Carla Stockalper  E-RYT 500 – A competitive athlete on her way to a basketball scholarship, a series of reconstructive knee surgeries put Carla on a different path. Her physical therapist suggested hot yoga would help recovery. Hot yoga not only healed her knee, it calmed her mind. She completed her hot yoga teacher training with Bikram Choudhury in Los Angeles in 2003. A popular teacher, Carla taught at several studios before opening Yoga Tropics in 2006. She completed Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga Training in Hawaii in 2010 and taught for a year in Chicago.  Other trainings include Prana Flow with Shiva Rea, Vinyasa with Vinnie Marino, Dharma Yoga with Kristyan Stjerne and other notable instructors.  Carla completed Ashtanga Primary Series Teacher Training with Tim Miller in Encinitas.  Currently she is on the Sean O’Shea team alongside Rich McGowan of Ashtanga Yoga Center working to bring yoga to kids at the Rady’s Children’s Oncology Unit. What started as physical therapy has evolved into a way of life.  Carla’s classes mirror who she is – helping students find stillness and ease while challenging themselves.  She recently opened Yoga Tropics Pacific Beach.

Critter Baugh    Christopher “Critter” Baugh, local surf guru has consistently practiced yoga and meditation for several years.  He tried his first hot class in 2006, immediately recognizing its therapeutic value.  Critter completed Teacher Training at Yoga Tropics in 2007 and has been teaching ever since.  He is currently enjoying training with Kristyan Stjerne and Marck Jansen in the style developed by Sri Dharma Mittra.  Critter’s classes are just like he is – meditative and intense.  His steady voice, awesome music and command of the yoga allow for a blissful yogic experience. Critter is a sponsored surfer, raw food chef, and featured surf coach on Tropics Costa Rica Yoga Retreats. When he is not surfing or practicing yoga, Critter grows his own organic food and has created the raw/vegan/vegetarian catering business, “Critter’s Kitchen”.

Daniella DeVarney Yogi-dancer, Daniella began her yoga journey and study in 1995 while dancing on a student scholarship with Alvin Ailey in New York City. Shortly after returning home to LA, she studied Ashtanga and dance with Shiva Rea at UCLA and graduated with a degree in World Arts and Cultures with an emphasis in West African dance. Daniella received her yoga certification from Maha Yoga in LA with Max Strom and Steve Ross. For the last 10 years, she has studied and taught various traditions of yoga including hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Anusara blending her yoga and dance experience into a vinyasa flow class with emphasis on breath, alignment, and fun! In 2002, Daniella was twice featured in USA Today exploring yoga therapy with pro athletes called, “Reconstructing an All-Star”. Daniella has taught professional dancers from Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion’s “A Brand New Day”, LA Dodgers, Philidelphia Philies, New York Mets, and celebrities including Julia Roberts. While continuing her study in yoga, she also taught dance classes in modern, lyrical, jazz, and West African in LA. Daniella recently moved to San Diego for love! She is excited about starting a new journey combining her artistic expression with yoga liberating one’s creative life force through breath, movement, and music!

Elia Nikolaev moved to San Diego from Russia when he was eight. Growing up with the constant presence and Love for the ocean and surfing, he always had an affinity for spiritual and philosophical inquiries. Elia came to Yoga Tropics with an in depth knowledge of asana alignment and the passion to share the message of the yogic path with others.  He was introduced to the philosophies of yoga when he was given the book The Autobiography of a Yogi. This materialized as the gift of a lifetime. In 2006, Elia received a 1000 hour certification with Synergy Yoga where he assisted in teacher trainings, workshops, and was a mentor teacher to other trainees. Three years later he  became director of Teacher Training and Program Development at Yoga Tropics.  Elia enjoys creating a learning environment that is both stimulating and challenging.  His knowledge of fundamental alignment allows him to confidently offer modifications that accommodate injuries or other physical limitations.  Elia has worked and shared his practice with people of all levels including children and seniors. In his teachings of yoga, he hopes to be able to share the same inspiration that was shared with him in his first class. “I want people to see that happiness is within and the practice of yoga simply allows us to see that more clearly.

Lauren Huber Growing up as an athlete in competitive sports, Lauren first was introduced to dance on her high school cheerleading squad. Her love for dance continued in college and she went on to become a cheerleader/dancer at Washington State University. Lauren began teaching a variety of group fitness classes including Tae Bo, Kickboxing, Step Aerobics, as well as Personal Training. Being active in the fitness community, she then got into Fitness and Figure competitions and placed 2nd at a National Competition in 2008. She is Pilates mat certified and received her 200 hour yoga certification from Yoga Tropics. Lauren is passionate about sharing her love for yoga with her students. “Coming from a fitness background, I love the results you receive from yoga as well as the mental and emotional calmness. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at Yoga Tropics and helping others achieve their personal best!”

