• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Experience Alaya

Yoga Trainings and Retreats

  • Welcome
    • About Alaya
    • Faculty
  • Trainings
    • 200HR YTT
    • Yoga Nidra 2023
    • Trainings Overview
  • Retreats & Immersions
    • Yoga Nidra 2023
  • Schedule
  • Online
    • Yoga Nidra 2023
    • Refuge
  • Apprenticeship
  • Connect
alaya_trainings

Our esteemed faculty is a collection of world-class teachers who each hold a wealth of knowledge, education, and experience in their respective fields.

Faculty

With decades of studentship and practice, each of the teachers is dedicated to meeting you exactly where you are and helping you to realize your goals through each of our trainings. We recognize yoga as a state of being, not only on our mats, but in every moment and in every facet of our lives. There are infinite ways that we can access this state of connection, and by weaving together yoga and the expressive arts, we greatly expand our capacity to engage in a life of clarity, authenticity, connection, inspiration and meaning. As reflected in our diverse offering of unique trainings, we believe wholeheartedly in supporting you on your individual journey of profound transformation and integration.

Founders / Lead Teachers

logo
1
Meg McCraken | E-RYT 500 Co-Founder, Experience Alaya Expand

Lover of life, yogini, trail runner, climber, mommy, wife, teacher, speaker, spiritual guide, community builder, and loyal friend on the path. Sometimes together, sometimes falling apart, but always inspired and empowered by love!

Meg is passionate about sharing the full, rich teachings of yoga (asana, meditation, yoga nidra, chanting, philosophy, etc.) in a truly experiential way that helps us to positively transform and enrich our lives. Having worked as a yoga therapist for over a decade, she is continually inspired by the vitality of the human spirit and the power of yoga to help us tap into a source deep inner-peace and well-being.

She has been sharing the yoga life with all kinds of seekers for over 22 years and is the Co-Founder of the Alaya Yoga School, a Wanderlust Presenter and Teacher Trainer, and the original founder of Simple Yoga and Wellness Studio. She is a passionate community builder and give talks, lead teacher trainings, satsangs, workshops and retreats all over the world. You can also find her classes featured online at www.Gaia.com/Meg .

The 7 years she spent as a yoga studio owner in rural Montana fueled her passion for building diverse and strong communities that foster true human connection. Though she no longer runs the studio, she recognizes community building as the urgent work of our times and remains dedicated to that in all that she does. She is currently inspired to create safe and sacred spaces where these genuine connections can be established, flourish and endure. It is her intention to bring this work to the great divides that we face in our current society so that we can begin to build the more beautiful worlds that our hearts long to live into.

Visit Meg's Site

bio_ashleighsergeant
Crystal Bailey | E-RYT 500 Experience Alaya Senior Faculty Expand

Crystal has been teaching and studying yoga for 8 years, with a background as a fitness instructor for 24 years. She has completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training through Wanderlust Studios, and is a 200 Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher. Crystal’s teachers include Meg McCraken, Shari Beard, Gioconda Parker, and our own Tim Whitaker, among many others on her journey.

She has completed her 1000HR Alaya Yoga School Apprenticeship Program and is now leading classes, workshops, and 200HR Teacher Training Immersions in her studio in Paducah, KY.

Crystal believes that yoga is more than just yoga poses, that yoga is a way of walking on this earth! We do not have to stick the perfect pose to call ourselves a true yogi. Crystal makes room for all abilities in her classes, understanding that we all have injuries and limitations that we can work around. Modifications can be made to help each student feel challenged and successful. She brings some spiritual nuggets from yogic philosophy to the practice, inspiring her students to live calmer, more peaceful lives. You will leave classes feeling challenged, but accepted, and evolving in mind, body and spirit!

mat_sweat

I am so honored to be a student of the Alaya Yoga School. I have been studying with Meg and Ashleigh for the last 5 years and am so grateful that my path lead me to them! I am constantly amazed by all the tools I have to work with clients/students and I know that it's because of the wholistic approach they've taught me from the beginning! This is TRULY one of the best yoga programs out there today!

