teachers

Our teachers have a variety of interests, offerings, and expertise. But we all value that connection between mind, body, and spirit that is a yoga practice. 

KIA MEAUX

STUDIO OWNER & TEACHER

A student of yoga since 1989, Kia has studied with masters of the Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara traditions, which she incorporates into her alignment based Vinyasa Yoga practice.Her background includes traveling through Asia studying Yoga, Buddhism, Eastern Philosophy, and Vipassana Meditation. Kia has been teaching yoga for over 20 years.

​In 2002 she wrote the popular Vinyasa Yoga book, “Dynamic Yoga”, which has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into 7 languages. To get a copy go to amazon.com.
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She is a Yoga Alliance 500-hour E-RYT as well as a 200-hour RYT in the Anusara Tradition. Kia is a fun, compassionate, and skillful teacher, with a profound understanding of the invaluable benefits that yoga can bring to one’s life.

find kia's book here:
dynamic yoga 

     by kia meaux

A basic grounding in the principles and practice of the most intensive workout for body, mind, and spirit. Dynamic Yoga is a powerful exercise system designed to give the body the ultimate workout for increased energy, fitness, and flexibility. Boost your energy levels. Kia Meaux has devised an imaginative and invigorating program based on the sun Salutes of Ashtanga yoga. It encourages more...

Anatoly soshilov

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Anatoly came to yoga some time in the late 90s from the background of dance. At first, yoga helped him to manage injuries, but it was not until he joined Kaya Yoga studio in 2008 that his practice reached a new level of physical intensity and spiritual inspiration. He has been subbing on and off in the studio since 2015 but officially completed the Kaya Yoga 200 h RYT teacher training in July 2016. His practice and teaching are rooted in the principles of alignment and combine vinyasa sequences with deep muscle release poses.

Amy Hillman-Siracusa

YOGA TEACHER

Amy fell in love with yoga in 2004 while living in India studying spirituality and traditional healing. In March 2008 she completed Kaya Yoga’s first teacher training. Her teaching style is most heavily influenced by Anusara and therapeutic yoga traditions. She is a Yoga Alliance 200 hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (eRYT), and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She has continued to deepen her yoga practice, and build upon her skills as a teacher, by participating in workshops with John Friend, Judith Lasater, and Gary Kraftsow. Her study of yoga has been complimented by her former career as a massage therapist, and background in Ayurveda, comparative religion, and holistic health. She holds a Masters degree in holistic health education with a specialization in holistic nutrition. For more information on this, please visit ladleandlotus.com. 

Caroline billings

yoga teacher

After dancing professionally for 20 years Caroline began practicing yoga in Los Angeles with Bryan Kest. She has studied with a wide variety of teachers throughout California. For the past 6 years she has been practicing at Kaya Yoga and completed her teacher training with Kia Meaux in March of 2008. Caroline has a BFA from The Juilliard School in dance, an MPT from the University of Pacific in Stockton and is also a certified massage therapist. She is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is studying yoga therapy with Doug Keller. While still evolving, her teaching style blends her dance and physical therapy backgrounds in classes that incorporate alignment principles with a graceful flow through asanas.

Emily Bay

yoga teacher & 
​Massage therapist

Emily has a BA in Dance and Choreography from San Francisco State University and has been a student of yoga for many years in many different styles. She studied with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa at Golden Bridge in LA and is certified to teach The Khalsa Way method of Pregnancy Yoga. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Kaya Yoga.
​​Emily is a mother of two girls and has been a practicing massage therapist since 2001 specializing in prenatal and post-natal massage.
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For information on massage, please visit, www.massagebythebay.com.

Dion wieden-
​hoefer

yoga teacher

As a movement and wellness educator since 1986, my devotion to teaching is ever curious and compassionate, while the methods and techniques presented continue to evolve.  Where I was once solely focused on the outer form, alignment and aesthetic, I am now profoundly aware of the inherent benefits of connecting with the inner form and strive to share this awareness with my clients.  Drawing on my own experiential practice, it is a gift to be able to guide others in their process of healing movement and empowering choices.
My life in movement began with dance, then shifted into other more mindful practices, including Pilates (certified - 1990) and yoga (RYT-200 in 2013).  I am currently working towards my 300-hour Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) certification through The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, MA, led by David Emerson.  I am inspired by artistry, community and authenticity, and I love to share my experiences in healing with joy and compassion. ​

rebekah nagy

yoga teacher

Rebekah Nagy (E-RYT 500) is known for her detailed and unique alignment instructions, at once precise, patient, and poetic, in a flow that balances vigor with rest. She has been teaching postural yoga since 2010, and practicing since 2001. In her classes you can expect to build inner heat, meet challenges safely and playfully, and wind down sweetly. 

Rather than telling her students what they should feel, she holds a clear and supportive space that allows them to unveil their own paths to embodiment and presence.
Even in a group setting, she seeks to serve each student's individual needs. 

​Breath awareness, consistent practice, and somatic exploration can help us sense our innate biotensegrity, which is the wholeness, interrelatedness, and communicative power of all of our seeming separate parts, inseparable within our own self-arising, non-hierarchical, and auto-organizing intelligence. Through the expansion of our capacity to be present within the crucible of radical embodiment, we cull our innate ability to better recognize patterns in our bodies and lives, creating the space to choose to live in closer alignment with our deepest values. Rebekah received her 200- and 500-hour certifications in the Krishnamacharya lineage at Yoga Sutra NYC under the guidance of Guta Hedewig. Ever a student, her ongoing anatomy and kinesiology studies with Amy Matthews unite philosophy and embodiment, and include a Body-Mind Centering approach. She explores yoga philosophy, practice, and history in her writing for the Embodied Philosophy blog, and has Sanskrit and Vedic chanting hobbies. In growing season she can be found in her garden, either working hard or sitting still. 

