Who I am: I've been passionately intrigued by the mystical traditions of the world since I was a child. At age 13 I read P.D. Oespensky's "In Search of the Miraculous" and began my quest for discovery in earnest. In my past lives I have been a bike messenger in New York City, an art director, graphic designer, performance artist, theater technician, and lead singer in a rock band. When I'm not teaching I'm having the time of my life as a competitive bike racer, running or hiking in the rain, playing in the mud (Cyclocross style), snowshoeing in the backcountry of Mt Hood, or indulging my newest form of exploration/meditation: rock climbing. And when I'm not doing any of the above I'm probably doing savasana to rest up for the next round.

Why I teach yoga: For me, yoga is a way of being fully alive through direct experience. I am devoted to awakening to direct experience in myself, and to holding that space for others. There is no greater purpose than to connect with our highest potential. Simply put, I enjoy sharing the gifts of yoga with others. I have worked with world-class professional athletes, rock stars, and ordinary people of all ages to improve strength, flexibility and performance. I've witnessed persons suffering from eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety make healthy positive changes in their lives because yoga worked for them. I really believe yoga offers something for everyone, that it is not one size (or approach) fits all, but that all can benefit from the tools yoga offers for skillful living.

About my training: My formal training includes vinyasa and yin teacher training with Sarah Powers, Iyengar with Lisa Walford, and apprenticeships in both Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga with Beth Greenfield and Callie Littlefield. I have been teaching for over 9 years, after completing a year-long apprenticeship with my mentor, and various teacher trainings. Most recently I have completed a number of teacher training sessions in the Anusara traditiona with Sarahjoy Marsh as well as intensive studies and workshops with senior teachers in a variety of traditions, including Tias Little, Richard Freeman, Tim Miller, Manouso Manos, Ana Forrest, Kausthub Desikachar, Nischala Joy Devi, and others. My teaching has been informed by the work of Lama Surya Das, Jack Kornfeld, and most especially, Cheri Huber of the Mountain Zen Center. My approach is detailed, exacting, alignment oriented, and therapeutically inclined.

Private Lessons

Private therapeutic sessions with Uma are available at $75 / hour, $90 / 90 minutes $30 for 30-minute mini-session

Teacher Training & Workshops

Uma coordinates and directs workshops and teacher training at Yoga Pearl. To contact her directly about workshops or teacher training, email uma@yogapearl.com

For more information about Uma's teaching, go to www.umakleppinger.com