Instructors
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Our Urban Yoga Warrior Team is certified in CPR & AED & Yoga Alliance.
Live Long, Safe & Love!
Live Long, Safe & Love!
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Kristin Olson is the founder of Urban Yoga Center (UYC). She and her loyal following of teachers and students celebrate 23 years in 2024. UYC offers multiple classes a week of all levels and varied styles, from the DAP Health Studio, Ruth Hardy Park and Zoom. For many years Kristin and UYC have been associated with the Desert AIDS Project, AIDS Assistance Program, and 100 Women. UYC students and the Teens are the focal point for the Desert AIDS Walk, doing an Urban Yoga Warrior Team warm-up onstage involving all several thousand participants. Kristin and UYC have also been an integral part of the Bhakti Fest fabric since its inception in 2009. UYC is host to many superb Pre Bhakti Fest Parties, kirtans, workshops, performances and other events. Kristin cherishes the opportunities to teach Heaven Bound Heart Urban Yoga. She loves to weave her experiences and her teachings of the past 47 years. She is an inspiration and companion in the dance of sung prayers, yoga asanas, community gatherings, all breathing together. She has taught around the world at Bhakti and Shakti Fests, IYF International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India, at Sunnylands Gardens in Rancho Mirage, and many private retreats. Kristin's first yoga teachers were Indra Devi, Dr. Anne Marie Bennstrom and Catharina Hedberg. Urban Yoga is sporty, humorous, spiritual, and loving. Kristin Olson's Urban Yoga Center welcomes you to a happy healthy holy experience. Drop In anytime! Kristin Loves All! |
Kristin Olson
Kristin offers ‘Urban Yoga’
• Sunday 8:45 am • Tuesday Noon and 5:15 |
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Tommy Bosch
 Tommy Bosch
Tom Bosch is a registered Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher (200 Hours) and taught in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2017. He moved to Palm Springs with his family to escape corporate life and experience the slower paced Desert Lifestyle.
Tom credits his mentors with instilling emphasis on safety, support, and modifications throughout the practice of Hatha Yoga. His style is a progressive Vinyasa (flow) with focus on building a strong foundation for poses while slowly building, adding on, and offering modifications and adjustments for yogis of all levels. He emphasizes guidance through breath work, conscious transitions between poses, and cultivating self-compassion to cross over beyond your practice into daily life. He believes that calm is found in getting outdoors as much as possible, practicing yoga with your dog, and not taking yourself too seriously especially while on your mat! Tommy's Class
• Tuesday 8:45 am Angela de Sarneaux Angela de Sarneaux
Angela is a yoga certified graduate of I.Y.I (Integral Yoga Institute) also known as "Yogaville" in Buckingham, Virginia; Teacher Training Program of 200 hours since 2000. A certified fitness instructor specializing in yoga, aquatic exercise and core strength training. For more information on Integral Yoga click HERE Angela's Class
• Monday Noon Chris Bennett
Chris Bennett has been teaching yoga for over 35 years, and was a popular teacher in LA at the Sports Club LA and Spectrum clubs before moving to Palm Springs in 2014. She has lead retreats to Maui, Hawaii, and recently attended Yoga Retreats in India and Bali to further her practice. She was trained in the Sivanada tradition, and her class features lots of deep breathing and stretching and is appropriate for all levels. Chris graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in dance education. Her dream to become a professional singer and dancer led her to UCLA and a career in music. She started practicing yoga from the book, "Yoga, Youth, and Reincarnation", but it was her first yoga class with Mari Gayatri at the Santa Monica Sports Connection in Santa Monica that opened a new chapter in her life as a yoga teacher. She studied the Sivananda tradition for ten years before becoming a teacher at the Sports Club LA, Howard Hughes Spectrum, and many others. A Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Chris now lives in Palm Springs and continues to perform and compose, and believes her 35 year Yoga practice has given her the strength, flexibility, and balance to maintain a 40 year career in the music industry. Come and enjoy her Yoga classes which are suitable for All Levels, and emphasize Breathing exercises, Stretching, Inversions, and deep Relaxation. Chris Bennett's website is www.chrisbennett.com Chris's Classes
• Wednesday 5:15 pm • Thursday Noon Johnny Jaqua
Johnny
Johnny's Classes
• Monday 8:45am • Thursday Noon Judith Chapman