Arielle Shipe RYT-500, Alaya Apprentice

Faculty

logo
6
Tai Allison Bickert | RYT 500, Reiki Practitioner Expand

Tai Allison Bickert’s passion is helping people and teaching them how to help themselves. She began her yoga journey at the age of 24, and has been teaching since 2015. Tai's passion for helping others goes well beyond her yoga training. She is a mother, a business owner, a healthy living mentor, a Beachbody® coach, a yoga and meditation instructor, and an aspiring writer. Tai inspires people to shine by placing focus on their health, body, mind, and soul. She does this by lovingly guiding them to understand that they already hold within, what they need to be successful. In group settings, private sessions, workshops, and retreats, she helps people empower themselves to find the Grace and Connection they see. Tai is currently continuing her education in advanced training with the Alaya Yoga School. She has been very blessed to have studied with well-known yoga instructors such as Ashleigh Sergeant, Meg McCraken, Jennifer Marie Lane, Mike Lane, Kevin Courtney and Michelle Nayeli Bouvier. These amazing people continue to be her mentors, friends, and role models.

Visit Tai's Site

16
Lauri Glenn | ERYT-500, Mindfulness Coach/Teacher Expand

Lauri Glenn is a Mindfulness Coach & Teacher based in the Tahoe/Reno area.  With 25 years in the Wellness field, Lauri is also a Reiki Master, bodyworker, & served 8 years as a firefighter/medic.  She offers Mindfulness Programs & Yoga to individual clients, public groups and in the workplace/corporate setting.  She also offers Meditation & Yoga retreats and has taught at Wanderlust Festival Squaw Valley, Envision in Costa Rica & Restorative Arts & Yoga Festival in Lake Tahoe. Lauri honors her teachers deeply: Meg McCraken, Ashleigh Sergeant, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Josh Summers, and more. Her passion is empowering people on a path of exploration to discover their own wisdom and awaken their heart's true nature; unconditional Love, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity.

Learn More about Lauri

Lauri Glenn Alaya Faculty Training - 200 Hour Yoga Immersion/Teacher Training; Missoula, Montana; Various dates in 2020. Learn more.

14
Arielle Shipe | E-RYT 500, YACEP Expand

Voted one of the 15 Millennial Yoga Teachers to watch out for, Arielle Shipe is best known for her adventurous spirit and passion for personal development/growth which she shares on Instagram and YouTube. With over a decade of practice and nearly 1500 teacher training hours, the yoga tradition is the foundation for all the things she teaches and shares. Her motto is: Work Hard. Play Hard, Rest Hard. She sees yoga as a multifaceted gem that is there to meet you wherever you need it most. In her classes you can expect to sweat, smile, relax and start to uncover the truth that there’s way more to yoga than a downward-facing dog. Join the Dream Life Revolution on Instagram @arielleshipe.

Visit Arielle's Site

Guest Scholars

logo
bio_kevincourtney
Kevin Courtney | Yoga Philosopher, Teacher & Musician Expand

Guest Scholar at 2018 200 Hour Intensive/Teacher Training in MT

Kevin Courtney has dedicated the last two decades to the pursuit of awakening consciousness by focusing on strength, energy cultivation, and mental clarity. Kevin began his relationship to movement and connection to nature as a child, surfing in San Clemente, CA. After transplanting to New York City in his mid-twenties and becoming consumed by work in business development and consulting for Fortune 500 companies, Kevin was diagnosed with cancer. This life-altering diagnosis, compounded by witnessing the fall of the twin towers from just a few blocks away, inspired Kevin to make an abrupt choice to shift focus and rediscover his passion and purpose. All signs kept pointing back to his profound love for Yoga and in 2002 he began teaching in New York City. He found inspiration in teachers like Dharma Mittra, Richard Freeman, and Swami Satchidananda and has now dedicated his study through the mentorship and guidance of Nikki Costello, Rod Stryker and a daily personal practice.

Visit Kevin's Site

 

 

2
Dr. Jennifer Lane, DC | Chiropractor, Dreamworker Expand

Guest Scholar at Creating Healing Connections

Dr. Jennifer Marie Lane’s service to the world is through her devotion to dreams and embodied life. She is a mother, dream oracle, chiropractor, and teacher of earth wisdom and sacred movement. Her facilitation invites participants into a realm where body, heart, mind, soul and spirit(s) freely intermingle  - where Dreams come alive! Having graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Medical Anthropology and Anthropological Genetics and worked as a healer, she weaves in a deep curiosity and respect for the healing potential of the human body and soul.

