The teachers at Lighthouse Yoga PDX are the soul of our studio, each bringing a unique blend of dedication, wisdom, and love. They are diverse in age, body, and background, but all are united in their commitment to their own inner growth and to serving our community with authenticity and care. Teaching, for them, is an act of service—one that uplifts not only their students but the collective energy of the studio.
Our teachers don’t just guide you through practice; they share their hearts and experiences, creating a space for connection, healing, and personal discovery. They are our neighbors, fellow human beings, and companions on the path of yoga, embodying the principles of responsibility, right action, and compassion.
As the Upanishads teach: “When one’s work is an offering, it purifies the heart.” Our teachers bring this spirit to every class, creating space for students to grow, heal, and thrive.
Laurel Clohessy grew up with Kundalini Yoga sprinkled throughout her early childhood, practiced various other forms of yoga and dance in college, and returned to her roots sometime later with the birth of her oldest son. In 2005 Laurel studied with Gurmukh to become a certified Khalsa Way Prenatal teacher. In 2007, she completed the Radiant Child teacher training with Shakta Kaur, and in 2014 Laurel completed her Level 1 KYTT with Sevak Singh Khalsa. Laurel has taught in many different settings over the years-schools, studios, festivals, detention centers, and university-but she continues to learn from her students and hold the core belief that we are our own wisest teacher. Laurel has a degree in Theatre, is an Equity-Informed mediator, and works in Youth Development. Laurel often incorporates poetry and dance movement into classes, which are always all-levels and intended to be accessible for all bodies and inclusive for all identities. It is her joy to share these teachings with others. She sees the powerful practices of yoga and meditation as a compass that can always point us forward, as well as return us to the happiest, truest Self.
Daniel Gurucharan Tabachnick began his practice of Kundalini Yoga in 1982 in Los Angeles. He began working for The 3HO Drug and Alcohol/Superhealth Program in Tucson, Arizona in 1984 and taught yoga and humanology there until 1991. He graduated from Naropa University in 1996 with a M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and worked as a therapist for twenty years. He loves to practice meditations for 1000 days and is currently in midst of his tenth cycle of this practice. He also loves to play his guitar while singing and chanting! When not playing Kirtan, Gurucharan is most likely playing the music of the Grateful Dead and Tori Amos.
Gurucharan and Hardev are the founders of The School of Cosmic Consciousness. This school evolved through their relationship with inner guides and angelic energies and serves to facilitate spiritual development. Through working with our guides we have discovered a number of powerful modalities for developing deep creativity in our spiritual lives and intimate relationships including: The Tantric Tarot Game, Co-Healer Tantric Field Mirror Healing, The Alchemical Marriage of Spiritual and Erotic Love, and The Prayer of Infinte Grace as well as various studies in internal alchemy and poetic inspiration. Work in the School of Cosmic Consciousness is transformational for all.
Hardev Kaur is a yogini, community organizer, and middle school teacher. She loves to bring community together for intimate, healing events. Hardev has taught and practiced dance and yoga since the 1990’s, and is passionate about exploring the healing connection between body and mind. She is most passionate when connecting others to their own creative spirit and ability to heal themselves through intuitive practices, music and movement. Gurucharan and Hardev met at Kundalini Yoga Level One teacher training in 2003, fell in love at Level Two Teacher Training 2008, and were married in 2011. They infuse the spirit and energy of their marriage into all aspects of their life.
Katie has been a dedicated yoga instructor since 2015, with a focus on hatha, vinyasa, kundalini and general full body wellness. She first started practicing yoga with classes at her local YMCA in 2005, and has loved the practice deeply ever since. She has a RYT 200, a Msc in Nutrition, and is an integrated health coach. She loves rolling burritos, taking care of dogs, and curling up with a good book. You can find her professionally at lotusbudwellness.com and more casually on instagram as @ladyherbaceous.
