ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS.....

LEAH DISTAD

Leah was introduced to yoga during her second pregnancy in 2003 and had an amazing experience because of it. After a healthy childbirth and recovery, she sought a regular yoga class and very fortunately found Aiyana Greeley. Leah had the great fortune of practicing under her teachings for almost two years, and valued her friendship so much. Aiyana will always burn bright in Leah’s heart.

The passion for yoga coupled with Aiyana’s encouragement led Leah to the Shambhava School of Yoga online teacher-training program. She studied at home, as well as on the big island of Hawaii, and also in Colorado at the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat. It was amazing to study at both ashrams, learn about yoga and the philosophy, meditation, and to experience the joy and energy accompanying a spiritually devoted life. The at-home study allowed flexibility with her family life and prepared her for ashram training. She received her 200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification and began the journey of teaching.

December 2nd, 2007 she opened the doors of Koa Yoga and has thoroughly enjoyed bringing yoga to people’s lives. She takes pride in contributing to the community as much as possible, donating yoga classes to schools and local good causes.

Presenting challenge in a calm atmosphere, she believes will open the heart and mind to inner strength and truth. She seeks to help people understand, respect and appreciate their body, and to work toward joyful feelings and thoughts in all things. With knowledge and awareness she believes a new approach can be learned and then taken into a more peaceful, healthier life.

When she’s not teaching, you’ll usually find her with her two daughters and husband, catching some waves, or maybe even in the yoga class right next to you!

HEATHER GRISCO

Heather has been practicing yoga on and off for the past six years.  She started practicing Bikram yoga and shortly after moving to Hawaii she began practicing more frequently and on a regular basis.  Always looking for a more challenging and dynamic yoga class, she began trying other styles and found Ashtanga.  Loving the workout she got from it, she began bringing her friends to class with her and discussing the benefits of yoga with them.  Seeing such a positive reaction, she decided she wanted to share yoga with more than just her friends and do so on a more regular basis, so she attended a teacher training program in Costa Rica with Caroline Klebl, who studied directly under Sri Pattabhi Jois.

After six months of mysore practice during a recent deployment she's now back in Hawaii and more ready than ever to share yoga with others. Her class will provide you with a challenge, pushing the body in order to tone the muscles, all while calming the mind.