Kelly Wood
is the founder and director of Karuna Yoga. Kelly created Karuna Yoga as a comfortable and beautiful space where people feel at ease. The Karuna Yoga atmosphere and great teachers are here to support everyone in their quest for feeling happier about themselves and their lives. Kelly began her practice with Ashtanga Yoga and then discovered Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Through her experience, Kelly has great appreciation of all styles of yoga as she sees the common goal of bringing people back to their true nature open, strong and calm.

One of Kelly's great passions is teaching yoga to kids. Over the past five years, Kelly has developed a playful and imaginative kids yoga program that she teaches once a week at Karuna Yoga. She also goes into schools to teach weekly 20 minute yoga classes from kindergarten thru high school. Teaching kids how to calm themselves and focus through yoga and meditation gives Kelly great joy. For more information about privates and teacher trainings, please email Kelly at kwood@karunayoga.net
Jim Akimoto
Certified through Center for Yoga, Jim is well versed in many styles of yoga including Iyengar, Anusara, Astanga, and Kundalini. Beginners to advanced gain tremendous insight of their own bodies with the wealth of knowledge Jim graciously shares with his classes. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much easier the poses become with Jim's great coaching. A massage therapist, energetic bodyworker, musician, photographer and devoted yogi, Jim brings a well-rounded approach to yoga. Come take Jim's class and be prepared to sweat and move beyond limitations to discover new spaces within yourself.
Patty Pierce
Her first exposure to yoga was 30 years ago at the YMCA in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in the ensuing years she has participated in many forms of fitness. Several years ago she was very involved in a martial arts based form of exercise, and though she often enjoyed it, felt something was missing. During this time, she attended a power yoga class with a friend. After a few years of regular practice in power yoga, Patty completed teacher's training and apprenticeship with Mark Blanchard, Elizabeth Folk and Brenda Strong. Patty recently completed teacher training at Yoga Works with Maty Ezraty and Lisa Walford. Patty believes that in the practice of Yoga, she has found her true self and her connection to the world around her. For Patty, it is not about flexibility or poses, but about learning to breathe and finding poise when difficulty arises. Patty says "Through yoga we are allowed to banish fear along with our sense of singularity. For me, a fire was ignited, and a passion was created that is a joy to share with others." Patty lives in Sherman Oaks with her husband Tim, a studio guitar player. Tim and Patty have a son Nigel, a recent graduate of Cal Arts, and a dog, Duque, who is old but misbehaves and tests her hard won patience on a regular basis.
Maja Zimmermann
Maja is a Swiss born, Hollywood trained Filmmaker who has gotten her Yoga teacher training trough the acclaimed "Center for Yoga" in Larchmont Village. She has been teaching Hatha classes since 2002 and is a proud Karuna teacher from it's inception. Maja believes in creating a warm, accommodation ambience to welcome any body , bringing them to the best of them selves. Maja has created a beginners workshop and introduced her popular "Yoga and the Power of Visualization" workshop to the Karuna community. "Yoga and meditation creates a magical balance to my often hectic everyday life as a film maker. It helps me to stay grounded in the midst of a crisis, and teaches me to find a positive focus on what's to come."
Jai Hari Kaur
is KRI certified and has studied extensively with acclaimed teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. Jai Hari also teaches at Golden Bridge Yoga and is a certified practitioner of the healing art of Sat Nam Rasayan. In addition to graduating from Boston University with degrees in Chinese and Cinema, Jai Hari also danced professionally with numerous ballet troupes for half a decade, and had the opportunity to dance under the direction of Yuri Grigorovich, choreographer in-chief of The Bolshoy Ballet. A gentle and encouraging teacher, Jai Hari draws on her experience as a healer, yogi and dancer to create a physical experience for the purpose of healing, suitable for the beginner and experienced yogi.
Tanya Greve
Tanya Greve has been practicing yoga for over 12 years. Originally certified in Kundalini
yoga, she has branched into teaching hatha yoga in the anusara style originated by John
Friend. She uses her diverse experience to encourage students to draw from their center,
their breath, and their power, to alllign with their truest self and express their uniqueness
through yoga. Her classes are empowering, fun, and celebrate the heart. She constantly
learns from her students and her practice, and feels blessed to be able to share this practice
with others.  
Lona Alexander
Lona has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 30 years. She is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, a method that restores the natural ease and grace of movement by eliminating unwanted habitual patterns of tension in the body. Through intensive study of the Alexander Technique, Lona has developed her own unique style of teaching yoga. One of her greatest joys is to help students find greater ease, confidence and creativity in their practice and life.
Jonnyka Bormann
Jonnyka chose yoga as a way to cope with life’s demands. She began practicing Hatha, soon discovered Kundalini, and continued practicing both styles regularly. It was evident from the beginning that yoga was (and is!) transforming her life. While furthering her practice in the teacher training program at Karuna Yoga with Kelly Wood & Jim Akimoto, Jonnyka realized that the joy and release she found in the practice was something she truly wanted to share with others. She believes in the endless discovery within each person and hopes to support and encourage others on their journeys within. She is honored to share her enthusiasm for yoga and meditation with the beautiful Karuna community and believes that yoga and meditation will continue to transform lives leading to a world of greater love, creativity & spirit.
Amanda White
Amanda fell in love with Iyengar yoga 15 years ago in her native Ontario, Canada.  After moving to Los Angeles to pursue a film producing career, Amanda enrolled in the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Program at IYILA.  She graduated in 2005 and passed her first level of certification the same year.  Iyengar yoga has brought Amanda health, serenity and joy and it is her vision to share the thoughtful and evolutionary process of yoga with everyone who studies alongside her.  Come study with Amanda and experience her encouraging, empowering and passionate teaching style.
Dawn Greenidge
A native New Yorker and accomplished actress, Dawn came to Los Angeles 7 years ago to pursue her acting career. It was here that she discovered yoga, gradually deepening her practice until she decided to take the teacher’s training at Karuna Yoga. Dawn has a great love for both Hatha and Kundalini styles and is excited to be teaching the restorative class. Through dealing with her own injuries, she has a great respect and understanding of the body's need for a restorative practice. Her class will focus on opening up the body to promote healing on all levels.