Tim jordan

Kirtan & yoga teacher

Tim’s journey as a yoga teacher began when he was laid off from his corporate job in 2008.  Relieved to be free from the rat race, he traveled to India on a quest for something more.  He found himself in a 200 hour Sivananda Teacher Training Program that combined asana practice with other spiritual disciplines of yoga. 
Upon his return, he studied with Max Strom and Jamie Elmer to increase his understanding of anatomy and alignment. In 2009 he taught his first class of Seniors at a Community Center in Los Angeles, where he continued to teach until moving to Davis in 2015.  He loves sharing with his students his own discovery of yoga’s power to heal and transform.  Tim also leads Kirtan, a practice he picked up in India, and enjoys infusing chanting, meditation and a devotional spirit into his classes.
Media from Tim's website. For more information about Kirtan, please visit: timjordankirtan.com

rowan boswell

yoga teacher /
​massage therapist

Rowan’s passion for the practice of yoga blossomed when she took her first class at Kaya Yoga in January 2009. Inspired by the attitude and teachings of Kia Meaux, she completed teacher training in June 2010. Fueled by this fiery enthusiasm, Rowan continues to explore interesting forms of movement through the practices of Acro Yoga, Contact Dance Improvisation, and fire dancing. She recognizes her personal yoga practice as the foundation for this exploration. 
Rowan Boswell is a Massage Therapist at the Davis Holistic Health Center. She practices Thai Massage, a yogic form of massage, as well as Neuromuscular Therapy, Swedish, and Lomi Lomi styles. Gentle adjustments, flowing postures, and mindful attention to alignment characterize her classes. Rowan invites a playful approach to the study of yoga while emphasizing the power of the breath as a tool to stay present.  Rowan is grateful for the inspiring and unique family of yoga teachers at Kaya Yoga! Thank you for your guidance. 

Tina Perry

yoga teacher

I started practicing Yoga hoping to help my body from past injuries after years of high impact exercise.  I went for the physical benefits and was rewarded by my efforts.  Far more importantly I discovered the spirituality of yoga – the connection of body mind and spirit through the breath – to be an incredible blessing. The spiritual aspect spoke to me in a very deep way.  I now have a mindful daily ritual in addition to my asana practice.  It guides me in all aspects of my life and it brings me love and a sense of wellbeing.
In 2012 I became certified to teach Hatha Yoga after completing a comprehensive 200 hour training course at Kaya Studio.  
Upon graduation I volunteered to teach at a homeless shelter and then moved on to teaching elsewhere.  In 2014, I attended a workshop to learn Yin Yoga as well. Teaching brings me great joy and I hope to pass on my knowledge to my students as well as embracing the opportunity to learn from them.
LISA FISCHER
YOGA TEACHER
Lisa’s journey with yoga began as a teen, falling more in love with yoga as a way of life over the past 15 years.  Her practice has helped her to become more grounded and fearless both on and off the mat, inspiring her to live each day more mindfully.  Desiring more depth of understanding of yoga philosophy and history, and inspired by Kia Meaux, she has completed her 200hr teacher training in 2019.   Also, as a Life Coach, Lisa blends her nurturing and curious nature to influence the development of her classes creating creative sequencing to help students deepen their own experience.  Lisa seeks to guide people to reach their highest potential and her hope is that you step out of her classes feeling revived and inspired.

MATT DUARTE

yoga teacher

Matt was first exposed to yoga over fifteen years ago and was immediately drawn to its power to unify and strengthen the body, mind, and spirit. Originally from North Carolina, Matt has lived in various parts of California for nearly a decade, carrying his yoga practice across locales and learning from teachers representing varied styles. His relationship with yoga found new depth while studying with studio-owner, Kia Meaux, and inspired by her approach to alignment-based Vinyasa, he completed his 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher training in 2019. An experienced educator, Matt uses clear communication, patience, and humor to generate insight and understanding in his students, and he looks forward to sharing his practice with you.

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JEANNE BALDING

yoga teacher

Kaya Yoga is where I fell in back in love with yoga after years away, raising a family. Through this practice I have found more ease and strength in my body, more clarity and authenticity in my life. 
I completed Kaya Yoga’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2011. Since then I have taught kids, teens, adults, led workshops and the special ‘Mum & Daughter Yoga Retreat’ with my two daughters in the Wellington region of New Zealand, where my family and I lived for 5 years.  See kula-yoga.co.nz

I’ve had the opportunity to continue my training with leaders in the field including 90 hours Yin Yoga Training with Joe Barnett, 10 hour Mini Yogi Kids Training, study with Amy Ippoletti, Maty Ezraty, Noah Maze, Katie Lane and many other wise yogis. 

I love teaching yoga. It offers a form of movement and physicality that can be gentle or athletic and non-competitive. It builds strength, balance and flexibility. It teaches mindfulness in stillness (I always include some quiet meditation in class) and mindfulness in action. The yoga teachings include principles of compassion for self and others, discipline and self-study.
Teaching here is like coming home.
** In addition to the teachers listed, we may also occasionally have new teachers and substitutes in the studio. **

Please see Our Schedule for more info & possible changes. 

​Thank you!