About It's Yoga-Cincinnati

Teachers and Directors Bios

Indu Bala Bhardwaj, E RYT 500, Program Director and Co-Owner
Indu has 38 years experience in teaching and living the yoga lifestyle. She began studying yoga with Swami Satchidananda while attending the American Musical & Dramatic Academy and the International Dance School in New York City. She deepened her studies of Yoga Philosophy and Sanskrit for 22 years with her Indian Guru and Sanskrit scholar, the Late Yogi Raj Sharma, Shastri. She continues her Sanskrit studies at the American Sanskrit Institute with Vyaas Huston.

Indu was one of the first yoga teachers in the country to receive the highest registration level of the National Yoga Alliance (ERYT 500). She completed her 500-hour certification in Hatha Yoga from Integral Yoga and has additional certifications in Ashtanga, Raja Yoga, Cardiac Yoga, Multiple Sclerosis Yoga, Yin Yoga and Pilates. She also has extensive experience with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue and Senior Care yoga. A graduate of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydro Therapy, Indu's experiences as a Licensed Massage Therapist help her bring the benefits of yoga to those with limited mobility.

Co-Chairman of Cincinnati Yoga Teachers Association for two years, Indu co-founded two of Cincinnati's first yoga schools, Cincinnati Yoga School and It's Yoga Cincinnati. Under her leadership, It's Yoga was acknowledged by the National Yoga Alliance as Cincinnati's first Registered Yoga School (RYS) and the first Registered Yoga Teacher Training Program (RYT) in Ohio. Her mentors are Larry Schultz (It's Yoga), Richard Freedman (Ashtanga), Paul Grilley (Yin Yoga), and Eric Schiffman (Vinyasa).

With her experience as a professional ballet dancer, Indu brings a love of movement, meditation and breath to the yoga flow. Her preferred teaching style is facilitating a balance between the flow of Vinyasa with Hatha alignment techniques. She encourages surrender of effort to the breath, leading to a moving meditation. Her teaching philosophy is, "Work smarter not harder". Email:itsyogaindu@earthlink.net

Mike Burgasser, RYT began his yoga practice in 1996, studying with Vickie Russell. He began his teaching practice in 1998. In 2000, he completed his ashtanga yoga teacher certification with Larry Schultz of It's Yoga in San Francisco, CA. Mike has taught yoga for several local organizations, including the Art Academy of Cincinnati, AT&T, Cincinnati Enquirer, and Ethicon Endosurgery. In addition to teaching yoga he has worked for a number of years as a personal fitness trainer, a corporate fitness program manager and a cardiac rehabilitation program exercise physiologist. He earned a BA in Psychology in 1978, and M.Ed. in Health Education in 1988. Mike is also one of the founders of the It's Yoga-Cincinnati. While he has had the good fortune to study with many teachers, it was Vickie Russell that inspired his love of yoga and Larry Schultz that awakened has passion for teaching. Tim Miller and Paul Grilley were also influential teachers. Mike has a playful attitude and likes to challenge his students. In addition to teaching yoga, he also is a Thai Yoga Therapist. Email: itsyogamike@earthlink.net

Anele is a certified Ashtanga & Hatha yoga teacher, receiving her training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati. Why practice yoga? It's not just about keeping the body healthy.... It's about bringing joy into you life. Anele's class emphasis is on integrating the physical benefits of the asanas as well as the space to come to a truer realization of the self. The practice of compassion for oneself is a must in her classes. Every chance she gets to further her knowledge on yoga asana, meditation, spiritual healing, & health.... plane, train, or by foot, she's there. Anele is eternally grateful to all of her teachers, especially for the guidance of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda. "To Gurus, Gods, & Teachers, I humbly bow."

Jon is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, receiving his training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati.

Kurt Mathys, RYT-200, M.A.
Kurt has studied yoga and has lived the yoga lifestyle for 13 years. He trained in Kripalu Yoga, Integral Yoga, Hatha, and Vinyasa Krama, and is one of the few who have mastered the First, Second, and Third Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. A Registered Certified Yoga Teacher, Kurt is dedicated to yoga philosophy and Sanskrit.

Kurt follows a daily practice of Asanas, Yogic Breathing Techniques (Pranayama), Meditation and Chanting. He teaches It's Yoga's weekly Meditation Class and meditation/pranayama for the Yoga Teacher Training Programs. Also Kurt is a regular substitute teacher for advanced yoga classes at It's Yoga. His mentors are Indubala Bhardwaj, David Swenson, Vicky Sorenson and Srivasta Ramaswamy (Vinyasa Krama).

Kurt's teaching philosophy is to have fun and be open to challenges during weekly studio classes. He strongly encourages students to develop a personal daily home practice.

Lisa is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, receiving her training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati.

Lori is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, receiving her training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati.

Matt is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, receiving his training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati.

Rebecca Parker student of inner spiritual growth. Her artistic side is thru her music, dance and study of life. Her training is thru Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica. She has recieved her 500hr yoga alliance master training thru Nosara Yoga Institute. Rebecca has also recieved her practicioner training in Pranassage thru Nosara Yoga Institute. She has trained in Pilates Mat and Pilates Reformer thru White Cloud Studios. Rebecca has enjoyed composing music, for Moving Art Dance Company along with collaborating in choreography with Colleen Mcarty and the other dancers within the company. Rebecca is currently working with Holly Price and looks foward to exploring movement and art with whatever may come her way.

Shalini, RYT started practicing yoga in 1989 and starting teaching in 1990. She has studied yoga with world renowned teacher John Friend since 1992 and she teaches the Anusara style yoga that he established. This is a unique system of hatha yoga which blends precise body alignment and actions with a focus on the heart and an open attitude. Shalini also works with yoga therapeutically to help with specific physical challenges. She is a certified Anusara instructor.

Tonya is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, receiving her training and 200 hour certification from It's Yoga-Cincinnati.

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