JivaChaiChat

He's a family man, a teacher, a yogi, a Buddhist practitioner, and Thailands biggest cheerleader. If life were a series of competitions to identify who has lived the coolest life, we would all be runners-up to the one and only Casey Gramaglia. Words of My Perfect Teacher by: Patrul RinpocheA Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher by: Khenpo Ngawang PelzangThe Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep by: Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheThe Way of the Bodhisattva by ShantidevaThe Tibetan Book of Living and Dying (free!) by Sogyal RinpocheBooks by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse: What Makes You Not a Buddhist &  Not for Happiness & The Guru Drinks Bourbon?  & Living is Dying

VV, affectionately shortened from Viveka, was initially a student at Jivamukti Yoga and later began working at the studio. Her first class was with David Life, and she had the fortunate opportunity to attend satsang with Shyamdas, Bhagavan Das, and Krishna Das. Grab a seat at the chai shop and join VV as she shares her oral history of Jivamukti Yoga.Learn about Joe Frank

Keith was born in the year of the Rabbit. Though introduced to the devotional practices of yoga early in life, he began practicing yoga asana as a way to deal with adolescence.Throughout his career as a musician (including a long time gig as house pianist and musical director at legendary jazz venue, side-on cafe; and playing the Rhapsody in Blue for six pianos at the Gershwin Centenary) and dancer (favorite roles include Prince Rama in the Ramayana and The King in The Firebird) he felt creatively satisfied yet somehow spiritually hungry. It was Casey Gramaglia who first introduced Keith to Jivamukti Yoga (in a girlie bar) whilst Keith was travelling around Thailand. Keith extended his stay to study with Casey.In 2005 Keith completed Samadhi Yoga Teacher Training led by Katie Manitsas. In 2007 he realized his divine dream of becoming a Jivamukti Yoga teacher, gaining certification from founders Sharon Gannon and David Life. Keith regularly studies with Sharon and David and has assisted them in New York, Hong Kong, Bali, Byron Bay, Sydney and India. Keith is very proud to be Jessica Stickler’s first apprentice, completing the Jivamukti Yoga Apprenticeship Program under her guidance at the Jivamukti Yoga Center NYC 2011. In 2012 Keith was awarded Advanced Certification.Keith is also inspired by the teachings of Harish Johari, the celebrated artist, storyteller, master of Ayurveda, numerology, the chakras and gemstones.Keith’s open classes are uplifting and the soundtracks are always as creative as the sequencing. His Basics classes are precise and thorough. Kirtan is a feature of the yoga workshops Keith teaches in and around Sydney. He teaches workshops and runs yoga retreats and pilgrimages throughout SE Asia with a focus on Thailand, the Philippines and India. Keith also teaches music, religion and yoga (sometimes all at once) to future yogis at Xavier College, Penrith.Keith was a foundation teacher at Lila Yoga Studio (now BIJA YOGA) when Carmen Ceniza first opened its doors ten years ago, and is both proud and honored to continue the legacy of Penrith’s very first purpose-built yoga studio.

Helene came into contact with yoga for the first time at the age of 18, first through philosophy, later also through physical practice. In 2016 she completed her 200h Vinyasa training and expanded her knowledge in 2020 with a 300h Jivamukti training. She is currently in the prerequisite phase of the 800h Apprenticeship. In April 2024 she founded Jivamukti Yoga Düsseldorf as co-founder.“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”Hearts of Fire Jivamukti Yoga Retreat (Aug 20th - Aug 24th) in Spain!!Jivamukti Düsseldorf => follow them on Insta

HaChi Yu, Director. Jivamukti Yoga Collective NYC.Bhakti Yoga Shala (good folks 2 donate 2) Jiva Liberated Inc. HaChi Yu is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and founder/director of Jivamukti Yoga Collective – New York. She is also the founder of Prana Productions LLC,/The Prana Life and was the owner and founder of Jivamukti Yoga LaLaLå! building the first Jivamukti Yoga School on the west coast. (which sadly closed in 2020 due to the global pandemic). HaChi was born and raised on the Lower East Side of NYC, and has travelled the world as a teacher, performer and producer. She was a principal dancer with Feld Ballet/Ballet Tech for over 20 years during which time she also worked on and off-Broadway. Her yoga studies began as a child and she has was raised with movement as her first language. Currently, HaChi serves as Facilitator for Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Trainings internationally. She has studied with esteemed teachers within various schools including: Sivananda, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Tripsichore. HaChi is 500hr EYT Yoga Alliance and is also a certified teacher in Gyrotonic ™ and Pilates. Over the last 25 years her life as a dancer and teacher has taken her around the world where she has taught master classes at universities and festivals…and performed on many of the world’s finest stages with some of the greatest performing artists of our time.HaChi is honored and humbled to be a lifelong student and dedicates her efforts with eternal gratitude to Sharon and David, Jules and all the jivanmuktahs around the world. She is blessed by the opportunity to study with HH Dalai Lama, HH Radhanath Swami, Robert Moses, Eddie Stern and Rusty Wells. She is in service to all her teachers and these practices that keep her on the path of the Boddhisattva …while dancing with the whirling dervishes whenever they cross her path.Through strength, intelligence, and fluidity HaChi’s classes focus on the various practices of yoga as an integration of ancient wisdom teachings applied into our modern day life- with joy and reverence.

