Teachers | U Yoga | San Francisco Yoga Studio

	Meir Leshem Meir Leshem has been practicing ashtanga for 22 years, under the direction of Tim Miller. Since 1993 Meir Leshem has taken all the workshops by Guruji, Pattabi Jois, in Encinitas and San Francisco until the last workshop in 2006. He has been teaching for more than 17 years, opened SF Ashtanga Yoga in 1997, and still loves sharing his practice with his students. *I will go through the pain, but I will not suffer the fear.* Meir Leshem, June 2006


	Patrick McBride I began practicing with Meir Leshem in 2005 as I was looking for a physically demanding form of exercise, but over time I began to notice more profound and subtler qualities to this practice. After establishing a steady practice I began to teach, but I find the real teacher is the practice itself, and the person's commitment to the path of practice.

	Abby Volk Abby Volk is a Vinyasa, Restorative, and Prenatal yoga teacher. She sees the practice of yoga as one of her main pathways to contentment and peace. Her background as a modern dancer inspires grace, playful movement, and the belief in authentic self-expression within her practice. She believes that yoga is a personal journey and her students are encouraged to explore their inner-voice and cultivate silence. Also, she holds a safe place for individuals to empower themselves to be free and have fun. She uses gentle adjustments and a nurturing, supportive atmosphere to encourage mindfulness and surrender; all the while, she reinforces the unity of breath and alignment. Her training includes working with prenatal students and students with a history of trauma. She trained at San Francisco's Yoga Tree and received her 200hr certification. She is a psychotherapist, with a Masters in Marriage and Family therapy; in short, she combines east and west, mind and body theories in her teaching techniques.

	Elizabeth Palmer Elizabeth has been an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga for over six years. Her vinyasa classes are a combination of brief meditations, vigorous physical sequences for every level; lots of breath work and restorative asanas. Her teaching includes hands on attention, so her classes always (optionally) include massage and (especially savasana) adjustments. One of her greatest joys in life is sharing the intensely calming and invigorating effects of yoga with others. Yoga should create strength in body and mind, as well as an awakened heart, which is the greatest source of steadiness in life.

	Steve Rubenfaer Steve has been practicing Ashtanga for more than 6 years, and recently completed a teacher training program with Meir Leshem. Steve’s teaching is on classical ashtanga poses, focusing on breath, bandhas, and proper alignment to get the most out of your practice.

	Vandana Bali I've been hooked on Ashtanga yoga since I took my first class in 2006. The sense of peace I felt after that class was the beginning of my yogic journey. I have 300 hours of training in Ashtanga, including Primary Series teacher training with Tim Miller. My teaching philosophy emphasizes developing breath awareness while also seeing the humor, joy and lightness in the practice. A consistent practice can build strength, flexibility, endurance, calm the mind and reduces stress. And, it can be contagious as those around you ask you how you’ve become so care-free!