Judith has been practicing yoga with Kristin at UYC since 2004. She is an inspiration, a wonderful actress and stage director.She has starred in The Young and Restless, many one woman shows and toured the country. Judith Chapman saw her first Shakespearean Play in London, The Great Mime, Marcel Marceau in France, and her first Opera, Aida, in Rome. There was little question that she would pursue a life in the Performing Arts. When she made the move to Los Angeles, she was introduced to BIKRAM CHOUDRY (The original Hot Yoga Guru) and her first yoga class. Thirty five years ago Judith discovered her second great passion in life...YOGA. Over the past decades she has moved on from Bikram to explore other styles of YOGA. Judith's approach is to demystify yoga. The Spiritual aspects will reveal themselves, if that is one's desire. Her Philosophy is simple..."50% of Yoga is SHOWING UP! 75% is leaving THE EGO, ALONG WITH YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR!" As we embrace the challenges of life, so too we embrace the challenges of our mat. As her great teacher told her, "By overcoming physical obstacles, we break down emotional barriers..." This simple phrase has served Judith in rising to the challenges of every aspect of her life. Judith's Classes
• Wednesday Noon • Friday Noon Paula Atkinson
Paula's Class
• Saturday 8:45 am Janna Peterson
Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher,500 hours (Advanced Level)
Philosophy: By teaching the fundamental components of each pose, I invite my students to discover their own optimal Yoga experience. I strongly believe that Yoga is an important lifestyle activity, and advocate a brief daily Yoga practice. Areas of Specialization: I have a passion for anatomy, physiology, and the therapeutic application of Yoga and Pranayama. My classes are specifically designed to encourage students incorporate Yoga into their daily lives. Personal Notables: Having built my personal Yoga practice from the ground up after being hit by a car in 2001, and again after wrist surgery in 2024, I possess a deep understanding of working with and through physical limitation. I have practiced for over 30 years, and have taught for over 20 years. My classes are drawn from a variety of Yoga styles and traditions. Education & Certifications: Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500); professional member of The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT); Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Janna's Class
• Wednesday 5:15 Leo Bray
Leo Bray has been teaching yoga since 2015. Like many, he first came to the practice seeking relief from chronic pain and stiffness. Early on, Leo was blessed with amazing teachers who introduced him to the broader range of benefits yoga brings us, such as helping us heal from trauma, and enhance recovery from substance abuse. He trained at Akasha Yoga School, and received his first Reiki trainings from Akasha's founder, Anthe Kelley. Leo has taught a wide variety of students in all kinds of settings. Early on, he became known as "yogi on the spot," often stepping in on short notice to deliver whatever practice would best benefit the students present. Leo's Classes
Monday and Wednesday 8:15am on Zoom Tricia Bastida
Tricia Bastida grew up in Oklahoma and has lived with her husband in the Palm Springs area since 2015. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and became a certified yoga instructor in 2024.
Tricia works in a high-pressure, competitive industry, so yoga has become an important way for her to find peace and reset from the stress of work. She is committed to sharing that gift with others. Through her teaching, Tricia encourages students to create space for themselves — both physically and mentally — offering yoga as a tool not just for fitness, but for personal well-being and emotional resilience. She is also a proud mother of three and a grandmother of two, with a third grandchild on the way. Her two youngest daughters live in the Los Angeles area, and she visits them often. Tricia brings honesty, encouragement, and a welcoming spirit to every class. Brigitte Brassard
She is passionate about creating a nurturing space for personal growth and reflection. Peter Clements
James has been a Yogi since 1999. He started with a traditional Hatha Yoga practice primarily looking for a physical exercise program. Over the years he has incorporated additional styles of yoga to deepen his own practice and expand his overall understanding of yoga and yogic philosophy. "If you practice any kind of yoga over a period of time it gently creeps into your very being; physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you know your body, your mind, your spirit - and connect it all - it is very hard to stop your yoga practice from dramatically effecting your life in amazing ways." James is Yoga Alliance registered and an RYT 200 graduate of Desert Yoga Therapy of Palm Springs. Laura Fuller
Laura Fuller, MA, is a therapist, writer & teacher.
