In 1969 when Barbara first encountered yoga it was not widely taught or accepted, and nothing prepared her for the state of well-being she experienced. At age 17, she found her sense of purpose—to become a teacher of this ancient practice that makes well-being accessible for everyone, not later when the body is “in better shape” and the mind is “more peaceful,” but in the body and mind we have in this moment.
Barbara’s first teachers were followers of Yogananda, whose path of self-realization integrated meditation and chanting with poses and breath work. These mindful and devotional practices remain the foundation of her work. At the age of 25, with her family, she met, Baba Muktananda, lived in his ashram for several years immersing herself in the world of yoga. She has studied widely in diverse yoga lineages, and her teaching style is infused with the influences of Siddha, Iyengar, Anusara yoga, Angela Farmer, Victor van Kooten; and the practices of Mindful Awareness. Her asana instruction is equally informed by her knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Her wish is that students feel confident to engage in a daily practice safely, guided by knowledge of alignment and attentive awareness on how to care for themselves in the poses.
In 1993 Barbara co-founded 4th Street Yoga in Berkeley, where yogis have a place to practice in the heart of it all. She leads retreats all over the world. She believes yoga can bring positive transformation to all, and has taught in prison, supported programs for vulnerable youth, and specialized in pre and post natal yoga. She is a registered yoga therapist, providing yoga therapy to yogis with special needs. She works therapeutically with MS, ALS, Stroke and Cancer yogis. She has mentored aspiring teachers and been on the staff of teacher trainings. Through her love of chanting and meditation she has collaborated with Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, WAH, Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jennifer Berezan and other gifted and respected teachers.
Decades after her first exposure to yoga, Barbara continues to discover the radically simple practice of being open and alert. The asanas take many outward shapes, but the inside shape is always the same—the space of stillness, peace and inner well-being.