4
Dr. Mike Lane, DC | Chiropractor, Anatomist, Foundation Training Instructor Expand

Guest Scholar at 200 Hour Intensive/Teacher Trainings

Dr. Mike Lane, DC is a specialist in the field of functional movement and wellness. He is a chiropractor, bodyworker, foundation training instructor and anatomy teacher. His intention is to help people move, feel, and live better. Since selling his successful San Francisco-based chiropractic practice in 2016, Mike and his wife have been traveling the United States in their RV home, sharing the importance of health and wellness through workshops, retreats and festivals. Dr. Mike loves to witness people understand and experience Anatomy in a way that they thought wasn't possible. Anatomy is a challenging subject and it doesn't have to be. Dr. Mike will make AnatomySense in a whole new, fun and dynamic way.

Visit Mike's Site

8
Neil Pearson | PT, MSC, BA-BPHE, CYT, ERYT500 Expand

Guest Scholar at 2018 200 Hour Intensive/Teacher Training in MT

Kevin Courtney has dedicated the last two decades to the pursuit of awakening consciousness by focusing on strength, energy cultivation, and mental clarity. Kevin began his relationship to movement and connection to nature as a child, surfing in San Clemente, CA. After transplanting to New York City in his mid-twenties and becoming consumed by work in business development and consulting for Fortune 500 companies, Kevin was diagnosed with cancer. This life-altering diagnosis, compounded by witnessing the fall of the twin towers from just a few blocks away, inspired Kevin to make an abrupt choice to shift focus and rediscover his passion and purpose. All signs kept pointing back to his profound love for Yoga and in 2002 he began teaching in New York City. He found inspiration in teachers like Dharma Mittra, Richard Freeman, and Swami Satchidananda and has now dedicated his study through the mentorship and guidance of Nikki Costello, Rod Stryker and a daily personal practice.

Visit Neil's Site

 

 

10
Dr. Justine Lemos | Ayurvedic Specialist Expand

Guest Scholar for Advanced Training - Ayurveda, Herbalism and Self Care

Dr. Lemos has been studying Ayurveda's ancient healing practices for many years and has studied Clinical Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Spiritual Counseling and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). She currently practices as an Ayurvedic practitioner and Ayurvedic Spiritual Counselor. She has studied Jyotish with Komilla Sutton and Sam Geppi. She offers private consults and workshops on Ayurveda and wellness. She has also completed extensive study on the relationship between Ayurveda and Yoga and trained as teacher of Hatha Yoga under Scott Miller of Western Yoga College, Kundalini Yoga at Yoga West and studied Yoga Philosophy under Pandit Sri Kumar in Kerala, India. She currently teaches as faculty at Western Yoga College and runs and owns at One Yoga (www.at1yoga.com) on the Mendocino Coast. She also holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from UC Riverside in addition to a Master’s degree in Dance from Mills College, a Master’s degree in Anthropology from UC Riverside and a B.A. in World Dance from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.

Visit Justine's Site

 

 

9
Nischala Joy Devi | Spiritual Guide, Yoga Therapist Expand

Guest Scholar for Philosophy and Spirituality

Nischala is a masterful teacher and healer. For many years she has been highly respected as an international advocate for her innovative way of expressing Yoga and its subtle uses for spiritual growth and complete healing. Her dynamic delivery and deep inner conviction empower each individual, allowing the teachings to expand beyond boundaries and limitations of any one tradition enabling her to touch people’s hearts.

She was graced to spend over 25 years as a monastic disciple with the world-renowned Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidanandaji, receiving his direct guidance and teachings. She also was blessed with teachings from great Yoga masters in US, India and worldwide.

Visit Nichala's Site

 

 

Facilitators
Uma Sergeant | ERYT- 500 | Co-Founder of Experience ALaya Expand

Wyld’s mamma, yogini, beloved partner, mystic, eternal student, and lover of the goddess, Uma (Ashleigh) has been teaching therapeutic yoga, meditation and philosophy since 2005. Dedicated to the pursuit of healing a spinal condition from birth, Uma began a dedicated self-practice at a very young age. Now, emerging from a traumatic transition into motherhood: a month-long induced coma and re-learning how to walk, her fiercely loving passion, capacity and skillset for healing through embodiment is unparalleled. Grounded in a solid foundation of the ancient teachings, Uma’s offerings are a practical and comprehensive exploration of the mystical, energetic and contemplative practices of the yoga tradition.