She has worked with people through their bodies, minds & lives for more than 20 years. Individually & in groups, she invites depth, kindness, & presence. Clarity Breathwork is a gentle, divine feminine form of breath. It is accessible to all abilities & you will be supported to find your own way. We all desire to breathe & move through life with a little more ease. This is a great way to continue your journey. More information at: lifemovesthrough.com Urban Yoga Teacher Family
Marcel Bassirian
Over the years, Marcel Bassirian has played an important and effective role
in introducing Rumi's concept to the western world. He was born in Persia, traveled to Australia and lived in India for years. His ability to recite Rumi's poems both in Persian and English adds charm and flair to his readings as well as a native language insight into Rumi's words. For more information on Marcel please click HERE Tom Glaser
A longtime meditator and meditation teacher, Tom came to yoga over 15 years ago for the
physical challenge. He stayed for its emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits. Tom is also an author. and integrative licensed psychologist, he weaves resiliency, mindfulness, and mindful self-compassion into every pose. Whether teaching hatha, restorative, or vinyasa style, he believes with intention, passion, and loving kindness, yoga leads to transformational change. BOOK: www.fullheartliving.com/ FACEBOOK: Full Heart Living CONSULTING: www.tomglaserlp.com YOUTUBE: Full Heart Living |
Jen Clark
Jennifer brings to her yoga practice and teaching an avid interest in Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Bhakti Yoga, Physical alignment, psychology and healing.
She also is a high school English and Psychology teacher, a celebrated artist and a spiritual and wellness coach.
Jen Jivani
Jivani considers Yoga a life-long path, and she delights in continually growing and evolving as a teacher with the influences of her wonderful teachers. Jivani discovered the joy of Yoga in 1990 in her first year of college at UC Santa Cruz where she received her BA in Environmental Studies. She completed her 200-hour Yoga teacher training in 2003 at Mt. Madonna Center in Classical Ashtanga Yoga, the 8-limbed path, with the students of Baba Hari Dass.
Over the past few years she has fallen in love with Anusara Yoga, and has been blessed to train with Michael Fukumura in the San Diego area. Jivani is actively working to weave the 5 Universal Principles of Alignment and the 3 A's (Attitude, Alignment & Action) into her life and teachings, on and off the mat. Jivani's teaching arises from her deep compassion for all living beings and a desire to share her love of the Practice. She tailors classes to meet individual needs on each new day, creating sequences that are fun, challenging, and accessible for everyone.
Over the past few years she has fallen in love with Anusara Yoga, and has been blessed to train with Michael Fukumura in the San Diego area. Jivani is actively working to weave the 5 Universal Principles of Alignment and the 3 A's (Attitude, Alignment & Action) into her life and teachings, on and off the mat. Jivani's teaching arises from her deep compassion for all living beings and a desire to share her love of the Practice. She tailors classes to meet individual needs on each new day, creating sequences that are fun, challenging, and accessible for everyone.
Jannine Young
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Debbie Chapman
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Tracey Engelking
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Deb Sullivan
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Brigitte Brassard
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Briana Gattuso
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Jennifer Coyne
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Drisana Davis
After practicing yoga for many years, Drisana traveled to India in 2013 to complete her 200 hr Hatha yoga teacher training. She enjoys an eclectic style, emphasizing gentle transitions and linking breath to movement. Drisana aims to create a nurturing space for all to practice and learn together.
Constance
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Karol Trejo
Diana Gill
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Jessie Jackson
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Geof Jowett
Geoffrey Jowett is an intuitive medium, published author, and educator.
He is the author of the books
The Power of I Am Aligning the Chakras of Consciousness,
What’s Cooking in Heaven Grandma and
Hope for Parents Who Have Lost Children.
To learn more about Intuitive Medium Geof please click HERE
Doug Reid
Thank you for You! Viva Mexico!
 click to see YouTube interview with Doug
For me, finding yoga was like finding a soul mate, and you will find it influences every aspect of your life. I have practiced, studied and been influenced by a wide range of styles and approaches to yoga, including Astanga, Iyengar, Kundalini and Kriya yoga. Doug has two 200 hour trainings in 2009 and 2014.Yoga Therapy has helped shape my journey of making yoga available to anyone. I teach in hospitals, senior centers as well as studios and resorts. I believe Ujjayi Breath and Bandhas are important elements to Hatha Yoga and encourage students to learn these techniques. As we connect breath to movement and to stillness, we endlessly expand our awareness.
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Scott Sarber
We lost one of our own;Scott Sarber was loved by all who knew him. His presence at UYC and in our community is deeply missed. Namaste Old Friend click below to see Scott Sarber Memorial Celebration with Desert Yogis |
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