Marck Jansen  Marck’s vinyasa class is an action packed hour of yoga fun! Marck’s classes are designed to allow students to play with their limits… by creating a comfortable and fun environment, Marck helps his students to deepen their practices, often trying postures they never thought they would be able to do. Marck did his teacher training with Bikram Choudry in Los Angeles in 2003 then trained with his best friend and mentor, Kristyan Stjerne, at the Chula Vista Yoga Center in the style developed by Sri Dharma Mittra in New York City.  Marck teaches all over San Diego County and Tijuana, but you’ll find him at Yoga Tropics on Wednesdays and Fridays. He also leads workshops in arm balancing and inversions, check up on our workshops page for his next workshop. (currently on sabbatical in Costa Rica!)

Kristyan Stjerne is above all an artist with profound love for ocean and community. “Kish” as he is affectionately known, is a virtuoso yogi and masterful teacher. Trained in several styles he calls Sri Dharma Mittra his teacher. Considered by many as one of the best yoga teachers in the world, Kish’s classes will leave you seeking more. With a keen eye for alignment and balance, Kish will push you to your limits while making you smile the entire time. We are so fortunate at Yoga Tropics to have Kristyan lead workshops ranging from Beginner to Advanced. Kish also leads Yoga Tropics Eco-Retreats featuring yoga and surfing. Please check out Kish’s amazing art on Facebook under Kristyan Stjerne!

Margret Stockalper E-RYT 500.  With a background in biochemistry and medicine, Margaret developed a fascination for hot yoga as a therapeutic and preventative form of exercise. Yoga, and hot yoga specifically, can eliminate or subdue chronic illness/injury while calming metabolism and brain chemistry. Margaret is certified under Bikram Choudhury for hot yoga and taught for several years before opening Yoga Tropics in 2006.  Other yoga trainings include Shiva Rae in Prana Flow, Anusara with John Friend, Dharma Yoga with Kristyan Stjerne among others. Margaret’s classes emphasize healing through awareness by uniting voluntary movement with the involuntary processes of the body in conjunction with breath.  She is passionate about sharing yoga with her community and her humorous and nurturing attitude allows students to feel both focused and relaxed while practicing.

Monique Cornfield has been a dedicated yogini for many years. Being an elementary school teacher makes her an amazing instructor as she can explain sometimes subtle or cryptic directions in easy to understand and direct words. She got her start in yoga practicing Bikram and later completed her teacher training at Yoga Tropics in January 2007. Her classes are challenging and fun, they emphasize meditation through stillness of breath and concentration. In addition to Tropics 1, Monique leads our intermediate Tropics 2 classs!

Roxanne DePalma  Honored to have begun her yoga practice in 1993 at age 16, Roxanne continues to be in gratitude of her fellow yogis and teachers.  She has been teaching in the NorthCounty yoga community since 2002.  A dedicated, heartfelt instructor, Roxanne brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes.  Her background in functional body alignment and compassion to share with others brings a unique spirit to all of her classes. As an instructor for yoga-teacher certification Roxanne has been instrumental in the graduation of yoga teachers across the globe.

Shane Robson moved to San Diego from Hawaii at the age of five. “After discovering yoga as a teenager, everything shifted in my life” says Shane. He took his first yoga at the Yoga Room in Encinitas, had a wonderful experience, and never looked back. Soon after, Shane began training and teaching at Synergy (the Yoga Room). As his practice deepened Shane became intersted in all 8 limbs of yoga, or Raja yoga. With the help of the Self Realization Fellowship he has learned how to open his heart through daily meditation. It is important to Shane to share his experiences with others so that everyone may find strength and joy within themselves. “I am grateful to have the daily opportunity to share this path with other people, just as it was shared with me”.

Tracey Stockalper began her love of movement skiing in the Swiss Alps.  An active and competitive athlete, Tracey took her first yoga class at the age of 14 and never turned back.  Finding a natural grace and ease on her mat and loving the sense of fluid power, Tracey has maintained a regular practice ever since.  She has trained with John Friend in Anusara, Prana Flow and Radiant Heart Wisdom with Shiva Rea, Hot Hatha Yoga with Bikram Choudhury, Ashtanga with Tim Miller, David Swenson, Vinnie Marino, Dharma Yoga with Kristyan Stjerne and many other notable instructors.  Recently Tracey completed the Ashtanga Primary Series Teacher Training with Tim Miller in Encinitas.  She continues to cultivate her practice in several styles and shares her passion for yoga with her students every day.  Tracey is a team member of the Sean O’Shea Foundation bringing yoga to the Oak Glen Cheerleading squad in Escondido and soon to the kids at the Rady Children’s Oncology Unit.  As a practitioner Tracey is an inspiration – as a teacher, she is intuitive and compassionate, calming and encouraging and shares her enthusiasm in every class.  When Tracey is not on her mat, you can find her singing in one of the local venues around San Diego.

