Biographies


"Remember and reconnect to the body as a source of wisdom, pleasure and joy in the present moment."

Paula Byrne

Paula Byrne is the product of a jazz drummer (father) and figure skater (mother). She spent her early years in ballet and modern dance, working as a professional dancer from 1981 to 1989. She left the dance world at the ripe old age of 27, realizing that a career based on expertise and appearance was short-lived.

It would be many years before she found dance again, this time, her own natural movement. She stumbled upon ecstatic dance in 1995 at Breitenbush Hot Springs, where Vinn Marti was hosting a workshop. That weekend changed her life forever. She knew she had found her calling and began her path as a movement teacher. She studied extensively with Gabrielle Roth and core 5Rhythms teachers and apprenticed with Vinn Marti from 1996 to 2002.

Paula was an Oracle Developer in the high-tech field for 20 years. She left that career in 2005 to devote herself full-time to her soul-work in assisting people to remember and reconnect to the body as a source of wisdom, pleasure and joy in the present moment.

Paula is the creator of OneDance™, a moving meditation based on the 7 chakras, and leads classes and workshops in Soul Motion, Contact Improv, Authentic Movement and Blindfolded Trance Dance. She is Owner and Director of SomaSpace, offering her studio to artists, dancers, writers, musicians and creatives as place to practice and present their craft.

Contact Paula: info@OneDance.us / 503.804.7660

www.OneDance.us

 

Jim Alan

Jim Alan

Jim Alan has practiced Xing Yi Qi Gong since 1982. He fell in love with the new sensations and experiences created by the practice of qi gong. Xing Yi Qi Gong gave a new focus to his life and increased his physical, health, mental health, and joy in life. Qi gong brought him back into his body and connected him with the mystery of life energy – qi. Jim has a master's degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and has taught Xing Yi since 1992.

Contact Jim:
Jim Alan, (503) 528-9814
or
www.qigongportland.com

 

Ana Chaud Namoff

Tracie Brothers

Tracie has over 20 years of experience teaching and coaching various dance and fitness formats. She is a trained dancer, certified personal trainer, and group fitness instructor who merges the principles of all three making the classes fun, energetic, and effective for all levels.

 

Mary Gramling

Mary Gramling is a Physical Therapist and certified lymphedema therapist working in the Portland area since 2004. She specializes in rehabilitation before, during, and after cancer treatment, but welcomes all kinds of physical therapy needs. Mary's treatments consist of manual techniques including manual lymph drainage and Graston technique, exercise prescription, education, and activity specific work. She has experience treating people in a variety of settings including intensive care units, emergency rooms, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. Her passion is helping people feel better so that life has fewer barriers and more adventures. In her spare time, Mary enjoys hiking, bicycling, vegetable gardening and spending time with her family which includes three dogs and a cat. Mary is proud to be a part of Portland and wants to support her community by getting people back to doing the things they love to do.

Contact Mary: newleafpt@gmail.com or 503-318-0654

 

Lorraine Hanson

Lorraine Hanson is a pharmacist. What does she know about dance? She has been celebrated throughout California as an original and ongoing member of the Urban Tribal Dance Company in San Diego, a founding member/former co-director of Subee Djinn in Los Angeles, a former member of Desert Sin in Hollywood, and a co-director of Tribal Feat in San Luis Obispo. Her understanding of tribal improvisation and fusion belly dance has gifted her to teach and perform in different states as well as travel beyond- to the UK, Germany, and Hungary. Her dance experience spans from traditional hula to roller skating whimsical. Classes may be inspired by theatrics and fire (note – there will be no lighting of props in the studio). Come ready to learn and you'll be challenged by "the free-agent butterfly of bellydance" to move in new ways.

Contact Lorraine: gypsyrain@gmail.com / 503.545.4203

 

Laura Kallen

Laura came to yoga after many years of personal fitness development. In the course of that development she recognized the beneficial impact of physical fitness, especially when it came to managing stress and feeling good about oneself. From that recognition came a strong desire to help others with their own personal growth and physical fitness.

In her pursuit of excellence, Laura completed a 200-hour registered yoga teacher training that is nationally recognized by the Yoga Alliance. She discovered that by tailoring her own practice to address various chakra imbalances, she not only achieved a stronger body but also a more complete mind/body equilibrium and, ultimately, a deeper level of satisfaction and personal growth.

Laura's teaching talents were recognized in New York City when her cycling classes were consistently sold-out in over a half dozen clubs. Three years into her overwhelming success in teaching cycling classes, Laura decided to expand into the discipline of teaching yoga.

Laura decided to relocate from New York City in 2007. She currently teaches yoga at several Portland area health clubs and also conducts private and small group yoga training as well.

Laura Kallen is the founder of Creative Wellness Products and her innovative DVD Balanced Yoga with Laura Kallen has recently been released to rave reviews.

Contact Laura: laura@laurakallen.com
646-246-5388 / www.laurakallen.com

 

Willow Ryan

Willow has explored using athletics and healing arts in her journey for improving quality of life both emotionally and physically. She has unique experiences from competitive boxing, racing motorcycles, Cyclocross and marathon running and has combined them with years as an experienced Licensed Massage Therapist, personal trainer, exercise & nutritional coach and Senior Level & Leading Forrest Yoga Instructor to orient you towards a sustainable path to achieve your physical goals and emotional healing.

Her yoga classes are designed for All Levels and incorporate anatomy & kinesiology as well as Forrest Yoga canons of Breath, Strength, Integrity & Spirit. You will leave feeling grounded and more fulfilled with your developing yoga & self awareness.

Contact Willow: imagine@willowryan.com / (503) 819-2561

www.willowryan.com

 

Serena

Serena aka the "Doodlbug" is an Animator, Illustrator, Hoop Dance Instructor and Performance Artist who has been hooping for over 4 years. She is very passionate about teaching and sharing this joy with others! Her teachings started with hosting "Hoop Making Workshops" at music festivals on the East Coast, and then continued her vision by leading Beginner and Intermediate Hoop Dance classes here in Portland. She uses hooping as a form of moving meditation, exercise and creative expression.

Serena encourages fun and laughter in her classes! She breaks down the different variations of movement in a way that anyone can understand. She shows you how hooping is so good for you in so many ways! It strengthens your core, tones the body, and makes you smile!! Beyond just exercise, her classes focus on the "Dance" of the hoop, incorporating rhythm, connection, grace and flow. She will help you feel confident, sexy and creative!

Practice hoops will be provided for class. She also custom makes and sells colorful hoops with professional quality. Please inquire about prices and different types of hoops she has available.

Serena's classes are all ages! Come join the hooping revolution!

Contact Serena: Serena@Doodlbug.com / 503.805.3394

www.Doodlbug.com/hoops

 

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Under the guidance of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, the Tergar Meditation Group of Portland holds regular teachings and community events in and around Portland, Oregon. As a community of friends exploring the practice of meditation, we gather regularly to practice, study, and host regular visits by Mingyur Rinpoche. We also offer retreats and seminars on the practice of meditation and the fundamentals of Buddhist practice.

Mingyur Rinpoche's approach to meditation focuses on the practice of mindfulness, which unlocks the door to a calm mind, compassionate heart and insight into the challenges of day-to-day life. Rinpoche's teachings emphasize universal principles that are of profound benefit to people of all faiths and belief systems. Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner wanting to deepen your practice, please join us.

Group Coordinators – Lyle and Diane McQueen-Smith: portland@tergar.org / 503.341.7776

www.tergar.org/portland

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