Jeannie is a former professional ski instructor from Colorado turned finance executive in the high-stress world of private equity in Newport Beach. She attributes her success in business over the last several years to the inner strength, discipline and contentment her Ashtanga practice provides on a daily basis. Jeannie has always enjoyed opportunities to teach and share her passions and is very thankful for the chance to help others on the Ashtanga path. "Diana has been such a strong influence in all areas of my life and her trust in me to pass this along to other students is very rewarding."

Jeannie has been studying with Diana Christinson since 2002 and completed Tim Miller's teacher training in 2009.

A round age 25, Laura woke up one morning to realize that her whole reality was a complete illusion. "All I knew was that I wanted to go home," she said. Home, of course, was within. Laura began practicing yoga a few years prior to this awakening, and the one thing she was sure of in that moment was to show up to her mat each day. Ashtanga had always resonated with her on a deep and transformative level; it was only fitting for her to find Pacific Ashtanga and her teacher Diana Christinson at that time.

Since 2006, Laura has been a dedicated Ashtanga practitioner studying and practicing yoga with love and gratitude. After completing the 1st series teacher training with Tim Miller in 2010, she considers it an honor and a privilege to now be teaching yoga. As a Certified Massage Therapist, it comes naturally for Laura to be watching the movement and observing the physical structure of her students so to better guide them on the mat. She has an intuitive awareness, allowing her to facilitate a warm, nurturing environment for a strong, mindful practice. "The first time I stepped in front of the mat to lead a class, my heart poured open and I surrendered to the real teacher...the practice," she said. Laura feels humbled and grateful to pass on the wisdom given by her teachers, the students, and the practice itself.

Lesley began practicing yoga in San Francisco in 2000 as a way to start meditating and to connect spiritually. She eventually moved to Orange County in 2005, and began teaching in 2006. She found Diana and Pacific Ashtanga in 2008 and believed she had come home to her personal practice. "When I told Diana that I only wished I would have found her sooner, Diana said that we all find our practice at the right time."

Lesley is a certified instructor and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. In addition to the 200-hour certificate she earned from YogaWorks in 2006, she completed the 100-hour Primary Series training program with Tim Miller in 2008. In March 2010, Lesley completed the YogaWorks 300-hour Professional Certification Program and is now RYT 500.

A dancer for years - ballet, jazz, modern and flamenco – Maria Dimarucut brings an inspirational grace and beauty to her practice. She received a B.S. degree in Dance from the University of California, Irvine with an emphasis in teaching. Because she understands how a body moves, she guides her students toward proper alignment with simple explanations and mindful adjustments.

Maria was first introduced to Ashtanga in 2003. From her first class, she was hooked. “I’d taken hatha yoga at a gym but loved the physical challenge and dance-orientation of Ashtanga.” Ashtanga’s repetitive sequencing and vinyasa-flow (linking breath with movement) give it a unique, choreographed feel that becomes meditative and graceful with ongoing practice.

She has even noticed more patience and a forgiving perspective on problems since she began Ashtanga. When she sees students struggling with vinyasa, she reminds them that this isn’t a competition, to take it easy and focus on the breath. “The hardest part to remember is that this is a daily, lifetime practice - both on and off the mat.” Maria has been studying with Diana Christinson since 2003 and completed Tim Miller’s Ashtanga teacher training in 2006.

Peter began his yoga practice in India in 1977, where he lived and studied for 9 months with a local teacher and with B.K.S. Iyengar. After returning to Iowa to finish college he joined a dance company and continued to practice on his own for a few years. During a long hiatus from Yoga he practiced Martial Arts for 5 years, attaining a brown belt in Hap Ki Do, and continued to seek the mind-body connection. After years of aerobics and weight lifting he came back to Yoga in 1998, and in 2005 began teaching a flow class at Free Spirit Yoga in Long Beach, about the time he found Pacific Ashtanga. Diana then became his teacher with Ashtanga in his primary practice.

Today Peter has a regular Ashtanga Mysore practice, working his way through second series, and is honored to be teaching at Pacific Ashtanga. He continues to pursue his twin loves of Yoga and Yacht Racing while making a living as a marketing professional.

Future plans include teacher training with Tim Miller and Diana later this year.