Devi Das, Karina Ayn Mirsky

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Karina Ayn Mirsky, MA, E RYT is a yoga and meditation teacher, teacher trainer and holisitc coach. She is the Director of Sangha Yoga and a Certified Teacher of Rod Stryker's Para Yoga®. Karina is also a Teaching Faculty Member of the Himalayan Institute, and an Adjuct Professor at Antioch University McGregor.

Karina grew up singing and dancing in Ludington, MI. In 1998 she graduated with a BBA in Management from Western Michigan University (WMU). In 1996 she began studying massage therapy under Rebecca Pearce, LMT, specializing in disabilities management and rehabilitation. For nearly a decade Karina learned much from her clients whose disabilities ranged from rheumatoid arthritis, paraplegia, arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, fibro-myalgia to those with undiagnosed chronic pain.

Karina's desire to support peoples physical bodies is matched by her desire to serve their hearts, minds and spiritual lives. Since 1999 Karina has been compiling and legally officiating non-traditional wedding ceremonies in the state of Michigan though the Unitarian ULC.

In July 2009 Karina completed MA in East / West Psychology through Antioch University Mcgregor. In February 2010, Karina accepted an adjuct professorship at Antioch. She now mentors graduate students who share her passion for yogic studies.

First introduced to yoga by her grandmother at age five, Karina began teaching yoga in 1998 shortly before meeting master teacher, Rod Stryker. In February of 2002 Rod initiated her into the tantric lineage of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. She fast became a dedicated student, and leading teacher of his tradition. Today Karina is a Certified Teacher and Teacher Trainer of Rod Stryker's Para Yoga.

In January of 2003 Karina was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. Yoga and meditation played key roles in both the discovery and recovery from her illness. She draws from this experience to aid others facing similar life challenges.

In October 2003, Karina opened Sangha Yoga. She also began hosting workshops and teacher trainings nationwide. Her dedication to yoga was honored by her teacher in 2006 when Rod named her Devi Das, Servant of Divine Illumination and granted her the authority to initiate students into "mantra sadhana" - an act she regards as the highest form of service.

Karina's teachings reflect her understanding of yoga as both a modern therapeutic science and an ancient spiritual system, as well as, a catalyst for personal and global transformation. Her unique wisdom in the classroom is informed by her background in yoga, performance art, massage therapy, and psychology. Karina's expereinces recovering from injury and cancer also allow her to offer any body type or level of practitioner a safe and supportive environment for yoga practice.

In 2008 Karina was featured in Yoga Journal as one of 21 teachers under the age of 40 who are shaping the future of yoga in America. (see credits below)

Karina's gift for working with college students has made her a favorite guest lecturer in WMU's Holistic Health Department. She often presents concepts from the Yoga Sutra to over 200 college students at a time. She also teaches yoga for Kalamazoo College, and guest speaks in Kalamazoo Valley Community College meditation classes. Always a student herself, Karina continues her own studies in the tradition of the Himalayan Sages with Rod Stryker, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Rolf Sovik and the staff of the Himalayan Institute. She is also the mentee of Tom Holmes PhD in Kalamazoo.

Today, Karina continues to teach yoga and meditation at Sangha. She also hosts workshops and teacher training programs across the midwest and east coast. (To see Karina's local and national teaching schedules see the links below).

Credits

Television
Karina has a local yoga show, weekday mornings on Kalamazoo Public Access Television

In the March 2008 issue of Yoga Journal,
Karina was profiled as one of the 21 most inspiring American yoga teachers under the age of 40.

Click on the magazine cover below to view Karina's feature. Then, click on the article to enlage the print enough to read it.

