Karl Erb - Yoga instructor
20 years Experience
San Francisco

I began my study of Iyengar style hatha and ashtanga yoga in 1983 with Julie Kimball at the University of California at Santa Cruz. The last 3 of six years I assisted her in her classes.

I teach a rigorous style of vinyasa, or flow, restorative yoga, and sustained explorations of action in poses as it affects alignment, breath, energy, thought and emotion. Each class is heavily influenced by years of study of ayurvedic & yogic physiology and sciences. Understanding prana, or energy, understanding breath as the bridge between mind and body, between thought and action between thought and emotion, and manifesting this understanding in the practice is at the root of what I teach. Classes are intense, challenging while staying playful, full of a spirit, of adventure.

I study mostly with Ramanand Patel, who I initially met when in Julie's class in Santa Cruz, then in San Francisco when I moved here in 1989.I have studied and apprenticed with Ramanand for many years, assisting in his classes whenever I get the chance. I have also apprenticed with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher Evlaleah Howard; and taken frequent workshops from Judith Lasater, Patricia Walden, Francois Raoult, Roger Cole, Manouso Manos, and Ramanand Patel. And many thanks to the teachers of The Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco where I did the two year teacher training program as well as the many teachers from many methods that I have explored through the years...

I went to India for the first time in February 1996 to study with BKS Iyengar at Rishikesh in Northern India.

In 1997 I began studying Vedanta with Swami Dayananda Saraswati, thanks to Ramanand. Every year I have either gone to Swami Dayananda's in PA, and once in Rishikesh. While readings are great, the knowledge and joy is not imparted like the workshops with Swami Dayananda.

The study of Vedanta and the Baghavad Gita has significantly changed my practice and influenced my teaching. Watch her for more on Vedanta, the yoga sutras, vedic chants, the Baghvad Gita. Interested in vedanta, sutras, or chanting groups? Write me.

Feel free to write with questions. Contact Me.

Private Sessions also available to refine your home practice; or to focus on sequences for your needs, such as knee or back pains or injuries, work related stresses and certain physiological ailments. Use e-mail to arrange a private session.

Ram Jhula and the river Ganga, Rishikesh, February 2000