black and white image of a white woman doing eagle yoga pose

Mantra … like a fish?

“Yes, despite living in a flyover state. Rays seem so strange and yet move with such grace. I’ve snorkeled near a few. I’m struck by the notion of moving, loving, thriving in the same water as other creatures and people in this life.” -Arah

And mantra, instead of manta: often translated as a “tool for the mind,” mantra is what has unlocked “you can do yoga anywhere” for Arah. It’s not only about the poses, physical challenge or even mental challenge. Using syllables, words, and often sound, mantra a real transformer. Arah brings mantra into her instruction.

Arah brings to her classes fourteen years of teaching experience and 25+ years of yoga practice, sometimes a poem and always some humor.

Into her body and mind experiences, Arah brings a lifetime of activity in the outdoors: She’s a runner, hiker, she climbs rocks, skis and snowboards down hills, and rides her road bike. She played rugby for 11 years and briefly studied Kung Ling Kungfu. As mentioned above, she loves spending time in or on water, snorkeling, kayaking, boating or surfing.

She’s also a voracious reader and lover of music, film, travel and great food. Arah worked for over 20 years as a user experience designer, working on teams to create digital experiences that solve problems for people. Arah has a partner (Steve) and two big, loving dogs who teach her so much about communication and love.

All of these experiences inform her approach in the studio, with regard to self-care, inspiration, enthusiasm and curiosity.

Training Completed

  • April 2010: 200-hour Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga, Saint Paul

  • July 2011: NETA Group Fitness Instruction Certification

  • April 2014: Meditation Teacher Training, with Tara Cindy Sherman at Yoga Center of Minneapolis

  • September 2016: Body Image Sensitive Yoga Training, with Lisa Diers at the Emily Program

  • October 2018: 300-hour Advanced Teacher Training at Minneapolis Yoga Training (formerly known as Yoga Center of Minneapolis), with Kevin Kortan, Tara Cindy Sherman, Jennifer Davis, Betsy Weiner, Attila Pegan, Asavari Manvikar

  • November 2019: Nourish & Rejuvenate – The Art of Practicing & Teaching Restorative Yoga, with Judith Hanson Lasater (online course)

  • November 2024: Yin Yoga 30-Hour Certificationat Svalja Yoga in Duluth, MN with Miriam Hanson

Yoga and Movement Workshops Completed

  • August 2011: Breath, Bandhas & Dristi Workshop, with Lynn Thomasberg

  • December 2011: Yoga Nidra with Shira Charis

  • February 2012: The Art of Physical Adjustments, with Shira Charis

  • February 2012: Hands-On Yoga, with Evie Oberdorfer

  • February 2012: Introduction to T’ai Ch’i, with Deanna Reiter

  • June 2012: Hip Opening Workshop with Ben Vincent

  • November 2012: Catch Your Breath: Techniques & Poses to Improve Health, with Dr. Alane Lucht

  • November 2012: Sanskrit Sounds, with Priti Tandon

  • February 2013: Introduction to Meditation, with Deanna Reiter

  • Spring 2013: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, with Alex Haley from University of MN Center for Spirituality & Healing

  • Fall 2013: Yoga Philosophy studies, with William Prottengeier

  • October 2014: Iowa Yoga Festival workshops with Sadie Nardini & Tyler McCoy (sequencing), Mara Healy (philosophy), Tao Porchon-Lynch, Briohny Smith & Dice Iida-Klein (handstand clinic) and Hemalayaa (ecstatic dance)

  • October 2014: Yoga from the Ground Up: Feet and Knees and Hips, Oh My! with Julie Gudmestad

  • December 2014: Fascia and the Hamstrings, with Scott Anderson

  • January 2016: Keeping the Spine in Mind (SomaYoga) with Wendy Brom

  • February 2016: Intro to Aerial Yoga, with Stephanie Kinney

  • April 2016: Minneapolis Yoga Conference workshops with Dianne Bondy (How to Build More Body Positive and Inclusive Classes), Christina Sell (backbends), Indu Arora (Svara Yoga), Kia Miller (kundalini and mantra), Tommy Rosen (kundalini and mantra) and Lisa Diers (body image sensitive yoga)

  • June 2016: Magical Mudras, with Coleen Elwood

  • May 2017: Exploring the Psoas, with Moya Matthews

  • January 2021: Return to Center, with Jason Crandell

  • 2020-present: Ongoing Vedic chant practice and study with Kevin Kortan

  • August 2022: Body Wisdom: Movement for Life Workshop with Tom McCook

  • June 2023: Getting All the Hip Flexors Moving with Katy Bowman

  • November 2023: Anatomy: The Shoulders with Keri Bergeron, Jenny Loftus, and Arturo Peal

  • Ongoing practice: At home! Also: in studio or online with Lisa Bracken, Ted Roseen, and Kevin Kortan.