Mosaic

Katherine Alfredo

Katherine Alfredo began her Forrest Yoga practice 10 years ago in a pivotal time in her life. "Yoga gave me all the tools I needed to heal, it helped me get my life back. Then teaching yoga became my purpose here on earth." Katherine encourages you to journey deep into the poses, into uncharted territory, feel everything that comes up, allow yourself to go beyond what you believed is possible, and become your most authentic self. What you get from challenge and intensity is rich. When you elevate your energy and heighten sensation you feel truly alive and present and practically ecstatic. Katherine takes you to your edge safely and asks that you keep a sense of humor about the challenge, breathe, and hold your center, and inevitably you will tap into strength you didn't know before. Your body is an extraordinarily intelligent and complex machine and if your mind and spirit are strong then there is no limit what you can do. A beginner, anyone who is injured, anyone with a health condition can absolutely do this practice. Its about asking yourself, "What can I do today? Then get fascinated with what you can do." Katherine teaches modifications for every pose, makes sure they are done compassionately, safely, and with integrity. She holds a safe space for people to explore, play, learn, evolve, and to embody their spirit. Katherine completed Ana Forrest's Foundational Teacher Training RYS200 hours, Forrest Yoga Advanced Training RYS70 hours, workshops and intensives, and assists Ana Forrest on the road. Katherine got her BA in Fine Arts, with emphasis in Painting from Clarke University in Iowa. She is also TRX and Spin certified.

Sarah Kogus

Sarah grew up with an active lifestyle and has had a commitment to health, wellness and spiritual growth from the time that she was very young. When she discovered yoga and incorporated it as an integral part of her life in 2003, it was a very natural progression for her. She had no idea the profound impact it would have on her life. During her practice, she felt a shift from within that guided her to live with more authenticity and to honor her inner truth. It then became one of her primary sources of support during a transitional time in her life. The self knowledge and expansion she gained through her practice, both on and off the mat, has fueled her desire to share her passion for yoga with others. Sarah guides her classes from her heart with a gentle, loving energy that creates a calm, safe and supportive space for people to journey into something deeper in their practice. Sarah completed her yoga teacher training at La Jolla Yoga Center and is going through the Reiki training program at MOSAIC. Sarah's additional experience includes her role as a corporate recruiting and human resources professional. She has a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Brenna VanNorman

Continually in awe of yoga's ability to show us new sides of ourselves and shed light on our place in the world, Brenna draws upon this incredible gift of yoga and provides her students an opportunity to experience the same. Through her knowledge and personal dedication to asana practice she hopes to inspire and empower her students to find their edge and their own self-discoveries. Brenna is passionate about sharing this true joy with her students, and hopes they leave class feeling uplifted with peace in their hearts and peace in their minds.

Brenna grew up in western New York, and first discovered her love for yoga when she was in college in 2001. The creative fluidity of yoga poses coupled beautifully with her studio art mindset and she quickly found vast connections in the expressive nature of creating a pose and creating a piece of art. Her practice at the time quickly became a personal path of self-discovery and respite from typical college challenges. After years of travel and exploration she arrived in San Diego and knew this would be the place in which she would embark on her long time dream of becoming a yoga teacher. She completed Pilgrimage of the Heart's spring teacher training in 2010.

Courtney Kimpo

For this opportunity to teach at MOSAIC, I am filled with gratitude. From this space of gratitude, I would like to give three thanks.

To my shining spirit and the shining spirits of others who I will meet on this path. May our hearts beat joyfully together as we journey forward.

To my family for offering constant encouragement as I found yoga and throughout all my life transitions that come from inward listening.

To my teachers with lights that shine so brightly I can see and feel them when I close my eyes. Thank you.

I promise to offer what I authentically am today and each day moving forward to grow, as we all grow, with many blessings.

Lesley Custodio, L.Ac.

Health, wellness, and enjoyment of life have long been ingrained in Lesley since she was young. Growing up in the Philippines, her exposure to simple home remedies instilled in her the belief that health can be promoted naturally. Lesley's desire to find alternatives to conventional Western medicine ultimately led her to Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The concepts of balance, harmony, and nature of Oriental Medicine, all appealed to Lesley's own belief of how health can be achieved. Lesley holds a Master's Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She is a California Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and is nationally certified as a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is also licensed in the State of Nevada as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.). Through Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Lesley provides her patients with a gentle, caring, and effective way to achieve wellness and cultivate their own health and inner harmony.

Phil Aument

Around the middle of 2006 Phil experienced an inner shift which propelled him toward embracing his own spiritual path. Through his inner struggle and transformation he was eventually led to the practice of asana, one aspect of the eight-fold yoga path. As his understanding of yoga deepened, Phil felt a deep connection to these ancient practices of self discovery. As he surrendered to the process an opportunity to become a certified instructor was revealed. After teaching for a short time, with much introspection Phil realized that there was more internal growth that needed to be addressed before taking on the responsibility of guiding others in their practice of yoga. From there he and his fiancee embarked on a 3 1/2 month adventure through India and Nepal, discovering the rich culture of the place where yoga was discovered and experiencing the high spiritual energy of some of the most mystical mountains in the world. Although he realizes that his journey is just beginning and that much personal growth is yet to come, he now feels as though he is ready to take up that responsibility and begin to give back the gift of yoga!

Sophie Abdennabi

My love for human beings is what invoked my desire to teach yoga. For me, yoga is about taking the time to commit to your own growth and development. Yoga meets you where you are. It's a discipline that requires cultivation but one that embraces your imperfections and therefore your greatness and your beauty, unleashing an abyss of potential.

I entered the world of competitive swimming at a very early age and became immersed in a life of commitment and competition. My coaches paid attention to my level of commitment first and then my potential. I yearned for coaches who could see my potential first.

After leaving the world of competitive swimming, yoga was the first form of movement that drove me to want to understand more about the world of breath, silence, strength, lightness and communion with my authentic self. This began my personal journey and what I believe to be my professional journey as well.

I received my YTT in the summer of 2010 and then began a masters program at the University of San Diego, where I am marrying my love for leadership with my love for yoga.

I am passionate about sharing this experience with all those I meet on this journey. It is an honor to stand alongside MOSAIC!

Allyson BeCraft

Allyson is originally from Seattle, and relocated to San Diego in 2009 after graduating from the University of Washington. Shortly thereafter, she began working in a large corporate environment, but quickly realized that it wasn't the right fit for her. She was dissatisfied with her daily routine and began looking for something more to fill the void. Thanks to Phil Aument, Allyson wandered into Mosaic in 2010 when the studio was only a month old.

At first she found yoga to be a great physical workout, but soon realized it was much more than that. Yoga offered her an opportunity to quiet her analytical mind and cultivate a strong sense of inner peace.

Allyson has always been an athlete. Growing up she played contact sports where the focus was to be faster and hit harder. The instructors at Mosaic worked with her to slow down, find a softer edge, and ease into poses rather than force them. After seeing the positive transformation yoga spurred in her own life, Allyson was inspired to teach. She completed her 200-hour YTT at Bird Rock Yoga in Pacific Beach in the fall of 2010. She is passionate about arm balancing and inversions as these physically challenging postures require focus and complete presence in the current moment. For Allyson, yoga is an opportunity to let go of any preconceived notions and beliefs surrounding her potential. In her experience, by clearing your mind and gently pushing yourself, you begin to see that the limits you set for yourself, are just that—self-imposed, and totally false. Allyson is excited to be teaching at the studio where her journey began, and she looks forward to continuing to grow with the rest of the Mosaic community.