Sondra is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance and has over 20 years' experience teaching both adult and children's classes. She has a strong background in Iyengar yoga and also completed YogaAway's Viniyoga program. She is especially gifted assisting students with flexibility challenges. She ably evaluates each student's specific conditions, illnesses, or injuries, and supports students to modify poses through the skillful use of modifications and props. Sondra also teaches restorative Yoga and a Yoga Basics with Props class at The Florida Yoga Institute. She has created a self-massage program with tennis balls for stress relief. Sondra has an engaging sense of humor and infuses her classes with lightness. "Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously" is her motto. Sondra is a joy to be around!
Staff
Susan Carter is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and has a B.S. degree in education. A yoga teacher since 2000, she has completed numerous teacher trainings at the Yoga Institute of Miami both with Bobbi Goldin and Ramanand Patel. She has completed several trainings at the Health & Harmony Center and has assisted in training teachers there. She is drawn to the Iyengar Yoga tradition and has studied with John Shumacher, Dean Lerner, Felicity Green, Rodney Yee, Angela Farmer and Victor van Kooten. Her enthusiasm and high energy encourage her students to explore and experience their bodies in a new and different way. Susan's gift to our program is her ability to infuse the room with her sense of joy and enthusiasm which lights a creative fire within us all.
We welcome Roberto López-Rosado as the newest member of our Institute. He is Florida Gulf Cost University's (FGCU's) Instructor and Coordinator of Gross Anatomy and Neuroscience, in the College of Health Professions. Roberto will deliver twenty hours of comprehensive anatomy/physiology (far exceeding Yoga Alliance standards). Professor López-Rosado has an impressive professional and educational background. For the past six years, he has taught graduate and undergraduate students at FGCU’s Department of Physical Therapy and Department of Occupational Therapy and guides master’s students’ theses. He holds several masters degrees in Physical Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Human Anatomy and Medical Studies. One of his key projects includes the creation of an anatomy lab our trainees will be invited to visit. Known for his energetic teaching style and enthusiasm, Professor López-Rosado will teach Yoga Anatomy with comprehensive emphasis on the biomechanics of Yoga asana; an in-depth understanding of selected illnesses/pre-existing conditions, associated precautions/contraindications; and the impact of modifications and props on asana, and students’ bodies. Students enjoy Roberto's warmth approach and the frequent infusions of humor which not only make us laugh but also helps everyone remember complex principles of anatomy.
The Florida Yoga Institute's program far exceeds Yoga Alliance anatomy and physiology requirements for Yoga Teacher Certification. Our training provides more than 30 hours of instruction to become a yoga instructor.
Florida Yoga Institute graduate and outstanding yoga teacher Raquel Torres is our teaching assistant. She guides posture sequences and showers students with her warm, caring, and bright energy. She is also certified as a laughter yoga leader and a Reiki III master. Raquel teaches in our community and has a unique aptitude for tailoring yoga classes for corporate wellness programs. She is currently working with local businesses to boost team productivity, reduce stress and provide programs that transcend typical company benefit offerings. "Teaching yoga has helped me learn more about myself as well as helping others to journey beyond their life struggles," says Raquel.