Co-founder of The Ālaya Yoga School, Director of Yoga and Movement for The Envision Festival in Costa Rica, Uma also spent five years as the Global Yoga Trainer for Adidas, was the former Head of Yoga Content for Gaia.com, and was honored to be the youngest Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor in the world. Uma’s yoga videos (as Ashleigh Sergeant) are featured on Gaia.com, Grokker and ShriTV. A regular presenter at the Wanderlust Festival, Uma’s work can also be seen on Mind Body Green, YOGANONYMOUS, Latin Women’s Health and German Yoga Journal.

Apprentices

logo
1
Kelly Smiley | RYT 500 Expand

2019 Apprentice

With a relentless passion for education, training, and teaching, Kelly has combined her love for circus arts and yoga into a lifelong journey of discovery.  With a teacher’s certification in aerial fabrics and yoga she has taken her abilities as an instructor to the next level by merging the practice of the 8 limb yoga system into her aerial arts teaching method.  The incorporation of these two practices has set her apart in her field and Kelly is excited to expand on these skills within her circus community and beyond. Kelly is the proud owner of the Tahoe Flow Arts Studio in Lake Tahoe, CA where you can find her playing, teaching and co-creating performances with a mission to spread positive change through movement and self-expression.  Kelly received her 200-hour Wanderlust yoga teacher training certificate in 2014 and completed her 500 advanced yoga teacher training with the Alaya Yoga School in 2019.  Yoga has changed her outlook on life and brings her immense appreciation to be able to spread that awareness to generations to come.

Visit Kelly's Site

13
Deanna Kay | RYT 500 Expand

2019 Apprentice

Originally from Maine, Deanna journeyed out west in 2009. In 2010, she traveled to Rishikesh, India where she studied yoga and the Indian culture for a few months. This experience was not an easy one, but definitely necessary on this path to yoga. It was on this exploration that yoga introduced itself to her. When she returned to the states, she continued her yogic studies in Alignment-Hatha yoga and found teacher, Ashleigh Sergeant. Deanna has been teaching all the while. This yogic evolution introduced new ways of experiencing the breath, body and mind connection. This knowledge has opened doorways that she never knew existed – doorways that have brought a sense of greater awareness, patience, healing, self-love, a realization of the power of the mind, as well as the universal connection between all things. She has completed 500 hours of training and is currently participating in the Alaya Yoga School apprenticeship and will be guiding teacher trainings in the near future. She is also a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation.

Visit Deanna's Site

12
Cheryl Weatherford | RYT 500 Expand

2019 Apprentice

Cheryl Weatherford teaches yoga in the Pioneer area of Amador County. All her classes are Hatha style yoga and include pranayama (breathing) and asana (poses and vinyasa/flow) and may include mantra, stretching, and meditation.  She is convinced that yoga is for every body and looks for solutions when a body doesn’t seem to want to make a specific shape.  Cheryl earned a Yoga Alliance 200RYT through Wanderlust in Squaw Valley, Ca in January 2015 and completed 500RYT training through the Alaya Yoga School in October 2018.  Cheryl has been regularly practicing yoga for many years and has found yoga to offer her that something more in life.

Visit Cheryl's Site

7
Misty Scholz | RYT 500 Expand

2019 Apprentice

Misty is a longtime yoga practitioner and healthcare provider. She first started practicing yoga in 1988, over the years exploring the lineages, and experiencing the many benefits of a yoga practice. In 2014 she took her 200 hr YTT with Meg and Ashleigh in Tahoe and continued with them for the 500 hr in Costa Rica and Tahoe as their voices really resonated. She has been teaching for 5 years of studio classes, workshops, and retreats. She continues to study in advancing yoga practices with teachers Manorama, Chris Calarco, Rolf Gates, and more to foster a dynamic teaching and personal practice. She has worked in healthcare her whole career as well, starting in lifeguarding, then EMT on an ambulance, and working with the breath in Respiratory care for the last 20 years. She nurtures a balance between her healthcare profession and teaching yoga in the SF bay area. She truly sees and wishes to guide yogis back to themselves where healing begins.

Visit Misty's Site

Stay connected with Experience Alaya

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Subscribe!

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Footer

ABOUT ALAYA

Experience Alaya is a community dedicated to the unfolding of the human spirit.

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Yoga Teacher Trainings

  • 200HR | Reno, NV | Sept 2020-March 2021
  • 300HR Accelerated YTT | Lake Tahoe | 2020-2021
  • 300HR Customized Yoga Teacher Training | Ongoing
  • Advanced Teaching Skills | Vermont | July 31 – Aug 6

Immersions & Retreats

  • Living Through the Lens of the Goddess | Reno, May 2020