Instructors
Govinda Kai |
Mysore Director
Certified Ashtanga Yoga Instructor Govinda Kai was born Russell Paul Yamaguchi in the San Francisco Bay Area in the summer of 1959. His parents were the children of Japanese immigrants who were from the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Govindaʼs mother was an elementary school teacher with degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and the College of Arts and crafts in Oakland. Govindaʼs father was a high school mathematics teacher and an Aikido instructor who earned his degree from Earlham College in Indiana.
In 1995, Govinda made his first trip to Mysore, India to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Govinda knew that his life would never be the same.
Sarah Nelson |
Mysore Instructor
Sarah is a yoga practitioner and nature enthusiast. She started her yoga journey five years ago which has transformed into a continuous Ashtanga practice for the last two. Ashtanga has been a steady and calm space of self-discipline and compassion for her since. Sarah teaches from a place of love for the practice. She has trained to teach Ashtanga, Yin, and Restorative. Passionate about making postures accessible for all, Sarah will offer modifications and adjustments tailored to each student. Her sessions will also dive into subtle ways to practice the eight limbs of yoga both on and off the mat through breath and mindfulness.
Luke Baugh |
Yoga Teacher Training Director
Luke is a life long student of Yoga Master David Garrigues and has been appreciatively influenced by the following teachers and studios: Catherine Tisseront, James Butkevich, Manju Jois, Kevin Kimple, Noah Williams, Kimberly Flynn, Rich McGowan, Anne Finstad, Govinda Kai, and Tim Miller.
Luke has taught for multiple yoga studios as well as his own studios (Exist Yoga, LC Yoga Center, and now Ashtanga Yoga School of Bellingham). Luke has taught yoga at numerous institutional and corporate settings including Gonzaga University, Western Washington University, Lewis Clark State College, and Regence Blue Shield. Luke is very proud to have had the privilege of teaching yoga for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in a continuing effort to bring the fundamental equality, peace of mind, and tenacity of spirit that ignites people of all kinds through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Luke has a masters degree in business specializing in the development of local yoga schools.