Follow Cory on IG:  @coryyoga — @the_spiritual_pilgrimHis website - ⁠thespiritualpilgrim.comHis studio - Yoga Shala NashvilleCory Bryant is the Founder of Yoga Shala Nashville and The Spiritual Pilgrim, which offers pilgrimages to Nepal, India, and Bhutan. His journey into yoga began at Jivamukti Yoga School in New York City, shortly after 9/11 in 2001, and has been on a profound and continuous path ever since. Cory has been teaching yoga since 2008 when he was certified to teach Jivamukti.A dedicated practitioner, Cory has devoted much of the past decade to exploring the intersections between Ashtanga Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism. Dating back to 2002 he has studied intensively with renowned yoga masters such as David Life, Sharon Gannon, David Garrigues, Tim Miller, Tim Feldmann and Kino MacGregor, as well, as Tibetan lineage holders including Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche (with whom he took refuge) and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. His approach to teaching reflects not only his deep commitment to spiritual practice but also his extensive study of Yoga and Buddhism.With a Ph.D. in Food Chemistry and a background in international food policy, Cory brings a unique perspective to his teaching, blending the precision of the scientific method with the contemplative wisdom of Buddhist philosophy. He explores the rich intersections between Buddhism and Yoga, offering an integrative approach to both practice and life.Cory has made 14 trips to Nepal and ten trips to India since 2010, dedicating himself to extensive study and practice in these sacred lands. After a successful career in Washington, DC, including two years in Beijing, he resigned from the FDA in 2015 to pursue the study, practice and teaching of Yoga and Buddhism full-time. When not in Nepal, Cory and his dog Puja call Eddyville, Kentucky “home”.Books recommended by Cory :Joy of Living by Yongey Mingyur RinpocheCultivating True Compassion by Khenchen ThranguThe Wakeful Body by Willa Blythe BakerIn Love with the World by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Dexter is back in the chai cafe and he has stories about India and shares information his upcoming tour with Sharon Gannon and Jamie Logan . More information about the tour can be found here Check out PETA India Curious about his friend Jamie? More info about her can be found here

Sandy was a seeker, a student, then a teacher; and the Jivamukti Community is richer for it. Check out Sandy's online offerings or their amazing playlists on Spotify.

She took classes with Sharon in a gym. She was there on Second Avenue. She was in the first graduating class of Jivamukti Yoga Teachers. She is the one and only Adrienne Burke. Classes with Adrienne are at Souk Follow Adrienne on Instagram

Yogeswari. For those who know, know. Come to the JivaChaiChat Cafe and listen to Yogeswari share her journey of becoming a yoga teacher, her experiences studying under Saraswathi Jois, and the story behind her name. Link to the song Yogeswari refers to => beGun by Salia Sahi Yogeswari still teaches two online classes a week => yogeswari.org AZAHAR Foundation

Have you ever talked to a person and thought, "Wow, I wish they lived on my street so I could invite them for chai and vegan cookies on the regular?" Well, that's what the conversation with Juan was like. Intuitive and humble are words that come to mind when one thinks of Juan. Check out our conversation as we wait for the waitress. More info on Juan => wildchildyogaretreats.com Follow Juan on Instagram Practice with Juan (starting in January '25) => yogaloft.lu

Do yourself a favor and try the Fibonacci Sequence Jai on Instagram Jai Yoga Shala on Instagram Jai's Yoga Shala => jaiyogashala.com The Art of Aging Mindfully => theartofagingmindfully.com

Bhakti in practice = Jutta Jivamukti Rome Jivamukti Rome on Instagram Jutta Ariane Mele-Mauer website => here or on Instagram Benedetta Genuardi on Instagram Chiara Intorcia on Instagram Giulia Salvi on Instagram

Katya Grineva has a remarkable story to tell. She is a Jivamukti practitioner, concert pianist (like for real), and kind human being. I am honored she agreed to share a cup of chai with me. Katya's Charity => click here More info about Katya => http://katyagrineva.com

Andrea is lovely, listen to her and find out why. Jivamukti Yoga Cambridge can be found here Andrea can be found on Instagram here Jivamukti Yoga Cambridge can be found on Instagram here Andrea's playlist can be found here

Dexter Griffin's Spotify Playlist Dexter on Instagram Dexter on Facebook

Advanced Certified Jivamkuti Teacher Nathalie Wahlberg More of her offerings can be found here. Join her for class at Jivamukti Yoga Barcelona

Join Jivamukti Teacher (spiritual goddess?) Corinne Gervai and Chris at the Chai Shop. More info on Corinne's Studio More info on Omega More info on Agatha All Along (yes we, well I, talk about it)

Nancy was there from the start! For more info: https://nancylanasayoga.com

Instagram for Julie @juliefrancie11 Julie on Facebook on Facebook @ Julie.Kirkpatrick.58