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.
When Shelley engaged in a regular yoga practice, she not only felt better physically, she became calmer and more confident. She believes that yoga helps us connect to our individual and unique purpose. She is a yoga instructor, astrologer and life purpose coach.
Shelley studied the Emotional Liberation method with GuruMeher Khalsa where she learned to use powerful yogic practices to work with her emotions rather than against them. She is now a certified Senses of the Soul facilitator and empowers students to access their emotions and acknowledge what they feel as a valuable source of information.
She is a level 1 certified Kundalini Yoga teacher through the Kundalini Yoga Portland and has a 200-hour hatha yoga certificate from Portland Community College.
Shelley loves hiking and is fascinated with human language. She believes the universe is vast and there are always more questions; there is always more wonder. Find her on Instagram and Threads @astroheartcoach.
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. She is thrilled to be offering monthly Full Moon Healing Circles!
Kali is a gentle soul with a colorful teaching style that leaves students feeling good both in their skin and spirit. Yoga has helped her to be more present in every moment, to feel strong and healthy in her body, and to approach life with a more light-hearted attitude. Kali enjoys teaching dynamic classes that incorporate more than just asanas (physical poses). In a typical class, you might learn a new breath exercise, meditation technique, a Sanskrit phrase, or a good yoga joke. Kali received her 200-hour certificate from Wise Living Yoga Academy in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and an additional 300-hour certificate through Portland Community College. She also holds a level 2 Reiki certificate, a degree in Communication (with a concentration in Eastern Religion) from Boston University, and is currently working towards a Masters in Social Work, preparing to become a mental health therapist.
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. She likes to teach with her Sun gong, vibrating the sound current to increase vitality, release tension, and promote a holistic sense of well-being.
Her guiding principles: Relax, Heal and Elevate.
Katy is also a certified forest therapy guide and the founder of Pacific Pine Wellness. She facilitates forest bathing experiences in Portland and around from April through October. You can learn more about this healing practice and her current offerings 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.
Kathryn’s movement practice is rooted in witnessing the body as a vessel for healing, beauty, and transformation. Discovering yoga through her dance training, her classes focus on cultivating the self-awareness to listen to the body, and then move intuitively from a place of authenticity and honesty. Since beginning a daily asana practice in 2015, Kathryn has been unlearning the disconnect between body, mind, and spirit, and instead learning to love and listen to the innate wisdom that resides deeply within. One favorite mantra of hers is it’s how it feels, not how it looks. She holds a BFA from Parsons Paris | The New School and a 200-hour teaching certification.
Alicia has been practicing yoga for over ten years. During her college years, one often found her in a yoga class on campus or teaching yoga outside to friends. Alicia has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a formal background working in education. Her trauma-informed style of teaching is rooted in classic yoga practices of deep breathing, marrying movement to breath work, and focusing on the connection between mind and body awareness. Alicia has an RTY 200 HR certification and enjoys both practicing and teaching Vinyasa Flows, Restorative Yoga, and Yin Yoga. Outside of yoga classes, one might find Alicia at local rock n’ roll venues in Portland playing bass guitar on stage, or hiking along the Columbia River Gorge with her dog Archie. Alicia is honored and so excited to join this wonderful community at Lighthouse Yoga PDX.