ABOUT US
Lisa Pumper began her journeys into Yoga studing the Ashtanga Vinyasa system. After several years of studying with a wide array of senior teachers she was inspired to share her passion with the community and become a teacher. Lisa completed her certification with Aananda Yoga, which she now co-organizes with Joy & Surendran. Her passion to connect has lead her into becoming one of our cOMmUNITY leaders in south florida, connecting and supporting our South Florida Yoga cOMmUNITY. As a Reiki Master and classical Ayurvedic Thai-Yoga bodyworker, Lisa has the ability transform thoses who attend her well known and loved workshop, "The Restore & Renew Yoga Series" as well as a collection of her Creative Master classes. She has created and conducted many workshops, trainings & classes in south Florida with the greatest love, kindness & compassion. As both a Vinyasa & Restorative teacher, Lisa understands the need to cultivate mind-body connection in every class she teaches. It has become her mission & passion to share this knowledge with other seekers.
For more on Lisa go to www.lisapumper.com
Joy Kochmer E-RYT. Joy took her first Yoga class in 1992 and started teaching in 2004. Through her years of exploring many styles of Yoga including Hatha,
Kundalini, Amrit, and Hot Yoga her passion and practice have been in
the Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage. Several years back she discovered
Restorative Yoga and soon realized how powerful of a practice it is and
conducts Restorative classes and workshops throughout South
Florida. Joy's style of teaching is strong, soulful and inspiring. She
emphasizes the connection between the physical body and breath, along
with a deeper inner connection to ones emotional and intuitive state,
cultivating energetic awareness to the liberated self. Joy has studied
Metaphysics since she was a young girl and uses that wisdom for
spiritual advising with individuals, groups and corporations. She co-
facilitates a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training, Aananda Yoga.
Joy practices Yoga Thai Bodywork and specializes in Yoga Nidra meditation.
Joy comes from a family of community Involvement and
volunteerism which has led her to serve on several boards in her
local community and volunteering time in the Yoga community. In 2008
she was chosen as a Yoga Ambassador for Lulu Lemon which allowed
her the opportunity to give back on a deeper level. In addition to group classes Joy's passion is working one on one to inspire each individual to find health, happiness and profound inner peace. Her heart is filled with oceans of gratitude for all of her teachers, family and friends that have enhanced her path and journey in this lifetime.
"Enhance your life, Find inner peace" "Let your life flow like a dance"
Surendran Pandaran was born in Kerala, India where his love for and learning of yoga began.While living in New Delhi, he studied various aspects of Hatha Yoga such as Aasanas, Pranayama, Shat Karmas, Mudras and Meditation, at Sri Aurobindo Ashram and at the Kaivalyadhamma Yoga Samiti. He also learned Transcendental Meditation at the New Delhi branch of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram. In 1999, he completed Sri Naranda Yoga Teacher Training Course, in Fort Lauderdale. Since then, he has studied Yoga with eminent teachers in USA and in India including studies at the Yoga Institute of Mumbai, Sivananda Ashram in Kerala as well as in Rishikesh (Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy where he attended their monk hood program) and Yoga Niketan in Rishikesh, all in India. Presently, Surendran is registered with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500.) Aananda, Inc., of which he is the President, is also registered with Yoga Alliance to conduct Yoga teacher training programs.
Loren Russo, named Lila Padma by Kirtan singer Bhagavan Das, is a cheerful, committed, devotional bhakta who has dedicated herself to spreading the authentic teachings of Yoga. Loren came to yoga in 1992. The yoga connection grew profoundly as she, through practice, internalized the powerful lessons of the law of Karma. Over the course of 11 years, Loren has been a tireless yoga practitioner and a dedicated and loving teacher. In 2003 she was granted the blessing to teach by her gurus Sharon Ganon and David Life. The Jivamukti Teacher training taught her the balance of spiritual activism and physical action. The entrance of these teachings into Loren’s life and yoga practice has helped her develop to live fully with spirit. Today Loren Russo is an active leader in the Miami Beach yoga community. Loren encourages her many dedicated students to be the ones to change the world. Loren generously shares her knowledge and brings anyone attending her Jivamukti class through the practice of the asanas, the gift and joy of their experience of being alive.
