Owners and Instructors











	Photos

EFFIE L. WOOD / OWNER / INSTRUCTOR

		Effie has been in the Fitness Industry for over 20 years. Born in Amsterdam, Holland, she knew at a very young age that music and dance were her passion. She met and married an American Air Force pilot then living in Luxembourg City. After a few years of living and experiencing Europe, they decided to relocate to the U.S in the late 70's, and settled in San Antonio, TX. As the Aerobic dance "craze" emerged in the early 80's, Effie found an outlet in expressing her passion for music and dance, and combined with her love for fitness, became a well known and established Fitness Instructor/Trainer in the San Antonio fitness community.
In the late 90's, as the Fitness Coordinator at one of the local Health Clubs, Effie was introduced to Yoga, and by popular request of the members, implemented this ancient and therapeutic style of fitness into the existing program. She became instantly hooked and gradually transitioned out of the traditional fitness world to exclusively Yoga. Effie is a certified Yoga Instructor and extensively trained in the Vinyasa style Yoga. She completed her certification program in June of 2000 with renowned Teacher training Instructor John Dominico in Austin, Texas. Her ongoing Yoga studies include training with renowned Yoga Masters Baron Baptiste, Rodney Yee, Gary Kraftsow, John Friend, Tias Little, Doug and David Swenson, Eddie Modestini, Nicki Doane and Beryl Bender Birch. In 2006, Effie completed a six months in-depth Yoga study course with Robert Boustany which included an advanced Forrest Yoga inspired asana practice with Ann Hyde. Her life's mission and passion is to bring the inherent wisdom of this ancient practice to the masses,... to inspire young and old in making Yoga part of their lives, as it offers such tremendous healing and transformational qualities to the whole person. For many of her students, Yoga truly has been life changing.

KATIE ABEL/ INSTRUCTOR

		Katie is both, a certified Yoga Instructor through Yoga Alliance, and a certified Pre-Natal Yoga Teacher with many years of experience. Katie is very much drawn to the Anusara style of Yoga (Anusara means flowing with grace), and has studied extensively with Anusara Yoga Masters such as John Friend and Charly Pivert. Furthermore, she has trained with Yoga Masters Andrew Eppler, Robert Boustany, David and Doug Swenson, Desiree Rumbaugh, Jill Miller and Mark Blanchard. From her studies with these world renowned Yoga Teachers, she has gained deeper knowledge in Yoga alignment and Yoga therapies.
Katie’s teaching style is fluid and precise with a soft inner focus. She teaches all levels, from gentle Yoga to more vigorous practices and feels that the insight she has gained, and her joy for Yoga, are the true gifts that she can give to her students. Katie also offers private and personalized instruction.

CLAUDIA REYES / INSTRUCTOR

		Claudia is a 500hr certified Yoga Instructor through Yoga Alliance (RYT). She is classically trained and certified to teach Pilates, both Reformer and Mat classes. Furthermore, she has studied with Yoga Masters such as David and Doug Swenson, Robert Boustany and Jill Miller. Claudia is a very dedicated teacher and continues her studies both in Yoga and Pilates through attending workshops, teacher training courses, and related seminars throughout the year. Claudia teaches anywhere from gentle floor-based Yoga classes, for the less active person, to advanced Power Yoga classes.
She draws inspiration from all systems of Yoga to incorporate into her eclectic and creative practice. She is precise and structured in her teachings and her passion shows as she shares the benefits of uniting body, mind and spirit with all of her students.

KATHY VERSTEGEN / INSTRUCTOR

		Kathy is a certified Yoga Instructor and has been practicing Yoga since May of 1999. After just one hour of Yoga, she was aware of how completely different and soothing Yoga felt to her body in comparison to anything else she had done. Within 6 weeks of her initial practice she was at her first Yoga retreat. Her love for Yoga and the realization of how Yoga has changed her life inspired her to become a teacher so that she could share the wonder and beauty of this ancient style of working with mind, body and spirit together. She continues to attend as many workshops / teacher trainings as possible and has studied with Jonny Kest, Bryan Kest, Doug and David Swenson, John Friend, Charly Pivert, Jill Miller, Robert Boustany, Anne Hyde, and Baron Baptiste.
Realizing that Yoga "changes you from the inside", she is eager to work with students of all levels, encouraging them to open their hearts and always be receptive to what the Universe has in store for them, knowing that it will be an opportunity for Spiritual Growth.

SUHAIL ARASTU / INSTRUCTOR

		Suhail was raised in San Antonio as a gymnast from the age of 7. He competed in the Junior Olympics in High School and later in NCAA Gymnastics for the University of California, Berkeley where he studied Classics & Neurobiology. After beginning graduate school in research medicine in Philadelphia, he realized he couldn't spend the next 8 years of his life in a lab and clinical setting - so he filed for a leave of absence and moved to a small fishing village in northwest Japan. He calls this his year at "Walden Pond" where he spent time hiking, skiing, deep sea fishing and teaching. Subsequently he began travelling the world under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council working in development and has taught yoga on all 7 continents!
Suhail was inspired to begin his yoga practice by his aunt in India and approaches it as a science of the mind manifested through physical asanas (postures). He has since obtained formal certification in the United States through YogaFit Levels I, II, III, & IV. In 2008, Suhail was called back to San Antonio to help with the family business and continues to practice and teach yoga as a vehicle toward well being for all. He serves on the Board of Directors of Musical Bridges Around the World and is a Trustee of the Mind Science Foundation.

about us | rates | schedule | location | about yoga | special events | contact us

Site updates by wonderdogpro.com