Guru Surya discovered Kundalini Yoga in Minneapolis, MN when she stumbled upon a class in 2002. It helped her to release and move on from a relationship that had recently ended. A few weeks later she met her husband. She doesn’t think it was a coincidence! She loves the way she feels when she practices Kundalini Yoga - lighter, happier, more graceful and grateful.
Her name means "The pure princess of the sun who brings one from darkness to light". She completed her Level 1 Teacher Training here in Portland in 2009. Ten years later she completed all 5 Level 2 modules and is now a Teacher Trainer. She spends every chance she get outdoors and is also a certified Breathwalk instructor.
An immigrant at heart, Katy appreciates the deep Oneness that connects all places and all souls! She discovered the power of Kundalini Yoga in the heart of the Jefferson Wilderness, at Breitenbush Hot Springs in 2015. She rapidly embraced the Kundalini lifestyle and became a certified KRI teacher.
Katy also combines the power of sound healing with the ancient practice of meditation to create immersive and rejuvenating experiences on Espiritu del Fuego – her SUN GONG. Her soundscapes focus on awakening inner energy, promoting mental clarity, and fostering spiritual growth. Her guiding principles: Relax, Heal and Elevate. Find out more about her events and workshops on her website: www.kundaliniroots.com
Katy is also a certified forest therapy guide and the founder of Pacific Pine Wellness. She facilitates forest bathing experiences in Portland and around. You can book a walk at www.pacificpinewellness.com.
Baldev Singh Khalsa has been teaching Kundalini Yoga for over 50 years and is a certified Kundalini Level 1 Teacher with over 500 hours of training. Currently he is a KRI Professional Trainer. He has been training students to become teachers for the past 7 years. He has helped many people find transformation through Kundalini Yoga. Since the pandemic, he has focused his yoga classes on breathwork and deep meditation. As one colleague describes him, “He holds a loving space and is a safe teacher who exemplifies divine masculinity.” He is a life coach that works with many clients to unpack their lives to find clarity and joy.
Katie Meyer started her kundalini journey in 2019 as a student at Mandala Yoga in Portland, a short time before the Covid shutdown. Throughout the pandemic, she found solace in daily sadhana and marveled at the benefits of a 365-day kundalini yoga and meditation streak. As a professional event director, local politico and mom, she continues her daily practice to bring calm, peace and conscious being-ness to her busy life.
She teaches kundalini to deepen one’s embodiment and realization of being; being the witness of the mind and consciously stepping back from the mind. She is an avid reader and student of Eckhart Tolle, Rupert Spira, Rhonda Byrne and many others who have come before them. She teaches Sunday kundalini to share the practice she loves with others in hopes they will benefit as she has.
Katie's personal yoga journey started in 1999 and took a deep dive (in a good way) in 2006, when she really committed to her personal daily yoga and meditation practice. For Katie, yoga is both a spiritual journey and physical journey, and she honors everyone's personal yoga journey, whatever that looks like for them.
Katie's style leans to the hatha side, with longer holds to allow for gently breathing into each pose, and a focus on alignment and experiencing how poses feel in the body.
She also likes to incorporate breathwork, meditation, and a bit of humor into her classes as well.
Aside from all things yoga, Katie loves hiking and hanging out with trees, spending time with her animals, friends and family, and travelling when she can. Her most recent "career" was as volunteer coordinator for the Sonoma County Humane Society. Prior to that she owned a chocolate company in Vermont, and has done a whole variety of other things because she loves changing things up!
Val’s multi-dimensional approach empowers you to transcend inner blocks, transmute pain, and embody your highest potential. Through breathwork, posture alignment, mindset mastery, and lifestyle design; She guides you in rewiring your system and cultivating an environment that supports lasting strength, confidence, and fulfillment.
She is deeply committed to helping you uncover your unique purpose and fully embrace your gifts to share them with the world. With expertise in transforming life’s challenges into once-in-a-lifetime healing opportunities, She specializes in turning tragedy into profound growth and renewal.
By seamlessly integrating body, mind, and spirit; science and spirituality; and Eastern and Western healing traditions, she provides a truly bespoke, comprehensive, and sustainable path to the vibrant life you deserve.