Gerhard Gessner E-RYT, M.A.  - Lead Teacher & Teacher Training Director 

Gerhard founded Prana Yoga Center in 2001 pursuing a life-long passion for Yoga, meditation and the healing of the body & mind. He leads Prana's highly acclaimed 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program (offered 3x/year) and is a teacher & mentor in the Professional 300-Hour Yogaworks Teacher Training. Gerhard is also faculty member in the MFA programs in Acting at UCSD (since 2000) and University of San Diego (since 1998).  He holds a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering, M.A.in Education, M.A. in Counseling Psychology and is a trained bodyworker.

Gerhard's extensive training, his grounded non-dogmatic approach along with his life-long dedication to Yoga, meditation and spirituality, gives Prana’s 200hr Yoga Teacher Training the unique imprint and reputation that it is known for.  As the lead teacher and program director, he developed a solid, integrated curriculum with an interactive methodology and a hands-on approach,  while bringing on leading specialists in their respective fields to the teacher training faculty to ensure only the highest standards of teaching ~ and living ~ the ancient art and wisdom of Yoga.

Gerhard is known for a light-hearted, down-to-earth approach to Yoga as well as his compassionate spirit that makes everyone feel at ease.  Always remaining a humble student of Yoga, Gerhard has been a teacher for over 35 years and has trained many teachers from all over the world. He studied a variety of styles of Yoga, including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Ananda and Contact Yoga. He has personally studied with Sri K. Patthabi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, Tim Miller and many other influential Yoga teachers across the US and abroad.

Sara Deakin E-RYT500 

Sara is a sought after teacher and teacher trainer in Prana’s 200hr & 300hr teacher training programs. A graduate of the 300hr Professional Yogaworks Training, she now mentors students and is a lead teacher in Prana’s 200hr Teacher Training. Her grounded expert instruction, warm personality and heartfelt spirit make Sara a valued addition to Prana’s teacher training faculty.

Sara has been practicing Yoga since 1999. Like so many people Sara began Yoga for physical benefits. With numerous knee and shoulder injuries from competitive tennis and running, she turned to Yoga for rehabilitation. The therapy went far beyond her joints, and started to resonate in her mind and spirit. From surfing, to traveling, to being a student of natural medicine, she has been able to integrate yoga philosophy into all aspects of her life. Sara received her Yoga teacher training certification from White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. Her classes are inspired by her well-renowned teachers Ganga White, Tracy Rich, John Friend and Gerhard Gessner. She creates energetic classes by balancing strength, flexibility, and enjoyment. She challenges her students with vigorous flow sequences, breath work and core strengthening. Sara enjoys teaching practical uses of pranayama because she believes that breath is a great teacher and a great healer. Her classes leave you strong, calm and ready to deal with daily stress.

Dr. Alison McLean PT, E-RYT, C-IAYT - Yoga Anatomy

Dr. Alison McLean, DPT, HHP, RYT-200 is a doctor of physical therapy and brings her extensive knowledge of anatomy and alignment to Prana’s 200hr & 300hr advanced teacher trainings.  She leads workshops and teacher trainings in Yoga Therapeutics, the Yoga Wall and Healthy Back Yoga. Alian has been a dedicated student of Yoga since 2001 and received her 200-Hour Yoga Certification at Prana Yoga Center. Additionally, Alison has studied under Rachel Krentzman, PT, E-RYT  as well as Judith Hanson Lasater where she practiced integrating Yoga with Physical Therapy techniques. She has a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Delaware, where she was also a Division I Springboard Diver. After suffering multiple diving injuries, Alison felt physically exhausted and emotionally drained. It was during this time that Ali began a deeper journey with Yoga and started the process of physical and spiritual rehabilitation. The teachings of Yoga enlightened Alison to strengthen her mental state and awaken her spiritual practice.  In addition to her Yoga teaching, Alison is also a Massage Therapist with over 1,000 hours of experience. Her daily Yoga practice helped relieve stress when she studied Physical Therapy at Chapman University, where she received her Doctorate in 2010.

Pamela Godde E-RYT500

Pamela Godde is a long-time student of Yoga passionate about its rich tradition, science, and philosophy. She completed both her 200hr Training & the Professional 300hr Yogaworks Training (mentoring with Shauna MacKay) at Prana Yoga Center. Furthermore, Pam holds certifications in Happy Back Yoga, the Yoga Wall, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Therapy for Cancer. She has also mentored under Rachel Krentzman in therapeutic yoga, focusing on the koshas, including the relation between the physical anatomy and the subtle body. Additionally, Pam has deepened her practice and teaching through extensive formal study of the Yoga Sutras with Robert Birnberg and the Mastery of Life Training with Laura Plumb.

Pam's classes incorporate pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation, with an emphasis on slow and mindful movement as well as alignment to create a deep and joyful sustainable practice. She is known and loved for her warm-hearted presence. She's part of the 200hr & 300hr Professional Teacher Training faculty and teaches Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Chakras and Ayurveda.

Slava Kolpakov  - Yoga Philosophy

Slava Kolpakov, LMT, originally from Siberia, Russia, is a Yoga philosophy teacher, health coach, author, and a founder of multiple holistic health businesses.
He has been a yoga teacher since 2002, completing several Integral Yoga certifications, and the 750-hour Structural Yoga Therapy training in 2005.
He started teaching Hatha Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute in NYC in 2002 under the guidance of the late Yoga Master Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga.
Slava wrote Threads of Light (available on Amazon), a book of yoga stories and practices and is a guest instructor at multiple Yoga Teacher Trainings around Boston, MA, and teaches "Yoga Philosophy and the Yoga Sutras", "Pranayama and Yogic Energy Practices" and "Yoga for Athletes, Stability, and Injury Prevention."
In addition to his yoga background, Slava has been a Neuromuscular Therapist and Thai Massage Therapist since 2005. He has been leading Thai Massage Trainings since 2009.
He is the founder of East West Massage Therapy in Boston, MA, a premier massage center with two locations, and the founder and running coach at Running Treks Adventure Travel Company.
In June 2018, Slava sold his massage centers in Boston, and moved back to San Diego.

Dr. Manoj Chalam - Hindu Mythology

Manoj Chalam is an Indian-born scientist with a PhD from Cornell University. He uses humor and personal anecdotes in his lectures and workshops to illuminate Hindu mythology. Manoj helps individuals find their archetypes in Hindu Yogic deities and teaches the 4 ways to work with an archetype as a Vedantic practice. He has also compiled a book on the symbolisms of Hindu and Buddhist deities. Manoj presents workshops on Hindu symbolisms and Vedanta at yoga studios, keynotes at festivals, Yoga Journal Conferences, ashrams, and universities across the globe. His presentation in Prana's teacher training is always a special experience giving students an illuminating insight to the world of deities and mythology.

Vicki Abrams, RYT, IBCLC  - Yoga for Pregnancy/Postnatal

Vicki is an expert in the field of Yoga for Pregnancy with over 25 years of teaching experience.  Additionally, as a Childbirth Educator, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and the Director of the Childbirth Education Program at the Chopra Center for Well Being in La Costa, Vicki provides a wealth of resources and support for students - whether in teacher training or in her classes.  She is co-author with Deepak Chopra, MD and David Simon, MD of the acclaimed book and pregnancy guide: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth.  Supporting women through pregnancy, birth and parenthood is Vicki's dharma and she creates a unique, nurturing and safe environment for students to learn and grow while honoring their own process. For more information about Vicki, please her website: www.journeyintobirth.com.