Having practiced yoga for much of her life in a variety of styles and lineages, Claire attended an Ashtanga led class in 1991 and felt electrified.  The pace, the link to breath and bandha, created a moving meditation that has only become deeper. 

Over the course of the next decades, she had the good fortune to study with K. Pattabhi Jois and his family as well as with a number of authorized and senior Ashtanga teachers in the west – prominent among them were Nancy Gilgoff, under whose guidance she completed intermediate series;  Tim Miller, from whom she learned advanced A series; Maty Ezraty, who established the foundations;  Leigha Nicole, who continues to guide and inspire; and Devorah Sacks, who held the space for years of consistent, challenging practice.

Claire apprenticed for a year and began teaching yoga in 2000 at UC Berkeley, where she continues to lead classes for students, staff, and faculty.  She has taught in a variety of settings: mysore rooms, yoga studios, private homes, and public spaces.  

Complementing her ashtanga practice and teaching is work with Saraswathi Devi conducting weekly yoga classes for adults with disabilities, incorporating Thai yoga massage, reflexology, acupressure, breathwork, visualization, and guided relaxation in meeting each student’s unique needs.

Claire is a Yoga Therapist certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT).

Ashtanga practice introduced the unexpected:  change is possible.