For more on Loren go to www.lorenrusso.com
Julian began yoga in the late 1980's when a chiropractor gave him back exercises for an injury. Learning that the exercises were yoga poses, he signed up for a yoga class at NOVA with Jean VanEglin and has been practicing ever since. After some years of practice, he decided to enter the field of teaching, completing a Yoga Therapy certification course in Ft. Lauderdale at Sri Naranda Yoga in March of 1999. He began teaching, and expanded his practice with a certification at the Kundalini Research Institute in Coral Springs with Deva Kaur. He started traveling throughout the U.S., attending yoga conferences, where he studied with a variety of yoga masters. He traveled to Virginia, recieving certifications in Pre-natal and Postpartum yoga from Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville at Integral Yoga in June 2000, followed with David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga teacher training in Naples, Fl. in June 2003. Craniosacral Therapy Level 1 and 2 in 2003 and 2004 from the Upledger Institute in West Palm Beach was next, and a workshop in Qigong. His practice led him to The Institute of Thai Massage in Lake Worth, in November 2004 to study Thai Yoga. Then, Pura Vida in Costa Rica to study Zen Thai with Martin Mizenhimer of the LMT Success Group in 2005, and on to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Dao in Thailand to study Traditional Thai Massage From Martin and Thai Master Therdchai Chumphoopong in February, 2006. Also, in 2006 he completed the Sadhana Yoga Chi teacher training course with Doug Swenson, and went on to study and be certified in yogic Arts with Duncan Wong in 2006 and 2007. He continues to practice and teach in South Florida, and serves on the staff of Aananda Yoga with fellow yogi and friend, Surendran Pandaran. His practice and teachings are based on, Ahimsa-non-harming, and the greatest healer...Love.
Eat little...worry none...love much.
Sensei Jason Mastrian earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Neuroscience from the University Of Pittsburgh. As a Florida State Licensed Massage Therapist with over 10 years experience, he combines his hands on skills with practical knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, breath work and mind-body mechanics. Jason has worked with thousands of students of all ages and levels as a Yoga and mat Pilates instructor. He is one of the first Budokon Academy Professional Teachers on the east coast and one of 120 worldwide. He currently teaches classes and workshops in South Florida and travels throughout the country training with and assisting Budokon creator Kancho Cameron Shayne, one of the world’s leading experts on Yoga Martial Arts
fusion and mind-body dynamics.
For more on Jason go to www.therightstretch.com
Marcus Thomson, named Om MahaDeva by the Aananda Yoga teacher Surendren began his journey into yoga in 1999. With a Degree in Philosophy and a passion for health and wellness, he has done personal training and Nutritional counceling for the past 6 years. As a spiritual group facilitator, he creates seminars and retreats often, covering a wide array of topics on Relationships, Environmental issues and the mind / body / spirit connection. Now as a certified Yoga Instructor through Aananda Yoga Inc., he is deeply engaged in the Yoga Community of Miami! He runs an organic farm, sings with a Yoga Kirtan Group "Sol Temple" and lives life simply. He enjoy's is practice of Capoeira, dance and spoken word. He loves being creative and intends to explore new and innovative ways to broaden the spectrum of Yoga, Nutrition and Life as a whole. "Nurture the earth which in turn nurtures you. Remedy the mind with a wisp of light reasoning and a love of presence.
Allow Change to be Effortless.... Evolve!"
For more about Om MahaDeva visit www.myspace.com/healthymarcus
Dianne Billig has been a certified Kid's Yoga Instructor since 2005 and has been practicing Yoga for 10 years. She is certified through Karma Kids Yoga, Radiant Child, Buddha Baby and Yoga Kids International. Whether it's a tall tree in a magical raniforest...a crazy cobra slithering through the desert or a garden overflowing with friendship flowers...Dianne's Yoga classes invoke creativity, while promoting strength, balance and independence.Yoga brings relaxation to children in our chaotic and overscheduled world.To children in South Florida, Dianne is known as "Cookie". She has developed yoga programs for numerous camps, schools, yoga studios, and community centers. Her creativity and sense of adventure lend a special spark to each yoga experience. She believes children are natural yogis and yoginis...and is privileged to share in their discovery. A healthy mind, body and spirit, allows kids to believe in themselves and the endless possibilities of life. Dianne is eager to bring her knowledge, experience and inspiration to a new generation of Kid's Yoga instructors. So, you might be wondering where the name Cookie came from ??? Dianne also owns a cookie company called Bits, Bites and Chunks...which creates some of the most outrageously delicious cookies, brownies and cupcakes in the UNIVERSE!!! Through Yoga and cookies she is able to pass on a healthy dose of COOKIE KARMA and bring happiness to ALL!!!
you can contact Dianne at www.yogacookie.com
Suzanne Weintraub- Bio Coming Soon