Lauren Maher
Lauren Maher made her way to California by way of South Florida and New York City. Inspired by her newfound sense of balance from developing a regular Kundalini Yoga practice, Lauren became an internationally certified teacher through Yoga West in order to share this sacred technology with others. In her classes, Lauren strives to create a safe space for people to grow spiritually, releasing any emotional, spiritual or physical blocks. Lauren views the real benefits of yoga as what you take with you outside of the class and into the world. She often focuses on stress relief and tries to merge day-to-day life with yogic technology. In addition, Lauren specializes in teaching yoga and meditation to cancer patients during and post treatment. She infuses her classes with a sense of humor and always encourages her students to challenge themselves, diving deeper into their practice. Lauren believes that the practice of yoga and meditation can not only create inner harmony and expansiveness, but also create a greater peace, awareness and radiance throughout the world.

Robyn Bennett
A native New Yorker, Robyn moved to Southern California in 1986 and has practiced yoga since arriving on the west coast. After completing a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology, she obtained her teacher certification in Kundalini and Hatha Yoga. Her love of teaching and sharing her practice is apparent. Her classes guide you on a spiritually calming journey that will leave you in a positive state of mind with a feeling of gratitude. Her classes can help you establish a daily physical practice that supports you on any given day. She encourages you to honor yourself, allowing the benefits of yoga to follow you throughout your day.

Allison Richard
Allison was introduced to yoga in 1997 and was excited she had finally found a form of exercise that did not require shoes! As she deepened her study with yoga, it became so much more than just a form of exercise. In 2006, she gained her certification from the Center for Yoga studying with James Brown and Natasha Rizopoulos. In 2007, she completed an advanced program through YogaWorks studying with Julie Kleinman, Lisa Walford, Jasmine Lieb and Annie Carpenter. She believes in the importance of the mind, body and breath connection in regards to health and wellness and works to help her students experience this connection in new and exciting ways. She brings her lighthearted, nurturing spirit into each class and strives to create a playful, yet challenging practice while encouraging her students to listen and learn from their bodies.

Nina Mikkelsen
Nina is a third generation Santa Monica native and took her first yoga class there when she was thirteen. She immediately loved yoga and found that many of the postures felt natural to her. Since that time she has practiced various styles of yoga as well as other methods of meditation. Nina is a graduate of the first Teacher's Training Course at Karuna. Since then she assisted two teachers at Karuna and then began to teach regularly as a substitute. During the last year she also worked on refining her daily practice at home as well as taking classes from a variety of teachers. Teaching at Karuna is a pleasure and an honor. Nina is thrilled to be able to share her love and knowledge of yoga with each and every one of her students.

Judith Lutz
Judith took her first Iyengar yoga class eleven years ago and was immediately hooked. After several years of deepening her practice, she enrolled in the Teacher Training Program of the BKS Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles. Soon after graduation she passed her first level of certification. Judith loves to teach and constantly learns from her students. She invites you to join her in cultivating awareness, strength, and calm through yoga. Her energetic, joyful and compassionate teaching style challenges and encourages students to seek the best in themselves.