Teacher Statement
"I teach classes for all levels, from new beginners to advanced practitioners and teachers. I enjoy instructing special needs classes: therapeutics for minor injuries, pregnancy, & restorative classes."
K-Lea and her mother, June LaSalvia
K-Lea and her daughter, Chelsea Kyle Gifford
K-Lea is a second-generation Yoga instructor, starting with her late mother, June LaSalvia, in 1983. As a young teenager, K-Lea was surrounded by visiting Yogis. K-Lea graduated from Florida State University in 1986 and is a certified Advanced Alaya Process Practitioner. K-Lea was exposed to several styles of Yoga until she was 22, then narrowed her focus solely to Iyengar Yoga during her pregnancy with her daughter, Chelsea. She began training for Iyengar certification and teaching full-time in 1990 to dive deeper into the minutia of alignment.
K-Lea's Training: K-Lea attained her first Iyengar certification in 1999. She was the founder/owner of two Yoga studios in Nashville, TN. She is CIYT, Iyengar Certified at the Intermediate Junior 2 Level, and has made several trips to Pune, India to study with the Iyengars. She is also a C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists and with Yoga Alliance as E-500 RYT/YACEP. Her background in gymnastics and certification in body-oriented transpersonal psychotherapy, meditation, and breath-work have enriched her teaching immensely.
K-Lea has been teaching Yoga classes, privates, workshops, and retreats for over 31 years, and has helped many people. Clients have included professional athletes, teenagers, the chronologically gifted, and those recovering from injury. She has acquired additional training dealing with lower back, cancer, neck & shoulders, knees, scoliosis, trauma, pelvic floor, and MS.
K-Lea is a current member and certified with IYNAUS.org as well as IAYT.com and Yoga Alliance. K-Lea has taught special events for Yoga Journal and appears in the Gaiam Living Arts Video "Conditioning for Life”. She has led several workshops in the United States, Canada, and India. For several years she provided itinerant subbing services for Yoga studios/instructors. K-Lea continues her professional development through her studies with many inspiring senior Iyengar teachers.
Chelsea Gifford, K-Lea’s daughter, is the owner of Yoga Center Denver. Click here to see the studio and stop in for a class!
Kelly Jean recently conducted an insightful marketing interview with K-Lea, where they delved into various strategies and approaches that define the unique essence of K-Lea Gifford Yoga. During this conversation, they explored the ways in which K-Lea incorporates mindfulness and holistic practices into her marketing efforts, fostering a deeper connection with her audience.
This is my Grand-Daughter Yogini, River Ashae. You can follow her at https://www.instagram.com/river_ashae/
Gratitude for My Teachers
BKS Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, Prashant Iyengar, Mary Dunn, Chris Saudek, John Schumacher, Abhay Javakhedkar, Patricia Walden, June LaSalvia, Reta Morningstar Lawler, Carrie Owerko, Jan Campbell, Mary Obendorfer, Kathy Curran, Manouso Manos, Lois Steinberg, Dean & Rebecca Lerner, Dona Holleman, Nancy Stechert, Richard Rosen, Ramanand Patel, Elise Miller, Roger Cole, George Purvis, Joan White, Gabriella Giubilaro, Aadil Palkhivala, Arthur Kilmurray, Julie Lawrence, Felicity Green, Julie Gudmestad, Erich Schiffmann, Patti Sullivan, Francois Raoult, Kofi Busia, Judith Lasater, Chelsea Gifford, Chris Furer, Tilopa. Scroll to view photos.