Carol Agriesti A quantum leap into yoga from the householder life of marriage, nine children (combined!) and her own home design business lead Carol to Encinitas to fully embrace the path.  She has trained with:  Manju Jois, David Swenson, and Tim Miller in Ashtanga, Michael Fukumura and John Friend in Anusara in addition to her 200 hour Teacher Training at Yoga Tropics.  Tangential to the 8 fold path, Carol has studied with an array of luminaries including:  Sam Keen, Jean Shinola Bolen, MarionWoodman, Robert Bly, Anodea Judith, Gabrielle Roth (5 rythyms), Vinn Marti (Soulmotion) and Shiva Rea.  Currently certified as a natural health practitioner trained in Shiatsu, Jin Shin Jitsu and energy work with Matrix Light Institute, Carol believes that there is nothing more enriching than communing w/others and sharing this beautiful philosophy.   The mat is the reflection.  Our life together is the dissolving into the mystery…

Myriam Machado Baker has been teaching meditation and Yoga since 1988. She graduated in Teaching at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 1980 and with Post-graduate studies in Physical Therapy at the University Souza Marques, Brazil – 1982.

She was introduced to Anusara Yoga by Sherry Shreck in 2004 and has been following John Friend throughout the United States since then. She teaches Anatomy and Energetic Physiology in Anusara Yoga Teacher Trainings. Myriam is a E-RYT teacher and a Anusara Inspired Certified teacher.

Jann Einfeld is a writer, editor, and seasoned Hatha yoga teacher whose longtime fascination with the Indian scriptural texts drew her to join Vyaas Houston to study Sanskrit.  Inspired by his brilliant adaptation of the principles of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a learning model that liberates students from blocks and fears, Jann is a great proponent of the benefits of applying these principles to daily life.  The result has been an ever deepening capacity for mindful focus and connection with wonder and joy.  Jann also relishes the sacred sounds of Sanskrit as a singer in the southern Californian kirtan band, Jaya!   She brings to her students a playful infectious enthusiasm for the ancient language, a quiet confidence in her students’ capacity to learn and grow, and her enchantment with the yogic path as a doorway to vibrant health, worldly success, and deep inner contentment.

Collyn Montiel    Collyn’s passion for yoga began when she was studying to be an Occupational Therapist in college.  The combination of meditation, focus, fluidity and strength matched her appeal for dance and athletics.  As a pediatric Occupational Therapist for the past 16 years, Collyn regularly uses yoga therapeutically.  She had the joy of completing her teacher training with Ganga White and Tracey Rich at the White Lotus Foundation in 2005.  Collyn enjoys sharing her joy and love for yoga and uses yoga as a means to create increased inner peace, self-awareness, confidence and compassion.  Collyn is also our Family Yoga Facilitator in conjunction with her two daughters, India and Ki (and sometimes husband Pablo!)

Betty Adams was first introduced to Ashtanga yoga by Dennis Dean.  After taking her first hot yoga class at Yoga Tropics in 2006, Betty left feeling energized and open, and thought, this is a great complement to my other physical expressions: I want to feel this way all the time! Wanting to sustain this new vitality, she returned daily to practice for the next several months.   Betty undertook Yoga Tropics Level I training in 2008 and has been teaching ever since.  Betty brings that same mindfulness and grounding found on her mat to her life.  She is our  Meditation Facilitator at Tropics West each Sunday modeling each session after the beloved teachings of Sant Rajinder Singh.   When she’s not on her mat, you can find Betty with her two teenaged sons in Cardiff!

Elizabeth Newton  From the moment competitive athlete Elizabeth Newton took her first hot yoga class at Tropics, she was hooked…and hooked for Elizabeth is no small deal, it’s a marathon. Literally.  An avid long distance runner, Elizabeth has competed in the Chicago, Boston, and New York City marathons.  This petite powerhouse uses this same energy to guide you through an awesome practice, make you laugh with her quick wit and warm your soul with her beautiful smile.  Elizabeth completed her teacher training in 2009 through Yoga Tropics and is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200 hr level.

Jennifer Buckman Jen is a graduate of South Tahoe High School and San Diego State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, an emphasis in athletic training.  An avid golfer, she discovered yoga, and hot yoga in particular helped with her game and allowed her to recover more quickly.  Jen played collegiate golf for San Diego State and was recently in Lake Tahoe for the American Century celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Golf Course.  Jen’s classes appeal to athletes of all sports, with an emphasis on flexibility and increasing range of motion.

Kevin Slocum After growing up in the small mountain town of Mammoth Lakes in the Sierra Nevadas, Kevin made his way down to north county San Diego where he fell in love with everything coastal living had to offer.  Kevin began practicing yoga sporadically in high school and throughout his early adult years until he committed fully and passionately to a consistent practice and teacher training in 2010. From his first class, Kevin has always felt at home in yoga. From the spiritual philosophy to the soothing voices of the emotionally liberating music, Kevin found something real within a world of so many illusions. The spiritual study of his young adulthood laid a good foundation for his future endeavor as a yoga instructor. Kevin received his 200 hour certification from Yoga Tropics in Encinitas under the training of his devout teacher, Elia Nikolaev.  The opportunity to teach has helped keep him connected to his own journey and words fall short in expressing the resulting gratitude.  Kevin passionately and rhythmically guides students with an emphasis on mindful movement in harmony with the breath and challenges people to push their edge, mentally and physically.

 Hayley Robertson 

bio forthcoming

Jess Johnson bio forthcoming