Our Teachers
Syl Carson, Founding Director
C.T.Y.T, RYT
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In 2000 Syl obtained her Certification as a Yoga Instructor from the White Lotus Foundation,
Santa Barbara, CA (a non-dogmatic foundation that certifies from a
therapeutic Hatha yoga approach) from Ganga White & Tracey Rich.
Ganga is often referred to as "The Architect of American Yoga". He opened the first yoga center in the United States in 1967. He conducted the first Yoga Teacher Training in the U.S in 1968. Ganga holds the honored title of "Yogiraj (meaning King of Yogis).
Ganga taught Syl the importance of blending the best of many yoga modalities into an inspired, pragmatic practice, which requires skill and mastery as opposed to training and routine. This is the central philosophy Syl passes on to her students that are awarded Certification as Bodhi Yoga™ Instructors.
Following her certification with Ganga, Syl founded the parent company of Bodhi Yoga™, White Mountain Yoga, located in Provo, Utah. Her Center for Bodhi Yoga™ is cradled at the base of the 9000-foot Mount Timpanogos in the heart of the Wasatch Mountain range where Syl was born.
In 2002 she was awarded certification as an Advanced Master Thai Partner Yoga Therapist from Saul David Raye.
Syl has received training in seven separate yoga modalities
including: Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, Iyengar, Restorative, Chakra
Yoga and “Nuad Bo Rarn” Traditional Northern Thai Yoga Therapy. She
uses her understanding of the subtle nuances of mind/body interplay as
she leads Bodhi Yoga™classes with compassion, and humor.
Syl has released two Yoga workbooks, Five Yoga DVDs and Six CDs, and the brand new WMY Home Study DVD Program through White Mountain Multi-Media L.L.C. In 2004 she partnered with best selling author Carol Tuttle in the 20 hour DVD Series: “Becoming a Vibrant Human Being”.
Syl has also been a regular guest on the KJZZ TV morning program called "The Home Team", on the local Utah channel 14. During her appearances with host Maria Carr, Syl shares a Yoga moment, with information on the benefits of the practice.
Syl has dedicated her life’s work to her son Tom, who with his coming restored her sight & to Rex Croft Kocherhans, who's love and kindness helped her eyes adjust to the light.
Melanye Cannon was awarded certification as a NIA white-belt instructor in 2006. Also in 2006 she began her study in Shaolin Kempo Martial Arts for which she currently holds a purple belt.
Melanye’s yoga practice began in 1998, she is currently working toward Bodhi Yoga™ 500-Hour level certification in both Yoga and Thai Partner Yoga Therapy. Yoga classes are lead by Melanye in a joyful way, while honoring the structures of practice, self-study and personal expression of each student. She loves the flowing way of Yoga with breath linking every movement of body and mind. She is the Mother of daughter, Sylvia (9 years) and son, Zen (6 years). She considers her role as playful mommy her favorite practice!
Frances Tolman
has practiced Yoga for over 25 years. She has practiced Bodhi Yoga™ for the
past seven years. In 2006
Frances was awarded her Bodhi Yoga™ Instructor Certification.
She teaches yoga in an
easy to understand and engaging way, specializing in Meditation. She feels the benefits of yoga can be completely accessible
regardless of age, or physical ability. In addition to her yoga
practice Frances nurtures a beautiful rose garden as well as an avid
interest in gemstones.
Karen Beagles began
her study of yoga with Syl at Bodhi Yoga™ in 2005. She had practiced yoga off
and on for several years prior to that, never dreaming she could find
this in-depth level of yoga study in Utah County. In 2008 Karen was awarded 200-hour level Bodhi Yoga™
Certification.
Learning, practicing, and teaching the Bodhi Yoga™ Power Flow has
brought her into a whole new level of yoga practice. Karen also loves
to teach restorative poses and has a special love for chanting, another
really deep and wonderful aspect of yoga. If you asked Karen what yoga
can do, she would say: "Yoga has completely changed my life. It has
brought me into a higher state of being. It has reshaped not only my
body, but my mind and spirit too, in such a healthy way!"
Sandra Priddis has been
practicing Bodhi Yoga™ for five years with Syl Carson, and working even
longer with children. She has taught pre-school, elementary school,
junior high, and high school students. Sandra shares: "I feel my time
is well spent in the company of a child. I plan on influencing the
world for good, one child at a time." Sandra is currently furthering
her knowledge in Special Education at the University of Utah, where she
will be conducting research on how Yoga can help children with special
needs. Sandra is currently working toward her 200-Yoga Teacher Certification, teaching Bodhi Kids™ Yoga classes with Syl.
Justine Wilson has a sincere love for the traditions of Kundalini Yoga. She has practiced, and assisted Kundalini Yoga Classes for the past three years. She loves the energy of movement and the balancing effect is has on the whole body mind system.
Justine has just completed the Bodhi Yoga 200-hour Winter 2009 Immersion weekends and is working toward her Certification assisting in yoga classes and leading the Thursday evening Kundalini Yoga class at The Bodhi Yoga™ Center.
Gwen Nitya Eby, Clinical Ayurvedic & Pancha Karma Specialist was awarded Certification from the California College of Ayurveda. Ayurveda
is the 4000 year old medicinal system of India that is founded on
creating better health through balancing the three doshas: Vata (air),
Pitta (fire), Kapha (water/earth).
“My study of Yoga brought me to Ayurveda...I remember, when first
introduced to it, that I was amazed at how right on target this healing
science is. It's beautiful to me that powerful healing can occur with
just very simple and profound natural healing therapies.
During the year of 2008 Gwen studied with Pratichi Mathur of Vedika
Global, a nonprofit that supports the teaching of the Vedic wisdoms
(Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta). This was a powerful year of personal
healing and transformation for Gwen. This was also the year she
received her new name “Nitya”, which means “Eternal” in Sanskrit.
Currently, Gwen is working as a Master Teacher for CCA’s Distant
Learning Program and is seeing clients for Ayurvedic consultations at
The Bodhi Yoga™ Center. Schedule with Gwen HERE
Janet Barlow, BSW, Vibrational Healing Practitioner has been teaching Energy Medicine Classes in Utah Valley for many years. In addition to teaching classes and facilitating Gateways, she offers private energy healing sessions.
The Bodhi Yoga™ Center is fortunate to have Janet teaching monthly vibrational healing classes. She loves sharing the information she has gained on her own personal journey with others.
Tom Carson
is a "Yogi Apprentice". He began practicing when he was 2 years old,
nine years ago with his mom, Syl. He assists in the Bodhi Yoga™ Child's Play
yoga practice for kids class, where he enjoys teaching the practice to
other kids. Tom is an lover of dogs of all breeds, as well as an
accomplished horseman. He is a brilliant artist and musician who loves
his study of the guitar. Tom also plays on the offensive line of the
UVFL T-Wolves. His favorite thing about yoga is receiving TPYT. He
plans on becoming a Thai Partner Yoga Therapist to adjunct his college
education, where he intends to become a thoracic surgeon (along the
lines of "Hawkeye" Pierce from M*A*S*H).
