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Training

About Us

The Awakened Warrior Yoga Teacher Training is unlike any other - it unites ancient and modern yoga philosophies & practices from some of the world's best yoga instructors and transformational leaders.

Michael Baez

Co-Founder & Creator,                            

Head Instructor (ERYT 200, 500 RYT & E-RYT in process)

 

I first discovered yoga 11 years ago when I moved to L.A. from N.Y.  A good friend of mine (Onahoua Rodriguez) took me to a 'living room' yoga class and 10 minutes into the class I was hooked!

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I had studied & taught karate for over 10 years while living in the Bronx, New York and the similarities between yoga & the martial arts were incredible; from the breathing, balance, flexibility, meditation, focus, concentration, etc... everything but the ego!       I eventually became a certified yoga teacher. In fact, my graduation day was on the grand opening of my own yoga studio! Now known as Excel Yoga Dance & Fitness (formerly Bamboomoves). It's one of the very first yoga studios in the Bronx.​

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I wanted to create a yoga teacher training that incorporated the philosophies & teachings of yoga with the discipline and power of the martial arts - the Awakened Warrior Yoga Teacher Training does just that.    

Jonisha Rios

Co-Founder & Creator

(ERYT 200)

 

My background has been in the healing arts as well as teaching inner city kids yoga and performing arts.  ​

 

As one of the creators of this program,            I wanted to make sure that this teacher training was accessible to anyone outside of the traditional yoga schools and still maintain the integrity of the practice and its sacred teachings.  

Diane Hudock

Guest Teacher - Pranayama, Bandhas & Inversions 

 

 

Diane is a nationally celebrated yoga teacher known for her inspirational style, humor, and dynamic spiritual approach. A teacher since 1994,

she is the creator of Ahmanda Yoga Flow®, and Ahmanda Life

style® creating conscious inspired organic products for the mind, b

ody, and soul. Her dynamic and highly creative vinyasa style is derived f

rom her training in over a decade of teaching styles and meditation tech

niques, defining her unique approach as “ bliss movement in action”. She

has been a featured guest on the national radio broadcast, The

Jesse Dylan Show: The Good Life, and is a fervent speaker on behalf of

the her greatest influence YogiRaj GuruNath with his resounding and universal message of “Earth Peace through Self Peace” and the path of kriya yoga. ​

Allison Jean Linamen

Guest Teacher - Anatomy

(ERYT 500 - RYT 500)

 

Allison was first introduced to yoga while a student of fine art and movement.  After receiving her degree in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University, Allison went on to dance professionally in New York City.  She developed a further appreciation for the healing qualities of movement through the program in Dance Therapy at NYU.  It was at this point when therapeutics became her passion and primary concentration.  She devoted herself to a life of movement, spirituality and service.  In 2004, Allison became a certified yoga instructor.  As a teacher, Allison is committed to creating a nurturing space for students to uncover a more profound sense of self.  She guides students through strong fundamentals of properly aligned posture.  She offers gentle cues at a pace that allows the body/mind to integrate softly.  Allison leads a thorough practice which incorporates functional anatomy and spiritual intelligence.  Her classes are designed to help students cultivate inner strength and poise.  Currently, Allison is receiving certification through the Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego.

 

Shielu Bharwani

Guest Teacher - Assiting & Adjusting

(RYT 500)

 

Shielu Bharwani grew up in East Asia but first discovered yoga working with a group training for the Long Beach Marathon. On weekends, Shielu trained with other long distance runners, doing yoga in the park.  After the completing the marathon, she went on to seek her first studio yoga class,  thus beginning her journey of self discovery and spirituality.

 

She delved deeper into her practice, and completed her first 200 hour teacher training with Black Dog Yoga.  She continued studying and investigating different yoga styles, until she discovered Jivamukti yoga method at a workshop at InYoga with the Funky Jiva Giselle Mari. The vigorous asana sequences, integrating yogic scripture and devotion (bhakti), along with social and environmental activism and veganism, are what drew her to the method.  In 2013, Shielu became a Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher.  

 

Her classes features chanting, challenging asana sequencing infused with her wamth, sincerity and humor.  She plays music ranging from devotional to hip hop.

 

Shielu is eternally grateful to her teachers Sharron Gannon and David Life, Jules Febre, Rima Rani Rabbath, Jenny Brill, Maria Cristina Jimenez, Peter Barnett and Keric Morinaga.

Brihony Kate Smyth

Guest Teacher - Inversions & Arm Balances Expert

(ERYT 500)

 

 

 

 

Briohny is best known for her love of Inversions and Arm Balances. She shared her passion with over 4 million viewers in her Equinox videos "The Contortionist" and "The Balancing Act" (filmed with her husband, yoga instructor Dice Iida-Klein) which sparked significant conversation in and around the yoga community. Her dedication to her practice shines through in her signature Fit Flow classes; a blend of fun and invigorating flow and eye opening alignment instruction.

 

Briohny was a child pop star in Asia with a platinum album by the age of 13. In 1999, after years of Anorexia and Bulimia, she found Yoga in Thailand as a way to practice self-care and begin a journey towards good health. After the birth of her daughter in 2004, she decided to embark on the life long journey of sharing her passion for Yoga. Briohny mentored with Annie Carpenter and Lisa Walford at YogaWorks and is certified 500 E-RYT.

 

Briohny has shared her journey and story as a contributing writer for MindBodyGreen, ElephantJournal, The Huffington Post, and QBlog. She has graced the cover of WomenÕs Health Thailand, Yoga Journal Thailand, and LA Yoga.

She currently teaches classes in Los Angeles and travels the world with her husband teaching their signature Fit Flow workshops, retreats and Teacher Trainings. Practice with Briohny online at Yogisanonymous.com and Daily Burn (coming soon).

 

Dice Iida-Klein 

Guest Teacher - Inversions & Arm Balances

 

 

Always drawn to sports and being physically active, Dice played hockey and baseball in his younger years.  Later in high school he wrestled, ran cross-country and played tennis.  After graduating from UCLA in the summer of 2007, he found himself trying a yoga class at City Yoga in Los Angeles.  Enter HANDSTANDS.  As soon as he saw the world upside down, his life had changed and the world as he knew it would never be the same. Yoga found its way into his soul and it made a home there.  Shortly after he found yoga, Dice decided to take one step further and complete a yoga teacher training.  Why not teach what you love?  Upon completion of his teacher training at City Yoga in April of 2008, he dove in headfirst and began teaching. 

 

Dice likes to be on his hands, upside down in an inversion or playing with arm balances.  Expect them in his classes!  The challenge that they offer builds confidence and strength, but more than anything they are just fun to try.  Yoga made him feel like a kid again…playing on his hands and feet, where falling was part of the game.  The playful aspect of yoga is just as important as its disciplined aspect.  It is the balance between the two that makes yoga…yoga.  If anything else, yoga helps to bring awareness to one’s own body.  This awareness is the balance of the body and mind. Dice’s goal is to help his fellow yogis bridge the gap between the two.  Be prepared to sweat, work, play and have fun on your mat!

Maria Cristina Jimenez

Guest Teacher - Anatomy 

(ERYT 500 - RYT 500)

 

Maria Cristina Jiménez first learned yoga from her beloved grandmother. Then years later from her body as it healed from a horrific car accident that almost killed her. Now she studies with many different teachers; no gurus. Her teachers include Nature, the ocean, her students, her yoga practice, cadavers, myriad books, and this moment; right here, right now.

For our 2014, L.A. or N.Y.
teacher training call -
818-668-7654
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