TEACHERS

Our Teachers

Julianne Rice

As a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) through the International Association of Yoga Therapy, I specialize in yoga therapy, a practice distinct from typical group yoga classes. Yoga therapy focuses on one-on-one sessions, addressing the overall healing and transformation of individuals, often targeting specific areas of need. This personalized approach allows me to work on the root causes of issues, using a holistic method that encompasses the body, mind, and spirit.

My passion for yoga extends to retreats, which I have been facilitating in the Santa Cruz mountains at the Land of Medicine Buddha, the Sequoia Retreat Center, and the Quaker Retreat Center. I’ve also been privileged to serve as a yoga instructor at Judy Stakee Singer/Songwriter Retreats. These retreats offer a unique opportunity to deepen practice, connect with others, and rejuvenate in nature’s embrace.

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Divya Zuccaro

In 1997 when I was certified to teach in the Integral Yoga tradition, I had only a hint of what a joy (and a life saver!) yoga would be. I am the conceiver, co-creator, and happy proliferator of the Meditation Sampler program, and I feel especially fortunate to offer meditation guidance for women with cancer through WomenCare of Santa Cruz. Inspired to share these calming effects with people who might not sign up for classes, in 2015 I became a certified hypnotherapist, and that same year started a wellness business — Healing Room Hypnotherapy. 

My yoga classes encourage:
  • Trust in Body Intuition — I offer clear verbal instruction, without physically “adjusting” your position, as you best know your needs, limitations, and strengths.
  • Realness — Vibrant yoga practice calls us to be real with ourselves. My style is unstuffy, occasionally irreverent, and always sincere. Please bring your realness too!
  • Community — The first 10 min. of our time shared are truly unique. In each class circle, a new (and often odd) centerpiece draws group focus, stimulating voluntary discussions that dabble into yogic philosophy. As both our knowledge of yoga and our friendships grow, we realize that we are not just with each other, but for each other. It is proven that the benefits of a loving community are immeasurable. 
  • Peace — Our innate peacefulness is naturally expansive. Abundant, we share. 

Calvin Darling

I began practicing yoga 15 years ago at Yoga is Youthfulness in Mountain View, California mostly to stretch and move my body as a strategy to offset some of the work stresses associated with a career in corporate finance. As I got started, I did become a bit more flexible, but I had no idea of the transformative yoga journey that was to come.

Now living in San Francisco, as the pandemic took hold, I reconnected with Julianne Rice, one of my first yoga teachers at YiY. As I was seeking comfort during the early COVID days, her classes left me feeling amazing, physically and emotionally. It was just what was needed and I became a regular in her Zoom classes. Over time, I began to demonstrate postures for Julianne on Zoom which sparked my passion for teaching.

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Cathy Hutton

I teach breathwork, meditation, and postures drawing on both the traditional and the modern, weaving together traditional practices (Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samkhya philosophy, subtle body theory, and Ayurveda) with modern studies (neuroscience, anatomy, and physiology).
 
Creating space to attend to our individual and collective health and well-being is my devotion. Coming together in community through yoga – in breath, body, mind, and spirit – is a deep calling within me.

My personal yoga journey began in 1997 with physical asana practice while I was in graduate school and needing a way to find a way to increase both strength and relaxation in my body. In 2010 a radical shift in my life uprooted me in a profound emotional and spiritual way, and my yoga practice deepened to include meditation and inward, energetic exploration.

In 2021 and 2022, my yoga practice sustained me through profound grief following the unexpected deaths of three immediate family members. This inspired me to attend Mount Madonna Institute School of Yoga to become a 200 hour certified yoga instructor in 2021. I am continuing my studies to this day.
 

Carolyn Bowman

Carolyn has been practicing yoga since 1992. She completed her 200 hour Yoga Teaching Training in 2019. Since then she’s been teaching yoga to all ages. Her motto is “yoga is for EVERY body” and she has adapted traditional yoga poses to the chair as well as to water. Born with cerebral palsy, yoga has provided the framework for moving her body forward every day.

Carolyn is the quirky author of The Wiggly Warrior, to be released soon. After completing a 30 year career as a public school teacher, she found her writing discipline through daily meditation and yoga. Most of her life, she desired to chronicle many of the grand adventures and life lessons she learned while negotiating her physical world in her wiggly body due to cerebral palsy. Her book is a reflection of those adventures and lessons.

Life has thrown her a few curveballs along the way. Thanks to finding yoga in her 20’s, the physical postures and calming intentions kept her moving forward. As a certified yoga instructor, she feels it is a blessing to be equipped to now offer yoga to others.

Patricia Becker

Patricia is a dedicated instructor bringing 35 years of study, practical experience, and coaching in Yoga, Breath, and Macrobiotic Nutrition. She is a certified Yoga Alliance RYT® E-RYT®, has a Yoga TV Show, YouTube channel, teaches LIVE online classes and is recognized as one of the Yoga Trainers You Must Follow.

Patricia was a Yoga Instructor with Stanford’s Health Improvement Program for an impressive 11 years, showcasing her commitment to helping individuals improve their well-being.

Julianne highly recommends Patricia Becker as an all-around awesome yoga teacher and nutrition coach specializing in wellness for Adults ages 50+. Her Chair Yoga for Seniors and Aging with Grace Mat Yoga classes leave you feeling uplifted and energized. Check out her website today.