CDs
"Calling the Divine" w/ Rod Styker
"Kalamazoo Community Rhythm Project"
"Shavasana"

Magazines
Aug 2005 Fit Yoga - (interview on Tantric asana))
Feb 2008 Kalamazoo Gazette: Be Healthy - (inteview and photos)
March 2008 Yoga Journal - (21 under 40 feature)
Sept 2009 Yoga+ Joyful Living - (photo spread)
Nov 2009 Yoga Journal - (interview on retreats)
Dec 2009 Encore - (6 page biography)
Fall 2010 Yoga International - (photo spread)


Faculty & Staff Positions
Director of Sangha Yoga & SY Teacher Training School.
Teaching Faculty Memeber of the Himalayan Institute
Adjunct Professor, Antioch Universtiy McGregor
Affiliated lecturer, WMU Holisitc Health Dept.
Affiliate teaching staff: YCYC (Hamden, CT) & YogahOMe (Cincinnatti, OH)


Devi Das Links:

Booking Options   Contact Karina    
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Our Director

Devidas Karina Ayn Mirsky was featured in the March 2008 issue of Yoga Journal as one of 21 teachers under the age of 40 shaping the future of yoga in America. (Click on the image below to read the feature)

Read Karina's Full Bio

Kalamazoo Teaching Calendar

National Event Calendar



Get a 2 year paper subscription of Yoga International magazine plus the digital edition for only $25.00!!! A 38% discount just for Sangha Yoga students! You'll also receive a basic membership to the Himalayan Institute for discounts.

Click here to take advantage of this amazing offer!

Sangha Yoga is pleased to introduce our sister business Shanti Massage & Healing Arts

Seva means "service with selfless intention." Below are just some of the organizations that Sangha Yoga has raised funds for or offered services to:

Himalayan Institute
Ministry with Community
Toys for Tots
West Michigan Cancer Center
American Red Cross
World Yoga Fund
Youth Aids
The Red Tent
Pretty Lake Camp
PeaceJam
SYTT Scholarship Fund

Philosophy

Start Learning Here
We carry many H.I. Press books at Sangha too!

Yoga Asana

Yoga for Wellness,
by Gary Krafstow

Classic Texts from the Bihar School:

Yoga Publications Trust: Purchases can be made through amazon or ATMA.
Three Bihar Picks:
1. Four Chapters on Freedom
(Yoga Sutra)
2. Hatha Yoga Pradipika
(important practices)
3. Bhagavad Gita  
(an epic tale for all yogis)

Sangha Yoga
157 S. Kalamazoo Mall
Mall Plaza, Suite# 140
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
location details

MapQuest directions

Sangha Yoga, LLC.
Voice Mail: (269) 232-0983
Fax: (269) 344-6469

GENERAL QUESTIONS
For all on-site class, workshop & registration inquiries or general questions about our services, gift certificates or community outreach please
Contact Lucia To contact our director, Karina Mirsky, please also email Lucia.

OFF SITE TEACHERS
Sangha Yoga is NOT a yoga teacher finder service. - Sorry but we do not respond to inquiries about providing off-site yoga teachers for others. (See Corporate Acts)

MARKETING & PROMOTION
For marketing, advertising, website & promotion inquiries: Contact Kiayan

STAFFING
For all front desk staff & work study inquiries, Contact Kristin.
Seva Program:
Work Study Application

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
To inquire about teaching our weekend Community Classes, Contact Suzi

Bulletin Board

Updated Sept. 2nd

UPCOMING EVENTS
Morning Intensives Sept 18-25
Nonviolent Communication 10/2
Shakti Day Retreat 10/30
(w/ Bhakti Vinyasa Project)
Satsang w/Devidas 11/9
Sankalpa Weekend 12/17

SAVE THE 2011 DATES
Teacher Training starts in Jan.
Costa Rica Retreat 1/28-2/5
Healing the Healer Retreat w/Tom Holmes Feb 19-20
Rod Styrker Weekend
@ WMU, March 11- 13

STUDIO CLOSED ON:
SEPT 6th: Labor Day
NOV. 25th: Thanksgiving
12/24/10 -1/2/11: Winter Break