, clubs and independently owned yoga studios. She received her Level 1 & 2 teacher training from YogaFit, as well as a KidFit teacher training. Throughout the years she has experimented with Bikram for 3 about years and has also received around 200 hours of continuous education credits from Anusara Yoga schools. She has taught at 2 National Yoga Days in Ohio and is on the YTNWO (Yoga Teachers of Northwest Ohio) board. Masha is also certified through W.I.T.S as a personal trainer, certification completed in 2006. She is certified to teach Zumba, TurboKick, Pilates and "on the ball" sculpt and bootcamp classes. Her own yoga style has evolved into a Power Yoga Vinyasa Fusion, with occasional mixed in asanas from Ashtanga, Anusara and Bikram as well. Masha creates a well-balanced mix of styles for a full mind and body experience and a class that will fit any level of student.

 

Sara Laimon-Luke and Whakapaingia Luke  -  Yoga Teachers and Body Work

Five years ago Whakapaingia Luke welcomed the adventure that a plane ticket from New Zealand to Los Angeles would bring. While continuing his life-long rugby career with Santa Monica Rugby Club, he noticed the toll that rugby was taking on his body. Whakapaingia became his own healer by becoming a certified Yoga Teacher and a Thai Massage practioner.

Sara Laimon has practiced Yoga since the age of 18. A natural born leader and teacher, she loves to play and have fun. After the first time of finding herself on top of someone's feet, flying, her life had never been the same. Sara became a certified Yoga teacher and Thai Yoga practitioner to share the gift that she had found.

After missing a flight to set out on an international adventure of her own, Sara headed to Venice Beach and caught eyes with Whakapaingia. After asking Whakapaingia "Do you want to play?" an instantaneous partnership and Koha Flying Yoga were created.

Baby Kotahiataahua, meaning "Beautiful Oneness," followed soon after.

Today, Whakapaingia, Sara, and Kotahiataahua share the gifts of Koha Flying Yoga, Yoga and Bodywork session to inspire people to bring more strength, play, balance, and community. Share the gift of connecting your mind, body, and spirit.